Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent  The Cherokee County Courthouse in downtown Murphy is a symbol of public service.

Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent Ranger firefighters wait for a room and its contents to catch on fire so they can participate in the training. A live burn class on July 7 taught about different fire stages, fire suppression techniques and safety. A water-charged hose line was at the ready for extinguishing the flames. The house was donated to the Ranger Fire Department for training. Read the story and see more photos on page 2A.

Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent This photo of the fire at Foster’s Flea Market in Ranger in November 2024 won third place for Best Spot Photography in the N.C. Press Association’s 2024 Better Newspapers Editorial Contest.

Lake Hiwassee has long been considered one of Cherokee County’s crown jewels. But will the shoreline remain open to the public in the years to come?

This graphic shows recommended sidewalk improvements for the Texana community just north of Murphy.

Aiden McCoy Williams/Staff Correspondent Della Johnson was celebrated with “Della Day” at the Unaka Community Center for her dedication and impact on the community.

Photos by Stacy Van Buskirk/Staff Correspondent The Log Cabin Museum will be a rotating exhibit space that educates visitors on Appalachian culture at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown. The cabins were donated by Cliff Waldroup and J.A. Caldwell and brought to the folk school from Cherokee and Clay counties in 1926.