Episodes

  • Appalachia Daily Update – November 27, 2025 (remix)

    Appalachia Daily Update – November 27, 2025 (remix)
    Nov 27 2025
    Holiday giving in Cherokee County: Shop with a Cop and Toys for TotsCherokee County’s holiday giving season is in full swing, with Shop with a Cop, the Sheriff’s Christmas Joy program, and Toys for Tots all working to make sure local kids and seniors are not forgotten this Christmas.* The Murphy Police Department partners with Walmart for its annual Shop with a Cop event, a tradition that started in two thousand four and now sends local children shopping with officers for gifts and essentials.* The Christmas Joy program run through the Sheriff’s Reserve collects donations from residents and businesses, then works with schools and the Senior Center to identify kids and older adults who need help.* Toys for Tots – Cherokee County, NC has donation boxes at local businesses and churches, plus special collection events and a cut off date shared by churches like Saint William in Murphy.News as of: November 27, 2025.Sources:https://www.townofmurphync.com/police/page/shop-cophttps://cherokeesheriffsfoundation.org/wp/christmas-joy/https://cherokeecountychamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/shop-with-a-cop-fundraiser-44433https://murphy-nc.toysfortots.org/https://www.cherokeescout.com/events/day-planner-298https://st-william.net/news/toys-for-tots-cut-offFrom bitcoin to AI: Marble data center powers upA former textile factory and later bitcoin mine near Marble is being transformed into a high-density data center for artificial intelligence, marking another big shift in how this huge facility fits into Cherokee County’s economy.* The roughly two hundred fifty thousand square foot plant, once part of American Thread, previously hosted industrial crypto mining and now is being retooled for AI and other compute-intensive workloads.* Operator Core Scientific markets the Marble campus as a secure, high-density data center with more than one hundred three megawatts of capacity on about seventy acres, built for AI and storage.* GPU cloud provider CoreWeave has signed multi year deals to lease significant data center capacity from Core Scientific, part of a larger national boom in AI infrastructure that analysts say is changing the company’s business model.* Commentators note that the Marble site could end up running massive clusters of Nvidia GPUs for generative AI, drawing power equivalent to tens of thousands of homes and raising long term questions about jobs, tax revenue, and grid capacity.News as of: Update of previous stories dated August 13, 2024, and December 17, 2024.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/crypto-mining-aihttps://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/local-plant-turns-ai-expandhttps://corescientific.com/high-density-data-centers/marble-nc/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/coreweave-to-lease-16mw-of-data-center-space-from-cryptominer-core-scientific/https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/10/28/bitcoin-miner-core-scientific-upgraded-to-buy-on-ai-data-center-boom-h-c-wainwrightThanksgiving travel and seat belt enforcementWith Thanksgiving travel in full swing, state and local law enforcement are stepping up seat belt enforcement on North Carolina highways, including the routes mountain families rely on to visit friends and relatives.* AAA projects about two point three million North Carolinians will travel fifty miles or more this Thanksgiving, the highest number on record for the state.* The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program is running a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign from November twenty four through November thirty, stressing seat belt use and sober driving.* Extra patrols are out on interstates and mountain corridors, with agencies from Raleigh to Asheville and the far west focusing on unbuckled drivers, speeding, and impairment.* Nationally, AAA expects close to eighty million Americans traveling at least fifty miles, making this one of the busiest and riskier travel windows of the year.News as of: November 27, 2025.Sources:https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-11-24-thanksgiving-seat-belt-enforcement.aspxhttps://newsroom.acg.aaa.com/aaa-over-2-million-north-carolinians-expected-to-travel-for-thanksgiving/https://www.witn.com/2025/11/24/statewide-thanksgiving-click-it-or-ticket-campaign-underway/https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-use-your-seatbelt-apd-launches-thanksgiving-click-it-or-ticket-campaign/Thanksgiving help: free community meal and shelter optionsFor neighbors who are struggling this Thanksgiving, Cherokee County has options for both a holiday meal and a safe place to stay.* REACH of Cherokee County and the Rotary Club of Murphy are hosting a free community Thanksgiving dinner in downtown Murphy on Thursday, November twenty seventh, from eleven a.m. to two p.m. at eighty five Hiwassee Street. The event is open to everyone, with walk-through and drive-through service.* The Murphy Shelter / Cherokee County Homeless Shelter provides food, clothing, and shelter to men, women, and families in need, with a listed ...
