Before the new school year kicks off for local students, Tri-County Community College will be offering its annual Kids College at the main campus in Murphy, running Aug. 6-9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are thrilled to invite young explorers to our campus in early August for a fun-filled and challenging four days of learning,” said Bo Gray, vice president for college and community initiatives at Tri-County Community College.

According to Gray, the week-long series of classes are for children ages 7 to 14, with a variety of offerings including: acting/theatre, basket weaving, cooking, creative sciences, Legos®, pottery, robotics, rocket building, and wilderness survival.

“Students will start each day with a morning assembly before heading into their first session,” Gray said. “We will also be providing lunch for students before the afternoon session begins.”

The week-long camp is $60 per student, which includes two daily instructional sessions, with an additional $15 material fees for certain classes. There will also be a discounted registration fee for each child from the same household. Students should register by July 10 to receive a 2018 Summer Kids College t-shirt, included in the registration fee.

“Seating for some of these sessions is limited, so we encourage parents to register students as soon as possible,” Gray said. “All classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.”

To view a comprehensive list of all the 2018 Kids College offerings, visit www.tricountycc.edu.

For more information or to register for one of the camps during Tri-County Community College’s annual Kids College, please call Ginger Hubbard 835-4214. 

The following press release has been issued by Hiawassee Police Department.  All suspects are presume innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Hiawassee, GA – On June 18, 2018, the Hiawassee Police Department stopped a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier for operating without a license plate. Towns County Dispatch had also given a “lookout” for the vehicle after it had been reported driving recklessly. A subsequent search of the vehicle lead officers to locate approximately 77 grams of methamphetamine, syringes containing methamphetamine, marijuana, drug related objects, and over $700.

The driver of the vehicle, Phillip Goss of Gainesville, GA, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Related Objects, and Operating an Unregistered Vehicle. The passenger, Angelica Millwood of Gainesville, GA, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Related Objects. They are both being held without bond at the Towns County Jail.

“This is the first drug trafficking arrest made in Hiawassee, and the largest amount of methamphetamine that we have seen,” said Chief Paul Smith. “These drugs came from Gainesville and were meant to be sold in this area. Stopping the distributors will do the most good for our community and our fight against drugs.”

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 June 14th, 2018 arrest of 36-year-old Stephen Louis Weston, a Murphy, North Carolina man on numerous charges for violations of the North Carolina Controlled Substance Act.

On June 7, 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit received information from the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force that Weston was a target of an ongoing investigation in which Weston was suspect in the sale and delivery of controlled substances. That information provided by the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force enabled members of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit and the Murphy Police Department to conduct a search of the residence of Stephen Louis Weston located at 43A Tennessee Street. During the search of the residence, over 4 ounces of Cocaine, approximately 21 grams of Methamphetamine, 5 ounces of Marijuana, Diazepam, and MDMA (Ecstacy) pills were seized. Weston, at the time, was incarcerated in Georgia on narcotic related charges. 

On June 14th, 2018 members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit received information that Weston was vacating his residence on Tennessee Street. After setting up surveillance, a traffic stop on the U Haul vehicle that Weston was operating was made to make the arrest of Weston. During a search incident to arrest of Weston’s person and in the vehicle he was operating located several Hydrocodone tablets and marijuana residue.

Weston was arrested and booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $105,000.00 secure bond for the following charges: POSS W/I MANUF/SELL/DEL SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, FELONY POSSESSION MARIJUANA, TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE, POSS W/I MANUF/SELL/DEL SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSS W/I MANUF/SELL/DEL SCHEDULE VI CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, SIMPLE POSSESSION SCHEDULE IV. Weston is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on June 26th, 2018.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We appreciate the useful information from the Georgia Task Force that enabled us to get a good sized amount of drugs off the street.”

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. ​

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 June 16th, 2018 arrest of 46-year-old Derrick William Wilson of Marble, North Carolina for possessing illegal controlled substances.

On June 16th, 2018 shortly before 5:30 am, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to investigate a traffic hazard where vehicles were parked in the travelled portion of the roadway just off Highway 64 in the Ranger Community of Cherokee County. During the investigation, several individuals were found around a camp fire. Deputies also found a tent near the camp fire with an individual snoring. In the process of checking the welfare of the individual the deputies found methamphetamine, Xanax and morphine lying in plain view next to Wilson who was the sole occupant of the tent at the time.

Wilson was arrested on scene and transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center for charges of PWIMSD SCH II CS, PWIMSD SCH IV CS, SIMPLE POSSESSION SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA. Wilson is currently confined in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $25,000.00 secure bond and is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on June 26th, 2018.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Good work by the deputies who responded to the call. We continue our fight to control the drug problem in Cherokee County.”

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. ​

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— On June 7, 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit in conjunction with the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force developed information that led to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and the Murphy Police Department executing a search warrant at the residence of Stephen Louis Weston located at 43A Tennessee Street.

As a result over 4 ounces of Cocaine, approximately 21 grams of Methamphetamine, 5 ounces of Marijuana, Diazepam, and MDMA (Ecstacy) pills were seized. Weston is incarcerated in Georgia on narcotic related charges. Charges in North Carolina include Trafficking in Cocaine, PWISD Methamphetamine, PWISD Marijuana, Maintaining a Dwelling to Keep Controlled Substances, Possession of MDMA and Diazepam and Possession of drug paraphernalia are anticipated at a later date.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We appreciate the useful information from the Georgia Task Force that enabled us to get a good sized amount of drugs off the street.”

