HIWASSEE DAM
Volleyball on pause
Hiwassee Dam High School’s volleyball season is on pause, as the school is closed until Monday due to the number of COVID-19 cases among staff. The school announced Sept. 1 that 80 percent of the staff was in quarantine, which means they don’t have enough faculty to cover classes.
The Lady Eagles were off to a 3-1 start and looked to be taking a step forward after last year’s winless campaign. They haven’t played since a five-set home loss to Andrews on Aug. 24.
Hiwassee Dam’s match against Murphy on Aug. 28 was postponed out of caution by the Bulldogs. This closure led to three more games being postponed.
MURPHY
COVID halts golf tourney
The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce’s 12th annual Golf Classic, which was scheduled for today at Mountain Harbour Golf Club in Hayesville, has been canceled.
Due to rising COVID-19 infection rates, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to cancel the event, feeling that holding the event would not be in the public’s best health interest, according to a release. The tournament is one of the chamber’s primary fundraisers.
Members who committed to play in and/or sponsor the event will be contacted individually to discuss other opportunities. If you’ve already paid to play or sponsor the event, a full refund will be remitted.
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.
Pickleball tourney set
Union County High School’s Future Business Leaders of America, which has been reinstated after a 10-year absence, is hosting a pickleball tournament in conjunction with the Blairsville Pickleball club to help raise funds for competitions Saturday, Sept. 18.
The event will take place at the Union County Pickleball Complex. For details, call Dr. Jill Olson at Union County High School at 706-745-2216.
RALEIGH
Trail celebrates 44th birthday
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea-Trail have announced the 44 Mile Challenge to celebrate the trail’s 44th birthday during September. The trail is North Carolina’s flagship trail and runs from the Smoky Mountain to the Outer Banks.
To complete the 44 Mile Challenge, participants will have to walk or hike 44 miles anywhere on the trail, and those who complete the 44 miles will be entered to win one of six prize packs from REI. The participants with the highest total mileage at the end of September will also receive a special prize.
Friends of the MST has partnered with the MST Guide by Pocket Trails to make it easy to track miles to compete for the prize, as the MST Guide is a smartphone app designed specifically for MST hikers with maps and detailed information. The group is also encouraging people to make special donations to support the MST or on behalf of the trail, with those raising $44 receiving an MST patch and those raising $440 receiving a personalized pottery mug.
From staff reports.