CTL Script/ Top Stories of June 8th Publish Date: June 8th From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast Today is Saturday, June 8th and Happy heavenly Birthday to actor Jerry Stiller. ***06.08.24 – BIRTHDAY – JERRY STILLER*** I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Credit Union of GA. Cherokee County Buys Land for Phase 2 of Technology Ridge ParkwayCherokee County Airport Celebrates Completion of Runway WideningCherokee Replaces Democratic Elections Board Member with ‘Moderate’ 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: Cherokee County Buys Land for Phase 2 of Technology Ridge Parkway Cherokee County has purchased 35.23 acres for the second phase of Technology Ridge Parkway for $700,000. The County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase on June 4, and the new phase will bisect this property. The first phase, connecting Bluffs Parkway to Fate Conn Road and Heard Road, recently opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Phases two through five are currently in design and right-of-way acquisition. Funding for the purchase comes from 2024 Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax funds. Eventually, the parkway will link the Bluffs area in Canton to the Cherokee County Regional Airport. STORY 2: Cherokee County Airport Celebrates Completion of Runway Widening The Cherokee County Airport Authority celebrated recent improvements to the Cherokee County Regional Airport with a ribbon-cutting on June 5. The $8 million project widened the runway from 75 to 100 feet and added new taxiway and lighting improvements. Funded by the FAA, GDOT, and local sales tax, the runway will eventually extend to 6,000 feet. Future plans include additional hangars to meet demand. The event also honored retiring Airport Authority Chair Dick Hall for his 19 years of service. Hall's leadership significantly contributed to the airport's development. STORY 3: Cherokee Replaces Democratic Elections Board Member with ‘Moderate’ The Cherokee County Board of Elections and Registration will maintain an even split between Democratic and Republican members, despite attempts by local conservative groups to create a GOP majority. Sheree Giardino, a Democrat, was replaced by another Democrat described as “moderate.” The board comprises five members: two Republicans, two Democrats, and one chair elected by the board. Controversy arose over representation, with some advocating for a 3-1 GOP majority, reflecting the county's Republican leanings. The final decision appointed Republican Larry Hand and Democrat Scott Little, ensuring a bipartisan board. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. Back in a moment Break: STRETCH ZONE – DRAKE STORY 4: Georgia Appellate Court Pauses Trump Election Interference Case The Georgia Court of Appeals has postponed the election interference prosecution of former President Donald Trump until after deciding whether to disqualify Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis from the case. This ruling delays the trial past the Nov. 5 presidential election. Trump's lawyers sought Willis' removal due to her prior romantic relationship with an attorney hired for the prosecution. While a judge ruled Willis could stay if the attorney stepped down, the case is now on hold. Trump faces charges related to an alleged conspiracy to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election results. With this delay, only one of four criminal cases against Trump is likely to go to trial before the election. STORY 5: Creekview Grads Win National Merit College-Awarded Scholarships Two Cherokee County School District Class of 2024 graduates, Peter Greenwell and Kinley Sikes from Creekview High School, have been awarded National Merit college scholarships. They received the National Merit University of Georgia Scholarship on June 5. Both students plan to pursue careers in the medical field. National Merit college scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic records, test scores, leadership, service, essays, and recommendations. Only 15,000 students nationwide are named National Merit Finalists, eligible for 2,900 scholarships funded by U.S. universities and colleges. An additional 700 scholarship winners will be announced in July. Commercial: INGLES 10 STORY 6: Cherokee Chamber Announces Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2024 cohort of Cherokee County's Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch. This initiative aims to highlight outstanding young professionals under 40 who are considered future leaders in the county over the next decade. The honorees, chosen from a competitive pool of...
