Stacy Van Buskirk/Staff Correspondent Dancers from the Dames Rocket Northwest Clog, Mud Border Morris and Sword Rapper Dancing lit up the stage at the Pie Palooza event Friday evening to raise funds for 26 dancers to go to England next month to grow and learn in traditional dances.

Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent Independent consultants Fred Fletcher and Bonnie Sulkin listen at a public meeting June 3 intended to evaluate the performance of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to provide helpful feedback. Fletcher and Sulkin sought input from other local entities as well. The goal is to offer guidance and recommendations to the sheriff’s office that could enhance the department.

Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent Leaders, members and friends of the Mayor’s Rising Stars program gathered to share memories and honor Ona Elkins on June 8. She has been involved in the program since its inception last year and will soon be moving to Taiwan. 

Roy Stephenson at a friend’s house in Canton, Ga. 

Opening: To conclude the opening ceremony Saturday, bagpipers from all over the Southeast played together.

Photos by Sam Jokich/Staff Correspondent Fifth-grade classes at Murphy Elementary School took a field trip to Konehete Veterans Park during the last week of school for Field Day. Teachers Jordan Lovingood and Erin Simmons led the way, and students had a great time competing against each other in six events. Just getting out of class was a thrill for them all.

Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent  Calls went out about 5:44 a.m. Saturday for emergency personnel to respond to a structure fire at 708 Regal St. in Murphy. Several fire departments and Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services were at the structure, which appeared to be abandoned. There were no injuries or fatalities. An Appalachian Land Co. sign was visible on the property, which is across the street from where propane tanks are stored. In January 2022, this property was declared zero value by

Nicole Wright/Staff Correspondent Diverse communities gather to celebrate Juneteenth last year at the Texana Community Center. The Texana Community Development Club will hold its second annual celebration of the holiday at the community center from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturd

David Brown/dbrown@cherokeescout.com Testify: Tucker Holloway of Andrews, a wide receiver and All-Atlantic Coast Conference punt returner in college football for Virginia Tech University, shared why his Christian faith is important to him with Cherokee County teenagers during the Breaking Free community youth event on May 17 at Shepherd of the Mountains Church in Murphy. There was food, prizes and live music from the MountainView Church’s praise and worship team.