Tennessee man buys winning ticket in Murphy
RALEIGH – Terry Haywood Sr. of Ooltewah, Tenn., took a chance on a $1 Cash 5 ticket in Murphy on Tuesday and won an $823,409 jackpot.
Haywood bought his lucky ticket from Hot Spot on U.S. 64 West in Murphy. The odds of matching all five balls playing Cash 5 are 1 in 962,598.
He claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, Haywood took home $592,938.
Cash 5 is one of six lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying tickets at a retail location or with Online Play through the lottery’s website or the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Friday’s jackpot is $120,000.
For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, visit nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.
Town of Andrews off state assistance list
The Town of Andrews has been removed from North Carolina’s Unit Assistance List after state officials reviewed its audited financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year.
In a letter dated July 13, the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer’s State and Local Government Finance Division congratulated town leaders and staff for reaching the milestone. The state praised the town’s efforts to improve its financial management and encouraged officials to continue following sound budgeting and fiscal practices.
The letter also noted that annual reviews will continue, and issues such as late audits, declining finances, or compliance problems could result in a town being placed back on the assistance list.
The state said its staff remains available to provide guidance and support as needed.
Democrat meeting time changes
The Cherokee County Democratic Party will hold their monthly meeting on Saturday, July 18 from 1-3 p.m. at the Andrews Public Library, at 871 Main St. in Andrews. Join Democrats and other interested voters for fellowship and refreshments. Events are planned for August and September and they are seeking input. They will also discuss recruiting for poll workers and volunteer poll observers and greeters for the November election. Note that this is a location change for the event.
High Lonesome at the racetrack
High Lonesome Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be in attendance at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Ga., for Friday night's race.
They will be holding a 50/50 raffle and selling shirts to raise money.
All proceeds collected at the race will go toward their continued therapeutic offerings through equine-assisted service to adults, children, veterans and individuals with varying abilities in the community.
The racing kicks off at 7 p.m. Sugar Creek Raceway is located at 2252 Sugar Creek Road in Blue Ridge, Ga. For questions, contact 727-373-8439.
Blue Cross to return as the NC State Health Plan’s third-party administrator
Blue Cross NC will return to processing State Health Plan benefit claims as its third-party administrator, replacing Aetna in 2028.
Aetna has been the health plan’s third-party administrator since 2025, after health plan trustees, guided by former state Treasurer Dale Folwell, decided to stop working with Blue Cross, which had administered the health plan for decades. Folwell fought with the company over price transparency.
Aetna was the other bidder for the new third-party administration contract, but this time lost to Blue Cross.
After the new contract with Blue Cross NC was announced on Friday, state Treasurer Brad Briner, Folwell’s successor, said the differences in the two companies’ proposals were stark.
“The decision was very, very clear, both from a cost perspective, from a member-service perspective, as well as from every other dynamic we can think of,” he said “There really wasn’t much of a contest, to be honest.”
In a statement, Aetna spokesman Phil Blando said, “We continue to believe Aetna is the strongest partner for the State Health Plan. Our expertise and service have helped the State Health Plan to advance its cost containment goals, successfully implement the Plan’s complex provider tiering strategy, and provide members access to high-quality care.
“Aetna has been a trusted partner in North Carolina for decades, and that commitment remains steadfast in continuing to support the Plan and its members through the end of the current contract, December 31, 2027,” Blando continued. “We will review this decision in the coming weeks and decide how best to move forward.”
Tom Friedman, State Health Plan executive administrator, said there was almost a $1 billion difference in cost between the two companies’ proposals.
The State Health Plan insures more than 750,000 North Carolina state employees, dependents, and retirees. About 10,000 claims are processed each day.
When the State Health Plan trustees decided to drop Blue Cross in 2023, the break-up was messy.
Blue Cross challenged the change, but an administrative law judge upheld the State Health Plan trustees’ decision to switch.
State Health Plan trustees also voted Friday to have Blue Cross take over as pharmacy benefit manager from CVS Caremark in 2028. CVS Caremark has been the Health Plan’s pharmacy administrator since 2017.
Both contract terms run from Jan. 1, 2028, through Dec. 31, 2031, with two optional one-year renewal periods.
Heritage Park Pavilion takes shape
A new gathering place is taking shape at Heritage Park.
Thanks to a $100,000 grant, the Town of Andrews is building a new pavilion designed to make one of our busiest community spaces even more useful for families, visitors, events, and local organizations.
