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. 

Clay County Sheriff’s Investigators and agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have logged over 1000 man hours, written and executed more than 20 Search Warrants and collected approximately 120 items of evidence since May 31 st when the discovery of human remains were found at the last location Jordan Ramon Garcia was reported to have been seen alive. Assistance from neighboring jurisdictions include Towns and White County Sheriff’s Office, Hiawassee Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Cherokee County NC Sheriff’s Office, Swain, Jackson and Henderson County Sheriff’s Offices.

Investigators met Friday morning with District Attorney Ashley Welch and her office to discuss the case and filing criminal charges. Careful consideration was given to all matters before the decision was made to charge 17-year-old Caleb Anthony Ellis with Jordan’s murder. Investigators received a confession from Ellis prior to him being charged.

Garcia was reported missing on 05/28/2019 after being missing for four days. On 05/31/2019 human remains were found in a wooded area within 75 feet of the residence where he was last reported to be seen. Over 50% of the body had been reduced to skeletal remains by fire and decomposition. Positive identification that the remains were those of Jordan Ramon Garcia was made the following week at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center through the use of dental records. Additional information obtained in the preliminary autopsy revealed the presence of a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. A Pathology report is still pending at this time.

Over the course of the investigation multiple accounts of obstruction have been identified. Investigators anticipate additional evidence of this activity will be found in information obtained from social media as well as cell phone searches. During the investigation, some individuals made numerous efforts to redirect, misinform and obstruct the attentions of investigators away from the facts, some of which have been found to be criminal. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are anticipated.

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.

Hayesville, NC – (June 21, 2019) Clay County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested 17-year-old Caleb Anthony Ellis today in connection with the murder of 17-year-old Jordan Ramon Garcia. Ellis is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center with no bond. Ellis has been charged with: Murder, Felony Obstruction, Felony Concealment of a Human Death and Communicating Threats.

​Additional charges were filed today against Shirley Lance Sherlin. Sherlin was charged with one count of Felony Obstruction and was released on an unsecured bond. A detailed press release will be issued on Monday by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Murphy, N.C. – Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital (EWCH) has awarded scholarships totaling $14,500 to area high school graduates who are pursuing higher education in health care.
 
The scholarships, which are funded entirely by philanthropy, are granted in the names of five valued community members: Mr. John Carringer, Ms. Dorothy Cloer, Dr. Jeffrey B. Larson, Dr. Helen Wells and Ms. Trish Brady. The scholarships are awarded to students who plan to pursue careers in health care in hopes that they will accept clinical positions in the community after their schooling is complete.
 
“Erlanger would like to congratulate the recipients of this year’s scholarships,” said Mark Kimball, EWCH CEO. “By investing in the next generation of health care professionals in our area, we are investing in the future of western North Carolina as well.”
 
The following graduates are this year’s recipients: Makayla Cheyenne Anderson, Hayesville High School; Hannah Kintrell Bailey, Hiawassee Dam High School; Karree Beth Cole, Robbinsville High School; Miranda Hall, Tri-County Early College; Kathryn Keily Garvin Jenkins, Murphy High School; Bailey Elizabeth King, Hayesville High School; Ellie Reagan Martin, Murphy High School; and Emily Ann Roper, Andrews High School.
 
An additional $22,750 in scholarship renewals was also awarded, totaling $37,250 in overall scholarships from EWCH for 2019.

​Tri-County Community College would like to congratulate the following students on being selected for academic honors on the President's and Dean’s list for the spring 2019 semester.

Students are selected for the President’s list at the end of each semester in which they have earned 6 or more credit hours in a degree, diploma, or certificate program; have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or greater and a semester grade point average of 4.0.

Students are selected for the Dean’s list at the end of each semester in which they have earned 6 or more credit hours in a degree, diploma, or certificate program; have earned a current semester grade point average and cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or greater.

Printed certificates are available by request. Please email your name and address to graper@tricountycc.edu or call 835-4207 to request a certificate.

The students who achieved President's and Dean’s list status for the spring 2019 semester at Tri-County Community College are listed below.

