In this Issue of Hey Cherokee County…

✅ Andrews Finally Gets State Off Its Back

✅ When Town Hall Gets Too Wild: Andrews Cracks Down on Problem Visitors

Cherokee County Events

July 17th

August 1st

August 15th

August 26th

September 16th-19th

September 26th

October 31st

November 21st

The Town of Andrews is officially off the state's Unit Assistance List. 

A letter dated July 13 from Kendra B. Boyle, Director of the Fiscal Management Section at the State and Local Government Finance Division, made it official. Based on the town's audited financial statements from fiscal year 2025, Andrews is no longer considered a financially struggling municipality.

"We commend you and your staff for the efforts you made to achieve this goal," Boyle wrote.

Andrews climbed out of a significant hole. Back in 2017, the town had a negative fund balance of $75,000. The town landed on the Unit Assistance List the following year after state officials took a hard look at the books and didn't like what they found—dubious spending and some creative budgeting under the prior administration.

At the time, the town's internal controls and water/sewer fund were flagged as "high risk," with the general fund rated "moderate risk."

“We worked hand-in-hand with the state and did the things they suggested we do like raise water rates and raise taxes so that we could get back on track,” Mayor James Reid said. “We also cut spending and increased our utility collection rate.” 

It worked.

The state's website hasn't caught up yet—if you check right now, Andrews is still listed. But the letter's been sent.

“I must give a huge thank you to our prior administrator Sandy Dobson, as well as Senator Kevin Corbin, and of course our current administrator Tammy Holloway, and our deputy finance officer Ethan McCubbin,” Reid said. 

The Andrews Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a new ordinance establishing a formal process for issuing trespass notices to people whose conduct on town property is deemed dangerous, unlawful, or unreasonably disruptive.

Translation? If you act like a lunatic at town hall or the park, you're getting the boot.

Town officials said the ordinance was prompted by multiple incidents at town hall and other town-owned properties that raised safety concerns for employees and the public.

"There have been a couple of arrests made," Mayor James Reid said during the July 9 meeting. "We're just making this so we can protect our employees. We've had incidents at multiple places."

According to officials, those incidents have included confrontations at town hall that left employees feeling unsafe, as well as an incident at the recreation park office where someone refused to leave after an argument with a town employee.

The ordinance authorizes the town administrator—or other town employees designated in writing—to issue written notices of trespass when someone engages in dangerous, unlawful, or unreasonably disruptive conduct on town property. Before issuing a trespass notice, the ordinance encourages town employees to first seek voluntary compliance by asking the person to stop the conduct or leave voluntarily whenever appropriate.

The ordinance also establishes guidelines for the length of a trespass notice. Depending on the seriousness of the conduct, exclusion periods generally range from three months for violations of posted town rules, six months for violations of town or county ordinances, and up to one year for criminal offenses or conduct that could result in personal injury or property damage.

Officials may also consider factors such as prior incidents, intentional damage, or whether someone interfered with town business when determining the duration.

Anyone receiving a trespass notice must be given written notice explaining the reason for the exclusion, the area covered, how long the restriction will remain in effect, the consequences of returning, and how to appeal the decision.

"Once somebody is notified that if they come back they'll be trespassed, they have the right to appeal," town attorney Holly Christy said. "They have the right to ask specifically to come back for First Amendment purposes."

The ordinance does not replace North Carolina's existing criminal trespass laws. Instead, it creates a local administrative process that outlines when trespass notices may be issued, how long they may remain in effect, and how people may challenge them—while expressly recognizing First Amendment protections and access for legitimate town business.

"Rather than just depending upon North Carolina trespass law, which we could do, this sets some boundaries and some understanding for county employees and the citizens, and puts them on notice," Christy said.

The ordinance became effective immediately upon its adoption on July 9.

GOT A STORY? GOT A BUSINESS? We want to hear about it. Story ideas, businesses you'd like to see featured, community events, announcements — send them our way. If it's happening in Cherokee County, it belongs here. Use this form to reach out to us.

CORRECTIONS Notice something inaccurate? We want to get it right. Use this form to tell us what needs to be corrected and we'll address it promptly.