MURPHY
Murphy gets $750K grant
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has announced that the House and Senate have passed $18.7 million in funding for targeted community projects in North Carolina’s 11th District.
The funding bills passed as part of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations package.
“Throughout my district work periods, I have heard from law enforcement, first responders and community leaders all across our mountains about critical needs in our communities,” Edwards said in a release. “I am happy lawmakers in the House and Senate have recognized the merit in my requests to fund these community projects.”
The following community project funding requests made by Edwards were passed by Congress, broken down by each specific appropriations bill:
- $2.5 million for a new EMS facility in Clay County.
- $750,000 for water infrastructure improvements in the Town of Murphy.
- $80,000 for a water rescue boat for emergencies in Graham and Swain counties.
The legislation goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
Read a related letter to the editor on page 4A.
MURPHY
$24K grant for trail plan
The Town of Murphy was awarded a $24,000 planning grant to develop the “Valley River Heritage Trail” that would connect the Murphy River Walk to Andrews and Marble.
The grant is sponsored by Mountain BizWorks and the Appalachian Regional Commission under a “Building Outdoor Communities” initiative and will fund a greenway/blueway master plan.
That plan would increase outdoor assets and related businesses. Work on the project will be performed by Sara Posey Davis.
MURPHY
Music series coming soon
Fain Alley Music Series will kick off this year featuring live music and food from different local restaurants.
The event is a collaboration between Main Street Murphy and the Cherokee County Arts Council. Events will be held from 5-7 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month from May through October.
“The early hours of this event will allow concert-goers to explore other restaurants and entertainment options following the music,” said Laura Lachance, Murphy’s Main Street director.
Other upcoming events include Murphy Music & Brews on Saturday, April 13, with the legendary rock band Cracker as the lead act; the Murphy Spring Festival on Saturday, May 4, and Cycle NC Mountain Ride from Aug. 2-4.
MURPHY
Downtown developments
Vintage Therapy Shop opened at 46 Valley River Ave. in the space formerly occupied by The Curiosity Shop, sharing the building with The Mason Bar.
Crafted Dough is temporarily closed during a move from 13 Tennessee St. to a bigger space at 104 Tennessee St. in the Old Mill Building. Appalachian Electric Bikes & Framing, meanwhile, moved from 104 Tennessee St. to 10 Tennessee St.
Work continues on a Kobe Grill Japanese restaurant in the former Blake Realty office at 9 W. Central St., across from the Cherokee County Courthouse.
ANDREWS
GOP plans convention
The 2024 Cherokee County Republican Party Convention will be held Saturday 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., while the county GOP County Convention will be held from 10 a.m. to noon.
Food and beverage vendors will be on site.
MURPHY
Two meetings set on county
If you have suggestions, ideas or concerns for making Cherokee County “a better place to live for you and your family,” you’re invited to join Concerned Citizens of Cherokee County for two meet-and-greet events.
The meetings will be held from 5-8 p.m. Fridays, March 15 and March 22,
at First Baptist Church of Murphy, 517 Hiwassee St. There will be beverages and light snacks. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Details: Email CCCC-4Cs@protonmail.com.
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.
Hospital in the Top 100
Union General Hospital has announced that it has been recognized as a 2024 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital.
Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition recognizes outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance Index.
“It is a great honor to be recognized as one of the top 100 rural hospitals in the country and one of only two hospitals recognized in Georgia,” said Kevin Bierschenk, CEO of Union General Health System.
“We are driven by our mission to provide the highest-quality care to our patients and local communities. I would like to congratulate our staff and providers for this achievement.”
To determine the 2024 list, Chartis used the Chartis Rural Hospital Strength Index, which assesses performance in the in-patient market share, out-patient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and finance.
MURPHY
Grant for zone math
Cherokee Country’s own early childhood initiative, Zone Proxima Math, received a grant from the Gathering 4 Gardner Foundation to introduce the math program to the community during G4G15 on Feb. 21-25 in Atlanta.
Representing the company, Dr. Debbie Denise Reese and local resident Steven Inglima manned an exhibit throughout the conference and gave a presentation to the general assembly.
Gathering 4 Gardner celebrates Martin Gardner’s contributions to recreational mathematics, magic and illusions, puzzles and games, skepticism, science, art, literature and their intersection. By invitation only, members from all of these communities share, explore, build/construct and perform their interests, accomplishments and findings.
A longtime resident of Hendersonville, Gardner inspired, entertained and educated generations of with his Scientific American monthly column “Mathematical Games,” an estimated 60 books and other writings. Among Inglima’s many talents and interests, as a photographer and expert in the technical aspects of the art form and equipment, he led the Canon Explorers of Light Program and serves as the adult class coordinator at the Murphy Arts Center.
Details: Visit math.zoneproxima.com and gathering4gardner.org.
RALEIGH
Report shows rail important
North Carolina’s rail system contributes to more than $20 billion into the state’s economy and supports 88,000 jobs, according to a report released Feb. 26 by the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division.
The Economic Contribution of Rail in North Carolina report, which was produced in partnership with the Institute for Transportation Research & Education at N.C.
State University, is the “first of its kind and shows that North Carolina’s rail system is important to the state’s future,” according to the DOT. The research analyzed 2019 economic data and 2022 ridership data to reflect the most recent complete data and economic impacts while avoiding disruptions caused by the pandemic.
According to the DOT, the report highlights specific annual impacts and contributions from rail sectors, including freight, passenger and rail tourism. NC By Train experienced record-breaking ridership for the second year in a row in 2023.
Like freight, NCDOT says passenger rail services “help the state reduce congestion on roads, which extends the life of the highway system and cuts down on harmful emissions from automobiles.” Rail tourism activities across the state also support about 410,000 visitors annually in North Carolina.
Details: Visit railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/economic-contributions-rail-nc-full-report.pdf.
ANDREWS
Looking for100 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 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.
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 downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page, if possible.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy, to discuss future plans for Emergency medical Services Station 2. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at noon Wednesday, March 20, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.