State expands “WNC Thrive” recovery programs after Hurricane Helene
The 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.
Weekend forecast: Wet start, then clearing and cooler
The 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=-84.0869
Clay County candidate filing window opens soon
In 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-weeks
Cherokee 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-117
Opinion: Mounting bicycle death toll raises road-safety questions
A 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-toll
A ray of hope: Community rallies around woman battling cancer
A 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-cancer
Bald eagle drops cat through windshield on U.S. 74
Regional 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/c3fdb9978ffe5ca347f2008d660adc07
Reminder: Cherokee County Thanksgiving office closures
Cherokee 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=1014
Winter sports underway: Swimming, wrestling, and hoops
Winter 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/tri-county-returns-pool-1st-swimming-meet-seasonhttps://www.cherokeescout.com/sports
Holiday events: “Christmas on Main” and church happenings
Downtown Murphy and area churches are leaning into the season. The Cherokee Scout highlights its “Christmas on Main” coverage, which pulls together downtown events, vendors, and family-friendly activities, while its “Church Happenings” listings share details on Christmas programs, special services, and other church-based events. Together they offer a full slate of options for families looking to celebrate close to home.
Sources:https://www.cherokeescout.com/local/christmas-mainhttps://www.cherokeescout.com/eventshttps://www.cherokeescout.com/events/church-happenings-297
Happy News: Foster wins tournament for Hayesville
In Clay County, the Clay County Progress is celebrating an athlete named Foster, who took home first place at a recent tournament. The story highlights the hard work behind the performance and the pride it brings to Hayesville teammates, coaches, and fans—an upbeat note to close out the week in local sports.
Sources:https://www.claycountyprogress.com/regional-newsletter/foster-earns-first-place-tournament
Disclaimer: The author used AI in collaboration to create this newscast.All sources are from publicly available sources.All rights reserved: Appalachia Daily.The Appalachia Daily is a production of RiverRun.Digital.
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