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    10 mins
  • Appalachia Daily Update – November 27, 2025

    Appalachia Daily Update – November 27, 2025
    Nov 27 2025
    Holiday giving in Cherokee County: Shop with a Cop and Toys for TotsCherokee County’s holiday giving season is in full swing, with Shop with a Cop, the Sheriff’s Christmas Joy program, and Toys for Tots all working to make sure local kids and seniors are not forgotten this Christmas.* The Murphy Police Department partners with Walmart for its annual Shop with a Cop event, a tradition that started in two thousand four and now sends local children shopping with officers for gifts and essentials.* The Christmas Joy program run through the Sheriff’s Reserve collects donations from residents and businesses, then works with schools and the Senior Center to identify kids and older adults who need help.* Toys for Tots – Cherokee County, NC has donation boxes at local businesses and churches, plus special collection events and a cut off date shared by churches like Saint William in Murphy.News as of: November 27, 2025.Sources:https://www.townofmurphync.com/police/page/shop-cophttps://cherokeesheriffsfoundation.org/wp/christmas-joy/https://cherokeecountychamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/shop-with-a-cop-fundraiser-44433https://murphy-nc.toysfortots.org/https://www.cherokeescout.com/events/day-planner-298https://st-william.net/news/toys-for-tots-cut-offFrom bitcoin to AI: Marble data center powers upA former textile factory and later bitcoin mine near Marble is being transformed into a high-density data center for artificial intelligence, marking another big shift in how this huge facility fits into Cherokee County’s economy.* The roughly two hundred fifty thousand square foot plant, once part of American Thread, previously hosted industrial crypto mining and now is being retooled for AI and other compute-intensive workloads.* Operator Core Scientific markets the Marble campus as a secure, high-density data center with more than one hundred three megawatts of capacity on about seventy acres, built for AI and storage.* GPU cloud provider CoreWeave has signed multi year deals to lease significant data center capacity from Core Scientific, part of a larger national boom in AI infrastructure that analysts say is changing the company’s business model.* Commentators note that the Marble site could end up running massive clusters of Nvidia GPUs for generative AI, drawing power equivalent to tens of thousands of homes and raising long term questions about jobs, tax revenue, and grid capacity.News as of: Update of previous stories dated August 13, 2024, and December 17, 2024.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/crypto-mining-aihttps://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/local-plant-turns-ai-expandhttps://corescientific.com/high-density-data-centers/marble-nc/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/coreweave-to-lease-16mw-of-data-center-space-from-cryptominer-core-scientific/https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/10/28/bitcoin-miner-core-scientific-upgraded-to-buy-on-ai-data-center-boom-h-c-wainwrightThanksgiving travel and seat belt enforcementWith Thanksgiving travel in full swing, state and local law enforcement are stepping up seat belt enforcement on North Carolina highways, including the routes mountain families rely on to visit friends and relatives.* AAA projects about two point three million North Carolinians will travel fifty miles or more this Thanksgiving, the highest number on record for the state.* The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program is running a statewide Click It or Ticket campaign from November twenty four through November thirty, stressing seat belt use and sober driving.* Extra patrols are out on interstates and mountain corridors, with agencies from Raleigh to Asheville and the far west focusing on unbuckled drivers, speeding, and impairment.* Nationally, AAA expects close to eighty million Americans traveling at least fifty miles, making this one of the busiest and riskier travel windows of the year.News as of: November 27, 2025.Sources:https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-11-24-thanksgiving-seat-belt-enforcement.aspxhttps://newsroom.acg.aaa.com/aaa-over-2-million-north-carolinians-expected-to-travel-for-thanksgiving/https://www.witn.com/2025/11/24/statewide-thanksgiving-click-it-or-ticket-campaign-underway/https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-use-your-seatbelt-apd-launches-thanksgiving-click-it-or-ticket-campaign/Thanksgiving help: free community meal and shelter optionsFor neighbors who are struggling this Thanksgiving, Cherokee County has options for both a holiday meal and a safe place to stay.* REACH of Cherokee County and the Rotary Club of Murphy are hosting a free community Thanksgiving dinner in downtown Murphy on Thursday, November twenty seventh, from eleven a.m. to two p.m. at eighty five Hiwassee Street. The event is open to everyone, with walk-through and drive-through service.* The Murphy Shelter / Cherokee County Homeless Shelter provides food, clothing, and shelter to men, women, and families in need, with a listed ...