President’s List:
Abigail S. Combs, Adam S. Moore, Aleayah F. Cox, Alejandro Gavarrete, Alexander B. Haines, Alexandrea S. Huls, Alexis M. Ledford, Allison F. Chastain, Allison S. LeQuire, Allyson A. Parker, Alyson R. Palmer, Alyssa G. McDaniel, Alyssa H. Hawkins, Alyssa L. Daniel, Amanda L. Manning, Anderson K. Sutton, Andrea C. Garst, Andrew S. Bryson, Angela D. Chapman, Ann K. Lukens, Anna J. Sutton, Anna T. Chandler, Annie D. Brooks, Ashley D. Cochran, Ashley M. Bartlett, Ashley N. Huskins, Aubrey F. Orr, Aubrey L. Baldwin, Aubrey M. Clapsaddle, Bailey E. King, Bailey G. Johnson, Bailey J. Mock, Brionna G. Sparks, Brooklynn D. Jones, Bryce E. Teesateskie, Caitlyn C. Irwin, Cambrie D. Lovin, Cameron D. McClure, Carissa P. Long, Cassie Lowrance, Cesiah T. Lowe, Charlee B. Matheson, Charles H. Turner, Chase D. Roberts, Christopher C. Little, Ciara P. Elrod, Connor R. Sawyer, Corie L. Bellucci, Daisy G. Henry, Dakota C. Gatti, Dalia L. Escobar, Deloris D. Carver, Destiny B. Sneed, Dylan L. DiCicco, Elijah H. Wolfard, Elizabeth J. Ayers, Emily A. Bridges, Emily M. Shook, Eric C. Fox, Eric R. Maennle, Erika R. Sena, Erin D. Manuel, Erin L. Phillips, Fletcher A. Peters, Gabriella R. Stiltner, Gabrielle S. Mason, Grace A. Hill, Gracie F. Ledford, Gregory K. Maxey, Hailey L. Rhoney, Hannah L. Smith, Hunter J. Shope, Isabella S. Rogers, Izabella L. Hanold, Jackson E. Hall, Jacqueline I. Breazeale, Jade C. Stiles, James F. Maennle, James R. Stanley, Jamie L. Lewis, Jasmine B. Weaver, Jenna M. Bandy, Jennifer D. Slucher, Jennifer H. Rayfield, Jennifer Hernandez, Jennifer L. Bennett, Jensen B. Carver, Jerri A. Roper, Jesse W. Penley, Jillian G. Davis, Joanna C. Godinez, Jonathan B. McNabb, Jordan M. Pendergrass, Joshua D. Perrine, Joshua L. Jones, Juliana K. Aiken, Julianna L. Caudle, Julie A. Wooten, Justin T. Race, Kaitlynn L. Wheaton, Kandace M. Woods, Karlie M. Curtis, Karlyn B. Matheson, Kathleen L. Bober, Kathryn Keily G. Jenkins, Kayla M. Murray, Kayla M. Muzik, Kayley R. Sells, Kellie S. Ledford, Kenneth M. Hill, Kenneth R. Geurts, Kera S. Malin, Kiera E. Lewis, Kosal Thach, Kylan L. Bunch, Kyle R. Akers, Kyndal N. Postell, Laguna P. Bateman, Lanie M. Stewart, Leah R. Cody, Leigha G. Nix, Leigha M. Beaver, Lillith M. Johnson, Lindsay Mays, Locklie P. Postell, Luke N. Byrd, MacKenzie Barrett, Macy L. Rogers, Madeline P. Brocato, Madison A. Brooks, Madison A. Daniels, Madison D. Adamovich, Madison M. Livingston, Madison P. Huskins, Maggie E. Thurmond, Magnus D. Fonda, Makayla C. Anderson, Margaret F. Carpenter, Matthew A. Booze-Hall, Matthew L. White, McKenzie B. Haney, Melanie F. Millsaps, Michael B. Rattler, Michael L. Styles, Misty D. Dittman, Morgan E. Dudley, Morgan L. Waldroup Allen, Moriah E. Miller, Nathaniel A. Welch, Nicholas T. Selwyn, Noah Spence, Novalee V. Stalcup, Pamela L. Shepard, Quinten R. Carver, Rachel L. Cline, Rachel L. Lomauro, Rachel Rhodes, Rebecca J. Avent, Rebecca R. Carter, Robert M. Miller, Rosabella J. Debty, Samantha J. Calascione, Samantha K. Buchanan,Sarah J. Grubb, Savannah G. Horton, Selah Werner, Shawn W. Jones, Sophia L. Hogsed, Spencer Guess, Stephanie P. Reid, Sydney B. Bolyard, Sydney S. Sheldon, Tayla M. Millsaps, Tess E. Diffenderffer, Thomas R. Lachance, Timothy S. Crawford, Tisha D. Paskanik, Toni Ann C. Hall, Trina P. Chodos, Trinity A. Garrett, Tristan Z. Lambert, Verna M. Townson, Warren F. Brooks, William L. Grove, William T. Moore, and Zeel Desai.

