Quick Reads

  • Chad Simons/Contributing Photographer  The Sharpe family from England first visited Murphy in 2019, falling in love with the flowers as well as the town. They recently visited again and would like to move to Murphy one day. From left are Kate Sharpe, Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, Jude Sharpe, Fleur Sharpe and Brandon Sharpe.
    Chad Simons/Contributing Photographer  The Sharpe family from England first visited Murphy in 2019, falling in love with the flowers as well as the town. They recently visited again and would like to move to Murphy one day. From left are Kate Sharpe, Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, Jude Sharpe, Fleur Sharpe and Brandon Sharpe.
  • Shelley Dietrich/Contributing Photographer The Teamsters overwhelmingly ratified a five-year deal with UPS on Aug. 23, putting an end to the threat of a strike that would have impacted Cherokee County. The union said 86 percent of members voted for the five-year contract, which will be in effect retroactive to Aug. 1, with 58 percent of members participating in the vote. The union achieved many key negotiating goals, according to national news reports – including across-the-board pay raises of $2.75 an hour
    Shelley Dietrich/Contributing Photographer The Teamsters overwhelmingly ratified a five-year deal with UPS on Aug. 23, putting an end to the threat of a strike that would have impacted Cherokee County. The union said 86 percent of members voted for the five-year contract, which will be in effect retroactive to Aug. 1, with 58 percent of members participating in the vote. The union achieved many key negotiating goals, according to national news reports – including across-the-board pay raises of $2.75 an hour

    ANDREWS

    Free hearing, vision check

    The Andrews Lions Club and Vaya Health are hosting a free-for-all Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Andrews United Methodist Church, 101 Chestnut St. downtown.

    There will be community resource tables, free immunizations, health screenings for blood pressure and glucose checks, vision and hearing screening, Medicaid information and more at the free event. No registration is required.

    Details: 828-321-5954.

    MURPHY

    Job fair & resources

    The Tri-County NCWorks Career Center is hosting a Back to School Job Fair & Resource Event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today under pavilion 3 at Konehete Veterans Park, 699 Connahetta St.

    Details: 828-837-7407.

    ANDREWS

    Food trucks Friday night

    Food Truck Friday returns to Hall Memorial Park downtown from 5-8 p.m. Friday, with vendors set up on First Street.

    Check out the Andrews Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page for a list of food trucks and vendors. There will be a bouncy house for children. Don’t forget to bring chairs and blankets to enjoy The Gazebo Stage, with entertainment by The Collins Family.

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

    RALEIGH

    Credit union race tightens

    In a highly unusual move, 50 retired members of senior management of State Employees’ Credit Union have voiced public support for three member-nominated candidates – Barbara Perkins, Michael Clements and Chuck Stone – to counter disturbing trends in the direction of SECU and to return the benefits of membership to all members.

    The nominees seek to unseat three incumbent board members. The fiercely contested election is extraordinary for the $50 billion credit union – the second largest credit union in the nation, which has 2.7 million members and branches in all 100 counties of North Carolina, including one in Murphy.

    The challengers disagree with recent board decisions on the direction of the credit union and want to raise interest rates on the Money Market savings account from the current rate of 1 percent to 3-4 percent. They contend the low interest rate offerings resulted in a $4 billion drop in deposit and asset balances over the past year.

    Details: SECUjustasking.com.

    FRANKLIN

    Two split $1 million

    Constance Philpott and Sean Kahoe of Macon County tried their luck on a $10 scratch-off and won a $1 million top prize. They bought their lucky VIP Platinum ticket from N&N Express Mart.

    When they arrived at lottery headquarters last week, they had a decision to make. They could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. They chose to split the lump-sum amount, so they both received $300,000. After required state and federal tax withholdings, each took home $213,751.

    Sales of scratch-off games help the lottery raise $2.5 million a day for education.

    Details: nclottery.com.

    ANDREWS

    Oktoberfest coming soon

    The third annual Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Andrews Chamber of Commerce, is coming to downtown Saturday, Sept. 30.

    Join the throngs of fall festival lovers who will be on hand for Oktoberfest, where open containers are allowed in a specific area. From Main Street, you can see the leaves starting to turn while you shop from local shops and vendors and enjoy some great food, beer and wine.

    There will be a cornhole tournament as well as a Kids Zone to help keep the young’uns entertained.

    Details: visitandrewsnc.com/events.

    ANDREWS

    County fair back in fall

    The Cherokee County Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 13-15, at Andrews Recreation Park, 160 Park St., and tickets are already available.

    Ticket packages for rides include family packs and all-day wristbands. There will be games, competitions, vendors, live music and demonstrations. This year’s theme is “Mountain Grown,” including a look back at farming, agriculture and Native American practices.

    Details: cherokeecountyncfair.org.

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    Public meetings

    THIS WEEK

    • Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at noon today in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
    • 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.

    COMING SOON

    • Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
    • Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
    • Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 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, Oct. 10, in the Culberson Community Center, 4348 N.C. 60.
    • Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
    • Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed

    on the Scout’s Facebook page.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.