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Note from Julia H Higdon, Principal, Andrews Middle School:
April 25, 2018 Dear AMS family, parents, and community stakeholders, Andrews Middle School is dedicated to maintaining a strong partnership with parents and believes transparency and open communication among all stakeholders is of paramount importance. There have been recent postings on social media with inaccurate information surrounding a citation sixth grade teacher Amber Ledford received. I sincerely thank you for approaching me directly to express your concerns about Ms. Ledford. As your principal, I wish to convey facts pertaining to her citation and the mitigating circumstances surrounding it.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter clarifying this matter. Ms. Ledford and I will be happy to meet with anyone individually who would like to discuss concerns further. <signature removed> Julia H Higdon Principal Andrews Middle School  Beth Thomason, Tri-County Community College student, receives her 2018 North Carolina Community College System award for Academic Excellence from President Dr. Donna Tipton-Rogers at the college’s annual Academic Honors Banquet on April 19 at McGuire’s Millrace Farm in Peachtree. Tri-County Community College held its annual Academic Honors Banquet for students to be recognized for their academic achievements, as well as their induction into national honor societies, in front of family and friends on April 19 at McGuire’s Millrace Farm in Peachtree.
“This event is one my favorite out of the entire year because it allows us to thank you for all your hard work and dedication,” said Dr. Donna Tipton-Rogers, president of Tri-County Community College. “It is an honor to be with you all tonight.” The college’s four honor societies -- Alpha Beta Gamma, Phi Theta Kappa, the National Technical Honor Society and Tau Upsilon Alpha -- all had pledges recognized from the student body. Also recognized at the event were students who had not pledged to an honor society but who had earned the distinction as Honor Students for having a cumulative GPA above 3.5, as well as the students graduating with the highest GPA in their degree program, who were recognized as Top of Class. “These students have made many sacrifices to achieve the level of excellence on display here tonight,” Tipton-Rogers said. “On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to wish you the very best going forward.” Additionally, two students were honored for their nominations for annual state-wide awards. Beth Thomason was nominated for the 2018 Academic Excellence Award for her academic achievements and dedication; and Naeem Ahmed was nominated for the 2018 Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award. For more information regarding academic honors at Tri-County Community College, contact Holly Hyde at 835-4219 or visit www.tricountycc.edu. The following press release has been issued by Chief Al Lovingood, Murphy Fire Department
At 3:07:22 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, Murphy Fire Department, assisted by Peachtree Fire Department, was dispatched to 672 Valley River Avenue on report of a residential fire. Upon arrival of the first engine at 3:11:54, firefighters found an approximate 1200 square foot single story house with smoke coming from the attic. Personnel forced entry into the structure and found heavy smoke conditions. Firefighters located and extinguished the fire in a utility room. No one was home at the time of the fire, which appeared to have started behind a clothes dryer. Fire damage was contained to the utility room but the entire structure sustained smoke damage.  