2021 and earlier

Daniel Hughes (center) and his defense attorneys, Holly Christy and Rich Cassady, following the “not guilty” verdict Thursday at the Cherokee County Courthouse. Photo by Penny Ray

Daniel Hughes (center) and his defense attorneys, Holly Christy and Rich Cassady, following the “not guilty” verdict Thursday at the Cherokee County Courthouse. Photo by Penny Ray

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Jury acquits man of murder

Penny Ray
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Body     Murphy – It’s been a little more than five years since the lives of two families were shattered in an instant.
Richard and Mildred Pullium are taking precautions, but like most people still needed to go shopping Thursday. Photo by Sam Jokich

Richard and Mildred Pullium are taking precautions, but like most people still needed to go shopping Thursday. Photo by Sam Jokich

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Coronavirus clampdown: Disease spreads to area

Samantha Sinclair
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Body     Murphy – Five people in Cherokee County have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon, and much of the community is on edge after the first case atten

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Defense questions evidence in court

Penny Ray
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Body     Murphy – A key piece of evidence that may have corroborated a witness’ account of what happened the day Daniel Hughes shot and killed Terry Owenby was never seiz
Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Jeana Conley proposed Thursday that the school board consider a long-range plan that would reduce the number of campuses to one high school and three elementary/middle schools, in addition to the Schools of Innovation. Photo by Sam Jokich

Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Jeana Conley proposed Thursday that the school board consider a long-range plan that would reduce the number of campuses to one high school and three elementary/middle schools, in addition to the Schools of Innovation. Photo by Sam Jokich

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Consolidation plan may close nine campuses

Samantha Sinclair
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Body     Murphy – Cherokee County Schools could look very different in 10 years.
Ranger Elementary/Middle School cafeteria employee Dianne Benson hands both a breakfast and lunch to Gage Ledford on Monday morning. Cafeteria manager Lisa Wood said her staff prepared an initial 182 bags of breakfast and lunch each, and will continue preparing bags throughout the morning to serve families that stopped by the school to pick up the meals for school-age children. The school typically feeds about 265 students daily. Photo by Samantha Sinclair

Ranger Elementary/Middle School cafeteria employee Dianne Benson hands both a breakfast and lunch to Gage Ledford on Monday morning. Cafeteria manager Lisa Wood said her staff prepared an initial 182 bags of breakfast and lunch each, and will continue preparing bags throughout the morning to serve families that stopped by the school to pick up the meals for school-age children. The school typically feeds about 265 students daily. Photo by Samantha Sinclair

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Coronavirus concerns: Schools work to meet needs

Samantha Sinclair
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Body   Murphy -The coronavirus, or COVID-19, may have not reached Cherokee County yet, but the community is already feeling the effects of the disease.

Virus shuts down many activities

News Staff
Monday, March 16, 2020
Body     Gov. Roy Cooper declared a statewide state of emergency in response to five more people testing positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus on March 10.
Antonio Hernandez (defense attorney) questions William Wood as Darrel Curtis (witness for the defense) during a mock trial based on the book The Outsiders. Photo by Penny Ray

Antonio Hernandez (defense attorney) questions William Wood as Darrel Curtis (witness for the defense) during a mock trial based on the book The Outsiders. Photo by Penny Ray

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Andrews Middle students participate in mock trial

Penny Ray
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Body     Murphy – Andrews Middle School students studying seventh-grade language arts and social studies participated in a mock trial based on the book The Outsiders