The Appalachia Daily Podcast

The Appalachia Daily for June 16, 2026, Tuesday

Community Spotlight Tuesday — highlighting the volunteers, non-profits, and community organizations that keep our mountain towns strong and connected. Date: June 16, 2026 Supporting Local Health Through Blood Donation Drives (Hayesville) Blood donation drives across the region give residents a simple but powerful way to support local health services. One upcoming drive is scheduled for June 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Clay County Community Services Building on Riverside Circle in Hayesville. These events let folks roll up their sleeves and make a real difference for neighbors who need it most. Sources:2026-06 | Local blood donation listings and community service references Union County Farmers Market and Ongoing Volunteer Projects (Blairsville) The Union County Farmers Market runs every Tuesday (in addition to the Saturday schedule), including today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 290 Farmers Market Way in Blairsville. It brings the community together with local produce, goods, and that neighborly spirit. At the same time, non-profits and volunteer groups continue organizing service projects that strengthen Union County year-round. Sources:2026-06 | Union County Farmers Market and local chamber references Community Events and Gatherings in the Blue Ridge Area (Blue Ridge / McCaysville area) Community groups and non-profits in the Blue Ridge and McCaysville area host a variety of events that enrich daily life. Today’s activities include bingo and poker night in Blue Ridge, along with live music and gatherings at local spots like The Flying Trout. These efforts bring residents together for shared causes and good fun. Sources:2026-06 | Local chamber and community event listings VFW and Community Organization Support in Andrews (Andrews) The VFW and other community organizations in Andrews continue their important work through regular events and fundraisers. These volunteer-driven gatherings support veterans, families, and local causes while keeping the community connected and strong in Cherokee County. Sources:2026-06 | VFW and local community organization referencesTake care of your neighbors, and they’ll take care of you. Notes, methods, and rightsAll information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond. Produced by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment – https://media.riverrun.digital River Run Digital Media and Entertainment is a division of RiverRun Digital www.riverrun.digital [http://www.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 [https://adu.riverrun.digital?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Appalachia Daily for June 13, 2026, Saturday

Murphy Riverwalk – Easy Hiking and Walking Trail Along the Hiwassee River (Murphy) The Murphy Riverwalk offers an easy, scenic 3.4-mile out-and-back trail along the Hiwassee River right in town. It’s perfect for a relaxed weekend hike, birdwatching, or family outing with beautiful river views and easy downtown access. Sources:2026-06 | Local trail listings (e.g., AllTrails and Town of Murphy references) Jackrabbit Mountain Trail and Forest Trails in Hayesville Area (Hayesville) Trails like the Jackrabbit Mountain Trail (moderate 2.2 miles with summit views and lakeside scenery) and the Central and Burnt Tree Loop provide excellent hiking options in the Hayesville area, offering a mix of forest, lake views, and accessible outdoor recreation for all levels. Sources:2026-06 | AllTrails and local Clay County trail references Hiking in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Near Blairsville (National Get Outdoors Day) (Blairsville) The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest near Blairsville offers numerous hiking trails, and June 13 is National Get Outdoors Day with fee-free entry to standard amenity sites. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the mountain trails and celebrate the outdoors. Sources:2026-06 | US Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee references and local event listings Local Hiking and Outdoor Recreation in the Andrews Area (Andrews) The Andrews area features accessible local trails and outdoor recreation opportunities along rivers and forests, providing residents and visitors with convenient weekend hiking options close to town for exercise and nature connection. Sources:2026-06 | Local trail listings and Cherokee County outdoor references Trails and Outdoor Recreation in Blue Ridge and McCaysville Area (Including Pinhoti Reroute) (Blue Ridge / McCaysville area) The Blue Ridge and McCaysville area offers great hiking with trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest and the recent 2.6-mile Pinhoti National Recreation Trail reroute near Mack White Gap, providing scenic and improved options for outdoor enthusiasts. Sources:2026-06 | Local trail and Pinhoti references The EBCI area features excellent hiking options like the easy Oconaluftee River Trail and the more challenging Fire Mountain Trail System, offering cultural and natural experiences for hikers exploring the mountains. Sources:2026-06 | Visit Cherokee NC and EBCI trail references Where to listenProduced by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment – https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia [https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia] or https://x.com/RRDigital_media [https://x.com/RRDigital_media]River Run Digital Media and Entertainment is a division of RiverRun Digital www.riverrun.digital [http://www.riverrun.digital] Take care of your neighbors, and they’ll take care of you. Notes, methods, and rightsAll information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond. 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 [https://adu.riverrun.digital?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Appalachia Daily for June 12, 2026, Friday

