Quick Reads

  • Photos by Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Casting a line: Anthony DaSilva, 13, of Murphy, casts his line in a pond during the annual Kids Fishing Day at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office shooting range in Marble on May 28. He was there with his parents, Grace and Chris DaSilva, and brother, Kyle, 7. The event drew dozens of families.
    Photos by Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Casting a line: Anthony DaSilva, 13, of Murphy, casts his line in a pond during the annual Kids Fishing Day at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office shooting range in Marble on May 28. He was there with his parents, Grace and Chris DaSilva, and brother, Kyle, 7. The event drew dozens of families.
  • Dads and sons: Austin Goings of Andrews and his son Colson, 6 – and Jaydon Trull, 11, of Marble, and his dad, Joel Trull – fish off a deck during Kids Fishing Day at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office shooting range in Marble on May 28. The event drew dozens of families.
    Dads and sons: Austin Goings of Andrews and his son Colson, 6 – and Jaydon Trull, 11, of Marble, and his dad, Joel Trull – fish off a deck during Kids Fishing Day at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office shooting range in Marble on May 28. The event drew dozens of families.

    MURPHY

    $10K grant for heritage

    Cherokee County is going to receive a $10,000 grant from North Carolina’s America 250 NC initiative to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

    America 250 NC is North Carolina’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary and led by the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. The grant program was created to encourage commemoration programs and activities on a county and local level.

    The Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority is working collaboratively with America 250, and its committee members to plan an event celebrating local history and heritage Friday, July 4, downtown.

    The Cherokee County America 250 NC Committee consists of members from a variety of local organizations, including Maria Hass, assistant county manager; Veleda Jackson, Texana Community Center coordinator; Victoria Ivie, director of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce;

    Terrisa Carringer, director of the Cherokee County Historical Museum; Ralph Robinson from Local TV 4; Laura Lachance, downtown Murphy development director; Cal Stiles, county commissioner and TDA board co-chair; and Casey Kerr, executive director of the TDA.

    “Cherokee County is honored to accept the America 250 grant to proudly celebrate our heritage.” Kerr said in a release. “Our county possesses rich history that is deserving to be acknowledged and celebrated. From the Cherokee tribe, to the Texana community, to the pioneer settlers – they each contributed to our vibrant culture.

    Details: Visit america250.nc.gov.

    HIWASSEE DAM

    Radio club on air Saturday

    The Appalachia Amateur Radio Club is participating in the National Amateur Radio Field Day event from 2-6 p.m. Saturday at Fields of the Wood, 10000 N.C. 294, above the Ten Commandments monument.

    The event has been held each year since 1933 and is open to the public.

    The importance of Radio Field Day is to give amateur radio operators a chance to practice radio contacts in remote/field situations. The Appalachia Amateur Radio Club is offering an opportunity for folks to get on the air and speak with others around the world.

    Details: Visit appalachiaarc.org; write Appalachia ARC, P.O. Box 131, Culberson, NC 28903; call Guy Langellotti at 631-838-6303; or email K2HOT@outlook.com.

    ANDREWS

    Movie night for the kids

    The Andrews Public Library is hosting a special free outdoor movie night at sunset Friday.

    The funny cartoon movie cannot be named, but it features a large, green ogre and a smack-talking donkey. (Yep, that’s the one!)

    Costumes are encouraged, with pre-movie activities starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a coloring table, bubble station and princess or wizard hat making.

    The Valleytown Visionary Guild is presenting the  movie in cooperation with the library, 871 Main St. downtown, and The Bin Store of Andrews.

    PEACHTREE

    New facility cuts ribbon

    Appalachian Mountain Health invites everyone to the grand opening of its brand-new state-of-the-art Medical Center at 4226 E. U.S. 64 Alternate, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Monday.

    The facility is the result of a major investment in expanding access to high-quality, compassionate and affordable care in Murphy and surrounding areas. It’s been a journey since breaking ground on June 23, 2023.

    The local location will offers a full range of integrated services, including primary care, substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health services, clinical pharmacy, dental care, women’s health and pediatrics.

    Details: Visit appalachianmountainhealth.org.

    ANDREWS

    Hearings set in July

    The Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold public hearings in July on proposed ordinances aimed at recreational vehicles, abandoned housing and minimum housing requirements.

    The proposed ordinances are:

    • u A recreational vehicle ordinance.
    • u An abandoned structure ordinance.
    • u A minimum housing ordinance.

    During the June 12 meeting, aldermen shelved a subdivision ordinance. The board also approved a flood plain ordinance required by state law with no need for public hearing or comment.

    The next meeting will be 6 p.m. Thursday, July 10, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.

    PEACHTREE

    Hillbilly Hams host Field Day

    Members of the Hillbilly Hams ARC will be participating in the national amateur radio Field Day exercise Saturday and Sunday at 1650 N.C. 141, behind Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church.

    On Saturday, operators will start the event at 2 p.m. and run through to 4:59 p.m. Sunday. All local fire and emergency services personnel, along with local elected officials, are invited to join from 2-5 p.m. Saturday to ask questions, see the operational set up and have a chance to get on the air.

    Details: Visit hillbillyhamsarc.org.

    HIAWASSEE, Ga.

    Update on Chatuge Dam

    The Tennessee Valley Authority will provide an update on options to address issues at the Chatuge Dam spillway at 1 p.m. today at the Towns County Courthouse, 48 River St.

    Chris Saucier, TVA senior project manager for dam safety, will be speaking.

    Details: Visit tva.com/chatuge.

    MURPHY

    Craft supplies sale weekend

    Everyone is invited out to the Murphy Public Library, 9 Blumenthal St. downtown, for the annual arts and crafts supplies sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

    The Friends of the Murphy Public Library sale brings folks out to shop for everything from coloring books, drawings, photography and painting to sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitch, scrapbooking, decoupage, cooking, baking supplies and more.

    Anyone who would like to join the Friends group can do so by stopping in. The annual membership drive aims to invite new members, including local businesses, to join as partners.

    Details: Call 828-837-2417.

    CHEROKEE COUNTY

    Public meetings

    THIS WEEK

    • Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 10 a.m. Thursday at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.

    COMING SOON

    • Local, state and federal government offices – and the Cherokee Scout – will be closed Friday, July 4, for the national Fourth of July holiday. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, July 7.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman’s Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 7, in the Andrews Sunshine Senior Center, 54 Park St., hosted by District 1 Commissioner Cal Stiles.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Editor Randy Foster, and Staff Correspondents Anngee Quinones-Belian and Nicole Wright, contributed to this report.