National News Literacy Week
This year’s fourth annual National News Literacy Week, from Jan. 23-27, will encourage news consumers to stop the flood of misinformation and learn how to identify trustworthy news. Events during the week will explore the complex issues relating to declining trust in national news media and highlight successful efforts to help rebuild credibility.
According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, faith in the media is falling across the globe – particularly in the United States. Only 39 percent of American adults said they trust the media in 2022, down 6 points from 2021. At the same time, concern about false and misleading information is at an all-time high.
National News Literacy Week is co-presented by the News Literacy Project, a national nonpartisan education nonprofit and the nation’s leading provider of news literacy resources, and The E.W. Scripps Co., one of the nation’s largest news organizations. The week aims to elevate the role of news literacy and a free press in our democracy by empowering everyone with the skills they need to sort fact from fiction.
For details, visit NewsLiteracyWeek.org. And thanks for reading.
Rounding up and about
The word “roundabout,” especially when seen in print concerning downtown Murphy, can lead some readers to fits of puzzled anger. Why would anybody think those circular monstrosities are a good idea?
For starters, statistics show roundabouts are safer. The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Unit studied 30 intersections where a roundabout was installed. The result was a 46 percent reduction in total crashes, 75 percent reduction in fatalities and injuries, and 76 percent reduction in frontal impacts.
The primary problem with roundabouts is many people don’t seem to know how to properly navigate them. The way it’s supposed to work is drivers yield to any vehicles or bicyclists already in the roundabout. Everyone using the roundabout moves in a counterclockwise direction, and those already in it do not yield to approaching vehicles. Drivers should use turn signals when exiting and yield to pedestrians using a crosswalk.
Even better, if grant money is awarded, Murphy is going to replace 7,000 linear feet of water and sewer infrastructure, something badly needed if you’ve seen the condition of some ancient underground pipes. Yes, the construction time will be a bummer – much as it is has been on U.S. 64 West for the last year or so – but if the effort results in a safer, more efficient way to go through downtown, then it will be worth it.
Scouting with Eagles
The McCray family of Andrews was recognized in the Jan. 11 edition of the Cherokee Scout for having four children become an Eagle Scout, the highest honor given by the Boy Scouts of America. Almost immediately, it received attention from across the state line.
Ron Hill, a former Cherokee County manager who lives in north Georgia, is a member of the Military Order of World Wars, one of the oldest veterans organizations in America. After reading the “remarkable story about the McCray family,” he reached out because he wanted to present all four an Eagle Scout Certificate from the MOWW.
Anthony and Tina McCray have a lot to be proud about in Larry, Gilbert, Billy and Elijah, but for all of them to succeed says a lot about them as parents, too. Since 8-year-old Hannah also is working her way up the badge ladder, this likely isn’t the last time we hear something positive about this local family.
Real estate on the move
While the supply of homes for sale on the market in Cherokee County can be mighty slim nowadays, commercial properties have been booming as the COVID-19 pandemic slows.
Several existing businesses sold in the last year – like Murphy’s popular Red Brick Deli and The Daily Grind & Wine, since rechristened The Mason Bar – while others – like Sage elevated dining restaurant in Andrews – have recently opened or are still getting ready to roll. Meanwhile, the former New Happy Garden building has sold, bringing with it the promise of a new restaurant.
What this shows is many people think Cherokee County is a good bet for their business. We couldn’t agree more.
– Publisher David Brown