Cherokee Scout

Murphy's Jessica Beckner (15) prepares to thwart a potential Zoey Jacobsen (22) basket, during a game last year against Hiwassee Dam.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Murphy's Beckner commits to Young Harris College

Murphy – Jessica Beckner has reached a decision. After weighing offers from such schools as Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.) and Reinhardt University (Waleska, Ga.), the standout Murphy senior athlete announced a verbal commitment to Young...

The future of Cherokee County schools is being debated, as the school board is formulating a long-term plan. Photo by BEN KATZ

The September 20 edition of the Cherokee Scout is out ... School plans debated, Citizens call for animal control and more

Murphy – The school board is considering a two high-school scenario in its long-term plans, with one built in the eastern part of Cherokee County and one in the west. School board members discussed the issue during Thursday’s school board...

Scammers prey on elderly residents in Cherokee County with all kinds of ridiculous hustles and made-up stories. Photo Illustration by BEN KATZ

Phone scammers target senior citizens

Murphy – Grandparents beware, because the next phone call from a grandchild actually might be a scam artist in disguise. Local resident Charlie Tucker’s grandfather, Charles Crosby, received a peculiar call last week from someone claiming to...

With Elias Tefft (63) in pursuit, Murphy’s Hunter Cornwell (60) looks to break up a fourth-quarter pitch from Gilmer quarterback David Smith (7) to Blake Buntin (4) during Friday night’s home game against the Bobcats. Photo by KEVIN HENSLEY

Bulldogs cruise past Gilmer County

Murphy – There was little the Gilmer Bobcats were able to do against the Murphy Bulldogs on Friday night. A recurring theme for Murphy over the last three weeks, the Dogs hunkered down and recorded their second straight 48-0 shutout at Bob...

Jenny Bennett loves to spin alpaca fibers because "I like that you can take something amorphous like alpaca fiber and make it into something strong." Photo by BEN KATZ

COUNTRY ROADS: Folk School festival offers old-timey fun

* This story appeared in the free magazine Country Roads, Fall 2017 edition. Thousands of people will make their way to the small community of Brasstown, straddling the border of Cherokee and Clay counties in early October, when the leaves are...

Ray Noland addresses the gathered at Broken Shells Ministries for their September 11th Evening of Prayer for Country and Community. Photo by BEN KATZ

The September 13 edition of the Cherokee Scout is out ... Locals pray for the country on 9/11, Wanted felon sought, mayoral election set and more

On a somber day in U.S. history, local citizens came together Monday night to pray for our nation. Broken Shells Ministry downtown hosted the Sept. 11 Evening of Prayer for Country and Community, which became a beautiful night of music and...

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Citizens ask county for animal control

Murphy – Commissioner C.B. McKinnon insisted early Monday night that everyone who responded to his Facebook query said they did not want a leash law in Cherokee County.

By Matthew Osborne

The configuration of campuses like Murphy High School could be drastically different in the coming years, depending on Cherokee County Schools’ long-term plan for local classrooms. Photo by BEN KATZ

School board presents five long-term options, including two-high school model

Murphy – The school board is considering a two high-school scenario in its long-term plans, with one built in the eastern part of Cherokee County and one in the west.

By Dwight Otwell