Quick Reads

  • Nancy Frahmann/Contributing Photographer This box on the front porch of the Andrews Public Library on Main Street is part of Little Free Library. The concept is take a book, leave a book; it can be used anytime, but especially when the library is closed. Books are for all ages, from kids to novels. The box, which used to hold newspapers, was happily donated by the Cherokee Scout and given new life thanks to the work of Jack Frahmann of Andrews and his grandchildren.
    Nancy Frahmann/Contributing Photographer This box on the front porch of the Andrews Public Library on Main Street is part of Little Free Library. The concept is take a book, leave a book; it can be used anytime, but especially when the library is closed. Books are for all ages, from kids to novels. The box, which used to hold newspapers, was happily donated by the Cherokee Scout and given new life thanks to the work of Jack Frahmann of Andrews and his grandchildren.
  • Electric vehicles have a new place to get re-charged in nearby Blairsville, Ga.
    Electric vehicles have a new place to get re-charged in nearby Blairsville, Ga.
  • The N.C. National Guard opened its new readiness center last week in Morganton.
    The N.C. National Guard opened its new readiness center last week in Morganton.

    ANDREWS

    Blue Stage’s Comedy Night

    Owners David and Patrick Howell are proud to present Andrews’ first comedy night at The Blue Stage.

    Starting at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, the show will be hosted by resident emcee and local comedian Logan Massey. It will feature opening acts Beth Tompkins and Kevin Shockley before headliner Sonya White.

    White is known for her good-ol’ Southern-based humor. Her storytelling has been featured in several nationwide media outlets.

    The Howells are excited to bring comedy to Andrews so people can have a chance to “sit back, laugh out loud and forget about all the cares of the world for a while.” Tickets are available at The Blue Stage, 889 Main St., or thebluestage.com.

    MURPHY

    Food bags for families

    First United Methodist Church of Murphy will be handing out bags of non-perishable food to families with children from 5-6 p.m. Monday.

    The bags will be first-come, first-served, and can be picked up in the church’s parking lot, 73 Valley River Ave. Each bag will contain enough food for several days.

    RALEIGH

    Acting on dam safety

    U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) last week introduced the National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act of 2023, to support dam safety in North Carolina and nationwide.

    U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) are co-leads of the bipartisan bill. U.S. Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are co-leads of the Senate companion bill.

    The National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the National Dam Safety Program – which is set to expire Sept. 30, 2023 – through fiscal year 2028 while maintaining funding at 2022 levels. The program plays a critical role in protecting communities from the effects of dam failure.

    “District 11 is home to more than 750 dams, each of which are vital to flood control, water conservation, irrigation and recreation for western North Carolinians,” Edwards said in a release. “I’m introducing the National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act with my House and Senate colleagues to invest in WNC’s dam safety and keep our citizens safe for years to come.”

    BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.

    EVs can get a charge nearby

    As automakers retool their factories to build electric vehicles, many more EVs will be on the roadways in the next decade. Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. is helping to make sure Georgia is ready with charging infrastructure.

    Blue Ridge Mountain EMC announced Friday that it has installed two fast chargers in downtown Blairsville through a partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, City of Blairsville, Blairsville-Union Chamber of Commerce and Seven States Power Corp. This fast charger installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition, which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

    TVA has brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others to pave the way for more than 200,000 EVs on Tennessee Valley roads by 2028. To learn more about the Fast Charge Network, calculate how much money an EV could save you or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, visit energyright.com/ev.

    ANDREWS

    Food Truck twice month

    Food Truck Friday returns to Hall Park downtown from 5-8 p.m. Friday, and everyone’s invited.

    Check out the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page for a list of food trucks and vendors. Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy The Gazebo Stage, with live entertainment by Sweet N Sourwood Honey.

    Details: 828-321-3584 or visitandrewsnc.com.

    MORGANTON

    Guard opens ready center

    The N.C. National Guard officially opened its doors to a state-of-the-art regional readiness center Friday.

    The new facility will be occupied by the 630th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1451st Transportation Company and 626th Maintenance Company of the 113th Sustainment Brigade, along with the 878th Engineer Company of the 505th Engineer Battalion, 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, enabling training and readiness for years to come. The former National Guard armory in Murphy closed several years ago; today, the building belongs to Cherokee County.

    Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, adjutant general of North Carolina, state Sen. Warren Daniel (District 46) and state Rep. Hugh Blackwell (District 86), all delivered remarks highlighting the history leading up to the project’s completion. The three buildings, totaling 66,000 square feet, stand on the 38-acre plot.

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    Public meetings

    THIS WEEK

    • Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. today at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy.
    • 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. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.

    COMING SOON

    • Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Schools of Innovation & Technology, 4700 U.S. 64 E. Alternate in Peachtree.
    • Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.