Appalachia Daily Update | December 20, 2025

Weekend Weather and Fire Weather Check for the Murphy, NC AreaSun today, cold tonight, and a warmer trend building into Christmas week. Fire risk for today in the Murphy area is listed as Low.* Today: sunny and mild, then a cold night.* Sunday: mostly cloudy and seasonable.* Early week: warmer trend with a couple of chances for showers.Sources:* https://www.weatherbug.com/weather-forecast/10-day-weather/murphy-nc-28906* https://www.weatherbug.com/alerts/fire/murphy-nc-28906News Date: 2025-12-20Union County, GA: Property Taxes Due TodayIf you’re a property owner in Union County, today is the due date. If you’re paying online, don’t wait until late tonight. If you’re paying in person, double check office hours before you go.* Deadline: December 20.* Plan for processing time if paying online.* If paying in person, go early and bring what you need.Sources:* https://dor.georgia.gov/property-tax* https://www.facebook.com/unioncountygov/News Date: 2025-12-20Union County, GA: Called Meeting on December 22 to Adopt the FY 2026 BudgetThe Union County Commission has a called meeting on Monday, December 22 at 5:00 p.m. The agenda centers on adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.* Date and time: Monday, December 22, 5:00 p.m.* Topic: FY 2026 budget adoption.* If you like tracking priorities and spending, this is the meeting.Sources:* https://unioncountyga.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12222025-118News Date: 2025-12-20Fannin County Schools: ESPLOST Update on FCHS Athletic ComplexFannin County Schools posted an ESPLOST update this week focused on progress at the Fannin County High School athletic complex, with photos and project notes.* ESPLOST updates show where local education sales tax projects are landing.* This one focuses on facilities progress at FCHS.* The post includes a photo gallery link for community transparency.Sources:* https://fannin.k12.ga.us/2025/12/15/esplost-update-december-2025/News Date: 2025-12-15Cherokee County, NC: County Offices Closed December 24 to 26Cherokee County lists all-day closures for Christmas observance on Wednesday, December 24; Thursday, December 25; and Friday, December 26.* Offices closed all day on Dec. 24, 25, and 26.* Plan courthouse and office errands earlier in the week.* Avoid the “locked door surprise” by checking before you drive.Sources:* https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1015* https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1016* https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1017News Date: 2025-12-24Wildlife Reminder: Don’t Keep Deer as PetsNorth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says keeping deer as pets is illegal, and warns that deer that become comfortable around people can still be unpredictable and dangerous. The release cites multiple incidents this year, including one in Cherokee County, where a person was attacked.* Keeping deer as pets is illegal in North Carolina.* Hand-feeding and taming can lead to unsafe behavior.* Keep your distance and keep dogs leashed around deer.Sources:* https://www.ncwildlife.org/media/0d4ayp0j/no_pet_deer1dec2025.pdfNews Date: 2025-12-01Holiday Planner: Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, HiawasseeMountain Country Christmas in Lights runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 24 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. The venue notes it’s open every night from Dec. 11 through Dec. 24, and lists a special drive-thru-only night on Christmas Eve from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.* Runs through Dec. 24.* Open every night Dec. 11 to 24.* Christmas Eve is a special drive-thru-only night with different admission rules.Sources:* https://georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/pageserver/christmas-infoNews Date: 2025-12-20Where to listen and followFind “Appalachia Daily Update” in your podcast app, and follow along on social for the daily post and updates.Notes, methods, and rightsThis update is assembled with the help of AI tools for research and drafting, using public sources and official pages when available. We do our best to verify details, but schedules and public notices can change quickly, so double check before you drive. Copyright 2025 River Run Digital. For more about our work and to explore River Run Digital’s services, visit https://go.riverrun.digital. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adu.riverrun.digital