Canton News

Canton, GA Residents across Cherokee County are reporting a noticeable increase in coyote activity, a trend wildlife officials and locals alike attribute to rapid development and ongoing construction that continue to push animals out of their natural habitats and into neighborhoods.

One recent sighting has stirred strong reactions: a coyote was seen limping down a residential street with what appeared to be its paw caught in a trap. While many residents expressed concern over the animal’s suffering, others point out a hard reality coyotes have become a serious nuisance in parts of the county and are frequently blamed for the deaths of cats and small dogs.

Coyotes are highly adaptable and thrive on the edges of suburban growth. As wooded areas are cleared and construction expands, these animals are displaced and often turn to neighborhoods in search of food. Unfortunately, that sometimes puts pets at risk.

Georgia law allows the trapping and shooting of coyotes on private property year-round, a fact many landowners rely on as encounters become more common. Supporters of control measures argue they are necessary to protect pets and livestock, while others stress that no one likes to see any animal in pain, regardless of the circumstances.

Wildlife experts generally advise residents to remove attractants such as unsecured trash, pet food left outdoors, and to keep small pets supervised especially at dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active.

The limping coyote sighting is a stark reminder of the tension between development, wildlife, and community safety. As Cherokee County continues to grow, these encounters may become more frequent, leaving residents to balance compassion for displaced animals with the need to protect their homes and pets.

Canton Mill Lofts Residents Enter 5th Day Without Water, 100-Year-Old Pipe Declares Itself “Retired”

CANTON, GA – Life at the Canton Mill Lofts has turned into a real-life episode of Survivor after a 100-year-old water pipe decided it had worked long enough and clocked out—leaving more than 300 tenants without running water since Wednesday morning.

Originally told the outage would last “8–12 hours,” residents are now on day four of dry faucets, unflushable toilets, and personal hygiene routines that include baby wipes and prayers.

Management has attempted repairs twice, both times with about as much success as duct tape on the Titanic. “We’re shooting for Monday now,” they said, in a tone that didn’t inspire confidence.

To ease tensions, staff handed out bottled water, tacos, pizza, and eventually rolled in a water truck so tenants could at least flush their toilets—an event described by one resident as “like Woodstock, but stinkier.” Rent discounts have been offered, but many say that doesn’t quite cover the price of deodorant, extra candles, and the friendships lost over bathroom-related feuds.

Meanwhile, the century-old pipe remains unapologetic. Sources close to the infrastructure say it’s “tired of carrying the weight of modern civilization” and just wants to “rest in rust.”

Tenants are calling for more serious support, such as hotel coverage or deeper rent breaks, but for now, the building continues to operate as an unintentional off-grid experiment.

Or, as one frustrated resident put it: “I didn’t sign up to live in a history museum. Somebody replace that antique before we all start churning butter.”