The Nantahala Ranger District has issued a Special Use Permit to Duke Energy to install an overhead powerline along Forest Service Road 422 (Winding Stairs Road) that will replace the existing cross-country route. The new powerline along Winding Stairs Road will improve future access for repairs to maintain electricity to the Nantahala Community.

The Forest Service normally closes Winding Stairs Road annually from January 1st to late March. To enable Duke Energy to begin installation of the new powerline, the road will be closed beginning November 29, 2021 through late March of 2022.
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For more information, please contact the Nantahala Ranger District at (828)524-6441.

Children ages 5 to 11 can now receive a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a lower dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children in this age group, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all children 5–11 get the vaccine to protect against serious illness and help keep them healthy. 

"Children are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus just like everyone else," said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. "The authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides a safe, tested way to protect them from serious illness and provide healthier, happier experiences in and outside of the classroom." 

During the most recent surge, pediatric cases of COVID-19 rose by about 240% in the United States, demonstrating a need to protect children from the disease. Results from clinical trials that began in March 2021 showed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was safe and effective to protect children ages 5–11 from COVID-19. 

There were no safety concerns or serious side effects noted in the clinical trials. Temporary side effects for kids 5–11 are similar to older kids and adults and may include a sore arm, headache and being tired or achy for a day or so.  

More than 3,000 children ages 5–11 participated in the trials with volunteers from different races and ethnicities (77% white, 6% African American/Black, 8% Asian, 17% Hispanic/Latinx and 7% multiracial). This is comparable to the number included in many similar clinical trials with children. 

Children are given two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Each dose is one-third the amount given to people ages 12 and older. The dose for 5–11 year olds is different from the dose authorized for people ages 12 and older, and children in this age group should not receive the 12 and older dose. 

The vaccine is effective and produced a similar immune response in children 5–11 as in older kids and adults ages 16–25. As with other routine vaccinations for children, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine underwent a thorough testing and review process by the FDA and an independent scientific committee to ensure it is safe and effective for children. 

The Pfizer-BioNTech lower dose COVID-19 vaccine is currently the only one available for children between the ages of 5–11. Parents and guardians with questions about COVID-19 vaccines should talk with their child's physician. 

"Getting school-age kids vaccinated will help keep them safe to play sports, attend events, be with friends and do all of the other things kids love to do that they may currently be missing out on," Secretary Cohen said. "I will be getting my daughters vaccinated this weekend. Don’t wait to vaccinate your kids, so they get back to safely being with family and friends, especially as we head into the holiday season."

Everyone ages 5 and older can receive a free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, even if they don’t have health insurance and regardless of their immigration status. 

North Carolina’s actions are based on recommendations from the CDC. Read the CDC’s full statement here. 

For more information about how vaccines for children work and where you can find a vaccination appointment nearby, visit MySpot.nc.gov. The North Carolina Vaccine Help Center at 888-675-4567 can also help you make an appointment. It is open 7 a.m.–7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.–4 p.m. on weekends. ​

On October 19, 2021, Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack declared a natural disaster in the State of North Carolina based on losses caused by excessive rain, flooding, and Tropical Storm Fred that occurred August 15, 2021 to August 17, 2021.  As a result of this natural disaster, 12 North Carolina counties were declared eligible for Federal disaster assistance, including Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency (EM) loans for eligible family farmers. 

Those primary disaster counties are:

• Buncombe
• Clay
• Henderson
• McDowell
• Madison
• Transylvania
• Cherokee
• Haywood
• Jackson
• Macon
• Mitchell
• Yancey

​In addition to those 12 primary disaster counties, 6 additional North Carolina counties are named as contiguous counties where eligible family farmers may qualify for FSA EM loan assistance, in accordance with Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. 

Those counties are:

• Avery
• Burke
• Graham
• Polk
• Rutherford
• Swain

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Farm Loan Officer Kathy Jett said that effective October 19, 2021, farmers in Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties may apply for EM loans for physical and/or production losses.  June 20, 2022 is the deadline for filing an application. The local office is located in Murphy, NC, and may be contacted by phone, at (828) 837-2721 ext. 2, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Jett said that any farmer who suffered a physical and/or production loss should contact her office for additional information.

 The Cherokee/Clay/Graham County Service Center is currently closed to the public. Our staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. Please contact us at (828) 837-2721, ext. 2, to make a phone appointment.