The Appalachia Daily Podcast

A Local ‘American Idol’ – Murphy’s Rumfelt Has Spot in Top 20 Murphy resident Braden Rumfelt has made it to the top 20 contestants on season 24 of American Idol. He is now competing in the live voting rounds. This brings positive attention to Cherokee County and gives the community a chance to rally behind a hometown performer. * Show airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC * Voting open during live episode...

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Murphy Man After Shots-Fired Report Deputies responded to a report of shots fired on Willow Tree Lane and took a local man into custody on firearm and sex-offender-registry charges. No injuries were reported. News as of: 2026-03-19. Weekend Weather Outlook Saturday brings partly cloudy skies with highs around 82 and lows near 52. Sunday looks partly cloudy...

Two-Vehicle Crash Closes Highway in Hiwassee Dam A two-vehicle crash on N.C. 294 in Hiwassee Dam blocked traffic Friday afternoon. Responders from local fire and emergency services secured the area and cleared the scene after a short time. The incident highlights the need for careful driving on narrow mountain roads where conditions can change quickly. News as of: March 17, 2026. Capt. Sean Myers...

Peacock Center Auditions Continue in Hayesville Auditions for the comedy “It Runs in the Family” by Ray Cooney run March 17 and 18 from 6-8 p.m. at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville, with May shows planned. This community theater relies on local volunteers to create entertainment and build connections in Clay County. News as of: March 16-17, 2026 (ongoing this week). Clay County Mas...

Severe Thunderstorms Impact the Area This Morning The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Cherokee and Clay counties until six a.m., followed by severe thunderstorm warnings with damaging wind risks. Fannin County schools used a two-hour delay, and scattered showers or storms remain possible today and over the next forty-eight hours. News as of: March 16, 2026. Feathers & Flex Coll...

Practical AI Workshop for Small Businesses at North Georgia Technical College North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville is offering a hands-on AI workshop on March 24 and 31 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Participants learn practical tools for automation, content, customer service, and growth, plus receive a personalized action plan. This is a strong opportunity for local business owners and tourist...

Cherokee County Election Results Voters in Cherokee County made some significant changes this week. Dan Eichenbaum and Cal Stiles lost their reelection bids for county commission seats. School board races were also decided. These results will influence local policies on schools, infrastructure, and services across Murphy, Andrews, and the surrounding areas. Weekend Weather and St. Patrick’s Day Pa...

Two Cherokee County Commissioners Resign Early Cal Stiles and Dr. Dan Eichenbaum have resigned from the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners effective immediately. Both lost their primary races on March third. Their early exit means new commissioners will be appointed soon to handle key local issues including budgets and infrastructure. News as of: March 11, 2026 Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office...

Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan Cruises Back Into Office Voters showed strong support to keep experienced leadership in place for public safety, reliable 911 response, and community programs across Hayesville and neighboring towns. Fannin County Schools Celebrate Higher Scores and State Championship The district rose above the state average with solid regional rankings, and the high school Teamw...

Hayesville Library Hosts Free Teen Movie Night Tonight The Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville is hosting a free movie night for teens tonight, organized by the Clay County Chamber and local volunteers. This is a simple, no-cost way for families to connect and enjoy community right in the heart of Hayesville. News as of: March 10, 2026. Andrews Volunteers Needed to Pack Food Boxes for Local Famili...

Repeat Drug Trafficker Arrested in Martins Creek The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and Clay County partners served a warrant and seized 278 grams of methamphetamine from a repeat trafficker. The suspect now faces multiple felony charges. This kind of enforcement work directly protects our neighborhoods and roads. News as of: March 5, 2026. Folger Gas LLC Now Open in Murphy Fa...

4,400 Sign Petition to Protect Public Lands in Cherokee County More than four thousand four hundred residents signed a petition opposing development of public lands. The signatures were presented to county commissioners. News as of: This Week. Fannin County Candidate Qualifying Ends Today Qualifying for county commission and school board seats ends today at noon. Six candidates have filed for the...

Voters Oust Two Incumbent Commissioners in Cherokee County Dan Eichenbaum and Cal Stiles lost their reelection bids in Tuesday’s primary. Steve Coleman and Judith Bodley advance. This will influence future county decisions on infrastructure and services for Murphy and Andrews area residents. News as of: March 3-4, 2026. Clay County Commissioners Meet Tonight The board gathers at 6:30 pm in the mul...

