The community had the opportunity to visit first hand the Cherokee County School District's newest facility: Clark Creek Elementary School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy in southwest Cherokee. 

The district held a ribbon cutting for the facility Thursday evening. The school, located on Hunt Road in southwest Cherokee County, is 134,824 square feet and includes 77 instructional units/classrooms and already has more than 900 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through fifth-grade.

The facility, which was designed by JKH Architects and constructed by Evergreen Construction, is equipped with computer labs and music, art and family living classrooms, a media center, cafetorium and gymnasium and can accommodate 1,250 students.

Clark Creek is one of the district's six new Cherokee Academies, which opened this school year to continue increasing the academic choices available within our system.  

“Clark Creek STEM Academy is what students and parents should receive when they’re promised ‘choice,’ as this school truly offers unique, challenging curriculum in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, which are the fields for our world’s future careers,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo said. “We’re thrilled to see the STEM Academies already exciting students about these subjects, and we’re delighted that families are choosing to transfer to Clark Creek ES STEM Academy to be a part of this new initiative.” 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony included the presentation of colors and Pledge of Allegiance by local Boy Scouts; the singing of the National Anthem by first-grader Miranda Crespo; the recognition of special guests including School Board members, School District staff, Principals and Cherokee County Manager Jerry Cooper; dedication remarks by Assistant Superintendent for School Operations Dr. Brian Hightower; a presentation by Georgia PTA Second Vice President Debbie Rabjohn; and a student musical interactive slate presentation. 

Following the ceremony, the school presented its first-ever Fall Expo to raise awareness among parents/guardians and the community of the ongoing activities and student accomplishments associated with its STEM Academy. 

Bi-annual expos will be presented at each Academy every fall and spring semester.  During the Expo at Clark Creek, students and parents participated in STEM-related activities and labs and experienced how video conferencing can link classrooms to global learning opportunities. 

“The grade-level teachers hosting these lab classrooms were very enthusiastic and engaging, and the students and parents all seemed grateful for the opportunity to see STEM in action,” Dr. Hightower said.  “It was a great evening, as the Clark Creek ES students, parents and staff represented their new facility with pride.  The staff, local PTA Officers and community clearly communicated their appreciation to the School Board and School District staff for their new building and the unique opportunity of housing one of the School District’s new STEM Academies!”  

The times and dates for upcoming Fall Expo 2012 events are:

• 7 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 9 at Ball Ground Elementary (will also include a ribbon cutting for the new facility).
• 7 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 17 at Hasty Elementary. 
• 6 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 8 at Canton Elementary. 

These events are open not only to students and their families, but also to anyone from the community who wants to learn more about the Cherokee Academies initiative.

One in 8 American women and 1 in 1,000 American men will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. It’s estimated that more than 2 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer and fight for their lives each year.

Breast cancer is difficult to face alone—for both patients and their loved ones. To help in the battle, there are a number of local resources and support groups.

In Canton, the Cancer Support Community at Northside Hospital at Cherokee meets on the first Thursday of every month at the aforementioned hospital. Those interested in attending can call 404-843-1880 to find out more information on the group.

“Support groups are really beneficial,” says Debra Somerrs Copit, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at Albert Einstein Medical Center, and a member of the medical advisory board for Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

“When patients are told they’re sick, it can be an out of body experience and they aren’t taking in everything the doctor is saying. It can be helpful to have someone to turn to and learn from who has gone through the same thing,” says Copit, who is a breast cancer survivor herself.

Not only do groups offer emotional support, but being a part of a support group can actually help patients feel less depressed and can help to reduce physical pain, according to a 2001 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Patients who aren’t big fans of group settings but still want to reap the benefits can turn to technology. It’s hard to duplicate in-person support groups on the web, but the recently launched breast cancer specific social networking platform, MyBreastCancerTeam comes close.

The site and mobile app caters to breast cancer survivors, and women  who have been recently diagnosed. Users can find suggestions for doctors and find similar users based on location, diagnosis and age. Members also have access to peer-driven Q&A section where they can read and write posts.

