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.

​On the evening of September 19,2018, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fight around the intersection of Tusquittee Road and Cold Branch Road in the Tusquittee Community. Responding deputies found two subjects that had possibly been assaulted with a knife. As deputies investigated the assault, they located two subjects that were reported by witnesses as being possible suspects and were immediately taken into custody.

The suspects were later identified as 44 year old Jon Nathaniel Crowe and 23 year old Whitney Ann Radford, both of Andrews. One victim was transported by EMS and the other victim was airlifted from the scene. The names of the victims have not been released at this time, but they both were from Andrews as well.

Crowe was charged with 2 counts of Assault With a Deadly Weapon, 2 counts of Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon, Driving While Impaired and Driving While License Revoked. He was given a $150,000 secured bond.

​Radford was charged with 2 counts of Simple Assault and Common Law Robbery and given a $11,000 secured bond.

This incident is still under investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available.

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. 

On September 5, 2018 the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with local, state and federal agencies from Georgia and North Carolina, concluded a 16-month investigation resulting in multiple arrests and seizure of drugs, stolen weapons and currency derived from methamphetamine distribution.

As the investigation developed, it was determined that it would involve multiple jurisdictions in Georgia and North Carolina.  Investigators worked closely with the District Attorney’s Office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office to ensure a complete and thorough investigation throughout all jurisdictional boundaries.   With the assistance of these agencies, the investigation uncovered a highly organized network of methamphetamine distribution in both states.

So far, this investigation has resulted in the arrest of:

Charles Michael Ledford, 48, of Conyers GA for Trafficking Methamphetamine.

Bobby Roger “Rob” Burch 47 of Hayesville for Trafficking Methamphetamine. Warrants are pending in Clay County for Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine, and Possession of Stolen Firearms.

Michael Dean Byers, 46, of Young Harris for Trafficking Methamphetamine.  Warrants are pending in Clay County for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine and a True Bill of Indictment for Possession of Methamphetamine.

Donna Michelle Morrow, 50, of Young Harris for Trafficking Methamphetamine.  Warrants are pending in Clay County for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine.
​
Kimberly Deanne Moss, 45, of Hayesville for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana up to ½ Ounce and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Donald Harold Tomlinson, 33, of Hayesville for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana up to ½ Ounce and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Peggy Louise Mashburn, 56, of Hayesville for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession With Intent to Manufacture Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine and Marijuana.

Eugene “Bo” Mashburn, 56, of Hayesville is a fugitive and has multiple warrants for his arrest pending in Clay County.

The conclusion of this operation has resulted in a significant reduction of thefts in the county.

This is still an active investigation and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office anticipates more arrests of subjects involved in this criminal organization.

I want to commend the Clay County Investigators and staff for their outstanding efforts during this investigation.  I would also like to thank the Macon County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and Special Response Team “SRT”, the Highlands Police Department, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, the Swain County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the DEA for their participation and assistance in the execution of multiple search warrants to close out this operation.


Below is the press release from Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. 

​Operation Unicoi Pipeline slams the door on criminal organization responsible for trafficking more than 150 kilograms of methamphetamine in North Georgia and Clay County, NC.

On Wednesday, September 5th, 2018, multiple law enforcement agencies swarmed on suspected methamphetamine traffickers in North Carolina and Georgia.  Officers executed numerous search warrants in Georgia and Clay County, North Carolina. This unified law enforcement effort, dubbed “Operation Unicoi Pipeline” is the result of a 16 month investigation.  This investigation revealed Charles Michael Ledford and Bobby Roger Burch were responsible for the distribution of more than 150 kilograms of methamphetamine in North Georgia and Clay County, North Carolina over the past two years. Authorities seized more than 15 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, stolen firearms, and currency derived from methamphetamine distribution. The street value of the seized illegal narcotics is more than $725,000.00.

Authorities found over 3 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a battery of Bobby Roger “Rob” Burch’s truck in Gainesville, Georgia.  Burch had just left Charles Michael Ledford’s residence in Conyers and was traveling to Hayesville, North Carolina.  Authorities executed search warrants at Ledford’s residence and found another 12 pounds of methamphetamine.  Authorities also executed a search warrant at Michael Byers’ residence in Young Harris, Georgia and found 1 ounce of methamphetamine.  North Carolina authorities executed numerous search warrants in Clay County, North Carolina and seized a cache of guns and illegal narcotics from Burch’s residence.  Clay County, North Carolina has confirmed many of these guns are stolen       

Charles Michael Ledford, 48, of Conyers was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine.  Ledford was transported to the Rockdale County Detention Center.

Burch, 47 of Hayesville, NC was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine.  Warrants are pending in Clay County, NC for Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substances, Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine, and Possession of Stolen Firearm.  Burch was transported to the Hall County Detention Center.

Michael Dean Byers, 46, of Young Harris was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine in Georgia and Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine and Trafficking in Methamphetamine in Clay County, NC.  Byers was transported to the Towns County Detention Center.

This is an active investigation and additional arrests are expected.  Agencies request that anyone with information about this organization contact the Appalachian RDEO or any of the participating agencies.

