Murphy Bulldogs head to 2A state championship game
Murphy’s Bulldogs are back on the big stage, heading to the NCHSAA 2A state championship after a strong playoff run. The matchup is set against Tarboro at Lenoir Rhyne University’s Moretz Stadium in Hickory, giving fans a clear target for weekend travel plans and watch parties.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m., with tickets available through NCHSAA channels and the participating schools. For those who cannot make the drive, the game will stream on the NFHS Network, which opens up options for home viewing or gathering with neighbors at local businesses. Cherokee Scout’s latest sports schedule frames this game as the capstone to the county’s winter sports week.
* State 2A championship: Murphy vs Tarboro at Lenoir Rhyne’s Moretz Stadium in Hickory.
* Kickoff time set for Saturday, December 13 at 5:00 p.m..
* In person tickets through NCHSAA and school channels, plus streaming on NFHS Network.
* Local coverage highlights this as a major regional event for fans and businesses.
News Date: December 6–8, 2025.
Sources:
* https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/nchsaa/gam6fecc5e500
* https://www.carolinagridiron.com/2025/12/2025-nchsaafb-regionals.html
* https://www.cherokeescout.com/sports/cherokee-county-high-school-sports-schedule-dec-8-13
Community Spotlight Tuesday: Cherokee County Sharing Center and local food resources
This Community Spotlight Tuesday focuses on the Cherokee County Sharing Center and the wider network of food resources that help neighbors get through winter. The Sharing Center in Murphy operates as a volunteer driven, donation powered pantry that provides groceries and a welcoming environment for families who need a little extra help.
The Region A Food Resources guide and church partners point to additional programs and meal sites in Andrews, Marble, Bellview, and other communities. Together, these efforts form a safety net that becomes especially important in December when heating bills and holiday costs rise at the same time.
* Cherokee County Sharing Center runs pantry hours in Murphy with a warm, low barrier atmosphere.
* Partner programs and meal sites extend food support into Andrews, Marble, and rural parts of the county.
* Churches, civic groups, and individual donors keep shelves stocked and doors open.
* Winter utility bills and holiday expenses make December a critical month for both clients and volunteers.
News Date: October–November 2025.
Sources:
* https://www.rapc.org/post/region-a-food-resources
* https://cherokee.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Food-Resource-Guide-Cherokee-County-Updated-OCT-2025-.pdf
* https://st-william.net/community-life-1
* https://www.findhelp.org/food/food-pantry--murphy-nc
* https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/cherokee-county-sharing-center%2C611508378/
Young Harris College and Hiawassee partner at the Paris Business Center
Young Harris College and the City of Hiawassee have announced a new collaboration centered on the Paris Business Center in downtown Hiawassee. The partnership links the college’s Professional Readiness and Experiential Programs, known as PREP, with the Center’s space and programming for local entrepreneurs, giving students real world work and giving small businesses access to emerging talent.
The Paris Business Center offers co working space, meeting rooms, and incubator suites, and serves entrepreneurs from Towns and Union counties in Georgia, across the line into Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina, and up into the Copper Basin. As part of the collaboration, Young Harris students will gain hands on experience through internships, projects, and community engagement tied directly into the Center’s coaching and events. The Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority remains a key driver behind the Paris Business Center and downtown revitalization.
* PREP at Young Harris College focuses on career readiness, financial literacy, ethics and leadership, and resilience.
* The Paris Business Center provides space and programming for startups and small businesses in the Lake Chatuge and border region.
* The partnership gives students internships and project work while offering entrepreneurs access to new ideas and energy.
* The Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority is a central partner in the Center’s growth.
News Date: December 2, 2025.
Sources:
* (User provided press release: “Young Harris College and City of Hiawassee announce collaboration,” Dec. 2, 2025.)
