CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – Cherokee County Schools chose to operate under N.C. Governor Roy Cooper’s Plan B scenario for the 2020-2021 school year. Under Plan B, schools must follow social distancing and safety protocols as well as a limited number of people allowed within the building. Originally, the government only permitted 50 percent capacity, but […]
Read More »Cherokee County announces third COVID-19 death
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – A Cherokee County resident that was reported to have COVID-19 has died from complications of COVID-19. This individual was in their late eighties. This is the third COVID-19 related death in Cherokee County. This serves as an unfortunate reminder of the seriousness that surrounds COVID-19 and the potential impacts to those […]
Read More »National Forests in North Carolina launch digital passes
Asheville, NC – July 14, 2020 –Visitors to Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests will have a convenient new way to pay day use fees at several recreation sites starting this summer with mobile passes. A new online platform allows visitors to pay day use fees using their personal computer or mobile device through Recreation.gov. There […]
Read More »North Carolina requires face coverings and social distancing for schools
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen were joined by education and health leaders to announce health and safety plans for K-12 public schools for the new school year. Schools will open for in-person instruction under an updated Plan B that requires face coverings […]
Read More »Cherokee County announces 2nd COVID-19 death
CHEROKEE COUNTY, NC – A resident that was reported to have COVID-19 on Monday, June 29 has died from complications. This individual was in their late eighties. This is the second COVID-19 related death in Cherokee County. This serves as an unfortunate reminder of the seriousness that surrounds COVID-19 and the potential impacts to those […]
Read More »Murphy changes Independence Day celebrations
MURPHY, N.C. – Murphy’s changing up its Independence Day event in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and extension of Phase 2 reopening plan. Anyone attending the show is encouraged to remain in their car and pedestrian viewers should avoid gathering in groups larger than 25 people and wear a face covering that meets CDC guidelines. […]
Read More »USFS Acquires 49-Acre Tract in Fires Creek
Murphy, NC, June 26, 2020 – The U.S. Forest Service has acquired a 49-acre inholding at the headwaters of Laurel Creek, a tributary to Fires Creek, in a popular recreation area on the Tusquitee Ranger District. Funding for the purchase comes from the North Carolina Threatened Treasures FY 2020 Land and Water Conservation Fund Appropriations. […]
Read More »Tragic accident claims lives of two young men, another hospitalized
HIWASSEE DAM, N.C. – Tragedy struck the Hiwassee Dam community after a horrific automobile accident killed two brothers, Austin and Avery Hawkins, and put another young man in the hospital. A memorial account was set up at United Community Bank (UCB) under the “Hawkins Brothers Memorial Fund” for people to contribute to funeral arrangements and […]
Read More »Madison Cawthorn wins Congressional District 11 runoff
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – U.S. House of Representatives District 11 Republican runoff has a clear winner in Madison Cawthorn. With 17 counties completely reporting, Cawthorn carried 65.82 percent of the vote against opponent Lynda Bennett who received 34.18 percent of the vote. The small business owner and motivational speaker carried almost every county in the […]
Read More »Fannin resident arrested in NC rape investigation
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the June 18, 2020 arrest of 19-year-old Dru Jordan Baine, who provided a Fannin County, Georgia address, for sexual assault. In mid-October 2019, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office(CCSO) was notified of a report of a sexual assault involving a minor child. The report alleged that Dru Baine was suspect […]
Read More »Murphy man arrested in rape investigation
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced on June 11, 2020 arrest of 19-year-old Nickolas Ghannon Carter of Murphy, N.C. for an alleged sexual assault. In mid-November 2019, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a 13-year-old female had been sexually assaulted by an 18-year-old male. The report further alleged that the 18-year-old male had […]
Read More »New US Forest Service District Ranger selected for Nantahala Forest
Asheville, NC – May 22, 2020 – The National Forests in North Carolina announced that Troy Waskey will oversee management and operations as the new District Ranger on the Nantahala Ranger District beginning June 8, 2020. “We are excited about the contributions Troy will bring to North Carolina based on his professional background and his […]
Read More »Pisgah National Forest reopens some campgrounds
Pisgah National Forest will open several campgrounds and recreation sites today, June 1. Some sites remain closed and facilities and services remain limited. Popular recreation areas that will reopen include, but are not limited to: All concession-operated campgrounds on the Pisgah Ranger District including Davidson River, North Mills River, and Lake Powhatan, Mount Mitchell Trail, […]
Read More »Harrah’s opens to public on May 28
CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. – On May 27, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino announced that the Cherokee and Valley River locations will be open to the public on Thursday, May 28. The casinos will operate at 30% capacity, consistent with NC and Tribal guidelines and operating with social distancing in place. Most restaurants are open with limited seating […]
Read More »Cherokee County to receive $715,527 in federal funds for COVID-19 relief
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper announced that $85.4 million in federal funds provided for COVID-19 relief to counties will be disbursed this week. Three large counties, Guilford, Mecklenburg and Wake, have already received funds directly from the federal government, and 59 other counties that have completed certification will receive funds this week from the state-administered Coronavirus […]
Read More »Final decision notice signed for Buck Project on Nantahala National Forest
Murphy, NC, May 22, 2020 – The U.S. Forest Service signed the final decision notice for the Buck Project on the Nantahala National Forest’s Tusquitee Ranger District in eastern Clay County. When the draft decision was released in August, 2019, three objections were received. An objections resolution meeting was held in November, 2019. The final […]
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