MURPHY
Debates set at courthouse
The Cherokee County Republican Party is planning the following debates at the courthouse before the primary election Tuesday, May 17.
All debates will start at 6 p.m. and will be streamed online by the Cherokee Scout. Early voting starts Thursday, April 28.
- Tuesday, April 19: Sheriff and register of deeds candidates (moderated by Murphy Mayor Tim Radford).
- Thursday, April 21: County commissioner candidates (moderated by county GOP Chair Leo Phillips).
- Tuesday, April 26: Board of education candidates (moderated by Phillips).
All candidates and the public are invited to attend live or watch via the Scout’s Facebook page.
ANDREWS
Sheriff’s forum set
A forum for Cherokee County sheriff’s candidates will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday at the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
The event is sponsored by the Republican Party, Andrews Precincts North and South. For details, email ray@living2daywell.com.
MURPHY
‘Politics on the Porch’
Cherokee County Commission candidate John Worden is inviting all primary election candidates and the public to attend “Politics on the Porch” from 2-4 p.m. Sunday’s April 24, at New Old Stuff, 93 Rockridge Road.
The goal of the informal event is to allow residents to have one-on-one conversations with those running for local elective office. For details, call 828-516-2259.
MURPHY
Cow moooves from the river
The dead cow littering the Valley River near the Murphy River Walk for a few weeks has been relocated, thanks to town officials and friends.
“I want to say thank you to Town Manager Chad Simons for locating the resources to remove the dead cow from the river,” Mayor Tim Radford said. “I will not name the folks who assisted, as I know some prefer to help out and request to remain anonymous, expecting no credit or mention whatsoever. But I hope they know how much I appreciate their help.
“This was a unique problem, which happened in a river that the Tennessee Valley Authority maintains. It was also a frustrating problem that required equipment beyond what is in the town’s inventory. With that said, the cow is gone.”
Like Radford, local resident David Vanderlaan – who reported the late bovine problem to officials – was happy to see this nasty situation cleaned up.
“I know this was an unpleasant issue,” Vanderlaan said, “but thanks for getting it done.”
RALEIGH
Radford on state board
Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed Murphy Mayor Tim Radford to the N.C. Commission of Volunteerism & Community Service.
Radford was chosen as a representative of local government in the state. The owner of WKRK radio is past president of the Rotary Club of Murphy, public image chair for Rotary District 7670 and was the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Citizen of the Year.
“I love my community and am honored to be a part of this commission,” he said. “Volunteerism helps build strong communities. It is one of my passions. It’s also very important to me that far-western North Carolina be part of the decisions that come from Raleigh. I’ll do my best to make western North Carolina and our state proud.”
MURPHY
Crypto mine hearing topic
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing before the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. downtown.
The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the crypto mining facilities that have opened in the last year in Murphy and Ranger. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting or watch it live via the Cherokee Scout’s Facebook page.
MARBLE
Man accused of exploitation
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Local resident David Barnes, 76, has been charged with sexual exploitation of minors by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
In March, the sheriff’s office received notification of an individual who utilized an online email provider to send and received numerous images of child sexual exploitation material, according to a release. Information provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, State Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations was instrumental in identifying the person. On April 6, investigators with the sheriff’s office and Homeland Security served a search warrant at Barnes’ residence in Marble, and several items of evidence were seized during the search of the home.
Barnes was arrested and booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center in Murphy on 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and 10 counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. The magistrate set a $600,000 secure bond before Barnes comes to Cherokee County District Court on Thursday.
“April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month,” Chief Deputy Joe Wood said. “Children are our most precious resource. This case is far from finished as we continue to put pieces of the puzzle together.”
To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law, call 837-1344 or email crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
31 cases in March
There were only 31 cases of COVID-19 reported by the Cherokee County Health Department in March, according to a release.
Of those cases, 11 were fully vaccinated without a booster shot, while four were vaccinated with a booster. One patient was under age 18, while four were 19-39, 12 were 40-59 and 14 were ages 60 and over.
Vaccines are still available at the health department at no charge. For details, call 837-7486.
MURPHY
Egg hunt, duck race
An Easter Egg Hunt & Rubber Ducky Race will be held at 11 a.m. and noon Saturday at Konehete Park.
There will be cash prizes, food trucks and more. The event is sponsored by the United Way of Cherokee & Clay counties. For details, call 828-644-3290.
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.
New Home & Garden Show
The spring 2022 Home & Garden Show is coming to the Union County Sports Center from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Saturday, April 23, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, April 24.
See the newest in home improvement products and services, furnishings, accessories and all the latest from patio to pool, inside and out. There is free admission and parking.
The center is at 519 Industrial Blvd., across from Union County High School. The Cherokee Scout is one of the sponsors. For details, visit hgshows.net.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. today at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. (Delayed by one week.)
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy. (Delayed by one week.)
From staff reports.