CHEROKEE COUNTY
100th death from COVID
A total of 52 local residents tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week, according to the Cherokee County Health Department, including the 100th local death from the coronavirus.
The person who died was in their late 80s. Since the pandemic started through Monday, the health department has conducted 22,057 tests, 17,188 which were negative. Of the 4,843 positive tests, 4,690 have been released, 100 are deceased and 42 are active.
To help keep those numbers down, Health Director David Badger reminds local residents that boosters for all three vaccines, as well as vaccines for children, have been approved. For details, call 837-7486.
MURPHY
Schools keep mask policy
Despite a noticeable rise in cases in the district, the Cherokee County Board of Education unanimously voted Thursday to keep its policy of optional face coverings in the district.
As of Dec. 9, 59 local students were quarantined district-wide, with seven active cases. No staff were positive or quarantined.
“These things happen in pockets. Murphy Middle had quite a pocket of folks,” Superintendent Jeana Conley said.
MURPHY
Hearing to talk noise
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing during their regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, to receive comments on a proposed noise ordinance.
The meeting will be held in Room 342 of the Cherokee County Courthouse on Peachtree Street. The draft ordinance can be viewed online at www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1858/Draft-of-Proposed-Noise-Ordinance-for-1-18-2022-Public-Hearing.
An emergency meeting was held Monday night, in which commissioners discussed a resolution requesting legislation that would allow the board to regulate existing and future crypto mining facilities in Cherokee County.
RALEIGH
State lifts burn ban
The N.C. Forest Service lifted a ban on all open burning effective Dec. 8, for Cherokee, Clay, Graham and 64 other counties. The ban, which went into effect Nov. 29 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, remains in place for the additional 33 North Carolina counties.
“The rainfall we are seeing across much of the state right now is doing what we need it to do,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said. “Forest fuels are soaking it in, and conditions are improving.
“Residents in the 67 counties no longer under the state’s burn ban should still burn responsibly, check for local burning restrictions, and make sure you have a valid permit. Check the weather, and never leave a debris fire unattended. If you’re in one of the 33 counties still under the state’s burn ban, please be patient and hold off on burning.”
Residents can obtain a burn permit from any authorized permitting agent or online at www.ncforestservice.gov/burnpermit. For the 67 counties no longer included in the ban, all burn permits previously granted were canceled when the ban became effective. A valid permit must be obtained.
MURPHY
Worship & fireworks
The Worship Tent at 90 Casino Parkway is planning a free New Year’s Eve Hometown Celebration from 7 p.m. to past midnight Friday, Dec. 31, with a fireworks show planned at midnight.
The event includes D.R. Harrison and several community churches sharing a powerful message from God’s word, worship music throughout the night, a huge bonfire, hot chocolate, Smores, food and giveaways. Bring a chair and a blanket, although it’s heated under the big tent in the shadow of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.
For details, visit theworshiptent.com.
HAYESVILLE
Town gets state grant
Thirteen municipalities from across the state, including Hayesville, will receive assistance with bicycle and pedestrian planning, thanks to grants awarded this fall by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The DOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Planning Grant program, now in its 19th year, helps North Carolina communities develop a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and improving the safety of our transportation network for all users.
The planning grant initiative is jointly sponsored by the DOT Integrated Mobility Division and Transportation Planning Division. To date, more than $7.5 million has been awarded for 244 plans in 238 municipalities and six counties through this grant program.
Plans funded are not for one specific project, but represent a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities within a given municipality. For details, visit https://connect.ncdot.gov/municipalities/PlanningGrants/Pages/Planning-Grant-Initiative.aspx.
NANTAHALA
Masks not mandatory
The Nantahala Regional Library is changing entry requirements due to the community spread of COVID-19.
Masks are optional at all our branches unless social distancing isn’t possible, according to a release. This means that masks are required if you need individual help from library staff or if you plan to meet with other individuals in our facilities.
In addition, meetings are permitted in all locations. Meeting room use is limited at certain locations. Please call the library to make those arrangements. For details, visit www.nrlibrary.org.
WASHINGTON
More favor free market
Gallup released new polling numbers that gauge Americans’ sentiment toward frequently used political terms such as “capitalism,” “socialism” and more. Notably, two terms tied for the bottom of the list.
“Socialism ties with ‘the federal government’ as the lowest rated of the six terms included in the 2021 survey,” Gallup said. “In contrast, Americans are most positive toward small business and free enterprise, while they are slightly more negative than positive toward big business.”
“Small business” has a 97 percent favorability rating, and “free enterprise” is positively viewed by 84 percent of Americans. “Socialism” and “the federal government” come in at only 38 percent. “Capitalism” has 60 percent favorability, while “big business” has 46 percent.
While some sentiments have remained steady, the favorability of big business has fallen from 52 percent to 46 percent overall this year.
RALEIGH
Vouchers expanded
More students qualify for North Carolina’s private-school voucher program under the state’s newly signed budget.
The two-year spending plan raised the income threshold for the Opportunity Scholarships voucher program, allowing more children to apply. It also increased the scholarship awards and created an easier application process for children with disabilities.
North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program provides state-funded tuition assistance for low-income students. The spending bill increased the eligibility income threshold for the program from 150 percent of the federal reduced-price lunch level to 175 percent. Under the new law, a family of four with an annual income of $85,794 qualifies for the program.
The new law also eliminated the $4,200 scholarship award limit and replaced it with up to 90 percent of what the state spends per pupil at traditional public schools, or $5,850. According to Private School Review, the average private school tuition in North Carolina for the 2021-2022 school year is about $9,639.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
- All local, state and federal government offices – along with the Cherokee Scout and other businesses – will be closed Friday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 31, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
From staff and The Capital Square reports.