Local Legends Thursday: Tlanusi and “Tlanusi-yi,” the Leech Place
Murphy’s river junction carries an old Cherokee place-name and a legend that still colors the way locals talk about the water and the land.
“Tlanusi-yi” is commonly translated as “the Leech Place.”
The story centers on Tlanusi, a giant leech tied to the river junction near downtown Murphy.
It’s a good reminder that our towns hold layers of history and meaning, even in everyday places.
Sources:
2025-10-17 | https://kids.kiddle.co/Murphy%2C_North_Carolina
Date not listed | https://mail.townofmurphync.com/for-residents/about-murphy
Date not listed | https://theblueridgehighlander.com/cherokee-county-north-carolina-cherokee-legend.php
Neighbor Notes: What’s coming up next week
A quick calendar-check segment for signups and local meetings as the first full week of the year ramps up.
Union County Parks and Recreation has posted 2026 volleyball signup details and a parent meeting date.
Early January is when local boards and councils tend to restart regular meetings.
Checking agendas early helps you show up informed instead of surprised.
Sources:
2025-12-29 | https://www.unioncountyga.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=107
Date not listed | https://www.townofmurphync.com/town-government/town-council
Update: 2026 election season is officially underway in North Carolina
With candidate filing closed, voters can now confirm who is running and start tracking the election calendar.
Candidate filing has ended, setting the field for upcoming municipal election timelines.
This is the moment to confirm registration status and learn the local races.
Planning early reduces last-week confusion and rumor-chasing.
Sources:
2025-12-19 | https://www.ncsbe.gov/news/press-releases/2025/12/19/candidate-filing-period-ends-2025-municipal-elections
New Year’s Day public service: Holiday closures and what’s still open
A simple reminder to save you a wasted trip on a day when many offices are closed.
Many county offices, courts, and schools are closed for the holiday.
Emergency services and law enforcement remain on duty.
If you have a must-do errand, double-check holiday schedules first.
Sources:
Date not listed | https://www.cherokeecountync.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1033&month=1&year=2026&day=1&calType=0
Sports quick hit: Murphy girls open 2026 with a holiday-tournament win
A positive local note from the holiday tournament slate.
Murphy defeated Chesnee 60 to 52 in tournament play on December 30.
A strong close to 2025 and a confident start to the new year.
Good luck to all the teams and families in the post-holiday grind.
Sources:
2025-12-30 | https://www.maxpreps.com/games/12-30-2025/girls-basketball-25-26/chesnee-vs-murphy.htm?c=D3BuRHzmAkiRLYBbLfST5g
Midnight Safety Minute: Drive sober, stay visible, and avoid carbon monoxide
New Year’s is a celebration, and it’s also a high-risk time to be on the road and using winter backup equipment.
Plan a safe ride if you’ll be drinking, and give other drivers extra space.
Buckle up and slow down, especially on dark rural roads.
If using a generator, keep it outside and make sure CO alarms work.
Sources:
2025-12-15 | https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-12-15-booze-lose-new-years.aspx
2025-12-19 | https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2025/prepare-for-winter-storms-and-extreme-cold.html
2025-12-12 | https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2025/CPSC-Warns-Consumers-About-the-Dangers-of-Carbon-Monoxide-Poisoning-During-Power-Outages
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