Fire Weather Check: Cherokee County, NC (Murphy area).
Fire risk is very low today in our corner of Cherokee County, North Carolina, which is good news for folks doing winter chores outside. Even on a low-risk day, basic precautions still matter, especially with wind and leftover embers from brush or fire pits.
Keep water nearby if you’re outside burning or cleaning up.
Don’t leave anything smoldering while you “run inside for a second.”
Double-check outdoor heat sources and cords before you walk away.
Sources:
https://www.weatherbug.com/fire-weather/us/nc/murphy
News Date: 2025-12-18.
Deadline Desk: Filing, listing, and holiday closures in Cherokee County.
This is the calendar segment you’ll be glad you heard. North Carolina’s candidate filing window for the 2026 primary election ends at noon on Friday, December 19. Cherokee County’s 2026 tax listing period runs from January 1 through January 31, 2026. And Cherokee County offices are closed on Wednesday, December 24 for Christmas observance, so plan in-person needs around that closure.
Candidate filing ends at noon Friday, December 19.
Tax listing runs January 1 through January 31, 2026.
Cherokee County offices are closed December 24.
Sources:
https://www.ncsbe.gov/news/events/candidate-filing-period-2026-primary-election
https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=2425
https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1015
News Date: 2025-12-18.
Public Safety: Union County, GA mobile home fire with fatalities.
Union County, Georgia saw a deadly mobile home fire that took young lives. We’re keeping this focused on prevention and awareness for our region, because winter is when heaters run longer and electrical loads creep up.
Test smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed.
Keep space heaters clear of furniture, blankets, and curtains.
Avoid overloading outlets and power strips during cold snaps.
Sources:
News Date: 2025-12-16.
Schools and Community Investment: Fannin County Schools ESPLOST update.
Fannin County Schools shared a December ESPLOST update showing progress on the Fannin County High School athletic complex. It’s a clear look at what local sales tax investment is building, with photos and project details available through the district’s ESPLOST page.
The district shared a December progress update on the athletic complex.
ESPLOST reporting helps residents see projects in real time.
Facility work today becomes student and community use for years.
Sources:
https://www.fannin.k12.ga.us/p/~board/esplost-dollars-at-work/post/esplost-update-december-2025
https://www.fannin.k12.ga.us/our-district/esplost-dollars-at-work
News Date: 2025-12-15.
Local Legends Thursday: The Historic Union County Courthouse in Blairsville.
Blairsville’s historic courthouse on the square is a reminder that preservation is a community choice, not a given. Built in 1899, the courthouse now serves as a museum and community gathering space, with the Union County Historical Society continuing preservation work and cultural programming.
The courthouse was constructed in 1899 and remains central to downtown Blairsville.
The Union County Historical Society has helped keep it a living landmark.
Historic spaces can still serve modern community life when locals invest in them.
Sources:
News Date: 2025-12-18.
Where to listen and follow
Search for “Appalachia Daily Update” in your podcast app of choice.
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Notes, methods, and rights
We assemble this update from public information, local-government posts, school-system updates, and reputable local or regional reporting, focusing on what’s actionable for our neighbors.
This update was assembled with the help of AI tools and public sources, then reviewed and formatted for clarity. Errors are possible, and we correct them when we find them. Copyright 2025 River Run Digital. More at
https://go.riverrun.digital