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    10 mins
  • Appalachia Daily Update – November 26, 2025

    Appalachia Daily Update – November 26, 2025
    Nov 26 2025
    Stay connected with the Appalachia Daily UpdateIf you enjoy the Appalachia Daily Update and want an easy way to keep up, here are all the places you can find the show.Substack – our home base and preferred way to listenThis is where each newscast is built and posted, with full show notes and links. If you do not have Substack yet, this is a great time to sign up. The Appalachia Daily will drop into your inbox as an email, and you can easily scroll back through previous newscasts.https://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-SubstackApple PodcastsIf you listen on your iPhone or iPad, you can follow the Appalachia Daily on Apple Podcasts and have new episodes waiting in your feed.https://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-AppleAmazon Music and AlexaFor Amazon Music listeners and anyone who likes to use Alexa, you can connect with the Appalachia Daily on Amazon Music and play the latest update hands free.https://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-AmzSpotifyIf you are a Spotify fan, you can follow the Appalachia Daily there and add it to your daily listening routine.https://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-SpotifyFacebookIf you have not already, find us on Facebook, then like, follow, and share to help neighbors across the mountains discover the Appalachia Daily.https://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-FBFire danger still elevated in Cherokee County and the mountain regionEven though recent rain allowed officials to lift local burn restrictions, fire danger remains elevated across Cherokee County and the far western North Carolina mountains. State wildfire reports and fire danger assessments show ongoing concern heading into Thanksgiving week, with dry leaves and low humidity keeping conditions ripe for fast-moving brush fires if people are careless with outdoor burning.* North Carolina Forest Service wildfire situation report highlights recent fire activity and ongoing risk.* November statewide fire danger assessment notes continued concern in the mountains.* Local coverage reports the Cherokee County burn ban being lifted as of November twenty second, but officials still urge caution with leaf burning and campfires.Sources:https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention/sit-reporthttps://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention/fire-dangerhttps://www.cherokeescout.com/regional-news-newsletter/burn-ban-lifted-nov-22News as of: November 26, 2025.Regional note: Search for missing Georgia hiker Charles HoschMany in Western North Carolina are watching developments in the search for sixty seven year old law professor Charles Hosch, who disappeared on Veterans Day while hiking near Blood Mountain in Union County, Georgia. After nearly two weeks of round-the-clock efforts along the Byron Herbert Reece Trail, authorities have scaled back full ground searches, but the case remains active and search teams say they will continue to pursue any new clues or credible leads. Officials are asking hunters and other hikers with trail cameras in the Blood Mountain area to review their footage and share anything that might help with investigators. WLOSSources:https://wlos.com/news/nation-world/family-clings-to-hope-as-search-for-missing-hiker-charles-hosch-suspended-in-georgia-hike-byron-herbert-reece-trail-blood-mountain-union-county-sheriffs-office-law-professor-clues-evidenceNews as of: November 26, 2025.Thanksgiving closures for Cherokee County government officesCherokee County’s official calendar shows county government offices in Murphy closed on Thursday, November twenty seventh, and Friday, November twenty eighth for the Thanksgiving holiday. The closure affects walk-in services such as in-person tax payments, permits, and other front desk business, so residents are encouraged to handle urgent tasks earlier in the week or use online options where available.* County calendar lists November twenty seventh and twenty eighth as full-day Thanksgiving closures.* Residents should double check court dates and state office hours, since many agencies follow similar schedules.Sources:https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspxhttps://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1014News as of: November 26, 2025.Murphy gears up for Shop Small Weekend, Art Walk, tree lighting, and Christmas paradeDowntown Murphy is rolling out a full slate of holiday events. Main Street Murphy’s calendar promotes a Shop Small Weekend and Downtown Dollars promotion on November twenty eighth and twenty ninth, encouraging shoppers to support local retailers. The Murphy Art Walk returns on Friday, December fifth, followed that evening by the Murphy Mountain Christmas celebration and town Christmas tree lighting. The annual Murphy Christmas parade is also on the holiday calendar, giving families, churches, and community groups a chance to line the streets and welcome the season together.* Main Street Murphy calendar lists Shop Small Weekend and Downtown Dollars details.* Town of Murphy event pages highlight the Murphy Mountain Christmas ...
