Braden Rumfelt, shown with microphone in his left hand, performs during a concert in Murphy on Friday. Photo by Bill Belian/Contributing photographer
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
MURPHY – American Idol Season 24 finalist and Murphy resident Braden Rumfelt treated his hometown to a free serenade Friday, June 12 at Konehete Veterans Park.For fans, hints of severe weather yielded a warm and not-too wet welcome.
Mountain Youth Livestock Market is run by the cowboys for the cowboys. Photo by Aiden McCoy Williams/Cherokee Scout
A chance discovery led to a happy reunion as Lisa Pursel, left, a cashier for 25 years, presents a long-lost class ring to its original owner, Veronica Flood. The ring, found among donated items at the Valley River Humane Society Thrift Store, is once again where it belongs. Photo contributed by Veronica Flood
Locals and visitors like Ben and Becky McDonald of Hanging Dog and Sandy and Sam Graves of Robbinsville enjoyed the fireworks throughout downtown. Photo by Stacy Van Buskirk/Cherokee Scout
Cherokee Language Repertory Choir
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The Brasstown Ringers’ first benefit concert will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 66 Harrison Ave. in Franklin.
Legendary Murphy High School football coach David Gentry (left) was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame on June 29 at the National Federation of State High School Associations Annual Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gentry is joined by Que Tucker (right), the N.C. High School Athletic Association commissioner. Photo by Kim McIntosh/NFHS
Abby Harris of Hiwassee Dam serves the ball against North Stokes in the first round of the playoffs on Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout
David Brown
