NORTH

Cherokee County

County backs cities seeking $6.2M in highway funds

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has agreed to send letters of support for federal highway grant requests totaling $6.2 million by Canton and Holly Springs.

The cities are seeking funding through the Atlanta Regional Commission Transportation Improvement Program, according to a Cherokee County staff report.

Canton is requesting $3 million in federal funds, to be matched with $750,000 in local dollars, for intersection improvements at Ga. 140 and Riverstone Parkway/Marietta Highway; and a $1.92 million federal grant, requiring a $480,000 local match, to reconstruct the intersections of Ga. 140 and Shoal Creek Road and Mary Lane.

Holly Springs is seeking $1.28 million in federal funding to pay for preliminary engineering for its Hickory Springs Parkway Project, a 0.7-mile connector linking Hickory Springs Industrial Drive and Holly Springs Parkway. This request will entail a $320,000 local match.

DAVID IBATA FOR THE AJC

Forsyth County

‘Pups with a Purpose’ launches at jail

“Pups With a Purpose,” a program that brings Forsyth County Animal Shelter dogs into the county jail to work with inmates, has been announced with a Facebook site posted by Forsyth Sheriff Ron Freeman’s Office.

“Carefully selected inmates chosen for the program are trained to work with and train the dogs,” the sheriff’s office said. “Inmates and their dogs stick to a strict schedule as the dogs learn basic obedience while the inmates learn patience, compassion, and the valuable skill of dog training.”

Scot Rucker, of Rucker Dog Training, has volunteered to be lead trainer. Inmates are now working with an inaugural class of five canines.

Dogs that complete the training will be available for adoption. In the future, the program also will try to incorporate comfort dog training to provide comfort dogs to other agencies and persons with post traumatic stress disorder, officials said. Information: https://bit.ly/31Kl3LC

DAVID IBATA FOR THE AJC

ROSWELL

‘Barbara’s Bash’ raises $150K for charity

“Barbara’s Bash,” North Fulton Community Charities’ fundraising farewell to retiring Executive Director Barbara Duffy, raised more than $150,000 in net proceeds to help area low-income families, the organization announced.

“This was one of the biggest and most successful fundraising events NFCC has ever hosted, and the money raised will help us to support our mission to build self-sufficiency and prevent homelessness and hunger in our community,” said charities board member and event chair Ted Schwartz.

Barbara’s Bash, held in September at the Atlanta Athletic Club, honored Duffy, who was with NFCC since its founding in 1983 and served as executive director since 1990.

“I was humbled by the outpouring of support from the community,” Duffy said. “Our community has generously supported NFCC for the last 36 years, and that support makes it possible for us to serve over 4,000 families in North Fulton each year.”

Roswell-based NFCC serves residents of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park and Roswell. Information: https://nfcchelp.org/

DAVID IBATA FOR THE AJC

UPCOMING