MARBLE
Board rejects policy change
The Cherokee County Board of Education, by a split vote, rejected a policy revision that called for a special called meeting of the board in order to hire school administrators.
The board adopted 10 policy amendments at its Dec. 4 meeting on a range of areas including student and parent grievance procedure, grievance procedures for employees, handing confidential information, responsible technology use, internet safety, website development, graduation requirements, student wellness, student transportation services and reporting to external agencies. The board did not adopt a revision for recruitment and selection of personnel.
The existing policy, Policy Code 7100 of the Cherokee County Board of Education Policy Manual, states: “All applicants selected for employment must be recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board. In situations in which the employee must be hired between board meetings, the superintendent is authorized to approve hiring such personnel, contingent upon approval by the board at its next scheduled meeting.”
The board rejected this amendment: “A special called meeting will be held to hire school administrators (principals/assistant principals) and directors between regular board meetings.”
MURPHY
Mannequins to come alive
It will be hard to tell if two mannequins in the window from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Marketplace Antiques, 41 Peachtree St. downtown, are real or not.
Each year Anngee Quinones-Belian, a staff correspondent with the Cherokee Scout, stands in the window of Marketplace Antiques, bringing with her a surprise guest from the community. Two local residents will pose as holiday mannequins in the shop’s front window as folks walk by, stop and stare. Dressed in the spirit of Christmas, they will stand very still, making it hard to tell if they are real.
Will passersby be able to see movement or make them laugh? Stop by and try. Take photos in front of the window. Who will the surprise guest be this year?
The fourth annual Living Mannequin in the Window event will not only entertain people, but tips will go to the Shop with a Cop program to put a smile on the faces of children at Christmas.
RALEIGH
Murphy’s a dino’s name
The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences is thrilled to announce new names for the Dueling Dinosaurs – Murphy and Manteo.
The Dueling Dinosaurs are two of the most unique and best-preserved specimens ever uncovered. These 67-million-year-old fossils of a Triceratops and a newly confirmed Nanotyrannus have been on display in the museum’s SECU DinoLab – the only paleontology preparation lab in the world that’s open to the public – since April 2024. Last month, the Nanotyrannus was described as a distinct species, and not a teenage T. rex, as many scientists once believed.
“Naming these specimens helps people connect with them in a more personal way,” Department of Natural & Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela Cashwell said in a release. “Murphy and Manteo are not just fossils – they’re ambassadors for science, discovery and North Carolina’s role in rewriting dinosaur history.”
“Even though they were discovered in Montana, the Dueling Dinosaurs have since made North Carolina home,” Director Denise Young added. “It’s only fitting that their names represent the entirety of our great state and all the wonderful landscapes and biodiversity that it holds, from the mountains to the sea.”
Murphy the Triceratops, named for the westernmost town in North Carolina, symbolizes the strength and age of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Manteo the Nanotyrannus, named for the coastal town on Roanoke Island, represents discovery, change and the spirit of scientific exploration.
Details: Visit dncr.nc.gov.
Murphy
Extension helps Reach
The Cherokee County Extension Community Association awarded Reach of Cherokee & Graham Counties with a large quantity of handmade canvas tote bags on Dec. 3.
The bags will serve as a place to store belongings to the individuals and families that Reach serves. The Sew Much Fun Sewing Club will be having additional upcoming “Sew for a Cause” days in 2026.
Details: Visit the office at 40 Peachtree St. in Murphy or call 828-837-2210.
MURPHY
Sanctity of Life event
Choices of WNC invites everyone in our community to the annual Sanctity & Protection of Human Life Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
This year’s theme is “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.” Enjoy light refreshments, learn about the life-affirming services offered at Choices and connect with others who care about supporting local families.
Details: Call the office at 828-835-3444.
CORRECTION
The headline of an article on page 1A in the Dec. 10 edition of the Cherokee Scout contained an error. It should have read, “Local man barricades himself, fires shots.” The headline was also corrected in the online story. The Scout regrets the error.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- No public meetings are scheduled.
COMING SOON
- Local, state and federal government offices, and the Cherokee Scout, will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 1, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. on the following Fridays.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Editor Randy Foster and Staff Correspondent Anngee Quinones-Belian contributed to this report.