MURPHY
County OKs COVID policy
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a COVID-19 vaccination, testing and face covering policy during a special called meeting Dec. 13.
The policy will be implemented only if an OSHA COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate takes effect. Cherokee County’s policy, which is based on a template from the University of North Carolina School of Government, allows county employees to opt out of vaccination, testing, and face coverings through a religious exemption or medical exemption.
Employees who do not seek an exemption will be required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated, or submit to weekly testing and wear a face covering when in the workplace. The local decision comes after President Joe Biden’s mandate that all businesses with 100 employees or more require employee COVID-19 vaccinations is with the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Buckeye Institute, a Columbus, Ohio-based policy group, became the first to file a motion for an emergency stay with the court, less than an hour after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit granted the government’s request Dec. 10 to dissolve an existing administrative stay previously issued by the Fifth Circuit. The Liberty Justice Center filed a similar motion Dec. 11 with the high court on behalf of a Louisiana grocery store owner and six Texas employees of CaptiveAire Systems.
The 5th Circuit in New Orleans previously blocked the mandate, citing “grave” constitutional concerns. Numerous lawsuits against the mandate were consolidated after that ruling and sent to the 6th Circuit.
The mandate requires employers with 100 workers or more to require employees be vaccinated against COVID-19, undergo weekly testing or face stiff fines.
“It is difficult to imagine what more OSHA could do or rely on to justify its finding that workers face a grave danger in the workplace,” the 6th Circuit Court wrote.
The Sixth Circuit also denied The Buckeye Institute’s motion for a hearing in front of the full court Dec. 9.
The Buckeye Institute also recently filed a motion demanding the White House produce all communications and records related to the initiation and development of Biden’s vaccination mandate.
The motion claims the White House imposed the mandate through OHSA to circumvent limits on federal power. It asserts the mandate had little to do with workplace safety but rather to increase individual vaccination rates.
RALEIGH
Groups want filing started
Groups representing sheriffs, district attorneys and Superior Court clerks want the N.C. Supreme Court to reopen candidate filing for their upcoming elections.
The groups are not challenging the Supreme Court’s decision to delay all primary elections until May. In a court filing Dec. 29, the groups argued that the shutdown of all 2022 candidate filing in North Carolina “has caused unnecessary upheaval for candidates for public office.”
All three groups ask to intervene in a lawsuit challenging new N.C. election maps.
“The Proposed Intervenors request that this Court immediately open the filing period for candidates for non-statewide local elected offices in North Carolina not affected by this case, or in the alternative for the elected offices of sheriff, district attorney and clerk of Superior Court, for a period of eight days in order to conclude the 10-day filing period that began on 6 December 2021 that was interrupted by this Court’s Order, or, in the alternative, to immediately institute a new two-week candidate filing period,” attorney James Morgan wrote.
The Supreme Court issued an order Dec. 8 halting all candidate filing for state and local offices. The order responded to lawsuits challenging new state congressional and legislative election maps. Justices ordered a lower court to hold a trial and issue a ruling in the redistricting lawsuits by Jan. 11. The order also delayed all N.C. primary elections to May 17.
The original candidate filing period had been scheduled from Dec. 6-17. Hundreds of candidates had filed for office before the Supreme Court’s shutdown. The Dec. 8 order indicated that candidates who already had filed for office would not have to refile. The order offered no timeline for reopening of filing for other potential candidates.
TOPTON
Corridor K goes ahead
The Graham County Board of Commissioners approved the idea of improvements from Brady Curve to Ledbetter Road near Topton, following a presentation from N.C. Board of Transportation District 14 board member Dirk Cody, District 14 engineer Wanda Austin and N.C. Department of Transportation Western District Chief Engineer Brian Burch.
“We should have $44 million in (Appalachian Development Highway System) funding left,” Burch said. The only two remaining sections of the ongoing Corridor K project left included the section from Robbinsville to Andrews, as well as a section running from Hayesville to N.C. 175 in Clay County.
He said the DOT was working with the federal government to get more miles added to the Corridor K project to make the connection. There were 6½ miles that could be improved between Robbinsville and Andrews, and Burch suggested the Bradley-Curve stretch of Ledbetter Road.
Austin also gave an update on the planned wildlife crossing on the Appalachian Trail at Stecoah Gap, saying the project was waiting on approval from the National Forest Service.
“The roadway plan is pretty much done except for changes that we’ll make in right of way,” he said.
HAYESVILLE
Autopsy in local death
An investigation surrounding the death of a woman who was found in a wooded area near her home in late November is ongoing; however, no foul play is suspected. The death appears to be weather related, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
Michelle Smith, 57, was reported missing Nov. 21 after a neighbor found her locked Chevrolet Colorado pickup parked in the woods on a narrow trail. The site was about a half-mile from Smith’s home, where she lived alone with her dog.