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    6 mins
  • Appalachia Daily Update – November 25, 2025

    Appalachia Daily Update – November 25, 2025
    Nov 25 2025
    Record breaking drug trafficking sentence in Cherokee CountyA Cherokee County jury has convicted a Peachtree man in what local officials describe as a record breaking meth trafficking case, with a prison term approaching two decades. The case involved high level manufacturing and trafficking charges and a multi agency investigation, and the stiff sentence is meant to send a message about large scale drug operations in the county.* Jury found the defendant guilty on multiple high level meth trafficking counts.* Superior court judge imposed a sentence of roughly eighteen to twenty three years in state prison.* Officials say the case reflects ongoing efforts to crack down on meth labs and major distribution.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/jury-finds-peachtree-man-guilty-drug-trafficking-record-breaking-casehttps://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/north-carolina-jury-convicts-man-record-meth-caseMurphy Police join Community Care social worker programMurphy Police have joined the Community Care program, a Western Carolina University initiative that embeds social workers with rural departments to handle complex, non criminal calls. Social workers help respond to or follow up on calls involving homelessness, addiction, mental health crises, and frequent nine one one use, connecting people with services and reducing repeat emergencies.* Program began in Sylva and has expanded to multiple western North Carolina agencies.* Social workers ride along or follow up after calls to connect people with housing, treatment, or counseling.* Goal is to lower repeat calls, reduce strain on officers, and improve outcomes for vulnerable residents.Sources:https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/19/police-social-workershttps://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/sheriff-seeks-grant-form-crisis-teamVeterans honored in Cherokee and new college benefitsIn Cherokee, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians hosted a Veterans Day tribute at Steven Youngdeer American Legion Post one four three, where community members gathered to thank those who served. At the state level, new laws are expanding in state tuition, tuition assistance, and flexible enrollment for veterans and military families across the UNC System, which now has more than twenty three thousand military affiliated students.* Veterans Day event highlighted gratitude and ongoing service among local veterans in Cherokee.* Military Tuition and Residency, Tuition Assistance, and Deferred Enrollment acts expand college access.* Western mountain campuses expect more veterans and family members to enroll under the new rules.Sources:https://wlos.com/news/local/eastern-band-cherokee-indians-host-veterans-day-tribute-steven-youngdeer-american-legion-post-commander-community-thankshttps://www.northcarolina.edu/news/new-laws-expand-college-access-for-north-carolinas-veterans-and-military-familieshttps://www.northcarolina.edu/students/militaryhttps://ckh.enc.edu/news/new-laws-make-college-easier-for-veterans-in-north-carolinaFire danger and mountain weather checkAfter a stretch of high wildfire concern across North Carolina, today’s fire outlook for Cherokee County is helped by clouds and periods of rain, which lower near term fire spread risk but do not remove it. State fire danger tools continue to show at least moderate risk across parts of the state, and the North Carolina Forest Service is urging residents to use caution with any outdoor burning.* North Carolina State Climate Office publishes a daily fire danger map based on national rating categories.* Recent statewide advisories have highlighted the risk of fast spreading wildfires in dry and windy conditions.* Today’s local forecast brings cooler temperatures and showers to Cherokee County.Sources:https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/fwip/nc_dangerhttps://nclocal.org/2025/11/19/wildfire-danger-is-high-across-nc-heres-what-you-should-knowhttps://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention/sit-reporthttps://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-servicehttps://www.weather.gov/gspMurphy Mountain Christmas and Shop Small weekendDowntown Murphy is gearing up for Murphy Mountain Christmas, a season of small town holiday events built around Shop Small Weekend. The program features an art walk, Christmas tree lighting, parade, Santa visits, and other activities that encourage residents to spend their holiday dollars with locally owned businesses.* Town of Murphy Main Street promotes the events as free and family friendly.* Shop Small Weekend kicks off the season by highlighting downtown merchants.* Posters and social posts point residents to local pages for event dates and details.Sources:https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/murphy-mountain-christmashttps://www.facebook.com/downtownmurphync/photos/remember-this-holiday-season-to-shop-small-shop-local-downtownmurphync-murphync-/1215412783969440Murphy Bulldogs aim for regional playoff tripThe Murphy Bulldogs football team is ...