While a web platform may be useful for some, Dr.Copit worries that online forums can sometimes trigger the spread of misinformation. She suggests that patients who can’t make it to an in-person support group try calling a phone line.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer has a confidential survivors’ helpline that connects patients with others of similar background, going through similar situation. Call (888) 753-LBBC (5222) for more information.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.

Yesterday's laptops and desktop computers are old news. As fast as technology improves, a computer bought just a few years ago is ancient and won't run most current software (and games).

So what do you do with all of those old computers, CD-Roms, cell phones, copiers, printers and other electronics that are just so much clutter in your home? Bring them to the Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Cherokee Administrative Building. But don't bring your home appliances – washers, dryers, refrigerators and freezers are among items that won't be accepted.

The collection will take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., so get up early to load up the car. Once you arrive, you don't even need to get out of the car. Volunteers will remove your items for recycling.

Items Accepted at No Charge

• Personal Computers
• Laptops
• Modems
• Floppy/Disk Drives
• Printers
• UPS Batteries
• CD-Roms
• Fax Machines
• Cell Phones
• Circuit Boards
• Copiers
• Phones
• PC Power Supplies
• Stereos/VCR/CD-Players
• Scanners
• Keyboards
• Typewriters
• Microwaves
• Mouse/Mice
• Test Equipment
• Wire/Cabling
• PC Monitors
• Networking Equipment

Chargeable Items

• Televisions ($10)

Items Not Accepted

• Console/Projection Televisions
• Car Batteries
• Dryers
• Washer/Dryers
• Toaster Ovens
• Freezers
• Vacuum Cleaners
• De-Humidifiers
• Blenders
• Humidifiers
• Gas Powered Tools
• Household Trash
• Refrigerators
• Tires Mixers
• Washers
• Battery Powered Tools
• Ovens

Remain in your car and let our volunteers take all equipment from your vehicle. Also, please remove equipment from boxes, and cables from each device. All cables may be placed in a bag for drop off that day. Reworx, Cherokee County and Waste Management make this event possible. Call 770-426-1700 for more information.

This article is sponsored by Home Depot:

Time is money, the old adage goes, but so is a well-winterized house. Stopping air leakages can take as much as 30 percent off your heating bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Check out these three tips for closing up air leaks around your home:

1. First, do an energy audit of your house, keeping an eye out for the trouble spots. Windows and doors are obvious places to check, but also look at things like wall outlets and switches, plumbing vents and the attic hatch for leakage. Swaying curtains and light under your doors are sure signs, but you can find less obvious air leaks by using an infrared thermometer to check for temperature variations. Or use a lighted candle (carefully). If the flame moves, air is coming in.
2. Seal the outside of windows with a good quality silicone caulk; use rope caulk on the inside (it can be removed in the spring). Or cover windows with a transparent film, using a hair dryer for adhesion. Other air leaks can be sealed with caulk or self-adhesive weather stripping.  
3. Installing insulation yourself is not easy, but if you have an older home, chances are you need to add more. If the insulation is level with or below the floor joists, you should add more, according to Energy Star, a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.  

To learn about adding insulation to your home, check out the video above sponsored by Home Depot.

Cherokee County's most southern city will host the 2013 Southern Mountain Bike Summit.

Woodstock will host the second biannual event, which will be held March 22-24, 2013, and the summit will be held during the Greenprints Alliance's annual Streetfest, which blends music, activities, food and entertainment with education about the organization's efforts to raise money to expand the city's trail network. 

Jay Wilkes, the president of the Woodstock Southern Off Road Bicycling Association (SORBA) chapter, said he's excited to show off the ever expanding trail network on the southern end of the county. He also said the success of the mountain bike trails wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for the support of the Cherokee County government, the city of Woodstock and other local community volunteers.

"The success stories of Blankets Creek and Rope Mill Park have been achieved through dedicated local sponsors, passionate volunteers and the extraordinary volume of ridership in the area," he said. "This community support has allowed us to progress and expand the riding experience in new directions."

The summit serves as an opportunity to network, learn and ride with those who share the same passion. The three-day summit will start on Friday, and that day's seminars will focus on educating on how to manage mountain bike trails and how to create, expand and maintain mountain biking opportunities in the outdoors. 

