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RALEIGH
State shows provisionals
Under state law, election officials must release the number of provisional ballots cast in each county by noon two days after each election. The State Board surveyed the 90 county boards of elections that held municipal elections on Nov. 3, and there were only 10 provisional ballots cast in Cherokee County, all on Election Day.
There were 18 provisional ballots in neighboring Graham County and none in Clay County, according to a release.
Provisional ballots must be researched to determine voter eligibility. Provisional ballots are cast when an individual’s name does not appear on the poll book or other questions arise about that person’s eligibility to vote or to vote a particular ballot. The provisional voter fills out a form called a provisional application, which includes information that the county board can use to research that voter’s
eligibility.
After Election Day, each county board of elections meets before certifying the results to make decisions on provisional applications submitted by voters. If the board determines the voter is eligible, the provisional ballot is counted. If the voter is eligible for some contests on the ballot but not others, the eligible contests will be counted for that voter.
These ballots will be added to the official results during the canvass process. The county canvass is scheduled for Tuesday.
MURPHY
Free dinner for holiday
Connections of Caring Hearts will present a free Thanksgiving dinner to everyone who would like to join at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 25, at Main Street USA Diner on Hiwassee Street.
Public servants only will be fed from 10-11 a.m. The general public will be fed from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The meal is drive-through or walk-through only due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like to help the local family that provides this first-class meal, see the group’s announcement on Facebook.
ANDREWS
On repairs, equipment
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 1 voted to spend an additional $45,716 to replace and repair the boiler line at Andrews High School. Commissioners previously voted to spend $9,806 to complete the project but workers later realized that the scope of work was larger than initially anticipated.
Additionally, commissioners voted to spend about $4,500 on new playground equipment for Konehete Park. The money will be used to buy a fire chief car, a baby seat for the swing and a slide.
Commissioners also voted to spend $20,030 from the Rescue Fund to purchase extrication equipment for Peachtree Fire & Rescue.
ANDREWS
Decorate windows
It’s time for Andrews’ annual Christmas Window Contest to make the town look festive for Christmas on Main.
Andrews area businesses are encouraged to decorate your front windows for the season by Friday, Nov. 19, then email Andrews Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nola Cooper at director@andrewschamber.com. Judging will take place Dec. 1-4.
Be sure to have your display all lit up on those evenings because judges might come at night. Cooper said she can’t wait to see this year’s entries.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
EMS gets extra pay
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 1 voted to give emergency medical services personnel a one-time incentive pay using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics on the job for at least 18 months will receive $2,000. Those with 12 months of employment will receive $1,500, while workers with six months on the job will receive $1,000.
MURPHY
$5K raffle on Saturday night
HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center is having a raffle fundraiser Saturday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Hackney Warehouse on Hiwassee Street downtown.
Tickets are $100 each, which entitles the ticket holder to dinner, dessert and a chance to win $5,000. Tickets will be drawn throughout the evening for prizes. At the end of the event, five final tickets will be drawn for a chance to win the $5,000 prize – or the five can split the money, which happened last year.
Enjoy good food and entertainment, as well as an open bar and silent auction, all for a great cause. HAVEN was founded in 2005 and serves Cherokee and Clay counties, helping children and families when abuse is suspected.
Only 225 tickets are available and can be purchased online or at the HAVEN office on U.S. 64 in Peachtree. For details, call 837-5872 or visit www.havencac.org/event-details/5-000-raffle-fundraiser.
RALEIGH
State has 3 days in bank
North Carolina has enough money in its rainy day fund to cover 17.4 days of expenses, according to a new report from Pew Charitable Trusts. North Carolina ranked 14th-lowest in the country for the number of days its rainy day fund could keep the government running based on estimates at the end of the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30.
Pew estimated North Carolina had $1.2 billion in its rainy day fund at the end of June. States keep rainy day funds on hand to cover revenue issues to ensure the government continues to operate in an emergency. Economists predict the state will have a $6.5 billion surplus over the next two years.
North Carolina’s rainy day fund balance also was $1.2 billion at the end of fiscal year 2020. Twenty-eight other states increased their rainy day fund since the end of fiscal year 2020. Pew’s report said there was a $4.6 billion increase nationally in rainy day funds, reaching a new high of $82 billion.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
COVID kills 3 residents
Three local residents died from COVID-19 in the last week, even though the Cherokee County Health Department only reported 19 new positive test results for the coronavirus from Nov. 2 through Monday.
Six of those patients had contact with a previously reported case, and all but one of those testing positive developed symptoms. None of them have been hospitalized, and they have all been isolated. Those who died were in their late 50s, mid-70s and late 70s, increasing the total of county residents who have passed away from COVID to 98.
Since the pandemic started through Monday, the health department has conducted 21,221 tests, 16,528 which were negative, Of the 4,673 positive tests, 4,556 have been released, 98 are deceased and 19 are active.
The health department has started administering pediatric vaccines at no charge at the office in Murphy. For details, call 837-7486.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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 Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
COMING SOON
- All local, state and federal government offices – along with the Cherokee Scout and other businesses – will be closed Thursday, Nov. 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Scout will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26.
From staff and The Capital Square reports.