MURPHY
Tree lighting & parade set
The annual Murphy Christmas Parade will start at 6 p.m. Saturday on Valley River Avenue into downtown, and everyone is welcome to watch at no charge. The Cherokee Scout will live-stream the parade on Facebook if you can’t make it out in person.
In addition, the Town of Murphy Christmas tree lighting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday. There is no admission charge to the event, which is held in coordination with the First Friday Murphy Art Walk.
The Town of Murphy is keeping a close eye on weather forecasts for Friday’s Christmas tree lighting and Saturday’s parade. While both events are still planned to take place as scheduled, if the weather forces a change, the town will make a final decision by noon the day before each event.
Details: Visit townofmurphync.com.
MURPHY
Art Walk set Friday night
The Valley River Arts Guild will present the next monthly Art Walk from 5-8 p.m. Friday downtown.
Stroll the streets of the downtown square, plus meet and purchase directly from dozens of artists and crafters, who’ll show you their locally crafted wares. Enjoy live music, savor snacks and beverages, and have fun.
Details: Visit valleyriverarts.com.
PEACHTREE
‘Rudolph Jr.’ coming soon
The Cherokee County Schools of Innovation is celebrating the season with a cherished Christmas classic brought from screen to stage. Innovation Theatre will present Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. at 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
The community is invited to enjoy a festive evening inspired by the iconic television special that has warmed hearts for generations, according to a release.
Families will journey to the North Pole alongside Rudolph, Hermey, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Santa Claus in this musical adaptation that celebrates individuality, friendship and the true spirit of Christmas. Students in the program have been hard at work preparing the production, blending arts education with hands-on performance experience.
Tickets are $10 at the door, and guests are encouraged to arrive early for the best seating. The production promises holiday nostalgia, lively music and a joyful atmosphere perfect for audiences of all ages.
Details: Visit facebook.com/p/Innovation-Theatre-100087350588688.
PEACHTREE
Senior joins state council
Tri-County Early College High School senior Victoria “Tori” Higdon has been selected to serve on the state Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
This honor places Higdon among an elite group of 11th- and 12th-grade students from across all eight educational regions in North Carolina. Students were chosen for their leadership, innovation and commitment to strengthening public education.
“Tori represents (the Cherokee County Schools of Innovation” with excellence, heart and a powerful voice for students and teachers alike,” according to a release. “Tori shares that what makes N.C. public schools exceptional is their commitment to student growth, opportunity and innovation.
Higdon said she is passionate about supporting educators, emphasizing that “teachers are the root of education; they shape every profession, from plumbers to presidents.” She said she appreciates the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s new strategic plan, which recognizes that education is a partnership with students, teachers, families and communities working together.
Details: Visit dpi.nc.gov.
RALEIGH
6 honored as heroes
Five N.C. Department of Transportation employees and a state trooper have been honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence for their heroic actions to save lives on Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge during Hurricane Helene.
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence is the highest honor a state employee may receive for service to North Carolina and its residents. It recognizes state employees for their outstanding accomplishments beyond their normal duties.
“These employees used their training and followed exactly what their natural instincts instructed them to do – help those around them by any means possible,” DOT Secretary Daniel Johnson said. “Their courageous actions in a chaotic moment prevented what could have been a catastrophe.”
The employees honored during a Nov. 19 ceremony at the State Archives of North Carolina are:
- Scottie Coggins – Division 14 assistant roadside environmental engineer;
- David Hall – Division 14 roadside environmental transportation supervisor;
- Sgt. Joe Henderson with the N.C. Highway Patrol;
- Garett McFalls – Western North Carolina incident management assistance patrol senior responder;
- Austin Phillips – Division 14 roadside environmental engineer;
- Christopher Strader – Western North Carolina IMAP senior responder.
The employees are credited with saving numerous lives by redirecting traffic in the I-40 gorge during Hurricane Helene, according to a DOT release.
Details: Visit newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article294466314.html.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- 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, Dec. 9, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 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, Dec. 15, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 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, Dec. 16, at the ABC Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.