A guided ride will also take place on the Taylor Randahl Memorial Mountain Bike Trails at Olde Rope Mill Park followed by dinner in downtown Woodstock.

The program on Saturday will have work shops and panels that will give experts the chance to discuss trail building and building up the volunteer base to help maintain trail networks. One of Cherokee County's largest attractions won't be left out in the cold as a guided ride is also slated to take place at Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday, mountain bikers will take on the North Georgia Mountains and will ride throughout the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest starting at Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get-A-Way. 

“We are excited that SORBA has chosen to have their summit in Woodstock and look forward to showing off the eco-tourism vision that has been spearheaded by Mayor Donnie Henriques and embraced by our community,” said Woodstock City Planner Brian Stockton. “There has been a lot of time and money invested in establishing this green infrastructure network and we hope to share the strategy with others who can replicate it in their communities.”

Update: (3:00 p.m.): Detective Candy Worthy of the Canton Police Department says the wreck and debris has been cleared and 140 is back to full operation. There are no further updates on the condition of the driver of the tractor trailer, but authorities are hopeful they will have more infotmation soon.

Update (11:20 a.m.): Canton Police Chief Robert Merchant says that the tractor trailer was traveling southbound on 140 down a hill when the driver lost control at the railroad tracks. When the truck overturned, garbage was spilled on to the highway.

Merchant says the driver has been transported to a hospital, though his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. The identity of the driver is unknown at this time.

Drivers on westbound 140 are being diverted off the highway at Scott Road. The Canton Police Department is being assisted by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at this location. Drivers exiting Interstate 575 at 140 must either get back on 575 or take a left at the exit and go down to Marietta Road.

According to Merchant, it will be an hour or more before the tractor trailer is uprighted and debris is cleared from the highway. A wrecker is on scene now trying to get the tractor trailer upright.

Don't forget to check out Canton-Sixes Patch's real-time traffic map to get up to the minute traffic updates for the area and all of Cherokee County.

Original Story: A tractor trailer hauling trash overturned on GA-140 (Hickory Flat Hwy) at Interstate 575, shutting down 140 Monday morning.

It is not yet known how long it will take to clean up the accident and reopen GA-140, though the Canton Police Department estimates it will take at least an hour.

There is a message board on the highway before the accident alerting drivers to alter their route. Additionally, the Canton Police Department is diverting westbound traffic on to Scott Road.

Stay with Canton-Sixes Patch for updates on this developing story.

The consensus after last week's Presidential debate was that Republican candidate Mitt Romney won the debate with President Barack Obama.

But does that really matter? A recent article in The Washington Post states that analysts differ on the question. Some point to debates with John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, which Kennedy clearly won on style and which may have moved the close election in his favor. Others say a debate win is only a temporary victory. What do you think? 

This week, Vice Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan will take on each other on Thursday at 9 p.m. at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Obama and Romney will meet again on Oct. 16 and 22. Will you be watching?

Do Presidential debates sway votes? If so, why? If not, will you still watch?

More people leave Cherokee for work than any other county in metro Atlanta. Do you want to work closer to home?

Physicians Business Solutions in Canton is looking for an executive administrative assistant, a full-time position. Duties include calendar management, providing research support and client communication.

The qualified candidate will have 2-3 years of office experience, with strong written and verbal communication skills. Candidates must also demonstrate proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of programs. 

To apply for this job, click here. Alternately, hand deliver a resume to 310 Paper Trail Wy, Ste 304, Canton.

To peruse the Canton-Sixes Patch classifieds, click here.

Don’t miss any of the local news you care about. Subscribe to Canton-Sixes Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

On Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, you will see Officers of the Canton Police Department (CPD) sporting a “new” look.  Since 1987, Officers of the CPD have worn grey shirts and navy trousers.  On Friday, the uniform worn by Officers will change to midnight blue trousers and shirts.  

