Allatoona Lake is one of the busiest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation; an estimated 6.8 million people visited in 2018. With a lake that busy, there always are going to be problems with overcrowding and delays in certain areas. Follow these 10 unofficial rules to help you be a more courteous boater, and to help speed up your time at the ramps.1. Know how to … [Read more...]

It’s property tax time in Cherokee County, as we prepare for the upcoming fiscal year.The board of commissioners (BOC) sets the tax rates for county maintenance and operations (M&O), the fire tax, and the parks bond tax. Property taxes make up about half the county’s total revenues. Other taxes, grants, fees and fines contribute almost as much. The board of education … [Read more...]

The Etowah Film Festival inaugural year was a resounding success. The event was well received by filmmakers, actors and audience, from the Thursday night screening of local high school and college films, to the Sunday morning brunch at Reformation Brewery to the awards ceremony Sunday night.Brent Lambert-Zaffino and I worked more than a year to bring this international film … [Read more...]

One of the most difficult aspects of aging is the loss of independence. When driving is no longer feasible, senior adults in Cherokee County must look for ways to buy groceries, make doctors’ appointments and attend social events. Usually, the first option is to rely on family and friends. This can quickly become a burden on family relationships and friendships. So, one must … [Read more...]

When preparing to take on the responsibilities associated with being a foster parent, it is important to be fully prepared. This might include speaking to others who have served in a similar capacity, reading a book or article about the topic, or discussing the subject with your family about how this new experience might change or alter your daily life. I encourage everyone to … [Read more...]