 |
Around the newsroom in 21/2 minutes, depending on whether you took the Evelyn Woodhead Speed Reading Course (bonus points to anyone who gets that 1970s reference):
- Hurricane Helene’s devastation left western North Carolina’s tourism industry reeling in 2024, according to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. How bad was it? Neighboring Graham County saw its estimated receipts drop by 8.1%, to $51.5 million, the second-biggest loss in the state after Buncombe County.
Cherokee County was spared much of the storm’s wrath, and as a result showed a 1% increase in spending overall. Cleveland and Burke counties led the way in positive growth, seeing increases of 14.0% and 11.9%, respectively, so we still have a long way to go in playing catchup.
Thankfully, there are some positive economic signs brewing around here:
– Cherokee County has risen from a Tier 1 to Tier 2 designation with the N.C. Department of Commerce; – the Downtown Murphy Main Street program continues to benefit local businesses and shoppers, with more compelling plans on the way;
– myfutureNC is at work with local residents on Main Street planning in downtown Andrews;
– the unemployment rate in Cherokee County in July 2025 was only 3.9%, continuing a run of several low years; – and, just next door to both the north and south, a new industry in the former Stanley Furniture plant in Robbinsville, as well as a new Amazon facility being built in Hayesville, will hopefully bring more prosperity to Cherokee County.
- John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown is a special place made even more special this year by its 100th anniversary. Come Monday, two major milestones will be celebrated: the grand reopening of the restored Log Cabin Museum and the debut of a new self-guided walking tour of the campus.
These events are part of the anniversary celebration, which officially kicks off at the 2025 Fall Festival on Oct. 4-5.
For a century, the folk school has been a cultural cornerstone of the Southern Appalachians, fostering creativity, preserving traditions and building community. Learn more at folkschool.org.
- When Cherokee County Schools pitched its plan to consolidate four schools into one campus for grades pre-kindergarten through 9, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners rightly asked for school officials to come back when they had cost estimates and other important details on hand.
School officials complained that doing that would be expensive. So instead of obtaining the numbers – which are absolutely essential to have in advance for any project to be approved, especially one being built with taxpayer money – they hired a lawyer to try to force commissioners into approving the school.
Cherokee County Board of Education Chair Raper said in open meeting that she would like a better working relationship with commissioners, but school board members “really do know what’s best.” Unfortunately, that condescending remark isn’t going to change the commissioners’ collective mindset; instead, it might have just the opposite effect.
- While some say free speech should be “absolute,” try starting a riot by yelling “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater or threatening the president and see then if your speech is truly free. Words do matter – and each of us should take responsibility for the ones we choose to use.
However, no one – regardless of how you feel about them personally or any viewpoints they express – should face the death penalty because someone else didn’t like their opinion. Killing someone over their words is cowardly and un-American, and it tragically happened on Sept. 10 with the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
If you don’t like what someone else says, there are ways to try to hold them accountable; one such case is making its way through Cherokee County Superior Court. However, under no circumstances should words ever be met with violence.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. Call him with comments and questions at 828-837-5122 or email dbrown@cherokeescout.com.