NORTH CAROLINA
Pickers to be grinning here
The History Channel show American Pickers is working on a new season, and producers have North Carolina on their mind, as they plan to film episodes throughout the state in February 2025.
Producers of the documentary series are looking for large, rare and unforgettable collections and things they haven’t seen before. “Tell us the interesting story behind your stuff,” they said in a release.
As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. However, they do not pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums or anything open to the public.
Contact the show and let producers know your name, town, phone number, where your collection is being stored and a description of the items. Good luck getting on TV!
Details: Email AmericanPickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184.
ANDREWS
Comedy to Blue Stage
Local event venue The Blue Stage, 889 Main St. downtown, is bringing comedy back to help warm up the winter.
Friday marks the return of open mic favorite and former Blue Stage emcee Logan Massey, along with Andy Gunning, Randy Cox and headliner Peachy Tom Emmons of Asheville in the club’s fourth comedy night.
Emmons, a popular regional performer and veteran of the Comedy Festival, is known for his “clean comedy,” having been a finalist in Nashville’s Clean Comedy Challenge as well as being a “hitchhiking goat farmer,” according to his website.
Also scheduled for an appearance is the Iron Wok Asian Cuisine food truck. Tickets are on sale for $20 online. Doors open at 6 p.m., with showtime scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Details: Visit thebluestage.com and peachytom.com.
ANDREWS
‘Wonderful Life’ ongoing
The ACT2 Players will present the classic It’s A Wonderful Life as a radio Christmas show this weekend at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center, 125 Chestnut St. downtown.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children. Admission for ages 5 and under is free.
Details: Visit facebook.com/ACT2Players.
MURPHY
The living mannequins
The living mannequins are returning to downtown behind glass this month.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Anngee Quinones-Belian, a staff correspondent and humor columnist for the Cherokee Scout, and a special surprise guest from the community will be trying to hold a pose without moving in the window of Marketplace Antiques, 41 Peachtree St.
“You won’t be disappointed,” Quinones-Belian said, as standing still is not normal for her. While it’s free to look, all tips will be donated to the local Shop With a Cop program.
Details: Visit townofmurphync.com/police/page/shop-cop.
UNAKA
Seniors get golden gala
The Unaka Community Center is rolling out the red carpet for its cherished seniors with the “Golden Years Gala,” an event celebrating the contributions of past and present members.
Set from 10 a.m. noon Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the center, 14945 Joe Brown Highway, the gathering will feature games, guest speakers and a complimentary lunch sponsored by Rose Tree Service, according to a release from Murphy Mayor Tim Radford.
The event is open to all and promises a morning filled with fun, camaraderie and recognition for the seniors who have helped shape the place they call home. Mark your calendar and join in this heartfelt celebration of heritage and community spirit.
Details: Visit rotaryclubofmurphy.com or call Cecilia Crawford-Faulkner at 828-837-2097.
NORTH CAROLINA
New laws into effect
More than a dozen new laws went into effect in North Carolina on Dec. 1. The new laws include updated criteria for human trafficking changes, juvenile justice and sex crimes, among other modifications.
- Raise the age. This bill would make certain crimes committed by youth ages 16-17 not automatically be charged as adults.
- Human trafficking awareness. The act increases the punishment for a first offense of soliciting a prostitute and modifies the definition of a victim.
- Agriculture laws. A new law clarifies that the term agriculture includes horse boarding.
- Gas station heroin. A highly addictive substance, tianeptine, will be pulled from state shelves.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. today at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees meets at noon Thursday in the college’s E-Conference Room of the Harper Building, 21 Campus Circle in Peachtree.
- Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a facilities workshop at 4 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a public hearing at 6:10 p.m. Thursday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St., over whether to repeal a ban on carrying firearms on town property. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
- 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.
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
COMING SOON
- Murphy ABC Board meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the ABC Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.
- Local, state and federal government offices, and the Cherokee Scout, will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. The Scout will also close at noon Tuesday, Dec. 24, for Christmas Eve. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
- Local, state and federal government offices, and the Cherokee Scout, will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s holiday. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Staff Correspondent Nicole Wright.