MURPHY
Schools’ bad weather plan
Following a bitter cold snap earlier in February, Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Keevin Woody described the procedure for determining weather-related school closures and delays at the Feb. 15 school board meeting.
Woody said school officials monitor weather days in advance of predicted bad weather. Early on the morning of the affected school day, six people check county roads and report their findings. They even check road temperatures.
School officials contact the N.C. Department of Transportation for information about road salting and any issues with the roads. School officials also check local news reports.
Early the morning of the affected day, school officials hold a conference call to make the decision, said Woody, who did not describe how parents are notified about delays or closures. The school district does not post that information
on its website or Facebook page, nor does it contact media about such decisions.
RALEIGH
‘Your ID. Your vote.’
The State Board of Elections has launched a multifaceted public education campaign designed to ensure the state’s 7.5 million registered voters know that they will be asked for photo identification when voting in 2024. The campaign slogan is: “Bring It! Your ID. Your Vote.”
“This slogan was chosen because it reminds voters to bring their ID when voting, and we hope it motivates North Carolinians to exercise their right to vote in this important election year,” said Karen Brinson Bell, State Board executive director. “Voters can go online to learn more about the photo ID requirement, view the list of acceptable IDs and learn how to get a free ID if they need one.”
Voters in North Carolina will be asked to show a photo ID when they check in to vote. Most voters will use their driver’s license, but many other forms of photo ID will be accepted. Voters who vote by mail will be asked to include a photocopy of their ID when returning their ballot.
Details: Visit BringItNC.com.
ANDREWS
GOP plans convention
The 2024 Cherokee County Republican Party Convention is scheduled to be held Saturday, March 16, at the P.B. Ferebee Center, 535 Main St.
Doors open at 8 a.m., with registration and credentialing until 9 a.m.
The county GOP Precinct Convention will be held from 9-10 a.m.
The county GOP County Convention will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.
Food and beverage vendors will be on site.
MURPHY
Working on water line
Town contractors will continue with the downtown waterline rehabilitation work this week, according to a release.
Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contractors will continue connecting services to the new water mains throughout the week, with temporary parking interruptions throughout each day. No planned water outages are scheduled.
Details: Visit townofmurphync.com.
MURPHY
Discovery at church
MountainView Church, 169 Smith Hollow off of U.S. 64 West, will host a Discovery Weekend on Friday and Saturday, March 8-9, to answer the question, “How can we see transforming revival in our community?”
The two days of teaching will inform, inspire and address four questions:
1. Do we need transforming revival?
2. What is transforming revival?
3. How do you prepare for transforming revival?
4. What is the personal cost (sacrifice) to see transforming revival in my community?
This conference is open to everyone. There will not be any denominational slant.
Details: Contact Ron and Elana Stockman at 727-487-3124 and elanastockman@gmail.com.
ANDREWS
Looking for 100 to help
The Town of Andrews and the Andrews Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the eighth annual Town Beautification Project, and invite you to join this meaningful endeavor.
Residents and visitors alike enjoy the floral baskets throughout downtown the last seven years, as there is a total of 46 poles and 92 baskets in the project. As a special bonus, and to enhance the town in the winter months from November through March), officials have added “Winter Greenery” to the baskets.
BRYSON CITY
Grants for fire offices
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) announced that his district office will be hosting grant seminars for fire departments in North Carolina’s 11th District.
The in-person seminars will be held on Wednesdays, March 6 and 13. The goal is to provide more accessibility, education and guidance for fire departments in western North Carolina to prepare and write grants.
The seminar on March 13 will be held from 6-8 p.m. at 45 East Ridge Drive in Bryson City.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
- Cherokee County Planning Board meets at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, immediately following the Board of Commissioners meeting. The meeting will be in the commissioner’s boardroom (Room 342) in the courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
- Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a budget workshop at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, after the regular meeting at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.