Quick Reads

  • David Brown/dbrown@cherokeescout.com N.C. Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) spoke before the Rotary Club of Murphy on Sept. 25 about positive developments for Cherokee and surrounding counties in the state’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget, which was approved the week before by the General Assembly. Read more in the Sept. 27 edition of the Cherokee Scout.
    David Brown/dbrown@cherokeescout.com N.C. Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) spoke before the Rotary Club of Murphy on Sept. 25 about positive developments for Cherokee and surrounding counties in the state’s 2023-24 fiscal year budget, which was approved the week before by the General Assembly. Read more in the Sept. 27 edition of the Cherokee Scout.
  • Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent Local singer/songwriter Christopher Blaylock performs during an art benefit sale for artist Tom Vogler, director of the Andrews Art Museum, on Sept. 24 at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center in downtown Andrews. Donations from other artists were for sale to help offset Vogler’s medical bills from a heart attack he suffered in spring. Pieces are still available for purchase, and donations can still be made, by calling 828-321-5956. Read more in the Sept. 27 edition of the Ch
    Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent Local singer/songwriter Christopher Blaylock performs during an art benefit sale for artist Tom Vogler, director of the Andrews Art Museum, on Sept. 24 at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center in downtown Andrews. Donations from other artists were for sale to help offset Vogler’s medical bills from a heart attack he suffered in spring. Pieces are still available for purchase, and donations can still be made, by calling 828-321-5956. Read more in the Sept. 27 edition of the Ch

    MURPHY

    ‘Paint the Town Fall’

    From noon-4 p.m. Saturday, come to downtown to paint a fall scene on a designated 24-inch by 18-inch section of a store window for free.

    Registration is open to all ages and will be held on the day of the event. Register and pick up paint supplies at the Fain Alley off of Valley River Avenue. There will be prizes for best paintings.

    Details: Laura Lachance, 828-837-2510, Ext. 6.

    CHEROKEE COUNTY

    O-positive blood low

    Blood Assurance’s supply of O-positive blood is critically low. As of Thursday afternoon, the company had only 110 units, a half-day supply, on hand. That’s 600 units short of  what it should be, according to a release.

    O-positive is the most common blood type, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the U.S. population, and is always in high demand from area hospitals. Donors are urged to schedule an appointment at bloodassurance.org/schedule or walk in to any donation center or mobile blood drive.

    Several blood drives are being planned in Cherokee and surrounding counties:

    • Walmart in Blue Ridge, Ga., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
    • Harrah’s Cherokee River Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13.
    • Union General Hospital in Blairsville, Ga., from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13.
    • Walmart in Blairsville, Ga., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14.

    WASHINGTON

    Bill grows Corridor K

    U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has introduced a bill to expand the mileage of Corridor K in western North Carolina by 15 miles under the Appalachian Development Highway System to accommodate changes in the original route so that the entire new route is eligible for ADHS-specific federal funding.

    U.S. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is leading the Senate companion bill, according to a release from Edwards.

    The original Corridor K route, on which the ADHS mileage was based, would have uprooted the local environment and run directly through the historic Trail of Tears. The new Corridor K route runs along pre-existing highway and exceeds the ADHS-designated mileage under the Appalachian Regional Development
    Act of 1965 by nine miles. The extra miles are ineligible for ADHS-specific federal funding, which equates to $89 million in unfunded miles.

    By expanding the mileage of the ADHS specifically for Corridor K, this legislation will make sure the entire Corridor K is eligible for federal funding and support growth and economic development in the area.

    “The ADHS was created to spark economic development in rural Appalachia, and WNC deserves to reap the full benefits of that corridor designation to increase mobility and grow our westernmost counties’ economies for years to come,” Edwards said.

    MURPHY

    Art Walk set Friday

    The Valley River Arts Guild will present the Murphy Art Walk from 5-8 p.m. Friday, with dozens of arts and crafts vendors and musicians flocking to downtown to showcase their art, perform music and have a good time.

    Everyone is invited to attend the free event. For more, read the letter to the editor on page 5A.

    Details: 828-360-3038, valleyriverarts.com.

    ASHEVILLE

    Dogwood Trust meets

    The Dogwood Trust’s 2023 Virtual Annual Community Meeting will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18.

    “Our team enjoys the opportunities to connect with organizations serving western North Carolina and is always available to talk with our partners and community members,” Susan Mims of Dogwood said in a release. “Your voice is important.”

    Register or submit at question in advance at dogwoodhealthtrust.org/annual-meeting.

    MURPHY

    Meeting set on homeless

    Members of the community are invited to attend a meeting addressing homelessness at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The Rock Gym, 695 Connahetta St.

    According to a release, this meeting aims to bring together individuals who care deeply about this issue and want to make a positive impact. Attendees will discuss the current state of homelessness, share insights and brainstorm potential initiatives.

    This meeting is not organized by any governmental agency, although Cherokee County Commissioner Ben Adams is involved.

    WARNE

    A winning lotto ticket

    Dewayne Townsend of Canton, Ga., said he can pay off his house and retire a lot sooner after winning the first $200,000 prize in the Carolina Panthers scratch-off game.

    “It makes me feel good. Real good,” Townsend said in a release. “It will make life so much easier for me now.”

    Townsend bought his lucky $5 scratch-off from Kwik Stop on Old Highway 64 West in Warne. He said he works near the state line and enjoys buying scratch-offs in North Carolina.

    “I have worked since I was probably 14 years old,” he said. “I’m 60 years old now, and it is going to help me retire a whole lot sooner now.”

    He arrived at lottery headquarters Thursday to claim his prize and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $142,501.

    Video of picking up winnings: youtube.com/watch?v=GqjdbnlZIH0.

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    Public meetings

    THIS WEEK

    • Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
    • 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 Needs & Advisory Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Culberson Community Center, 4348 N.C. 60.

    COMING SOON

    • 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.
    • Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at noon Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
    • Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy. It will be recorded for the Scout’s Facebook page.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.