Quick Reads for April 1, 2026

  • Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, Andrews Mayor James Reid and Sue Lynn Ledford, now a Cherokee County Board of Commissioners member, were among those in attendance.
    Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, Andrews Mayor James Reid and Sue Lynn Ledford, now a Cherokee County Board of Commissioners member, were among those in attendance.
  • Juneteenth:  Diverse communities gather to dance last year at the Texana Community Center to celebrate Juneteenth. – Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent
    Juneteenth:  Diverse communities gather to dance last year at the Texana Community Center to celebrate Juneteenth. – Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent
  • Heritage Park: A mock-up of the proposed facility will include new restrooms and a concession stand with an area for picnics. The Andrews Board of Aldermen approved the submission of a $117,000 grant proposal. – Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent
    Heritage Park: A mock-up of the proposed facility will include new restrooms and a concession stand with an area for picnics. The Andrews Board of Aldermen approved the submission of a $117,000 grant proposal. – Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent
  • Andrews Mayor James Reid (center) offers manila folders from grants procured for the town by Sara Tatham during her work for the town before Alderman James Mclean (right) made a motion to oust mayor pro tempore Chasity Ledford (left) and replace her with Alderman Heath Woodard. Alderman Ted Paul (far right) voted with Mclean. – Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent
    Andrews Mayor James Reid (center) offers manila folders from grants procured for the town by Sara Tatham during her work for the town before Alderman James Mclean (right) made a motion to oust mayor pro tempore Chasity Ledford (left) and replace her with Alderman Heath Woodard. Alderman Ted Paul (far right) voted with Mclean. – Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent
  • Spuds Shack craft show: Rachelle Castellana (left and her husband, Camillo, own the Outpost Murphy Organic General Store and were among the vendors March 14. She was more than happy to let customers know of the many benefits of organic homemade products, like different tallow salves and lip balms as well as elderberry juice and olive oil. They also offered freeze-dried cat and dog treats. Abigail Ware (right)  was selling her handmade breads and baked goods at the craft show. – Photo by Anngee Quinones-Beli
    Spuds Shack craft show: Rachelle Castellana (left and her husband, Camillo, own the Outpost Murphy Organic General Store and were among the vendors March 14. She was more than happy to let customers know of the many benefits of organic homemade products, like different tallow salves and lip balms as well as elderberry juice and olive oil. They also offered freeze-dried cat and dog treats. Abigail Ware (right)  was selling her handmade breads and baked goods at the craft show. – Photo by Anngee Quinones-Beli

    ANDREWS

    Planning for Heritage Park

    The Andrews Board of Aldermen passed a motion to approve and submit a grant proposal for $117,000 on March 23. 

    The board passed the proposal submission for a Heritage Park restroom and concession building to be built and provided a mock-up of the proposed facility. 

    The facility is sorely needed, according to the board, to keep up with demand from use of the park, and the soccer fields in particular and will be useful in both accommodating crowds and hopefully securing future events. 

    Details: Call town hall at 828-321-5111 or visit andrewsnc.org.

     

    RALEIGH

    Local leaders hit the road  

    Leaders from Cherokee County traveled last week to attend the N.C. Rural Summit, an annual event focused on strengthening rural communities across the state.

    Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, Andrews Mayor James Reid and Sue Lynn Ledford, now a Cherokee County Board of Commissioners member, were among those in attendance.

    The summit, hosted by the N.C. Rural Center, brings together local, state and nonprofit leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges facing rural areas. The event serves as a platform for sharing ideas, building relationships, and identifying funding and policy opportunities that can benefit communities like Murphy and Andrews.

    The Rural Center’s mission is to improve the quality of life in rural North Carolina by supporting economic development, leadership, and access to resources. Much of its work focuses on helping communities compete for funding and building long-term sustainability. This year’s summit speakers included Gov. Josh Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, State Treasurer Brad Briner and State Auditor Dave Boliek.


    MURPHY

    Jail & Bail set May 8  

    The Rotary Club of Murphy announces the return of its crowd favorite annual fundraiser, Jail & Bail, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 8, at Downtown Pizza.

    This high-energy, laughter-filled event brings the community together for a great cause – supporting the club’s Youth Services programs, including Rotary Reads, a local literacy initiative; student scholarships; and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

    Throughout the day, local “suspects” – including the Cherokee Scout, town officials and other familiar faces from around the community – will be “arrested” by members of Murphy Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Once “booked,” each suspect must raise their “bail” to be released. Friends, family, coworkers and friendly rivals can donate to set them free.

    Details: Email Holly Goddard at goddardha2@gmail.


    MURPHY

    Museum sets a reopening  

    The public is invited to the Cherokee County Historical Museum at 87 Peachtree St. downtown from 2-6 p.m. Friday, May 1, for an open house celebration.

    Museum organizers are happy to be celebrating the completion of a large renovation project that expanded into The museum also utilizes the part of the building once occupied by the Murphy Police Department.

    The Carnegie Library Building serves residents and visitors alike as a genealogy research destination as well as a museum. The building opens its full facility to the public for research, education, storytelling and the enjoyment of learning about the region’s rich roots. The museum houses extensive collections and education that tells of Native American heritage as well as early Appalachian life.

    Discover what it was like to live in Cherokee County years ago. See artifacts including textiles, old farming equipment, household items from early settlers, minerals, tools, books and more. See exhibits on the Trail of Tears and the region’s role as the site of Fort Butler.

    The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Enter to the right of the building. 

    Details: Call 828-837-6792.

     

    TEXANA

    Fish fry for Juneteenth  

    The Texana Community Development Club will hold a fish fry fundraiser for its third annual Juneteenth celebration from 6-10 p.m. Friday at the Brasstown Community Center, 255 Settawig Road.

    The event will include live music from The Wildflower Pickers as well as a mix of contra and line dancing. 

    All funds raised will go to support the Juneteenth celebration scheduled for Friday, June 19, and Saturday June 20, at the Texana Community Center. 

    Details: Call Veleda Jackson at 828-361-.7373 or visit facebook.com/wncjuneteenth.


    CHEROKEE COUNTY

    Public meetings

    THIS WEEK

    • Andrews Board of Aldermen will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. today at Andrews Town Hall, 188 Main St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble, to select candidates for consideration as superintendent. Following this meeting, the board will hold its regular April meeting at 5:30 p.m.
    • Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Monday at Murphy Electric Power Board, 107 Peachtree St. downtown. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.


    NEXT WEEK

    • Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
    • Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday, April 13, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
    • Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
    • Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
    • Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session to discuss animal control Monday, April 20, immediately after the 6:30 p.m. meeting.
    • Murphy ABC Board meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the ABC Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.
    • Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
    • Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the Town of Andrews’ Facebook page. There will not be a work session in April.
    • Cherokee County Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble, to go into closed session to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment or conditions of initial appointment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee.
    • Local, state and federal government offices, and the Cherokee Scout, will be closed Monday, May 25, for the Memorial Day holiday. The Scout will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 26.

    Compiled by Publisher David Brown. Staff Correspondent Nicole Wright contributed to this report.