The Appalachia Daily Podcast

Fire Weather Check: Low fire risk for the Cherokee County, NC area

The fire risk forecast for the Murphy area is in the Low range today, which is a good place to be for mid-December. Even with a low rating, dry winter fuels can still catch, so keep burns small and supervised, and don’t leave a pile “smoldering for later.” A cold weather advisory is also in play this morning, so it’s a good day to check pets, outdoor pipes, and anyone who might be vulnerable to cold.

* Fire risk is rated Low for the...

Fire Weather Check for Cherokee County, NC (Murphy area): Very Low fire risk today.

WeatherBug’s fire risk forecast for Murphy is showing a Very Low risk of fire today, which is a welcome breather for outdoor chores and travel.

* Keep burns attended and controlled, even on low-risk days.

* If you’re working brush or leaf piles, watch for wind shifts in the hollers.

* Use today as a good “prep day” to stage water, tools, and cleanup before the next dry spell.

Sources:

* https://www.weatherbug.com/alerts/f...

Fire weather check: Cherokee County, North Carolina

The North Carolina daily fire danger map for today has our corner of the state sitting in the Moderate range. That’s a reminder to be careful with any outdoor burning, keep water close, and pay attention to wind.

* Treat leaf litter and brush piles like they’re still fully flammable.

* Keep a hose, shovel, and a clear plan if you burn.

* If you’re unsure, skip it and wait for better conditions.

Sources:

* https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/fwip/nc_dan...

Highlands threat investigation at church and day care

Highlands Police investigated a reported threat Thursday morning involving a local church that also operates a children’s day care. Officials later said there was no active threat as the lockdown was lifted, but the investigation continued. For families with connections to Highlands, the safest approach is to follow official updates and avoid rumor loops on social media.

* A threat report prompted a rapid law enforcement response.

* Officials later said there was no active threat as the situation stabilized.

* The case remained under in...

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 pe...

Regional weather: cool, dry, and travel friendly

An early winter pattern is holding over the tri state region that Appalachia Daily Update covers. Daytime highs are landing in the upper 40s to low 50s with a mix of sun and clouds, while overnight lows drop below freezing across Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties, Fannin and Union counties, and into Towns County and the Copper Basin. There are no major storm systems or severe weather alerts aimed directly at the area, but drivers still need to watch for black ice on shaded back roads and bridges.

...

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...

Cherokee County remains in the same economic development tier

North Carolina has released its latest economic development tier rankings, and Cherokee County will stay in its current tier. The designation may not change day-to-day life on its own, but it quietly shapes how competitive the county is when seeking grants and incentives for jobs, infrastructure, and other projects.

* The state’s tier system helps determine which counties get more favorable terms for specific incentives and grants.

* Staying in the same tier means Cherokee County has neither fallen into a more distressed category nor cl...

Today’s holiday choices: Sylva parade and Polk County Parade of Homes

Today gives listeners two different ways to spend a Sunday afternoon: a Main Street Christmas parade in Sylva or a self-guided Christmas Parade of Homes across Polk County, Tennessee. Both are within a reasonable drive from Murphy, Marble, and Andrews.

* Sylva’s Christmas Parade steps off at 3 p.m. on Main Street with floats, school groups, churches, and businesses.

* Polk County’s third annual Christmas Parade of Homes runs from 1 to 5 p.m. as a self-guided tour of decorated homes, a histor...

Murphy Bulldogs punch ticket to the state championship

Murphy’s football tradition continues after the Bulldogs claimed the North Carolina 2A West regional title with a 14- 2 win over Starmount at home. A dominant defensive performance in a muddy game sealed a trip to next week’s state championship matchup.

* The regional final was played Friday night in Murphy with Starmount as the visiting team.

* Murphy’s defense held Starmount to a single safety and controlled the tempo.

* The win sends the Bulldogs into the state championship game with a shot at ano...

Regional weather and fire check for the holiday weekend

Cool December air and mostly dry skies set the stage for holiday parades and markets across Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties, along with nearby north Georgia. Daytime highs hover in the upper forties to low fifties, with overnight lows near freezing and only a slight chance of light showers late tonight into early Saturday. Winds remain light, and no severe weather is expected.

