1. The Cherokee County School District has announced the schedule for a series of expos intended to showcase the work of the students enrolled in the system's six Cherokee Academies. Click on the following link for the dates and times. Cherokee to Showcase Academies 2. Canton City Manager Scott Wood said there's no basis to overturn Chief Robert Merchant's decision to fire assistant police chief Todd Vande Zande. Vande Zande has threatened to file suit.  Vande Zande Denied Hearing 3. Authorities have identified the woman who was flown to Grady Hospital in Atlanta after she was struck by her …

1. A woman who appears to be in her late 60s was flown to Grady Hospital in Atlanta after a SUV struck her Wednesday in Canton's Great Sky subdivision. Elderly Woman Struck in Great Sky 2. With nearly two months to go before Georgians vote on a controversial amendment that could restore the state's authority to approve and fund charter schools, the Georgia PTA is under pressure from its parent organization to rescind its opposition to the measure. GA PTA Under Pressure Over Charters 3. The Governmental Affairs Committee of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Elected …

1. Enrollment in the Cherokee County School District on Tuesday reached 39,220 students, spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby said. "With the additional enrollment of 998 students since the first day of school," Jacoby said, "the School District has exceeded its projected peak enrollment of 38,925 by 295 students." 2. Planning to get on the road this Labor Day weekend? You're in luck. GDOT Suspends Labor Day Lane Closures. 3. Across metro Atlanta, there have been reports of fake traffic stops. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office offers these tips. Steps to Detect Fake Traffic Stops 4. Jessica Moss, …

1. Take a look at these tips from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, which is urging folks to prepare for Tropical Storm Issac-related weather in Georgia. GEMA: Prepare for Tropical Storm Isaac 2. A funeral will take place at 1 p.m. today at Sosebee Memorial Chapel for Jemail Raymont Jones, the 29-year-old Canton man who was killed one week ago today in a head-on collision that injured four others. Funeral for Jemail Jones on Tuesday 3. Liberty Elementary School will introduce the HERO Campaign, a new anti-bullying program, during an assembly at 9 a.m. Thursday.  4. Synovus Bank, which …

1. The man behind a bomb threat that put Carmike locations in Canton and other parts of metro Atlanta on alert last Friday has been identified, the spokesman for the Columbus movie chain said in a one-sentence statement. Carmike Bomb Threat Suspect ID'd 2. All this summer you've nominated and voted for your favorite local businesses and people. Click on the following link to see who you selected. Readers' Choice Winners 2012 3. While Cherokee has not had any cases of West Nile virus, the state has confirmed 21 cases across Georgia. Friday, state health officials urged caution. 21 Confirmed …

1. On average, Cherokee County School District's class of 2012 earned the highest ACT scores in the system's history. See which high school was tops. Cherokee Better Than State, Nation on ACT 2. Three Canton businesses made Inc. Magazine's list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. Which ones made the list? Click on the following link to find out. 3 Make Fastest-Growing Co. List 3. MUST Ministries has found a new facility near Interstate 575. Now it needs your financial support. MUST Cherokee on the Move 4. Cherokee's July unemployment rate of 7.5 percent was nearly two percentage …

1. A Douglasville man on Tuesday committed suicide inside his cell at the Cherokee County Detention Center, according to 11Alive and the Cherokee Ledger-News. Cherokee Detention Center Inmate Commits Suicide 2. You submitted more than 700 photos of your canine companions to our Top Dog in Georgia photo contest. Now it's time for you to vote for your favorite, just one vote per day please. The voting period will close at 5 p.m. on Aug. 30. It's Time to Vote for the Top Dog in Georgia   3. Catch up on all of Wednesday's announcements from the Cherokee County School District. Post your own …

1. Elijah Cole, the missing 11-year-old BridgeMill boy, was found safe Tuesday morning. His father, 43-year-old Jason Cole, was arrested on a number of charges. Investigators suspect went on a drug binge as he and his son went from house to house, said Lt. Jay Baker, the spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. Boy in DFCS Custody, Father Arrested Father of Missing Boy on Probation Elijah Cole Found Safe Missing BridgeMill Boy, 11, May Be in Danger 2. Former Cherokee County Fire Chief Ray Gunnin is the newest member of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners after ousting …

1. Today, we will find out if Post 2 Commissioner Jim Hubbard will retain his seat or if former Cherokee County Fire Chief Ray Gunnin will become the newest member of the Board of Commissioners. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at: Air Acres Arnold Mill Avery Bradshaw Hickory Flat Little River Mountain Road Neese Union Hill Univeter Woodlands Return to Patch later tonight for the results. County Commission: Poole Wins; Hubbard, Gunnin Headed for Runoff Cromer, Ruskell Request Recounts Recount: Primary Results Stand  2. Elijah Cole, a student at Sixes Elementary in Canton, has not been…

1. Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services maintained its Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating in a survey that was conducted in December 2011. "Effective November 1, 2012, Cherokee County will maintain the Public Protection Classification (PPC) of Class 5/9," spokesman Tim Cavender said. "The classification is a direct result of information gathered, and is dependent on the resource levels devoted to fire protection in existence at the time of the survey to include the 911 Center on handling and receiving alarms, the Fire Department and the Water Supply system of the various suppliers…

