MURPHY
Poker Run Saturday
Join the Rotary Club of Murphy for fall fun and a chance to win prizes as you drive around beautiful western North Carolina during the club’s second annual Franklin Barnett Poker Run this weekend.
Register online at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce event’s page at cherokeecountychamber.com or at the starting checkpoint at WKRK radio downtown from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Registration is $25 per player’s card, with a maximum five playing cards per person. Free draw chips that can be used once per checkpoint to draw a replacement card may be purchased the day of the event at the starting checkpoint.
Bring an unwrapped toy for Big Brothers Big Sisters for a free draw chip. All proceeds go to the Rotary Club to help with community projects, scholarships and other community organizations.
DUCKTOWN, Tenn.
Petition eyes road paving
A group of local residents have petitioned the Polk County Board of Commissioners to resurface Runyon Road in Farner, which is just across the Tennessee line from North Carolina and used by many local residents.
The group is on the agenda for the commission meeting to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Copper Basin Community Center, 840 Cherokee Trail. Earlier this year, the citizens group cleaned up litter around Runyon Road, which is about 1 mile long.
Local resident Ronney Freeman Sr. has gathered hundreds of signatures to present to commissioners. He has also put up several signs to encourage more people to participate in cleaning up the area.
MURPHY
$5K raffle for HAVEN set
HAVEN Children's Advocacy Center is having a raffle fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 13, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Hackney Warehouse on Hiwassee Street downtown.
Tickets are $100 each, which entitles the ticket holder to dinner, dessert and a chance to win $5,000. Tickets will be drawn throughout the evening for prizes. At the end of the event, five final tickets will be drawn for a chance to win the $5,000 prize – or the five can split the money, which happened last year.
Enjoy good food and entertainment, as well as an open bar and silent auction, all for a great cause. HAVEN was founded in 2005 and serves Cherokee and Clay counties, helping children and families when abuse is suspected.
Only 225 tickets are available and can be purchased online or at the HAVEN office on U.S. 64 in Peachtree. For details, call 837-5872 or visit www.havencac.org/event-details/5-000-raffle-fundraiser.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Early voting, but not here
In-person early voting for the Tuesday, Nov. 2, municipal elections began Thursday and ends Saturday, Oct. 30, according to a release from the State Board of Elections. More than 460 cities and towns across North Carolina are conducting elections next month to choose local leaders.
However, Andrews and Murphy elections do not have early or mail-in voting options. Registered voters must make their picks on Election Day at their assigned precinct.
ANDREWS
Grants for businesses
Two regional foundations are teaming up to help local small business owners.
Business owners in Andrews can apply for funding provided by Duke Energy Foundation, which has granted $750,000 to be distributed among 30 communities throughout the state. Each community was awarded $25,000, which will be administered through a local nonprofit organization.
As the local administering entity, the Nantahala Health Foundation has established a microgrant program to help small businesses within the town limits. Microgrants may range from $500 to $2,500 per individual business. The grants are intended to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic or adapt to be more competitive in today’s economy.
Adaptation may include adding enhanced service or commerce opportunities for the business such as modifying physical space, improving a website for online sales, or expanding capacity for delivering goods and services. Additionally, awards may be used to reimburse businesses for COVID-related expenses already incurred with appropriate documentation. Payroll, rent and utilities are excluded.
Grants will be provided through a fair, competitive process with final decisions made by Town of Andrews representatives. Applications will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 5. Apply online at nhfgrants.communityforce.com.
OCOEE, Tenn.
U.S. 64 traffic slowing down
The Tennessee Valley Authority has issued a traffic caution on U.S. 64 near the Ocoee No. 1 Dam due to spillway gate maintenance work.
From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, U.S. 64 will be restricted to one lane as TVA crews use the Ocoee No. 1 overlook to stage equipment and load barges to prepare for the work. TVA is coordinating this work with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Travelers should plan for delays. Use caution when driving through the area. Traffic controls will be in place, along with support from TVA Police. Since 2010, TVA has invested about $900 million on dam safety.
ANDREWS
Chamber open house
Shop Where Your Heart Is, an event sponsored by the Andrews Chamber of Commerce as part of Small Business Saturday, kicks off during the Open House set for Saturday.
The drawing will be held Saturday, Nov. 27, when the chamber picks one lucky winner from all the entries to receive a gift bag filled with gift certificates from each business totaling $600. Visit the chamber's Facebook page for a list of participating businesses.
HIWASSEE DAM
Open house set Saturday
The Hiwassee Dam Volunteer Fire Department’s rescheduled open house to celebrate the grand opening of the new station at 7815 N.C. 294 will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
There will be a ribbon cutting and dedication service, followed by an open house with tours of the new station and equipment. There will be free food, a bounce house, dunking booth and other activities for all ages.
“We are extremely proud of our new headquarters and hope you will plan to check it out,” Fire Chief Chad McNabb said. Everyone is invited to attend.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Remember drug losses
Two Overdose Awareness Day Vigils will be held in Cherokee County this month.
The first vigil will ben held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at Andrews Recreational Park onstage by the pool. The second will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Murphy First United Methodist Church.
WNCAP will lead the vigil and discuss the effects of substance use, harm reduction and then read off the names of loved ones lost. If you would like to submit a name to be read – please email the first name and last initial only to cmattheis@wncap.org.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
No meetings scheduled.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Department of Social Services Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, in the DSS conference room, 4800 U.S. 64 W. in Ranger.
From staff and The Center Square reports.