MURPHY
Sock drive has started
The second annual Sock Drive has started in Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties, as socks are the No. 1 clothing item needed by homeless people. Organizers hope to surpass 1,200 pairs.
Residents are asked to donate new, unworn socks for men, women and children before Friday, Nov. 4. The following Cherokee County locations have boxes to accept donations: Old Town Brokers in Andrews, Appalachian Land Co. in Ranger and the Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors office, ReMax Mountain Realty, BIG Realty, Exit Realty and the Poltrock Team, all in Murphy.
Donations will help the Hurlburt-Johnson Friendship House, HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center, Reach of Cherokee County Inc., Appalachian Angels and more. For details, call 837-5297.
MURPHY
Resource fair Friday
The Cherokee County Resource Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday 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.
MURPHY
Agricultural options meet
There will be a 2023 WNC AgOptions Information Session from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at 699 Connaheeta St.
This meeting discusses the grant program for growers and producers. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
Grants worth $8,000 and $4,000 are available in western North Carolina, including Cherokee County. Register online at go.ncsu.edu/agoptions.
MURPHY
White Tag Sale coming
Murphy First United Methodist Church’s annual White Tag Sale is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, in the basement at 73 Valley River Ave. downtown.
Organizers say if you like flea markets, you’ll love this event. Someone else’s junk might be your treasures.
The sale is presented by the Willing Hands Circle of United Women in Faith. Funds raised with be used for mission efforts, both on these shores as well as around the world.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
‘12 Guns of Christmas’
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, North Carolina Chapter 15-8, is planning on 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
PEACHTREE
Holiday craft show coming
The Peachtree Community Center’s annual Holiday Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at 125 Memory Lane, just off Greenlawn Cemetery Road.
Admission is free to check out local handcrafts, jewelry, wood crafts, gourd art, baskets, wreaths, ornaments and other items that would make excellent Christmas gifts. Snacks will also be for sale.
Veterans will receive a free sausage biscuit or hot dog. To become a vendor, call 557-9265.
WNC
Your voice is needed
A draft document designed to help guide economic development within the region is available for public comment, and citizens are urged to voice their opinions by Sunday.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is designed to identify goals and objectives to advance the economy of the western North Carolina region over the next five years. The Southwestern Commission Council of Governments led the initiative and partnered with the U.S. Economic Development Administration to get input from leaders across the region. Their responses helped create the draft, which when complete can be used by all western North Carolina counties and towns as both a guiding document and tool to support funding.
Russ Harris, executive director of the Southwestern Commission, said in a release the CEDS is an effort to strategically guide investment that would have the most positive impact on the citizens who live here.
“We want to intentionally build stronger partnerships across county lines, coordinate collaborations, and avoid unnecessary duplication of services,” he said. “Our region is special, with strong people and unique assets. The CEDS is a chance to develop a plan that seeks to capitalize on our strengths and provides strategies for addressing our challenges.”
The draft may be accessed online at www.regiona.org/ceds. Comments will be accepted via email to becca@regiona.org until Friday.
CHEROKEE
Tribe OKs $15 wage
Principal Chief Richard Sneed announced Sept. 8 that the tribal government of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is raising the minimum wage of tribal employees to $15 per hour effective Oct. 1. The current minimum wage is $10.50 per hour, still well over the federal minimum of $7.25.
“The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has long been the employer of choice for EBCI citizens to obtain gainful employment at a competitive wage,” Sneed said in a statement. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we support our citizenry and community by providing excellent wages, great benefits and an attractive retirement plan.”
Sneed said the minimum wage increase will affect 155 tribal employees, or 13 percent of the total workforce. According to information sent to tribal employees, the wage adjustment increases will be reflected on the Nov. 4 paycheck (pay period ending Oct. 22) and include retroactive pay from Oct. 1-22.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- No meetings are scheduled this week.
From staff reports.