Cherokee County tax listing reminders for January
Cherokee County is reminding property owners in Murphy, Andrews, Marble, and the rest of the county that the annual January listing window is coming, and it is time to think about personal property and improvements that need to be reported. The county’s tax pages make it clear that real and personal property owners are expected to list taxable items as of January 1 and to flag new buildings or additions so bills stay accurate and late penalties do not sneak up on anyone.
Listing is required for taxable personal property like equipment, mobile homes, and some vehicles. Property changes and improvements added in the past year need to be reported during the January window. The county also offers elderly and disabled homeowner relief for qualifying households. Residents who are unsure what needs to be listed are encouraged to contact the tax office before the deadline.
Sources:
https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/193/Tax-Notice---Cherokee-Countyhttps://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/175/Business-Personal-Propertyhttps://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/195/Property-Tax-Relief
News Date: December 2025.
Clay County commissioners oppose TVA–BRMEMC transmission line
Clay County’s Board of Commissioners has stepped into the spotlight by passing a formal resolution that opposes the current version of a Tennessee Valley Authority and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC transmission line proposal. The resolution, shared both in local reporting and community posts, argues that the project would harm views, property values, and the environment while also asking TVA and the co-op to extend the public comment period and improve notice to residents.
The resolution expresses strong opposition to the line in its current form and asks for at least 90 additional days added to the public comment window. Residents in areas like Hayesville and Shooting Creek are being encouraged to read the resolution and weigh in. The project ties into TVA’s wider transmission system plans across the Appalachian region, which makes this local vote part of a much bigger infrastructure conversation.
Sources:
https://www.themountainbuzz.com/post/clay-county-commissioners-pass-resolution-opposing-tva-brmemc-transmission-line-projecthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/722738315618744/posts/1541097247116176/https://www.facebook.com/groups/722738315618744/posts/1537518170807417/https://www.tva.com/energy/transmission/transmission-system-projects
News Date: December 9, 2025.
Former Clay County head jailer pleads guilty and receives probation
A former head jailer in Clay County has pleaded guilty and been placed on probation, closing out a case that regional radio stations have been following this fall. The plea deal means no active jail time, but it does mark a public accountability step inside a small county justice system where detention practices and leadership decisions are closely watched by locals.
WJRB reports that the plea was entered on a Monday in early December and that the case stems from earlier charges tied to the former jailer’s conduct while in office. Sentencing to probation instead of active time still leaves the conviction on the record. The outcome reinforces that detention officials are subject to the same laws as everyone else, which matters in a county where many people know the jail staff personally.
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/WJRBRadio/posts/1608388360222979/https://www.facebook.com/WJRBRadio/photos/1608387766889705/https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1532760587785757&id=100031554926124&set=a.760289668366190
News Date: December 3, 2025.
Kemp orders review commission for Towns County sheriff indictment
In Towns County, Georgia, the political and legal drama around Sheriff Kenneth Henderson has moved into a new phase with Governor Brian Kemp’s decision to appoint a formal review commission. The commission will examine Henderson’s indictment on multiple counts of violation of oath of office and determine whether he should remain suspended while the criminal case proceeds in court.
Executive Order 12.02.25.01 creates the review commission under state law. Henderson was indicted in October after an incident involving a Hiawassee officer, and he is currently suspended while the case moves forward. WSBTV and AccessWDUN report that the sheriff’s suspension remains in effect while the commission does its work. The commission’s recommendation will shape long-term leadership for the Towns County Sheriff’s Office and how long the county operates under interim leadership.
Sources:
https://gov.georgia.gov/executive-action/executive-orders/2025https://gov.georgia.gov/document/2025-executive-order/12022501/downloadhttps://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/kemp-orders-commission-review-indictment-suspension-north-georgia-sheriff/CESX6PI5UJGTRC35NOEW5PBAX4/https://accesswdun.com/news/gov-kemp-appoints-review-commission-to-examine-indictment-of-towns-co-sheriff
News Date: December 3, 2025.
