Quick Reads

  • Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent It was a decidedly fun – and not too scary – Halloween at the Cherokee County Health Department in Murphy, which welcomed costumed kids and their parents on Oct. 31.
    Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent It was a decidedly fun – and not too scary – Halloween at the Cherokee County Health Department in Murphy, which welcomed costumed kids and their parents on Oct. 31.
  • Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent It was a decidedly fun – and not too scary – Halloween at the Cherokee County Health Department in Murphy, which welcomed costumed kids and their parents on Oct. 31.
    Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent It was a decidedly fun – and not too scary – Halloween at the Cherokee County Health Department in Murphy, which welcomed costumed kids and their parents on Oct. 31.
  • Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent More local costumed creatures visit the Cherokee County Health Department’s office in Murphy on Oct. 31.
    Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent More local costumed creatures visit the Cherokee County Health Department’s office in Murphy on Oct. 31.
  • Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent More local costumed creatures visit the Cherokee County Health Department’s office in Murphy on Oct. 31.
    Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent More local costumed creatures visit the Cherokee County Health Department’s office in Murphy on Oct. 31.

    RALEIGH

    Southeastern gets $276K

    The N.C. Department of Commerce has awarded 20 special grants to 11 local workforce development boards, totaling $8.45 million, Gov. Roy Cooper announced last week.

    Boards will use the grants to help job seekers and small businesses with training and other services in response to a tight labor market. These include programs for individuals who are in the reentry process and individuals with or at risk of substance abuse.

    One of the NCWorks Small Business Work-Based Learning Grants went to the Southwestern Workforce Development Board, which serves Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. The $276,000 grant will invest in the region’s youth by highlighting meaningful career opportunities available locally.

    Another component of the board’s initiative will focus on fostering productive work environments, promoting talent development and enhancing business growth with work-based learning. Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds are supporting this initiative.

    ANDREWS

    Lonesome Hoedown

    The annual High Lonesome Hoedown will be held from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Jimmy’s Pick N Grin, 220 Upper Valley River Lane.

    Tickets are $100 each or two for $150. There will be dinner, drinks, dancing and a silent auction.

    All proceeds benefit High Lonesome Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Hanging Dog, one of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s Organizations of the Year for 2022. For details, email highlonesomestables@gmail.com or call 835-3739.

     

    MURPHY

    $5K Raffle Fundraiser

    HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center is planning its annual $5,000 Raffle Fundraiser from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday at the historic Hackney Warehouse, 11 Railroad St.

    There will be an open bar, entertainment, silent auction and appetizers before dinner and dessert. For details or to buy tickets, visit www.havencac.org or HAVEN’s page on Facebook.

    MARTINS CREEK

    School’s car show coming

    Martins Creek Elementary/Middle School will host its annual car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 1459 Tobe Stalcup Road.

    This fun event raises money for school programs. There will be burgers and hot dogs available, music, door prizes and more.

    To enter, call 837-2831 or email paul.wilson@cherokee.k12.nc.us. For details, see the school’s Facebook page.

    ANDREWS

    ‘Rudolph’ to shine bright

    The Community Youth Players is bringing the classic Christmas tale Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to town.

    The play will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, as well as 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center, 125 Chestnut St. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.

    For details, call 828-360-2781 or visit vcahs.com.

    NANTAHALA

    Library board meets Nov. 17

    The Nantahala Regional Library Board of Trustees will meet at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.

    The public must call the office at 828-837-2025 to gain access to the Zoom video conferencing
    meetings.

    PEACHTREE

    Candlelight service set

    Murphy Rehab & Nursing will hold its annual candlelight service in recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Awareness Month in November.

    The candlelight service will be held from 1-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, at Duncan’s Tavern inside. Refreshments and free educational materials will be available.

    You’re welcome to come light a candle in honor or memory of a loved one. Attendees will need to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing during the drop-in event.

    For details, call Pam Lovingood at 835-7588.

    ANDREWS

    Decorate windows

    It’s time for the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Window Decorating Contest.

    Business owners are encouraged to decorate their front windows by the deadline of Friday, Nov. 18, so downtown Andrews will be ready for Christmas on Main Street and the town’s annual Christmas parade. Email chamberdirector@andrewschamber.com to let the chamber know when your windows are ready for judging Dec. 5-8.

    RALEIGH

    $70.3 millionin protection

    The N.C. Land & Water Fund awarded grants this week totaling $70.3 million, providing funds for 117 projects that will protect North Carolina’s land and water from the mountains to the coast, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Oct. 26.

    The funds will protect 27,157 acres, including 20,998 acres that will eventually be open to the public for hiking, hunting, boating, birding and other recreational uses. Funds were also granted for 37 projects to restore or enhance over 36 miles of streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries and to restore more than 8,000 acres of drained wetlands.

    This year’s grants will support North Carolina’s $3.3 billion outdoor recreation economy in local areas by protecting more than 10,000 acres to be added to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission game lands in Cherokee and Graham counties, among others; protecting more than 7,000 acres in Graham and other counties; and enhancing sport fisheries across the state,.

    A complete list of grant awards is available at https://nclwf.nc.gov/2022-nclwf-awards.

    Brasstown

    Meeting set on new bridge

    The N.C. Department of Transportation invites the public to provide input on a proposed project to replace a bridge on Old U.S. 64 over the Hiawassee River.

    The informal, drop-in meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday in the Brasstown Community Center, 255 Settawig Road. With no formal presentation, the public may participate in the meeting at any time. The meeting had been postponed due to Hurricane Ian weather projections.

    This bridge in Cherokee County over the Hiwassee River is coming to the end of its lifespan and has been selected for replacement. The new bridge is a proposed 280-foot-long structure with three spans that feature 11-foot-wide lanes and 6-foot-wide shoulders.

    The project will cost about $4.5 million. Right of way is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2023 with construction the following fiscal year.

    The project is being purposed with an offsite detour. Old U.S. 64 will be closed for the duration of the project with traffic being detoured along U.S. 64 and Settawig Road.

    People may submit comments by mail to Zach Shuler, NCDOT Division 14, 345 Toot Hollow Road, Bryson City, NC 28713 or email to ztshuler@ncdot.gov through Oct. 10.

    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.
    • Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
    • Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
    • 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

    • Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.