An unidentified law enforcement officer stands by, left, over two men taken into custody at a drug raid at  Tobacco & Vape store off Andrews Road in Murphy on Friday afternoon. Shown in custody are Ayab Alsalmp, 25, of Detroit, foreground right, and Wyle Radwan Alsalme, 21, of 1508 Andrews Road, Murphy, background right. Alsalmp was released without bail or charges, while Alsalme was charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance and released in lieu of $10,000 bond. 

Donnie Simmonds, owner of Double-Tap Tattoo & Tactical in Murphy, has seen the damage caused by Hurricane Helene firsthand while providing aid since Sept. 28, the day after the storm devastated parts of western North Carolina. (Read his story in the Nov. 20 edition of the Cherokee Scout.) A Toy Drive & Disaster Relief fundraising event will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at Elevation MX, 775 Dog Branch Road in Brasstown.

Photos by Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent Alana Coy dressed as her favorite princess and walked the red carpet with mother Manuela Coy to attend Andrews Elementary School’s Lights! Camera! Read! event on Nov. 7.

May your table be full of food and love this Thanksgiving holiday.

Nina Westervelt/ Contributing Photographer The Avett Brothers joined the cast on stage for a special curtain call performance of the show’s title track. The production incorporates songs from The Avett Brothers’ 2004 album, Mignonette, and others in their catalogue, plus one new song – “Lord Lay Your Hand on My Shoulder” – written by Seth Avett expressly for the production.

Cherokee County sheriff’s Capt. David Williams, Deputy Eddie Hardin, Graduate Deputy Robert Manning, Graduate Deputy Hunter Dezess and Chief Deputy Justin Jacobs (from left) celebrate Basic Law Enforcement Training graduation on Nov. 8 at Tri-County Community College.

Clay County Sheriff's Lt. Tyler Faggard investigates the scene of a stabbing.