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    8 mins
  • Appalachia Daily Update for November 24, 2025

    Appalachia Daily Update for November 24, 2025
    Nov 24 2025
    North Carolina dwelling insurance hike worries mountain homeowners and rental hostsA new filing from the North Carolina Rate Bureau asks for an average sixty eight point three percent increase in dwelling insurance rates over the next two years, which could hit mountain homeowners and short term rental owners especially hard. Local rental hosts say they may be forced to raise rates or rethink their business plans, while the State Insurance Commissioner prepares for a formal hearing process that could approve, reduce, or reject the proposal.* Dwelling policies often cover cabins and second homes commonly used as rentals in Western North Carolina.* Higher premiums could put pressure on tourism economies that depend on affordable lodging.* The public will have opportunities to comment as the review process moves forward.Sources* https://wlos.com/news/local/north-carolina-proposed-68-percent-insurance-hike-stirs-concern-short-term-rentals-wnc-western-airbnb-vacation-rental-investment-economy-tourism-homes-house-condo-crews-money* https://www.facebook.com/News13/posts/a-request-from-the-north-carolina-rate-bureau-to-raise-dwelling-insurance-premiu/1146838104319588Fire danger check and safe leaf burning guidance for Cherokee County areaDry and mild weather continues across far Western North Carolina to start the week, with highs in the sixties and light winds ahead of a wetter system arriving Monday night into midweek. While there are no statewide burn bans in effect, the North Carolina Forest Service continues to warn that debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires, and state fire danger tools show conditions that can allow fires to start from many accidental causes.* Use only natural yard waste in small piles when burning leaves.* Keep water and tools nearby, and never leave a fire unattended.* Check the daily fire danger map and local forecast before striking a match.Sources* https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=NCZ060* https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=CI&glossary=1&issuedby=mrx&product=AFD&site=NWS* https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention/sit-report* https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/fwip/nc_danger* https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-quality-compliance/open-burningLake Lure marks completion of major Helene debris cleanup missionIn Lake Lure, town leaders and the U S Army Corps of Engineers have announced the completion of a large scale debris removal and lake restoration mission following Hurricane Helene. The effort included months of work pulling storm debris from the lake surface and bottom, and officials describe it as one of the biggest and most complex debris missions in Western North Carolina since the storm.* A final walk through at Morse Park marked the formal closeout of Corps operations.* Debris removal improves safety for boaters, anglers, and lakefront property owners.* Town officials say the work sets the stage for long term restoration of recreation and tourism.Sources* https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/lake-lure-storm-recovery-updates-and-more-112025* https://www.townoflakelure.com/news* https://www.facebook.com/USACESAD/posts/1306890074811691* https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/NewsHelene recovery grants rebuild business infrastructure across Western North CarolinaA fresh wave of Helene recovery grants is sending more than a dozen million dollars into nineteen projects across Western North Carolina, aimed at repairing sidewalks, streets, utilities, and other infrastructure that local small businesses rely on. Administered through the state’s Small Business Infrastructure Grant program and related Helene initiatives, the funding is meant to help downtowns and commercial districts fully recover from storm damage.* Grants support projects such as sidewalk reconstruction, sewer and water repairs, and streetscape improvements.* Local governments in Helene impacted areas can still apply for certain disaster relief and mitigation funds.* These new awards build on earlier rounds of small business infrastructure grants announced this summer.Sources* https://www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/recovery-resources/small-business-infrastructure-grants-local-governments-smbiz* https://www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/catalog-category/local-governments* https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/nc-helene-grants-will-cover-infrastructure-repairs-in-biltmore-village-other-communities* https://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40519-14-million-in-wnc-small-business-grants-announced* https://www.commerce.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/07/10/governor-stein-announces-73-million-will-help-small-business-recovery-western-north-carolinaAmerican Legion Post 317 reopens one year after Helene damageIn Madison County, American Legion Post three seventeen is open again after Helene severely damaged its building and forced a long closure. The post, which has served veterans and the local community since the nineteen fifties, relied on ...
