Silicon Valley may have its tech giants, but the week’s most unexpected millionaire tale hails from Fiji, where an 86-year-old businessman has captured global attention for his side job as an Uber driver, despite a fortune reportedly worth $175 million.

His impressive holdings span jewelry shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and even a local newspaper.

Yet, rather than retire in ease, he chooses the driver’s seat — donating every Uber fare to sponsor the education of 24 girls annually.

Imagine meeting a driver in Cherokee County who secretly owns half the shopping centers — it’s a twist that would surprise even local entrepreneurs.

This story reminds us that true success isn’t about slowing down, but discovering creative ways to give back right here in our own community.

The next time you hitch a ride, remember: your driver could be planning their next big contribution between stops.

Cherokee County voters will decide on November 4, 2025, whether to approve a 1% Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) for the next six years.

This sales tax would fund faster road repairs, major safety upgrades, and projects to reduce congestion, without increasing property taxes.

For a family spending $1,000 per month, T-SPLOST adds just $10 monthly, and as much as a third of revenue comes from visitors shopping locally.

Funds will target repaving roads in poor condition, widening busy corridors, and improving intersections in high-traffic areas and growing neighborhoods.

The tax expires in six years, after which voters can decide whether to renew or end it.

All funds are audited and public spending reports are published annually to ensure transparency.

The plan promises less gridlock, safer drives, no property tax hike, and gives residents a direct say in the county’s future.

San Francisco recently saw an unusual problem: a squirrel attacked at least three people in a neighborhood, sending one resident to the hospital before the city’s Animal Care and Control team captured the culprit.

While urban squirrels are a common sight, officials emphasized that actual attacks on humans are rare and unsettling.

Here in Cherokee County, local folks know squirrels as mischievous regulars—darting across Sixes Road, raiding bird feeders, and staring down walkers in Boling Park.

However, none have turned seriously aggressive—yet.

Wildlife experts suggest keeping a healthy distance from even familiar backyard animals, and avoiding direct feeding, as unpredictability can lurk behind those twitchy tails.

No need for panic or acorn-proof gear in Cherokee County, but next time a friendly squirrel edges close for a snack, it’s wise to admire from afar and keep our critter encounters drama-free.

Cherokee County schools have earned an A overall grade from Niche, reflecting high academic standards and positive reviews from local families.

The district stands out with "A" ratings in Academics and College Prep.

Notably, the 2025 graduating class scored an average 1085 on the SAT, surpassing both the Georgia and national averages and placing the district in the top 10% statewide for test scores.

Teaching quality also shines—over 70% of educators have advanced degrees and the student-teacher ratio is an impressive 14:1.

However, parent and student feedback highlights areas for improvement, such as consistency across schools and expanded life preparation beyond AP courses.

The district supports 42,000+ students across 37 schools, buoyed by a strong local economy.

While challenges remain, Cherokee County offers robust academic and extracurricular opportunities, earning it a top-20 ranking among Georgia school systems.

Cherokee County residents may think local happenings are quirky, but a recent story from Greece takes the cake.

There, a woman leaned on AI—not a psychic—to “read” her coffee grounds and reveal her marital fate.

When the chatbot predicted her husband would cheat with someone whose name starts with ‘E,’ she filed for divorce within three days.

The bewildered husband, unversed in astrology, found himself accused by coffee stains and algorithms.

Just imagine that wild scenario unfolding in a Cherokee County café, with locals nervously eyeing their cups.

While technology might amuse, legal experts remind us that neither bots nor coffee grounds will sway courts here.

Meanwhile, back home, bizarre events still surface—like the Cedartown men arrested for trespassing and a woman charged after stealing a potted plant in Canton.

Whether abroad or right here, truth is often stranger than fiction.

The City of Canton is taking active steps to transform its public spaces with a newly commissioned sculpture for Heritage Park.

Driven by the Canton Cultural Arts Commission's vision, this initiative brings dynamic art to streets, parks, and community spaces.

Heritage Park, known for its scenic trails and playground, will soon feature this artwork beside the Waleska Street Bridge.

The city designated $20,000 for the sculpture’s design, creation, and installation, inviting artists to highlight themes of connection and movement.

Up to three finalists will each receive a $300 stipend for concept development.

The chosen artist will build and install the piece, with the city prepping the foundation to their specifications.

Recent projects like the vivid 'Legs Through Time' mural and the colorful 'Canton Wildflower' artwork underscore Canton’s commitment to cultivating an inspiring, connected community through public art.

