WKRK

From Badcock of Murphy:

The mood in Murphy was melancholy as news spread across the small town that Badcock Home Furniture &more is closing all its stores across the southeastern United States.

From birth, local store Dealer Marcy Gibbs Bateman recalled growing up in her family’s Badcock in Wauchula store. “We learned at an early age to show respect and generosity toward our customers, my Dad made sure that both of his children understood what was required as we both worked at his store just as his parents instilled in their children.”

Interesting facts from 1937 when my grandfather became a Dealer.
Average cost of new house $4,100
Average wages per year $1,780
Cost of a gallon of gas $0.10
A gallon of milk $0.10
Average cost for house rent $26
A loaf of bread $0.09
A LB of hamburger meat $0.12
Average price for new car $760
Tuition at Harvard $420 / year
Movie ticket $0.25

“It has been a sad few days, you can look on Facebook and see all the responses from people that are sad because all them people are going to lose their jobs.”

Banners atop the Badcock website on Friday advertised going-out-of-business sales of 30% to 50% off for both online and in-store purchases. The company posted to its page that all of its stores are closing.

According to a history of Badcock Furniture on its website, Henry Stanhope Badcock founded the W.S. Badcock Corporation in 1904. An immigrant from England, Henry founded the first Badcock store in Mulberry.

He operated a single store in Mulberry for 16 years until 1920, when his son Wogan bought the store around the time the 1929 land boom in Florida helped grow the business.

Since 2021, Badcock has been purchased by two other entitles, including Conn’s Home Plus 134-year-old Texas-based furniture company that bought Badcock in December.

Before that, Badcock was purchased in November 2021 by Franchise Group, a privately-held holding company that acquires and manages mainly franchise companies, including American Freight, Buddy's Home Furnishings, The Vitamin Shoppe, Pet Supplies Plus and Sylvan Learning. Franchise Group purchased Badcock in a cash transaction valued at approximately $580 million.

Badcock has 218 Dealer stores across the Southeast. Marcy Gibbs Bateman grew up with various relatives and friends who owned stores; her grandfather Harry Gibbs helped many people become Badcock Dealers and Marcy is the eighth family member to be a Badcock Dealer.

Within the past year, Conn’s opened a large warehouse-sized store visible from Interstate 4 in Lakeland.

In December 2023, the company acquired Badcock, giving the company 550 stores across 15 states between the two brands.
We found out Tuesday afternoon, after 120 years, Badcock Home Furnishings and more will be closing ALL stores. Yes EVERY store. “Like you we are shocked and overwhelmed. We feel like a family member has died. We've shed many many tears over the last few days and have prayed for a miracle to save this company.”

The corporate decision-making was not theirs nor their customer's fault. After Conn's bought Badcock, their pricing on appliances did help business, however.
What we didn't know, was that Conns was already a sinking ship before acquiring Badcock. We have thought of Badcock as the little lifeboat, floating out in the big ocean. As Conn's sunk deeper and deeper, they grabbed ahold of Badcock, sinking the little lifeboat with the big ship.

The going-out-of-business sales will offer bargains for customers right away. "The courts have granted Badcock 90 days for the liquidation process.

Local owners Marcy & Ronnie Bateman are “not in financial distress but the sales of merchandise during the liquidation can help with reopening a store under their name. We really would like to stay in the community as a furniture store and are looking at all of our options to reopen.”

Heads Up, Drivers! Detour Ahead on U.S. 19/129 in Cherokee County

What's happening: The NCDOT is modernizing U.S. 19/129 between U.S. 64 and the Georgia border. Construction began this spring and is expected to be completed by June 2029.

What to expect: Starting Monday, there will be a detour on U.S. 19/129 near Taylor Hensen Road.

- Southern intersection of Taylor Hensen Road closed:
This section will be closed between Old Evans Road and the highway until February 2025. A temporary detour will be built onsite.

- All traffic will be directed to the northern intersection of Taylor Hensen Road and U.S. 19/129.

Stay safe: Use caution in the area and obey all posted signs. Plan ahead for potential delays.

Get updates: For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov.
Follow NCDOT on social media for the latest updates.

John C. Campbell Folk School is releasing its January – June 2025 classes!