Hiawassee police deputized and linked to Towns County by mutual aid agreement
Alongside the sheriff review, Towns County leaders have moved to strengthen day-to-day law enforcement coverage by deepening their partnership with the city of Hiawassee. Hiawassee police officers have been formally deputized by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, and the county and city signed a mutual aid agreement that makes it easier for officers to cross jurisdictional lines when responding to calls.
AccessWDUN reports that Hiawassee officers were deputized at a city council work session. FetchYourNews and Mountain Buzz highlight that a mutual aid agreement was signed at the same time. City and county officials say the goal is more seamless coverage for residents inside and outside the city limits. Videos and social posts show local leaders emphasizing cooperation and shared responsibility for public safety.
Sources:
https://ga.fetchyournews.com/featured-stories/hiawassee-police-officers-deputized-as-towns-county-city-sign-mutual-aid-agreement/https://accesswdun.com/news/hiawassee-police-department-deputized-by-towns-co-sheriffs-officehttps://www.themountainbuzz.com/blog/categories/towns-county-newshttps://www.facebook.com/HiawasseeGA/videos/2073395816798277/
https://www.facebook.com/accesswdun/posts/the-hiawassee-police-department-hpd-was-deputized-by-the-towns-county-sheriffs-o/1431432068976102/
News Date: November 25, 2025.
Union County’s new E-911 center shows visible progress
Union County’s new E-911 center on Shoe Factory Road, near Blairsville, is moving from concept to reality, with recent county updates showing visible structure and interior work. The project, funded through SPLOST dollars and built by a Blairsville-based contractor, will house NextGen 911 technology and upgraded dispatch systems to handle calls more reliably across the county.
A December 2 Union County News Flash reports that metal studs are up and plumbing is underway. Siding work is expected to begin soon, with technology like NextGen 911 and new CAD features on order. Earlier North Georgia News coverage describes the project as a roughly 3.8 million dollar build. The facility will support dispatchers, radios, and backup power for emergencies across Union County once it is complete.
Sources:
https://www.unioncountyga.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=99https://www.unioncountyga.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=1https://www.nganews.com/pdf/ngn%2004-23-25%20Front.pdfhttps://www.facebook.com/UnionCountyGaGovt/posts/1042271741421582/
News Date: December 2, 2025.
Blood Mountain missing hiker case and volunteer search for Charles Hosch
The disappearance of 67-year-old Dallas attorney and SMU law professor Charles Hosch near Blood Mountain continues to weigh on Union County and far beyond. After an intensive official search effort was paused late in November, his family and supporters are now organizing a major volunteer search weekend around December 13 and 14 and raising funds to keep the effort going.
National and regional outlets report Hosch went missing after a Veterans Day hike on the Byron Herbert Reece Trail, and that his vehicle was found at the trailhead. Authorities and volunteers have used K-9 teams, drones, and ground crews across rugged terrain. NBCDFW and AccessWDUN describe the pause in official search operations and the decision to regroup around new volunteer efforts. Social posts and fundraising pages are calling for trained volunteers and financial support to continue looking for Hosch, while encouraging everyone to respect safety guidance from Union County emergency management.
Sources:
https://www.chron.com/news/article/dallas-texas-attorney-missing-georgia-hike-21192657.phphttps://people.com/law-professor-was-last-seen-descending-from-mountain-on-veteran-s-day-no-one-has-heard-from-him-since-11850722https://people.com/missing-law-professor-who-disappeared-on-holiday-hike-still-hasnt-been-found-and-search-was-just-suspended-11856734https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/family-missing-smu-law-professor-plan-search/3953049/https://accesswdun.com/news/gofundme-page-launched-for-missing-gainesville-nativehttps://www.facebook.com/accesswdun/posts/a-gofundme-campaign-has-been-started-to-support-search-efforts-to-find-a-gainesv/1442184474567528/
News Date: December 10, 2025.
Tri-County Mental Health Summit in Fannin County
While much of the news cycle focuses on visible crises, leaders in Fannin County and neighboring communities have been quietly working on mental health. A recent Tri-County Mental Health Summit in Blueridge brought together local officials, providers, and advocates to talk through service gaps, coordination issues, and how small mountain counties can better support residents facing mental health and addiction challenges.
