The Appalachia Daily Update - February 9, 2026

Sheriff Vacancy Declared in Cherokee CountyThe Cherokee County Board of Commissioners met in a special session on Saturday afternoon to formally declare a vacancy in the Office of the Sheriff. This follows the resignation of Dustin Smith, which took effect Friday. Chief Deputy Justin Jacobs will lead the office in the interim while the Cherokee County Republican Party Executive Committee prepares a recommendation for a permanent replacement to serve the remainder of the term.New Business Monday: Piper OutdoorsIn our weekly business spotlight, we are highlighting the recent expansion of Piper Outdoors in Blairsville. As we approach the spring season, their focus on creating cohesive indoor and outdoor living spaces is a welcome addition for homeowners looking to “spruce up” their mountain retreats.Project Chimps Community OutreachThe 230-acre chimpanzee sanctuary in Morganton/Blue Ridge recently hosted a public Q&A session to engage with local residents. The sanctuary continues to be a point of interest for the community, providing a home for former research chimpanzees and offering educational programs and transparency regarding their operations.Early Voting GuideEarly voting for the March primary officially kicks off this Thursday, February 12th. Residents of Cherokee County can cast their ballots at the Board of Elections office located at 40 Peachtree Street in Murphy. Polls are open from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM on weekdays.Sources:2026-02-09 | https://weather.gov2026-02-07 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-regional-news/chief-deputy-jacobs-leading-cherokee-county-sheriffs-office-while-replacement2026-02-07 | https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=142026-02-03 | https://www.thenewsobserver.com/news2026-02-09 | https://www.cherokeecounty-nc.gov/274/Board-of-ElectionsAppalachia Daily Update is a hyper-local news service dedicated to the residents of the tri-state mountain region. We focus on the stories that matter most to our neighbors. For more information and updates, visit https://awww.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