CHEROKEE COUNTY
COVID cases down in Oct.
COVID cases have slightly declined throughout October and seem to have stabilized going into early November, according to the Cherokee County Health Department.
“We are managing between 15-20 active known cases per day. Current data is indicating that we are likely at a bottom as we have stayed consistent in new reported cases for close to four weeks,” a release form the department says.
“We are seeing an increase in Influenza and RSV along with COVID so it is important regardless of the virus type to limit exposure to others. It is important to understand that these numbers represent reported (known) cases so it is an under representation of the actual case rate as many people are taking home tests or simply not testing.
If you have been exposed or have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, take necessary precautions to prevent further transmission, which include 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, along with flu vaccines, at the health department office in Murphy.
ASHEVILLE
Mission faces city lawsuits
Attorney General Josh Stein last week urged the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina to allow a case filed by western North Carolina municipalities to go forward.
According to a release, the cities of Asheville and Brevard and counties of Buncombe and Madison have filed an antitrust lawsuit alleging that Mission Health is engaging in anticompetitive conduct, including using all-or-nothing contracts, anti-steering provisions and price confidentiality provisions to prevent insurers from directing patients to lower cost, higher-quality services.
“Patients are best served when they have choices. Unfortunately, hospital consolidation has decreased choice in western North Carolina, and patients are paying the price,” Stein said. “While consolidation isn’t necessarily illegal – and is an unfortunate consequence of the General Assembly’s failure to expand Medicaid – the plaintiffs in this case allege that Mission Health is illegally using its size and strength to further decrease choice in the region.
“North Carolinians know that the price of everything is going up right now, including health care. We cannot allow hospitals to break the law to break North Carolinians’ bank accounts. The allegations laid out in this case are serious, and the municipalities deserve to have their day in court.”
ANDREWS
‘Rudolph Jr.’ shines bright
The Community Youth Players is bringing the new classic Christmas tale Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. to town.
The play will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as 3 p.m. Sunday, at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center, 125 Chestnut St. downtown. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
For details, call 828-360-2781 or visit vcahs.com.
PEACHTREE
Alzheimer’s service set
Murphy Rehabilitation & 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 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.
MURPHY
Fundraiser helps kids
The Pediatric Cancer Treatment Foundation has kicked off its annual kids bicycle giveaway. This year, the nonprofit partnered with Strider and will give away a 12” balance bike.
Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Get your tickets at Farley Insurance, 1004 U.S. 64 W.
Director Robert Trigueros said you don’t need to be present to win. The bike’s value is $120.
For details, visit www.pctf-foundation.org.
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 area veterans who are 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
Christmas parade set
The annual Murphy Christmas Parade is coming to town at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3.
The parade will travel from the Valley Village Shopping Center on Andrews Road to the L&N Depot downtown. If you have an organization that would like to participate in the parade, visit https://forms.gle/4FKBpZCq8xNPk65t7.
ANDREWS
Christmas parade set
The Town of Andrews will be hosting the “Small Town, Bright Lights” Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, on Main Street downtown.
Trophies will be given to first-, second- and third-place finishers. Judging will begin in West End Plaza at 4:30 p.m. For details, call town hall at 321-5111.
CORRECTIONS
There were two reporting errors in the article “Aegis Power surges into next phase of expansion” on page
11A in the Nov. 2 edition of the Cherokee Scout. Bill Dockery served in the US Air Force as a cryptography technician. And the grant money for the building expansion project did not come through SBIR funding, but from the State of North Carolina’s building reuse program. The Scout regrets the errors and fixed the online version.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
- Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees will meet at noon Thursday in the Hospitality Suite in Peachtree.
- 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, Nov. 28, in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St.