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 January 25th, 2016 arrest of 35-year-old Amy Renee Wertz, and 46-year-old William McKinley Cook both of Murphy, North Carolina following an investigation into the illegal possession of controlled substances in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

Following complaints provided from citizens in the Martins Creek community of Cherokee County, investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into individuals that were illegally possessing and manufacturing controlled substances.

On January 22nd, 2016, investigators conducted a search of a residence on Blackberry Bend which was reportedly the residence of Wertz and Cook who were not home at the time of the search. When investigators conducted the search, a small indoor grow of marijuana along with a “one pot” active meth lab as discovered. Appropriate measures were taken and the marijuana was seized as evidence and the meth lab was seized and later destroyed because of its volatile and dangerous nature.

On January 25th, 2016 Wertz and Craig were arrested at their residence for: 
MANUFACTURE SCHEDULE VI CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, MAINTAINING A DWELLING FOR USE, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA.

Both Wertz and Cook remain in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $16,000.00 secure bond awaiting a February 10th, 2016 District Court date.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “even with weather hampering us, we were determined to shut this down. Being determined helped shut down a small marijuana grow but also shut down a very dangerous meth lab at the same time. I encourage our community to join the team to help us send the message we will not tolerate illegal drugs in Cherokee County.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

The following press 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 January 21st, 2016 arrest of 19-year-old Meghan Kristina Blaylock, 46-year-old Jack Dean Crisp, 37-year-old Jamie Aaron Dockery and 51-year-old Kimberly Ivie Craig all of Murphy, North Carolina following an investigation into the illegal sale and possession of controlled substances in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

Following complaints from citizens in the Hanging Dog community of Cherokee County, investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into individuals that were illegally possessing and selling controlled substances. The investigation culminated in the arrest of the four after the January 21st, 2016 search of a residence on Tea Rose Lane, reportedly occupied by Craig and Dockery. During the search, an amount of controlled substances were seized.

Kimberly Ivie Craig was arrested for POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, and POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. Craig was placed on a $10,000.00 unsecure bond and has a January 27th, 2016 Cherokee County District Court date.

Jamie Aaron Dockery was arrested for POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, and POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. Dockery was placed on a $10,000.00 unsecure bond and has a January 27th, 2016 Cherokee County District Court date.

Blaylock was arrested for POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, SIMPLE POSSESS SCH VI CS and POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. Blaylock was placed on a $5,000.00 unsecure bond and has a January 27th, 2016 court date.

Crisp was arrested for ASSAULT ON A FEMALE and UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A MOTOR PROPELLED CONVEYANCE. Crisp was placed on a $2,500.00 unsecure bond and has a January 27th, 2016 court date.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “A good example of the teamwork we are employing fighting the drug problems in Cherokee County. I continue to encourage the citizens of Cherokee County to keep calling with information. Together we are making a difference."

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

It's official.  I lost the bet.  

Tim Radford of WKRK and Michael Shepard of No Contract Cellular created an insane bet at the beginning of December as No Contract Cellular launched Defense Mobile in their store.  Defense Mobile is a mobile service that benefits those who have served in the military as well as their families.

I can barely remember the original terms of this crazy bet as Michael carefully crafted those terms into his favor.  However, it was decided that the loser of the bet would have his hair dyed red, white and blue.  That's pretty patriotic, right?

Michael's wife, Melissa, owns Johnson Spa Salon near the corner of Hwy 64 W and Old Ranger Road in Murphy.  It was agreed that she would get to have fun and do the honors of hair dying.    She did a fantastic job.  (If you want to get your hair dyed red, white and blue, I strongly recommend you call her at (828) 837-0700.)

So from 3:30 until 6:00 pm today, I sat in the chair while Melissa worked her magic.  Michael sat in a nearby chair laughing and taking pictures.  At one point he was laughing so hard, I thought we were going to have to ask him to leave.

Michael had joined us on PartyLine earlier today.  Even though I had lost the bet, a huge number of listeners called in and said that Michael should get his hair dyed as well.  I encourage you to stop into No Contract Cellular and try to talk him into it.  I'd love to post those pictures!  

