Local

Ed Wood (left) and his son, Matthew, take care of the family farm in Andrews. Ed’s brother, Keith, owns the farm with him. Matthew, who started working at the farm when he was 13 years old, is the fourth generation to work the land. Photos by Samantha Sinclair

Ed Wood (left) and his son, Matthew, take care of the family farm in Andrews. Ed’s brother, Keith, owns the farm with him. Matthew, who started working at the farm when he was 13 years old, is the fourth generation to work the land. Photos by Samantha Sinclair

The family farm

Samantha Sinclair
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Body     Andrews - Ed Wood will be the first to admit that farming isn’t for the weak of heart, but he loves it anyway.
Murphy Councilwoman Gail Walker Stansell created this sign and decorated a tree outside her house to encourage people to wear masks and help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Murphy Councilwoman Gail Walker Stansell created this sign and decorated a tree outside her house to encourage people to wear masks and help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Councilwoman creates signs to encourage masks

Penny Ray
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Body Murphy – A local official devised a creative way to encourage people to wear masks and help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Ronnie’s Restaurant in Andrews is one of several local businesses affected by the governor’s order banning alcohol sales after 11 p.m.

Ronnie’s Restaurant in Andrews is one of several local businesses affected by the governor’s order banning alcohol sales after 11 p.m.

Alcohol curfew affects area bars, restaurants

Samantha Sinclair
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Body Andrews – Gov. Roy Cooper’s latest executive order to slow the spread of the coronavirus went into effect last Friday night, banning alcohol sales at restaurants after 11 p.m.
Gabe Stark and watchdog Kobe were manning the Hiwassee Dam Volunteer Fire Department last week. The department is acquiring 2.79 acres of county-owned property.

Gabe Stark and watchdog Kobe were manning the Hiwassee Dam Volunteer Fire Department last week. The department is acquiring 2.79 acres of county-owned property.

2 fire departments get land

Penny Ray
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Body Murphy – Commissioners agreed to deed county-owned land to the Murphy and Hiwassee Dam fire departments at virtually no cost instead of leasing the property to the agencies.
From left are Andrews police Officer Joseph Jones, Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer and Deputy Patrol Officer Coyle Olsen.

From left are Andrews police Officer Joseph Jones, Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer and Deputy Patrol Officer Coyle Olsen.

Andrews hires another police officer

Penny Ray
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Body Town aldermen have agreed to hire a new police officer. 
Murphy Elementary Principal Dane Rickett shows decals placed on the floors to remind children to maintain six feet of distance. Children will be told not walk in the center of the hallway within the yellow stripes. Photo by Samantha Sinclair

Murphy Elementary Principal Dane Rickett shows decals placed on the floors to remind children to maintain six feet of distance. Children will be told not walk in the center of the hallway within the yellow stripes. Photo by Samantha Sinclair

Different first day of class lies ahead

Samantha Sinclair
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Body The lessons on the first day of kindergarten at Ranger Elementary/Middle School typically start before the student enters the classroom.
Bikers led by Bubba Morin (in red) get into position to start the motorcycle run Saturday morning at Ronnie’s Restaurant in Andrews. Photo by Samantha Sinclair

Bikers led by Bubba Morin (in red) get into position to start the motorcycle run Saturday morning at Ronnie’s Restaurant in Andrews. Photo by Samantha Sinclair

Summer Santas

Samantha Sinclair
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Body There will be Christmas this year for all children in Cherokee County, as bikers made the first steps to guarantee that Saturday during the Toys for Tots Toy Run. “We’re ecstatic with the turnout,” said Corey Wike, one of the organizers from Western NC Wingmen motorcycle club.