The pavilion will include public restrooms, a concession area, and central covered seating, giving people a comfortable place to gather without having to leave the park to find a restroom or grab a break from the weather.
The concrete slab is complete, including the plumbing installed beneath it. Walls are beginning to go up, and work has also begun on grading the parking area. The finished parking setup will include concrete access leading up to the pavilion, with space designed to better accommodate accessibility needs. Additional gravel parking will provide more room for visitors during events and busy park days.
Much of the assembly work is being supported by volunteers, town employees, local elected officials, and local ministries. Youth Football Comes to Heritage Park This Summer.
Cherokee County Fair returns to Andrews in September
The Cherokee County Fair is coming back to Andrews this year.
From Wednesday, Sept. 16, through Saturday, Sept. 19, the fair will return to the shopping center parking lot at the corner of Main Street and Wilson Street.
It will be four nights of rides, fair food, lights, laughter, and a reason for families and friends to get out and enjoy a little hometown fun together.
The fair schedule is:
- Wednesday, Sept. 16: 6-10:00 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 17: 6-10:00 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 18: 6-10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 19: Noon-10 p.m.
More details will be shared as the event gets closer.
Andrews Community Pool open daily
The town’s community pool is open daily. Daily admission is $3 per person. Season passes are also available:
Individual season pass: $75
Family season pass, up to six people: $150
Pool parties can be reserved for $250 and are scheduled from 6-8:00 p.m. on your chosen date.
To reserve a pool party, call 828-321-5111 or 828-629-2500.
Season passes may be purchased at Andrews Town Hall, 188 Main St., Andrews.
Applications open for Andrews town events
Applications are set to open Friday to secure a spot at Oktoberfest and Christmas on Main in Andrews.
Oktoberfest will be Saturday, Sept. 26 and Christmas on Main will be Saturday, Nov. 21.
Vendor space will fill quickly, so those interested should apply as soon as possible.
To apply and learn more, visit VisitAndrewsNC.com.
Edwards sells restaurant business to enhance his focus on service
HENDERSONVILLE – Congressman Chuck Edwards and his wife, Teresa, announced the sale of their McDonald's restaurant business, marking the end of a chapter that began nearly five decades ago when Rep. Edwards first went to work behind the counter of a McDonald's restaurant at the age of 16.
The decision allows the Edwards family to fully transition from business ownership and devote even greater attention to public service, Edwards said in a news release.
"McDonald's changed the course of my life," said Edwards. "It taught me the value of hard work, personal responsibility, teamwork, and serving others. Those lessons have shaped every chapter of my life—from running a small business to serving in the North Carolina Senate and now representing the people of Western North Carolina in Congress."
The couple built and operated their McDonald's business for many years, creating jobs and serving thousands of customers throughout the region.
When Chuck Edwards was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 2016, Teresa assumed day-to-day leadership of the business, successfully managing its operations while he fulfilled his legislative responsibilities. Her leadership enabled the business to continue thriving while allowing him to focus on serving the people of North Carolina.
"There is no question that Teresa made this possible," Edwards said. "She carried the responsibility of managing our business for nearly a decade while I served in elected office. Her dedication, leadership, and countless sacrifices gave me the opportunity to serve our communities. I couldn't be more grateful."
Edwards said selling the business is a natural next step as his responsibilities representing Western North Carolina continue to grow.
"Serving the people of Western North Carolina has been the greatest honor of my professional life," Edwards said. "While leaving a business that has meant so much to our family is bittersweet, this transition allows us to dedicate even more time and energy to the work of serving our communities and fighting for the people of our mountain region."
The sale concludes the Edwards family's ownership of the McDonald's restaurants and opens a new chapter focused on public service. The new owners are Edwards' long-time friends and fellow McDonald's franchisees, Christine and Chris Nevant of Asheville.
Author, poet, playwright Carroll S. Taylor to be featured reader July 23
Mountain Wordsmiths continues into the Summer 2026 season of featured readers on Thursday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. The gathering’s guest reader will be author, poet, and playwright Carroll S. Taylor. The monthly event is sponsored by North Carolina Writers’ Network-West.
Taylor will share excerpts from her latest children’s book, "Feannag the Crow, Book 2."
Those wishing to attend Mountain Wordsmiths may contact Carroll Taylor at vibiaperpetua@gmail.com or ncwngeorgiarep@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.
The group is informal and welcomes those who would simply like to listen in.