Fire danger across the region sits in the low to moderate range today, and statewide maps show no active countywide burn bans in...

Weather and Fire Danger – Cold clouds and a low fire danger day

A cold and mostly cloudy Thursday sets the stage for evening events, with low fire danger but enough chill and moisture to make jackets and umbrellas smart choices.

* Morning temperatures sit in the twenties with clouds holding over the mountains.

* Afternoon highs reach the mid to upper forties under mostly cloudy skies.

* Rain showers become more likely later this evening, especially after about eight o’clock.

* Statewide fire danger ratings are in the low range today, with no m...

Today’s weather and fire check

A cold start gives way to a bright, cool day across Cherokee County and nearby communities. Temperatures climb into the upper forties by afternoon under mostly sunny skies, then drop below freezing overnight.

* Morning lows sit near or just below freezing around Murphy and the river valleys.

* Afternoon highs reach the upper forties with light winds and dry air.

* Clear skies tonight mean another freeze, with the coldest spots in the mid twenties.

* Leaf piles and brush are still dry enough that any ou...

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 en...

Fire danger remains high across Cherokee, Clay, and Graham

Even as holiday lights turn on, the fire danger meter is still pointing toward High to Very High across the far western counties. Dry leaf litter, low humidity, and ongoing drought stress mean conditions remain ripe for wildfire, and residents are being asked to avoid outdoor burning until we get more meaningful rain.

* Regional fire danger tools show elevated risk levels for Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties.

* Dry leaves and brush can carry fire quickly, even from small backyard burns or unattended fire pits.<...

Cool, damp Sunday with showers across Cherokee County

Sunday is shaping up to be a cool, wet day across Cherokee County, with showers likely through the morning and early afternoon before conditions improve tonight. The National Weather Service forecast calls for temperatures to stay in the forties with rain tapering off as evening approaches.

* High temperature near 49°F with showers likely, especially during the morning and early afternoon hours.

* Rain chances are around 80% early, dropping to 40% by afternoon as the system moves through.

* Overnight low around 28°F under mostly cloudy skies.

Andrews balks at sewer deal for Marble AI supercomputer plant

Core Scientific’s Marble data facility is expanding into a supercomputer-scale artificial intelligence operation and needs reliable water and sewer service. The company is working with Marble Community Water System for water and has approached Andrews about providing wastewater treatment. Still, town leaders have raised concerns about capacity, long-term costs, and the level of risk a small-town utility should assume for a single massive industrial customer.

* Expansion would make the Marble plant part of a large-scale AI supercomputer cluster.

* Andrews officials are uneasy ab...

Cold Black Friday in the mountains

Cherokee County and the far western North Carolina mountains woke up to a cold, clear Black Friday morning, with temperatures in the twenties at sunrise and highs only reaching the low forties under sunny skies. Another dip below freezing is expected tonight, so anyone heading to parades, ball games, or Christmas lights will want winter layers once the sun goes down.

* Clear, cold start with morning lows in the twenties and highs around the low forties.

* Skies stay mostly sunny through the afternoon with a sharp cooldown...

Holiday giving in Cherokee County: Shop with a Cop and Toys for Tots

Cherokee County’s holiday giving season is in full swing, with Shop with a Cop, the Sheriff’s Christmas Joy program, and Toys for Tots all working to make sure local kids and seniors are not forgotten this Christmas.

* The Murphy Police Department partners with Walmart for its annual Shop with a Cop event, a tradition that started in two thousand four and now sends local children shopping with officers for gifts and essentials.

* The Christmas Joy program run through the...

Holiday giving in Cherokee County: Shop with a Cop and Toys for Tots

Cherokee County’s holiday giving season is in full swing, with Shop with a Cop, the Sheriff’s Christmas Joy program, and Toys for Tots all working to make sure local kids and seniors are not forgotten this Christmas.

* The Murphy Police Department partners with Walmart for its annual Shop with a Cop event, a tradition that started in two thousand four and now sends local children shopping with officers for gifts and essentials.

