CHEROKEE COUNTY
101st death from COVID
A total of 34 local residents tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week, according to the Cherokee County Health Department, including the 101st local death from the coronavirus.
Since the pandemic started through Monday, the health department has conducted 22,242 tests, 17,314 which were negative. Of the 4,877 positive tests, 4,735 have been released, 101 are deceased and 41 are active.
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.
To date, North Carolina has administered more than 14 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 69 percent of the adult population fully vaccinated. About 73 percent of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including 94 percent of North Carolinians ages 65 and over.
MURPHY
Petition to ban crypto
Local residents have started a petition on change.org to ban crypto mining in Cherokee County, with more than 1,000 people already signing on against the facility on Harshaw Road.
While the petition continues to gather signatures, 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.
MURPHY
One school goes remote
Due to the recent spike in positive COVID-19 rest results, quarantines and the inability to secure enough substitute teachers, Murphy Middle School went to fully remote, virtual learning Monday and Tuesday, according to Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Jeana Conley.
Officials hoped classes could resume in person today, but they were waiting on the latest information before making a final decision.
MURPHY
Casinos go smoke free
Harrah’s Casinos in Murphy and Cherokee will be permanently smoke-free following a majority vote from Tribal Council on Dec. 9, codifying a policy that’s been in place since the coronavirus pandemic spurred a temporary ban on lighting up indoors.
“This is our public health laws, which is in ordinance, which is within your realm, so this is your decision,” said tribal member Lavita Hill, who has energetically advocated for the ordinance change. “What we’re asking you to do, what casino employees are asking you to do, is to make a law ensuring that their workplace remains healthy and remains smoke-free.”
Until a temporary pandemic closure in March 2020, indoor smoking had been allowed at both Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy since their original openings. When the casinos reopened in May 2020, indoor smoking was banned as part of Harrah’s COVID safety protocols.
Big Cove Representative Teresa McCoy, a former smoker, expressed strong support for the ordinance when it was discussed in council chambers. “Smoking is an addition,” she said. “It’s an option and it’s a killer.”
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.
FRANKLIN
Macon seeks DMV agency
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is seeking applicants to operate a license plate agency in Macon County.
The agency, at 353 Westgate Plaza, is seeking applications following the announced retirement of longtime contractor Frieda Teem, who has operated the LPA since 1987.
LPAs offer vehicle registration services and title transactions, as well as vehicle license plate renewals, replacement tags and duplicate registrations. There are 130 license plate agencies in North Carolina.
The division’s policy is to open applications to operate a license plate agency after the expiration or end of a contract, or when the need arises for a new or additional agency in a certain county.
For details, you can call 919-615-8929.
RALEIGH
Restrictions costs jobs
Fewer COVID-19 restrictions would have saved more North Carolina jobs, a recent report from the Georgia Center for Opportunity shows.
The GCO measured the impact of local and state governments’ actions in response to the pandemic on each state’s economy in a 510-page report. Each state had to temporarily close businesses and implement COVID-19 restrictions, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being unable to work.
The GCO analysis showed North Carolina’s job recovery could be better if restrictions were not as severe. “However, the job loss could have been worse had it been more severe,” said Erik Randolph, director of research for GCO and author of the report.
North Carolina ranked 19th in the GSI and 10th in the AOSI. As of October, North Carolina recovered 87.4 percent of jobs lost because of the pandemic, ranking 12th in the nation by GCO. The initial job loss impact from the pandemic was about average for North Carolina, ranking 32nd among the states.
RALEIGH
Government accountability
The penalty for government corruption in North Carolina has increased under a new law signed by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Senate Bill 473 creates a new felony offense for public officials who benefit financially from their position. It requires local governments to garnish a public official’s wages if they owe money for unpaid county and city services. The measure also strengthens conflict-of-interest laws.
“Taxpayers deserve accountability and transparency from all public officials,” Cooper said in a statement.
SB 473 creates a Class H felony for an elected official “that solicits or receives personal financial gain from the political subdivision for which he or she serves by means of intimidation, undue influence, or misuse of the employees of that subdivision.” An elected official convicted under the measure could face four to 25 months in prison.
Sponsors and supporters of the bill said it will increase government transparency. State Auditor Beth Wood said the legislation would reduce abuse of power by local government officials.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- 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.