PEACHTREE
Aegis wins state grant
Addressing a gap many innovative companies face, the N.C. Board of Science, Technology & Innovation announced last week its latest round of funding to small businesses developing and commercializing new technologies in North Carolina.
In fiscal year 2024-2025, 90 small businesses in 21 counties received 102 awards from the One North Carolina Small Business Program, providing $4.12 million for innovation in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, energy, advanced materials and agriculture.
Aegis Power Systems Inc. received $75,000 to develop technology that will yield high-power inverters for tactical vehicles at greater power density than currently available. This project will determine the technology’s ability to withstand tough environments in military and electrical vehicles.
Among the 51 companies awarded Matching grants, 10 are located in more economically distressed Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, including Aegis. The N.C. Department of Commerce uses the Tier ranking system to designate the economic well-being in each county through the unemployment rate, median household income, population growth and adjusted property tax per capita.
Details: Visit commerce.nc.gov.
UNAKA
Saturday is Game Night
Looking for something fun to do on Saturday night? Unaka Community Center invites you to Game Night at 5 p.m. Sept. 27.
Bring your family, bring your friends and bring your game face! It’s a great evening of board games, friendly competition and community fun for all ages.
Everyone’s welcome, whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking for a good time. Come out, connect and let the games begin!
Details: The Unaka Community Center is at 14945 Joe Brown Highway. Call 828-835-8313.
ANDREWS
Food Truck Friday back
Food Truck Friday will usher in autumn this weekend and serve to kick off the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s annual Oktoberfest the following day.
New Executive Director Sara Posey Davis said the chamber is excited to have the monthly event go through October this year.
“We’re glad to have the events tie into each other this year. And we’re happy to have local music by Woolybooger as well,” she.
Although August’s event was rained out, Posey Davis said everyone’s eyeing the forecast, and she’s looking forward to handling her first Food Truck Friday.
Details: See visitandrewsnc.com/food-truck-fridays.
MURPHY
$3K to fight Alzheimer’s
The Rotary Club of Murphy’s held its fifth annual Alzheimer’s Walk on Sept. 15 under the pavilion of the Rock Gym at Konehete Veterans Park.
The event was a collaborative effort with Reach of Cherokee & Graham Counties, the Andrews Lions Club and the Mayor’s Rising Stars youth leadership group, the community came out strong to support Alzheimer’s research.
Thanks to the generosity of local residents, members raised more than $3,500 for CART – Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust. CART is a program started in 1995 by Rotarian Roger Ackerman, who believed every penny of spare change could add up to life-changing research.
True to that vision, 100% of every dollar collected for CART goes directly to Alzheimer’s research. Since its founding, CART has awarded more than $15 million in research grants to scientists across the country.
“Our Rotary motto reminds us to serve above self, and this walk showed just how powerful service, community and hope can be when we come together,” Rotary Club of Murphy President Kadee Close said of the event.
Details: Visit facebook.com/RotaryClubofMurphy.
WAKE FOREST
Free tuition to some families
Wake Forest University announced last week that undergraduates from North Carolina with annual family incomes less than $200,000 per year will attend tuition-free, beginning for students admitted for the 2026 fall semester.
For North Carolina students with an annual family income less than $100,000, financial aid will cover the cost of standard living expenses in addition to the full cost of tuition. Students from North Carolina with an annual family income between $200,000 and $300,000 will be eligible for financial aid covering 50% of tuition.
Called the N.C. Gateway to Wake Forest University, the initiative aims to create more opportunities for talented, high-achieving North Carolina students to attend Wake Forest regardless of family income.
“The N.C. Gateway to Wake Forest University demonstrates our deep commitment to students from our home state. It says clearly to students and families who may not have considered Wake Forest because of cost: ‘Wake Forest is within your reach,’ ” President Susan Wente said in a release.
Details: Visit wfu.edu/2025/09/17/wake-forest-university-will-be-tuition-free-for-admitted-students-from-north-carolina-families-earning-less-than-200000.
MURPHY
Bike Night
set Oct. 11
The next Murphy Bike Night is set from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at Townson Used Cars, 406 Hiwassee St. near downtown.
Motorcycles of all brands are welcomed. There will be hamburger or hot dog – plus chips and a drink – medal for $5. There will be music, corn hole and more.
The event benefits pediatric cancer treatment.
Details: Visit facebook.com/p/Pediatric-Cancer-Treatment-Foundation-100063916213394.
NORTH CAROLINA
Register to vote soon
The voter registration deadline for the Tuesday, Nov. 4, municipal elections is Friday, Oct. 10.
ANDREWS
Meet GOP candidates
The Cherokee County Republican Party invites the public to attend a Meet & Greet with GOP municipal candidates at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the P.B. Ferebee Community Center, 535 Main St.
Party Chair Mark Kephart said in a release that this will be an opportunity for community members to hear from Republican candidates running for local municipal offices. Attendees will be able to ask questions, learn about the candidates’ priorities and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of their community.
Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
Details: Email cherokeecountyncgop11@gmail.com or visit cherokee.nc.gop.
ANDREWS
Family Dollar store closing
The local Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store will be closing on Oct. 25.
Ten years after the merger between the two, Dollar Tree recently sold the Family Dollar brand to the private equity firms Brigade Capital and Macellum Capital for $1 billion.
While Dollar Tree closed almost 700 stores in 2024, and this sale of Family Dollar was announced in March, the Andrews store seemed safe given its almost three-year history in the shopping center that’s also home to The Bin Store, The Compound Gym and Frannie’s Restaurant, which has seen an influx of tenants in the last few years.
Most of this year’s store closings will be of the blended or combination stores featuring elements of Dollar Tree inside a traditional Family Dollar. Stand-alone Dollar Tree stores, such as the one in Murphy, will not be affected.
Details: Visit corporate.dollartree.com.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- No public meetings are scheduled.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, 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, Oct. 6, in Martins Creek with District 3 Commissioner Ben Adams and Chair Dan Eichenbaum.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 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. on the Monday, Oct. 20, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 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, Oct. 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, Oct. 21, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Staff Correspondent Nicole Wright contributed to this report.