You Spoke, We Listened!
The John C. Campbell Folk School is announcing the opening of registration for January - June 2025 classes on July 23rd at 10:00am! We want to make it easier for everyone to get away and enjoy learning about a new craft. As part of this announcement, we're also excited to remind everyone of our expansions to our discount programs, offering even more opportunities for community engagement and enrichment!

Local Discount Expansion:
Responding to the needs of our community, we are delighted to extend our local discount program to include Jackson County (NC), Gilmer County (GA), and Rabun County (GA). This expansion ensures that even more residents have the opportunity to learn, explore, and save with a 25% discount on tuition fees. We are reminding all residents of Cherokee, Clay, Macon, Swain, Graham (NC), Fannin, Towns, Union (GA), or Polk (TN), to seize this chance to enjoy a class with 25% off tuition. Start your application process today at folkschool.org/local.
Disclaimer: Those looking to receive this benefit are required to present one of the following, showing proof of local address including city and state: a valid driver’s license, voter registration card, tax bill, or utility bill.

Active Military & Veterans Discount:
In recognition of their service and sacrifice, the Folk School is proud to offer a special discount for active military personnel and veterans. Effective March 5, 2024, Active Military & Veterans will receive a 15% discount on tuition fees. This is our way of expressing gratitude for their dedication and bravery. Active Military & Veterans, begin your application process now at folkschool.org/discountprograms.
Disclaimer: Must present proof of capital VA card or capital DD-2114 form.

Teacher & Young Adult Discounts:
As a reminder of our ongoing commitment to education and youth empowerment, we are pleased to reaffirm our 15% discount off tuition fees for teachers and young adults. Whether you're molding minds in the classroom or seeking personal growth, The Folk School is dedicated to supporting your journey. Don't miss this opportunity to explore new skills and passions while enjoying valuable savings. Browse our class selection at folkschool.org/discountprograms and start your application process today!

Disclaimer: Teachers must present proof of current certification and employment as a teacher working in a school or school setting. Young Adults are required to submit a valid driver’s license or government-issued identification showing proof of age.

Please Note: Only one discount can be applied per registered account. Discounts cannot be retroactively applied if you are already enrolled in a class.

For more information about our discount programs, please visit folkschool.org/discountprograms. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning and community at the John C. Campbell Folk School!

ABOUT THE JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL
Tucked away in the mountains of western North Carolina, the John C. Campbell Folk School (“the Folk School”) offers weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, cooking, gardening, nature studies, photography, writing, and more. Our non-competitive and small-sized classes are offered year-round on a scenic 270-acre campus, attracting students from all over the world. The Folk School transforms lives, bringing people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. “I sing behind the plow,” the Folk School’s motto since its founding in 1925, reflects the importance of lifelong learning and growth while finding joy throughout every step of the process.

Our discount programs are part of our larger Strategic Plan and builds on our desire to provide meaningful experiences for neighbors in surrounding counties.

If you have any questions about these programs, or are unsure if you qualify, please contact our student services department at 828-837-2775 ext. 1, or [email protected].

This husky was found near Hwy 294 and the bait store on Sandy Gap on Monday 7/22/24 in Cherokee County, NC. If you recognize the dog, please call 409-457-6457.

District Attorney Ashley Hornsby Welch today announced a Georgia man is headed to state prison on multiple drug-related charges.

In Cherokee County Superior Court last week, jury members found Roger Wayne Stockton, 49, of Maysville, Georgia, guilty on all charges, Welch said. These were:

• Trafficking methamphetamine by possession.
• Trafficking methamphetamine by transportation.
• Possession with intent to sell or deliver co***ne.
• Possession co***ne.
• Posses drug paraphernalia.
• Possession firearm by felon.

On Oct. 20, 2023, Cherokee County Sgt. Hunter Wood followed a vehicle that crossed the white line on Caney Creek Road. He turned on his blue lights after the driver turned onto Setting Sun Lane.

A man, later identified as Stockton, fled the vehicle, but then complied with the officer’s command to halt. Officers found a bag containing methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl and co***ne, as well as a firearm, near Stockton.

Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers sentenced Stockton to serve in the Division of Adult Corrections a minimum sentence of 160 months up to a maximum sentence of 219 months. Additionally, he must pay a state-mandated $100,000 fine.

Assistant District Attorney John Hindsman prosecuted the case.