The News Observer’s local-news newsletter reports that the summit took place Friday, December 5. Attendees discussed needs across several counties rather than focusing on just one program or agency. The Fannin County Democrats event page lists the summit among its featured community events. Conversations from the summit may inform future funding, partnerships, and outreach across the region.
Sources:
https://www.thenewsobserver.com/local-news-newsletter/mental-health-needs-discussedhttps://www.fcdpga.com/events
News Date: December 10, 2025.
Copper Country Christmas 2025 coming to the Basin
The Copper Basin is gearing up for Copper Country Christmas 2025, a Saturday afternoon event that brings music, shopping, and seasonal fun to downtown Copperhill and nearby macaysvill. With the Kiwanis Christmas parade already in the books, this weekend’s gathering gives families one more chance to enjoy the season without lining up along the street for floats.
Copperhill’s event calendar lists Copper Country Christmas on Saturday, December 13, from noon to 5 p.m. Regional tourism sites highlight it as a featured holiday event for the Basin. Social posts invite residents and visitors to come out, support local businesses, and enjoy the small-town atmosphere. The focus is on walking, visiting shops, and spending a relaxed afternoon downtown.
Sources:
https://copperhill.gov/events-calendar/copper-country-christmas-2025/https://copperhill.gov/events-calendar/copperhill-kiwanis-christmas-parade-2025/https://www.blueridgemountains.com/events/a-copper-country-christmas/https://www.facebook.com/events/copperhill-tenn/copper-country-christmas/1966530447271614/
News Date: December 10, 2025.
Local Legends Thursday: “This Week in Local History” from the Cherokee Scout
For Local Legends Thursday, Appalachia Daily taps into the Cherokee Scout’s ongoing “This Week in Local History” column, which uses old front pages and clippings to remind readers what life looked like in Murphy and Andrews decades ago. The latest December edition revisits a Scout front page from a past December and pairs it with bits of school news, sports, church announcements, and small-town drama that will feel familiar to anyone living in today’s Appalachia.
The Scout publishes “This Week in Local History” every week, including a Murphy edition dated Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Recent installments reach back to older issues of the Cherokee Scout and the Andrews Journal. Social posts encourage readers to look for the feature in each week’s paper. The column gives locals a way to see how community stories repeat and evolve over time.
Sources:
https://www.cherokeescout.com/local/week-local-history-177https://www.cherokeescout.com/local/week-local-history-176https://www.cherokeescout.com/local/week-local-history-174https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeScoutnews/photos/look-for-a-blast-from-the-past-with-this-week-in-local-history-every-week-in-the/1378618267597944/
News Date: December 10, 2025.
Weather outlook
A cloudy, chilly December day is on tap across the mountains, with Murphy and surrounding communities seeing highs around the low 40s and overnight lows slipping back into the 20s. Conditions are similar in Hayesvul, Andrews, Blairsvul, Blueridge, and the Copper Basin, with slightly colder readings on the higher ridges and a risk of frost or ice in the usual shaded spots after dark.
Forecasts show mostly cloudy skies with no major storm system in the immediate term. High temperatures hover in the upper 30s to low 40s across most valleys. Overnight lows in the 20s will keep morning frost and slick back roads in play. Hikers and travelers should watch for rapidly falling temperatures at higher elevations.
Sources:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?textField1=35.0879&textField2=-84.0341
News Date: December 11, 2025.
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Notes, methods, and rights
This update was assembled using a mix of human editorial judgment, public records, and reputable local, regional, and national news sources, with help from artificial intelligence tools to summarize and organize information. All information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Every effort is made to keep details accurate as of publication time, but listeners and readers should always confirm time-sensitive items such as event dates, policy changes, and road or weather conditions with official agencies or organizers.
The Appalachia Daily Update and its associated content are produced by River Run Digital. All rights reserved. For more information about our work and services, visit:
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