MURPHY
Road closed for a bridge
Bell Hill Road will be closed to all traffic from the intersection with Sunny Point Road to the intersection with Wright Road starting Wednesday, Jan. 19.
The closure is necessary in order to replace the bridge on this stretch of road, according to a release from the N.C. Department of Transportation. Bell Hill Road is expected to reopen no later than May 27.
The detour routes for local northbound traffic is to continue east on U.S. 64 to the intersection with N.C. 294. Continue to the intersection with Sunny Point Road. Barricades will be set up in multiple locations.
ANDREWS
Fire returns to the Valley
The song says some like it hot and some sweat when the heat is on, but you can get both during the annual Fire in the Valley Chili Cook-off from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Building downtown.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620 sponsors the event, which this year will include the Cherokee County Beard & Mustache Contest. You can sign up as a cooker, a vendor or just taste all the competitors’ chili then vote for your favorite.
Admission is $5, and there is a $20 entry fee. Proceeds from the chili cookout will help the VFW provide services to local veterans. The beard and mustache contest will benefit the Valleytown Cultural Arts & Historical Society. See the Facebook page for details.
MURPHY
Folk school’s shop to open
Olive’s Porch, a new experience from John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, is opening this spring downtown,
Named after the school’s co-founder, Olive Dame Campbell, the location at 27 Peachtree St. features classroom space, a retail shop showcasing the work of Appalachian artists and a studio space dedicated to the Artist in Residence Program. Created by feedback from community listening sessions, and building on the spirit of our Fall Festival, Olive’s Porch offers a way to celebrate Appalachian heritage all year long, according to a release.
Olive’s Porch will host hands-on workshops for youth and adults on evenings and weekends, emphasizing traditional Appalachian craft, music and dance. A variety of discussions, demonstrations, artist markets, seasonal programs for school-age youth and other community-focused events will be presented year-round.
In addition, Olive’s Porch will work alongside other non-profits, organizations, and area schools to bring new learning opportunities directly to Cherokee and surrounding counties. For details, visit folkschool.org.
HAYESVILLE
Wintery mix brings snow
Those wishing for a white Christmas may not have gotten their wish for 2021, but 2022 blew in with high winds and precipitation. Many residents of Cherokee and Clay counties woke up Jan. 3 to snow on the ground.
On social media, some people reported a “dusting” of snowflakes, while others said they received 2 inches or more. Just a few miles from those who had a light blanket of the white stuff, other residents said they received no snow at all.
High winds that accompanied the cold front created power outages around the area. Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. Director of Communications Kelly Crawford said the company began experiencing power outages at midnight,
Clay County had 1,033 members lose power, while 13.43 percent of members lost power throughout Blue Ridge Mountain EMC’s coverage area, Crawford said. There were 12 broken power poles throughout in the system, but all power was restored by 11:30 p.m.
ASHEVILLE
Trust fund fights drugs
The Dogwood Health Trust has announced a second round of funding for opioid-related collaborative planning grants available to counties, municipalities or the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Dogwood’s 18-county service region in western North Carolina, which includes Cherokee County.
The request for proposals is posted on Dogwood’s website and must be received by 5 p.m. Feb. 14. Award notifications will be made by the end of April.
Dogwood also announced nearly $2.7 million in funding from its first round of opioid-related collaborative planning grants. Buncombe, Graham, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey counties all received a grant to assist with planning and preparing to use the funding that is expected to be distributed from the state as a result of the national opioid settlement.
Each opioid planning grant provides up to $300,000 per year for up to two years to support collaborative planning projects between counties, municipalities, or tribal nations and 501(c)3 organizations and other community partners.
RUTHERFORD
Trooper dies at traffic stop
A preliminary investigation has revealed that at 8:58 p.m. Jan. 3, a member of the N.C. Highway Patrol was struck by a responding patrol member during a traffic stop at High Shoals Church Road and Goodes Grove Church Road. The two involved troopers are brothers.
Trooper James N. Horton was responding to assist with a traffic stop being conducted by Trooper John S. Horton when Trooper James Horton lost control of his vehicle upon approaching the traffic stop, according to a release. Trooper James Horton collided with the stationary patrol vehicle, then subsequently struck Trooper John Horton and the detained driver as they were standing along the roadside.
John Horton, a 15-year veteran assigned to Rutherford County, was taken to a Spartanburg, S.C., hospital where he died of his injuries. Trooper James Horton was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and has since been released.
The detained driver, who has yet to be identified, was pronounced deceased at the scene. “Our hearts are broken with the loss of our friend and our brother, Trooper John Horton,” said Col. Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the Highway Patrol.
CHEROKEE
Casinos have growing year
Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos had an astounding year of growth in 2021, but amid its ongoing changes, the company remained firm in its long-standing commitment to empowering team members and leaving a positive impact on its local communities.
The year “2021 was a very exciting year for us as we introduced many new amenities and services at each property, however our greatest accomplishments will always be the work that we do to serve others,” Brooks Robinson, regional senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos, said in a release. “We are committed to helping build strong North Carolina communities, and I could not be prouder of the great work we accomplished this past year.”
The company’s economic and community impact for 2021 include:
- More than 29,000 volunteer hours were logged by team members and their families with local nonprofit organizations.
- More than $270,000 in cash and services was awarded to local nonprofit organizations through sponsorship donations.
- More than $163 million in salary, wages and benefits were earned for its 3,700 team members.
- More than $38 million paid for contracts and services in addition to contracting 49,000 area hotel rooms to help accommodate guests.
CHEROKEE
Bradley on state board
Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed Vickie Lambert Bradley of Cherokee as an at-large member of the N.C. Institute of Medicine.
Bradley is secretary of public health and human services for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, where she is also a member. She has worked in health care for 30 years and has worked in Tribal Public Health for the last 18 years.
Bradley focuses on improving population health by building and sustaining quality, best practice standards, according to a release.
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 downtown Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
- All local, state and federal government offices will be closed Monday for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. A public hearing will also be held to receive comments on a proposed noise ordinance.
COMING SOON
- The Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
From staff and The Capital Square reports.