 Tri-County Community College will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on April 19 for students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in donating blood. “Our goal for this drive is 38 units of blood,” said Dotie Stafford-Ortega, chair of the events committee at Tri-County Community College. “We have 48 appointments available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the limited number of appointments, I would encourage anyone wanting to sign up as soon as possible,” Stafford-Ortega said. According to the American Red Cross, approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the United States every day. “We organized this blood drive as part of our ongoing effort to give back to our community,” Stafford-Ortega said. Stafford-Ortega said the blood drive will take place in front of the McSwain Building on the main campus in Peachtree from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you would like to donate blood on April 19, please contact Stafford-Ortega at 835-4208, or visit the Student Engagement Office/Marketing Department in the McSwain Building, Room 109 to make an appointment. To expedite the process further, ask about FASTpass. FASTpass gives you an opportunity to fill out all the paperwork prior to your appointment and bring it with you or present a QR code to the nurse from your smart phone. For more information about the American Red Cross Blood Drive at Tri-County Community College, log onto www.tricountycc.edu.   Shahadah Lloyd, nurse aide student at Tri-County Community College, poses at the Center for Applied Technology in Marble. When Shahadah Lloyd, 36, decided to return to school at Tri-County Community College, she knew the ultimate goal in furthering her education was to benefit her community. “After spending 15 years as a restaurant manager, there simply wasn’t any room for me to grow,” Lloyd said. “I’m a people person in a limited job market, and becoming a nurse aide would give me the ability to do some good.” According to Lloyd, who has served as a board member for Family Resources of Cherokee County for five years, furthering her education was another avenue for her to give back. “Whatever you choose to do with your life, you have to be proud of it,” Lloyd said. “You have to ask yourself, ‘What am I doing to better my community?’ For me, Tri-County was an opportunity to further my education and to give to my community.” Lloyd also said the draw of the nurse aide training program stemmed from her interest in helping senior citizens. “I care deeply for the elderly,” Lloyd said. “I worked at the Senior Center when I was a junior in high school and it really opened my eyes to the struggles and vulnerabilities the elderly face.” Lloyd said she plans to complete the second nurse aide class before looking at whether she wants to continue her education or begin working in the health care industry. “I’m very rooted in this community,” Lloyd said. “I want to do something meaningful with my life. By gaining my nurse aide certification, I can continue working toward my constant goal of doing what I can to benefit someone else’s life.” For Lloyd, returning to school at Tri-County Community College has allowed her to not only gain a credential to find a job, but also gave her the opportunity to exercise her deep love of learning. “For future or younger students, I would encourage them to always ask questions,” Lloyd said. “The best way to gain knowledge is to seek it.” For more information about the nurse aide training program at Tri-County Community College, contact Deborah Raper at 835-9564.   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. A Hayesville man was arrested once again for breaking and entering after stealing a bike. Peter Tiger, 20, broke into an outbuilding on Friday March 24, 2017, and stole a bicycle according to Sheriff Davis. Sheriff Deputies had just had an interaction with Tiger at the Sheriff’s Office and saw him walk up to the office, and he was actually asked to leave after causing a disturbance in the lobby. A short time later, one of the same Deputies witnessed Tiger riding a bicycle on Courthouse Drive right after another deputy witnessed him throw the back down and embankment on Courthouse Drive. Sheriff Davis said the deputies approached Tiger to see where he acquired the bicycle. He then admitted to the deputies he took it because he was tired of walking. Upon further investigation it was discovered an outbuilding at a residence on Courthouse Drive had been broken into and the bicycle taken from it. Tiger was arrested for breaking into the new Dollar General on Hwy 64 East, and for breaking into a building near the Dollar General in February of this year. Tiger recently received a bond reduction and was able to get out of jail on March 13, 2017. According to Sheriff Davis, Tiger was arrested and charged with Felony Breaking and Entering and Felony Larceny on Friday. He is currently in custody in the Clay County Detention Center under a $5,000 bond.   On Saturday March 25, 2017, Captain Litchfield and Captain Crisp from Clay County Sheriff's Office had the distinct privilege of attending the North Carolina Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) 2017 Employer Recognition Banquet in Greensboro, NC. Cody Harris, a Detention Officer at the Sheriff’s Office, is also with the North Carolina National Guard. He nominated the Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center for going above and beyond in supporting him in his duties as a guardsman. The Above and Beyond Award is presented by the ESGR State Committees to recognize employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) by providing their Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits such as differential or full pay to offset lost wages, extended health benefits, and other similar benefits. Captain Litchfield said it was an honor to represent Sheriff Davis at this event and we are grateful for the service of Cody Harris and other guardsman like him. Captain Crisp also said it was an honor to be present with Officer Harris at the banquet; and for being recognized for doing what he feels like everyone should do in support of the Guard and Reserve. As a guardsman, Office Harris could be called on to deploy at a moment’s notice. He spent time last year on the coast of North Carolina helping with hurricane relief and will be deployed later this year to Cuba for a full year.    