Cherokee County stands at the heart of Georgia’s dramatic Joro spider invasion, with over 390 confirmed sightings in the area.

Native to East Asia, these brightly colored spiders likely arrived around 2013 via international cargo and thrived in the region’s climate.

Joro spiders spread quickly, traveling up to 100 miles using a unique “ballooning” technique—riding the wind on silk strands.

They endure Georgia winters thanks to exceptional cold tolerance and rapid reproduction, with females producing up to 1,500 eggs per year.

Residents are noticing golden webs in parks and neighborhoods, especially in late summer and fall, as these spiders feed mostly on flying insects and may help control pests.

Experts expect the Joro population to keep growing across the region, making it crucial for the community to understand their impact and how to live alongside them.

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has authorized a 1% Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) referendum for the November 2025 ballot.

If approved by voters, the six-year sales tax would raise approximately $445 million toward critical transportation upgrades, addressing severe congestion and infrastructure demands in one of Georgia’s fastest-growing areas.

Unlike property taxes, funding is shared by residents and visitors alike, easing the burden while directly targeting problematic corridors such as State Route 20 and I-575.

Proceeds will be split between the county and its seven cities, including Woodstock, Canton, and Holly Springs, ensuring local needs are met through a unified approach.

For families, commuters, and business owners, this initiative promises shorter commutes, job creation, and a boost to property values—all secured through a direct local vote in 2025.

Canton’s fiscal year 2026 budget, set to begin October 1, comes with some good news for local homeowners: property tax rates will drop from 5.4 to 5.25 mills — the city’s lowest in more than 25 years.

The city's total operating budget is $94.7 million, with the General Fund increasing to $30.5 million for essential city services.

Major investments are targeted for expanding water utilities, improving roads and parks, and upgrading city buildings.

Residents will save money, especially seniors, who continue to benefit from sizable property tax exemptions on the first $280,000 of a home’s value.

Officials caution, however, that nearly half of budget increases rely on city savings, leaving just about four months of emergency reserves.

What does this mean for you? Expect smaller tax bills and big upgrades to public amenities, but long-term fiscal caution remains key for Canton’s financial health.

The Woodstock City Council has approved a historic drop in property taxes, setting the new millage rate at 5.065 mills—the lowest in over 30 years.

This decision follows a robust 5.03% increase in the 2025 tax digest, fueled by substantial new construction and exemptions.

Homeowners will see property tax bills of about $764 for a $368,000 non-homesteaded home, or $1,018 for a $493,000 homesteaded property.

The parks bond debt service rate will also rise to 0.50 mills, meaning an extra $75 on a $375,000 non-homesteaded home and $100 on a $500,000 homesteaded residence.

Mayor Michael Caldwell underscored that this is not just a rollback, but a true tax decrease.

The strong local economy has enabled Woodstock to cut taxes while continuing improvements to infrastructure, parks, and public safety.

This move highlights Woodstock’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and community quality of life.

The Cherokee County School District has shown substantial progress in student achievement, highlighted by improved scores on the latest Georgia Milestones Assessments.

For the 2024–2025 school year, CCSD saw gains in 19 of 27 categories, marking ten consecutive years of outpacing state averages across all subjects.

Impressive growth was seen in high school Algebra I, fourth grade English Language Arts, and fifth grade Mathematics, demonstrating the powerful impact of dedicated teachers.

Mathematics scores rose in six out of seven areas, with notable jumps in fifth, seventh, and eighth grades, plus Algebra I.

English Language Arts improved especially in fourth and seventh grade, while Reading increased in five out of seven categories.

Science boosted performance at every level, and Social Studies saw significant gains in eighth grade.

Fifteen schools were honored for literacy and math excellence—with four excelling in both—solidifying CCSD’s reputation for academic excellence and well-rounded student success.

Stephen Grant begins each morning with a unique commute, traveling from the secluded Isle of Ewe across Loch Ewe to Aultbea.

In his small dinghy, he braves unpredictable Scottish weather to reach his role as shop manager at the Arctic Convoy Museum.

Storms like Floris haven't deterred Stephen, who boasts a near-perfect attendance record.

The Grant family, island residents since the 1800s, rely on boats for access to the mainland, where they keep their cars at Aultbea Harbour.

With only five houses on the island, life here is unusual to outsiders but entirely natural to Stephen.