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 April 25th, 2018 arrest of Mason Kelly Nykolajcuyk, a 26-year-old Bradley County, Tennessee fugitive who was captured following a lengthy chase in and around Murphy, North Carolina during the noon time hour. A little after 1130 am on April 25th, 2018, Lt. Wood with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division spotted a vehicle matching the description of a wanted vehicle which had been involved in an incident in Polk County Tennessee on the previous day where a Polk County Deputy was stabbed. At the time, the vehicle was just west of Murphy on US Highway 64 and headed west. As Lt. Wood began following the vehicle to make an investigative stop, the vehicle pulled off the side of the road and then fled back east. During the chase, the vehicle reached speeds above 80 miles per hour oftentimes in crowded business areas as well as in residential areas which included an elementary school. Additionally, the driver was driving erratically, which included driving in the east bound lane of US 19 near the Murphy High School into oncoming traffic, and at times almost struck pedestrians in the area as well as striking two law enforcement vehicles and attempting to strike other law enforcement vehicles. At one point in the chase, a unit from Murphy Police Department setup and deployed stop sticks which damaged one or two of the vehicle’s tires, however Nykolajcuyk continued his high speed flight. Shortly after Nykolajcuyk entered a small two lane road in the Texana Community of Cherokee County, Lt. Wood was able to utilize a pit maneuver to disable the vehicle at which time Nykolajcuyk was captured. Nykolajcuyk is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center. Nykolajcuyk is charged with Felony Fleeing to Elude Arrest, Felony Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vechile. Nykolajcuyk is currently under a $100,000.00 secure bond and has a hold placed on him for pending out of state charges. Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Outstanding work and cooperation bringing a very dangerous situation to a safe closure. We appreciate the cooperation of Murphy Police Department.” 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. Clarification/Correction: We understand that Mason Kelly Nykolajcuyk and Ashley Hale of Delano, Tennessee, were stopped by a Polk County deputy on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Ashley Hale was the one who allegedly stabbed the deputy. The deputy fell backwards and hit his head on a rock. A BOLO was issued. Click here for more from WRCB-TV.   (from left) First-place overall finishers Chris Blankenship and Jason Ash pose with their $1,000 prize money at Tri-County Community College’s 10th Annual Fishing for Scholarships Tournament on April 7 at Lake Chatuge in Hayesville. Despite grey skies and intermittent rain, nearly 60 teams eagerly revved their engines in the early morning light as they awaited the blast off countdown at the Tri-County Community College Foundation’s 10th Annual Fishing for Scholarships Tournament at Lake Chatuge on April 7.
“We are thrilled to have more than 100 anglers turn out for our 10th annual event this year,” said Dr. Donna Tipton-Rogers, president of Tri-County Community College, shortly before blast-off. “I want to personally thank every participant today for not only supporting our college, but more importantly, helping our students achieve their educational goals.” More than $3,500 in prize money was handed out, while proceeds from the registration fees will fund two $1,000 scholarships for future Tri-County Community College students. The annual tournament is a joint effort by the Tri-County Bass Club and the Tri-County Community College Foundation. The first-place overall prize of $1,000 went to teammates Jason Ash and Chris Blankenship of Whittier, with an impressive total haul of 24.13 pounds. The remaining teams that placed overall were: second place Brandon and Jaxon Pace, both of Canton; third William Gibson and Danny Caldwell, both of Murphy; fourth place John Hyer of Murphy; and fifth place Johnny Brooks and Ronnie Brewer, of Lake Mount and Tiger, Ga. respectively. First-place finishers Ash and Blankenship also took home the prize for biggest largemouth bass (8.12), while Skip and Jesse McKeral of Blairsville, Ga. won biggest spotted bass (4.90). Jake Cook and Luke Hunter, both of Sylva, also took home $100 prize money for smallest fish (1.34). “After 10 fantastic years of support, we hope to see all of you back for our 11th annual tournament on April 6, 2019,” Tipton-Rogers said. For more information regarding TCCC’s annual fishing tournament, call 837-6810. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released a request for applications for community projects to combat the opioid crisis by advancing the goals of the NC Opioid Action Plan.
