MURPHY
Joint meeting date isn’t set
A planned meeting between Cherokee County commissioners and school board members has hit another snag.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners requested the joint meeting, but the two boards have had difficulty finding a time to meet. Commissioners were holding up funding of a number of school projects until the meeting is held.
The two boards agreed to meet June 10, but staff scheduling conflicts forced a reschedule to a date to be determined. Meanwhile, the board went ahead and approved the remaining school projects.
“We’ve moved on, so let’s see if we can go ahead fund the rest and get these repairs done,” Commissioner Cal Stiles said.
The stalled projects totaled $92,573 in half-cent sales tax proceeds for an HVAC at Andrews Elementary School kindergarten, an HVAC coil replacement at the Murphy High School Vocational Building, carpet for eight classrooms at Ranger Elementary/Middle School, relocate a shed at the Schools of Innovation & Technology in Peachtree and for a chiller service agreement at Andrews High School.
The school district needs approval from the board of commissioners to use proceeds from sales taxes.
At the April 1 meeting, Commissioner Dan Eichenbaum requested an agenda change to add a $111,227 funding approval for the gym floor at Murphy Elementary School, which had also been held up. The board approved that expenditure, describing it as a safety issue.
MURPHY
’25-26 school calendar set
The Cherokee County Board of Education approved the calendar for the 2025-26 school year at the board’s meeting Thursday.
Key dates include Aug. 25, when classes start; April 6-10, spring break; and May 29, end of school for students.
The full calendar will become available at the school district’s website at cherokee.k12.nc.us.
ANDREWS
Stop light to be kept
The traffic light at the intersection of Main Street and Whitaker Lane will be repaired and returned to full service.
There was a malfunction in the traffic signal requiring a new part, and the N.C. Department of Transportation switched the signal from full service to blinking red from Whitaker and blinking yellow on Main Street because of declining traffic volume at the intersection.
After what Mayor James Reid described as a “can of worms” in response to the change, the transportation department reconsidered the move and plans to fix the traffic light and return it to normal operation. The DOT does still plan to monitor and evaluate traffic volumes at the intersection for possible future action.
Reid said he expects growth on Andrews’ west side that will restore traffic volume to previous levels.
During the Andrews Board of Aldermen meeting Thursday, Alderman Steve Jordan asked DOT district engineer Andy Russell whether the intersection of Main and Whitaker would be a good location for a traffic circle. Russell said that intersection would be a perfect place for a traffic circle but, other than Jordan, no other board member showed interest in such a change.
MURPHY
Budget work sessions set
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold budget work sessions beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7; Wednesday, May 15; Tuesday, May 21; Thursday, May 23, and Wednesday, May 29.
The budget hearings will be held in the commissioners’ boardroom at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
MURPHY
Runoff set on May 14
Cherokee County voters can return to the polls Tuesday, May 14, for a runoff election for two primary contests – Republican’s nominations for lieutenant governor and state auditor.
Candidates in those races did not receive enough votes to avoid runoffs.
The lieutenant governor race is between political aid Hal Weatherman and Jim O’Neill, the Forsyth County district attorney. The auditor race is between Jack Clark, a certified public accountant and budget policy analyst for the General Assembly, and Dave Boliek, a Fayetteville attorney and former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Board of Trustees chair.
The runoff will cost Cherokee County $44,635 to pay for extra elections board meetings, poll workers, supplies and advertising.
HAYESVILLE
Delay soon on N.C. 69
Beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, N.C. 69 will be closed to all traffic from the intersection with U.S. 64 for about 850 feet, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The closure is necessary to grade, pave and pour concrete, plus install pavement markings at this section of the roadway. The closure will continue through 8 a.m. Monday, May 13.
The DOT says there will still be access to businesses at other entrances and exits on U.S. 64.
MURPHY
Studio tour ends soon
The first Smoky Mountain Studio Tour – showcasing the studios of more than a dozen local artists from the Appalachian Smoky Mountains of Cherokee County, western North Carolina and northern Georgia – continues this weekend.
This free, self-guided tour takes place April 27-28. You’ll get a sneak peek at the working studios of painters, photographers, fiber artists, glass artists, furniture makers, wood carvers and clay sculptors as they work to create their masterpieces.
Parking and refreshments will be available on the tour. Studios will be open, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All you need is a vehicle to get yourself around.
Check in at the MAC – Murphy Art Center, 12 Peachtree St. downtown – anytime during Studio Tour weekends to pick up a brochure and enjoy the demonstrating artists before embarking on a fun couple of weekends of visiting individual artist studios.
Details: Visit valleyriverarts.com.
MURPHY
A party for the artists
Get ready for an enchanting evening of art, entertainment and community at the Cherokee County Arts Coalition’s first Member Party, which is open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 33 Valley River Ave. downtown.
The night will be filled with live music, networking opportunities and refreshments, according to a release. Everyone is welcome to attend and experience the vibrant arts culture in Cherokee County.
In addition, members are invited two exclusive seminars: “Picture This: Photographing Your Artwork Like a Pro” and “Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Grant Writing.”
Details: Visit cherokeeartscouncil.org.
MURPHY
Fixing the jury’s box
Jurors and in-custody defendants at the Cherokee County Courthouse downtown will benefit from more space and new seats following a planned $24,000 renovation.
The renovation will result in a larger jury box to more safely and comfortably address the needs of jurors seated for court. The jury box is also used by bailiffs to seat defendants in custody.
Work will include a ramp, larger seating space and new chairs. Cherokee County commissioners approved the funding on April 15. Timeline for the project has not been determined.
MURPHY
Working on resurfacing
Town contractors are continuing partial resurfacing work for the downtown waterline project on Tennessee Street.
While parking spaces will be blocked the evening prior to the work, spaces will reopen as the work progresses during the day.
Details: Visit townofmurphync.com.
CORRECTIONS
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The article “Juries convict 3 of drug trafficking” on page 1A in the April 17 edition of the Cherokee Scout included a layout error. An incorrect photo of convicted methamphetamine trafficker Mandy Jane Fortner was used; here is the correct photo. The Scout regrets the error and has fixed the online version.
The article “Community aids family in need” on page 12A in the April 17 edition of the Cherokee Scout included a reporting error. While mother Jordan Mixon has stopped working outside of the home in order to care for her ill daughter, father Zach Mixon is working all of the hours he can to provide for his family. The Scout regrets the error and has fixed the online version.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Planning Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy to discuss a high-impact ordinance.
COMING SOON
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.