Murphy
Toys for Tots thank you luncheon
A roomful of local folks gathered Feb. 28 at Legend’s Steakhouse in downtown Murphy for a well-deserved pat on the back. Those receiving a thank you include Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, the Cherokee Scout (Publisher David Brown), Eller & Owens delivery, TEAM Industries (Barbara Hudson), American Legion Post 96 (Bob Strawhecker), Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors (Donna Srabian), Carl Kamstra (largest annual personal donor), Andrews Elementary School (Shirley and Diane),
Martins Creek Elementary School (Randy Glass), FernCrest Winery (Jan Olson) and Nottely River Valley Vineyards (Stephen and Karen), the highest contributors at $3,400-plus.
MURPHY
4 businesses get certified
Seventy-two small businesses from Murphy to Manteo have earned the designation as a Certified North Carolina Destination Business by the N.C. Department of Commerce.
Launched by the N.C. Main Street & Rural Planning Center in 2025 with 33 businesses, this statewide initiative strengthens small businesses and enhances the community by transforming local shops into destination-worthy experiences.
“North Carolina small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy,” Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said in a release. “These businesses have become magnets for residents and visitors alike”
Through hands-on training led by national destination development expert The Schallert Group, participants learned strategies to stand out in competitive markets. From unique product offerings to immersive experiences, these businesses now serve as anchors for tourism and economic growth.
The local businesses are Indigo Mountain Traders, Graciela Laurent Photography, Murphy Art Center and Olive’s Porch at John Campbell Folk School.
Details: Visit commerce.nc.gov/about-us/divisions-programs/rural-economic-development-division/nc-main-street-rural-planning-center.
ANDREWS
School saves local history
Andrews High School has been at work on their digital platform. Joshua Badillo-Jimenez, a 10th-grader at the school, has been working with Principal Dorin Oxender and other administrators on the school website.
Badillo-Jimenez has revised much of the website, including adding new pages for athletics and band programs, and removing all redundant pages. Among the additions to the site, one was a History page.
The History page covers the high school’s past going back as far as 1893. Other things included on the page are the Andrews City School District, Facilities History and some enrollment facts from the 1970s. After creating this page, Badillo-Jimenez wanted to launch a new project.
To spotlight the school’s history, Badillo-Jimenez went to Oxender to create a #ThrowbackThursday series on the school’s Facebook page. Oxender was on board with this idea. The series launched Feb. 5 with a post about the current gym and cafeteria being built.
An idea that came from history teacher Dr. Robert McFarland to Badillo-Jimenez was to have people submit their memories and submit photos to feature in the series. Oxender was on board. A form was published on the school’s website and shared on Facebook.
Andrews High invites any alumni or former staff to share their favorite memory of being at the school. There is also an option to upload photos or videos. The school has made an impact to many people, and Andrews High wants to bring that to light.
Details: The link to the form is ahs.cherokee.k12.nc.us/apps/form/throwbackthursday. The link to the History page is ahs.cherokee.k12.nc.us/apps/pages/history. The school’s website is ahs.cherokee.k12.nc.us.
ANDREWS
Monthly work sessions back
The Town of Andrews has reinstated monthly work sessions to help the board of aldermen “be more prepared for our monthly meetings,” Mayor James Reid said.
With December’s swearing in of new board members Chasity Ledford and Heath Woodard, the board voted to begin holding work sessions at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month in Andrews Town Hall, 188 Main St.
“It’ll be good to get new board members up to speed before regular meetings with these sessions,” Reid said. “They may not be able to spend much time at town hall during the month, so this helps them and the whole board prepare better and work more for the town.”
Work sessions will be limited to one hour and consist of potential agenda items for future meetings. Regular board meetings will still take place at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Andrews Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. However, March’s regular board meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, March 23.
The board also announced new hours at town hall. Administrative offices will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Details: Call 828-321-5111 or visit andrewsnc.org.
ANDREWS
Town’s text alert updated
Andrews has reinstated their text notification system number for residents to receive updates in a series of videos posted to the town’s Facebook social media page.
At the February board of aldermen meeting, the town announced that the phone number would be included in future water bills beginning in March.
The town will also continue using the NIXLE system for emergency and public safety updates.
The NIXLE system is used for governmental agencies and businesses to provide civic and emergency communication updates to citizens from local governmental agencies including emergency management and law enforcement. There is no new phone app required for this text notification system.
Residents do not also have to be signed up for NIXLE notifications to receive texts from the Town of Andrews. Andrews residents can text JOIN to 828-592-8095 to begin receiving updates regarding power outages, road closures, waterline maintenance and other public works projects.
Details: Call 828-321-5111 or visit andrewsnc.org.
MARBLE
County GOP convention
The Cherokee County Republican Party will hold its convention Saturday at the Cherokee Indian Community Center, 300 Airport Road. Here’s the schedule:
Registration: 7:30 a.m.
Precinct convention:
9 a.m.
County convention:
10 a.m.
Coffee and pastries will be available for attendees.
Details: Call Cherokee County GOP Chair Mark Kephart at 828-557-4677.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. today at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
Cherokee County Republican Party will hold its convention at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cherokee Indian Community Center, 300 Airport Road in Marble.
Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
Murphy ABC Board meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the ABC Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.
Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Staff Correspondent Nicole Wright contributed to this report.