Dean’s List:
Abigail S. Jacobs, Adam M. Fleischer, Addisyn G. Hardin, Alejandra F. Rodriguez, Alexis J. Driggers, Allen S. Chambers, Amy N. Estep, Andrew R. Monroe, Avery J. Taylor, Billie F. Cook, Brittany A. Steele, Brittany R. Staples, Brittney M. Turner, Caitlyn A. McGaha, Cassandra M. Schreiber, Chadwick A. Hughes, Chloe B. Harrelson, Chrislyn H. Teasdale, Christie A. Little, Christopher C. Sneed, Cooper M. Cable, Dallas A. Knox,
Daniel Braybon, Dawson H. Mitchell, Deborah L. Meigs, Elysse H. Byrd, Emily H. Barnes, Emma F. Nichols, Emma V. Crisp, Evan D. Raper, Felecia M. Matoy, Grace I. Henderson, Hailey N. Bowman, Hang Mei A. Lam, Hannah Deweese, Hannah N. Sullivan, Harlie A. Fannin, Heather Woodward, Jaicey L. Stapleton, James S. Monroe, IV, Jasmine H. Payne, Jayce D. Elliott, Jaylan M. Hamby, Jeffrey W. Ramsey, Jesse B. Self, John D. McHan, Jr., Jonathan J. Blomgren, Joshua L. Gunter, Kaleb E. Laney, Kamron W. McGuire, Karen E. Duckett, Karree B. Cole, Kelsey R. Harris, Kevin A. Cox, Kimberly N. Bond, Krystal E. Baker, Larry N. McCray, Lexie N. Powell, Lilly A. Brown, Lindsey N. Wachacha, Lori K. Anderson, Lucas W. Dockery, Lucille M. Crayton, MacKenzie A. Grove, Madeline L. Davis, Madison J. Palmer, Madison P. Worley, Mariela Jimenez, Matthew B. Lowe, Matthew Gomez, Michaela A. Murphy, Miranda N. Hall, Natalie E. Gray, Nikki L. Darnell, Olivia D. Davis, Paige A. Lindley, Rebecca L. Massey, Rebecca L. O'Donovan-Owenby, River C. Collins, Ryanna B. Johnson, Samuel I. Herman, Sara E. Davies, Sarah E. Jump, Savannah G. Bas, Shawna F. Vasser, Sireen S. Hargett, Stefanie M. Gunter, Stephanie M. Brendle, Stephen N. Anderson, Tabitha R. Cornelius, Tammie E. Hanna, Tara D. Morgan, Taylor E. Gibson, Taylor W. Cook, Tiffany P. Trentham, Triniti R. Bird, Valentina M. May, Wesley D. Slucher, and Westley B. Graves.

Murphy, N.C. – Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital (EWCH) has named Jacqueline Williams as volunteer services coordinator.
 
In her previous role, Williams served as branch office administrator at Edward Jones in Hayesville. Before her position at Edward Jones, she worked in health care administration for 12 years as a department head secretary and, later, a senior executive assistant at Leesburg Regional Medical Center in Leesburg, Fl.
 
As volunteer services coordinator, Williams is responsible for operations of the hospital’s Giving Tree gift shop and the auxiliary group’s Granny’s Attic Thrift Store as well as overseeing volunteer services and community relations activities, such as the monthly outreach program “Ladies’ Night Out.”
 
“We are very excited to have Jacqueline Williams as part of our team,” said EWCH CEO Mark Kimball. “Our volunteer services program is a huge contributor to patient experience, and the hours that our volunteers dedicate to the hospital add a significant amount of value. We think Jacqueline is the perfect person to lead that important effort.” 
 
Williams received her Bachelor of Science in health care leadership from National Louis University in Chicago.
 
For more information about volunteer opportunities at EWCH, please contact Jacqueline Williams at Jacqueline.Williams@Erlanger.org or call 828-837-8161.

Join us Thursday, June 20th, 2019, at 3 p.m. at Murphy Health and Fitness Center for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, an.international event taking place at pools and waterparks around the globe to focus attention on the vital importance of teaching kids to swim.

MHF is an official host for the 10th anniversary of WLSL, a global community of kids and adults helping to spread the word that formal swimming lessons save lives.

Tragically, drowning is the leading cause of unintended, injury related death of children ages 1-4 in the U.S., and the third leading cause of unintentional injury death throughout the rest of the world. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson was created to help spread the word that Swimming Lessons Save Lives, just in time for the first day of summer.

Since its inception in 2010, the WLSL event has welcomed more than 278,000 people to a live event, provided close to 140,000 hours of training time to learning to swim and spread the Swimming Lessons Save Lives message to more than a BILLION kids and adults through media outlets.

According to Elise Wright, MHF operations manager, there will be 10-15 certified, volunteer swim instructors on site at the fitness center pool to help anyone who would like to learn how to swim.  People of all ages are invited to attend this free event.

The WLSL event brings together tens of thousands of individuals from hundreds of communities around the globe that are committed to saving lives by teaching kids how to be safe in and around the water. People from California to Florida and South Korea to Dubai, will all be coming together on the same day to tell the world how vital it is that every child learns how to swim.