MURPHY
Street never opened closes
The Murphy Town Council voted to close a section of Hitchcock Street that was on town maps since 1921 but never opened.
At the request of local builder Mark Kephart, with support from adjacent property owners, the town council took action to close the street right of way that
was first mapped out in 1921.
The right of way, if developed into a street, would have connected Hitchcock Street to Old Ranger Road, intersecting Fort Butler Street along the way. There are no buildings on the path and its existence limited what property owners could do with their land.
The decision followed a public hearing on April 7 that only supporters attended. According to the ordinance, the portion of Hitchcock Street is shown on a plat dated July 1, 1921, but was never opened.
Permanently closing the undeveloped street “is not contrary tot he public interest” and no property owners would be “deprived of reasonable means of ingress or egress,” according to the ordinance, which took effect on April 7.
MARBLE
GOP ready to meet Tuesday
The Cherokee County Republican Party’s general membership meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Cherokee Indian Community Club, 328 Airport Road.
Merry Guy and Michele Woodhouse will speak. Light refreshments will be served. There will be a public comment period.
Details: Email karencccr11@gmail.com.
MURPHY
National Day of Prayer set
Cherokee County will observe the 2025 National Day of Prayer at noon Thursday, May 1, on the steps of the Cherokee County Courthouse downtown.
The theme for the National Day of Prayer, which falls on the first Thursday every May, is “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled!” This theme is inspired by Romans 15:13.
Chris West, pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains
Church in Murphy, will lead the assembly through multiple prayers for the country.
BELLVIEW
Fire station needs help
The Bellview Volunteer Fire Department is looking for a few good volunteers.
No experience is necessary, and training will be provided at no charge. This is a great opportunity to help your community in times of need.
Details: Call 828-837-0214 or email bellview17@brmemc.net.
MURPHY
Tax day gets moved to May
In case you haven’t already filed your taxes, the Internal Revenue Service – and the N.C. Department of Revenue as well – issued an automatic extension on the tax filing deadline.
The new tax deadline was moved throughout all North Carolina to May 1 in consideration of areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
If May 1 is too soon, taxpayers can request an additional extension at irs.gov/filing/get-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return for federal taxes and by submitting Form D-400 – ncdor.gov/taxes-forms/individual-income-tax/individual-income-tax-forms-instructions – for state taxes..
MURPHY
OK to park at former PD
Months following the Murphy Police Department’s move to Hill Street and, after removing parking signs on Peachtree Street restricting parking to just police, the town council made it formal.
The council amended its parking ordinance on April 7 to open six parking spaces in front of the Cherokee County Historical Museum, 87 Peachtree St. The police headquarters had been on the lower right corner of the building before moving to 498 Hill St., with parking spaces reserved for police.
In a separate measure, the town council also opened up parking on the east side of Sycamore Street from Hiwassee Street to Central Street, and the north side of Central from Peachtree Street to Sycamore.
The ordinance also revised parking on Veterans Memorial Lane, prohibiting parking on both sides except for 14 parking spaces already marked. Parking spaces will be marked designating these changes after the N.C. Department of Transportation finishes a downtown repaving project in the next few months..
MURPHY
Scouting for sign spots
ACSM Inc., a Charlotte-based sign company, was in Murphy scouting locations for new town location signs on March 18 and identified three locations.
Murphy entrance signs will be located at:
- The corner of U.S. 74 and Hiwassee Street near McDonald’s restaurant.
- The corner of U.S. 74 and Peachtree Street next to Napa Auto Parts.
- The corner of U.S. 74 and Pleasant Valley Road near Walgreens drugstore.
MURPHY
6 biz sites renovating
Six downtown Murphy business locations are undergoing renovations, according to Murphy Main Street Director Laura Lachance.
The locations are:
- 66 Tennessee St. The interior is being renovated to housing a number of businesses. The owner plans to open a business and lease the remaining spaces to other businesses. A late spring opening is expected.
- 19 Tennessee St. The new owner is making improvements and plans to open soon under a new name, Poor Parson’s Pub.
- 53 Peachtree St. Renovation of the interior continues with first-floor space leased to a business.
- 17 Valley River Ave. Renovations continue with the owner signing a lease for a coffee and crepe restaurant to serve breakfast and lunch. Opening is expected soon.
- 110 Valley River Ave. Renovation continues for the new location of Buck Bald Brewing with opening expected within a month.
- 66 Hiwassee St. The second floor of the Chevelles restaurant building is undergoing renovations to provide additional business space.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- 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.
COMING SOON
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman’s Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 5, in the Texana Community Center, home of District 3 Commissioner Ben Adams.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Editor Randy Foster, and Staff Correspondents Anngee Quinones-Belian and Nicole Wright, contributed to this report.