CTL Script/ Top Stories of May 21st Publish Date: May 21st From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast Today is Tuesday, May 21st and Happy 71st Birthday to actor Mr. T. ***05.21.24 – BIRTHDAY – MR. T*** I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia. Man Charged with Holding Woman Hostage at Woodstock ApartmentDesign Contract Approved for Pedestrian Bridge in CantonCherokee Schools Graduating Over 3,000 High School Seniors Plus, Bruce Jenkins sits down with Leah McGrath to discuss microwave meals. We’ll have all this and more coming up on the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger Podcast, and if you’re looking for Community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! Commercial: CU of GA STORY 1: Man Charged with Holding Woman Hostage at Woodstock Apartment A man in Woodstock has been charged with holding a woman hostage following a standoff with authorities at a Woodstock apartment. Woodstock PD and Cherokee Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting a hostage situation. The Cherokee County Multi-Agency SWAT Team was deployed, and negotiation attempts were made. When the suspect refused to engage, SWAT officers entered the apartment. No injuries were reported during the incident. The suspect, William Scott Kirk II, 34, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment. He was booked into Cherokee County jail without bond. Woodstock Police Chief Robert Jones commended the swift and effective response of law enforcement in resolving the situation peacefully. STORY 2: Design Contract Approved for Pedestrian Bridge in Canton The Canton City Council has approved a design contract for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge in the Sunnyside community. The $810,800 contract with Practical Design Partners will facilitate the Canton Creek pedestrian bridge and sidewalk improvement project. The bridge will span Canton Creek parallel to the Marietta Road Bridge. The project aims to enhance pedestrian access to the Salvation Army and Family Dollar development on the west side of Marietta Road. Funding includes a $2.2 million grant from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. Once design work is complete, construction bids will be solicited, with the project expected to take around a year to finalize designs, environmental tasks, surveys, and right-of-way plans. This initiative addresses a need identified during the Canton Transportation Master Plan development. STORY 3: Cherokee Schools Graduating Over 3,000 High School Seniors Approximately 3,100 graduating seniors from the Cherokee County School District will participate in graduation ceremonies at First Baptist Church of Woodstock. The ceremonies will be streamed live on the church's website for those unable to attend. The schedule includes ceremonies for i-Grad Virtual Academy, Etowah High School, Creekview High School, Cherokee High School, River Ridge High School, Woodstock High School, and Sequoyah High School. Expect increased traffic in the area starting May 22 due to graduation practices and heavier traffic before and after the ceremonies. Additionally, high school finals schedules and early release for middle and high school students on Friday, May 24, may affect traffic. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. Back in a moment Break: DRAKE STORY 4: Input Sought for Wildcat Sixes Road Project in Cherokee More than 60 individuals gathered at Woodstock Library for an open house on May 16 to discuss the Wildcat Sixes Road Project, aimed at easing traffic congestion and fostering development in the I-575 and Sixes Road area. The joint initiative involving Cherokee County, Woodstock, Holly Springs, and the Cherokee Office of Economic Development began in 2023. Cristina Pastore from Kimley-Horn, the project consultant, highlighted transportation challenges and traffic bottlenecks. Attendees provided feedback on transportation issues and land use preferences, emphasizing responsible development and addressing traffic problems. The project aims for a comprehensive plan over a 20- to 30-year horizon, with draft recommendations expected by summer and further public input in the fall. Residents can contribute feedback through an online survey until May 31. STORY 5: Rustix Manor Raises Over $70K for Cherokee County Law Enforcement Rustix Manor recently hosted its "Back Our Blue and America Too" event, also known as Officer Joe Burson Day 2.0, raising over $70,000 to support local law enforcement in Cherokee County. Funds will benefit the Holly Springs Police Foundation, Cherokee Sheriff’s Foundation, and Woodstock Public Safety Foundation. The event featured a free Chick-fil-A breakfast and Giggle Monster doughnuts drive-thru, with donations collected. A live broadcast from The ...
