Welcome back to the Appalachia Daily Update. Today we are balancing a serious winter weather emergency with a look at local business growth and specific updates for our core counties. Stay warm and stay safe, neighbors.

Weather and Safety: State of Emergency in Cherokee County

A local State of Emergency has been declared for Cherokee County, NC. Emergency management is warning of potentially catastrophic ice accumulations. Warming stations are active at the Detention Center lobby in Murphy and Peachtree Fire & Rescue.Sources

* 2026-01-23 | https://www.cherokeescout.com/local-regional/state-emergency-declared-cherokee-county-ahead-storm

* 2026-01-26 | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.06590&lon=-84.0993

New Business Monday: Southern Samaritans (Andrews, NC)

For our New Business Monday spotlight, we are welcoming Southern Samaritans to the Andrews community. Having held their official ribbon cutting on January 9, 2026, this new organization on Teas Street is dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and community-focused support services. In a month defined by winter challenges, having a new neighbor dedicated to helping those in need is a major win for the region.Sources

* 2026-01-09 | https://allevents.in/andrews/southern-samaritans-ribbon-cutting/200029410758220

* 2026-01-26 | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575580895852

Regional Closures: Monday, Jan. 26

The following districts are closed or delayed today due to hazardous road conditions:

* Cherokee County (NC) Schools: CLOSED

* Fannin County (GA) Schools: CLOSED

* Union County (GA) Schools: CLOSED

* Clay County (NC) Schools: 2-Hour DelaySources

* 2026-01-25 | https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/school-closings-these-districts-canceling-going-virtual-monday/7WVXQGP7YRGPVA77SJZ4HHMBSE/

* 2026-01-26 | https://www.unioncountyga.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=111

County & Town Spotlight: Clay, Union, Fannin, and Turtletown

* Clay County, NC: School Board Meeting scheduled for 6:00 PM tonight. 4-H programs recently received $1,000 in matching grant funds to support youth livestock projects.

* Union & Fannin, GA: Major resurfacing projects and infrastructure updates are slated for late January. GDOT crews have been brining roads throughout the weekend in preparation for the ice storm.

* Turtletown, TN: Under a statewide State of Emergency issued by Gov. Bill Lee. TDOT and the Tennessee National Guard are staged for winter response to assist stranded motorists and clear debris on Highway 64.Sources

* 2026-01-26 | https://www.clayschools.org/

* 2026-01-24 | https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2026/1/24/trump-administration-grants-tennessee-s-emergency-declaration-to-support-winter-weather-response.html

* 2026-01-24 | https://www.claycountygov.com/Home/Components/News/News/550/1512

Appalachia Daily Update is your hyper-local community newscast for the mountains of Western North Carolina and North Georgia. Produced by RiverRun.Digital. Take care of your neighbors, and they will take care of you. https://go.riverrun.digital