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    13 mins
  • Appalachia Daily Update for November 23, 2025

    Appalachia Daily Update for November 23, 2025
    Nov 23 2025
    Cherokee County burn ban lifted, but safety rules remainCherokee County has lifted its local burn ban as of November twenty second, giving residents more flexibility to burn yard debris again. Officials are still urging caution, reminding people that only natural vegetation should be burned, fires should be kept small and attended, and residents should check for any permit requirements or local restrictions before lighting a match.* Recent rain and improving conditions allowed county leaders to remove the ban.* Fire officials still warn that wind and dry spots can cause small fires to spread quickly.* Residents are encouraged to keep water or extinguishers nearby and to avoid burning on windy days.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/regional-news-newsletter/burn-ban-lifted-nov-22https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2025/03/20/burn-ban-issued-all-north-carolina-counties-due-hazardous-forest-fire-conditionshttps://abc45.com/news/local/increased-fire-danger-monday-wildfire-burn-ban-polk-buncombe-henderson-haywood-western-north-carolina-us-forest-service-emergency-servicesFederal package sends $3 million to Erlanger Western Carolina HospitalErlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Murphy is slated to receive three million dollars for facility improvements as part of a recent federal spending agreement. For a small rural hospital that serves much of far-western North Carolina, this money can support critical upgrades to buildings and equipment and help sustain services that residents rely on every day.* The same package includes funding for other rural hospitals in the region.* Congressman Chuck Edwards highlighted Erlanger Western Carolina among his targeted community projects.* The hospital remains the only facility of its kind west of Bryson City and Franklin.Sources:https://newschannel9.com/news/local/federal-shutdown-bill-gives-millions-for-rural-hospital-improvements-in-pikeville-murphy-erlangerhttps://edwards.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-edwards-votes-reopen-government-secure-funding-disaster-reliefhttps://edwards.house.gov/media/press-releases/edwards-announces-wnc-targeted-funding-requests-fy25https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlanger_Western_Carolina_HospitalMurphy Police joins growing “police plus social worker” modelMurphy Police Department is part of a new wave of rural agencies partnering with Western Carolina University to embed social workers alongside officers. Instead of sending only police to calls tied to homelessness, addiction, or mental health crises, the Community Care program pairs officers with trained social workers who can connect people to services and follow up after the initial 9 1 1 call.* The model began in Sylva and has expanded to eight departments across western North Carolina.* Police leaders say social workers help reduce repeat calls and unnecessary arrests.* The program aims to add tools for officers, not replace them.Sources:https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/11/19/police-social-workers/Thanksgiving week forecast: Nice now, rainy mid-week, crisp on the holidaySunday brings a mild, sunny day to both Murphy and Hayesville, with highs in the mid- to upper-sixties and cool nights. Monday looks dry and comfortable as well, making it a good day for early travel or outdoor chores. By Tuesday, clouds and periods of heavy rain move in, raising the risk of ponding on roads and slower drive times.* Tuesday is the wettest and most travel-challenging day for much of the region.* Wednesday keeps showers and clouds in the mix, especially around Hayesville.* Thanksgiving Day itself trends cooler but mostly sunny, with classic late-fall conditions.Sources:https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/murphy/28906/daily-weather-forecast/333640https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/hayesville/28904/daily-weather-forecast/333641Hayesville Alumni Basketball Game brings the community togetherAn Alumni Basketball Game at Hayesville High School is bringing former Yellow Jackets back to the court for a night of nostalgia and school spirit. Organized with help from the student council, the event gives fans a chance to see familiar faces play again and helps support school activities in the process.* Alumni return to the gym to play in front of current students, staff, and families.* The game serves as a mini-reunion and a community night out.* Proceeds typically help support student programs or local causes.Sources:https://www.claycountyprogress.com/https://www.facebook.com/search/posts/?q=hayesville%20alumni%20basketballhttps://www.facebook.com/bealcenterhayesvilleClay County holiday markets and “Shop With a Hero” for local kidsClay County’s holiday calendar is packed with events that blend shopping local with supporting children in need. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is running its Shop With a Hero program, accepting applications from families and donations from the community through November twenty sixth. At the same time, the Clay County Chamber is promoting a ...
