ANDREWS
ABC gives out profits
The Andrews ABC Board distributed a portion of the 2020-21 fiscal year profits to the community last week.
The board distributed a total of $30,000, with the Town of Andrews receiving 70 percent of that money. Cherokee County received the remaining $9,000.
For at least the past four fiscal years, the Andrews ABC store has been distributing money to the community once at the end of each year. However, officials say state law requires the board to make quarterly distributions.
Earlier this year, Andrews ABC Board members voted to begin making quarterly distributions to the community. The first payment for the 2021-22 fiscal year is expected to be distributed in October.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
Schools get A/C, fencing
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 20 to use $48,951 from the school sales tax fund to complete projects at two elementary schools.
The lion’s share of the money will be used on the air conditioning system in the gym at Andrews Elementary School. A little less than $6,000 will be spent on fencing around the playground at Murphy Elementary School.
At that same meeting, commissioners approved the use of $4,000 in CARES Act funds to purchase two laptops for Cherokee County Transit.
ANDREWS
Batting cage gets upgrade
The Andrews Board of Aldermen voted Sept. 14 to spend up to $17,000 to construct a concrete platform for the batting cage at the recreation park off Main Street.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners previously voted to provide the town $16,000 for a roof over the batting cage. However, the space being used for batting practice needed additional upgrades to justify having a roof.
“Right now, what we have is a poor excuse for a batting cage,” Mayor James Reid said while asking town aldermen to vote in favor of funding a concrete platform that the roof will cover.
Officials say the town’s upgraded batting cage will be open for use by the public.
CHEROKEE COUNTY
5 roads get new names
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved names for five roadways by unanimous vote on Sept. 20.
Quiet River Road, McDonald Farm Road, Juniors Way, Cliff Top Trail and Poppys Mountain Road will be added to the county’s road list.
MURPHY
‘Respect for Life’ Sunday
In recognition of “Respect for Life Day,” a demonstration will be held from 1-2 p.m. Sunday starting at the Cherokee County Courthouse downtown.
The event is sponsored by St. William Catholic Church, but all faiths are invited. The church celebrates Respect Life Month every October, and the first Sunday is known as “Respect for Life Day.”
For details, call the Rev. Carl Hubbell, associate pastor, at 837-4830, or visit respectlife.org.
MURPHY
Ag Pro sets celebration
Ag Pro will celebrate its one-year anniversary in Murphy from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 88 Butler Mountain Road off U.S. 64 West.
You’re invited to enjoy all the free festivities, including antique tractors, food trucks, vendors and giveaways. For details, call 361-7359 or visit www.agprocompanies.com.
ASHEVILLE
Deadline for Medicaid plan
Pisgah Legal Services reminds those with Medicaid Managed Care health plans that the deadline to change plans is Thursday.
Medicaid beneficiaries who selected or were auto-enrolled in health plans can change their plan for any reason by the deadline online at ncmedicaidplans.gov or by calling the NC Medicaid Enrollment Broker at 833-870-5500. After Sept. 30, beneficiaries will have to wait until their Medicaid recertification date or have a qualifying reason to change health plans.
Those who are having difficulty understanding their health plan or how to change it can contact the NC Medicaid Ombudsman for help online at ncmedicaidombudsman.org or by calling 877-201-3750.
The option to change health plans is part of a major change in the way Medicaid beneficiaries receive health care called Medicaid Transformation, the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services’ move from fee-for-service delivery to managed care. Under managed care, the state contracts with insurance companies, which are paid a predetermined set rate per enrolled person to provide health services.
RALEIGH
State closer to a budget
North Carolina lawmakers are drawing closer to finding a consensus on how the state should spend billions of dollars for the next two years.
Legislative leaders are hashing out the final differences in the Senate and House proposals for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. The process has been delayed well into the 2022 fiscal year, which started July 1.
After state agencies submitted their budget requests, Gov. Roy Cooper released his recommendations for how the state should spend more than $50 billion over the next two years. The Senate approved its version of the budget June 25 before the fiscal year started; the House approved its proposal Aug. 12.
Since both chambers could not agree on a final version, they've met to find common ground. Both spending plans put forth by both chambers cut taxes and increase spending. North Carolina plans to spend 3.45 percent more in fiscal year 2022 – $25.7 billion – and 3.65 percent more in the fiscal year 2023 – $26.6 billion.
WASHINGTON
Court eyeing Roe vs. Wade
The U.S. Supreme Court announced Sept. 20 it would hear a case in December that directly challenges the landmark 1973 abortion case Roe vs. Wade.
The high court set Dec. 1 as the date it would hear Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which means a decision could be reached by June 2022.
This case features a challenge to a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks. The case especially addresses the constitutionality of abortion bans that take effect before a fetus would be viable outside the womb.
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has asked the court to use this case to overturn Roe vs. Wade and Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, which would be the most significant abortion ruling in decades if it occurred. The news comes after a the Supreme Court recently allowed a Texas law to stand that bans abortions after six weeks, when a heartbeat is detectable.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public meetings
THIS WEEK
- Murphy Town Council will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at Murphy Electric Power Board, 5 Wofford St. downtown.
- Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday 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 at 945 Connahetta St. in Murphy.
COMING SOON
- Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, in the Murphy Visitors Center, 20 Tennessee St.
- Andrews Board of Aldermen will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the Facilities Building, 85 Fourth St.
- 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.