Sgt. Chris Lockett, a decorated Marine, passed away Jan. 7.
A firefighter assesses a fully engulfed house fire in Bellview on Thursday night. Many of Cherokee County’s volunteer fire departments came together to battle the blaze, as they often do. Photo by MATTHEW OSBORNE
Barbara El-Khouri volunteers with the Cherokee County Food Bank’s food truck during the Possum Drop. Photo by BEN KATZ
Clay Logan talks to the assembled crowd at the rainy Possum Drop on Dec. 31. Photo by BEN KATZ
Tim and his son, Caleb Kephart, work on R/C Racing together. Photo by BEN KATZ
The Murphy Town Council proclaimed Friday, Jan. 11 as Murphy Bulldogs Day in recognition of Murphy’s three state titles (baseball, track and football) in 2018. Representing Murphy High School (standing in front, from left) are Grace Nelson, Sarah Pullium and Kelia Oliver (track), Elijah Davis (baseball), Slade McTaggart (football) and Brianna Moore (track). In back (from left) are Robert Bodine, Micah Nelson and Hunter Shope (football). Photo by Kevin Hensley

News for Subscribers

CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS: Autopsy says meth killed jail inmate

    Murphy – An autopsy released by the N.C.

By Kate Martin

The Andrews Possum Drop was made possible by volunteers who kept residual costs down.

Volunteers made Possum Drop possible

   Andrews – While all of the bills haven't been paid yet, the Possum Drop should stay in the black thanks to volunteer support.

By Samantha Sinclair

Sgt. Chris Lockett, a decorated Marine, passed away Jan. 7.

Community honors Sgt. Chris Lockett

   Hundreds of citizens lined Cherokee County roads from Culberson to Murphy on Tuesday night as the late Sgt. Chris Lockett was escorted home.

By Matthew Osborne

Sports for Subscribers

Murphy freshman Torin Rogers cuts around Andrews freshman Emily Mealer during the second quarter of Friday’s game at the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center. Photo by BEN KATZ

Murphy girls use balanced attack to down Andrews

    Andrews – Murphy’s girls basketball team has a long road ahead to get back to the 1A Final Four this year, but coach Ray Gutierrez knows that trip starts with defense.

Andrews senior Cody Mathis stretches above the Murphy defense of Abram Abling (11), Tommy Spies (12) and Tyler Simonds (14) for a rebound during the Wildcats’ victory over the Bulldogs on Friday night. Photo by BEN KATZ

Wildcats race by Murphy, improve to 8-1

    Andrews – A lively crowd at Ken Solesbee Athletic Center on Friday night was entertained by an Andrews boys team that is growing up before their eyes.

Flanked by Brittany Davis (left), Hiwassee Dam’s Chloe Roe (3) moves into transition after nabbing a steal during the Lady Eagles’ win over Gilmer County, Ga. on Friday.

Hiwassee Dam girls avenge loss to Gilmer County

    Hiwassee Dam – Well, that’s one way to get the bad taste out of your mouth.

Obituaries

Irene Martin

    Irene Martin, 87, of Blairsville, Ga., formerly of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019, in Union County Nursing Home.

Fern Dennis

    Fern Dennis, 69, of Cape Coral, Fla., and Murphy, passed away Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019.
    She was born June 19, 1949, in Trenton, N.J., to Frank and Pearl Pagliaro.

Lisa Johnson

    Lisa Johnson, 55, of Murphy, passed away Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, in a Chattanooga, Tenn., hospital.

Celebrate Cherokee

The Town of Murphy and surrounding area as seen from an aerial view earlier this year. Photo by BEN KATZ

CELEBRATE CHEROKEE COUNTY: Mountains feel like home to natives, newcomers alike

   52 Things to Celebrate About Cherokee County: No. 52 – Our Mountain Lifestyle

Natalie and Madison King got to Shop With a Cop (in this case Murphy police Officer Samuel Allen, foreground) on Saturday, getting Christmas presents for themselves and their families. Photos by BEN KATZ

CELEBRATE CHEROKEE COUNTY: No limit to county's generosity

   52 Things to Celebrate About Cherokee County: No. 51 – Christmas Charities

The United Way donated to 11 county agencies in 2018. From left, first row are Grace Henderson, Cherokee County 4-H; Lynda Christen, Cherokee County Sharing Center; Karen Borchers, United Way executive director; Cecilia Crawford, REACH; Dianne Young, United Way president; Netta McFaddin, Far West Families First. Second row are Roger Holloway, United Way treasurer; Crystal Glenn, HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center; Pat Meeks, Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House homeless shelter; and Joel Franks and Eugene Craig.

CELEBRATE CHEROKEE COUNTY: Civic groups lend helping hand

   52 Things to Celebrate About Cherokee County: No. 50 – Local Clubs & Organizations 

ScoutBlog

Town council to consider veterans' plea for sign change

    The Fourth of July Parade in Murphy made a nice comeback Wednesday, led by American Legion Post 96 and Cub Scout Pack 400 and followed by plenty of terrific entries.

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