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    10 mins
  • Appalachia Daily Update for November 22, 2025

    Appalachia Daily Update for November 22, 2025
    Nov 22 2025
    State expands “WNC Thrive” recovery programs after Hurricane HeleneThe state of North Carolina is putting more muscle behind the WNC Thrive initiative, adding funding that brings total support for children and families in the 22 hardest-hit counties—including Clay and Cherokee—to about three point seven five million dollars. The expansion will grow free after-school, weekend, and summer camp programs, and deepen behavioral-health support for kids and parents still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s impacts.Sources:https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/11/20/governor-stein-ncdhhs-grow-nc-announce-expansion-wnc-thrive-helping-children-and-families-impactedWeekend forecast: Wet start, then clearing and coolerThe National Weather Service expects showers and a few thunderstorms early today, with patchy fog in low-lying areas, followed by gradual clearing and highs around the upper sixties to near seventy. Tonight turns cooler with lows in the forties, and Sunday looks sunny and seasonable. Another system is on track to bring showers and possible thunderstorms back to the region by Tuesday, just as Thanksgiving travel begins.Sources:https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=NCZ060https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?FcstType=text&lat=35.1159&lg=english&lon=-84.0869Clay County candidate filing window opens soonIn Hayesville, the Clay County Progress reports that the official candidate filing period for local offices will begin in less than two weeks. The article outlines which county and local seats are expected to be on the ballot and encourages would-be candidates to prepare paperwork now so they’re ready when the filing window opens.Sources:https://www.claycountyprogress.com/local-newsletter/candidate-filing-period-begins-less-two-weeksCherokee County “Crime & Courts Roundup”The latest Cherokee County Arrest Report from the Cherokee Scout lists multiple recent bookings and charges across the county. Rather than spotlighting individual names, today’s newscast treats this as a single “Crime and Courts Roundup,” giving listeners a high-level look at the types of cases local law enforcement and the courts are handling, while keeping routine crime coverage limited to one concise segment.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/local/cherokee-county-arrest-report-117Opinion: Mounting bicycle death toll raises road-safety questionsA Cherokee Scout opinion column warns about what it calls a “mounting bicycle death toll” in Cherokee County. The writer ties together recent cycling fatalities and near-misses to argue for more driver awareness, better road design and signage, and stronger protection for cyclists who share narrow mountain roads with cars and trucks.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/opinion/countys-mounting-bicycle-death-tollA ray of hope: Community rallies around woman battling cancerA feature story from the Cherokee Scout profiles Nell Britt, a seventy eight-year-old local resident battling cancer, and the network of friends, church members, and neighbors who have rallied around her. From rides to appointments and home-cooked meals to fundraising support, the article paints a picture of a community quietly stepping up to carry one of its own through a difficult season.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/ray-hope-community-steps-woman-battling-cancerBald eagle drops cat through windshield on U.S. 74Regional and national outlets are picking up a bizarre story out of Swain County, where a driver on U.S. 74 near Bryson City reported that a bald eagle dropped a cat onto her car, sending it through the passenger-side windshield. The driver was not injured but was understandably shaken, and the vehicle had to be towed. Wildlife officials say bald eagles are increasingly common in the area and sometimes drop scavenged animals mid-flight.Sources:https://apnews.com/article/c3fdb9978ffe5ca347f2008d660adc07Reminder: Cherokee County Thanksgiving office closuresCherokee County’s official calendar confirms that county government offices in Murphy will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving. Residents who need to handle in-person business—such as tax payments, permitting, or other county services—should plan around the two-day closure, with normal operations resuming the following week.Sources:https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspxhttps://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1014Winter sports underway: Swimming, wrestling, and hoopsWinter sports are heating up even as the weather cools down. Tri-County swimmers are back in the pool for their first meet of the season, and local wrestling programs are starting competition across the region. Posts and coverage from the Cherokee Scout also emphasize that basketball is ramping up, with schools like Andrews and Hiahwasee Dam tipping off their seasons as November winds down.Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/sports/...
