MURPHY
Help ‘End Polio Now’
The Rotary Club of Murphy and Downtown Pizza are teaming up to host a special “End Polio Now” community event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
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Join us for a great lunch and an even greater cause. This event supports Rotary International’s global effort to eradicate polio, one of the organization’s most significant humanitarian missions.
Downtown Pizza will donate 30% of all sales from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help fund Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign in recognition of World Polio Day. Come enjoy a delicious meal, learn more about Rotary’s work to end polio worldwide and be part of a global movement that’s making history.
MURPHY
Service for Crane set
A memorial service for musician, animal lover and three-time mayoral candidate Jeff Crane will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Episcopal Church of the Messiah downtown.
Everyone is invited to stop by and pay their respects. Crane died last month from a medical issue.
MURPHY
Scholastic Book Fair
You asked for it, and it’s back! The Rotary Club of Murphy Scholastic Book Fair returns to downtown from Monday through Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Cherokee County Arts Council, 33 Valley River Ave., Suite C.
The Book Fair will be open from noon-5 p.m. daily, and on Halloween hours will be extended until 7 p.m. Stop by for some sweet treats while you shop.
Every purchase made at the Book Fair directly supports Rotary Reads, the club’s signature literacy program that puts books into the hands of local children and classrooms across Cherokee County. Teachers can also join in on the fun; the educator who earns the most points during the fair will receive a special gift from the Rotary Club.
So come browse a wonderful selection of books for all ages, support local literacy and help make reading magic happen in our community.
CULLOWHEE
‘Rediscover mountains’
During the Western Carolina University home football game, where the Catamounts defeated Furman 52–7, the first public presentation of the proclamation recognizing “Rediscovering the Mountains of North Carolina Month” was shared – marking an inspiring moment for the people and communities that define the region.
Gov. Josh Stein’s proclamation celebrates the resilience, creativity and cultural richness of western North Carolina’s 24 mountain counties and the Sovereign Qualla Boundary – home to generations of artisans, farmers, outdoor stewards, and community builders whose work continues to shape the identity and economy of the state. Support for this initiative came from across the region, including Cherokee County Tourism Development in Murphy and John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown.
“This moment stands as an example of unity and collaboration,” said Mici Canales, marketing director of Visit Smokies. “It honors the people of this land – past, present and future – and recognizes the enduring significance of our mountain communities.”
From scenic roads and waterfalls to heritage crafts, local festivals and Appalachian traditions passed through generations, the region continues to welcome explorers who seek authenticity and belonging in its peaks and valleys.
Details: See VisitSmokies.org/Rediscover-the-Great-Smoky-Mountains..
ASHEVILLE
Old bridge coming down
The old Blue Ridge Parkway bridge crossing over Interstate 26 is being removed in pieces by a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Overnight closures of I-26 in both directions will be necessary to continue removing segments of the old bridge that are directly over interstate traffic. The nightly closures will run from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Beginning at 9 p.m. Oct. 19, the contractor was scheduled to work Sunday night through Thursday night. The second week of work may begin Sunday, Oct. 26.
Details: Visit DriveNC.gov.
PEACHTREE
Shakers host car, bike show
The Acon Shakers will host the third annual Extra CARicular Car & Bike Show at The Oaks Academy in the Cherokee County Schools of Innovation, 4700 U.S. 64 E. Alternate, from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.
The event raises money for their T-Bucket project and STEAM projects. There will be live music by Rocket, food trucks and more.
Cost is just $10 to enter a vehicle in the show, $5 to enter a model car and $20 for a swap meet spot. The show is student judged, and there are 19 awards to present.
Details: Call John Worden at 828-516-2259 or email John.Worden@cherokee.k12.nc.us.
ASHEVILLE
Helene help still available
Charitable organizations supporting long-term recovery in western North Carolina communities affected by Hurricane Helene can apply for grants from the N.C. Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund beginning Oct. 17.
About $5 million is available from the fund, which was created to support long-term recovery, address unmet needs and build community resilience and preparedness. Grant awards are expected to range from $25,000 to $100,000; Cherokee County Emergency Management was earlier awarded $75,000.
“While progress has been made in reopening and rebuilding western North Carolina over the past year, we know there is more to do,” said Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, president and CEO of the N.C. Community Foundation. “We look forward to supporting efforts that restore and strengthen the people, places and systems affected by Hurricane Helene.”
This grantmaking program will support long-term recovery efforts in western North Carolina, with a preference for organizations serving the most-severely impacted counties: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.
Details: Visit nccommunityfoundation.org.
MURPHY
Big Lots sets reopening day
Big Lots will be holding a grand reopening Thursday, Oct. 30 at of 1450 Andrews Road in the Beechwood Plaza Shopping Center.
The store survived closings after its parent company was sold earlier this year.
Details: Call 828-835-4347.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Andrews Board of Aldermen has called a special meeting for 7:30 p.m. today in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman’s Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, in Ranger, home district of Chair Dan Eichenbaum.
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 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, Nov. 10, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 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, Nov. 17, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Murphy ABC Board meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 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, Nov. 18, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
- Local, state and federal government offices – as well as the Cherokee Scout – will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The newspaper office will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.