Thomas Nelson, adviser for Tri-County Community College's new United Promise initiative aimed at recruiting and retaining minority male students, poses with first-year college student and program member Naeem Ahmed at the fourth annual What's Next Open House event on March 15. A loud burst of laughter fills the conference room where Thomas Nelson, adviser for Tri-County Community College’s new United Promise initiative meets with first-year college student Naeem Ahmed to discuss resources available to him on campus. “The United Promise program at Tri-County exists to provide a resource to first-year minority male students on our campus,” Nelson said as he explained the program to Ahmed. “This is a new initiative aimed at bringing a group of your peers together so that you all can support and encourage each other throughout your time here.” Nelson, who also works for Cherokee County Schools and is a native of Cherokee County, said he is excited about working with students at Tri-County Community College through his role in the United Promise program. “Anytime I get to work with students is great," Nelson said. "I moved back here to help the kids growing up in the same community I grew up in." The United Promise program is funded through the North Carolina Community College System’s Minority Male Success Initiative aimed at recruiting and retaining minority male students across the state. “This program provides an important outreach into our community to equip our minority male students with anything they need to succeed during their educational journey,” said Dotie Stafford-Ortega, coordinator for the program. “Our goal is to build a cohort of likeminded individuals to serve as role models both on and off campus.” Ahmed, who joined the program this semester, said he is looking forward to connecting with his peers. “I really enjoy being involved on campus,” Ahmed said. “This program is a way for us to have support in each other, so that no one feels alone.” For Nelson, the United Promise program also provides a vital service in helping students feel included on campus. “I’m fortunate enough to know most of these students already, so it’s great to really have someone be here for them that they feel comfortable enough to confide in,” Nelson said. “Tri-County has so many resources they can take advantage of, and the positive things we can do through this program within our community are endless.” For more information about Tri-County Community College’s United Promise program log onto www.tricountycc.edu/TC-UP, or call Dotie Stafford-Ortega at 835-4208.   The following press release has been issued by the Office of Ashley Welch, District Attorney. PRESS RELEASE David Joe Shuler, 52, of Bryson City was convicted today by a jury in Swain County Superior Court of being an accessory before the fact to statutory rape. Shuler facilitated the crime by pretending to be the father of one of the minor victim's girlfriends who had come to pick the victim up for an all girls sleepover. He assured the victim's family that there would be adult supervision, and that there would be no boys around. Instead, the defendant dropped the victim off with an adult male at a mobile home that the defendant owned, and the crime occurred over the course of the next day and a half. Shuler was immediately taken into custody after the jury's verdict and ordered to serve 58 to 82 months in the custody of the Division of Adult Correction. "We all share an obligation to protect the children in our communities, and this conviction demonstrates how seriously my office takes that responsibility. I commend Sheriff Cochran and the Swain County Sheriff's Office for bringing us the evidence we needed to achieve justice in this case," said District Attorney Ashley Welch.  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. A new addition to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is already earning her keep said Sheriff Davis. On Friday March 17, 2017, a Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle for displaying a fictitious registration plate in the Shooting Creek Community. While the Deputy was talking to the driver, Michael Swenson, he discovered the driver’s license was revoked. Sheriff Davis said Investigators were in the area and arrived to assist the Deputy. While the Deputy was investigating further as to whether or not the vehicle was stolen, a Sheriff’s K-9 was deployed. During an open air sniff, the K-9 alerted to the positive detection of narcotics. A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine and several items of paraphernalia, including syringes. Michael David Swenson, 24, of Franklin was arrested and charged with Driving While License Revoked he received a $500 unsecured bond. Bryan Charles Burrows, 38, of Atlanta, GA, was arrested and charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is in custody in the Clay County Detention Center under a $3500 bond. Lenessa Shenee Stroud, 29, of Hayesville, was arrested and charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She is in custody at the Clay County Detention Center under a $3500 bond. "It is good to see the dogs already making an impact," said Sheriff Davis. "I knew this grant for the K-9s would be a great opportunity for the county and we can already see evidence of that. No one is denying there is an issue with drugs, not only here but across the whole country. But I do hope these dogs will make a positive impact on keeping illicit drugs out of Clay County."  