MURPHY
Art Walk set 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 streets filled with artists, shopping, dining and entertainment. Music on the square will be the Whiskey Mountain Band, with singer-songwriter Jack Miller performing inside the MAC.
This month, there will be a new exhibit, “Everything About Trees,” inside the MAC. And the whole family is invited to pose for photos with “Frankie” Frankenstein, the Pirate Ship or the Ghostly Haunted Tree.
Details: Visit valleyriverarts.com or call 828-360-3038.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
A gift horse for schools?
Two troublesome properties that attracted criminal activities, one in Andrews and one in Martins Creek, were seized by authorities and deeded over to Cherokee County Schools.
The Andrews property may turn out to be a good deal for the school district, but the Martins Creek property could wind up costing the school district tens of thousands of dollars.
The Cherokee County Board of Education on Sept. 19 voted to pay $267.19 in back taxes on a single-wide mobile home on a quarter-acre lot at 85 Temple St. in Andrews. The school district will declare the property surplus and offer to sell it to the county or, if the county isn’t interested, put it up for sale. The property has a tax value of $20,440.
A 10.35-acre property at 43 Stoney Hill Lane in Martins Creek has severe problems. In addition to $3,554.21 in owed property taxes and an $8,000 lien, it would require extensive cleanup.
School board member Steve Coleman said he has experience flipping properties, and he would not touch it. The school board took no action on the Stoney Hill Lane property and will continue to consider its options.
Both properties were seized by the state Alcohol Law Enforcement agency following years of chronic crime reports. Under the process, the properties are seized and turned over to the school district.
MURPHY
BBBS Gala on Saturday
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cherokee County will sponsor its annual fundraising gala at 6 p.m. Saturday at The Hackney Warehouse downtown.
The gala is themed “BBQ – Boots & Beer.” Dress is Western but not required.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cherokee County is a nonprofit organization working to ensure every child has an enjoyable, long-term relationship with a caring adult who sees their potential. Mentors are selected and matched with children facing adversity.
Tickets are $100 per person. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina.
Details: Visit the BBBS office at 90 Tennessee St., Suite E, in downtown Murphy; call 828-361-0989; or email Gloria Dockery at cherokee@bbbswnc.org.
HIWASSEE DAM
TVA work to impact traffic
In coordination with the N.C. Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Valley Authority will close one lane of Hiwassee Dam Access Road from Tuesday through Friday, March 28, 2025, to conduct work at Hiwassee Dam.
This work – which is essential to maintain the safety of the dam and its ability to reliably generate clean energy – is part of the TVA dam safety team’s efforts to ensure proper operation of the hydrogenation facility’s seven spillway gates, according to a release.
The visitor parking area, along with the lakeside lane of the road across the dam, will be closed for the duration of the project. It will also be necessary to close the entire road on certain days for work that requires heavy equipment. Signage will be put in place in advance to inform motorists about dates for full-road closures.
Details: Visit tva.com.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
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.
- 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.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Cherokee County Courthouse in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Facilities Building.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, in the Murphy Visitors Center.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.