Hands-Free NC law now in effect for local drivers
North Carolina’s new Hands Free NC law is now active across the state, changing how drivers can legally use phones in their vehicles. The law bans most handheld use while driving, including at stoplights, and pushes people toward hands-free options instead.
* The Hands Free NC Act took effect on December 1, 2025, and makes it illegal to operate a vehicle while holding a phone in most situations.
* Drivers can still use phones via built-in car systems or hands-free mounts, except in emergencies.
* Law enforcement is expected to begin with education and warnings before moving into full ticketing next year.
Sources:
* https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S526v1.pdf (North Carolina General Assembly)
* https://lrs.sog.unc.edu/billsum/s-526-2025-2026 (Legislative Reporting Service)
* https://app.legiplex.com/nc/legislature/2025/2025-r/bills/s526/drafts-compare/2228439/2221641 (Legiplex)
* https://ncsheriffs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NCSA-Weekly-Legislative-Report-2025.3.28.pdf (North Carolina Sheriffs Association)
News Date: March 28, 2025.
Wildlife officials urge people to keep deer wild
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is warning residents not to treat deer as pets after several reported attacks in 2025, including one in Cherokee County. Feeding deer or raising fawns may seem kind, but officials say it can lead to dangerous behavior and is illegal without permits.
* A December 1 news release urges people to stop feeding or trying to tame deer after multiple injuries to people and pets.
* One highlighted case involves a Cherokee County man injured by a neighbor’s semi-tame deer.
* Wildlife officers stress that people should leave fawns alone, avoid hand feeding, and contact authorities if a deer becomes aggressive around homes.
Sources:
* https://wlos.com/news/local/wildlife-commission-urges-public-to-keep-deer-wild-for-the-safety-of-people-and-the-animal-harmful-consequences-blue-ridge-parkway-gored-antlers-captivity-license-surveys-supervisor-western-north-carolina-risk-hospitalized-attack (WLOS)
* https://www.facebook.com/ncwildliferesourcescommission/posts/the-nc-wildlife-resources-commission-is-urging-the-public-to-refrain-from-feedin/1163142112521911/ (Facebook)
News Date: December 1, 2025.
K-8 mega-school plan paused as Murphy High’s future hangs in the balance
Cherokee County’s controversial K-8 consolidation proposal has been put on hold after the district missed a state grant deadline and faced strong pushback from parents and county commissioners. That pause leaves the core question unresolved: how to fix or replace aging facilities, especially at Murphy High School.
* The Cherokee Scout opinion column reports that the board postponed applying for state consolidation funds tied to the mega-school concept.
* The plan would have closed Peachtree, Martins Creek, Murphy Elementary, and Murphy Middle in favor of a single K-8 campus.
* With the application delayed and political support uncertain, families enter December still wondering what the long-term facilities plan will look like and how it will be funded.
Sources:
* https://www.cherokeescout.com/opinion/time-some-new-ideas-cherokee-county-schools (cherokeescout.com)
News Date: November 26, 2025.
Murphy Mountain Christmas events coming up this weekend
Downtown Murphy is getting ready for a full weekend of Murphy Mountain Christmas events that will bring crowds, lights, and shopping into the heart of town. The schedule includes an art walk, tree lighting, and the annual Christmas parade.
* The Murphy Mountain Christmas schedule runs from November 28 through December 20 in downtown Murphy.
* This weekend’s events include the Murphy Art Walk and the Town of Murphy Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5.
* The 2025 Murphy Christmas Parade follows on Saturday night, December 6, with an evening route from Valley Village Shopping Center to the depot area downtown.
Sources:
* https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/murphy-mountain-christmas (townofmurphync.com)
* https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/events (townofmurphync.com)
* https://www.facebook.com/downtownmurphync/posts/the-posters-for-a-murphy-mountain-christmas-are-going-up-around-town-read-all-ab/1213151774195541/ (Facebook)
News Date: November 28, 2025.
Free Honor and Glory Christmas concert at Mountainview Church
A free Christmas worship night is on the calendar for Murphy as the Honor and Glory Christmas Tour with the band Disciple comes to Mountainview Church. The event offers a local option for families who want a Christmas concert without driving to a larger city.
* The concert is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, at seven in the evening at Mountainview Church on Smith Hollow.
* Event listings bill the night as a free community worship service led by Honor and Glory, with no ticket purchase required.
* Organizers expect a strong local turnout, so arriving early for parking is a good idea.
Sources:
* https://wnsr.com/local-events?_evDiscoveryPath=%2Fevent%2F106978506n-disciple-honor-glory-christmas-tour-in-murphy-nc-free-show (wnsr.com)
* https://www.bandsintown.com/e/106978506-disciple-at-mountainview-church (Bandsintown)
* https://happeningnext.com/event/honor-andamp-glory-christmas-tour-in-murphy-nc-eid3a0cjs6i8c (happeningnext.com)
News Date: November 2025.
This week in Cherokee County high school winter sports
The winter sports season is underway for Cherokee County high schools, with basketball and other events filling out the first week of December's schedule. Families and fans have multiple chances to get into the gym and support local student athletes.
* The Cherokee Scout has published a schedule of county high school sports for December 1 through 6.
* The list includes basketball games for Murphy, Andrews, and other county schools through the rest of the week.
* Fans are encouraged to check school channels for exact times, locations, and any last-minute changes.
Sources:
* https://www.cherokeescout.com/sports/cherokee-county-high-school-sports-schedule-dec-1-6 (cherokeescout.com)
News Date: December 1, 2025.
AI Lunch and Learn at the Cherokee County Chamber and local attendee shout-outs
On December 1, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce hosted Lunch and Learn Session Five on AI and your small business. The workshop explored how everyday AI tools can help with scheduling, customer communication, bookkeeping, and other routine tasks, with a focus on using them safely and responsibly.
* The Chamber’s promo described the session as a way for small businesses to discover how AI can help their operations thrive.
* Presenters walked through simple frameworks for choosing tools and fitting them into daily workflows without overwhelming small teams.
* A special shout-out goes to Wagner Worx, Good Bookkeepers LLC, Murphy Scuba, and Go the Extra Mile Today for attending and engaging with the discussion about how AI can support local businesses and nonprofits.
Sources:
* https://www.facebook.com/cherokeecountync/posts/-exciting-news-for-small-business-owners-were-thrilled-to-announce-a-brand-new-5/1231655949003477/ (Facebook)
* https://www.facebook.com/cherokeecountync/photos/-one-week-from-today-our-brand-new-collaborative-lunch-learn-series-for-small-bu/1235343095301429/ (Facebook)
* https://www.instagram.com/murphy_scuba/ (Instagram)
* https://www.instagram.com/gotheextramiletoday/ (Instagram)
News Date: December 1, 2025.
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Notes, methods, and rights
This Appalachia Daily Update was created with the help of AI tools working alongside a human editor.
All information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above.
Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond.
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