* The Christmas Joy program run through the...

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Record breaking drug trafficking sentence in Cherokee County

A Cherokee County jury has convicted a Peachtree man in what local officials describe as a record breaking meth trafficking case, with a prison term approaching two decades. The case involved high level manufacturing and trafficking charges and a multi agency investigation, and the stiff sentence is meant to send a message about large scale drug operations in the county.

* Jury found the defendant guilty on multiple high level meth trafficking counts.

* Superior court judge imposed a sentence of roughly eighteen to twenty three years...

North Carolina dwelling insurance hike worries mountain homeowners and rental hosts

A new filing from the North Carolina Rate Bureau asks for an average sixty eight point three percent increase in dwelling insurance rates over the next two years, which could hit mountain homeowners and short term rental owners especially hard. Local rental hosts say they may be forced to raise rates or rethink their business plans, while the State Insurance Commissioner prepares for a formal hearing process that could approve, reduce, or reject the proposal.

* Dwelling policies often cover cabins and second homes commonly...

Cherokee County burn ban lifted, but safety rules remain

Cherokee County has lifted its local burn ban as of November twenty second, giving residents more flexibility to burn yard debris again. Officials are still urging caution, reminding people that only natural vegetation should be burned, fires should be kept small and attended, and residents should check for any permit requirements or local restrictions before lighting a match.

* Recent rain and improving conditions allowed county leaders to remove the ban.

* Fire officials still warn that wind and dry spots can cause small fires to...

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.

Sources:https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/11/20/governor-stein-ncdhhs-grow-nc-announce-expansion-wnc-thrive-helping-children-and-families-impacted

Weekend forecast: Wet start, then clearing and cooler

The Nation...

Jury convicts Peachtree man in Cherokee County’s largest meth case

A Cherokee County jury has convicted 53-year-old Lars Prentice Johnson of the Peachtree community in the county’s largest methamphetamine case, tied to a 2022 search in Marble that uncovered roughly 38 pounds of meth and a conversion lab. The verdict closes a high-profile case that officials say could have harmed hundreds of people across the region.

Sources:

* Johnson Sentenced for Drug Case – The Mountain Buzz The Mountain Buzz

* North Carolina jury convicts man in record meth case – FOX 5 Atlanta FOX 5 Atlanta

* V...

Cherokee County offices closed for Thanksgiving

Cherokee County government offices are closing Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday, with normal operations resuming on Monday. This affects most non-emergency services, so residents are encouraged to plan tax payments, permitting, and in-person business around the long weekend. Emergency services and 9 1 1 remain available as usual.

Sources:https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1014https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx

Harshaw Chapel restoration continues in downtown Murphy

Restoration work is moving ahead at historic Harshaw Chapel in downtown Murphy, where crews have been stabilizing...

Fatal House Fire in Grape Creek Kills One, Injures Two Firefighters

A Friday house fire on John Taylor Road in the Grape Creek community left one person dead and injured two firefighters who were trying to reach the occupant inside. The fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not released the victim’s name. The incident underscores both the dangers of residential fires and the risks faced by local volunteers who respond.

Sources:

* Cherokee Scout – 1 person killed, 2 firefighters injured in Grape Creek house fire

* Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department – Facebook post on the...

Search Intensifies for Missing Professor in Union County The search for 67-year-old Charles Hosch, missing near Blood Mountain since November 11th, has gained a new lead after a hiker reported seeing him at the summit. K-9 units and over 50 responders are now concentrating efforts on his likely descent route.

* Source: WSB-TV Atlanta / Union County Sheriff’s Office

New Search Launched for Missing Person in Snowbird Distinct from the Union County search, Graham County Fire and Rescue has initiated a separate mission for a missing person in the Snowbird area. The operation was launched urgently as ov...

Deadly House Fire in Cherokee County Officials are investigating a fatal house fire that occurred off John Taylor Road in Cherokee County on Friday. The identity of the victim has not been released as the investigation into the cause continues.