Organizations can seek one-time, state-funded grants of up to $150,000 to support community activities that improve access to treatment and recovery supports. Grant applications must be received by May 4, 2018. “These grants will help local communities work together to turn the tide of the opioid crisis through treatment and recovery assistance,” said DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “We look forward to collaborating with communities around the state to accomplish the vision set forth in the NC Opioid Action Plan.” Awards are available to local government agencies, including public health departments, departments of social services, county corrections, EMS agencies, community organizations, hospitals, health centers, clinics, pharmacies and other organizations that have a history of work in population health, substance use disorder prevention, treatment or recovery services, and harm reduction. The request for applications provides targeted funding for activities to help communities connect people to treatment including:
Applications can also target efforts to expand syringe exchange programs, provide training in naloxone administration, train pharmacists on opioid overdose prevention, conduct training on medication assisted treatment or support capacity building for office-based opioid agonist treatment services. The NC Opioid Action Plan Implementation Initiative RFA has been posted to the DMHDDSAS Notice of Funding Availability grant opportunities page and has been entered into Open Window under the RFA section using the following identifier: 30-DMH-OAP-2019. The NC Opioid Action Plan was launched in June 2017, with collaboration from stakeholders across the state. The plan identified key strategies to combat the opioid epidemic, including expanding treatment and recovery oriented systems of care, making naloxone widely available and linking overdose survivors to care. For more information, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/opioid-epidemic.  CHATTANOOGA, TN – Mark Kimball, FACHE, has been named Chief Executive Officer of Erlanger Murphy Medical Center, based in Murphy, North Carolina. The announcement was made this week by Kevin M. Spiegel, FACHE, President & CEO of the Erlanger Health System. The North Carolina-based healthcare facility became Erlanger’s sixth hospital on April 1 and its first in North Carolina. When the Erlanger Behavioral Health Center Hospital opens in July, Erlanger will have five hospitals in Hamilton County, one in Bledsoe County and one in North Carolina.
Prior to his appointment at Erlanger, Mr. Kimball served as Chief Operating Officer with NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield, Tennessee, and was responsible for the overall operations with Houston County Community Hospital located in Erin, Tennessee. In that role he led Houston County Community Hospital to earning its designation of Critical Access Hospital status. “I am excited and honored to be entrusted to take on this new role and join this outstanding contingent of passionate caregivers, providers and team members. I look forward to building on Erlanger Murphy Medical Center’s strong foundation and helping the leadership team continue to advance the hospital’s shared purpose of caring for people’s health and wellness across the region we serve,” Kimball said. Kimball is a rural healthcare executive with 20 years of leadership experience with several prominent healthcare systems throughout the Southeast, including Behavioral Health Center and Select Specialty Hospital in Memphis, Archbold Medical Center in Camilla, Ga. and Phoebe-Putney Health System in Albany, Ga. “With his impressive background and vast experience working with critical access hospitals like Erlanger Murphy Medical Center, Mark Kimball is ideally suited for this position at our newest hospital,” said Spiegel. “He has longtime ties to this region and we look forward to introducing him to the staff, physicians, business leaders and the community next month,” Spiegel added. Kimball will officially start his new role in Murphy on June 4. Kimball received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Georgia and earned a Master’s in Business Administration. He is board-certified in healthcare management and a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and a licensed nursing home administrator. Erlanger’s new executive has been actively involved with numerous professional and civic organizations, including the American College of Healthcare Executives, Georgia Hospital Association, Center for Rural Health, National Association of Occupational Health Executives, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Boys and Girls Clubs.  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 April 14th, 2018 arrest of Benjamin Lee Stanley, a 39-year-old Topton, North Carolina man for domestic violence violations and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Over the past several months, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has several interactions with Stanley, including evading arrest on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Additionally, there were two active warrants for the arrest of Stanley for violation of Domestic Violence Protective Orders. On several occasions, Stanley had evaded arrest including a Friday morning encounter where Stanley led investigators on a chase eventually losing them as Stanley, who was operating a jeep, took an off road trail. During the early morning hours of April 14th, 2018, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division travelled to Stanley’s residence and utilized a search warrant to gain entry. Upon entering the residence, it was discovered that Stanley was again attempting escape by dropping down into the crawlspace of the residence and was hiding until discovered by the deputies. Stanley was taken into custody and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center. Benjamin Lee Stanley was served with an indictment for being a felon in possession of a firearm and was placed on at $15,000.00 secure bond. Additionally, two domestic violence protective order violation warrants were served on Stanley in which he was placed on a 48 hour no bond condition. Stanley was also charged with Resist Obstruct and Delay and was placed on a $3,000.00 secure bond. Stanley is currently being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center. Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “Great work getting Mr. Stanley off the streets. It is obvious he has no regard for the court or the law. This was some outstanding work by the patrol officers who took this issue to heart, planning out a great mission and ensuring no one was hurt. Job Well Done!” 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.  CULLOWHEE – Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains Marching Band will be enjoying one of the best things about Thanksgiving Day – going back for a second helping. But in this case the 500-plus members of the WCU marching band won’t be fighting over who gets the last drumstick. Instead, they will be making a return trip to New York City to perform in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy’s Parade officials came to campus Friday, April 13, to surprise band members with news of the invitation to participate in the annual holiday event next year. The Pride of the Mountains previously was selected to lead the parade in 2014. David Starnes, WCU director of athletic bands, had invited all members of the Pride of the Mountains to a mandatory full band meeting with Carol Burton, WCU’s acting provost, in the Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center. After a few introductory remarks from Burton, Wesley Whatley, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade creative producer, stepped out of hiding and into the room to deliver the invitation. Whatley counted down to lead a cheer of “let’s have a parade,” unveiled a parade banner and presented a commemorative drum head to Starnes as a shower of confetti rained down upon the participants. “On behalf of the band selection committee, Macy’s is incredibly proud to welcome back Western Carolina University to the streets of New York City,” said Whatley. “David Starnes runs a program known for its artistic storytelling, big sound and highly engaging field shows. The Macy’s Parade audience has a lot to look forward to when the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band returns to our parade in 2019.” The return of the WCU unit to the parade represents an uncommon occurrence in the history of the event, Whatley said. “Bands may only reapply for the Macy’s Parade five years after appearing in our event,” he said. “In most cases, it takes much longer for a group to receive another invitation, if at all. WCU is a rare case – delivering such a special combination of artistry and big university sound that the committee couldn’t resist welcoming them back as soon as possible after the band’s five-year hiatus.” Starnes and other Pride of the Mountains staff members worked hard to try to ensure that the announcement was a surprise to all student band members, a task made trickier because most of the seniors in the unit participated in the event in 2014 and may have recognized Whatley. “We are thrilled beyond belief to represent Western Carolina University and the great state of North Carolina in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” Starnes said. “This event is a life-changer for band students of all ages and, personally, continues to bring out the kid in me. The respect and admiration I have for this parade goes without saying, and we are deeply honored to have been selected for participation in 2019. As they say on parade day – let’s have a parade.” Founded in 1924, the world-famous event attracts more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets of New York, and 50 million at-home viewers. The world’s largest parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is televised nationally by NBC.  First Sgt. Chris Wood of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol tells WKRK that a traffic accident Wednesday involving a 1990 Ford log truck and a 2013 Ford Taurus left a Murphy man deceased and a family devastated. The accident happened at 7:38 pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2018. Justin Alan Jensen, age 33, of Wingate Road, Murphy, NC was reportedly traveling westbound on Highway 64 West near Jacky Jones Chevrolet. The log truck was traveling westbound at a slow speed after pulling onto the highway from a strip mall. The truck had become established in the right hand lane. Reports indicate that Jensen failed to reduce speed and collided with the logs extending from the back of the truck. The logs penetrated the windshield of the 2013 Ford Taurus. Jensen was transported to Murphy Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after the accident. NCDMV Officials from Asheville, NC verified that the log truck was properly marked and compliant with highway standards. There are no indications at this time that excessive speed was involved. A GoFundMe page has been setup to help with expenses for the family. Tammie Marie McDowell shared the photo below of the Jensen family to the WKRK Facebook page. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/muek38-jensen-family. The page, organized by Bonnie Hughes reads, "Justin Jensen was killed in a terrible car accident this evening and leaves behind a wife and 7 kids. He is a Marine Corp veteran and served many years over seas fighting for our country. He and his family are strong believers in Jesus Christ and an absolutely wonderful people. Please help provide for this family for daily needs as well as prayer!" WKRK sends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Justin Jensen and all those affected during this time of loss. Our prayers are with you.  |
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