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. Published November 11, 2025.]
Murphy Town Council Election Results Certified
Location: Murphy, NC
Core Impact: The results from the November 4 municipal election are now official, confirming two new members for the town’s council.
Key Points:
The Murphy Town Council will see two new faces.
The newly elected members are Radford and Dickey, who will join Harris and other re-elected members.
Source: Cherokee Scout: [Reporting on municipal election results. Published November 11, 2025.]
Andrews Election Results Finalized
Location: Andrews, NC
Core Impact: Mayor James Reid has officially secured a third term after a very close race, and the town council results are also final.
Key Points:
Mayor James Reid won his re-election bid by a narrow margin of just 14 votes.
This confirms Reid’s third term as mayor of Andrews.
Chasity Ledford and Woodard were also elected to the council.
Source: Cherokee Scout: [Reporting on municipal election results. Published November 11, 2025.]
Frigid Cold Snap and Black Ice Warning
Location: Entire Primary Core
Core Impact: A frigid cold airmass has moved into the region, bringing overnight temperatures low enough to cause black ice on roads.
Key Points:
The NWS Morristown office warns of a frigid airmass.
Overnight temperatures dropping well below freezing create a risk for black ice, especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas.
Source: National Weather Service (Morristown, TN): [Point forecast for Murphy, NC, and Hazardous Weather Outlook. Published November 11-12, 2025.]
Newfound Gap Road (US-441) Closed
Location: Swain County, NC / Gatlinburg, TN
Core Impact: The primary route through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is closed, impacting any travel plans toward Gatlinburg from Cherokee.
Key Points:
US-441, known as Newfound Gap Road, is closed from Cherokee, NC, to Gatlinburg, TN.
This closure is due to a weather event, and the road is maintained by the National Park Service.
Source: DriveNC.gov: [Incident report for US-441 closure in Swain County. Published November 12, 2025.]
Union County, GA Commission Meeting Rescheduled
Location: Union County, GA
Core Impact: Residents of Union County who planned to attend the November 20 commission meeting need to know it has been moved up to tomorrow, November 13.
Key Points:
The Union County Commission meeting originally set for November 20 has been rescheduled.
The new meeting date is tomorrow, Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Union County Courthouse.
Source: Union County, GA Government: [Official public notice of change to commission meeting. Published November 6, 2025.]
Cherokee County Board of Health Meeting Recap
Location: Cherokee County, NC
Core Impact: The county’s Board of Health met on Monday to discuss key public health issues.
Key Points:
The Cherokee County Board of Health held its regular meeting on Monday, November 10, at the Cherokee County Health Department.
Source: Cherokee County, NC Government Calendar: [Official calendar listing for Board of Health meeting. Published November 10, 2025.]
County Tourism Authority Discusses Regional Promotion
Location: Cherokee County, NC
Core Impact: The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) met on Monday to discuss strategy, which affects how the county is marketed to visitors.
Key Points:
The Cherokee County TDA met on Monday afternoon, November 10, in Murphy to discuss marketing and tourism.
Source: Cherokee County, NC Government Calendar: [Official calendar listing for TDA meeting. Published November 10, 2025.]
Local Teams Advance in NCHSAA Football Playoffs
Location: Hayesville, NC; Murphy, NC; Cherokee, NC
Core Impact: High school football playoff season is in full swing, with Hayesville advancing and Murphy preparing to host a second-round game this Friday.
Key Points:
Hayesville dominated their 1A first-round game, beating Highland Tech 41 to 7.
Cherokee’s season ended after a close loss to Albemarle, 21 to 15.
Murphy, which had a bye, will now host Albemarle for the second-round game this Friday, November 14.
Sources:
This Week’s Community Calendar
Location: Cherokee Co, NC; Union Co, GA; Polk Co, TN
Core Impact: A consolidated list of upcoming local events for residents to plan their week and weekend.
Key Points:
Ongoing: “Big Art Show and Sale” at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.
Nov 13: “Community Old Time Jam” in Cherokee County.
Nov 15: Union County, GA, “Harvest Moon Festival” (3 PM - 7 PM) at the Farmers Market in Blairsville.
Nov 15: “Painted Holiday Ornaments” class in Cherokee County.
Nov 28: “Light Up The Twin Cities” event in Copperhill, TN.
Sources:
Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce: [Official event calendar. Accessed November 12, 2025.]
Union County, GA Government: [Harvest Moon Festival announcement. Published August 19, 2025.]
Copperhill, TN Official Website: [Upcoming events calendar. Accessed November 12, 2025.]
Good News: 80-Year-Old Veteran Ties the Knot
Location: Swain County, NC
Core Impact: A heartwarming local story about finding love at any age.
Key Points:
U.S. Army Veteran Thomas Hosier, age 80, married his bride, Faye Haynes, at the Swain County Courthouse.
Both are widowed and found love again.
Source: The Smoky Mountain Times: [Report on veteran’s wedding. Published November 5, 2025.]
Disclaimer: The author used AI in collaboration to create this newscast.
All sources are from publicly available sources.
All rights reserved: Appalachia Daily
