Press Release Murphy - On the afternoon of May 20, 2026, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a saturation patrol operation in the Andrews area. Members of the Patrol Division, General Investigations Division, Narcotics Investigations Division, and Administrative Staff participated in the operation. During the patrol, Sheriff Chris Wood and Patrol K-9 Sergeant Timothy Leslie conducted a vehicle stop involving a Lexus passenger vehicle in the parking lot of the State

Murphy, NC – Murphy Mayor Tim Radford announced that Braden Rumfelt’s free hometown concert, originally postponed, has been officially rescheduled for Thursday, June 11 at Konehete Veterans Park. The celebration will kick off with food trucks and merchandise sales beginning at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to settle in for an evening of live music as the local American Idol alum returns home. “

MARBLE, N.C. — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is inviting local children to cast their lines at the annual Kid’s Fishing Day, set for Saturday, May 30, at the Sheriff’s Office Firing Range in Marble. The family-friendly event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until the fish stop biting, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. Organizers say the day will proceed rain or shine, though the start time could be delayed in the event of heavy rain or storms. The event will take p

Birds are voracious predators of garden pests. Many species consume hundreds of insects per day, especially during nesting season when they need protein to feed their young. This natural biological control reduces the need for chemical pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects and soil life. Birds also play roles in pollination and seed dispersal, and their droppings supply gentle, slow-release nutrients to the soil. By creating bird-friendly habitats—adding native plants

MURPHY, N.C. — The Braden Rumfelt concert originally scheduled for Thursday in Murphy has been postponed because of an approaching threat of severe weather, according to Murphy Mayor Tim Radford. In a statement released Tuesday, Mayor Radford cited forecasts calling for a 75% chance of rain, with up to a half-inch of precipitation possible along with thunderstorms. Organizers decided to act early given the large crowd expected and the complex logistics involved with the event

Press Release Cherokee County, NC — Today, Sheriff Chris Wood presented the prestigious Medal of Valor to five outstanding public safety professionals who demonstrated exceptional courage during a dangerous incident on September 10, 2022. The honorees are: • Captain Sean Myers, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office • Lieutenant Drew Payne, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office • Lieutenant Nathan Henderson, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office • Detective Cody Williams, Murphy Police Depar

MURPHY, N.C. — Road construction crews will begin milling, paving, and related improvements along U.S. 19 Business in downtown Murphy starting Sunday, May 17, according to Mayor Tim Radford. All work is scheduled to occur overnight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize daytime traffic disruptions for residents and businesses. “Milling operations will start on Hiwassee Street from McDonald’s through the downtown roundabout and continue north on Valley River Avenue,” the mayor’

Following a thorough investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division, Ashley Tonya Crisp, 33, of Murphy, has been charged with multiple animal welfare violations. On February 26, 2026, Animal Services received a report of an abandoned animal at a residence on Lunsford Road which belonged to Crisp. On March 18, 2026, deputies responded to a breaking-and-entering call at a vacant residence on US 64 West in Murphy. Inside the home, they discovered

North America’s only marsupial, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), often gets a bad rap. With their rat-like tails, nocturnal habits, and occasional “playing dead” routine, many homeowners view them as pests. But the truth is far more impressive: opossums are gentle, beneficial neighbors that provide free ecosystem services. From tick control to cleanup duty, these quiet workers help keep yards, gardens, and forests healthier. Here’s why you might actually want them

Carpenter bees are large, robust insects that many homeowners mistake for bumblebees at first glance. But look closer: unlike the fuzzy, all-over-hairy bumblebee, carpenter bees have a distinctive shiny, hairless black abdomen (earning them the nickname “shiny hiney” bees). They are solitary bees, meaning they don’t live in hives or colonies. Instead, females do the heavy lifting—literally—by boring perfectly round holes about half an inch in diameter into untreated or weathe

Clover, often dismissed as a common "weed" in lawns, is a powerhouse plant from the legume family (Trifolium species) with far-reaching advantages. White clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) stand out as the most common types. From fixing nitrogen in the soil to supporting pollinators and offering potential health benefits, clover delivers value across agriculture, ecology, gardening, and wellness. Agricultural and Forage Benefits Farmers have long va

Honeysuckles (Lonicera species) enchant with their sweet, nectar-rich blooms and intoxicating fragrance. These climbing vines or shrubs appear in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows worldwide. While not all parts suit consumption—berries of many species prove toxic—the flowers of several common varieties offer edible, medicinal, and practical applications. Identification and Safety First Focus primarily on the flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and common/Europ

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer The summer tradition of free music on the Hiawassee Town Square returns for its 27th year on Saturday, May 23! Every Saturday at 6:30 PM a different musical act will entertain locals and visitors alike. The band on stage for the first week of the 2026 season is Two Weeks Notice. Two Weeks Notice is a six-piece band of seasoned musicians based in the North Georgia/Hayesville, NC area. They perform classic rock and country songs primarily from the 70’s

For centuries, Indigenous peoples of North America, including the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and other tribes, cultivated corn, beans, and squash in a symbiotic system known as the "Three Sisters." This companion planting method is more than a gardening technique—it’s a brilliant example of ecological harmony that maximizes space, boosts yields, improves soil health, and provides a nutritionally balanced harvest. How the Three Sisters Work Together In this method, the plants ar

Beneath the clear, rushing waters of the Chattooga, Nantahala, and Watauga rivers lurks one of Appalachia’s most remarkable — and misunderstood — residents: the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). These giant salamanders, which can grow longer than two feet and weigh several pounds, are North America’s largest amphibians and a living relic of the region’s pristine mountain streams. Often called “water dogs,” “snot otters,” or “devil dogs” by local

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release On the evening of May 1, 2026, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an underage drinking party in the Beaver Dam community. The reports were received from school personnel who had overheard the plans being made. Deputies were initially alerted to the possibility of a gathering with alcohol beginning at 9:00 p.m., with the location reported as the pavilion near the boat ramp at Hanging Dog Campground or on

For the first time in recent memory, the Clay County Detention Center sits empty — not because crime has vanished, but due to a critical fire safety failure compounded by severe understaffing. A malfunctioning fire pump has taken the jail’s sprinkler system offline, prompting officials to relocate all 20 inmates to neighboring Cherokee County until the issue is resolved. State law requires at least three detention officers on duty around the clock to perform fire watch when a

In the world of backyard homesteading, where predators like hawks, raccoons, and foxes pose constant threats to feathered flocks, an unexpected ally has emerged from the skies: the crow. Often viewed as noisy nuisances or omens of bad luck, these highly intelligent corvids are proving to be valuable protectors and helpers for chicken keepers across the country. Nature’s Neighborhood Watch Crows are renowned for their sharp minds and complex social behaviors. When they spot a.

In the quest for sustainable gardening, homeowners and plant enthusiasts are turning kitchen scraps into powerful plant food. One trending hack—banana peel water, sometimes called “banana tea”—is gaining popularity as a natural fertilizer that recycles waste while delivering key nutrients to vegetables, flowers, and houseplants. Why Banana Peels? Banana peels are rich in potassium (K), an essential macronutrient that supports strong root development, photosynthesis, water reg

By Steve Esser The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine, 2,190 miles of footpath leading through 14 states. Students from Young Harris College recently spent time helping to refresh the Approach Trail (AT) at Amicalola Falls State Park. A group of students, faculty, staff, and friends of YHC worked in March on the 2026 YHC Spring Break Service Trip through the Hike Inn. “Service opportunities like these provide a meaningful and important space for students to d