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Murphy High School varsity cheerleaders perform the 2020 Census “Count Everyone” song during the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting on Aug. 19.

Murphy High School varsity cheerleaders perform the 2020 Census “Count Everyone” song during the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting on Aug. 19.

Census training begins in Cherokee County

Body     Andrews – According to the Census Bureau, 384 Cherokee County census taker applicants are required to achieve a complete and accurate 2020 survey.
Sallie Sompayrac and Dr. Elaine Dilbeck (from left) offer support to Cherokee County trauma survivors.

Sallie Sompayrac and Dr. Elaine Dilbeck (from left) offer support to Cherokee County trauma survivors.

Trauma survivors want to help others

Body     Martins Creek – The local subjects of a documentary airing on the TLC television network visited the Martins Creek Community Center on Saturday night to offer th
Andrews’ 2019 homecoming court members are (from left) Mariela Jimenez, Paige Hooper, Sydney Postell, Juliana Aiken, Emma Jones, Ravin Wright, Morgan Glenn, Mackenzie Stalcup, Brooke Phillips and Emmalee Stillwell.

Andrews’ 2019 homecoming court members are (from left) Mariela Jimenez, Paige Hooper, Sydney Postell, Juliana Aiken, Emma Jones, Ravin Wright, Morgan Glenn, Mackenzie Stalcup, Brooke Phillips and Emmalee Stillwell.

GALLERY: Meet Andrews High's 2019 Homecoming court

Body    Andrews' homecoming court will be on display Friday night with Copper Basin comes to visit the Wildcats at High Hamilton Stadium.
Murphy head football coach David Gentry matched North Carolina’s all-time wins record Friday night, while senior Alyson Palmer was chosen as homecoming queen, shown here being crowned by Principal Jason Forrister.

Murphy head football coach David Gentry matched North Carolina’s all-time wins record Friday night, while senior Alyson Palmer was chosen as homecoming queen, shown here being crowned by Principal Jason Forrister.

Gentry matches wins record, Palmer named queen

Body     Murphy – Friday evening was one of crowning achievements at Murphy’s homecoming football game against Hayesville.
Shelly Stephens (right) and Diane Bishop helped out at this year’s Toys for Tots poker run, as they do at many community events in Cherokee County.

Shelly Stephens (right) and Diane Bishop helped out at this year’s Toys for Tots poker run, as they do at many community events in Cherokee County.

FIRESIDE CHATS: Stephens passes blessings on to others

Body     Murphy – Shelly Stephens has not let disability stop her from not only living her best life, but enriching the lives of others as well.
Jacob Odell and Isaac Jensen get some sage advice from recent Tri-County Early College graduate River Collins on the first day of school.

Jacob Odell and Isaac Jensen get some sage advice from recent Tri-County Early College graduate River Collins on the first day of school.

Purchase set for new school site

Body     Andrews – The construction of Cherokee County’s new school of innovation is ready to begin in earnest, with a projected completion in spring 2022.
Children watch as teams of volunteer firefighters practice extraction skills and show the difference in tools during the Car Extraction Race at the Ranger Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday. "They're ripping the doors off?" one child exclaimed as the volunteers carefully removed pieces of the car.

Children watch as teams of volunteer firefighters practice extraction skills and show the difference in tools during the Car Extraction Race at the Ranger Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday. "They're ripping the doors off?" one child exclaimed as the volunteers carefully removed pieces of the car.

SCOUTING AROUND: Open house stresses fire safety

Body     Ranger – It was a party filled with education at the Ranger Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday.
Marie Gunther points out shotgun shells used in her three dimensional piece "Through a Glass Darkly" to Tom Vogler. The piece was on display at the Andrews Art Museum on the second floor of the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center during Writers & Wine.

Marie Gunther points out shotgun shells used in her three dimensional piece "Through a Glass Darkly" to Tom Vogler. The piece was on display at the Andrews Art Museum on the second floor of the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center during Writers & Wine.

Writers & Wine offers variety of talented artists

Body     Andrews – Small circular tables surrounded the stage Saturday night at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center for Writers & Wine, a sampling of arts and wine in