Matthew Lanz sentenced to life for murders of Cherokee firefighter and wife
A Cobb County judge has sentenced Matthew Scott Lanz to multiple life terms, including life without parole, for the twenty twenty one murders of Cherokee County firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife Amber in their Acworth home. The sentencing closes a case that has weighed heavily on first responders and neighbors across Cherokee County.
* Lanz received two life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus additional prison time for related charges.
* The case involved extensive forensic evidence and emotional testimony from the victims’ family.
Sources:https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/matthew-lanz-sentenced-life-murders-cherokee-firefighter-wifehttps://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/matthew-scott-lanz-sentencing-hearing-life-murder-timothy-amber-hicks-cobb-county/https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/11/20/judge-finds-man-guilty-shooting-acworth-neighbors-death/
CCSD Board reviews record CCRPI scores and student performance gains
Cherokee County School District reports its highest performance ever on Georgia’s College and Career Ready Performance Index, with especially strong gains in the “Progress” category that measures student growth over time. High schools are now nearly twelve points above the state average on this metric.
* High school Progress scores reached ninety four point oh, the highest in the region.
* Elementary and middle schools also posted multi-point gains in student growth.
* District leaders tied the improvement to new instructional resources and expanded teacher training.
Sources:https://www.cherokeek12.net/post-detail/~board/all-locations/post/board-business-briefs-school-board-reviews-ccrpi-successhttps://www.cherokeek12.net/post-detail/~board/all-locations/post/ccsd-hits-all-time-high-on-state-accountability-measure
CCSD school police and nurses expand CPR/AED life-saving training for staff
School police officers and school nurses in Cherokee County are teaming up to train staff across the district in CPR, AED use, and choking response. The district says more than nine hundred employees are now certified with these life-saving skills.
* A rotating team of three nurses and six officers delivers after-school trainings at schools.
* Sessions cover basic CPR, AED operation, and how to respond when someone is choking.
* The effort supports CCSD’s emphasis on preparation as a pillar of school safety.
Electronics recycling event set for December 13 at Cherokee County Administration Building
Cherokee County Recycling Center, in partnership with ECO Trading LLC, is hosting an electronics recycling event on Saturday, December 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the County Administration Building on Bluffs Parkway in Canton. Residents can clear out old electronics while supporting Keep Cherokee Beautiful.
* Many common electronics are accepted at no charge.
* Fees for televisions and older monitors help fund local beautification efforts.
* The event is drive-through, with volunteers unloading items from vehicles.
Sources:https://cherokeecountyga.gov/cherokee-county-events-view.php?event=17617https://cherokeechamber.com/cherokee-county-recycling-center-to-host-electronics-recycling-event-dec-13/
“Love Where You Live” giveback awards $1,941 to Homeless Coalition of Cherokee County
This year’s Love Where You Live Community Giveback raised one thousand, nine hundred forty one dollars, and the donation is going to the Homeless Coalition of Cherokee County. The initiative uses merchandise sales to support local nonprofits while highlighting residents’ stories about why they love the county.
* A volunteer committee selected the Homeless Coalition as this year’s recipient.
* The coalition provides short-term hotel stays and longer-term housing support for people facing homelessness.
* In cold weather, it partners with churches to operate a warming station based in Woodstock but open to anyone in the county.
Sources:https://cherokeechamber.com/love-where-you-live-community-giveback-benefits-the-homeless-coalition-of-cherokee-county/https://www.cherokeecountyga.gov/Communications/
Café Flōralia opens at The Circuit in downtown Woodstock
Café Flōralia has officially opened inside The Circuit, the coworking and innovation space on One Innovation Way in downtown Woodstock. The café is open to both members and the general public, serving coffee, tea, and light bites in a work-friendly setting.
* The ribbon cutting was facilitated by the City of Woodstock and IN WDSTK.
* The Circuit partners with Cherokee and Woodstock economic development offices and Chattahoochee Technical College.
* Café Flōralia’s posted hours run weekdays from early morning through late afternoon.
Sources:https://cherokeechamber.com/open-for-business-cafe-floralia-cuts-the-ribbon-on-their-circuit-woodstock-location/https://www.facebook.com/circuitwoodstock/
Weekend & holiday events: “Gimme Springsteen” in Woodstock and holiday pie pickup in Canton
Downtown Woodstock hosts a Bruce Springsteen tribute show tonight, while Canton offers a holiday-themed event focused on seniors and their families.
* “Gimme Springsteen – Bruce Springsteen Tribute” is scheduled for this evening at MadLife Stage & Studios in Woodstock.
* The show is being promoted as a full tribute performance featuring Springsteen’s classic songs.
* The Retreat at Canton is hosting a pie pickup event, inviting visitors to grab a pie and learn about move-in savings for seniors.
Sources:
https://madlifestageandstudios.com/
https://visitwoodstockga.com/events/https://cherokeechamber.com/the-retreat-at-canton-hosting-pie-pickup/
CCSD names Athletes of the Month for November
Cherokee County School District has named two high-school students as its November Athletes of the Month: flag-football player Gracie Mayo of Cherokee High School and swimmer Mason Thomas of Sequoyah High School.
* Mayo represents Cherokee High in flag football under head coach Tom Stringfellow.
* Thomas swims for Sequoyah under head coach Cora Hodgins.
* Athletes are nominated by their schools and selected by a district committee each month.
Sources:https://www.cherokeek12.net/post-detail/~board/ccsd-comms/post/ccsd-recognizes-athletes-of-the-month-for-novemberhttps://www.cherokeek12.net/divisions/school-operations/high-school-athletics
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