NEWS ᎧᏃᎮᏓ
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel $275 million expansion scheduled for late 2024
Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel held a media tour of the $275 million construction site for the 25,000 square foot expanded gaming floor, 296-room hotel tower, and 1,500-space parking deck on the morning of Dec. 11.
American Chestnut Foundation to discontinue Darling 58 American Chestnut
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) announced Friday, Dec. 8 that it will discontinue its development of the Darling 58 American Chestnut due to significant performance limitations that, from TACF’s perspective, make it unsuitable as a restoration tree. Likewise, TACF is also withdrawing its support for several pending regulatory petitions that would authorize distribution of transgenic Darling trees outside permitted research plots.
The fire is burning: Sacred Fire Courtyard dedicated at Cherokee Indian Hospital
The Sacred Fire Courtyard, designed to look like a Cherokee Stomp Dance Ground, was dedicated at the Cherokee Indian Hospital on the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 8.
ONE FEATHER PHOTOS
COMMUNITY ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
Firehouse Subs opening location in Cherokee
Firehouse Subs is opening a new location in Cherokee in Saunooke Village at 17 Big Cove Road, making it the first Firehouse Subs in Indian Country.
Cherokee High School Honor Rolls – 1st, 2nd, 3rd quarters
Cherokee High School Honor Rolls – 1st, 2nd, 3rd quarters
Tribal member selected to Univ. of Miami Supreme Court
Dallas J. Bennett, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), has been confirmed to the University of Miami Student Government Supreme Court.
OPINIONS ᏃᎵᏍᎬᎢ
COMMENTARY: Why are teachers leaving?
In recent years, we have seen a number of people leaving the teaching profession or moving to other states for higher salaries among other reasons. According to the NC Department of Public Instruction, the percentage of teachers leaving the profession increased from 7.53 percent in 2019-20 to 8.20 percent in 2020-21. In 2020-21, the most common reason for leaving the profession was personal reasons (44.6 percent), followed by other reasons (25.5 percent), beyond control of the district (24 percent), and initiated by the district (5.9% percent).
COMMENTARY: Just like old times
Only a few days away from the beginning of the Cherokee Indian Fair. It has been a long time coming for those of us who remember the pre-pandemic days of fun and laughter at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds.
SPEAKING OF FAITH: Growing in the spirit…
By TIMOTHY L. MELTON, PASTOR (Transcribed by Myra D. Colgate) Cherokee Pentecostal Holiness Church Read Colossians 1:9-10 We, as believers, are to not only live, but to live in the Realm of the Spirit. The fact is we are not just human beings, we are living...
SPORTS ᏍᎦᏚᎩ
BASKETBALL: Straughan, Teesateskie hit 1,000 pt. milestone on same night
Two Cherokee varsity basketball players hit career milestones on the same evening. Holden Straughan, Braves senior, and Tori Teesateskie, Lady Braves junior, both scored the 1,000th point of their career during games against Andrews at the Charles George Memorial Arena on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 6.
BASKETBALL: Braves beat Murphy, remain unbeaten in Conference
The Cherokee Braves (15-3), who have already clinched the Big Smoky Mountain Conference regular season title, are still unbeaten in conference play as they beat Murphy 85-65 in a game at the Charles George Memorial Arena on the evening of Monday, Feb. 5.
BASKETBALL: Lady Braves top Murphy, move into tie atop Conference
Before a packed house in the Charles George Memorial Arena, the Cherokee Lady Braves (13-5) topped Murphy (21-2) on the evening of Monday, Feb. 5.
OBITUARIES ᏧᏂᏲᎰᏒ
OBITUARY: Carolyn Rae Queen
Carolyn Rae Queen, age 79, of Whittier, N.C., passed from this earth after a brief illness on Nov. 20, 2022, in the Cherokee Indian Hospital. Carolyn’s spirit started its next journey surrounded by her loving family.
OBITUARY: Michael Ray Driver
Michael Ray Driver, 37, of Robbinsville, went home on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. He was born in Cherokee, N.C. on Aug. 22, 1985.
OBITUARY: Sister Virginia Gase
Sister Virginia Gase (formerly Sister Mary Raymond) of the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio, died at 6:50 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, at St. Francis Home, Tiffin.
HAPPENINGS
Smokemont Revival and Homecoming
Aug. 4-9 at 7pm. The Homecoming will be Aug. 10 at 10am. Everyone is welcome.
Sequoyah Remembrance Day
Aug. 3 at the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tenn. Free admission to the Museum from 12-5pm. Allen Fugate will be demonstrating silversmithing along with other Cherokee artisans demonstrating their skills. The 1809 Cherokee Blacksmith shop will be up and...
Benefit Dinner for Julie Maney
July 28 at 11am at the Yellowhill Community Building. Proceeds will help with travel expenses. $8 for chicken, cabbage, potatoes, fatback, bean bread, and drink.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Northern Cree stays True Blue on latest Release
Northern Cree has built a reputation for being one of the most powerful drum groups on the circuit today.
Canyon Records releases Two New Peyote Albums
Canyon Records, out of Phoenix, Arizona, has released two new Native American Church song albums; “Awakening of Life,” by Cheevers Toppah and Kevin Yazzie and “Rhythms Within a Turquoise Dream,” by Louie Gonnie.
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801 Acquoni Road • Cherokee, NC 28719
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