Update on Hiwassee Dam Dog Attack Death Investigation The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 74-year-old Diane Emily Pellington of Murphy. An autopsy confirmed death resulted from a dog attack during a welfare check response on February 25. Three dogs were seized and quarantined. News as of: March 2-3, 2026. Sheriff Chris Wood Reads to Andrews Elementary Students Newly appoi...

Primary Election Day is Today Polls are open today for the 2026 primary election in Cherokee and Clay Counties. Voters in the Topton precinct should go to Andrews North this time. These local races decide who handles schools, roads, and services for our families. News as of: March 3, 2026. Candidate Qualifying Underway in Fannin County Qualifying started yesterday for the Board of Commissioners Po...

Dog Attack Confirmed in Hiwassee Dam Community The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has released more details about the death of a seventy-five-year-old woman last week. Deputies responded to a welfare check and later confirmed through autopsy that she died from a dog attack. Three dogs were seized and quarantined. News as of: February 27 - March 1, 2026. Live Grenades Discovered in Culberson Home...

Investigation Underway After Unidentified Person Found Dead in Hiwassee Dam Community The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an unidentified person found on Cross Creek Lane in the Hiwassee Dam area. State Bureau of Investigation agents are assisting with the case. Authorities confirm no threat to the community as they work to identify the individual and notify next of kin....

Murphy Native Braden Rumfelt Shines in American Idol Hollywood Week Twenty-two-year-old Braden Rumfelt from Murphy delivered a standout cover of Sam Smith’s I’m Not the Only One during Hollywood Week in Music City, joined by his twin brother Kellen on guitar. The judges stood and cheered, and Luke Bryan told the other judges he may win the whole thing. The episode ended on a cliffhanger, awaiting...

Tri-County Public Safety College Training Wraps Up in Murphy Volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel, and first responders from Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties completed hands-on training at Tri-County Community College in Murphy. The sessions ran February 18 through 22. This work directly strengthens the teams that keep our mountain communities safe. News as of: February 22, 2026Sources: * 2026...

Weather Outlook for the Mountains Today in the Murphy area expect a high near thirty five degrees with flurries likely before nine a.m., then partly sunny skies. Northwest winds around fifteen miles per hour with gusts to twenty five. Tonight drops to a low near fifteen degrees and mostly clear. Tuesday highs climb to fifty one degrees with mostly sunny conditions. News as of: February 23, 2026.So...

Final Days of Early Voting Underway in Clay County for March Primary Early voting for the March 3 primary continues through Saturday, February 28 at the Clay County Board of Elections office in Hayesville. Neighbors have weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. available plus Saturday morning hours. News as of: February 19, 2026. Sources: * 2026-02-19 | https://elections.claync.us/current-election-informati...

Chris Wood Selected to Complete Cherokee County Sheriff Term The Cherokee County Republican Party executive committee voted Thursday night to recommend Chris Wood to finish the unexpired term of former Sheriff Dustin Smith. This provides important continuity for public safety services across Cherokee County. News as of: February 20, 2026.Sources: * 2026-02-20 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-...

Cherokee County GOP to Select Sheriff Replacement Tonight The Cherokee County Republican Executive Committee meets tonight at six p.m. to recommend a candidate to fill the sheriff vacancy. This appointment process is important for maintaining steady law enforcement leadership and public safety services for all residents of Cherokee County. News as of: February 19, 2026 Fannin Middle School Safety...

Leadership in Transition Chief deputies in Graham and Cherokee counties’re currently managing sheriff operations following recent leadership changes. Chief Deputy Travis Brooks in Graham and Chief Deputy Justin Jacobs in Cherokee’re being recognized for their steady leadership during this transitional period. Sources: * 2026-02-17 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/chief-deputy-charg...

* Unseasonable Warmth Today * Highs will reach 70°F across Murphy, NC and North Georgia today. * Residents are encouraged to enjoy the outdoor conditions before a return to overcast skies. * Sources: 2026-02-16 | https://www.foxweather.com/local-weather/north-carolina/murphy * Lake Hiwassee Protection Movement * A grassroots petition with 4,000+ signatures was presented to Cherokee County Commissi...