We had a lot of fun with the contest.  Our purpose was to help show appreciation to those men and women who have served our country.  No Contract Cellular donates a percentage of their sales to our local Warrior Clan.  The Warrior Clan are veterans working alongside returning warriors to eradicate suicide, domestic violence, substance abuse and homelessness and to help prepare our men and women to re-enter school or the workforce. Warrior Clan is a vital resource in helping veterans transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life.

Below are some more pictures of the emotional scarring that has taken place in my life.  We hope you enjoy.    Don't forget to stop into No Contract Cellular and let Michael know he's next!  No Contract Cellular is located inside Circuit World on Andrews Road in Murphy.   

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 January 13th, 2016 arrest of Loretta Lynn Townsend, a 31-year-old Murphy, North Carolina woman who is a registered sex offender, for indictments issued from the January setting of the Cherokee County Grand Jury.

During the month of June 2015, a report was received by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office indicating that Townsend had fraudulently used a credit/debit card of an individual who resided in the Marble Community of Cherokee County.  Following the investigation, the information was presented to the Cherokee County Grand Jury who handed down a true bill of indictment for the reported frauds.

Townsend was arrested and placed on a $10,000.00 unsecure bond.  Townsend was processed through the Cherokee County Detention Center and has a February 29th, 2016 Cherokee County Superior Court date.

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

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 January 12th, 2016 arrest of Cleaston Jeffery Dockery, a 30-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man for controlled substance violations as well as the arrest of 38-year-old Wyneeta Lee Kessler on an outstanding Governor’s Warrant from the State of Georgia.

During the late afternoon hours of January 12th, 2016, the Cherokee County patrol deputies responded to the Hanging Dog Community of Cherokee County to investigate a report of communicating threats. Upon arriving in the area, a vehicle operated Dockery was stopped. 

During the investigative stop, Dockery was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine and marijuana. Information was also found that Kessler had an outstanding Governor’s Warrant which had been issued from charges in Georgia.

Dockery was arrested for POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESS MARIJUANA UP TO 1/2 OZ, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA and given a $5,000.00 unsecure bond and is expected in Cherokee County District Court on January 27th, 2016. Kessler was released to Georgia authorities.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “Again I commend the patrol officers and investigators who collaborated on this arrest.  We work as a team and believe that team work will bring about what we are trying to accomplish and that is a safer Cherokee County.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

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 January 13th, 2016 arrest of Sharon Cote Allman, a 31-year-old Murphy North Carolina woman for additional indictments for trafficking in opiates from the January setting of the Cherokee County Grand Jury.

During an undercover operation during the calendar year of 2013, Allman became a suspect in the illegal sale and delivery of opiates, Schedule III Controlled Substances and untaxed liquor. During the investigation, information was collected and presented to the Grand Jury who handed down the indictments from it’s November 2015 setting.

Allman was arrested and posted a $50,000.00 unsecure bond. Allman had previously posted a $50,000.00 secure bond from earlier indictments.  Allman is expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court February 29th, 2016.

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information on this crime or any other to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

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 January 15th, 2016 arrest of Dustin Lee Adams, a 25-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man for charges involving theft from his employer.

On or about December 21st, 2015 a report was received by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office by a local convenience store that their safe had been opened and an amount of U.S. currency had been stolen sometime after the store and safe had been locked. During the investigation conducted by the Investigations Division of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Adams was identified as suspect in the crime.

Adams surrendered himself to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was served with warrants for BREAKING AND OR ENTERING, LARCENY AFTER BREAK/ENTER, LARCENY BY EMPLOYEE and SAFE CRACKING.  Adams was set a $5,000.00 secure bond which Adams posted and has a February 10, 2016 District Court date.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “Adams is no stranger to the judicial system in Cherokee County and the surround states. This was some good investigative work and shows that we will continue to work these cases through to conclusion.”

Sheriff Palmer asks if you should have any information concerning this case or any other case to report suspicious activity and suspected violations of the law to please call 828-837-3144 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 that January 16th, 2016 arrest of Richard Allan Cseh, a 55-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man for charges involving a short chase in which Cseh was found operating a stolen motor vehicle and possessing drugs.  
 
During the early morning hours of January 16th, 2016, Cherokee County deputies were dispatched to a residence on Coalville Road in the Marble Community to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle that had pulled behind a residence.  Prior to the deputies arrival, the vehicle had left the residence.
 