U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards' Carolina Cruiser, a mobile office, will be stationed in front of the Cherokee Historical Museum at 93 Peachtree St., Murphy, NC on Wednesday, July 24 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Staff will be available to meet with constituents and provide assistance with casework.

Please feel free to stop by to share your thoughts on important issues or seek help with federal agencies.

- “These two dogs found their way to our house in Peachtree. My name is Mary and my phone number is 443-797-9231.”

Murphy tag office is closed for the rest of the day. We're still unable to access our systems . We apologize for the inconvenience

Several offices are unable to assist customers due to the current global Microsoft and CrowdStrike outage. NCDMV is monitoring the situation along with NCDIT and will resume service once the global outage has been repaired.

Murphy Police Chief Tim Lominac said his son Cody was a Division 1 athletic prospect until that day during his sophomore year nearly killed him, but cleared a path in a different direction – as a U.S. Army officer. Read about the long, hard journey to the U.S. Military Academy’s Class of 2024 at cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/it-was-long-hard-journey



Get your local news, and only pay 88 cents per week – an annual savings of more than $32 – by subscribing at CherokeeScout.com (hit the “subscribe” button) and having your copy delivered in the mail every Wednesday.

We have confirmed that the current service disruption is occurring outside of our plant. Anything Microsoft based or associated (Hulu, Chrome, Amazon, Netflix, etc) will not be accessible until our service provider is able to repair their issue. In short the problem is outside of our immediate network. We have been in contact with our provider and their engineers are currently working on the failure.

We are experiencing a service disruption in much of our service area right now. One of our bandwidth providers is having a system failure. Engineers are working on the issue right now and we hope to restore service soon. We will keep you updated.

This young adult male blue tick coonhound showed up at a home on Meadowlark Terrace in the Bell Hill area today (7/17/24) in Cherokee County NC. Please call 828-361-3816 if you recognize him.

It has been just over a year (June 16, 2023) since the U.S. Department of Labor announced a grant in response to the Canton paper mill layoffs to support employment and training services in the region.

By the end of June 2024, the Southwestern Workforce Development Board reported to the state that 146 participants received assistance through this grant with occupational skills training, on-the-job training contracts, career services, and supportive services. Fifty percent of the program participants were dislocated workers from the paper mill.

Check out the website: https://wncdislocatedworkergrant.com/ to learn more about how the National Dislocated Worker Grant continues to help displaced workers and local employers.

UPDATE: LOCATED SAFE
We would like to thank the public for your assistance in this case and for sharing this post!

Rotary Meet & Greet! Come learn more about Rotary Club and meet our members, as we all enjoy the new Pop's Ice Cream Store!

JULY 18 UPDATE | TCSO said at approximately 7:10 p.m. Bruce Douglas Partin, Jr. was taken into custody on Vester Rd. which is located in the Fodder Creek area.

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Escaped inmate in Towns County Georgia |

Towns County Sheriff's Office, Georgia said around 2:30 p.m., 39-year-old Bruce Douglas Partin, Jr. a trustee with the TCSO inmate work detail was working at the Towns County Transfer Station (county dump) off Hwy. 288.

At some point he walked away from the work detail duty into the woods. The TCSO deployed their drone and K9 tracking dog with no success.

His current charges include Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of ma*****na, Theft by taking, Probation violation and Burglary.

Parton was last seen in the wooded area on Hwy 288 near the Towns County Transfer Station (county dump).

A $500.00 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

He was wearing an orange jumpsuit.

Call the Towns County 911 or the TCSO at 706-896-4444.

🏈🌟 Shout out to Murphy High School's varsity football team for their community spirit! Yesterday, they volunteered their time to clean up the Bob Hendrix Memorial Stadium. 🏈🌟

Let's all pitch in to keep our community clean and vibrant.

Service Update:
We had a system wide error that occured last night at around 10:00 pm. Our on call technician was dispatched and corrected it only to have it error again in the early hours. We show all services are back online at this time. If you are still unable to get online please power cycle your modem by unplugging the modem from the power source for at least one minute then reconnect the power. It will take a few minutes for it to reboot.

AT&T says hacker stole some data from 'nearly all' wireless customers AT&T has announced that a hacker stole records of calls and texts of nearly all of AT&T’s wireless customers, according to a statement from the company.