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 performed by The Azus Band.
There will also be a special event brought to you by MAC. Make a melted snowman ornament for your Christmas tree from 5-7 p.m. Friday, no snow required.
Details: Visit valleyriverarts.com or call 828-360-3038.
MARBLE
Industrial park survey
A planned industrial park behind the Dollar General store lies along the historical Trail of Tears area and will require an archaeological survey before it can proceed.
The county acquired the 28-acre parcel in 2023 to provide fill dirt for the sanitary landfill just to the east of the property and to use it as an industrial site. According to project manager Thomas Mannino of McGill Associates, an Asheville-based engineering firm, the project site is within an area of concern under the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, Division of Historical Resources, Office of State Archaeology.
“The state requires an archeological survey to verify the presence or lack of culturally significant artifacts for all areas which are anticipated to be disturbed, prior to construction,” Mannino said in a memo.
“They have recommended a ‘full Phase I’ survey of the entire parcel due to the large number of sites in the immediate vicinity including on the adjacent parcel and the location of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail boundary,” he said.
The study will cost the county $8,847.
HIWASSEE DAM
West park project stalls
Cherokee County was expected to withdraw from a requested state grant of $500,000 for a recreation park in Hiwassee Dam that county commissioners voted to discontinue during budget talks over the summer.
The project was approved in 2023 but during annual budget deliberations in June, the board of commissioners voted to not move forward at this time because of limited funds for a necessary local match. The total project was estimated to be $1.16 million, with $500,000 coming from the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
The park would have included a paved parking lot, 1,885 feet of paved sidewalk, on a walking trail, 3,490 feet of natural surface trail, a bridge crossing, picnic shelter, playground and site furnishings.
The park would have been in the vicinity of Hiwassee Dam Middle/High School. The county plans to absorb any costs to date.
MURPHY
Career Expo set on Nov. 6
Cherokee County Schools Career & Technical Education will present the second annual Career Expo from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Murphy First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee St.
Details: Email dana.anderson@cherokee.k12.nc.us.
ANDREWS
Windows at Christmas
It’s time for the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Window Decorating Contest. This year’s theme is “Thankful & Blessed.”
Local business owners are invited to decorate their buildings’ front windows for the season. The deadline to decorate is Friday, Nov. 22, so the town will look festive for the annual Christmas on Main Street event.
Judging will take place from Dec. 2-6. Be sure to have your display all lit up on those evenings.
Details: Email director@andrewschamber.com.
MURPHY
Training hard for 0K gallop
The Rotary Club of Murphy will present the second annual Gobble Gallop – the shortest foot race in Cherokee County – on Saturday.
Registration and check-in is at 2:30 p.m., with the Thanksgiving-themed race taking place from 3:30-3:31 p.m. at Fain Alley downtown. The family friendly gathering aims to bring the community together while promoting health and supporting youth programs.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, there will be a Costume Contest for Best Dressed. And to enhance the event experience, The Mason Bar, 46 Valley River Ave., is offering a special pre-race lunch and will host the post-race celebration.
Details: Registration is open. Visit rotaryclubofmurphy.com or email jackyregli@gmail.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.
COMING SOON
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, 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, Nov. 18, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19.
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- Local, state and federal government offices, and the Scout, will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.