MURPHY
Christmas parade set
The annual Murphy Christmas Parade is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday in the usual route from the Valley Village Shopping Center on Andrews Road to Valley River Avenue and into downtown.
Candy will be thrown from the entrants, so please keep children safe. If you can’t make it in person, the Cherokee Scout will be live-streaming the event on Facebook Live, with Publisher David Brown and Murphy Cable TV’s Sherry Raines calling it as they see it.
Details: Call Murphy Downtown Development Director Laura Lachance at 828-837-2510, Ext. 6, or email downtowndirector@townofmurphync.com.
MURPHY
Light tree at Art Walk
The last Art Walk of 2023 will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday in historic downtown; shop local from vendors, listen to live music and enjoy the fall weather.
During the event, the annual Murphy Christmas Tree Lighting will be held from 6-7 p.m.
This one will be extra special at the Murphy Art Center, 12 Peachtree St., which recently celebrated one year as its downtown location. Find out more about the Valley River Arts Guild’s Buried Treasure fundraiser by reading the guest column on page 5A.
Details: ValleyRiverArts.com or 828-360-3038.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Angel Tree is underway
The 32nd annual Angel Tree Project is underway.
These angels are specific to Cherokee County foster children for Christmas gifts. Every gift goes directly to the child listed on the card. There is no budget to purchase Christmas gifts for foster children, so this is their only means of having a wonderful childhood Christmas memory.
Angels are located in the following local businesses:
- In Andrews: Walgreens drugstore.
- In Marble: Mountain Credit Union.
- In Murphy: BP of Murphy, Burke’s Outlet, Cherokee Cellars, Cherokee County Courthouse, Walgreens, Walmart.
- In Peachtree: Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital, Julie’s Place Restaurant.
The deadline to return an unwrapped gift to one of these locations is Sunday, Dec. 10. Details: Call Andria Duncan at 828-837-7745, Ext. 255, or visit Angel Tree Project on Facebook.
MURPHY
Filing for elections
Voters across North Carolina soon will learn the candidates who will vie for their votes in 2024, as filing for most contests in upcoming elections begins at noon Monday, Dec. 4, and ends at noon Friday, Dec. 15.
Depending on the office sought, local candidates will file their Notice of Candidacy and pay their filing fees at the Cherokee County Board of Elections, 40 Peachtree St. downtown. The 2024 primary election is Tuesday March 5. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Before filing, candidates should review the Filing for Candidacy page at NCSBE.gov for information on requirements, filing fees and more. The deadline to withdraw a notice of candidacy is Tuesday, Dec. 12.
Seats on the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners and Cherokee County Board of Education will be on ballots in 2024.
Details: Call the Cherokee County Board of Elections, 828-837-6670.
RALEIGH
State saves area farms
The N.C. Agricultural Development & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recently awarded more than $15 million to protect working farms and forests, support county farmland preservation efforts and promote agricultural enterprises.
More than $12.8 million went toward securing 46 agricultural conservation easements on 5,000 acres of land across the state. These family farms will be permanently protected from development, becoming North Carolina Forever Farms.
“These grants are instrumental in preserving our precious farmland, a resource critical to producing food and fiber today and in the future, and a vital part of our state’s heritage and economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said.
Mainspring Conservation Trust received four grants totaling $835,362.50 to protect 196 acres of working land on four farms in Cherokee and Jackson counties.
MURPHY
Photos help Bigs, Littles
Capture the magic of the season at Christmas Mini’s – with or without Santa – from 2:30-6:30 p.m. Friday at the Big Brothers Big Sisters office, 429 Hill St.
The event is free, but donations are welcome. Book a 10-minute slot, create cherished holiday memories and support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cherokee County.
Details: Call 828-361-0989 or email cherokee@bbbswnc.org.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday 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 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 in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St. in downtown Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.