When Chief Robert Merchant arrived, he conducted interviews with all employees.  He heard numerous concerns voiced about the color and quality of the uniform.  Chief Merchant formed a committee comprised of employees from various work groups.  He wanted employees to be involved in the decision-making process.  Chief Merchant was pleased that a group of employees worked together and were able to present a uniform combination that all employees could agree on.  In addition to the color change, the Committee changed the color of the shoulder patch and all badges/name plate for Officers will be silver.  The design of the shoulder patch will remain the same reflecting the tradition of the CPD.

Officer Stephen Delman (pictured) was hired by the Canton Police Department in May 2011.  He is a 2011 graduate of the Police Academy at Reinhardt University.  He recently received the Department’s Life Savings Award for saving a person trapped in a burning building.

More people leave Cherokee for work than any other county in metro Atlanta. Do you want to work closer to home?

Soliant Health is looking to hire a Licensed Physical Therapist for the Cherokee County School District. If you are interested in applying for this job contact Kourtney Marcus at 866-504-2872 or kourtney.marcus@soliant.com.

Additionally, apply online by clicking here.

To peruse the Canton-Sixes Patch classifieds, click here.

Don’t miss any of the local news you care about. Subscribe to Canton-Sixes Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The Cherokee County Adult Detention Center supplied Patch with the mug shots and booking reports of the inmates who appear here. At the time of reporting, none of them has been convicted of the listed charges, and all should be presumed innocent.

1. Weather: This patchy (nothing to do with us!) fog should burn off by 9 a.m., says the National Weather Service. After that, expect the high to reach 74 degrees today under mostly sunny skies. Winds could gust up to 25 mph today. Tonight, the temperature should dip to a low of 44 degrees.

2. In Case You Missed It: The Canton Police Department will have a whole new look starting Friday. Find out what changes are in store for the officers' appearance.

3. Happening Now: Don't forget that Fields of Faith is tonight at Cherokee High School! Patch will be there to cover the festivities, so come on out and enjoy this wonderful fellowship opportunity!

4. Looking Ahead: Cherokee County officials are continuing to spread the word about the proposed 1% sales tax and homestead exemption (HOST) that will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot. Read about their previous information drives and how they plan to keep getting information to voters at 10 a.m.!

A Canton woman is asking for your help in finding her lost iPod Touch. There's a reward in it for whoever returns it to her! Get more details at 8 a.m.

5. On This Date in History: On Oct. 10, 1971, London Bridge was "re" opened in Lake Havasu City, NV, after the town's owner bought the bridge from the United Kingdom and had it rebuilt brick by brick in his community.

SPECIAL NOTE: Most of the Patch editors in the Southeast region (including yours truly) will be at an all-day conference in downtown Atlanta. Barring an early release and a wifi connection, there may not be a mug shot article posted today. I am sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.

Cherokee County leaders continue the push out information on a proposed one-percent sales tax voters will consider on Nov. 6.

County Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens participated in two forums with Cherokee Bank and Cherokee Tribune to inform voters about the proposal. Ahrens is also making the rounds to make presentations during city council meetings.

Ahrens presented his measure to Woodstock leaders on Monday and will be at the Ball Ground City Council meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. to discuss the proposal.

The chairman noted he felt the forums "have done their jobs" and most participants asked good questions. One of the major hurdles is informing voters that the tax is not "asking for a new single dollar." 

Ahrens said the proposal simply replaces one revenue source with another.

"We are saying that this is a different revenue source that directly impacts (by reducing) the real property taxes our residents pay," he added. 

Dennis Burnette, president and CEO of Cherokee Bank, said the primary objective of both forums was to present information to voters, not to sway them one way or another on the matter.

Burnette added he felt both forums gave voters the opportunity to learn about the proposal on the Nov. 6 ballot.

"The presenters did an excellent job of presenting a very complicated matter in as simple terms as possible," he said. "Even more important, they listened, empathized and sought to understand."

A slideshow of the presentation can be found here.

How will you cast your ballot on the proposed HOST referendum? Participate in our poll and tell us in the comments below!

Commissioner Harry Johnston added he felt the forums were "informative," but did not draw a lot of people. 

