The following press release has been issued by Clay County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

In the early afternoon hours of March 21, 2019, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen U-Haul truck. Later that afternoon, Clay County dispatch center received a report of a U-Haul truck in the Shooting Creek Community that matched the description of the one that was reported stolen earlier in the day. Deputies initiated a traffic stop on the U-Haul on Highway 64 East at the Shooting Creek Market. Before it came to a complete stop in the parking lot, it immediately left and continued west on Hwy 64 at a high rate of speed. Deputies pursued the vehicle down Highway 64 and onto Old Highway 64 East where it sped through a construction zone. It continued towards Highway 175 and eventually turned onto Elf School Road. The stolen U-Haul turned around in a field at the end of Patterson Road and traveled back out Elf School Road.

Fearing the U-Haul would go back into the construction zone and strike pedestrians, a deputy was blocking a portion of Elf School Road. The U-Haul then accelerated directly into the path of the deputy who was out of his vehicle. The deputy fired his service weapon at the U-Haul. The U-Haul turned into a field and the driver attempted to run from deputies on foot but was taken into custody. The female passenger was flown to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment and was released a short time later. During the pursuit the U-Haul struck two patrol cars, one of which was totaled, and almost ran over pedestrians in the construction zone.

The NC State Bureau of Investigation was immediately notified and responded to the scene.

Michael Paul Ledford, 36 of Murphy NC was charged with Driving While License Revoked, Reckless Driving to Endanger, Reckless Driving With Wanton Disregard, 2 counts of Injury to Personal Property, Felony Flee/Elude Arrest, Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, and 5 counts of Assault With a Deadly Weapon With Intent to Kill. Ledford was given a $350,000 secured bond and a court date of April 4, 2019.

Ledford also had active warrants for arrest out of Cherokee County for Resisting Public Officer, Felony Break and Enter, Larceny After Break and Enter, Injury to Real Property, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was given a secured bond of $8,500 on those charges and a court date of April 2, 2019.

Murphy, N.C. – Granny’s Attic, an Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital (EWCH) auxiliary group, recently provided 12 new CPR training mannequins to Clay County Schools. This contribution was one of the community health needs accomplished through funds raised at the Hayesville thrift store.

Clay County Schools offer CPR training classes to both students and employees. The classes are led by Clay County school nurses who are American Heart Association instructors.

“Erlanger is proud to be able to contribute to community health education in this way,” said Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital CEO Mark Kimball. “CPR can drastically improve a person’s chance of survival. We hope these materials will help our local schools in the training efforts of this lifesaving procedure.”

Granny’s Attic is a non-profit organization run solely by volunteers. The store, which sells donated clothing and small household items, contributed its annual earnings to several local organizations, including $55,000 to EWCH.

Granny’s Attic is located at 200 Highway 64 West in Hayesville and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tri-County Community College, in partnership with Interstate Welding and Steel Supply will hold a Welding Open House on Thursday at Interstate Welding and Steel Supply in Marble from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The Welding Open House gives both current and prospective students a chance to come out and meet various representatives from the industry,” said Jason Penley, head of the welding program at Tri-County Community College. “Those who attend can also gain experience first-hand of what it is like to be a welder.”

The welding open house is set to feature representatives from the industry, who will bring equipment and perform several live demonstrations for attendees. The event will also include other representatives to discuss the benefits of a career in welding.

“Welding as a career can provide a lot of stability,” Penley said. “On average, nearly 95 percent of welders find full-time jobs, and the field keeps growing. A lot of skilled welders are getting close to retirement, which means there won’t be a shortage of welding jobs in the coming years.”

According to the American Welding Society, estimates by 2020 indicate there will be a national shortage of 290,000 professionals in the welding sector, including inspectors, engineers, and teachers.

“This event gives both high school students and anyone else in our the community with an interest in welding a chance to explore the opportunities a career in welding can open up for them,” Penley said.

For more information regarding the welding open house, call 837-7965. To learn more about the welding program at Tri-County Community College, visit www.tricountycc.edu.

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Murphy, NC— On March 4th, 2019 during an administrative session of Superior Court, Ricardo Gamez Dockery appeared before the Honorable William H Coward, and entered a plea of guilty to Indecent Liberties with a Child and received an active sentence of 15–27 months and given 271 days jail credit against that sentence.

On or about May 7th , 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s began an investigation into a report detailing a sexual assault reportedly committed by Dockery on a juvenile sometime during the month of April 2018.