The wider Wester Ross community is actively addressing local needs, highlighted by a Highland Council plan focusing on housing, connectivity, and transport.

Stephen’s daily commitment reflects the resilience found in Scotland’s remote communities.

Cherokee County authorities are warning residents about a sharp increase in “Phantom Hacker” scams targeting seniors, especially in Woodstock and Canton.

Victims have lost their life savings, with one 80-year-old woman being swindled out of $200,000 in gold by an international ring.

Scammers often pose as tech support, financial institutions, or even government officials — convincing victims their accounts are compromised and urging them to move money to a so-called “safe” account.

These criminals are using increasingly advanced tactics that prey on trust and spark panic.

Officials urge residents to avoid unsolicited computer help, never share financial details, and refuse remote access requests from unknown sources.

If suspicious activity occurs, report immediately to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office or FBI.

Community awareness and vigilance remain the best defense against these local threats.

The Cherokee Warriors surged into their high school football season with a dominant 40-23 win over the Pope Greyhounds on Friday night.

Senior running back Brandon Hamilton powered the Warriors’ offense, racking up 204 rushing yards and two touchdowns while averaging a remarkable 12 yards per carry.

Hamilton’s versatility shined as he also tallied 67 receiving yards and another touchdown, highlighted by a dazzling 64-yard run that showcased his speed.

This impressive victory gives Cherokee its first win of the season, now standing at 1-2.

The Greyhounds, however, slipped to 0-3 with their third consecutive loss.

Next week, Cherokee hosts Lambert High School at 7:30 p.m., while Pope looks to rebound against undefeated Sprayberry High School.

Relief is on the horizon for Woodstock drivers.

The Woodstock City Council has unanimously approved an ambitious new transportation plan aimed at tackling the city's notorious traffic gridlock.

This is a major step forward for anyone who commutes in Cherokee County, Georgia.

Mayor Michael Caldwell praised the forward-thinking strategy.

Key initiatives include smart traffic lights that adapt to real-time flow, new roundabouts, and targeted turn lanes to ease congestion.

The plan also addresses downtown traffic with smart parking solutions to help drivers find spaces more easily.

Responding to public demand, a citywide sidewalk master plan will enhance walkability and trail connections throughout the area.

This significant investment in local infrastructure signals a commitment to finding modern solutions for Woodstock's growing pains, promising long-term relief for residents.

State officials have issued a serious warning to homeowners across Cherokee County about a recent increase in unlicensed individuals performing structural pest control work.

From Canton to Woodstock, residents are urged to be cautious, as these illegal operators often lack the training for safe pesticide application.

This poses a significant risk to the health of your family, pets, and the local environment.

Hiring an unlicensed person could also lead to financial scams and property damage.

Under Georgia law, anyone performing pest control must be employed by a licensed company and carry a state-issued identification card.

Residents have the right to ask for this proof of licensing before any work begins.

To protect your home and community, always verify a company’s credentials with the Georgia Department of Agriculture before scheduling a service.

A domestic dispute in Daventry Crossing near Woodstock, Georgia, turned deadly Sunday night when 48-year-old Tenisha Williams was fatally shot.

Cherokee County deputies arrived at the scene to find her husband, Kelvin Williams, 47, in custody.

Authorities say the altercation began as a family argument.

Kelvin Williams allegedly fired at his son, missed, then tragically killed his wife in front of their 16-year-old son and a 4-year-old child.

Both children escaped harm and are now under the care of state services.

Neighbors described the Williams family as cordial, noting Kelvin’s recent health struggles.

There were no previous police calls to the residence.

Kelvin Williams faces murder and assault charges, and is being held without bond.

Local officials urge residents to seek help for domestic issues and contact law enforcement at the first sign of danger.

State is swiftly becoming a center for artificial intelligence (AI) through bold investments and progressive policy initiatives.

In 2024, officials rolled out the Next State Program, dedicating $500 million in tax credits to lure AI companies and data centers.

This forward-looking plan, crafted in collaboration with State University, seeks to fuel innovation and drive local economic expansion.

Governor John Doe has championed ethical AI, forming an AI Task Force committed to exploring technology's broader impacts on society.

The state is also taking groundbreaking steps in education by introducing AI coursework in three public school districts, ensuring students are ready for tomorrow’s tech-driven workforce.

Major corporations such as TechCorp and InnovateAI have established operations locally, further solidifying the area’s reputation as a tech hotbed.

State’s strategy is expected to produce significant economic and societal gains as AI advancement accelerates.