ANDREWS
Man dies in trailer fire
A local man was found dead after a fire burned through a mobile home last week.
Cherokee County received a 911 call about a residential structure fire located at 89 Cheoa St. at 4:25 p.m. Thursday. The Valleytown Fire & Rescue Department responded, with the Peachtree Volunteer Fire Department as mutual aid. The first units found an older model single-wide trailer with heavy flames and smoke showing.
When Engine 30 arrived at 4:32 p.m., there was an explosion to the back side of the trailer. Lines were pulled, and the fire was knocked down by 4:43 p.m.
While performing overhaul to cool down hot spots, a body was found in the part of the trailer that received the most damage. Andrews police officers responded and requested assistance from the State Bureau of Investigation and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
The name of the deceased is not being released pending autopsy results to confirm identity and cause of the death. The cause and origin of the fire is also under further investigation.
“We would like to take a moment to express our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,” Valleytown Fire Chief Justin Hyde and Andrews Police Chief Rocky Burrell said in a release. “During an emergency, it is it is important to express that it is of utmost importance that everyone in public safety work together to provide the best services and support for our community, and on this day that was exemplified.”
MURPHY
‘Clay on a Limb’ month
Most folks have found a painted rock or two while walking along the Murphy River Walk. During the month of May, keep a sharp lookout for clay objects of art along the walk. If you find one, it’s yours to keep!
“Clay on a Limb” features about 80 clay creations that will be hanging from tree branches or tucked into the base of trees or other woodland nooks along the path. Look for gnomes, dragons, butterflies, birds, and a host of other shapes as you walk along the River Walk. The art pieces range in size from 3-6 inches and are in a variety of colors.
The project is hosted by the Mountain Potters Network, a group of clay artists from Cherokee and surrounding counties. It is a way for the potters to give back to the community and say thank you for all the encouragement and support given since its founding in 2019.
Feel free to post a picture of your found art at #mountainpottersnetwork. For details, email mountainpottersnetwork@gmail.com.
MURPHY
Watershed Gala Thurs.
MountainTrue invites the public to attend the 15th annual Hiwassee Watershed Gala and Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award presentation at the Hackney Warehouse at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Reservations are $30 and may be secured online at mountaintrue.org/gala.
MountainTrue will recognize local champion of clean water Jason Chambers as the recipient of the 2022 Holman Water Quality Stewardship Award during the gala.
For details, call 837-5414 or email callie@mountaintrue.org.
RALEIGH
Still time to sign up, vote
The regular voter registration deadline was Friday for North Carolinians who want to vote by mail or on primary election day Tuesday, May 17.
u Individuals who miss Friday’s deadline may register and vote at the same time during the one-stop early voting period – Thursday though Saturday, May 14 – at any early voting site in their county.
u In the primary election, voters will select nominees for a political party to move on to the November 8 general election. Contests on the ballot include U.S. Senate, U.S. House, General Assembly, state and local judges, district attorney and county offices. In primaries, voters affiliated with political party will be given a ballot of candidates for their party. Unaffiliated voters may choose the ballot of any party that has a primary.
u For voters eligible to vote in the 2022 primary and municipal elections, sample ballots are available through the State Board of Elections at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. Voters also may check their registration status, Election Day polling place, and additional information about their voting record using the Voter Search.
MURPHY
Free legal clinic here
The University of North Carolina School of Law’s Pro Bono Program will visit western North Carolina on May 11-12 to hold free legal clinics that will provide wills and advance directives, and will also assist with paperwork for individuals who may be eligible for an expunction.
The program will be held at Penland Senior Center from noon-4 p.m. Thursday, May 12.
Law students will partner with attorneys from two different law firms that are based in the mountains, Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Smoky Mountain Offices and the Legal Assistance Office of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Students and lawyers will draft the documents during the clinic. Individuals must be eligible for services from one of those two organizations to receive assistance at the clinic.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To inquire further or register, call Lorinda Baker at 389-5065.
RALEIGH
Election sign of the times
Drivers traveling on North Carolina roadways are likely seeing a lot of campaign signs ahead of the primary election Tuesday, May 17.
Per General Statute 136-32 (b), political signs, if properly placed, are allowed on N.C. Department of Transportation right of way until Friday, May 27.
The DOT has the authority to remove any signs that violate the general statute, create safety hazards for travelers or interfere with maintenance operations. Employees may remove signs that are illegally placed within the state right of way, as time permits. The signs are normally taken to local maintenance offices where they will be stored until claimed.
Per the general statute, restrictions regarding the signs include:
- Whoever places a sign is required to get the permission of any property owner of a residence, business or religious institution fronting the right of way where a sign would be placed;
- No sign is permitted in the right of way of a limited-access highway such as an interstate;
- No sign can be closer than 3 feet from the edge of the pavement of the road;
- No sign can obscure motorist visibility at an intersection;
- No sign can be higher than 42 inches above the edge of the pavement;
- No sign can be larger than 864 square inches;
- No sign can obscure or replace another sign.
If anyone else removes or vandalizes a sign, they could be subject to a Class 3 misdemeanor citation from law enforcement. Signs still in the right of way after May 27 are in violation of state law, and the DOT is authorized to remove and dispose of them.
MURPHY
Honor lost at 22 Hump
The 22 Hump will be held Saturday, May 28 – Memorial Day weekend. This year’s hump will be dedicated to Alan Rooney, a local veteran and a victim of the 22.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the alleyway of the public parking lot behind the Cherokee County Courthouse, with step off at 9 a.m. The purpose of
The purpose of the 22-mile hump is to raise awareness of the statistic that 22 veterans take their lives every day.
Organizers say you can chose to walk any distance or just cheer on our participants throughout the 22 miles. This is not a race, and they only go as fast as the slowest walker. We will be providing rides to those who tire, as well as water and snacks throughout the day.
If you choose to participate in the hump, you will be provided with a T-shirt as well as a barbecue dinner at the completion of the hump. Anyone wishing to volunteer, please contact Warrior Veterans Outreach at 557-6881. The event will be held rain or shine.
RALEIGH
Bill of rights for parents?
A North Carolina think tank is proposing a Parents’ Bill of Rights to give parents more authority in their children’s education.
The proposal, released this week by the independent, nonprofit John Locke Foundation, is intended as a framework for legislation to codify parental rights in state statute, following similar efforts in several states sparked by simmering frustrations that came to a boil during the pandemic.
Across the country, parents have complained to public school boards over numerous issues in recent years, including controversial sex education lessons, sexualized school books, critical race theory in the curriculum and political indoctrination in the classroom.
CHEROKEE
Tribe invests in 2 casinos
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is set to bid on an opportunity to build two new out-of-state casinos.
The plan was approved by Tribal Council by an 8-2 vote on April 13, according to the Cherokee One Feather. The resolution outlines a “new business and investment opportunity” referred to as “Project Thoroughbred,” in which EBCI Holdings would make an investment of $25 million for an equity stake of about 44 percent in expanded commercial gaming interests.
Should EBCI Holdings be selected as the winning bidder, it will make a deposit from its own accounts of about $2.5 million, the Smoky Mountain News reported. The total cost of the project is estimated at $90 million, according to the resolution, and would involve building and owning two new casinos.
The tribe operates Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.
CORRECTION
There was a typographical error on page 10A in the April 20 edition of the Cherokee Scout. Sheriff’s candidate Joe Wood’s late wife’s name is Hope; Maria is the name of Joe’s sister. The Scout regrets the mistake and should have caught it.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown.
- 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.
- The Learning Center Board of Directors meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 945 Connahetta St. in Murphy.
COMING SOON
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the Facilities Building.
From staff reports.