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

Murphy, NC — On January 9th, 2017, shortly before 2 am, Cherokee County deputies were dispatched to a Marble, North Carolina residence in reference to an unknown medical problem. Cherokee County Emergency Communications advised that the caller stated “to send an ambulance fast and hung the phone up.”

Upon arriving, deputies and EMS personnel found 28-year-old Louis Raines, a Bryson City, North Carolina resident, suffering from head trauma.  Raines was flown to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga where he later died.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “since we are in the early stages of the investigation, we are not going to speculate as to what may or may not have happened. We are actively pursuing all leads and appreciate any information anyone may have and ask them to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 828-837-2589.”

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

Murphy, NC— During the January 2nd, 2017 session of Cherokee County Superior Court, the Honorable Judge William H. Coward sentenced Larry Wayne Reid to over 250 months as part of a plea negotiation by Reid for his participation in the January 30th, 2013 robbery of Parkers Drugs Store located in the Peachtree Community of Cherokee County.

On January 30, 2013 at or about 1:33 pm, the Cherokee County 9-1-1 Communications Center received a call advising that a armed robbery had just occurred at Parkers Drug Store at 4278 Hwy 64 East in Peachtree. After the suspect robbed the store of money and narcotics, he exited the premises through the back door with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency and a large amount of narcotics particularly Oxycontin.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into the incident which identified Larry Wayne Reid, a registered sex offender, along with Elizabeth Donaldson and Samantha Redford as suspects in the case. Further as the investigation continued, Reid was found in possession of a trafficking level of Oxycontin, an opiate. Additionally, during the investigation Reid led Georgia law enforcement authorities on a high speed chase.

During the sentencing Judge Coward sentenced Reid as follows:
Count 1 – Trafficking in Opiates:  90–120 months and a $100,000.00 fine
Count 2 – Robbery with a dangerous weapon:  78–106 months to run at the expiration of Count 1
Count 3 – Possession of a Firearm by convicted felon:  15–27 months to run at the expiration of Count 2

Reid was currently serving a sentence for a violation of the Sex Offender Registry. The sentences will begin at the expiration of current sentence. The remainder of the Cherokee County charges were dismissed as a result of the plea arrangement. Redford and Donaldson had previously been sentenced at earlier dates.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “Excellent work by all concerned which includes our Deputies, Investigators and our ADA John Hindsman. Because of their hard work, Mr. Reid will have a significant amount of time to reflect on the dangerous aspects of his crime spree. We can only make a guess as to what Reid’s motives were.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages any one that has information 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. 

Tri-County Community College will hold 2017 spring registration for current and prospective students from Jan. 4 to 6, Wednesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.

“Whether a student is planning on transferring to a university, pursuing a new career, or just furthering their education, Tri-County will be able to help them achieve their goals in the New Year,” said Lee Beal, director of enrollment management at Tri-County Community College.

The 2017 spring semester will offer students a wide variety of curriculum and continuing education classes ranging from cosmetology to engineering.

“Spring provides the perfect opportunity to prepare for upcoming semesters,” Beal said. “Our admissions department at the main campus in Peachtree or at the Graham County Center in Robbinsville will be available to answer any questions regarding enrolling at the College for the spring semester.”

According to Beal, students may register for classes in person at the Harper Help Desk on the main campus in Peachtree or at the Shope Building in Robbinsville, and currently enrolled students can register online using WebAdvisor.

“We offer day, evening, online, and hybrid courses to make it easy for students to schedule classes around work and other responsibilities,” Beal said. 

Classes for the spring semester are scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 9.

For more information regarding the 2017 spring semester at Tri-County Community College, please call (828) 837-6810 or log onto www.tricountycc.edu.