Quick Reads

  • Traci Kuykendall/Contributing Photographer From their back deck, a local resident recently captured this plane landing safely in Hiwassee Lake and posted it on the Murphy, NC Our Hometown Facebook page.
    Traci Kuykendall/Contributing Photographer From their back deck, a local resident recently captured this plane landing safely in Hiwassee Lake and posted it on the Murphy, NC Our Hometown Facebook page.
  • A total of 25 residents of Cherokee County have received a new Chromebook, charger, manual and training on how to use it, free of charge.
    A total of 25 residents of Cherokee County have received a new Chromebook, charger, manual and training on how to use it, free of charge.
  • U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has been appointed to the House Budget Committee’s Oversight Task Force.
    U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has been appointed to the House Budget Committee’s Oversight Task Force.

    MURPHY

    ‘Pond Water’ suspenseful

    Local resident Brenda Biddix has released her first new novel in 13 years, Pond Water. Written with co-author Rian Mileti, “the suspense will make it hard to put down,” she told the Cherokee Scout.

    Two book signings are planned for Pond Water:

    • at the Murphy Public Library, 9 Blumenthal St., from 4-6 p.m. Monday;
    • at Jan’s Needful Things, 65 Tennessee St., from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, during the Art Walk.

    CHEROKEE COUNTY

    25 get new Chromebooks

    A total of 25 residents of Cherokee County have received a new Chromebook, charger, manual and training on how to use it, free of charge.

    The program is run through Cherokee County Cooperative Extension, with assistance from the N.C., Department of Health & Human Services and paid for via a grant from the Center for Digital Equity in Charlotte, with funding from Queens University.

    “I’m beyond excited,” Tyler Anderson of the local Extension office told the Cherokee Scout. “This gives us the resources to help even more people.”

    The 25 residents, who are mostly senior citizens without computer experience, came from across the county. The last training class was held Thursday.

    MURPHY

    Book covers Polk politics

    Local author Tyler Boyd has released a new book, The Biggs Machine: Old Time Politics in Polk County, Tennessee, and will hold a book signing from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Cherokee County Historical Museum, 87 Peachtree St. downtown.

    The Biggs Machine tells the story of Sheriff Burch Biggs, his corrupt empire and how it all came crashing down following World War II. Extensively researched, including interviews with local residents who lived during the Biggs regime, this is a true story of how absolute power corrupts absolutely and is a cautionary tale to prevent history from repeating itself, according to a release.

    There are strong Cherokee County connections in this book. It also features issues the country has been debating over the past several years, including police brutality and election fraud.

    WASHINGTON

    Edwards on fiscal board

    U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.), who represents Cherokee and surrounding counties, announced last week that he has been appointed to the House Budget Committee’s Oversight Task Force to “help bring more fiscal accountability, transparency and integrity to the federal government,” according to a release.

    “There is no greater threat to America’s sovereignty than the $33 trillion of debt that we’ve thrown onto our children and grandchildren,” Edwards said in the release.

    “Washington’s irresponsible spending of Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars is jeopardizing our nation’s
    security. It simply has to stop.”

    MURPHY

    Anniversary at Art Walk

    The Murphy Art Center is putting on a show from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, for the Valley River Arts Guild’s monthly Art Walk.

    Watch wood become art from a chainsaw in the hands of artist Chris Gagnon of The Bear Factory. Listen to Southern rock with a touch of blues from Cletus Way, and get to know your neighbors.

    In addition, at the same time a first anniversary celebration is planned at The Mac, 12 Peachtree St. downtown. Celebrate the anniversary of the first year at the MAC’s new location as well as the unveiling of “The Vault,” a time capsule of local artwork. Toast local artists with a glass of champagne or wine.

    Details: ValleyRiverArts.com, vraginc@gmail.com, 828-360-3038.

    RALEIGH

    Cooper sues on elections

    Gov. Roy Cooper last week sued Republican legislative leaders, saying their changes to the State Board of Elections and county boards of elections clearly violate the separation of powers established in the N.C. Constitution. 

    The changes were a part of Senate Bill 749, which would gridlock North Carolina elections and violate the separation of powers, according to the lawsuit filed in Wake County Superior Court.

    The bill, which Cooper vetoed, would establish an eight-member State Board and four-member county boards, with all members appointed by the General Assembly and an even partisan split. The current State Board has five members appointed by the Governor, with at least two members from each major political party, and has successfully implemented fair elections in each cycle.

    In 2018, the N.C. Supreme Court rejected the attempt by legislative Republicans to create an eight-member, evenly divided State Board of Elections. Following that loss, Republicans tried to amend the Constitution to do the same thing; however, it was soundly rejected by voters with 61 percent of the vote.

    “The deadlocks that will be created on these new Boards of Elections at the state and local levels likely will reduce early voting and create longer lines at the polls. It will also undermine fair elections and faith in our democracy by sending disputes to our highly partisan legislature and courts,” Cooper said in a release. “Both the courts and the people have rejected this bad idea, and the meaning of our Constitution doesn’t change just because the Supreme Court has new justices.”

    LOCAL GOVERNMENT

    Public meetings

    THIS WEEK

    • No public meetings are scheduled.

    COMING SOON

    • Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, 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, Nov. 6, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
    • Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
    • Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at noon Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
    • Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 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, Nov. 20, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
    • Local, state and federal government offices, as well as the Cherokee Scout, will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23-24, for the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown.