MURPHY
Trucks fall into sinkhole
A sinkhole swallowed two trucks following heavy rains last week in the parking lot of NAPA Auto & Truck Parts on U.S. 64 West on the afternoon of Aug. 17, causing minor damage to two trucks that partially fell into the hole.
Over the years, several sinkholes large and small have formed on various lots along U.S. 64 West due to a covered creek that flowed through that area prior to commercial development. Property owners are advised to remain aware of the possibility of sinkholes, and to take immediate precautions when one forms.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Sales taxes help schools
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a budget revision to use $152,272 from the school sales tax fund to finance various projects.
Officials will use some of the money to repair a boiler line at Andrews High School, fix a fence at Murphy Elementary School’s playground, buy new furniture for Peachtree Elementary School and clean boilers at schools throughout the district. About $97,000 of the funds will be used to buy four newer vehicles for School Resource Officers.
MARBLE
Animal shelter gets $4,500
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted to give the Valley River Humane Society an additional $4,500 for the 2021-22 fiscal year to help with operating expenses.
Cherokee County had already appropriated $94,500 to the humane society for this year, but commissioners increased the amount at the Aug. 16 meeting after learning that both Clay and Graham counties increased their contributions for this year.
Humane society officials say the agency has seen an increase in intakes at the annual shelter off U.S. 19/74 this year, while the number of shelter employees has decreased. The humane society has contracts to accept stray and unwanted animals from Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties.
“With the staffing shortages not changing anytime soon … VRHS will have to address increased wages again before the year is out,” humane society President Melody Johnson wrote in a letter to commissioners. “We cannot do what we do without the support of the county.”
The additional money contributed by Cherokee County will come from the contingency fund for this fiscal year.
ANDREWS
Airport party set
Western Carolina Regional Airport will celebrate its 75th birthday with a party from 11-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2.
This free event is open to the public, and children are welcome. Rib Country barbecue will cater the party, which will includes live music, daring formation flyovers, a brief talk on the history of the airport and hangar tours, including access to the aircraft. Gayland Trull, manager of the airport, hinted that there may even be a helicopter on display.
The airport originated in 1946 and has been vital to Cherokee County’s economy. Saturday’s celebration will be its first birthday party, and the airport won’t host another one until it turns 100.
This is an outdoor event and will proceed with or without rain. Several professional aviators will be on hand to answer questions and assist with tours.
HIWASSEE RIVER
Swim guide areas clean
MountainTrue monitors designated swimming and other public access areas for E. coli bacteria pollution by collecting weekly water samples from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In the Western Region, workers tested at 10 sites in the Hiwassee River watershed and three more on the Pigeon River in Haywood County.
Seven of the 10 Hiwassee sites have passed every test with flying colors, including all sites on Lake Chatuge. According to a release, lonely one location has failed a single test.
Although sites on the Valley and Nottely Rivers have failed several tests for designated swimming, results are still well within recommended levels for secondary recreation like kayaking. The Pigeon River sites have had mixed results, with the number of failures increasing as you move downstream. For details, visit www.theswimguide.org.
MURPHY
Road closes for alignment
Hiwassee Street – also known as U.S. 19 Business – closed to all traffic Monday from the intersection with U.S. 64 West to the entrance of Murphy First Baptist Church.
The N.C. Department of Transportation said in a release that the closure is necessary to excavate, grade and pave the new alignment, according to a release. The DOT expected to reopen that portion of Hiwassee Street no later than Friday morning, Sept. 3.
The detour route for motorists will be from U.S. 64 West to Peachtree Street, then back to Hiwassee Street in the middle of downtown. The release advises motorists to beware of the barricades and obey all posted speed limits.
ANDREWS
Oktoberfest set Oct. 9
The Andrews Chamber of Commerce is accepting vendor applications for Oktoberfest, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, downtown.
For details, call Jan Olson at 321-1600 or email Jan@FernCredtWinery.com. And save the date for a day of fun.
MURPHY
Town parking lot is closed
The Town of Murphy parking lot, which is adjacent to Bill Hughes Avenue and the Cherokee County Courthouse downtown, closed Aug. 17 for repaving.
The parking lot will remain closed until further notice, according to Town Manager Chad Simons. Please make other arrangements for your vehicle in the meantime.
RALEIGH
Workers for litter sweep
The N.C. Department of Transportation needs volunteers to help clean up trash along roads during the Adopt-a-Highway Fall Litter Sweep from Sept. 11-25.
Each April and September, the DOT asks volunteers to help remove litter from roadsides. Volunteers from local businesses, schools, nonprofits, churches, municipalities, law enforcement and community groups play an important role in keeping North Carolina’s roads clean.
“Since this year began, NCDOT and our partner organizations have picked up more than eight and a half million pounds of litter,” State Roadside Engineer David Harris said. “We need everyone’s help to keep that momentum. The Litter Sweep is a great opportunity to get outdoors with family and friends and work alongside NCDOT to ensure North Carolina remains a beautiful place to live and work.”
Volunteers can request cleanup supplies such as trash bags, gloves and safety vests from local DOT maintenance offices and are encouraged to follow proper COVID-19 safety guidance. This includes wearing face masks and gloves at all times and keeping 6 feet apart from other volunteers. For details, call 919-707-2970.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
THIS WEEK
- The Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
COMING SOON
- All local, state and federal government offices and the Cherokee Scout will be closed Monday, Sept. 6, for the Labor Day holiday. The Scout will reopen from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7.
- The Murphy Town Council will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown.
- The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 76, in the multi-purpose room of the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- The Learning Center Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 945 Connahetta St. in Murphy.
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Veterans Building, 63 Drew Taylor Road in Peachtree.
- The Cherokee County Board of Education will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
- The Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- The Andrews Board of Aldermen will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- The Andrews ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
From staff and The Center Square reports.