"Some of those who did were from the "just-say-no-to-everything" faction within the Tea Party," he said, referring to some of the attendees. "But I think most people, including most Tea Party members, want to move toward consumption-based taxes and away from property taxes. And that's exactly what HOST does."

Ahrens on Monday said the proposal reflects an effort across the state to implement property tax reform. The county commission garnered the support of Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), an ardent supporter of property tax reform, in its quest to place the referendum on the ballot. Rogers was the chief sponsor of the bill during the 2012 legislative session to allow the county to place the matter on the ballot.

The measure will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot and, if approved, would impose a one percent sales tax. The revenue would be used to rollback the county’s M&O property taxes. It does not apply to the school, fire district taxes and parks bond imposed by the county. Nor does it apply to city property taxes.

Georgia law requires two questions to be placed on the ballots and residents have to vote yes on both in order for it to pass. Once enacted, the HOST does not have a sunset provision; it can only be terminated by referendum. 

The law allows the county to use up to 20 percent of the funds for capital purposes. However, the Cherokee County Commission approved a resolution stating the board will use 100 percent of the proceeds to roll back property taxes as long as a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program is in place.

No more than five acres on a qualified property would be eligible to receive the credit. In other words, a 12-acre property would only be allowed to receive the credit for up to five acres. The seven other acres would be treated as non-homesteaded property.

The tax is expected to generate around $30 million in revenue per year and county officials estimate that number would offset 100 percent of the county's M&O portion of the tax bill on homesteaded properties. It would offset roughly 70 percent of M&O taxes on other properties.

A home in the county that's worth about $155,000 would save about $335 per year if the HOST is implemented, according to county estimates.

If voters approve the HOST, the tax would be officially implemented in April 2013. The state allows the county to collect revenue from the tax for a partial year and then a full calendar year before applying the credits.

However, the county commission in a resolution stipulated it would start applying the offsets immediately and would use all funds collected through 30 days before the county commission sets its millage rate during those first two years of collections.

County leaders do feel most voters, when provided with the information, understand the proposal in front of them.

"I think the truth is getting out, and people are asking about it, but the false information is being talked about too," Commissioner Jim Hubbard said.

Hubbard was referring to a power point presentation being circulated by the now-defunct Review and Recommendations Committee To Assist County Government.

In the power point, the committee encourages residents to vote against the proposal. They charge the county will collect millions in revenue before dispersing the exemptions and will subsequently use the revenue to pay for capital expenses, both of which county leaders deny.

Johnston added he believes the "intentional" misinformation being spread by the committee will be the primary obstacle leaders will have to overcome to get through to voters. Saying there's "no logical reason for property owners to oppose" the HOST, Johnston added the proposal will result in almost all homeowners paying lower property taxes.

"Except for diversifying the revenue stream and spreading it more equally across the year, the county government gains nothing by implementing HOST," he said. "This is strictly something to benefit the taxpayers."

Evidence Indicates Multiple Deceptions by Husband of Shooting Victim – Sandy Springs Patch

Emails from Michael Parson to the woman he was believed to be secretly engaged to show Parson said he was unmarried, according to a WSB-TV News report.

The Texas Highway Patrol arrested Michael Parson, in May, following a traffic stop. He fled Georgia as police investigated his wife’s shooting. Adina Parson suffered eight gunshot wounds, three in the head on April 20, outside her apartment at the Residences of Morgan Falls off Roswell Road. For more on this story, visit Sandy Springs Patch.

Parent to School Board: 'Embarrassed' by Member's Actions – Cartersville Patch

Fallout from the recent release of recorded phone calls and text messages continued with the Bartow County Board of Education's October work session.

The husband of a system employee who school board Vice Chairman Angie Cornett called by name in a previous public meeting said Cornett violated the board's own policy. A parent also had harsh words for the board and for District 3 representative Cornett, a call to action. See the video on Cartersville Patch.

Canton Police Debut New Uniforms Friday  – Canton Patch

On Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, you will see Officers of the Canton Police Department (CPD) sporting a “new” look.  Since 1987, Officers of the CPD have worn grey shirts and navy trousers.  On Friday, the uniform worn by Officers will change to midnight blue trousers and shirts. For more on this story, visit Canton Patch.

Milton Eagles Banned from Basketball Tournaments This Season – Alpharetta-Milton Patch

Milton High School lost its boys basketball coach, David Boyd, and now the team has lost any chance to be in the state tournament this season.

"The Georgia High School Association has placed the boys’ basketball program at Milton High School on probation for the 2012-13 season for violating GHSA rules in regard to 'undue influence',” GHSA reported on its website Oct. 9. For more on this story, visit Alpharetta-Milton Patch.

More people leave Cherokee for work than any other county in metro Atlanta. Do you want to work closer to home?

Chart Industries is looking to hire a medical supervisor for its first shift operations. The supervisor will be responsible for ensuring safe and timely production of superior products that exceed customer expectations.

The successful applicant will have a GED or high school diploma, and five years experience in the manufacturing field. The applicant will also be able to perform physical tasks such as kneeling, crawling, and lifting up to 50 lbs.

To apply for this job, click here.

To peruse the Canton-Sixes Patch classifieds, click here.

Don’t miss any of the local news you care about. Subscribe to Canton-Sixes Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

A registered nurse was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for selling a Valium-like "party drug" on eBay that was used by an Acworth teen who accidentally died in August 2010 after taking that drug and two others

Matthew Schroeder was sentenced today, Oct. 10, by U.S. Senior District Court Judge J. Owen Forrester for selling phenazepam, which is not approved for sale in the United States. While it is not listed as a controlled substance under federal drug laws, its sale for human consumption is prohibited in the United States except for research under strictly regulated terms. 

 Schroeder, 29, formerly of North Tonawanda, NY, was sentenced to 3 years in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was convicted on Aug. upon pleading guilty to dispensing a misbranded prescription drug without a prescription and with intent to defraud and mislead.

.U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, "As a registered nurse and abuser of phenazepam, Schroeder was especially aware of the drug’s dangers, yet he marketed the drug over eBay with no warnings and a fraudulent banner purporting to prohibit purchases by law enforcement and for any purpose other than research.”

In August 2010, an 18-year-old man from Acworth, bought phenazepam from Schroeder’s eBay site.  On the night of Aug. 24, 2010, the 18-year-old, his teenage friends and Kerrie Sue Chatham, 44, were partying at Chatham’s home in Acworth, according to Yates and court records.  While watching movies, the 18-year-old mixed phenazepam in powder form with alcohol and then injected the mixture. The 18-year-old was also taking oxycodone pills given to him by Chatham. On the morning of Aug. 25, Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call from the Chatham home. They arrived to find the 18-year-old unconscious with a nose bloodied from an overdose. The teen, Chatham and two others were taken to the hospital. The 18-year-old later died, while the others were hospitalized and released. An autopsy concluded that his death was an accident caused by phenazepam, oxycodone and propoxyphene.

Chatham was arrested on state charges for distributing oxycodone, a Schedule II drug, and sentenced to serve three years in prison.  An investigation by Special Agents of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office traced the 18-year-old’s purchase of phenazepam from Matthew Schroeder through eBay, email and PayPal records, along with information provided by the 18-year-old’s parents. This evidence led the investigators to North Tonawanda, New York, where they discovered evidence of phenazepam sales in Schroeder’s apartment and computer.  Schroeder admitted selling phenazepam to 18-year-old and others around the country.

Phenazepam is a benzodiazepine drug related to Valium but many times stronger.  Phenazepam magnifies the effects of other substances and can be fatal in small doses, especially when mixed with alcohol and other depressants.  Even snorting one line can cause an overdose.  Its delayed effect, which can take 2-3 hours, compounds its dangers by inviting the inexperienced user to re-dose. An overdose can quickly lead to loss of bowel control, respiratory depression, coma and death.  Side effects can last for days and sometimes weeks.

An organization dedicated to keeping kids safe will once again bring its take on trick or treating to children in Cherokee County.

Safe Kids Cherokee County will host their annual Moonlight Madness event at Kroger stores throughout the county.

The organization will set up shop at three Kroger stores: 4-7p.m. Oct. 30 at 2295 Towne Lake Parkway in Towne Lake; 5-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at 6766 Hickory Flat Highway in Hickory Flat; and 5-8 p.m. Oct. 29 at 8020 Cumming Highway in Macedonia. 

“This event gives area children an opportunity to have fun, and at the same time, learn important safety tips," said Chad Arp, coordinator Safe Kids Cherokee County.

Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and each store will have numerous games and treats on hand. Kroger stores in Towne Lake and Macedonia will also have a costume contest and area fire fighters will carve pumpkins for the children.

As always, Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services officials will be on hand to talk about fire safety and hand out replacement batteries for home smoke detectors.

For more information, contact Safe Kids Cherokee County at (678) 493-4343.

The Governor's Office Of Highway Safety (GOHS) in Georgia has awarded a Canton-based organization money to teach children about motorcycle safety.

GOHS awarded a $25,000 grant to the Kevin P. Mahurin Motorcycle Awareness Foundation, which would be used to develop books that teach motorcycle safety to children ages 8 to 12.

"We have worked very hard over the last four years to grow the foundation and take our message to auto and motorcycle drivers," said Cherokee County District 3 Commissioner Karen Bosch, the founder and chair of the foundation. 

The books will be distributed at various motorcycle events and at schools in Cobb, Cherokee and Fulton counties.

The foundation's board of directors will work with Katherine Travis, executive director of the foundation, to develop literature and help create activities to present to children in order to get their message across. The foundation hopes to have the books ready to be distributed by late winter or early spring. 

The organization is also gearing up for its fourth annual Kevin P. Mahurin Motorcycle Awareness Days next month. The annual golf tournament will be held on Nov. 1 at the BridgeMill Athletic Golf Club and the motorcycle ride will take place on Nov. 3. Registration is $125 per player and $500 for team and ends Oct. 26. Shot-gun start for the tournament will start at 9:30 a.m. To register, email Karen@KevinsMotorcycleFoundation.org. 

Registration for the fourth-annual memorial ride starts at 10 a.m. and kickstands will go up at 11 a.m. The ride will start at K-otic Kustoms at 6406 Bells Ferry Road in Woodstock. Money raised for the organization will help promote its mission, which is to raise awareness of motorcycles and promote motorcycle safety education. 

Bosch, who is not seeking a third term on the county commission, lost her son Kevin Mahurin in 2008 to a motorcycle accident. Since his passing, Bosch created the foundation and has lobbied the Cherokee County legislative delegation to consider introducing stricter licensing for motorcycle drivers.

For more information, contact Karen (770) 704-0158 or Bill Bosch at (678) 228-7565.  

Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan met Thursday night in the only vice presidential debate for the 2012 election.

Tell us who you think did a better job of making his argument.

Readers, if you're coming to us from a mobile device and you can't see our blog, you can review the live discussion at this RSS feed.

1. Weather: Sunny skies await Canton today, with a high temperature of 72 degrees, says the National Weather Service. Tonight's low will be around 49 degrees.

2. In Case You Missed It: Fields of Faith was held at Cherokee High School last night. Patch's David Ruff covered this powerful fellowship experience and will be posting his experiences at noon.

A Canton woman lost her iPod on Tuesday while out walking with her daughter. She is offering a $50 gift card for the person who returns it to her.

Cherokee County is still trying to inform voters about the potential 1% sales tax that is on the Nov. 6 ballot. Find out more about the tax and why some Cherokee residents are voting against it.

3. Happening Now: Getting psyched up about tonight's vice presidential debate? Patch will have a preview of the action at 8:00 a.m. and will have a live chat and live video stream starting at 9:00 p.m.

4. Looking Ahead: The Taste of Canton is tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. in Cannon Park. $10 gets you in, while $5 gets the kiddos in. You and your family will be blown away by the delicious food served up by our local restaurants. Don't forget to check out the scarecrows and vote for your favorite designs while you're there!

5. On This Date in History: On Oct. 11, 1962, Pope John XXIII convened the first Catholic ecumenical council in 92 years. The council, which would become known as "Vatican II" helped bring the Church into the modern era.