MURPHY
Seeking state campground
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has asked the federal government to relinquish some of its land around Hiwassee Lake so it can become a state park.
The resolution calls for the federal government to relinquish lands of “sufficient quantity and access at or near Hiwassee Lake in Cherokee County to the State of North Carolina’s and that such lands be designated by the state for a state park.”
The resolution also calls on the governor and legislature to support the local legislative delegation in making authorization and appropriations needed to establish the park. Gorges State Park in Transylvania County is the state’s westernmost state park.
Nantahala National Forest operates Hanging Dog Recreation Area, with biking, hiking, picnicking, and hunting, fishing and shooting, along with a boat ramp. Camping is no longer allowed at the venue, however, and restrooms and water are not available.
Cherokee County has previously sought a state park, but a lack of available land has been a primary obstacle.
MURPHY
Board won’t hear schools
Agenda modifications aren’t normally controversial at Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meetings, but one was at the board’s Aug. 18 meeting.
Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Keevin Woody, accompanied by school board member Steve Coleman, asked for the board to add an item to the commissioners’ agenda about the school board’s proposed plan to consolidate schools in the Murphy area into a new kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school that would be mostly funded by a state grant.
The board of commissioners has expressed support for a new Murphy High School, but not for the school board’s K-8 plan.
Commissioners Ben Adams and Mark Stiles, who both represent parts of the Murphy area, wanted the item added to the agenda, but they couldn’t get support from Commissioners Dan Eichenbaum, Cal Stiles and Alan Bryant.
The motion to add the item to the agenda failed on a 2-3 vote, and a motion to approve the revised agenda passed on a split vote of 3-2, with Adams and Mark Stiles voting against it.
“I can’t approve it,” Adams said. “I think the school board ought to be heard.”
Eichenbaum, Bryant and Cal Stiles did not explain why they opposed the school district’s request to be heard..
PEACHTREE
New program attracts 141
A Tri-County Community College pilot program offering in-state tuition to residents in nearby counties in Georgia attracted 141 students to the school in the 2024 fall semester and 2025 spring and summer terms.
No North Carolina residents were displaced by out-of-state students in the program, according to a report from the college. Legislation enabled the pilot program, marketed as “Success Without Borders.”
It allows up to 100 residents per semester from Georgia counties bordering North Carolina – Fannin, Rabun, Towns and Union. The program drew 46 students in the fall, 59 in the spring and 36 in the summer.
“Participating students from Georgia are contributing to the regional economy not only through their spending on transportation, food and other services while taking classes, but upon their graduation, they also enhance the regional workforce pipeline in key sectors,” according to a report from Tri-County.
RALEIGH
Corbin on committees
N.C. Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) announced Thursday appointments to interim committees for the 2025-26 legislative session.
“As we prepare for next year’s legislative session, these committees will get to work examining the most pressing issues facing our state,” Berger said in a release. “I look forward to seeing what proposals the committees pursue and working with the members to usher their priorities over the finish line.”
State Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin), who represents Cherokee and surrounding counties in the General Assembly, was named to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Capital Improvements, the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Local Government.
Details: Visit ncleg.gov.
MURPHY
Holy Smoke fires starting
The Cherokee County Ministerial Association will hold their fundraiser “Holy Smoke” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the St. William Catholic Church pavilion.
This is a tasting fundraiser, where pastors or church members bring a dish, and you get to taste it. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children under age 10. You pay when you come.
The money goes to the Good Samaritan fund, which helps people with power bills and rent through the year.
Details: Call Vickie Dockery, treasurer of the ministerial association, at 828-361-1996.
MURPHY
$7 car wash to fight fires
The Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department is holding a car wash fundraiser from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at the 409 Building, 225 Valley River Ave.
Cost is $7. Proceeds will be split between needed firefighter equipment and the building fund. Additional donations happily accepted.
Details: Visit grapecreekfire.org.
PEACHTREE
Home buying seminar set
A Home Buying Seminar has been rescheduled to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at Educate 4 Success, 315 Family Church Road, to help local residents understand everything involved in becoming a homeowner.
Registration is free. The seminar will feature speakers Steven Aft, Dr. Jeana Conley, Taylor Gremli, Dr. Sue Lynn Ledford and Gina Sanders.
The Home Buying Seminar is bringing together community resources and representatives who are focused on the same goal – to help people feel more confident with an actionable home-buying plan.
Details: Visit foursquarecommunityactioninc.com.
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga.
BREMC will hold election
The annual meeting of members of Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corp. is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Harp Recreation Center.
Entertainment will be provided, and lunch will be served at the meeting. There will also be prizes.
There are three members of the board of directors whose terms expire with his year’s meeting. The only competitive race is for Cherokee County’s seat.
- Gene Mason, incumbent for Union County.
- Cory Payne, incumbent for Clay County, N.C.
- Ray Cook, incumbent for Cherokee County, N.C.
- Ray Chambers, for Cherokee County.
Details: Visit directvote.net/brmemc.
RALEIGH
Local voters must update
The first wave of mailings is going out to North Carolina voters who need to provide their driver’s license number or last four digits of their Social Security number as part of the “Registration Repair Project.”
The State Board of Elections is sending letters to about 82,700 individuals whose voter registration records lack one of these numbers, as required by state and federal laws. There are 53 names from Cherokee County on the list.
Details: Visit ncsbe.gov/registrationrepair.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Nantahala Regional Library Board of Trustees will meet at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the Murphy Public Library, 9 Blumental St. downtown.
- Murphy Town Council meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Board of Education meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday, Sept. 4, at Central Office, 2230 Airport Road in Marble. Live-streamed on the school district’s YouTube channel.
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority meets at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Chairman’s Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in Peachtree, home of District 2 County Commissioner Mark Stiles.
- Cherokee County Board of Health meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at the Cherokee County Health Department, 228 Hilton St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St. Live-streamed on the town’s Facebook page.
- Andrews ABC Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, in the ABC Store, 13934 U.S. 19 in Andrews.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy. Live-streamed on the Scout’s Facebook page.
- Murphy ABC Board meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the ABC Store, 818 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.
- u Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown.