PEACHTREE
Erlanger gets $3M funding
Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital celebrated a milestone in the future of healthcare in the region on Feb. 19.
With thanks to the leadership of U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), $3 million in funding will be sent to the hospital for facility upgrades and services. Erlanger leadership, staff and community members attended the check presentation held at the hospital.
Edwards was on hand. He serves as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 11th District, which covers 16 far-western counties.
Stephanie Boynton, market president and CEO, Outreach Erlanger, said, “These funds will go a long way in our mission to care compassionately for people, and the services we will be able to provide will bring much needed support to our area.”
The funding will be used for a Rural Healthcare Consolidation project, consisting of a 20,000-square-foot facility to consolidate six outpatient clinics – Urgent Care, Primary Care, Urology, Orthopedic, General Surgery – into a single location on the main hospital campus. The space formerly occupied a nursing home and will include space to later bring on additional service lines to the community.
“Strengthening rural health care in western North Carolina starts with investing in trusted local institutions like Erlanger Hospital,” Edwards said.
This new project will provide essential, affordable and comprehensive healthcare services to the community, while reducing travel challenges for those in need.
Details: Visit erlanger.org.
MURPHY
Don’t forget opening night
The Cherokee County Arts Council invites the public to the opening reception of “In Case You
Forgot,” a compelling exhibition of assemblage and mixed media works by Kim Joris, at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the Center Gallery, 33 Valley River Ave. downtown.
Joris will be at the opening to speak about her work and creative process. “In Case You Forgot” is a collection of layered works built from reclaimed and everyday materials. Through symbolic objects and direct language, the exhibition reflects on civic responsibility, community, shared values, and personal accountability.
Flat head nails become symbols of strength. Hinge pins rise as fists of power.
Jewelry fragments transform into stars and torches. Words serve as reminders to love thy neighbor, to vote, to feed the hungry, to welcome strangers, and to stand for liberty and justice for all.
A former police officer with a degree in justice and policy studies, Joris has taught repurposed art at John C. Campbell Folk School and served as a visiting artist in schools throughout the South. The exhibition will remain on view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday through March 31.
Details: Email director@cherokeeartscouncil.org or call 828-233-5624.
ANDREWS
Justice here on Saturday
The Cherokee County Democratic Party and Clay County Democratic Party are hosting a campaign breakfast for Justice Anita Earls from 10-11 a.m. Saturday at CCDP Headquarters, 142 Main St.
Earls is a civil rights attorney who is running for re-election to the N.C. Supreme Court. Meet her and learn about her record on the state’s highest court.
MURPHY
Local ‘Idol’ makes top 30
Murphy native Braden Rumfelt moved into the top 30 of American Idol on Monday night.
That came after he took center stage on Idol’s first Hollywood Week episode on Feb. 23, delivering a performance that left judges and audiences buzzing.
The 22-year-old substitute teacher stepped onto the stage at the Belmont University Fisher Center in Nashville, Tenn., during the high-stakes opening round of Hollywood Week – a two-part elimination designed to narrow the field from 127 hopefuls toward the season 24 top 30.
Rumfelt chose Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the
Only One” for Hollywood Week, showcasing a vocal delivery that earned him a standing ovation from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. Afterward, Bryan told his fellow judges Rumfelt “may win.”
Rumfelt’s journey has been marked by resilience. Earlier in the competition, he shared how multiple surgeries to correct a congenital leg condition ended his ambitions of playing professional sports, but fueled his dedication to music.
ANDREWS
Democratic convention
The Cherokee County Democratic Party will hold its County Convention on Saturday, March 21, at CCDP Headquarters, 142 Main St. in West End Plaza.
Refreshments will be provided. Here’s the schedule:
- 12:30 p.m. – Sign-in and fellowship.
- 1 p.m. – Convention Elections.
- 2 p.m. – Candidate speakers Judith Bodley, county commissioner; Rex Cable, county commissioner; and Joy Stein, school board.
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.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- 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, March 11, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page.
- Cherokee County Republican Party will
hold its annual convention starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Cherokee Indian Community Center, 300 Airport Road in Marble. - Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, in the ABC
Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews. - Murphy ABC Board meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, at the ABC
Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy. - Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to discuss animal control Monday, April 20, immediately following its regular 6:30 p.m. meeting.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.