Quick Reads

  • Donald Hale/Contributing Photographer These images of a beautiful day were captured right before the official start of spring at the top of the cemetery by Moore House Ministries in Murphy.
    Donald Hale/Contributing Photographer These images of a beautiful day were captured right before the official start of spring at the top of the cemetery by Moore House Ministries in Murphy.
  • The semi-annual Derrick Whittle Memorial Blood Drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Haralson Memorial Civic Center in Blairsville, Ga.
    The semi-annual Derrick Whittle Memorial Blood Drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Haralson Memorial Civic Center in Blairsville, Ga.
  • Alexis Jones portrayed the White Rabbit in the Community Youth Players’ recent production of Alice in Wonderland: The Musical.
    Alexis Jones portrayed the White Rabbit in the Community Youth Players’ recent production of Alice in Wonderland: The Musical.

    MARBLE

    Kids Fishing Day April 6

    The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the annual Kids Fishing Day from 9 a.m. until the fish stop biting – rain or shine – at the Sheriff’s Office Firing Range, 9554 U.S. 19.

    Registration is free and begins at 8:30 a.m., though the start time could be delated in the event of storms. Sweet Pigs Hot Dogs & Catering will be on hand to sell lunch plates. Just bring your fishing pole, as free bait will be offered by G&S Bait, which also is donating several Zebco poles.

    Details: Call Stephanie Swanson at 828-837-2589.

    ANDREWS

    Edwards in town today

    The mobile office of U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), the Carolina Cruiser, will be at Andrews Town Hall, 188 Main St., from 3:15-4:15 p.m. today.

    Staff will be at the Carolina Cruiser to meet with constituents, answer questions and assist with case work. Everyone is invited.

    Details: Visit edwards.house.gov.

    BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.

    Deputy will be honored

    Blood Assurance and the family of a fallen Union County sheriff’s deputy will honor his life during an upcoming blood drive.

    The semi-annual Derrick Whittle Memorial Blood Drive is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Haralson Memorial Civic Center. On Sept. 15, 2011, Whittle, 38, was critically injured in a car crash while responding to an emergency call. He died three days later at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.

    Since the first blood drive in 2012, Blood Assurance has collected more than 1,000 units of blood in Whittle’s memory, which is enough to save more than 3,000 lives. Due to the overwhelming response from the community, the event takes place twice a year: once in April to honor Whittle’s birthday, and again in September in memory of his passing.

    Details: Visit bloodassurance.org/dwhittle.

    ANDREWS

    New board members

    The Andrews Chamber of Commerce has four board seats available for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

    Nola Cooper, executive director of the chamber, is soliciting nominations from members in good standing through March 31. There will be a month of transition for new board members in July, and the board will elect officers at the August meeting. Board members serve a three-year term.

    Details: Visit visitandrewsnc.com.

    MURPHY

    ‘Potty Party’ grant award

    The Cherokee County Sharing Center Food Bank has been awarded a T-Mobile Hometown Grant and want you to help them celebrate.

    A “Potty Party” will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at First Baptist Church of Murphy, 517 Hiwassee St., to celebrate being selected for a restroom and sink project at the Sharing Center.

    There were only 25 recipients out of 500 total applications. Karen Borchers, retired executive director of the Cherokee-Clay Counties United Way, wrote the grant application.

    Details: Visit fbcmurphync.org/sharing-center.

    WASHINGTON

    Edwards’ new bill

    U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has introduced the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act today to provide justice for victims and their families who are harmed by an illegal immigrant due to sanctuary city policies. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is leading the Senate companion bill.

    Sanctuary cities endanger the public by refusing to abide by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement detainer requests or refusing to share information about illegal immigrants who are in custody and have criminal records, according to a release.

    “Sanctuary cities are compromising Americans’ safety by refusing to cooperate with ICE, allowing the release of illegal immigrants with criminal records to freely roam the streets in our neighborhoods,” Edwards said.

    “For too long, we have watched local jurisdictions in North Carolina and across the country ignore the lawful notification and detainer requests made by ICE agents, and instead release dangerous criminals back into their communities and put innocent lives at risk,” Tillis added.

    RANGER

    Youth Day set April 5

    Mountain Folk Center on U.S. 64 West will serve as the venue for an Agriculture Youth Day on Friday, April 5.

    The event is being sponsored by the Cherokee County Farm Bureau, Cherokee County 4-H, local farmers and livestock producers. Third-graders from throughout Cherokee County will take part.

    The Cherokee County Saddle Club has proposed relocating the outdoor arena elsewhere on the site. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will take a deeper dive into the proposal during budget planning.

    CORRECTION

    Alexis Jones portrayed the White Rabbit in the Community Youth Players’ recent production of Alice in Wonderland: The Musical. Her role was confused with that of the March Hare on page 10A in the March 20 edition of the Cherokee Scout. The Scout regrets the error.

    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 Cherokee Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
    • 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.

    COMING SOON

    • Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
    • Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday, April 8, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 8, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
    • Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
    • Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page.
    • Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
    • Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger. This is a new day and time.
    • Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page, if possible.
    • Cherokee County Planning Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy, to discuss a high-impact ordinance.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.