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Fire danger still elevated in Cherokee County and the mountain region
Even 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-22
News as of: November 26, 2025.
Regional note: Search for missing Georgia hiker Charles Hosch
Many 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. WLOS
News as of: November 26, 2025.
Thanksgiving closures for Cherokee County government offices
Cherokee 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=1014
News as of: November 26, 2025.
Murphy gears up for Shop Small Weekend, Art Walk, tree lighting, and Christmas parade
Downtown 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 tree lighting on December fifth.
* Parade listing outlines the schedule and route for the Christmas parade.
Sources:https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/murphy-mountain-christmashttps://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/2025-murphy-christmas-paradehttps://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/2025-murphy-christmas-tree-lighting
News as of: November 26, 2025.
Sheriff Dustin Smith shares holiday shopping safety tips
As Black Friday and Shop Small Weekend arrive, Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith is sharing practical safety advice for holiday shoppers. In a social media post, the sheriff’s office urges people to keep purses and wallets close to their bodies, stay alert in parking lots, lock vehicles, and avoid leaving purchases in plain sight. The message also reminds shoppers that no sale is worth conflict or injury and encourages a calm, courteous approach in crowded stores.
* Sheriff’s post lists key tips for safer shopping and parking lot awareness.
* Emphasis on securing valuables, locking cars, and never fighting over items.
Sources:https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeCountySheriffNC/posts/334941275330997/https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeCountySheriffNC/posts/for-immediate-releasenovember-24-2025cherokee-county-sheriff-dustin-smith-offers/1262296979262084/
News as of: November 26, 2025.
Cameron Clem’s record night powers Murphy Bulldogs deeper into the playoffs
Murphy High School’s Bulldogs delivered another dominant home playoff win, rolling past Community School of Davidson by a score of sixty two to twenty. Junior running back Cameron Clem put on a historic performance, rushing for roughly four hundred fifty six yards and scoring eight touchdowns. That effort set a new school record and tied a North Carolina state mark for rushing touchdowns in a single game, while extending Murphy’s win streak and keeping the Bulldogs on track for a deep postseason run.
* MaxPreps recap details Clem’s rushing totals and touchdown record.
* Coverage notes Murphy’s ten and two record and eight game win streak heading into the next playoff round.
* Regional high school sports reports highlight Clem’s performance among the top efforts statewide this week.
Sources:https://www.maxpreps.com/news/0XXvxt95106nufzskXKFOg/football-recap-murphy-continues-home-dominance-on-friday.htmhttps://www.maxpreps.com/news/0XXvxt95106nufzskXKFOg/football-recap-murphy-picks-up-eighth-consecutive-win.htmhttps://www.citizen-times.com/story/sports/high-school/2025/11/22/nc-high-school-football-nchsaa-playoffs-3rd-round-takeaways/87276841007/https://www.cherokeescout.com/sports-newsletter/clem-breaks-school-record-8-touchdowns-murphy-wins
News as of: November 26, 2025.
Supporter Spotlight – Local businesses helping spread the word
The Appalachia Daily is made possible by listeners and local partners who help neighbors discover the show. A thank you goes out to Legends, Round A Bout Deli, Buckbald Brewery, Fairy Crossing, and Mason Bar for helping get the word out about the Appalachia Daily around town.
News as of: November 26, 2025.
