MURPHY
Meeting set on animal control
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a work session for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the commissioners boardroom of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. downtown.
The work session is to discuss animal control with Sheriff Dustin Smith and Public Health Director David Badger. While the work session is open to the public, there will be no public comment period.
Details: Visit cherokeecounty-nc.gov.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Jones new court judge
Gov. Josh Stein announced the appointment of William “Bill” Jones to the District Court for Judicial District 43, serving Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
Jones is filling the vacancy created after Judge Roy Wijewickrama was appointed to the Superior Court in November 2024.
“Bill brings decades of experience as a solo practitioner and assistant district attorney, giving him the record to succeed in this role,” Stein said in a release. “As a longtime resident of Judicial District 43, he’s the right person for the job, and I look forward to his service on the District Court.”
Jones most recently served as a solo practitioner for over two decades, specializing in domestic and criminal law. He also served as an assistant district attorney for the 30th Judicial District from 1998 to 2003. Jones received his bachelor’s degree from Western Carolina University and his doctorate from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill School of Law.
MURPHY
Bike & hike meet March 4
There will be a community meeting on the Murphy in Motion bicycle and pedestrian plan from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Murphy Fire Department, 1 Firehouse Lane just off of Hiwassee Street.
The meeting was rescheduled from Feb. 19.
Everyone is invited to drop in anytime to help shape the future of walking and biking in town. Share your ideas, concerns, and vision to make Murphy safer and more connected for everyone – plus you can win prizes.
Details: Visit townofmurphync.com/administration/page/murphy-motion-community-input-meeting.
MURPHY
Rotary Club turning 120
The Rotary Club of Murphy invites the community to join in celebrating Rotary International’s 120th birthday with a family friendly game night at Pop’s Mountaintop Ice Cream Store, 1162 Andrews Road, from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.
The evening promises fun for all ages with giant-size games including Connect 4, plus classic favorites like Candyland, Sorry, Memory and the ever-popular Cornhole. Pop’s will have pizza and ice cream for sale, a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. to commemorate Rotary International’s 120 years of “Service Above Self.”
In lieu of gifts, participants are encouraged to make a $10 donation to Rotary’s PolioPlus Foundation. Since 1985, Rotary International’s PolioPlus program has been at the forefront of the global effort to eradicate polio.
The Rotary Club of Murphy meets from noon-1 p.m. Mondays at Mariolino’s Italian Restaurant, 1164 U.S. 64, excluding bank holidays, and welcomes new members who wish to make a difference in their community and the world.
Details: Visit rotaryclubofmurphy.com.
ANDREWS
‘Beauty and the Beast’
The Community Youth Players will present the classic story Beauty and the Beast at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center.
Evening performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Fridays, March 14 and March 21, as well as Saturdays, March 15 and March 22. Sunday matinees are planned for 3 p.m. March 16 and March 23.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and children 17 and under. Ages 5 and under get free admission. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show times.
This spring play is directed by Sawyer Bradley and Luisa Edwards, both longtime volunteers with the Community Youth Players.
MURPHY
Benefit meal helps Mixons
Legends Steakhouse, 42 Tennessee St. downtown, is hosting a benefit dinner for the Mixon family from 4-8 p.m. Thursday.
A percentage of sales will go directly to help with the family’s medical bills and any other needs they have during this time, as reported on the front page of the Cherokee Scout’s Feb. 12 edition.
Music will be provided by Bill Vespasian starting at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are appreciated,
Details: Visit murphylegendssteakhouse.com.
ANDREWS
Welcome to all veterans
The seventh annual veterans Welcome Home event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Western Carolina Regional Airport.
The event offers the public a way to welcome home veterans and thank them for their service, while also offering veterans a way to come together in remembrance.
The event also features vendors from veteran-owned businesses and regional food trucks, with veterans receiving food vouchers as well as several static aircraft on display along with military memorabilia.
Details: Visit cherokeecounty-nc.gov/246/Veterans-Services.
MARBLE
Special school board meeting
The Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble, to review, amend and possibly approve a budget to be sent to county commissioners for their consideration.
The regular school board meeting will follow at 5:30 p.m. March 6. It will be live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
RALEIGH
Comment on Action Plan
Gov. Josh Stein invites North Carolinians to participate in the development of an Action Plan to address unmet housing and economic revitalization hurricane recovery needs in western North Carolina.
The $1.4 billion proposed plan, published last week by N.C. Commerce’s new Division of Community Revitalization, will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for approval once the draft plan is finalized.
The formal 30-day comment period has begun.
Details: Visit commerce.nc.gov/recovery-comments or email helene.recovery@commerce.nc.gov.
RALEIGH
Bill will stop clock change
With the March 9 date fast approaching, North Carolina has a proposal for Standard Time all year.
Observe Standard Time All Year, or House Bill 12, is authored by Rowan County Republican Harry Warren. He’s got a slew of sponsors with him from both parties.
The Standard Time Act traces back nearly 107 years to President Woodrow Wilson’s signing on March 19, 1918. Daylight Saving Time was created to save energy and take advantage of daylight hours, the Library of Congress website says.
Clocks are turned forward in the spring and back in the fall. President Donald Trump called it “inconvenient” and “very costly.”
RALEIGH
Comment on election rules
The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on proposed administrative rules related to election observers, election protests and recounts.
The public comment period opened Feb. 17 and closes April 21.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- 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.
- 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 Chairman’s Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Hiwassee Dam Community Center, 7829 N.C. 294.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session on animal control at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
COMING SOON
u Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble, to review, amend and possibly approve a budget to be sent to county commissioners for their consideration.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school YouTube channel.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday, March 10, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 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, March 17, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, 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, March 18, at the ABC Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Staff Correspondent Nicole Wright.