MARBLE
Special called meetings set
The Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble, to review and amend a budget to be sent to county commissioners.
The regular school board meeting will follow at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. It will be live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners had 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, to discuss animal control.
However, the county announced Thursday that has been changed to a special called meeting to address several additional items, including a new high school funding plan.
Details: Visit cherokeecounty-nc.gov.
ANDREWS
‘Beauty and the Beast’ set
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.
TRI-COUNTY AREA
Realtors hold drive for pets
The Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors is having a Pet Drive to support the local animals in need.
The drive will continue through March. Realtors will be collecting animal food, treats, toys, beds and cleaning supplies.
Items can be dropped off at any of these locations:
- Old Town Brokers in Andrews.
- Appalachian Land Co. in Ranger.
- Poltrock Team Office in Murphy.
- Adventure Realty in Murphy.
- BIG Realty in Murphy.
- ReMax Town & Country in Murphy.
- Allen Tate in Murphy.
- Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors office in Murphy.
- Sonja Silvers Realty in Hayesville.
- Kirkpatrick Realty in Robbinsville.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.
Late deputy’s local service
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of retired sheriff’s deputy Ezra Harris.
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Along with his service with the sheriff’s office, Harris was also one of the longest-term employees for the Forgotten Child Fund, an organization of volunteers that focused on delivering Christmas to children in Hamilton County, north Georgia, Alabama and Murphy, N.C. Harris also served as president of the Woodmore Neighborhood Association.
“Please join us as we keep his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the sheriff’s office wrote on social media.
BRYSON CITY
Man takes $10M lotto
Terry Millsaps of Bryson City tried his luck on a $50 scratch-off and won a $10 million top prize. Millsaps bought his lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from Times Turn Around on Beatty Drive in Belmont, according to a release.
When Millsaps arrived to collect his winnings, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $500,000 a year over 20 years or take a lump sum of $6 million.
Millsaps chose the annuity and, after state and federal tax withholdings on his first $500,000 payment, he received his first payment of $358,764. For the next 19 years, he will receive annually a payment of $500,000 until he has received the full $10 million prize.
The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December 2023 with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Two $10 million prizes, five $1 million prizes and six $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.
Swain County received a $52 million grant, from money raised by the lottery, to help build a new middle school.
Details: Visit nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.
RALEIGH
New disaster loan deadline
The U.S. Small Business Administration is extending the physical damage loan deadline for disaster declarations affected by the 2024 federal funding lapse. The new deadline is April 27.
The disaster declaration covers Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey counties, as well as the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind-rated garage doors, and installing storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from damage.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a special called meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday 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 at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- 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 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.
- Cherokee County Republican Party Executive Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Mariolino’s Italian Cuisine, 1164 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy. Meals served at 5:30 p.m.
- 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.
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman’s Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, in Marble, which is District 2, home of the newest commissioner, Mark Stiles.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.