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.

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 June 6th, 2018 arrest of Makayla Louise Trentham, a 20 year old Copperhill, Tennessee woman for possession of illegal controlled substances.

On or about June 6th, 2018, a deputy while on patrol observed a vehicle which was being driven in a manner that was suspicious. The deputy made an investigative stop. During the stop, a small amount of suspected methamphetamine and several alprazolam (Xanax) tablets were confiscated. Investigation revealed that Trentham was in possession of the illegal substances.

Trentham was arrested and brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center where she posted a $1,000.00 secure bond and is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on June 12th, 2018.

​Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Even small amounts being taken off the streets is worth it. Good work by the deputy for being alert and looking farther into the situation.”

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.

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 May 31st, 2018 arrest of Michael Anthony Cantrell, a 31 year old Murphy, North Carolina resident for violation of the sex offender registry.

During the month of May 2018, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were making verification checks of individuals that are currently registered on the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry and living in Cherokee County, North Carolina. During the checks, information became known that Michael Anthony Cantrell was no longer living at his registered address which had been in the Hiwassee Dam Community of Cherokee County. Deputies began a search and were able to locate Cantrell at a new residence in the town of Murphy. Cantrell was arrested and confined in the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Cantrell has made a $10,000.00 secure bond and is scheduled to be in Cherokee County District Court on June 12th. 2018.

Michael Cantrell was convicted in Cherokee County Superior Court in December of 2011 of two counts of Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor (being in possession of child exploitation images or videos commonly referred to as child pornography).

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Excellent team work in bringing Cantrell back in compliance. This is part of the reason we enlist the help of our community to help ensure these individuals maintain their responsibilities pertaining to the Sex Offender Registry.”

​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.

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 June 7th, 2018 arrest of 48 year old Kathy Carlene Leitner, and 42 year old Barry Wade Allen, both of Murphy, North Carolina on charges involving the possession of a mobile phone in a detention facility.

On or about April 24th, 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into allegations that previous Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Detention Officer Kathy Leitner had brought a mobile phone into the Detention Facility and had given it to incarcerated inmate Barry Wade Allen.

During the investigation, information became known that Leitner and Allen had become involved in an inappropriate relationship which included several voice calls and letters exchanged between the two. Sometime during the months of January to April 2018 Leitner brought a mobile phone into the detention facility and gave it to Allen. Additionally, information became known that Leitner had conveyed a message to Allen from another inmate in which Allen was to harm a third inmate. At the time of the allegations, Allen is charged with Child Sexual assaults. This information was presented to the June 4th. 2018 Grand Jury who handed down indictments on both Leitner and Allen.

Kathy Leitner was arrested on June 7, 2018 and taken before the North Carolina Magistrate who set a $15,000.00 secure bond. She is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Barry Wade Allen, is currently in the Macon County Detention Center was served on July 7th, 2018 and given additional bond.

Both Allen and Leitner were also given conditions of bond to have no contact with each other until after the matter is settled in court. Both are expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on July 2nd, 2018.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “This conduct can never be tolerated and will not be. We strive to maintain high standards of professionalism.”

​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.

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 June 6th, 2018 arrest of Ricardo Gamez Dockery, a 37 year old Murphy, North Carolina man for a sexual assaults on children.

On or about May 7th, 2018 a report of suspected child sexual assault was taken by a deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office which involved acts reportedly committed during the month of April 2018. Pursuant to that report, an investigation was undertaken.

As the investigation was conducted, the services of HAVEN CAC, and contracted Department of Social Services Investigators were utilized to further the investigation. The information from HAVEN CAC, the contracted DSS Investigators along with other information gathered during the investigation was presented to the June 4th, 2018 grand jury which returned true bills of indictment for Statutory Sexual Offense with a Child by an Adult and three counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child.

Ricardo Gamez Dockery was arrested at his residence in Clay County, North Carolina where he had moved once the allegations were made. Dockery was taken before the North Carolina Magistrate where he is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $560,000.00 secure bond. Dockery is expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on July 2nd, 2018.

Ricardo Gamez Dockery is currently a registered sex offender on the North Carolina Registry. Dockery was convicted of four counts of Indecent Liberties with a Minor in January of 2008.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “We can not over stress the importance of the team concept in these terrible investigations. This further reinforces the need for continued monitoring of sex offenders.”

Due to the nature of the crime and the age of the victims, no further information will be released concerning this incident.

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.

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 June 5th, 2018 arrest of Dawson Michael Burris, a 18 year old Murphy, North Carolina man for a sexual assault on a child.

On or about May 13th, 2018, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into a reported child sexual assault which happened in the Marble Community of Cherokee County. During the investigation, assistance was provided by the HAVEN Child Advocacy Center. As the investigation progressed information was gained which was presented to the June 4th, 2018 Cherokee County Grand Jury which returned a true bill of indictment against Burris for an Indecent Liberty with a Child.

Dawson Michael Burris was arrested at his residence without incident and taken before the North Carolina Magistrate where he was given a $50,000.00 secure bond. Burris is expected to be in Cherokee County Superior Court on July 2nd, 2018.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Great team work by our Patrol Deputies, our Investigators and HAVEN. It is this kind of team work that allows us to be successful in these most difficult of crimes.”

​Due to the nature of the crime and the age of the victim no further information will be released concerning this incident.

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.