As the deputies continued their attempt to locate the vehicle, it was observed on Palmer Lane a short distance from the original call for service.  When one of the deputies attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, it sped up an in attempt to elude the officer.  Following a short pursuit which ended on Pounding Mill Road, Cseh was found to be the operator of the vehicle. During the chase, the patrol vehicle of one of the deputies received damage to the windshield and front end from flying debris.
 
During the short investigation following the traffic stop, it was discovered that the vehicle that Cseh was operating had been stolen from Macon County, North Carolina earlier in the morning. Additionally, during a search of the vehicle, incident to arrest a small amount of methamphetamine and paraphernalia was found.
 
Cseh was arrested and charged for INJURY TO PERSONAL PROPERTY, LARCENY OF MOTOR VEHICLE (Macon County North Carolina charge), POSSESS STOLEN AUTOMOBILE, RECKLESS DRIVING TO ENDANGER, FLEE/ELUDE ARREST WITH A MOTOR VEHICLE, UNSAFE MOVEMENT, FAILTO HEED LIGHT AND SIREN, STOP SIGN VIOLATION, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS METHAMPHETAMINE. Cseh later made a $30,000.00 secure bond and has a January 27th, 2016 court date.
 
Sheriff Palmer stated, “I want to compliment the vigilant officers of the Patrol Division for continuing the investigation until Cseh was apprehended. Cseh is no stranger to the court system here in Cherokee County and has little regard for the safety of the community or the law enforcement officers who work here. We continue to aggressively pursue and apprehend individuals who flaunt their lawlessness and appreciate our public who is joining in this fight.”
 
Sheriff Palmer asks if you should have any information concerning this case or any other case to report suspicious activity and suspected violations of the law to please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.  

Friday is a historic day for Andrews High School.  The community is invited as the Andrews High School Gym officially becomes Ken Solesbee Court and the Ken Solesbee Athletic Center.

Ken Solesbee is truly a legend in the area with more than four decades of coaching at the school.   Earlier this week, Andrews Mayor Nancy Curtis honored Solesbee with the Key to the City and this Friday will be the official renaming event. 

Here's a lineup of events for Kenneth Solesbee Day this Friday, January 15th:

5:45 pm – The official ceremony will take place which includes the unveiling of the new logo on the gym floor.

5:50 pm – Coach Solesbee will address the crowd.

6:00 pm – Girls pregame and warm ups.

6:30 pm – Girls game begins.

Immediately following the game, a reception for former players, coaches and students of Coach Solesbee will be held in the hall of Building B (the former Junior High Building.)  Food will be served and albums will be made available for signing.

The community is encouraged to take part in this historic event at Andrews High School.

The following press release has been issued by Chief Al Lovingood of the Murphy Fire Department.

Apartment Fire  - 95 Valley River Avenue

Murphy Fire assisted by Ranger and Peachtree Fire Departments responded to an apartment fire at 95 Valley River Avenue Friday afternoon at 4:10 pm.  

Upon arrival of first units at 4:16 found an approximately 9,000 square foot multi-story apartment complex with dark turbulent smoke showing from the attic.  

Initial reports upon arrival indicated that all occupants were out of the structure.  During size-up by the incident commander, occupants were continuing to exit the building.  Upon completing an initial search for occupants, suppression efforts were initiated.  Personnel entered the building and progressed to the attic encountering high heat and zero visibility.  Fire attack was initiated controlling the main body of the fire.  Upon control of the fire, salvage and overhaul operations were initiated.  Fire was extinguished at 4:58 pm.  

No injuries were reported.  One patient was evaluated by Cherokee County EMS, but was not transported.  

Many agencies assisted in addition to Ranger and Peachtree Fire, these include: Cherokee County EMS, Cherokee County Rescue Squad, Murphy Police, Murphy Power, Murphy Public Works, Cherokee County Schools, Red Cross and the Hulbert-Johnson Homeless Shelter.  

22 people were identified to occupy this complex of which 11 were provided temporary shelter by Red Cross and Hulbert-Johnson Homeless Shelter.  

This incident had high potential for injuries or loss of life in addition to involved property loss and exposure damage.  We were fortunate this incident was successful mitigated which I attribute to firefighters and other agency personnel who assisted.  

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  

-Al Lovingood