MURPHY
Board OKs EMS bump
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved – just barely – an additional $15,525 for Emergency Medical Services Station 1 under construction off Peachtree Street.
Commissioners Jan Griggs and Cal Stiles voted Aug. 7 against the budget revision for the $2.4 million project, which will move EMS Station 1 from an aging garage downtown to a brand new facility near U.S. 19/74.
The extra money was requested to pay for unforeseen modifications, including downspout drains on the building and curbs and gutters along Jackson Street, which winds around behind the new facility. The county also got a $2,000 credit for providing a flagpole, plus a $1,500 credit for eliminating a shop door and door stoop from the plan.
During the public forum portion of the meeting, Tom Hall complained about the extra money and said the project wound up costing a half-million dollars more. He blamed Commissioner Dan Eichenbaum, who was chair of the board when the project was approved.
Griggs said she did not vote for the project to begin with and that the extra money requested should be absorbed by the contracted budget. Board Chair Cal Stiles also opposed the additional expenses.
Commissioners Ben Adams, Eichenbaum and Randy Phillips voted for it. Adams said the additions address safety issues and avoid possible lawsuits.
The board unanimously approved use of sales tax revenues to pay for automated external defibrillators for Cherokee County Schools at a cost of $6,626 and playground repairs at Ranger Elementary/Middle School at a cost of $11,877. The board also unanimously approved $17,597 in additional costs for work on the Joanna Bald radio tower off of Tatham Gap Road that emergency service responders use for communications.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Cities get bike grant
Andrews and Murphy are among a dozen North Carolina municipalities that will receive assistance with bicycle and pedestrian plans, thanks to grants awarded recently by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
The DOT Multimodal Planning Grant program helps North Carolina communities develop a comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle, pedestrian and public transit facilities, as well as improve the safety of the state’s transportation network. The program and grants are paid for through state funds, as well as federal planning and research funds.
To use the money, Andrews and Murphy are working on joint bicycle/pedestrian plan. So far this year, the grant program has awarded about $8.7 million to fund plans for 260 North Carolina municipalities and six counties.
Details: ncdot.gov/divisions/integrated-mobility/multimodal-planning/Pages/default.aspx.
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.
Seismic-like event occurs
A seismic-like event – likely not an earthquake – was recorded less than 12 miles south of Murphy, N.C., in nearby Union County at 8:43 p.m. Aug. 9.
Volcanodiscovery.com reported that very weak shaking, rattling and vibrating took place for several minutes, according to one user of the website, while moderate rain was falling at the same time. The depth was unconfirmed but estimated at about 6 miles.
“Setting in chair with feet on floor,” the user said. “Could feel vibration or like trembling under feet.”
The last reported quake in Cherokee County, N.C., took place on Aug. 1, 2009, registering a 3.2 on the Richter scale, according to volcanodiscovery.com. A 2.8 quake occurred on July 5, 1996, while one registering 2.5 occurred on March 12, 2015.
RANGER
County board meeting club
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will meet with the Cherokee County Saddle Club at 4:30 p.m. today at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds/Mountain Folk Center, which is just off of U.S. 64 West at 255 Fair Grounds Circle.
The purpose of the meeting will be to walk the grounds, discuss current issues affecting the horse arena and talk about future needs of the Saddle Club. It is open to the public.
MARBLE
Meeting with former chief
Former Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks, who is again running for the seat, will be in Cherokee County at 5:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss the upcoming election.
The meet and greet will be held at Cherokee County Indian Community Center, 300 Airport Road. Everyone is invited to stop by.
PEACHTREE
New school open house
You’re invited to attend an open house from 5-6:30 p.m. Monday for the brand-new Schools of Innovation & Technology, 4700 U.S. 64 E. Alternate.
The new school includes Tri-County Early College High School, The Oaks Academy alternative school and the new Career Academy vocational school, which students from Andrews, Hiwassee Dam and Murphy high schools can also take classes. This is the first time the Early College and The Oaks have ever had a new building, and it brings back Cherokee County Schools’ vocational training.
In addition to the open house, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Schools of Innovation. Both events are open to the public.
Details: 828-837-6775, tcec.cherokee.k12.nc.us, toa.cherokee.k12.nc.us.
ANDREWS
Comedy hits Blue Stage
Owners David and Patrick Howell are proud to present the first comedy night on The Blue Stage at 8 p.m. Friday.
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 good-ol’ Southern-based humor. Her storytelling has been featured in several nationwide media outlets.
Tickets are available at The Blue Stage, 889 Main St. downtown, or via thebluestage.com.
PEACHTREE
Chamber sets annual meet
The annual dinner meeting for the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce will he held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, at McGuire’s Millrace Farm, 600 Hendrix Road. The dress code is to “cowboy or cowgirl it up with your best duds.”
There will be appetizers and drinks while networking at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner of homemade fried chicken or slow-cooked brisket, creamy mashed potatoes, buttermilk Southern fried okra, squash casserole and Miss Linda’s savory yeast rolls at 6:30 p.m. There will be door prizes, awards will be given out and the keynote speaker is state Treasurer Dale Folwell.
Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at the chamber office, 805 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy, or online at business.cherokeecountychamber.com/events/details/annual-member-dinner-meeting-for-cherokee-county-chamber-of-commerce-38939.
RALEIGH
Take digital equity survey
Gov. Roy Cooper is urging the public to participate in the state’s first Digital Equity Survey by Aug. 31 to share their needs for digital skills to safely access the internet.
Responses from people across North Carolina will be used to help ensure the state’s Digital Equity Plan best meets the needs of all North Carolinians. Organizations that provide digital equity resources are also asked to respond to the state’s Asset Inventory Survey on available resources to support digital equity and literacy needs.
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Office of Digital Equity & Literacy created the surveys in collaboration with the Friday Institute at N.C. State University as part of its work to close the digital divide. The Digital Equity Survey can be taken online at go.ncsu.edu/DESurvey for users with internet access or can be accessed as paper form at ncbroadband.gov/digitalequity.
RALEIGH
Replacing the poles
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband & Digital Equity seeks public review and commentary on guidance posted today for its upcoming Broadband Pole Replacement Program as part of ongoing efforts to connect more North Carolinians with high-speed internet.
The Broadband Pole Replacement program was established with $100 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to quickly facilitate the deployment of high-speed internet service to households, businesses, agricultural operations and community anchor institutions in unserved areas. Broadband providers deploy infrastructure in remote areas by attaching fiber and other communications assets to utility poles. When utility poles lack space for additional attachments, a pole replacement is required to accommodate the new infrastructure attachments.
The draft Broadband Pole Replacement program guidance will be available on the division’s website at ncbroadband.gov/grants/polereplacement through Sept. 7. Feedback may be emailed to NCDITpartnerfeedback@nc.gov. All comments will be reviewed prior to issuance of the guidance.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 4:30 p.m. today at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds/Mountain Folk Center, 255 Fair Grounds Circle in Ranger.
- Nantahala Regional Library Board of Trustees meets at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Moss Memorial Library, 26 Anderson St. in downtown Hayesville.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Cherokee County Planning Board will meet Monday night immediately following the board of commissioner’s regular meeting in the same place.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and Editor Randy Foster.