* https://www.facebook.com/groups/1258068051008920/posts/2854461711369538/
* https://www.facebook.com/HiawasseeGA/videos/2073395816798277/
* https://townscountyherald.net/pdf/tch%2008-27-25%20Front.pdf
* https://www.townscountyherald.net/pdf/tch%2007-16-25%20Front.pdf
Hiawassee Menorah lighting brings Hanukkah to the town square
Hiawassee will host a public Hanukkah Menorah lighting at the Town Square on Tuesday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m., led by Chabad of Rural Georgia. The event will feature the lighting of a twelve foot Menorah on the third night of Hanukkah, along with hot latkes, donuts, music, and complimentary Menorahs and candles for participants to take home.
Organizers describe the gathering as a joyful response to antisemitism and a call for light in a difficult time, with an emphasis on solidarity with Jewish communities and prayers for peace and the release of hostages. City and downtown development posts highlight the celebration as part of a broader effort to bring people into the square during the holiday season.
* Public Menorah lighting at Hiawassee Town Square on Tuesday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m..
* Twelve foot Menorah, traditional foods, and music, plus free Menorahs and candles to take home.
* Event framed as a response to antisemitism and a show of unity and support.
* Supported and promoted by the City of Hiawassee and the Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority.
News Date: December 8, 2025.
Sources:
* (User provided Chabad of Rural Georgia press release, “Grand Hanukkah Menorah lights up Hiawassee,” 12-08-2025.)
* https://www.chabadruralgeorgia.com/chanukahhiawassee
* https://allevents.in/hiawassee/chanukah-menorah-lighting-celebration-in-hiawassee/200029291937520
* https://happeningnext.com/event/chanukah-menorah-lighting-celebration-in-hiawassee-eid3a0d6ekl4k
* https://www.facebook.com/HiawasseeGA/posts/hiawassee-is-lighting-up-for-hanukkah-join-chabad-rural-georgia-at-the-hiawassee/1203343531970681/
* https://www.facebook.com/HiawasseeDDA/posts/1018696857118571/
Blue Ridge City Council sets December meetings
Blue Ridge’s December council calendar includes both a special called meeting and the regular monthly meeting, with decisions that affect downtown events, parking, zoning, and city projects. The special called City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 11 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at City Hall on West First Street, and the regular council meeting follows on Tuesday, December 16 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m..
Recent listings and past meeting archives show an active schedule in late November and early December, including a joint session of the council and planning commission. For residents of Blue Ridge and nearby communities like Blairsville, Hayesville, Murphy, and the Copper Basin, these meetings are the venues where big and small changes to downtown life are debated and approved.
* Special Called City Council meeting: Thursday, December 11, 2:00–3:00 p.m., Blue Ridge City Hall.
* Regular City Council meeting: Tuesday, December 16, 6:00–7:00 p.m..
* Recent agendas point to ongoing planning and zoning work heading into year end.
* Decisions at these meetings shape downtown traffic, events, development, and basic services.
News Date: December 2–8, 2025.
Sources:
* https://www.cityofblueridgega.gov/meetings
* https://www.cityofblueridgega.gov/meetings/recent
Holly Jolly Farm Day at Reece Farm in Blairsville
Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center in Blairsville is hosting Holly Jolly Farm Day on Friday, December 19, 2025, starting at noon. The event is designed with young children in mind, offering arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and Christmas themed activities in a farm setting.
Union County’s official news feed promotes the day as part of its holiday calendar, and event listings emphasize that it is aimed at “little elves” roughly ages four to eight. For families in Blairsville, Hiawassee, Hayesville, and even Murphy, Holly Jolly Farm Day offers a low key daytime option that pairs nicely with visits to downtown lights or nearby parks.
* Holly Jolly Farm Day takes place Friday, December 19 at Reece Farm in Blairsville.
* Activities focus on arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and kid friendly Christmas fun.
* The event is targeted at young children and their families from across the region.
* Listed as part of Union County’s broader holiday event lineup.
News Date: December 2, 2025.
