Officers to receive new radios

The increased response to county identification checkpoints and overall poor quality of the system in place led to a $51,000 decision being made Friday.

Election board requests could raise red flags with state lawmakers

By Brooke Conrad Carolina Journal News Service   Raleigh – A list of COVID-19 recommendations from the State Board of Elections is apt to hit a nerve with legislative Republicans. One recommendation would either reduce or eliminate the need for witness signatures on absentee ballots.

N.C. could lose half of its small businesses as restrictions continue, group says

By Brooke Conrad Carolina Journal News Service Raleigh – The general counsel of the NC Chamber offered an ominous prediction this week. More than half of the state’s small businesses will close by mid-April if Gov.

Paycheck Protection Program Update

  Raleigh – Since the launch of the SBA Paycheck Protection Program on Friday, April 3, North Carolina bankers worked through the weekend and around the clock processing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for small businesses in their communities.

Nantahala Gorge set to re-open today

Sylva — N.C. Department of Transportation officials will re-open U.S. 19/74 through the Nantahala Gorge on Saturday evening. The highway has been closed for four weeks for NCDOT crews and contract forces to secure an unstable area susceptible to landslides.

State officials unclear how fast unemployment checks will go out

By Rick Henderson and Don Carrington Carolina Journal News Service Raleigh – Gov. Roy Cooper says the state Division of Employment Security is buried under a “mountain of claims,” receiving more than 20,000 requests for Unemployment Insurance benefits Sunday, March 29.

Closure extended by six weeks

Another executive order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday continues to make the future of the 2019-20 school year look bleak. Cooper announced several new business closures as part of Executive Order No. 120, but also extended the closure of all schools in the state through Friday, May 15.

Sorry folks; Graham County is closed

A new set of ordinances put in place hopes to keep the coronavirus pandemic from affecting any Graham County residents.

New Community Info Line Set to Open

Cherokee County Health Department — in conjunction with Clay County Health Department, Graham Country Health Department and Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital — has opened a Coronavirus Community Information line.