1. Adjust your calendars, Cherokee County School District parents, students and staff. Oct. 26, previously one of eight furlough days, is now a school day. And Dec. 21 is now a furlough day. New Furlough Date: Dec. 21 2. The fall semester at Chattahoochee Technical College begins today. At this time, there are 975 students enrolled at the Canton campus. 3. To mark the 2012 apple harvest, the Cherokee County Farm Bureau on Saturday will sponsor Apple Day at the Cherokee Fresh Market, 362 Stringer Rd., Canton. Open the attached PDF for details. 4. Today is the last day to vote in our Patch …

1. The Canton City Council will meet at 6 p.m. tonight to potentially approve the fiscal year 2013 budget. Council members also will discuss a long-range plan for improving fire services in the city. Return to Canton-Sixes Patch at 6 p.m. to watch the meeting live. 2. Wednesday, the council held a special called meeting to discuss plans for the Etowah River Park. Click the following link for details. Canton Firms Up Etowah River Park Wish List 3. Authorities with the Canton Police Department have identified the two men suspected of stealing 51 Apple iPods worth more than $7,000 from the …

1. Disney's The Odd Life of Timothy Green, which was filmed in Canton and other locations across metro Atlanta, makes its big screen debut today. Disney Film Shot in Canton Opens Wednesday 2. In a letter formally appealing his termination as the city's assistant police chief, Todd Vande Zande asked that the Canton City Council assign a hearing officer "who has no stake in the outcome and who does not report to the City Manager" to oversee the appeals process. He also requested that City Manager Scott Wood recuse himself from the proceedings. Fired Canton Cop Requests Hearing 3. In case you …

1. From 1 to 5 p.m. today, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Business Expo at the Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency South Annex, 7545 Main St., Bldg. No. 200, Woodstock. Stop by the Patch booth and say hello. 2. Lance LoRusso, the attorney for fired Canton Police assistant chief Todd Vande Zande, said Monday that he "sent a letter on Friday formally appealing Vande Zande's termination through the process provided in the city ordinance and policy." Canton-Sixes Patch requested that letter through an open records request, but has yet to receive it. The Canton City …

1. The Canton City Council has called two special meetings this week. The first is today at 6 p.m., and will "immediately adjourn to executive session to discuss possible litigation," city clerk Susan Stanton said Friday. The city faces the threat of litigation after Todd Vande Zande, who temporarily took the helm of the Canton Police Department after the agency faced widespread criticism for its role in the search of 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera, was fired Monday. Atlanta lawyer Lance J. LoRusso, who represents Vande Zande, said he was "disappointed with the actions taken by the City of Canton…

1. The recounts of the Post 1 school board and Post 2 county commission races were held Thursday at the Cherokee County Elections and Voter Registration Office in Canton. Click on the following link for details. Recount: Primary Results Stand Cromer, Ruskell Request Recounts 2. The attorney for a fired First Baptist Canton employee indicted in April 2011 in connection with the alleged sexual battery of a teenage boy had no comment on Thursday, one day after it was revealed that the boy's parents had filed a civil suit in Cherokee County Superior Court. And the church did not reply to a …

1. For the first time, student enrollment in the Cherokee County School District has topped 39,000. Look for details at 5:55 a.m. 2. There will be recounts of the Post 1 school board and Post 2 county commission races beginning at 2 p.m. today at the Cherokee County Elections and Voter Registration Office in Canton. Click on the following link for details. Cromer, Ruskell Request Recounts 3. A fired First Baptist Canton employee indicted in April 2011 in connection with the alleged sexual battery of a teenage boy is one of four parties named in a civil suit filed Aug. 1 in Cherokee County …

1. A meeting "to begin the development of a 5-10 year fire services plan" will be held at 10 a.m. today at City Hall. That was one of the requests from seniors who pleaded with the Canton City Council to postpone a vote to override the mayor's veto of a controversial fire district ordinance that critics fear will erase a decade of voter-approved senior tax exemptions. The council proceeded with the vote. Canton to Map Out Fire Service Needs The Cost of Improving Canton's Fire Service 2. There will be recounts Thursday of the Post 1 school board and Post 2 county commission races. Click on the…

1. Todd Vande Zande, who temporarily took the helm of the Canton Police Department after the agency faced widespread criticism for its role in the search of 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera, was fired Monday. Vande Zande had until the close of business Monday to resign or face termination, Atlanta lawyer Lance J. LoRusso said in a letter to the mayor, the city manager, the new police chief and all six members of the Canton City Council.  LoRusso wrote in the letter that Vande Zande would "immediately seek injunctive and other relief through the Superior Court of Cherokee County against the City of …

1. A meeting "to begin the development of a 5-10 year fire services plan" will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall, city clerk Susan Stanton announced on Friday. That was one of the requests from seniors who pleaded with the Canton City Council to postpone a vote to override the mayor's veto of a controversial fire district ordinance that critics fear will erase a decade of voter-approved senior tax exemptions. The council proceeded with the vote. Council Overrides Mayor's Veto, Resident Wants 5 Members Recalled  2. A funeral service for Ricky, Darlene and Lindsey Norrell, whose bodies …