Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel is expanding this summer, and more changes could come down the road if they gain the ability to offer sports gambling. Photo by KEVIN HENSLEY
Bingo at the Ranger Community Center was a staple for many local residents over the years. Several community clubs still host a variety of events across the county for folks to fellowship with their neighbors, although other clubs are inactive.
Murphy’s top students for the Class of 2018 are (from left) vocational honor student Ashlyn Gentry, valedictorian Trent Ledford and salutatorian Katelyn Jones. Photo by BEN KATZ
The Murphy Lady Bulldogs pose with the 1A state track and field championship trophy following their 60-57 victory Sunday at N.C. A&T University in Greensboro. Kneeling in front (from left) are Grace Hill, Peyton Wood, Cameron Rice, Katelyn Jones and Grace Nelson. Standing in back (from left) are head coach Penny Johnson, Kelia Oliver, Leah Moses, Kelsey Fulgham, Sarah Pullium, Carlie Whidden, Brianna Moore, Natalie Graves, Avery Taylor and Lauren Pendley.
Murphy’s Lucas Barolet (left) slides in for the first Bulldog run of the afternoon Saturday against Uwharrie Charter Academy. Barolet went on to drive in the winning run in extra innings, clinching a 6-5 Murphy victory as well as the Bulldogs’ second straight 1A Western Regional appearance. BENNIE DOUTHIT/Contributing Photographer
Dr. David Cozzo shows off a native plant during his foraging workshop at Tri-County Community College.

News for Subscribers

Tribe 'exploring options' on sports gambling

    Cherokee – Sports gambling could be available soon at the two casinos in western North Carolina.

By Matthew Osborne

Jail assault case in SBI's hands

    Murphy – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office released the names of the two jail employees who were fired May 11.

By Matthew Osborne

Murphy’s top students for the Class of 2018 are (from left) vocational honor student Ashlyn Gentry, valedictorian Trent Ledford and salutatorian Katelyn Jones. Photo by BEN KATZ

Murphy's top graduates leave their mark

    Murphy High School’s top academic students will major in biology and political science in college, but their interests were varied during their high school careers.

By Dwight Otwell

Sports for Subscribers

The Murphy Lady Bulldogs pose with the 1A state track and field championship trophy following their 60-57 victory Sunday at N.C. A&T University in Greensboro. Kneeling in front (from left) are Grace Hill, Peyton Wood, Cameron Rice, Katelyn Jones and Grace Nelson. Standing in back (from left) are head coach Penny Johnson, Kelia Oliver, Leah Moses, Kelsey Fulgham, Sarah Pullium, Carlie Whidden, Brianna Moore, Natalie Graves, Avery Taylor and Lauren Pendley.

Murphy girls win first track title in 23 years

    Greensboro – Second place wasn’t going to cut it.
    Not this time.

Murphy’s Lucas Barolet (left) slides in for the first Bulldog run of the afternoon Saturday against Uwharrie Charter Academy. Barolet went on to drive in the winning run in extra innings, clinching a 6-5 Murphy victory as well as the Bulldogs’ second straight 1A Western Regional appearance. BENNIE DOUTHIT/Contributing Photographer

Bulldogs stage wild rally to advance to regionals

    Murphy – The only thing better than baseball redemption is two baseball redemptions.

Murphy's Joey Curry slides into home while Jeremiah Clark (right) cheers him on in a video shot by Steven Baker at Saturday's game against Uwharrie Charter. Clark and Curry scored to tie the game in the 7th inning.

MATTHEW OSBORNE: Bulldogs' family bond stays strong during rough game

    A game that looked all day like it would be the beginning of a cruel summer turned into one incredible bananarama.

Obituaries

Willa Mae Earley

    Willa Mae Earley, 87, of Murphy, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2018, in Athens, Tenn.

Mary Wheat

    Mary Lee Wheat, 76, of Murphy, passed away Monday, May 21, 2018, in Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Harold Johnson

    Harold H. Johnson, 73, of Rossville, Ga., formerly of Murphy, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in a Chattanooga, Tenn., hospital.

Celebrate Cherokee

Bingo at the Ranger Community Center was a staple for many local residents over the years. Several community clubs still host a variety of events across the county for folks to fellowship with their neighbors, although other clubs are inactive.

CELEBRATE CHEROKEE COUNTY: Community clubs bring neighbors together

    52 Things to Celebrate About Cherokee County: No. 21 – Community Clubs

Kids from across Cherokee County flooded into the Andrews Public Library for a Dr. Seuss Party in March.

CELEBRATE CHEROKEE COUNTY: Libraries more than just books and buildings

   52 Things to Celebrate About Cherokee County: No. 20 – Nantahala Regional Libraries

Crew members (from left) Felicia Pressley, flight nurse; Mike Van Beers, flight nurse; Shane Turner, flight paramedic; and Stephen Roach, pilot, are based at the Western Carolina Regional Airport to help carry those in need of medical services in Cherokee County and beyond.

CELEBRATE CHEROKEE COUNTY: Medical team makes airport invaluable

   52 Things to Celebrate About Cherokee County: No. 19 – Western Carolina Regional Airport