* Source: Cherokee Scout Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CherokeeScoutnews/posts/officials-have-not-released-the-identity-after-a-deadly-house-fire-off-john-tayl/1406827138110390/)

Major Meth Seizure in Cherokee County Cherokee County deputies discovered over 500 pounds of methamphetamine, with a street value of $1.5-$1.7 million, in an abandoned trailer on Kings Creek Ford Road. Billy Pittz and Joseph Martin were arrested.

* Source: WBTV (https://www.wbtv...

Today’s update focuses on two large-scale search and rescue operations in Graham and Union counties. We also cover the ongoing Collett Ridge Fire, new fees in Union County, and a big playoff win for the Murphy Bulldogs.

Topic: Major Search Efforts for Missing Men (GA/NC) Urgent search operations are active for two missing men. One search is for 67-year-old professor Charles Hosch, missing since Nov. 11 on the Byron Herbert Reece Trail (GA). A separate search is underway for a local man in Graham County (NC). Cold weather is a major concern for both operations.

...

Today’s update covers a fatal morning crash in Polk County, an ongoing search for a missing hiker in Union County, and a major $10 million settlement agreement in Cherokee County. We also look at SNAP benefit uncertainty, the failure of the FLOST tax in Union County, and a big playoff win for the Murphy Bulldogs.

Today’s Topics

Driver Killed in Early Morning Crash in Polk County, TN A driver was killed in a fatal crash early this morning on New Highway 68 in Polk County, Tennessee. Details are still emerging as the investigation is ongoing.

Here is what’s happening in the Appalaytcha region for Friday, November 14, 2025.

Today’s Weather Forecast Expect dry, clear conditions today, but a cold night is ahead with lows dropping into the mid-to-upper 30s. Fog is possible Saturday morning as moisture returns.

* Source: National Weather Service (NWS), Morristown, TN

Canton Man Charged in Fatal Bicyclist Collision in Marble A man from Canton, NC, has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. The charge is connected to a fatal collision on November 3rd on Airport Road in Marble, which killed a 48-year-old woman who was...

Vape Shop Raid & Arrests

Location: Murphy (Andrews Road) Core Impact: Local crime enforcement. Key Points:

* Sheriff and Murphy PD raided “Tobacco & Vape” on Andrews Road.

* Result of an 11-month investigation into alleged drugs and gambling.

* Wyle Radwan Alsalme (21) charged with possession of Schedule I substance. Source(s): Cherokee Scout: Officers raid vape stores.

Charges in Marble Cyclist Death

Location: Marble (Airport Road) Core Impact: Road safety and justice. Key Points:

* Christopher Searcy (46) charged in death of bicyclist Helen Runge (48).

* Charges include Misd...

November 12, 2025

Cherokee County Jail Halts Federal Inmate Intake

* Location: Cherokee County, NC

* Core Impact: The Cherokee County jail has stopped accepting new federal inmates following the death of a guard, which could impact county revenue and jail operations.

* Key Points:

* The decision was announced by county officials.

* The change in policy is a direct response to the recent death of a jail guard.

* This halt will affect the county’s contracts for housing federal prisoners.

* Source: Cherokee Scout: [Reporting on jail policy change. Pu...

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, November 11.

We’re now publishing via Spotify and Facebook. Coming Soon to YouTube. And you can always find us on Substack.

Here is a look at the top stories in your Appalachia Daily Update:

Tragic news from Cherokee County: We are sad to report that a bicyclist was killed in a vehicle collision on Airport Road in Marble late Monday. This is the second such fatality on that stretch in three months. Please use extreme caution on our local roads.

Weather Alert: The National Weather Service has...

Good morning, neighbors! Here’s what you need to know today:

Veterans Day - Andrews Elementary hosting breakfast at 8:30am and patriotic program at 10am. All veterans and families welcome.

Safety Alert - Murphy resident arrested for attempted arson and weapons charges on Old Ranger Road. Stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.

SNAP Benefits - Food assistance resuming in Clay County after federal delays. Check your accounts today.

Fire Update - Collett Ridge fire containment progressing, but smoke may linger in Hayesville area. Monitor air quality.

Rescue Success - Lo...