Stories from Monday, December 4, 2017

(second of a series) Native Iowan Matt Woods is a longstanding purveyor of a diversity of blues music. As a seasoned performer at many venues - local, regional and national - he has developed a distinct style while staying true to his love of traditional American roots music.Woods is well-versed in the many shapes this music can take, from traditional delta to hill country and urban electric blues as well as gospel, country and folk music. ...

With winter bearing down on us and furnaces kicking in, safety experts recommend smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths per year result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms at all or no working smoke alarms...

The annual Festival of Trees is now on display at the Cherokee Sanford Museum through the end of December. Photo by Chris Reed

Information was supplied, opinions shared, and some personal agendas made obvious at last week’s initial meeting of a Facilities Review Committee (FRC) charged with exploring constructing a new elementary school in Cherokee. The task took the stage following the proposed sale of the Roosevelt Elementary School (RES) property to the Cherokee Regional Medical Center (CRMC) for $4 million, with contingencies...

The annual Cherokee County 4-H Awards Day was held at the Cherokee Community Center on Sunday, November 12th 2017, and more than 200 4-H’ers, leaders, volunteers and 4-H Donors were recognized for their efforts from the past 4-H year. 4-H’ers received recognition for holding club offices, being a first year 4-Her, applying for project awards, and for completing a record keeping system...