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  • Appalachia Daily Update for November 21, 2025

    Appalachia Daily Update for November 21, 2025
    Nov 21 2025
    Jury convicts Peachtree man in Cherokee County’s largest meth caseA Cherokee County jury has convicted 53-year-old Lars Prentice Johnson of the Peachtree community in the county’s largest methamphetamine case, tied to a 2022 search in Marble that uncovered roughly 38 pounds of meth and a conversion lab. The verdict closes a high-profile case that officials say could have harmed hundreds of people across the region.Sources:* Johnson Sentenced for Drug Case – The Mountain Buzz The Mountain Buzz* North Carolina jury convicts man in record meth case – FOX 5 Atlanta FOX 5 Atlanta* Vehicle stop leads to largest meth seizure in Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office history – WLOS WLOSCherokee County Narcotics Division disrupts major drug-trafficking run from GeorgiaCherokee County’s Narcotics Division, working with Pickens County, Georgia deputies and K-9 Storm, stopped a vehicle returning to North Carolina on November 15 and seized over a pound of meth along with suspected fentanyl, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana. Two suspects were jailed on multiple trafficking charges with no bond, highlighting an active drug pipeline from Georgia into the far-western counties.Sources:* Cherokee County Narcotics Division Disrupts Major Drug Trafficking Operation – CCSO release via Facebook Facebook* Cherokee County Narcotics Division Disrupts Major Drug Trafficking Operation – WKRK share Facebook* Cherokee County Narcotics Division Disrupts Major Drug Trafficking Operation – The Mountain Buzz local news listing The Mountain BuzzSearch intensifies for missing Texas law professor near Blood MountainSearch crews in Union County, Georgia continue to scour steep terrain around Blood Mountain for 67-year-old Dallas attorney and SMU law professor Charles Hosch, last seen November 11 near the Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead. Multiple agencies, K-9 teams, aviation units, and volunteers are involved, and authorities are asking anyone with information or trail-camera footage from the area to come forward.Sources:* SMU law professor reported missing while hiking in Georgia – WFAA WFAA* Search Continues for Missing Hiker on Blood Mountain – FetchYourNews fannin.fetchyournews.com* Search for Missing Hiker Charles Hosch Enters Challenging Phase – FetchYourNews ga.fetchyournews.comWildfire danger stays on the radar across NC after Helene’s forest damageWhile far-western counties have dropped from “high” to “moderate” fire danger, NC Local reports that wildfire risk remains elevated due to dry conditions and more than 800,000 acres of downed timber from Hurricane Helene acting as fuel. The piece notes that Cherokee County’s forecast showed an uptick in fire risk this week, and quotes Murphy Mayor Tim Radford urging residents to take the elevated danger seriously and follow local guidance on outdoor burning.Sources:* Wildfire danger is high across NC. Here’s what you should know – NC Local NCLocal+1* Helene impacted over 800,000 acres of forest – EcoForesters ecoforesters.org* DEQ awards $3 million for Helene debris removal – NC DEQ NC Department of Environmental QualityBenita England sworn in as mayor of HayesvilleFollowing her election earlier this month, Benita England has now been sworn in as Hayesville’s mayor, formally beginning her term leading the town. The ceremony also installed council members and marks the start of a new governing team at Hayesville Town Hall.Sources:* England takes over as mayor – Hayesville – Clay County Progress Clay County ProgressClay County candidate filing period opens in less than two weeksClay County is reminding residents that the candidate filing period for upcoming twenty-twenty-six local elections begins in less than two weeks. The article outlines which offices will be on the ballot and when and where prospective candidates must file their paperwork.Sources:* Candidate filing period begins in less than two weeks – Clay County Progress Clay County ProgressClay County holiday food options for families needing helpA seasonal piece from Clay County Progress compiles multiple churches and community organizations offering free holiday meals and food boxes for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The article includes sign-up details and distribution dates for families who need support, as well as opportunities for volunteers and donors.Sources:* Clay County has holiday food options – Clay County Progress Clay County ProgressChristmas parade rumors spark clarification in Clay CountyAfter a viral Facebook post claimed that Clay County’s Christmas parade would ban teddy bears, prayer, and Christmas caroling, the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association issued a statement clarifying that prayer, worship, and holiday music are welcome and encouraged. Organizers explained that only tossing stuffed animals from floats has been stopped for safety and cleanup reasons. The parade is scheduled for December 13 at 6 p.m. on the Hayesville square.Sources:* Controversy ...
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    11 mins