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 March 14th, 2017 arrest of 48-year-old Amy Jean Allen and 53-year-old Larry Ray Hogan, both of Murphy, North Carolina, for violations of the controlled substances laws of North Carolina. Deputies of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were patrolling in an area where known violations of the controlled substance laws had been taking place when a vehicle occupied by Allen and Hogan was observed committing a traffic violation. Upon stopping the vehicle, Narcotic Investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office assisted. During the traffic stop, one of the Narcotic Detector K9s alerted for the presence of illegally possessed controlled substances. During a search of the vehicle and of the persons of Allen and Hogan, an amount of illegally possessed controlled substances were found. Both Allen and Hogan were arrested on scene and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center. During the booking process, another amount of illegally possessed controlled substance was found which has been secreted into the jail in the person of Allen. Allen was booked and is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center for PWIMSD METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE PRISON/JAIL PREMISSES, MAINTAINING A DWELLING/VEHICLE FOR USE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA and is currently under a $30,000.00 secure bond. Hogan was booked and is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center for PWIMSD METHAMPHETAMINE, MAINTAINING A DWELLING/VEHICLE FOR USE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA and is currently under a $30,000.00 secure bond. Sheriff Palmer remarked, “We continue our effort to control the drug trafficking in Cherokee County. Good work by our deputies getting a couple more off the street.” 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 release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced that 27-year-old Robert William Sutton is alive today after a failed suicide attempt because of the quick actions of Cherokee County Detention Officers and Medical Staff. Sutton was arrested by Cherokee County Deputies for failing to appear on a felony charge in Buncombe County, North Carolina on March 9th, 2017. Sutton was placed on a $2000.00 secure bond and was being housed in the Cherokee County Detention Center. During the early afternoon hours of March 10th, 2017, fellow inmates in the cell occupied by Sutton alerted Detention Staff that Sutton appeared to be in an unconscious state. Detention Staff along with Medical Staff responded to the cell and found that Sutton had fashioned a makeshift noose from material and had attempted to hang himself in the cell by attaching the makeshift noose to his foot to enable him to restrict his airway. Detention Staff and Medical Staff provided lifesaving measures and revived Sutton who was later flown to a North Georgia hospital where he was later released. Sheriff Palmer said, “I want to commend the Detention and Medical Staff for their quick response and efforts. I am sure it was because of these measures that Mr. Sutton is alive today.” Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone 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.  The following press release has been issued by the Town of Murphy Police Department.
On Friday, March 10th, 2017 between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, the Murphy Police Department, in partnership with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (Troop G), conducted a traffic enforcement detail within the town limits of Murphy and its outskirts. The purpose of this detail was to place emphasis on Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Enforcement and Inspections. Based on statistical crash data collected by the Cloverlab, US Highway 19 and US Highway 64 were identified as two of the Commercial Motor Vehicle high crash corridors for Troop G. One of the NCSHP Specialty Units assisting with this detail is the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). During this detail, we had a total of 15 NCSHP Troopers from various counties across Western North Carolina and 3 MPD Officers participating in this assignment. One of the things that stood out during this detail was when one individual that was issued a North Carolina Uniform Citation for Speeding by an MPD Officer, had already received one from the NCSHP just minutes earlier. We look forwarding to hosting this Enforcement Detail again in the future with the NCSHP. I would personally like to thank First Sgt. Fairchild, Sgt. Dills and Sgt. Williams, as well as all the assisting Troopers and MPD Officers that assisted with this assignment. I have listed below the enforcement actions taken by the NCSHP and MPD. Here are the following enforcement actions taken by the Highway Patrol: 20 Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections were conducted. 53 Total Commercial Motor Vehicle Violations were detected. 12 Commercial Motor Vehicles were placed Out of Service. 50 North Carolina Uniform Citations were issued (Various). 23 North Carolina Highway Patrol Warning Citations were issued. Here are the following enforcement actions taken by MPD: 4 North Carolina Uniform Citations were issued (Speeding). 1 North Carolina Uniform Citation were issued (Unsafe Movement). 3 Verbal Warnings (Various). Here are some safety links for operating safely around large trucks and buses: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/tips-driving-safely-around-large-trucks-or-buses https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ourroads/campaign-assets Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions, comments or concerns. Thank You, Justin J. Jacobs Chief of Police |
