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-news/chris-wood-complete-former-sheriff-dustin-smiths-term-cherokee-county-sheriff

Fannin County High School Names 2026 STAR Student and Teacher

Madeline Schueneman has been named the 2026 STAR Student and Miranda Roof the STAR Teacher at Fannin County High School.

These annual awards recognize outstanding academic achievement and teaching excellence in our neighboring Georgia county.

News as of: February 17, 2026.Sources:

* 2026-02-17 | https://www.thenewsobserver.com/local-news-newsletter/schueneman-roof-named-fchs-stars

Scheduled Water Outage on Hiawassee Street in Hayesville

Clay County officials have scheduled a water service interruption for addresses on Hiawassee Street in Hayesville. The outage begins Monday afternoon.

Residents in the affected area should prepare accordingly.

News as of: February 19, 2026.Sources:

* 2026-02-19 | https://www.claycountyprogress.com/local/scheduled-water-outage

Soundcheck Friday – Original Music, Line Dancing & Local Songwriter Spotlight This Weekend

This weekend brings live original music to the area. The Songwriters Showcase 58 takes place Saturday evening at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville.

We are also highlighting local songwriter Dee Wayne Anthony and his single Through the Fire, available now on Spotify. The track speaks directly to real mountain experiences, when the river runs dry, fields turn to dust, and hard times feel endless. Yet the song carries a clear message of faith, resilience, and rising stronger after every test.

News as of: February 2026 event calendars.Sources:

* Current | https://peacockperformingartscenter.thundertix.com/events/254223

* Current |

* Current | https://www.folkschool.org/calendar/

Where to listen

https://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-Podcasts

Notes, methods, and rights

This Appalachia Daily Update was created with the help of AI tools working alongside a human editor. All information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond. To learn more about River Run Digital and its local news projects, visit

https://go.riverrun.digital

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 Incident Resolved

A student who left Fannin Middle School campus was located quickly this week with no threat to others.

School staff and local first responders worked together effectively. This outcome highlights good coordination between schools and law enforcement in Fannin County, Georgia.

News as of: February 17, 2026

Local Legends: Remembering Bill Forsyth

Bill Forsyth, seventy nine, a longtime economic development leader in Cherokee County, has passed away.

For decades he worked to bring jobs and growth to the mountains. His efforts left a lasting positive impact on the local economy.

News as of: February 17, 2026

Local Wrestlers Advance to State Tournament

Weston Adams and Anthony Catuto from Murphy, along with Hayden Virtanen from Andrews, qualified for the state wrestling tournament.

Their success is a point of pride for local high school sports programs.

News as of: February 17, 2026

Shotgun Weddings at Cherokee Guns

Two couples held their wedding ceremonies at Cherokee Guns in Murphy on Valentine’s Day.

Each couple got to keep the shotgun used in their unique ceremony.

News as of: February 17, 2026

Supporter Spotlight: BigHead’s Grub and Wagner Worx

BigHead’s Grub offers some of the best brisket smash burgers in the tri-state area from their Murphy location. Wagner Worx Co-Working Bar provides flexible workspaces, collaboration areas, and beverages right in downtown Murphy.

These local spots add convenience and community to daily life in the area.

Sources:

* 2026-02-19 | https://www.facebook.com/WKRKRadio/posts/1520886666710280

* 2026-02-17 |

https://www.fannin.k12.ga.us/p/~board/superintendents-news/post/february-17-2026

* 2026-02-17 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/economic-developer-bill-forsyth-dies-79

* 2026-02-17 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/sports-newsletter/3-local-wrestlers-heading-state

* 2026-02-17 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/2-shotgun-weddings-literally

* 2026-02-19 | https://www.facebook.com/people/BigHeads-Grub-INC/61572944639879/

* 2026-02-19 |

https://www.facebook.com/p/Wagner-Worx-Co-Working-Bar-61576193198614/

Where to listen

https://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-Podcasts

Notes, methods, and rights

This Appalachia Daily Update was created with the help of AI tools working alongside a human editor. All information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond. To learn more about River Run Digital and its local news projects, visit

https://go.riverrun.digital

Leadership in TransitionChief 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-charge-until-gop-appoints-new-sheriff

* 2026-02-17 | https://www.grahamstar.com/local-regional-newsletter/petition-removal-suspension-filed-against-graham-county-sheriff

Lake Hiwassee VictoryA community-led petition drive’s successfully halted plans to sell public land around Lake Hiwassee to private bidders. Cherokee County Commissioners reversed their decision after hearing from concerned neighbors.

Sources:

* 2026-02-17 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/campaign-save-public-lands-working

Civic Alert: Early VotingEarly voting for the March 3 primary continues through March 1. Turnout’s been light in the opening days, and residents’re encouraged to cast their ballots early.

Sources:

* 2026-02-17 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/early-voting-turnout-low-so-far

Polk County School Health ConcernsParents at Benton Elementary in Polk County’re demanding transparency following a health inspection score of 68. Concerns center on the aging infrastructure of the 100-year-old school building.

Sources:

* 2026-02-17 | https://newschannel9.com/news/local/parents-demand-transparency-as-benton-elementary-health-violations-raise-funding-questions

Blue Ridge Community Theater GalaThe theater’s 2nd annual gala’s set for this Saturday, February 21, at 6:00 PM. The event features a Hall of Fame induction and live entertainment to support the local arts.

Sources:

* 2026-02-15 | https://fannin.fetchyournews.com/2026/02/15/blue-ridge-community-theater-gala-hall-of-fame/

Appalachia Daily Update’s a service of River Run Digital. We provide hyper-local news for Murphy, North Carolina, and the surrounding mountain communities. For more information or to support our work, visit https://podcasts.riverrun.digital/adu.