Quick Reads

  • Photos by Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Clerk of Court Roger Gibson (left) administers the oath of office to board members as Director of Elections Leighsa Jones (foreground) holds a Bible at the Cherokee County Board of Elections office in downtown Murphy on July 18. Taking the oath are (from left) Shelley Debty, Craig Allen, Sandy Solesbee and Charles Hoesch.
    Photos by Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Clerk of Court Roger Gibson (left) administers the oath of office to board members as Director of Elections Leighsa Jones (foreground) holds a Bible at the Cherokee County Board of Elections office in downtown Murphy on July 18. Taking the oath are (from left) Shelley Debty, Craig Allen, Sandy Solesbee and Charles Hoesch.
  • Board of Elections Chair Gary Kilpatrick (left) takes the oat of office over a Bible held by Director of Elections Leighsa Jones and administered by Cherokee County Clerk of Court Roger Gibson at the Board of Elections offices in Murphy on July 18.
    Board of Elections Chair Gary Kilpatrick (left) takes the oat of office over a Bible held by Director of Elections Leighsa Jones and administered by Cherokee County Clerk of Court Roger Gibson at the Board of Elections offices in Murphy on July 18.
  • The Cherokee County Board of Education met on July 20 at the Schools of Innovation & Technology in Peachtree. It was the first time the board met at the new school, which becomes operational in time for the 2023-24 year.
    The Cherokee County Board of Education met on July 20 at the Schools of Innovation & Technology in Peachtree. It was the first time the board met at the new school, which becomes operational in time for the 2023-24 year.

    MURPHY

    See ‘Sound of Freedom’

    Everyone is invited to watch the movie Sound of Freedom at 7 p.m. Thursday in the historic Henn Theatre downtown free of charge.

    Sound of Freedom (rated PG-13) is an “incredible movie that I know will bless you,” said Mary Mason, whose ministry bought every seat at that showing so cost would not stand in the way of local residents seeing the film on the big screen.

    “It will reach into the depths of your heart, bringing both joy and tears,” Mason said. “This true story displays supernatural courage in the face of one of the most hideous of all evils – child predators selling and raping children.

    “Once you see this movie, you can’t unsee it. Sound of Freedom isn’t just a movie, it’s a movement. Let’s save the children,” Mason added, before quoting Matthew 25:40: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

    ANDREWS

    Food Truck Friday set

    The Food Truck Friday Summer Series returns to Harold H. Hall Memorial Park on First Street downtown from 5-8 p.m. Friday.

    Check out the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page for a list of food trucks and vendors. Bring chairs and blankets to sit on, and enjoy Trae Carlton performing live on The Gazebo Stage. Details: visitandrewsnc.com.

    MURPHY

    Rep’s mobile office coming

    U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) is bringing his mobile office, the Carolina Cruiser, to downtown this week.

    From 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Cruiser will be in front of the L&N Depot, 4 Railroad St. downtown. Edwards’ staff will be ready to meet with constituents and assist with casework.

    MURPHY

    Church hosts clothes event

    MountainView Community Church and Garden 58 Revolving Door Ministries are presenting a Dignity Clothing Awareness Event from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in the church’s fellowship hall, 169 Smith Hollow Road.

    Everyone is invited to shop – it costs just $5 per bag to fill with clothes and other items – and learn more about the upcoming Garden 58 women’s transition home, which will provide “healing, support and opportunities for women,” according to organizers of the event. Details: Email Diane Williams at lindadwms@gmail.com.

    PEACHTREE

    Cut ribbon for school

    Cherokee County Schools will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the new Schools of Innovation & Technology on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

    The ribbon cutting is at 5:30 p.m., while the open house will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The board of education held its monthly meeting at the new school campus on July 20, the first time that has happened.

    Old modular units that once housed Tri-County Early College High School, which is moving into the new campus, will be donated to Tri-County Community College for educational purposes. There are two units, one configured as classrooms and the other configured as a cafeteria.

    MURPHY

    Boat ramp water issues

    The boat ramp off of Hiwassee Street downtown continues to be too polluted for swimming or even wading, according to MountainTrue West’s water quality monitors.

    Western Regional Director Callie Moore said E. coli contamination at the boat ramp stems from people feeding ducks and Canada geese at the facility, with their droppings polluting the water.

    “E. coli is an indicator species for other pathogens that are harmful to human health,” she said. “Most strains of E. coli are beneficial, but since they are found in the waste of warm-blooded animals and are relatively easy to sample, we use them to alert us to waste in the water (or on food), which could contain a whole host of other bacteria and viruses that could make us sick.”

    The summertime samplings are posted weekly online at theswimguide.org/affiliates/mountaintrue-west.

    CHEROKEE COUNTY

    Bleachers’ inspection

    Bleachers at 20 school locations throughout Cherokee County will be inspected and serviced as part of a $10,325 contract with Seating Safety Solutions based in Liberty.

    The process includes seating at all football, baseball and softball fields, track facilities and gymnasiums. The company will inspect the bleachers; tighten, secure and adjust anything needing it, plus lubricate where needed. Anything requiring more involved repairs will be quoted separately.

    A similar inspection at Robbinsville High School revealed safety issues with its home side stadium seating, leaving Graham County officials scrambling to remove the old seating and install new seating in time for the football season.

    The Cherokee County Board of Education also entered into a $24,997 agreement to service boilers throughout the district on July 20.

    CHEROKEE COUNTY

    Realtors’ pet drive

    The Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors is holding a Pet Drive to support local animals in need.

    Participating offices will be collecting animal food, treats, toys, beds and cleaning supplies. Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.

    The drive runs through Friday, Aug. 18. Items can be dropped off at:

    • Adventure Realty in Murphy.
    • Appalachian Land Co. in Ranger.
    • BIG Realty in Murphy.
    • Mountain Lakes Board of Realtors office in Murphy.
    • Old Town Brokers in Andrews.
    • ReMax Mountain Properties, Poltrock office, in Murphy.
    • ReMax Town & Country, Srabian office, in Murphy.

    CORRECTION

    The article, “ ‘No’ to new county animal control ordinance,” that started on page 1A in the July 19 edition of the Cherokee Scout should have said that the proposed ordinance was opposed by three of the five members on the board of commissioners, with a fourth board member, Ben Adams, expressing reservations about the proposal. The votes taken were whether to keep the ordinance on the agenda, which passed 3-2; and whether to shelve the plan, which failed on another 3-2 vote.

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    Public meetings

    THIS WEEK

    • Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2:30 p.m. today to discuss tourism grant applications in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Equalization & Review will hold a special called meeting at 5:30 p.m. today in the commissioner’s boardroom at the Cherokee County Courthouse. The purpose is to avoid a conflict of interest with the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners to conduct subsequent business to hear a timely filed appeal.
    • Andrews Board of Aldermen meets for a work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.

    COMING SOON

    • Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Planning Board meets Monday, Aug. 7, after the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting.
    • Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County NASA Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Unaka Community Center, 14945 Joe Brown Highway.
    • Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
    • Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
    • Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
    • Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.