'An Excellent Investment in Woodstock's Future': City OKs $85.8M Budget

CTL Script/ Top Stories of June 20th 

Publish Date: June 20th 

  

Pre-Roll:  

From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast  

 

Today is Friday, June 20th and Happy Birthday to  

 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Times Journal 

1. 'An Excellent Investment in Woodstock's Future': City OKs $85.8M Budget
2. Woodstock Couple Killed in Crash
3. What's Next for Woodstock's Little River Park

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on  

 

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: MILL ON ETOWAH REV GENERIC_FINAL  

 

STORY 1: 'An Excellent Investment in Woodstock's Future': City OKs $85.8M Budget 

 

Woodstock City Council approved an $85.8 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $5 million increase from 2025. Key investments include public safety, infrastructure, and employee benefits, such as a 2% cost-of-living raise. Public safety accounts for 48% of the general fund, with funding for a fire captain training officer, a parks program manager, and a court bailiff. The budget allocates $18.3 million for Little River Park and funds other parks and public works projects, including road improvements and trail extensions. A 4% water rate increase and SPLOST funds for public works and a new fire engine are included. 

 

STORY 2: Woodstock Couple Killed in Crash 

The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office is investigating a crash on Towne Lake Parkway near Woodstock that killed two people and seriously injured another. Deputies responded around 2 p.m. Monday to the scene, where a Tesla, reportedly driving “erratically,” left the road and struck a Toyota SUV exiting a Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot. Audrey Reardon, 77, a Tesla passenger, died at the scene, while her husband, Richard Reardon, 78, the driver, died later at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. The Toyota driver was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The Traffic Enforcement Unit is investigating the crash, with the cause still undetermined. 

 

STORY 3: What's Next for Woodstock's Little River Park 

 

Woodstock’s Little River Park construction is set to begin in July, with completion expected by late 2026. The City Council awarded an $8 million contract to Integrated Construction & Nobility, Inc. for the project, which will feature three zones: Trickum Road, Linear Corridor, and Woodlands Park. Plans include multi-use trails, boardwalks, pavilions, restrooms, a dog park, playgrounds, a fishing platform, a kayak launch, and renovated facilities. The park will span Little River, offering fishing, kayaking, and scenic trails. Woodstock has invested $1.5 million in land and $809,397 in design. Once finished, it will be the city’s largest park. 

 

We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info.  

  

Break:  

STORY 4: Cherokee County Is Hiring Firefighters 

<