Sources:
* https://www.unioncountyga.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=96
* https://allevents.in/blairsville/reece-farm-holly-jolly-farm-day/200029190995107
* https://www.facebook.com/events/1564747314533496/
Copper Country Christmas in Copperhill and McCaysville
Copper Country Christmas returns to the Copper Basin this year as a major holiday event spanning downtown Copperhill, Tennessee and neighboring McCaysville, Georgia. The celebration runs on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from noon to 5:00 p.m., with arts and crafts, live music, local shopping, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Discover Copper Basin and partner organizations describe Copper Country Christmas as one of their largest annual events, with activities spread across the twin downtowns. For listeners in Murphy, Marble, Hayesville, Blue Ridge, and Andrews, it is a short drive that offers a full afternoon of riverfront lights, hot drinks, and local shop visits on both sides of the state line.
* Copper Country Christmas runs Saturday, December 13 from 12:00–5:00 p.m. in Copperhill and McCaysville.
* Activities include arts and crafts, music, Santa visits, and Main Street shopping.
* The event is promoted as Discover Copper Basin’s biggest holiday celebration of the year.
* Easy day trip option for families across western North Carolina and north Georgia.
News Date: December 5, 2025.
Sources:
* https://copperhill.gov/events-calendar/copper-country-christmas-2025/
* https://www.blueridgemountains.com/events/a-copper-country-christmas/
* https://www.facebook.com/events/1966530447271614
* https://copperhill.gov/events-calendar/copperhill-kiwanis-christmas-parade-2025/
Mountain hoops week: Hayesville, Murphy, Andrews, and Hiwassee Dam
The early winter sports schedule is busy across the mountains, with Hayesville, Murphy, Andrews, and Hiwassee Dam all in action. Clay County Progress reports that Hayesville’s Yellow Jackets delivered an impressive performance against the Bobcats, building momentum as the season gets rolling.
Cherokee Scout’s December 8–13 schedule shows multiple basketball games and wrestling meets for Murphy, Andrews, and Hiwassee Dam. Murphy hosts its first wrestling meet of the season during the week and then joins Andrews on a trip to Swain for additional competition on Saturday. The packed slate means more weeknight gym trips, more concession stand runs, and more chances for communities to show up for student athletes.
* Hayesville’s Yellow Jackets earn a decisive early season win to set the tone.
* Murphy, Andrews, and Hiwassee Dam have full basketball and wrestling schedules this week.
* Murphy hosts its first wrestling meet before heading to Swain with Andrews on Saturday.
* Families and fans should double check game times, locations, and road conditions.
News Date: December 4–8, 2025.
Sources:
* https://www.claycountyprogress.com/local-sports/jackets-run-bobcats-out-gym
* https://www.cherokeescout.com/sports/cherokee-county-high-school-sports-schedule-dec-8-13
Weather check for the Murphy area
A chilly but calm pattern holds across the Appalachia Daily Update listening area as of Tuesday, December 9. Today’s forecast for Murphy and surrounding communities calls for a cold start with possible icy patches on shaded back roads, warming into the upper 40s by afternoon under a mix of clouds and sun.
Wednesday, December 10 looks similar, with partial sunshine and highs nudging into the low 50s. Nights will remain below freezing, which means listeners should plan for frost on windshields and slick spots where roads and sidewalks stayed damp. No special fire danger statements or new burn restrictions appear for our area today, so we are skipping a dedicated fire segment while still urging basic common sense with any outdoor burning.
* Today: intervals of clouds and sun, highs in the upper 40s, lows in the mid 20s.
* Wednesday: partial sunshine, highs in the low 50s, another freezing night.
* Watch for icy spots on shaded roads during the morning commute.
* No new burn bans or major wildfire activity flagged for Cherokee, Clay, or adjacent counties.
News Date: December 9, 2025.
Sources:
https://www.weather.gov
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Notes, methods, and rights
This update was assembled using 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 times, locations, ticket availability, and road closures with official organizers and agencies.
All original content, formatting, and presentation are copyright 2025 River Run Digital, all rights reserved. For more information about our work and other projects, visit https://go.riverrun.digital.
