MURPHY
DSS lawsuits moving here
Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway ruled earlier this month that a lawsuit filed by the N.C. Counties Liability Property Joint Risk Management Agency against Cherokee County will be moved to the local courthouse.
The agency, which is the insurer for Cherokee County, has questioned whether it’s liable to pay multimillion-dollar awards stemming from the lawsuits over the Department of Social Services’ former use of custody and visitation agreements. Cherokee County’s contract covers “wrongful acts” at $2 million per act, and any verdict or settlement above that amount is to be paid by the county.
The judge said in court documents that Cherokee County is a more convenient venue for those who are parties to the case or are interested in watching the case. In addition, “the case involves actions alleged to have taken place in Cherokee County.” If the insurer wins, county taxpayers could be liable for tens of millions of dollars, as four lawsuits worth a combined total of $10.1 million have already been decided.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 6 to pay $2 million of Molly Cordell’s $4 million award, with the insurer paying the rest. Commissioner Gary Westmoreland has said the overall cost of DSS’ failures could reach as high as $50 million.
MURPHY
State Farm offers assist
State Farm Insurance will award 100 grants worth $25,000 each nationally through the Neighborhood Assist program.
The submission phase begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, and ends when there are 4,000 submissions. U.S. residents ages 18 and older are eligible.
Visit www.neighborhoodassist.com to download the submission guide. Then answer these questions:
- How much does the cause focus on unmet needs in this community?
- Why do you feel the $25,000 would address the unmet need?
- How much of a lasting impact on this community would the grant have?
HAYESVILLE
County may ban crypto
Clay County commissioners passed a resolution on Jan. 6 in an attempt to keep crypto mining out of the county.
Crypto mining is a process by which crypto currency, such as bitcoin, are validated. A network of computers, called crypto miners, are used in this process. Such operations are costly, and the machines involved require quite a lot of energy to operate to prevent overheating.
Crypto mining has been a heated topic in Cherokee County since such a facility began operating on Harshaw Road near Murphy. Local residents have complained about the noise the facility generates. The county will hold a public hearing on a proposed noise ordinance at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
In an attempt to head off such a dilemma in Clay County, attorney Merinda Woody drafted a resolution seeking a temporary halt on the establishment and operation of crypto mining farms. The commissioners voted to hold a legislative hearing at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, to explore whether a moratorium of more than 61 days can be adopted against crypto mining.
The purpose is to give the Clay County Planning Board time to formulate a comprehensive development plan addressing whether Clay County land is suitable to sustain crypto mining farms. The planning board would address issues such as whether crypto mining farms would change the character of the county, whether present public infrastructure and services could sustain such an industry, what environmental impacts might result and the impact of excessive noise on Clay County citizens.
MURPHY
Self defense for women
Reach of Cherokee County Inc. is offering a self defense class for women from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Penland Senior Center downtown.
The class will explain different techniques on how to protect yourself as well as some hands-on demonstrations. Class participation is welcomed. There will be a refresher lesson for anyone who missed the first class.
Amanda Hamby, the class coordinator, will assist instructor Tommy Jackson for the two-hour course. Knowing your surroundings and how to respond to a threat is key to keeping yourself safe. Seating is limited. Call to reserve a spot at 837-2097.
ANDREWS
Fire returns to the Valley
The song says some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on, but you can get both during the annual Fire in the Valley Chili Cook-off from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Building downtown.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620 sponsors the event, which this year will include the Cherokee County Beard & Mustache Contest. You can sign up as a cooker, a vendor or just taste all the competitors’ chili then vote for your favorite.
Admission is $5, and there is a $20 entry fee. Proceeds from the chili cookout will help the VFW provide services to local veterans. The beard and mustache contest will benefit the Valleytown Cultural Arts & Historical Society. See the Facebook page for details.
MURPHY
Road closed for a bridge
Bell Hill Road will be closed to all traffic from the intersection with Sunny Point Road to the intersection with Wright Road starting today.
The closure is necessary in order to replace the bridge on this stretch of road, according to a release from the N.C. Department of Transportation. Bell Hill Road is expected to reopen no later than May 27.
The detour routes for local northbound traffic is to continue east on U.S. 64 to the intersection with N.C. 294. Continue to the intersection with Sunny Point Road. Barricades will be set up in multiple locations.
MARBLE
Credit union scholarships
Friday, April 8, is the deadline to apply for a Mountain Credit Union scholarships to members who are pursuing a college education. For an application to be considered, the following criteria must be met:
- Enroll each quarter as a full-time student as determined by the college.
- Remain in good conduct standing at the college.
- Maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average.
- Must be a member in good standing at Mountain Credit Union.
There are several ways to submit your scholarship
application:
- Return your application to the local Mountain Credit Union branch office.
- Scan and email your application to marketing@mountaincu.org.
- Mail your scholarship application to Mountain CU Scholarship, PO Box 390, Waynesville, NC 28786.
NANTAHALA
Sediment a concern
On Oct. 4, the Oconaluftee River below Ela Dam – once a high-quality mountain river – was completely filled with sediment during a reservoir drawdown for a repair by the dam’s owner, Northbrook Carolina Hydro II LLC, according to a release.
MountainTrue is urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to protect rivers in the Little Tennessee and Hiwassee River basins by monitoring and enforcing Northbrook’s license provisions for its three Nantahala hydroelectric projects: Bryson on the Oconaluftee (where the massive sediment release occurred), Franklin on the Little Tennessee River and Mission on the Hiwassee River.
MountainTrue has been tracking the successful efforts of state agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hold Northbrook accountable for this disaster. However, MountainTrue’s review of public documents revealed that Northbrook “has conducted no active sediment management activities since obtaining the Bryson Project” in 2019.
Furthermore, the company hasn’t developed the long-term sediment management plans required by FERC’s project license at any of its three Nantahala hydroelectric projects. MountainTrue will deliver the petition Friday, Jan. 28.
RALEIGH
State settles loan lawsuit
Attorney General Josh Stein announced last week that Navient, one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers, will pay $3,259,086 in restitution to more than 12,000 federal loan borrowers in North Carolina.
Additionally, 1,267 North Carolina borrowers will receive a total of $33,352,530 million in private loan debt cancellation. The funds are part of a $1.85 billion multi-state settlement with Navient to resolve allegations of widespread unfair and deceptive student loan servicing and predatory lending practices.
“More than 13,000 North Carolinians will get student loan relief and a fresh financial start as a result of our settlement today,” Stein said. “These people borrowed money so they could get the education they needed to build successful lives, but Navient pushed them toward harmful financial decisions and predatory loans.”
Federal loan borrowers who qualify for relief under this settlement do not need to take any action except update or create their studentaid.gov account to ensure that the U.S. Department of Education has their current address. Visit www.NavientAGSettlement.com.
WASHINGTON
State gets heating aid
President Joe Biden’s administration announced last week that due to passage of the American Rescue Plan, North Carolina has received a record $183.3 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program available this fiscal year.
As part of a state-by-state breakdown of funding, the Biden-Harris administration reported in a release that in addition to an annual appropriation of $96.3 million for North Carolina, the state received an additional $87 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan. Four Square Community Action based in Andrews awards this funding for Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain counties.
CORRECTION
An article on page 1A in the Jan. 12 edition of the Cherokee Scout contained a reporting error. The company that owns the crypto mining facility on Harshaw Road in Murphy is now called Ankr. The Scout regrets the error.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK- None this week.
From staff reports.