“We’re unsure of the cause of death, but there’s definitely no indication of foul play,” Chief Deputy Todd Wingate said. “We won’t know anything for sure until we get the final autopsy results, but we know she was exposed to cold weather.”
Wingate said officers responded about 40 minutes after receiving the missing person call. It was dark when they arrived, and the wooded terrain and lack of communications because of no cell phone service made the search difficult.
On Nov. 26, Smith’s body was discovered in a damp ravine, a short distance from her truck. She was “inadequately dressed” for the temperatures which had frequently dipped in the freezing range, Wingate said.
Smith moved to Clay County from Florida. She is survived by three adult children and her parents. She enjoyed hiking and the outdoors, according to her obituary.
ROSMAN
Lotto ticket taped to leg
Pamela Lunsford, 60, of Rosman, said she was so afraid she might lose her $20 Winter Winnings ticket that she taped the $100,000 winning ticket to her leg for safekeeping.
“I can lose a purse or a book bag, but I can’t lose my leg,” Lunsford said with a laugh.
She arrived at lottery headquarters Dec. 28 with her winning ticket safely in tow to collect her prize. Lunsford said she bought three scratch-off tickets from the Lake Toxaway Trading Post on Rosman Highway in Lake Toxaway.
She won $100 on her first ticket and $30 on her second ticket. “I was really excited that I won $130,” Lunsford said. “When I realized what I won on the last ticket, I started shaking. I was in total shock.”
After required federal and state tax withholdings, she took home $70,756.
“Something like this, it’s life-changing for me,” Lunsford said.
RALEIGH
Police reform with new laws
More than a dozen new laws and provisions go into effect with the ringing in of the new year in North Carolina, including laws meant to increase law enforcement training and public transparency and deregulate alcohol.
Under Senate Bill 473, any public official who knowingly participates in the approval of a contract for a nonprofit they are affiliated with could be charged with a misdemeanor, starting Saturday. Other portions of the bill meant to increase government transparency already are law.
Most of House Bill 436, which is meant to increase police oversight, requires new mental health and wellness training and psychological screenings for law enforcement officers. Officers also will be educated on maintaining good mental health and mental health resources.
Senate Bill 300 also takes effect Saturday. It requires FBI criminal background checks for officers and creates an “early warning” system to track and document use-of-force incidents. Officials would be required to create a public database of officers facing suspensions and revocations. Starting Saturday, immediate family members will be able to see video footage within three business days after a serious police incident that results in death or serious injury after a request to the courts.
ROBBINSVILLE
Workers get premium pay
More Graham County employees will benefit from premium pay following a vote at the Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting Dec. 21.
The board voted unanimously in favor of $1,500 in premium pay for detention officers employed between Jan. 1, 2020, and Nov. 30, 2021, and other county employees employed between Jan. 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
The premium pay comes from revenue loss funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The board also passed a similar premium pay measure for Graham County Emergency Medical Services workers earlier in 2021.
The premium pay will not include furloughed employees. Graham County Transit employees will receive premium pay, but it will be derived from the department’s remaining Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act funds.
ELLIJAY, Ga.
Local makes Olympic team
Corinne Stoddard has punched her ticket to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Stoddard, 20, is a native of Tacoma, Wash., and granddaughter of longtime Ellijay residents Don and Linda VanLandingham. She will compete as a member of the USA’s short-track speed-skating team.
“It means the world to me (to qualify for the Olympics),” Stoddard told Katie Grunik of TeamUsa.org. “It’s been my goal for a very long time to represent Team USA at the Olympics, and it’s finally come true.”
Stoddard solidified her spot on Team USA at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Dec. 19 in Salt Lake City, Utah, competing in the 500 meters.
“I’ve never even met an Olympian before, and now we’ve got one in the family,” Don said during an interview. At the 2021 World Championships, Stoddard was a member of the 3,000-meter relay team that secured a bronze medal.
MURPHY
Stream shows at no charge
Legrity is a new free streaming service available to 322 million households via apps and 4.1 billion worldwide on the web with reach to 213 countries. The network streams empowering, educating and entertaining original shows, with soon-to-be available “live interactive TV.”
Since June 1, 2021, the Legrity network has been streaming and on boarding half-hour television shows. One of the five co-founders of the network, Leslie Klein, lives part time in Murphy.
Viewers can watch exclusive shows on www.legrity.tv from their computers and can find the free app on AppleTV, GoogleTV, Roku and Amazon FireTV, as well as on smart TVs and mobile devices. Legrity.TV’s mission is to connect people to unique original content with empowering, educational and entertaining programs.
Public Meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
From staff, Carolina Journal and The Capital Square reports.