WKRK

12/19/2025

Clay County NC Chamber of Commerce with Director Jim Rich.

12/19/2025

Governor Josh Stein has ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning today and continuing through the interment of former Governor James B. Hunt, who died yesterday.

James Baxter Hunt Jr. served as North Carolina’s 69th governor from 1977 to 1985 and as its 71st governor from 1993 to 2001. He is the only governor in state history to serve four terms. Governor Hunt was widely known as a strong champion for education, from early childhood programs to public schools, community colleges, and universities. He also played a key role in advancing North Carolina’s economic development.

Born in Greensboro in 1937, Hunt grew up on a farm near Wilson and remained a lifelong supporter of agriculture. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina State University, where he served two terms as student body president, and later earned his law degree from UNC Chapel Hill. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Leopard Hunt; his son, James Baxter Hunt III; and his daughters, Rebecca, Rachel Hunt, and Elizabeth. His daughter Rachel Hunt currently serves as North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, a position her father also once held.

12/18/2025

Authorities say a business jet crashed while landing at a regional airport in Statesville, North Carolina, erupting in a large fire. The Federal Aviation Administration said a Cessna C550 crashed while landing at Statesville Regional Airport around 10:20 a.m. Thursday. The National Transportation...

12/18/2025

Former Gov. Jim Hunt, who redefined the office of governor in North Carolina, championed public education and helped focus the state's economy on high-tech industries, has died. He was 88.

12/18/2025

Several local candidates have already filed to run for office in Cherokee County in the 2026 election. Filing opened December 1 and will close at noon on Friday, December 19, 2025.

Candidates must file in person at the Cherokee County Board of Elections office, located at 40 Peachtree Street in Murphy. Offices will appear on the March 3, 2026 primary ballot.

Below is a list of candidates who have filed so far, organized by race.

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners – District I
Cal Stiles – Republican
Steve Jordan – Republican
Jeana Conley – Republican

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners – District II (Unexpired Term)
Mark Stiles – Republican

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners – District III
Judith Bodley – Democrat
Mark Stalcup – Republican
Steve Coleman – Republican

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners – District IV
Dan Eichenbaum – Republican
Tom O’Leske – Republican
Barry Killian – Republican
Sue Lynn Ledford – Republican

Cherokee County Board of Education – At Large
Stephen Dartez – Republican
Randy Phillips – Republican

Cherokee County Board of Education – District II
Jeannie Gaddis – Republican

Cherokee County Board of Education – District III
Joy Stein – Democrat
Shannon D. R***r – Republican

Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Court
Amanda Anderson Carroll – Republican

Cherokee County Register of Deeds
Karen Wright – Republican

Cherokee County Sheriff
Chris Wood – Republican
Dustin D. Smith – Republican
Sam May – Republican

Additional candidates may file before the deadline.

12/18/2025

12/16/2025

Big Brothers Big Sisters is asking the community to mark their calendars for the return of “Boots & Bowling,” one of its most popular annual fundraisers supporting local youth mentoring programs.

In Cherokee County, Boots & Bowling will take place on March 21 at the UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in Murphy. The event is being held a little later than usual this year, but organizers say the wait will be worth it.

The fundraiser combines a fun day of bowling with a western-themed twist, bringing together individuals, teams, and supporters for an evening that helps make a real difference in the lives of local children. Funds raised through Boots & Bowling support Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission of providing positive adult mentors for youth in the community.

More details will be announced soon. For now, organizers encourage everyone to save the date and plan to take part in this community-focused event.

12/16/2025

Shoppers at Walmart this evening may notice police vehicles and blue lights in the parking lot, but there is no cause for concern.

Local law enforcement officers are spending the evening with children who were unable to attend the Shop With a Cop event held on Saturday. These kids are getting their own special shopping trip, giving them the same opportunity to pick out gifts and enjoy time with officers.

The effort ensures that every child who signed up for Shop With a Cop is able to take part, even if they could not attend the main event.

12/15/2025

UCFD firefighters, career and volunteer, from all stations responded to a structure fire with children still in the home at Warren Trailer Park yesterday. The responding units arrived to find a singlewide mobile home fully involved with fire and the roof collapsed. Firefighters performed an aggressive attack to control the blaze. There were two children, believed to be ages three and six, who tragically died in the fire. Union County Fire, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and State Fire Marshal’s office are conducting an investigation. No confirmed cause at this time. UCFD would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family.

12/14/2025

A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. this afternoon until 10 a.m. Monday for our area.

Bitter cold temperatures and gusty winds will combine to create wind chills as low as zero to five degrees above zero at times. These conditions can quickly lead to hypothermia if proper precautions are not taken.

Residents are urged to limit time outdoors this afternoon and tonight. If you must be outside, dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves to protect exposed skin. Use caution while traveling, especially during the overnight hours.

Pets should be kept indoors as much as possible. Check on older family members, friends, and neighbors to make sure they are warm and safe. If using portable heaters, follow all safety instructions, and never use generators or grills inside homes or garages.

Tonight will be clear with a low around 11 degrees. Monday will be sunny with a high near 44. Temperatures will gradually warm through midweek, with highs reaching the mid-50s by Tuesday and Wednesday.

12/14/2025

Tough loss tonight in Hickory for the Murphy Bulldogs, falling 22–0 to the Tarboro Vikings. It’s never easy to come up short, but this team’s season was nothing short of incredible.

Making it all the way to the 2A NCHSAA State Championship game speaks volumes about the hard work, dedication, and heart of these players and coaches. This was a special run and one our community will remember.

We are extremely proud of the Bulldogs and everyone involved in making this such a great season.

Congratulations to Tarboro on a hard-fought victory, and we wish the players, coaches, families, and fans safe travels as they make the drive home.