During the investigation the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office worked in conjunction with the HAVEN Child Advocacy Center and the Cherokee County Department of Social Services. Ricardo Gamez Dockery was subsequently arrested at his residence in Clay County North Carolina where he had moved once the allegations were made known.

Ricardo Gamez Dockery is currently a registered sex offender on the North Carolina Registry. Dockery’s previous convictions were for four counts of Indecent Liberties with a Minor in January of 2008.

A subsequent hearing will be held at a later date to determine what if any new restrictions are to be placed on Dockery once he is released from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Adult Corrections.

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.

On Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at a fundraising dinner for the Daniel Boone Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Mr. Bill Hughes was the recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Citizen Award.  

Bill is a native of Murphy.  His grandfather, who raised him, was station agent at the L&N Railroad in Murphy.  Bill developed a deep love for all things pertaining to railroads.  He received his education in the local school system and went on to Western Carolina University where he received three degrees in education.  After teaching for just six years, he was selected to be Principal of Murphy Elementary School at the age of 27.  This made him the youngest Principal in North Carolina public education.

During this time, he became active in Boy Scouts as a leader for several years.  One of his highest honors was when he received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine which is the highest honor a citizen can receive from the governor of North Carolina.  When he decided to retire from being a Principal, he had already served ten years on the City County and he could see it was time for the town of Murphy to move forward.  He was elected Mayor in 1997 and brought several new and improved ideas to the area.  He retired on December 4, 2017 and he LOVES retirement.  He would also love to see the train return to Murphy.

A total of $6,345 was raised during Tuesday evening's fundraising dinner to support

*Full program can be seen in photos

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the February 21st , 2019 arrest of 36-year-old Joshua Charles Hampton of Murphy, North Carolina in connection with several motor vehicle thefts.

On February 21, 2019 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Murphy Police Department conducted a joint investigation which identified Joshua Charles Hampton as a suspect in numerous vehicle thefts as well as breaking and entering into the vehicle.

Following information as to the location of the stolen vehicles, members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Murphy Police Department located Hampton near a housing area in Murphy, North Carolina. Hampton immediately fled on foot and was captured a short distance later.

Joshua Charles Hampton was arrested and brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was charged with:

LARCENY OF MOTOR VEHICLE X 2, MISDEMEANOR LARCENY X 2, POSSESS STOLEN AUTOMOBILE, LARCENY OF FIREARM, BREAK AND ENTER MOTOR VEHICLE X 2, FINANCIAL CARD THEFT X 2, FINANCIAL CARD FRAUD X 2.

Hampton is currently incarcerated under a $105,000.00 secure bond and is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court March 7 , 2019.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Great job working with the Murphy Police Department on getting Hampton off the street.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
​
Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the February 27th, 2019 arrest of 46-year-old Derrick William Wilson of Marble, North Carolina in connection with trafficking in methamphetamine in Cherokee County North Carolina.
 
On February 27th, 2019 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office assisted by Cherokee Indian Police Department conducted a search of the Minor Road Marble, North Carolina residence of Derrick William Wilson. Wilson has been a subject of an investigation into individuals that are trafficking controlled substances into Cherokee County. Earlier in the week Wilson had been arrested for possession of an amount of methamphetamine and was out on bond awaiting a Cherokee County District Court date. During the search of the residence a substantial quantity of suspected methamphetamine was located and seized.

Derrick William Wilson was arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was charged with TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE, POSS W/I MANUF/SELL/DEL SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESS MARIJUANA UP TO 1/2 OZ, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. Wilson is currently incarcerated on a $200,000.00 secure bond and has a March 07th, 2019 Cherokee County District Court date.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Great job working with the Cherokee Indian Police Department and all the assistance they provided in this investigation. We continue to work at getting those off the street who are dealing drugs in our community.”

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.  

U.S. Air Force Airman Christina C. Crawford graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

​Crawford is the daughter of Lisa A. Foxworth of Columbus, Ga., and David A. Crawford of Murphy, N.C.
She is a 2018 graduate of Hardaway High School, Columbus, Ga.

Water consumers of the Town of Murphy in Cherokee County are experiencing periods of low pressure and outages in the distribution system due to a main break.  Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system.

Therefore, when water service is restored consumers are advised to boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation) or use bottled water.

Vigorous boiling for one (1) minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water. 

Water customers are strongly urged to conserve water whenever possible.  This advisory remains in effect until further written notification is issued.
  
This advisory issued on 03/04/19 by:
                      
Chad Simons, Town Manager
Town of Murphy
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