Music Events at Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville (Hayesville) The Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville hosts a variety of live music performances, bringing regional artists to the stage for community entertainment and weekend shows. With its intimate setting and excellent acoustics, the center has become a hub for everything from heartfelt singer-songwriters to lively tribute bands. Sources:2026-06 | Local event listings and Peacock Performing Arts Center references Live Music at Paradise Hills in Blairsville Every Saturday (Blairsville) Paradise Hills in Blairsville features free live musical performances every Saturday from 1 to 5 PM with local performers, offering community entertainment rain or shine. Set against the beautiful countryside, the winery’s outdoor patio and pavilion create a relaxed atmosphere where families and friends can enjoy the music. Sources:2026-06 | https://exploregeorgia.org/blairsville/events/culinary-food-wine-beer/live-music-at-paradise-hills [https://exploregeorgia.org/blairsville/events/culinary-food-wine-beer/live-music-at-paradise-hills] Local First Responders Collaborate in Search for Missing Andrews Resident (Andrews) The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Andrews Police Department, Valleytown Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service Police worked together in the search for a missing Andrews resident, demonstrating strong inter-agency teamwork. Sources:2026-06-06/07 | Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office official release and local news coverage Live Music Events in Blue Ridge and McCaysville Area (Blue Ridge / McCaysville area) The Blue Ridge and McCaysville area features ongoing live music events at local venues and spots like Horseshoe Bend Park, enriching weekend entertainment for residents and visitors with everything from riverfront jams to cozy performances. Sources:2026-06 | Local event listings (e.g., escapetoblueridge.com and venue sites) EBCI Music By The River with Carbon Harry in CherokeeThe Music By The River series in the EBCI area brings live music performances, including Carbon Harry today at 5 PM, offering cultural entertainment and community gathering in a beautiful setting. Sources:2026-06-12 | Local event listings (e.g., Shazam and Visit Cherokee references) Where to listenProduced by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment – https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia [https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia] or https://x.com/RRDigital_media [https://x.com/RRDigital_media]River Run Digital Media and Entertainment is a division of RiverRun Digital www.riverrun.digital [http://www.riverrun.digital]Take care of your neighbors, and they’ll take care of you. Notes, methods, and rightsAll information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond. 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 [https://adu.riverrun.digital?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Appalachia Daily for June 11, 2026, Thursday – Special Local Legends Edition

This summer, River Run Digital is focusing on practical, hands-on AI workshops right here in our region - helping neighbors build real skills to work smarter with AI while staying rooted in the trades and real-world work. This month’s workshop is in Canton, GA, at Thrive in the Mill Building. Visit go.riverrun.digital [https://go.riverrun.digital] to learn more including a workshop near you. Long ago, the Cherokee knew this bend of the Hiwassee River as the home of Tlanusi, a giant leech that lived in the deep, dark water. It wasn’t just any leech. This one was enormous - bigger than a man, with a body that could stretch and a powerful suction strong enough to pull in deer, cattle, or even people who wandered too close to the riverbank. Folks said you could sometimes see the water ripple in a strange way, or hear a low sucking sound just before something disappeared beneath the surface. The story goes that Tlanusi terrorized the people who lived along the river until a clever hunter or a group of warriors finally found a way to defeat it. Some versions say they used fire or hot rocks to drive it from its hiding place. Others say it was tricked into coming out of the water and then slain. Either way, after that day the giant leech was gone, but the memory of it stayed. That’s why the Cherokee called this spot Tlanusi-yi - the Leech Place. When the town of Murphy was later established here, the old name and the old story traveled with it. You can still hear pieces of it today if you walk the Riverwalk or talk with folks who’ve lived here a long time. It’s one of those quiet legends that reminds us this land has been telling stories for a very long time. Where to listenProduced by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment – https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia [https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia] or https://x.com/RRDigital_media [https://x.com/RRDigital_media] River Run Digital Media and Entertainment is a division of RiverRun Digital www.riverrun.digital [http://www.riverrun.digital] Take care of your neighbors, and they’ll take care of you. 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 [https://adu.riverrun.digital?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Appalachia Daily for June 10, 2026, Wednesday

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners Approves Property Tax Increase to Improve County Employee Pay (Murphy) The Board approved a modest property tax increase (roughly $10 more per year per $100,000 assessed value) to help address pay disparities and high turnover in county positions, including law enforcement and emergency services. The change is expected to generate about $400,000 annually. Sources:2026-06-09 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/board-oks-tax-hike-improve-county-pay [https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-newsletter/board-oks-tax-hike-improve-county-pay] Local Volunteers in Hayesville Continue Longstanding Community Support Through Food Assistance and Civic Initiatives in Clay County (Hayesville / Hayesvul) Volunteer efforts in Hayesville, including food pantries and civic projects, provide consistent help to local families and strengthen community resilience in Clay County. Sources:2026-06 | Local food resource and civic listings for Clay County / Hayesville Local First Responders Work Together in Search for Missing Andrews Resident (Andrews) The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Andrews Police Department, Valleytown Fire Department, and U.S. Forest Service Police collaborated in the search for 52-year-old Brett Austin Phillips of Andrews. Phillips was reported missing on June 5 and was found deceased the following day on U.S. Forest Service land off Tatham Gap Road. Authorities reported no indication of foul play. Sources:2026-06-06/07 | Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office official release and local news coverage Local First Responders and Partner Agencies Demonstrate Effective Teamwork in Public Safety (Blairsville / Blairsvul area) Multiple agencies worked seamlessly together during the recent search effort, highlighting strong inter-agency cooperation that benefits the entire community. Sources:2026-06-06/07 | Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office official release and local news coverage Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Marks 30th Anniversary of Kituwah Return with Community Celebration (EBCI – single item) On June 6 the EBCI community gathered at the sacred Kituwah site to celebrate 30 years since its return to the Tribe, honoring cultural history and resilience. Sources:2026-06-06 | https://theonefeather.com/ and EBCI announcements Where to listenProduced by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment – https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia [https://www.facebook.com/groups/riverrundigitalmedia] or https://x.com/RRDigital_media [https://x.com/RRDigital_media]River Run Digital Media and Entertainment is a division of RiverRun Digital www.riverrun.digital [http://www.riverrun.digital] Take care of your neighbors, and they’ll take care of you. Notes, methods, and rightsAll information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital Media and Entertainment, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond. 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 [https://adu.riverrun.digital?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]