Young Harris, GA — With warmer weather arriving and more people spending time outdoors across the North Georgia mountains and Western North Carolina, local authorities are reminding residents that producing moonshine — even in small amounts for personal use — is illegal under both state and federal law. Despite the rich Appalachian heritage and folklore surrounding homemade liquor, distilling spirits at home continues to be strictly prohibited in both Georgia and North Caroli

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Press Release MURPHY, N.C. — Agents with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Union County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia), concluded a joint narcotics investigation on June 1, 2026, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of trafficking quantities of methamphetamine. During the investigation, Agents conducted surveillance on a residence in Cherokee County. The operation led to a traffic stop along NC

Artificial intelligence is transforming home gardening, helping growers boost harvests, reduce waste, and solve problems faster. Here’s how you can use AI to get more from your garden. Key Ways AI Helps 1. Smart Planning & Plant Selection AI garden planners analyze your location, climate, and space to recommend the best crops, layouts, and companion planting. Apps like Planter, VegPlotter, or AI chatbots (Grok, ChatGPT) create personalized planting schedules and succession p

Cherokee County, NC – The Hanging Dog Fire Department is reaching out to residents with an urgent plea for help as the all-volunteer organization faces a critical shortage of members that could impact its ability to serve the community and maintain favorable insurance rates. In a message to citizens of the Hanging Dog Fire District, department leaders emphasized that while they have solid equipment and resources in place, “equipment alone cannot serve our community.” They nee

Despite recent showers, persistent drought conditions continue across Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina, with cracked soils and low water levels still common in many areas. Despite several rounds of rainfall in recent weeks, including beneficial showers across parts of the southern Appalachians and Piedmont, the severe to exceptional drought gripping Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina shows no signs of ending anytime soon. According to the latest U.S. Dro

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release MARBLE, N.C. – On Sunday, May 31, 2026, at approximately 7:13 p.m., the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a suspicious incident involving possible human remains on Fairview Road near Burnt Branch Road. A deputy arrived on scene and was shown a barrel containing bones by a citizen. The deputy was unable to immediately confirm whether the remains were human and requested the on-call investigator to respond.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release Marble, NC — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office held its annual Kids’ Fishing Derby today at the Sheriff’s Office pond in Marble. Despite steady rain throughout much of the day, families turned out in force, lines were cast, and plenty of fish were reeled in. The event brought together children, parents, deputies, and volunteers for a day focused on community, outdoor fun, and youth engagement. “Rain or shine, our community sho

A North Carolina superior court judge has determined that the state's Board of Elections broke the state constitution by allowing individuals who have never lived in North Carolina to register and cast ballots in federal elections. The decision, issued Tuesday by Special Superior Court Judge Hoyt Tessener in Wake County, sided with the Republican National Committee and North Carolina Republican Party in their legal challenge. It builds on a prior ruling from the North Carolin

In a nation once defined by its churches, town squares, and shared Protestant ethos, something profound has shifted. Politics has become the de facto religion for millions of Americans — complete with sacred texts (party platforms and founding documents interpreted as holy writ), heretics and apostates (those who deviate from the tribe), rituals (rallies, protests, social media outrage cycles), moral frameworks, and eschatological stakes ("this election will determine the fat

On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law, a pivotal and controversial piece of legislation that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River. The Act was framed as a voluntary exchange—offering tribes land in the newly designated "Indian Territory" (present-day Oklahoma and surrounding areas) in return for their fertile

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release On May 23, 2026, Sergeant D. T. Reilly of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots fired call at 151 Wild Byrd Road in Murphy. Upon arrival, Sergeant Reilly interviewed the complainant and two of his children, who stated that a neighboring resident had confronted them on two separate occasions while wielding a firearm. The incidents reportedly stemmed from the complainants riding an ATV in the area. The neighbor

Murphy, North Carolina – The Henn Theatre is bringing back the joy of summer movies with an exciting lineup of family-friendly films at very affordable prices. The theatre’s Summer Movie Program kicks off in June and continues through the end of July, offering perfect entertainment for families in the Murphy and Mountain Lakes area. According to the theatre’s promotional flyer, admission is just $2 per person, with children under 2 admitted free. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and

Murphy, NC – The Town of Murphy is inviting families and residents to kick off the summer with a fun-filled evening at its inaugural Summer Outdoor Movie Party on Thursday, July 2 at Konehete Veterans Park. The free community event will feature the animated hit Zootopia 2, with the movie scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as the festivities start at 5:00 p.m. with FREE bounce slides and bounce houses available until showtime. Organizers

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release Deputies and Detectives with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office have arrested two individuals following a vehicle break-in investigation and subsequent arson incident at King Ford. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, Deputies responded to King Ford in reference to multiple vehicles being broken into on the property. During the investigation, Deputies reviewed surveillance footage and identified the suspect as Zachary Dewayne Frady, 36,

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