RALEIGH
Deadline to register set
The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 2 municipal elections is Friday. There are elections in both Andrews and Murphy this year, though only Andrews has contested races.
Eligible individuals have options when registering to vote, according to a release. They may complete a voter registration application and return the form to their county board of elections. Applications can be emailed, faxed, mailed or returned in person to the local office.
In addition, online voter registration is available through the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles for anyone who has a state driver’s license or has used other DMV services. The DMV website also allows voters to update their registrations, except name changes.
As of Sept. 25, there are more than 7.15 million registered voters in North Carolina.
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.
Sorghum Fest starts Saturday
The 2021 Sorghum Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, as well as Oct. 16-17. Admission is $5 for ages 13 and up, while ages 12 and under and parking are free.
For more than 50 years, the annual Sorghum Fest has been a big part of Blairsville’s heritage. This year’ event is sponsored by Blairsville Sorghum Syrup Makers and Enotah Casa Inc.
For details, email sorghumfestivalvendorinfo@gmail.com or visit blairsvillesorghumfestival.com.
BRASSTOWN
The Punkin’ Chunkin’ set
The annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ sponsored by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 16-17, at 811 Settawig Road.
There will be arts and crafts, a beer and wine tent, children’s activities, food and fun, like airplane rides and a zip line. General admission is $5, with ages 5-10 only $3 and under age 5 free. Parking is $3.
There will also be a chili cook-off and anything pumpkin competition at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, on the downtown Hayesville square. For details, visit www.claychambernc.com.
RANGER
Fire station open house
The Ranger Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Personnel from several different agencies will be available to speak with kids and parents about fire prevention and home safety.
In addition to a smokehouse, which will be used to teach kids about fire safety, the event will include bounce houses for their enjoyment. There will also be a turnout gear race and other educational activities for all members of the family.
A bloodmobile will be parked on the property as well, seeking donations from people of all blood types. People interested in COVID antibody testing can speak with Blood Assurance staff about it at the event. Save time by answering health history questions online before arrival at bloodassurance.org/quickscreen.
The Ranger Volunteer Fire Department is at 155 Little Ranger Road. A community meeting to discuss the future will be held at 3:30 p.m. Topics will include the department’s new public protection classification rating, its new truck and the Firewise program.
SYLVA
DOT doing litter pickup
N.C. Department of Transportation crews, contractors and volunteers have collected more than 10 million pounds of litter from roadsides, nearly breaking the state’s record for litter collection set in 2019.
Thursday’s announcement comes on the heels of the two-week Fall Litter Sweep, which saw more than 418,000 pounds of roadside litter picked up statewide.
“We certainly wish we didn’t have any litter anywhere in our division or across the state,” Division 14 Engineer Wanda Austin said. “We’re thankful for those who prevent and pickup litter to help keep our mountain roadsides clean and beautiful.”
More than 403,000 pounds of littler has been collected since Jan. 1 in Division 14, which covers the 10 westernmost counties in North Carolina, including Cherokee. Much of Division 14’s success is owed, in part, to the 303 Adopt-A-Highway groups or the 13 miles of roadside sponsored by private companies in the division.
DOT officials estimate that the agency and its partners will break the 2019 record of 10.5 million pounds collected within a month. Interested participants should visit ncdot.gov/DontTrashNC to see how they can get involved.
CLYDE
White ends district race
Chelsea White announced on Sept. 19 her candidacy to run for the Democratic seat in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District 11 against U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-Hendersonville) in the 2022 election. However, that’s not going to happen.
“Unfortunately, our campaign team was made aware that there was a question regarding the timeline of my party registration change from unaffiliated to Democrat,” White said in a release. “In order to run in the Democratic primary, the deadline for this change is 90 days prior to the last day of the filing period for the primary election.
“After consulting local and state board of election services officials for clarity regarding the North Carolina election law statutes, it is clear that my candidacy could be challenged upon filing in December on the grounds of my party registration change occurring one day too late. It’s with a very heavy heart that we are thus forced to make the decision to suspend this campaign.”
WASHINGTON
Burr proposes scholarship tax
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) has introduced a bill that would require college athletes who receive compensation for their name, image or likeness to be taxed for their athletic scholarships.
Burr said the NIL Scholarship Tax Act "will protect the integrity of amateur athletics at colleges and universities" after a recent policy change.
"Collegiate athletes are given the unique opportunity of competing for their school while receiving a quality, post-secondary education," Burr said in a statement. "The NCAA's recent decision to rescind its long-standing prohibition on outside compensation will fundamentally change the landscape of college athletics."
Nearly 30 states since 2019 have changed policy to allow student-athletes to earn outside income for their NIL. The NCAA also implemented the policy in July. College athletes usually are awarded scholarships that pay for their tuition to enter post-secondary schools. In most states, the policy does not affect students' scholarship eligibility.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- The Learning Center Board of Directors will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 945 Connahetta St. in Murphy.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Veteran Forces will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Cherokee County Courthouse, 75 Peachtree St. in downtown Murphy.
- Cherokee County Board of Education will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at Central Office, 911 Andrews Road in Murphy.
- Andrews ABC Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- 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.