David Brown/dbrown@cherokeescout.com Team Industries in Andrews held a special luncheon Thursday for its 170-plus employees, who raised $2,800 over the last year for local charities. Plant manager Greg Boehm (from left) said the company matched that with another $1,000 for $3,800 total in donations. That money went to Warrior Veterans Outreach, represented by Gary Wilson; Tots for Tots, represented by John Evans; Reach of Cherokee County Inc., represented by Michele Steinberg and Cecilia Faulkner; the Chero

The Shrine Club of Western North Carolina purchased the Tobii Dynavox Eye Gaze computer with an initial donation of $20,000. The Tobii Eye Gaze computer allows users to make and receive phone calls, use computer applications and social media to connect to family, friends, and support groups, all with eye movement.

Rick and DeeDee Siefken have sold the tri-state area’s Budget Blinds franchise to longtime employee Nick Frechette (left).

Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent Law enforcement officers and deputies will again line up in front of Walmart in Murphy this year waiting to be paired with children to go Christmas shopping. 

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Photos by Abigail Blythe Batton/Staff Correspondent Santa’s elves take a break for games in the toy workshop during the Community Youth Players’ production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr.

Photos by Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent  Eli Setless, 14, enjoys the class and tying flies.