MURPHY
Charter for sale
If you have $1,375,240 on hand, the former campus of The Learning Center charter school at 945 Connaheta St. could be yours.
The longtime local school, which previously had a waiting list of families wanting to attend, closed in June 2022 due to what the board of directors called “financial irregularities.” Dex Hubbard of ReMax Mountain Properties is handling the sale.
“Incredible commercial opportunity in the city limits of Murphy,” Hubbard’s website says. “Formerly used as a Montessori school, the possibilities are endless for this unique property! Multiple buildings, city water and sewer, zoned I-H-C (Industrial and Heavy Commercial District)!”
The charter’s campus contains several structures, including a cafeteria, gym and multiple portable buildings. The State Bureau of Investigation is still looking into why the school closed but hasn’t yet issued a report.
ANDREWS
Mayor will listen more
Mayor James Reid vowed to do a better job listening after he attended two networking sessions with small town officials in Raleigh in February.
“One of the classes I attended during a trip to Raleigh centered around leadership and the importance of listening to aldermen and other town officials,” Reid wrote in his opening comments to the town’s recent newsletter. “I took a lot away from that class because, in the past, I have not been very good at listening to everyone else’s input. So, I encourage everyone who cares about this beautiful town to share your thoughts, but to also listen to others.
“We will not always come to a consensus, but in order to make positive progress we must all agree that there will be times when we disagree. And that’s perfectly OK. That’s what’s so great about life in America.
“The purpose of the first trip was to network with other mayors throughout the state and exchange notes on successes and challenges. The purpose of the second trip was to attend a networking dinner for mayors, commissioners, aldermen, and state legislators.
“During these two networking events, I learned that many of the towns across the state are dealing with the same issues as the Town of Andrews. Just about every mayor I spoke with has experienced challenges regarding broadband, water and sewer infrastructure and staffing the police department.
“While I sympathize with each elected official struggling to improve their town, I also find solace in knowing that the challenges our local communities face are not unique. There are solutions to the issues we face; however, we must tackle problems as a team working toward the same goal,” Reid wrote.
ANDREWS
Take survey for 4 Square
Four Square Community Action Inc. is requesting your assistance in collecting important data about our community. The data collected will help officials get a better idea of what the conditions are in our community, and what members of the community believe are the biggest problems and needs.
This assessment aims to gather information that relates to the health, access to health care, housing, education, childcare, economic conditions, transportation, safety, access to food, and other resources and services in Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Swain counties.
The information that you provide will be kept anonymous and will be used to help us develop plans for how to address the issues. To respond, visit surveymonkey.com/r/8BVQK7P.
ROCKY MOUNT
DMV unveils online times
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles continues to roll out improvements to enhance customer service and today is announcing new technology available on its website to help its customers avoid a prolonged wait in line.
A new feature is available to show the public the current average wait time at its 115 driver license offices across the state. Customers can hover over the icon marking each driver license office, and a box will pop up with the current walk-in wait time. The wait time is defined as the current average length of time from check-in until the customer is called to the workstation for service.
As of May 1, driver license offices take walk-in customers only after noon. Appointments are available in the mornings and can be scheduled anywhere up to 90 days in advance at skiptheline.ncdot.gov.
MURPHY
Stick a fork & cork in it
Forks & Corks: Local Savor 2023 is happening Thursday, June 1, at The Hackney Warehouse downtown. Come out and taste local cuisine.
This event gives the community a chance to experience offerings from area restaurants, caterers, breweries, wineries and more. Tickets for the event at either 5 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. may be purchased online or at the chamber office on U.S. 64 West for $30 each; visit cherokeecountychamber.com for details.
The chamber is only offering 300 tickets this year, with attendance by reservation only. All ticket holders will be checked and issued an event passport. Ticket holders with a complete passport at the close of their reservation will be given a complimentary beverage to enjoy in the courtyard. And don’t forget to cast your ballot for your favorite vendor.
The Cherokee Scout is a co-sponsor of the annual event.
RALEIGH
Broadband feedback
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Equity seeks public review and commentary on its draft request for proposals posted today as part of ongoing efforts to connect more North Carolinians with high-speed internet.
The division will use the request for proposals to prequalify internet service providers for state convenience contract awards to participate in multiple broadband expansion programs, beginning immediately with the $400 million Completing Access to Broadband program. Internet service providers that are awarded state convenience contracts via this process will be eligible to reply to counties’ requests for service expansion in unserved and underserved areas mutually defined by the counties and the division, as well as participate and receive reimbursement for the upcoming $100 million Broadband Pole Replacement program.
The draft request for proposals will be available at ncbroadband.gov/documents/broadband-expansion-and-access-rfp through Tuesday. Feedback may be emailed to NCDITpartnerfeedback@nc.gov. For details, visit ncbroadband.gov.
ROCKY MOUNT
Teen driving law in effect
Upon passage of a bill by the General Assembly, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is announcing changes to the graduated driver licensing program for teenagers, according to a release.
Effective May 8, teen drivers will again need to have their Level 1 Limited Learner Permit for six months before being able to get their Level 2 Limited Provisional License. Teen drivers will still be required to be at least 16 years old, log 60 hours of driving time, pass a road test and show printed proof of insurance in the teen’s name.
The requirement to advance to Level 2 had been 12 months for most of the last 25 years since the GDL system was put into place in 1997. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature temporarily shortened this requirement to six months. That provision lapsed at the end of 2022, leaving thousands of teens and their families in limbo.
NCDMV schedule changes went into effect May 1. Road tests, which a teen driver must successfully pass to achieve a Level 2 permit, are not available after 4 p.m.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a budget work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
- Andrews Housing Authority meets to discuss the annual plan at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 8, at the authority office, 291 Whitaker Lane.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 26, in the Commissioners Boardroom (342) at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
CLARIFICATION
A letter to the editor from Willena Helton of Murphy published on page 4A in the May 3 edition of the Cherokee Scout should have thanked people who played the N.C. Lottery.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.