BRASSTOWN
Punkin Chunkin
The annual Punkin Chunkin festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 811 Settawig Road, and everyone’s invited.
To kick things off, the Chili & Anything Pumpkin Cook-off will take place Friday on the historic Hayesville square starting at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The come watch pumpkins fly over the weekend. Catapults, air cannons, trebuchets and other powerful machines toss pumpkins up to several thousand feet in a battle between champion chunkers. Thousands of people come every year to see this popular festival in western North Carolina.
In addition, there will be pie-eating contests, live entertainment, food and craft vendors. Also look for old-time tractors will be on display along with hay and airplane rides. The Kidzone is always a popular place.
No pets nor firearms allowed. Bring a lawn chair. Parking is $5, admission is $5, with ages 5 and under free. On both days, machines are scheduled to launch pumpkins from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4 p.m.
Details: Call the Clay County Chamber of Commerce at 828-389-3704 or visit claychambernc.com/punkin-chunkin-festival.
MURPHY
Grateful for Bladen 911
Cherokee County commissioners’ extended their gratitude to Bladen County, which provided 911 services during an outage in the western part of the state following Tropical Storm Helene.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners issued a resolution of appreciation giving “heartfelt thanks” to Bladen County, which is located in eastern North Carolina.
“Bladen County government, and specifically the 911 Communications and Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, took over and provided 911 service for seven full days for Cherokee County while the 911 infrastructure was repaired,” according to the resolution, which was approved unanimously by the board on Oct. 7.
“Cherokee County owes a debt of gratitude to Elizabethtown, Bladenboro, Clarkton, White Lake, East Arcadia, Tar Heel, Dublin and all of Bladen County,” according to the resolution. “Though nearly 400 miles may separate us, the kinship shown by a fellow North Carolina County is genuinely appreciated.”
Cherokee County emergency services officials said the arrangement between Bladen and Cherokee County was expected to benefit Bladen County, which is near the coast and more often affected by tropical cyclones.
MURPHY
Bridge named after Barnett
Members of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners gave their blessing to a bid to name a U.S. 64 bridge at Axle Creek sin honor of Franklin Barnett, a former plant manager who helped workers keep their jobs when the plant closed.
Barnett, 86, of Murphy, died on Oct. 20, 2020 at a Chattanooga, Tenn., hospital.
Barnett was plant manager at Rimco for 38 years by the time the textile mill closed. He worked to secure a new manufacturer, MGM Brakes, to locate at the facility and rehired displaced workers.
He served on the Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees, including 18 years as chair. He was a Rotarian for more than 65 years. He was also a cattle and horse rancher, at one time managing 1,500 head of cattle and nearly 100 horses. He owned two dirt track race cars as well and was a lifelong member of Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church.
The board of commissioners approved a resolution on Oct. 7 requesting the N.C. Department of Transportation name the bridge in Barnett’s honor.
MURPHY
Commission rejects offer
Cherokee County commissioners declined an offer by Cherokee County Schools to acquire surplus property the school district acquired through an N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement seizure.
The property, a single-wide mobile home on a quarter-acre lot at 85 Temple St. in Andrews, was one of two properties with chronic law enforcement issues that prompted state and local law enforcement to seize the property. The other property is near Martins Creek; its situation is more complicated because of cleanup required, and its fate remains to be decided.
Seized property is bestowed on the local school district. In this case, Cherokee County Schools declared the property as surplus and offered to sell it to the county, which has right of first refusal.
The next step is for Cherokee County Schools to put the property at 85 Temple St. on the open market. The tax assessor puts the value of the property at $20,440.
ANDREWS
Welcome Home Vets
The annual Welcome Home Veterans: A Tribute to All Who Serve event will recognize all Americans who have served in the armed forces from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Western Carolina Regional Airport, 5840 Airport Road.
The day kicks off with a parade in downtown Andrews before moving to the airport. Meetings are being held to plan the event.
Details: Call the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce at 828-837-2242 or email victoriaivie417@gmail.com.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble.
- 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.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.