MURPHY
Road closes for alignment
The N.C. Department of Transportation advises that beginning Monday, Hiwassee Street – also known as U.S. 19 Business – will be closed to all traffic from the intersection with U.S. 64 West to the entrance of Murphy First Baptist Church.
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.
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, will close Tuesday 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
Broadband week’s here
Gov. Roy Cooper proclaimed Aug. 16-20 as Rural Broadband Week to call attention to the urgent need to improve broadband access and adoption across our state.
Throughout the week, Gov. Cooper and the N.C. Department of Information Technology will highlight how increased investments can equitably expand digital infrastructure, tools and skills in rural areas, allowing all North Carolinians to participate in today’s digital economy.
"High-speed internet is essential infrastructure for everyone, from students and teachers to small business owners, workers, doctors and farmers and we need to improve access for rural communities across our state," Cooper said. "In the wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to empower every household in North Carolina to use fast internet service to link to new skills, global markets, education and health care."
Rural Broadband Week raises awareness of the critical needs for equitable access to affordable, reliable broadband in rural areas, as demonstrated during the pandemic. In rural areas, 33.5 percent of households – a total of 43,000 households – do not have access to infrastructure for broadband speeds of 50/10 Mbps. Rural counties make up 18 of the 20 counties in which more than half of households lack access to 100/10 Mbps internet speeds, which is considered high speed.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
County gets budget cash
The N.C. House of Representatives voted to pass the state spending package Thursday, and while negotiations are set to continue in conference meetings with the state Senate, secondary education institutions in western North Carolina are set to receive millions of dollars for crucial projects, according to a release from Sen. Kevin Corbin’s office.
“These items are in the budget because he not only asked for them, he championed for them,” said Sen. Ralph Hise, co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Sen. Corbin is an outspoken leader for western North Carolina and never fails to remind Raleigh that the state continues well beyond Asheville.”
Corbin was able to secure $1,700,000 for projects in Cherokee County, the release says. That includes $500,000 for a new Emergency Medical Services station to serve the western portion of the county and $1.2 million for improvements to the main EMS station, which serves two crews in Murphy.
For the local college, the release says Corbin was able to secure $20.7 million for needed program enhancements and capital expenditures, such as $10 million to construct a new Center for Cultural & Historical Engagement. There is also $8,700,000 allocated for Tri-County’s Education Center for Workforce Solutions, which focuses on engineering, construction and other trades.
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.
WASHINGTON
FHA extends no evictions
The Federal Housing Administration has announced an extension of its moratorium on evictions for foreclosed borrowers and their occupants through Sept. 30, according to a release.
This extension is part of President Joe Biden’s announcement on July 29 that federal agencies will use their authority to extend their respective eviction moratoria through the end of September, which will provide continued protection for households living in federally insured, single-family properties. FHA’s eviction moratorium extension will avoid displacement of foreclosed borrowers and other occupants who need more time to access suitable housing options after foreclosure.
Mortgage service companies may initiate or continue foreclosures in accordance with FHA requirements once the single-family foreclosure moratorium expired as planned on July 31, but may not evict a foreclosed borrower or other occupant.
RALEIGH
Pros, cons of sports betting
The N.C. Senate is considering a bill that would legalize sports gambling in the state. Sponsors of the measure said it could mean $25-50 million in economic benefits for North Carolina. Opponents argue, however, it could come with some social costs.
"You always have a group on this side of the issue, and it's minimal. When you have a group on this side of the issue, and it's perfectly horrible," Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir) told members of the Senate Committee on Finance on Aug. 4. "I think if we're to be reasonable about data, I understand there's always a social impact for every choice. There's a price to be paid for freedom."
Senate Bill 688 authorizes and spells outs regulation for sports betting in North Carolina. It allows select licensed providers to offer online or in-person betting on horse racing and games, excluding youth sports, while 8 percent of the adjusted gross revenue goes to the state. Providers and operators also will be required to pay thousands of dollars in license and application fees to North Carolina under the measure.
Operators would have to pay $500,000 to apply for a sports wagering license issued by the N.C. Lottery Commission. Businesses that provide services to operators would pay $25,000 to apply for a service provider license. The renewal fee for the sports wagering license under SB 688 is $100,000, and it would cost $10,000 to renew a service provider license.
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
Andrews ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
COMING SOON
Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
From staff and The Center Square reports.