CHEROKEE COUNTY
COVID cases on the decline
The Cherokee County Health Department reports that cases of COVID-19 began to decline in mid-August and continue to show declines in overall reported cases through early September, according to a release.
The health department is managing between 45-50 active known cases per day, and there were two COVID-related deaths in August. While overall cases are declining, the department is seeing spikes in cases related to schools and congregate-type settings.
These numbers only represent the reported cases, so it is an under representation of the actual case rate, as many people are taking home tests or simply not testing. According to the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services, 77 percent of state adults have been vaccinated, 60 percent have received a booster shot and 30 percent of children and teenagers are vaccinated.
The health department says it’s important to remember that if you have been exposed or have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to take necessary precautions to prevent further transmission. That includes self-isolation during the first five days of infection and masking during the second five days or quarantine following exposure. Vaccinations and new bivalent boosters are also readily available at your local pharmacy or health department, which have proven to be effective tools at reducing the risk of transmission if exposed and preventing serious illness from infection.
MURPHY
Resource Fair coming
The Cherokee County Resource Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, in the Murphy First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 517 Hiwassee St.
There will be free screenings and assistance with hearing, blood pressure, housing, end of life care, vision, home repair, caregiver burnout, legal services and more. COVID-19 and flu shots will be provided.
Many area organizations will be on hand for the fair. For details, call Denise Cross, director of Cherokee County Senior Services, at 837-2467.
RALEIGH
Absenteeballots out
On Friday, North Carolina’s county boards of elections started mailing absentee ballots to voters who request them for the 2022 general election.
This signals the start of voting for this important midterm election. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Contests in this election include a U.S. Senate seat, all 14 U.S. House seats, two seats on the N.C. Supreme Court, four seats on the N.C. Court of Appeals, all 170 seats in the General Assembly, plus many judicial and local seats across the state.
As of Thursday, nearly 53,000 state voters had requested an absentee ballot for the general election. More than 7.35 million voters are registered in the state.
Sample ballots are available through the state Board of Elections’ Voter Search tool at https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup. Friday, Oct. 14, is the regular voter registration deadline for qualified people who want to vote on Election Day. One-stop, in-person early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 20.
PISGAH
Capitol tree coming here
A Kenworth T680 Next Generation will transport the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the National Forests in North Carolina to Washington, with stops en route to a full slate of community celebrations, including one in Murphy.
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This year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 78-foot-tall red spruce, is set to be harvested Nov. 2 from Pisgah National Forest. This year’s tour theme is “From the Mountains to the Sea.”
Hardy Brothers Trucking of Siloam was chosen to transport the tree. “We’re honored to receive this special opportunity to carry the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on its journey,” said Eddie Hardy, the company’s president.
The public community celebrations are slated to begin Nov. 5, and the official tree-lighting ceremony on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building is scheduled for Nov. 30. It will stop at the Cherokee County Courthouse on Sunday, Nov. 6, when a special day of events is being planned.
For details, visit www.uscapitolchristmastree.com.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
‘12 Guns of Christmas’
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, N.C. Chapter 15-8, is planning daily drawings starting Dec. 14 for the “12 Guns of Christmas” fundraiser to help veterans in need.
Only 500 tickets will be sold at $20 each. A different firearm will be given away daily from Dec. 14-25, from pistols to rifles.
You don’t need to be present to win. For details or to purchase tickets, call Dave “Scout” Nelson at 334-328-8503 or email cvma15.8commander@gmail.com.
MURPHY
Bikes, Brews and BBQ set
Buck Bald Brewing at 104 Tennessee St., Suite D, is holding the Bikes, Brews & BBQ fundraiser to purchase ballistic vests for Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 units from 1-4 p.m. Saturday.
Smoky Mountain BBQ will be supplying the eats, while Buck Bald will have the brews. All bikes, brands and riders are welcome.
The event is hosted by the Nam Knights MC, Appalachian Chapter. For details, email Sig at ozhandler@gmail.com.
BLUE RIDGE, Ga.
Blues & BBQ Festival nears
The 2022 Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival is set from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at the downtown Blue Ridge Play Park, 400 W. Main St.
Cost is $10, with ages 12 and under free, to “get out of the houser, soak up some sun, and join us for funky blues, cold brews and tasty barbecue,” according to eventbrite.com. The five-band musical lineup start playing at 11:30 a.m., and there will be a Kids Korner sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club.
MURPHY
Agricultural options meet
There will be a 2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at 699 Conaheeta St.
This meeting discusses the grant program for growers and producers. Staff will be on hand to answer questions.
Grants worth $8,000 and $4,000 are available in western North Carolina, including Cherokee County. Register online at go.ncsu.edu/agoptions.
ANDREWS
4th Welcome Home event
The fourth annual Welcome Home – A Tribute To All Who Serve event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Western Carolina Regional Airport.
The event includes an
air show as well as several classic airplanes on display. There will be classic cars, motorcycles and military paraphernalia. There will also be a chili cook-off, food vendors and free ice cream.
The day begins with a parade, leaving Andrews at 9 a.m. and arriving at the airport about 10 a.m. in time for the opening ceremonies. Annie Lloyd of Hayesville will open with the song “God Bless America.”
At 12:30 p.m., the Benghazi/Twin Towers Memorial Riders will present a memorial ceremony. At 1 p.m., the North Star Airshow group will kick off the event.
Ivie Funeral Home sponsors this event each year, while the hosts are American Legion Post 532 of Hayesville and Post 96 of Murphy. There will be a Stand Down Service as well as veteran service officers on hand to talk with about benefits.
MARTINS CREEK
School’s car show coming
Martins Creek Elementary/Middle School will host its annual car show Saturday, Nov. 12, at 1459 Tobe Stalcup Road.
This fun event raises money for school programs. For details, check out the school’s Facebook page.
CORRECTIONS
Updates have been made to the article “From Rails to Trails” on page 1A in the Aug. 24 edition of the Cherokee Scout in order to clarify, correct and expand some key points. Read it online at www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/recycling-rails-trails.
There was an error on page 9A in the Sept. 7 edition of the Cherokee Scout. The name of Isabella Mull’s father is Andy Lanphere. The Scout regrets the error.
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 Murphy.
- Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees meets at noon Thursday in the Hospitality Suite, 21 Campus Circle in Peachtree.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy. (Watch on Facebook Live.)
- 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. (Watch on Facebook Live.)
- 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.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.