MURPHY
Art Walk on Friday
The Art Walk returns with blocks of fun from 5-8 p.m. Friday downtown.
The monthly special event is promoted by the Murphy Art Center and organized by the Valley River Arts Guild. Enjoy summertime streets filled with artists, shopping, dining and entertainment, from the outdoor MAX Project to live music on the square.
Details: Visit ValleyRiverArts.com or call 828-360-3038.
MURPHY
County OKs road names
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved 23 road names that were proposed at the June 24 meeting.
Three road names were removed from consideration – Aurora Jade Trail, Elaines Spring House Drive and Kirkland Ridge.
The board approved the following names – Awesome View Heights, Clem Rose Cove, Climbing Heights, Cowabunga Way, Deby Lane, Enzo Court, Fitzpatrick Way, Franklin Mountain Road, Hickory Lane, Hollow Tree Lane, Honey Hole Trail, Hothouse Creek Road, Ledford Farm Road, Newt Creek, Oak Branch Drive, Oak Court Circle, Oak Hill Drive, Poindexter Road, Rainbow Ridge Road, Ritz Hollow Lane, Shooters Road, Two Morrows Way and Valleytown Road.
The board voted on the road names following a public hearing, during which no one spoke. Locations of the roads were not provided.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Help seniors with needs
The Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors is holding a summer drive to help homebound seniors in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties, according to a release.
With many seniors unable to leave their homes, the items below can help with everyday needs. The collected items will be given to nutrition sites so they can be delivered alongside Meals on Wheels.
Drop off donations – items like adhesive bandages, blankets, detergent, hand lotion, non-slip socks, paper towels, soap, tissues, toilet paper, wipes, shampoo and conditioner – to the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors office in Murphy or at:
- Carolina Mountain Homes in Ranger.
- Coldwell Banker in Murphy.
- ReMax Town & Country in Murphy.
- Old Town Brokers in Andrews.
- Exit MVP Properties in Murphy.
- Adventure Realty in Murphy.
Details: A wish list is available on amazon.com.
MURPHY
4 named to panels
Four local residents have received appointments to boards and commissions.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners picked one applicant over a seated member seeking reappointment to the Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority Board.
Applicant Charles “Hank” Bruce Parker Jr. of Andrews was picked for one available seat over Kathryn Jenkins, whose term expired April 30. Jenkins had been director of the Small Business Center at Tri-County Community College.
Parker is executive director of sales, marketing and programming at Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews. He has owned his own media production company and served as a television host.
“I would like to serve this community in a way that would advance its success,” Parker said in his application. “I moved to Cherokee County to work at Snowbird Outfitters, a nonprofit ministry, because I have a passion to see young people come to know and follow Jesus and live life to its fullest.”
The board also reappointed Ray Cook of Brasstown to the Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees. In his application, Cook said he would be proud to continue serving on the board.
“It’s great to be a part of something that helps so many people in our area,” he said.
The board also reappointed Erik Brinke, director of administrative services and external relations at Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp., and Larry Kernea, general manager of Murphy Electric Power Board, to the Cherokee County Economic Development Commission.
RALEIGH
Post-election rules debated
The State Board of Elections is proposing temporary amendments to rules governing election protests and recounts so post-election proceedings are completed in a timely fashion. The rules would be in effect on a temporary basis to ensure they can become effective before the general election.
Gaps in the timelines for election protests and recounts can lead to unnecessary delays in the final certification of elections. In recent years, election protest decisions and appeals have led to delays in certification for weeks, or even months, after an election. Such delays could be especially problematic in a presidential election, because federal law sets a strict deadline for states to certify their selection of presidential electors, in advance of the Electoral College meeting.
If adopted by the State Board and approved by the Rules Review Commission, the temporary amendments would be in place for the 2024 general election. The public comment period on these proposed changes opened June 18 and closes Thursday, July 11. Email comments to rulemaking.sboe@ncsbe.gov.
Details: Visit ncsbe.gov/about-elections/legal-resources/rulemaking.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Fourth set in 2 towns
Andrews and Murphy are planning to bring out all of the stops to celebrate the Fourth of July. Events are free to enjoy.
In Murphy, the annual Hometown Celebration at Konehete Veterans Park is set to take place Thursday, July 4, sponsored by the Cherokee County Recreation Department. The celebration will kick off at 10 a.m. with a variety of attractions and events throughout the day. Highlights include a Fishing Derby for children ages 12 and under, a Horseshoe Tournament, the classic Peanut Drop, sack races, egg toss and a water balloon toss.
The day will conclude with a fireworks display after dark, lighting up the night sky and bringing the community together in celebration. The fireworks show is sponsored by Town of Murphy and Cherokee County Tourist Development Authority.
On Independence Day in Andrews, the town’s annual Fourth of July ceremony will be filled with fun activities from 10 a.m. until well after dark. Field activities at Andrews Recreation Park hit a high point at noon with the Peanut Drop, and there will also be a horseshoe competition, an egg toss, a balloon toss, sack races, a three-point shootout and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
In addition, the Andrews Pool will host contests for biggest splash, smallest splash, most creative dive, best belly-flop, most patriotic swimwear and duck pickup. The Steve Jordan Band will perform right up until the fireworks are launched at dark.
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Local, state and federal government offices and the Scout will be closed Thursday for the Fourth of July holiday. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. Friday.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page, if possible.
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.