WESTERN N.C.
Storm costs Ingles $34M
Ingles Markets suffered $34.9 million in losses related to Hurricane Helene, according to its quarterly SEC filing.
The Black Mountain-headquartered grocery chain, which has stores in Andrews and Murphy, reported that Helene damaged or destroyed $30.4 million worth of inventory and caused an additional $4.5 million worth of destruction to property and equipment.
Company officials charged the losses in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 28. As it happens, that was a day after Helene inundated much of western North Carolina.
For the full year, net income for 2023-24 declined nearly 50%, to $105.5 million. That reflected the impact of food inflation and higher labor costs, Ingles said. Company officials expect insurance to make good about $10 million of the $30.4 million in lost inventory and about $1.5 million of the $4.5 million property and equipment losses.
MURPHY
Comedy talk coming here
Are you ready to unlock your potential and discover your true purpose? On Wednesday, Jan. 22, students and community members in Cherokee County will have the chance to do just that with an inspiring and entertaining evening led by comedian and motivational speaker Ketric Newell.
The free event, hosted by the Cherokee County Child Collaborative, will take place at the Tri-County Community College Enloe Building from 5-7 p.m. Known for blending humor with powerful life lessons, Newell promises an engaging experience aimed at helping young people identify their strengths and carve out their unique paths in life.
“You’ve got what it takes to be amazing – now let’s make it happen!” said Newell, whose energetic and relatable style has made him a sought-after speaker across the country.
Registration for the event is open until Jan. 18, and attendees are encouraged to secure their spot early. To register, visit Ketric Newell Comedy Show on Facebook for the registration link.
UNITED STATES
Homeless count nears
The annual Point in Time Homeless Count is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Help is needed for this year’s count. Last year, the 2024 Cherokee County count showed:
- 218 were unduplicated individuals;
- 141 unsheltered;
- 26 temporarily sheltered on couches and shelter;
- 48 in detention center;
- 3 in hospital;
- 9 were children.
The breakdown by gender shows 57% were male and 43% female.
Details: Email Sue Lynn Ledford, executive director of Four Square Community Action, at sue.ledford@foursq.org.
RALEIGH
Contributions up to $6,800
Effective Jan. 1, the contribution limit for North Carolina candidates and political committees increased by $400 per election, from $6,400 to $6,800. No individual or political committee may contribute more than $6,800 to a candidate committee or political committee in any election.
There are exceptions to the contribution limit:
- A candidate or candidate’s spouse may contribute unlimited amounts to that candidate’s committee.
- Any national, state, district or county executive committee of any political party recognized under
“Political party” defined; creation of new party (N.C.G.S. § 163-96) is exempt from contribution limits.
u If there is a primary and a general election, the political committee may receive $6,800 from a contributor between the beginning of the election cycle and the day of the primary, and another $6,800 from the same contributor beginning the day after the primary through the end of the election year.
Details: Visit ncsbe.gov/campaign-finance.
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.
- 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.
- 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 Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday , Jan. 16, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Murphy ABC Board meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the ABC Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.