MURPHY
Free dinner for holiday
The Rotary Club of Murphy is sponsoring a Free Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday at Main Street Diner, 85 Hiwassee St. downtown.
Public servants will be served from 10-11 a.m., while the public is invited to come from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can drive through or walk in. Everyone is welcome, and volunteers are appreciated.
Details: Call club President Cecilia Crawford-Faulkner at 828-837-2097 or visit rotaryclubofmurphy.com.
ANDREWS
‘A WW II Christmas’
The holiday season continues in town this weekend, as the ACT2 Players present A WWII Radio Christmas, featuring those days of old radio with plenty of onstage characters gathering around microphones, while providing a glimpse of what life was like before the digital age.
Showtimes for A WWII Radio Christmas are 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10. All performances will be held at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center, 125 Chestnut St. downtown.
Details: facebook.com/ACT2Players.
WASHINGTON
Edwards on money board
U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) has been appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, a rare assignment for a first-term lawmaker.
The House Appropriations Committee is widely considered one of the most influential committees in the House of Representatives, as it holds the power of the purse and is responsible for all congressional expenditures. Its members usually sit on no other committees.
To date, Edwards has served on the House Transportation & Infrastructure, Budget and Oversight & Accountability committees. His appointment comes after the retirement of 10-year U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah), who served on the committee.
The appointment will be ratified by the House Republican Conference and voted on by the House during the week of Nov. 27. Edwards also announced last week that he is running for re-election to Congress.
MURPHY
Adding to a time capsule
The last Art Walk of 2023 will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in historic downtown; shop local from vendors, and enjoy the crisp evening weather with a stroll.
The Murphy Art Center has a new display that will become a time capsule or buried treasure. Come inside the new exhibit and see what treasure lays in store.
Details: ValleyRiverArts.com or 828-360-3038.
RALEIGH
$1.5B for broadband
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband & Digital Equity is developing the initial proposal for how it will use the more than $1.5 billion North Carolina will receive through the federal Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment program to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet, including in Cherokee and surrounding counties.
The draft initial proposal, which is divided into two volumes, has been posted online and is available for public comment via email to NCDITpartnerfeedback@nc.gov until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. After reviewing all comments received and refining the document, the division will submit the initial proposal by Dec. 2.
Details: ncbroadband.gov.
RALEIGH
Broadband expansion
The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s First Responder Emerging Technologies program is inviting state government entities to apply for assistance in funding the expansion of the Public Safety Broadband Network to serve a specific state campus.
Known as FirstNet, the Public Safety Broadband Network is the first nationwide broadband network specifically built for public safety agencies. It allows first responders to maintain communication during disasters and other large-scale events that could disable or disrupt other channels.
NCDIT seeks to fund $2 million in projects that will have the largest impact on extending coverage or enhancing capacity for public safety, and state entities can select state campuses that they consider to be unserved or underserved for evaluation. Applicants must be an entity of North Carolina state government, which includes all state government organizations and the N.C. Community College System.
Details: it.nc.gov.
ASHEVILLE
Dogwood has grant options
The Dogwood Trust’s 2024 Strategic Priority Grant opportunities are available.
This grant opportunity focuses on specific areas within Housing, Education, Economic Opportunity and Health & Wellness strategic priorities. The initial “Engage With Us” phase of this opportunity closes on Jan. 26, 2024.
Details: dogwoodhealthtrust.org.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Local, state and federal government offices, as well as the Cherokee Scout, will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday. The Scout reopens at 9 a.m. Monday.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners is holding a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy, to hear Joe and Jan Griggs’ property tax appeal. No other business will be discussed.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.