ETON, Ga.
Quake felt in Murphy
A relatively small earthquake last week was felt from northern Georgia to eastern Tennessee to western North Carolina.
The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that a 2.6 magnitude earthquake struck in Murray County near the Georgia-Tennessee state line around midnight Friday.
With a number of fault lines, Georgia has been prone to small earthquakes over the years, but they are still considered rare. The last time an earthquake over 3.0 in magnitude occurred in the region was near South Cleveland, Tenn., in November 2009.
An area stretching from Tennessee through the edge of western North Carolina into northern Georgia is known as the Eastern Tennessee seismic zone, or earthquake zone. Scientists are studying this area to determine why so many earthquakes happen here, according to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.
PINE LOG
EMC adds to internet
Blue Ridge Mountain Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. activated fiber internet service to several member-customers in the Pine Log area of Clay County on Jan. 4.
Company personnel, county officials and the first fiber customers celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the parking lot of Pine Log Baptist Church.
In January 2021, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC was awarded $1.3 million in funding through the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology Grant program as part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s $30 million initiative to expand internet access to rural areas. BRMEMC also applied for a large part of Cherokee County, but did not receive grant funding for that area.
The 27 member-customers in Pine Log have internet service provided by 49 miles of main line fiber. Signups can be done by calling 706-379-3121 or emailing broadband@brmemc.com.
RALEIGH
State delays ’22 primary
The N.C. General Assembly voted Jan. 19 to delay the primary election by three weeks – until May 17 – as the state Supreme Court reviews the state’s new legislative district maps.
The maps were approved by the Republican-led Legislature, but voting advocacy groups have sued to block them, claiming they were drawn to maintain a partisan advantage.
The ongoing legal battle could cause an issue for the current election schedule, lawmakers said. A Supreme Court’s hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2, only 12 days before a state Board of Elections deadline for finalizing district lines.
“We anticipate that the Supreme Court is going to uphold the maps that were unanimously upheld by our bipartisan Superior Court panel,” said Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke). “But in the event, really either way, whether they do or they don’t, the Board of Elections will not simply have time before Feb. 24, to do what they need to do.”
If needed, a primary election runoff would be held July 26, under the measure, except for federal election races, which the Legislature pushed to Aug. 17. The filing date for the elections would be moved to March 24.
The measure also would reschedule municipal elections that were delayed in 2021. More than 30 municipalities across North Carolina had to delay elections in 2021 so they could redraw maps.
The Senate approved the extension with a 26-17 vote. It was approved by the House 69-50. Gov. Roy Cooper would have to approve the bill in order for it to become law. It would be the second delay of the primaries because of the case.
Plaintiffs argued Republican map drawers constructed the maps behind closed doors. The court case revealed key Republicans destroyed a map that was to remain part of public record according to law. The court in December postponed the primaries from March 8 to May 17 so the case could be reviewed.
HAYESVILLE
Leadership class nears
Do you love our community and want to see it become the best it can be for all residents, businesses and organizations? Are you interested in how you can help build that thriving community?
Then check out the next Leadership Chatuge Community Builders class from Feb. 10 through April 28 at Hinton Rural Life Center. The class is designed to help you become a more knowledgeable and effective community builder in our rural mountain area, accord to the Rev. Karen Kluever, minister of church relations and development.
The class is open to adults and high school students in Cherokee, Clay and Towns counties. Meetings are weekly from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays at Hinton and include dinner, knowledgeable and engaging presenters, and supplies. The registration deadline is Monday.
Some partial scholarships are available. Find out more at https://www.hintoncenter.org/ministries/training-and-workshops.
RALEIGH
Gillespie on ag committee
N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) announced appointments to the Joint Legislative Committee on Agriculture & Natural and Economic Resources on Jan. 14.
State Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Franklin) was appointed as a committee member, replacing former Rep. Chuck McGrady.
“I am humbled to be chosen as a member of this committee and appreciate the trust that the speaker has placed in me,” Gillespie said in a release. “I can draw from my experience in agriculture to have a positive impact on this committee.”
With the latest appointment, Gillespie serves on six committees, including Agriculture, Appropriations, Appropriations-Education, Federal Relations & American Indian Affairs, and Wildlife Resources.
ASHEVILLE
DOT clearing snow and ice
N.C. Department of Transportation crews have been pushing snow and ice, clearing interstates and highways nonstop from Swain to Surry counties, since Jan. 15.
Clearing the more than 16,000 miles of roadways across 25 counties lasted into Jan. 19, as snow continued to fall Jan. 16 in many counties.
“Our crews have been working around the clock for several days, and they’re doing a great job keeping interstates and primaries clear,” Western Deputy Chief Engineer Brian Burch said.
The DOT’s primary responsibility is to interstates and four-lane divided highways essential to the movement and intrastate and regional traffic, according to the snow-clearing policy. Other roads are prioritized based on emergency response, overall connectivity, traffic volume and trucking use.
More than 330 trucks, equipped with plows and salt spreaders, plus 55 motor graders, and additional contractor equipment are in operation 24 hours per day across the 25 counties that comprise DOT Divisions 11, 13 and 14. Crews spread more than 12,700 tons of salt since the storm started, ranging from 133 tons in Clay County to 1,500 tons in Madison County.
RALEIGH
Cooper OKs school days
Gov. Roy Cooper announced plans to help combat staff shortages in K-12 school districts across the state during the surge of COVID-19 cases.
The policy will allow state employees to use volunteer days with supervisor approval to work in North Carolina public schools as substitute teachers, bus drivers and cafeteria staff, according to a release. “It is critical that we keep children learning in the classroom safely,” Cooper said.
For much of the 2021-22 school year, many school districts experienced a greater need for substitute teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other support personnel who can fill in for employees who need to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19. The new directive will allow state employees to use paid leave to serve as substitute staff in schools while also keeping any compensation they earn as substitutes.
The policy was effective Jan. 12 and ends Tuesday, Feb. 15.
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.
There will be 200 finalists chosen during the voting phase April 27 through May 6. Winners will be announced on June 7.
CORRECTION
Due to a past reporting error, Lance Bristol’s title was incorrect in an article on page 7A in the Jan. 19 edition of the Cherokee Scout. Bristol is principal of Andrews High School. The Scout regrets the error.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- The Learning Center Board of Directors meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 945 Connahetta St. in Murphy.
COMING SOON
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
Compiled from staff reports