The following agencies have active roles in this investigation:  the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Macon County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit and Special Response Team “SRT”, the Highlands Police Department, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, the Swain County, NC Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the DEA, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, and the GBI’s West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram.

The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County the Cleveland Police Department, the Lavonia Police Department, and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.    ​

In case you missed our broadcast this morning, here's the press release. 
 
Hayesville, NC – Joined by officials from Clay County, Erlanger Murphy Medical Center CEO Mark Kimball announced today that a new Primary Care physician office and Erlanger Express Care will be opening in Hayesville, North Carolina in early 2019.  
 
The location of the new physician/express care building is 146 Hwy 64E, Hayesville, N.C.   An architectural rendering was also unveiled during Erlanger’s announcement, which took place inside the historic Clay County Courthouse Tuesday morning.
 
Kimball told the crowd that the new primary care and express care office will be opened Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m., and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Medical services at the new office include comprehensive care for acute and chronic illnesses and physical exams to preventative education for patients of all ages, ranging from newborns to geriatrics. Walk-ins will be accepted.  In addition to primary care physicians, Erlanger specialists will also be rotating through this practice on a regular basis to serve area residents. 
 
“We are excited to be bringing Erlanger’s world class healthcare services to Clay County, providing much needed and easily accessible care to those living in this community,” Kimball said.  
 
Renovation at the new site is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with an opening in early 2019.  The property will be developed by Noon Development and operated by Erlanger.

The following press release has been issued by Towns County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On Saturday evening, September 8th, Towns County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee, Georgia in reference to a male subject who was brought to the hospital with a bullet wound to the chest. The victim was identified as William Craig Henderson of Young Harris, Georgia. The victim was air-lifted from Chatuge Regional Hospital to another medical facility with a trauma center. The victim remains in stable condition.

Towns County Sheriff’s detectives were called to the hospital to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident. Upon investigating the incident, detectives identified and secured warrants for Crystal LeAnn Carter, age 37, of Hiawassee, Georgia for one count of criminal attempt to commit murder and one count of aggravated assault.

Upon dropping off the victim at Chatuge Regional Hospital, Carter drove away in the victim’s Chevrolet Tahoe. A lookout was placed on the Tahoe and the suspect. The vehicle was found abandoned later Saturday night in the parking lot of the Marathon station on Highway 75 North in Hiawassee. Sheriff’s detectives determined that Carter left the Marathon station in her own red Ford pickup. This afternoon, sheriff’s detectives located the red Ford pickup at a residence in Clay County, North Carolina with the assistance of Clay County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect, Crystal LeAnn Carter, is considered armed and dangerous. She is believed to be in the Hiawassee, Georgia / Hayesville, North Carolina areas. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Crystal LeAnn Carter is encouraged to call Towns County 911 or Towns County Sheriff’s Office at 706-896-4444.

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 September 7th, 2018 a Union County Georgia Sheriff’s Office (UCSO) Deputy attempted to stop a vehicle just over the North Carolina/Georgia state line off Highway 129 in Union County, Georgia. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot from the stop and was not apprehended. UCSO requested a Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy to go a Carson Lane address, in the Martins Creek Community of Cherokee County to do a welfare check on the registered owner of the vehicle and assist in furthering their investigation.

Cherokee County deputies arrived at the Carson Lane address and found the victim, 77-year-old Jerry Dalrymple unresponsive and in immediate need of medical attention. Cherokee County EMS arrived on scene and Mr. Dalrymple was airlifted to a Chattanooga Tennessee hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Through further investigation, 19-year-old Isaiah Beavers, of the Martins Creek community of Cherokee County was developed as a suspect and warrants were obtained for the Murder of Jerry Dalrymple.

​On or about September 08th, 2018 Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Union County Sheriff’s Office Deputies took Beavers into custody at a residence in the Nottely Dam community of Union County, Georgia. Beavers is currently held in the Towns/Union County jail awaiting extradition back to Cherokee County. There are additional persons of interest and additional arrests are anticipated.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated, “We continue our investigation in this very grave crime. We are diligently searching for the additional suspects we have identified. My Office extends thanks to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Probation and Parole, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation all which were extremely helpful in this investigation. We continue to ask for prayers for all concerned.”

​To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-1344 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.

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

On September 7th, 2018 at around 8:57 pm, the Cherokee County 911 Center received several 911 calls in reference to shots being fired at The County Store, a local convenience store in Murphy, North Carolina.

Callers advised that a male subject had been shot in the parking lot of the store, and the armed suspect fled on foot at the time toward an adjacent school area where a high school football game was taking place. Law enforcement immediately notified school personnel and school law enforcement of the situation. Law enforcement secured the scene of the shooting while Cherokee County Emergency personnel attempted to provide life saving measures on the victim. The victim was transported to Erlanger Murphy Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The victim was identified as Johnny Mark Lowery of Marble, North Carolina.

The suspect was identified as Shane Donovan McKinney of Marble, North Carolina. The suspect fled to his residence in the Marble area where he was later apprehended without incident after a short standoff with Law Enforcement.

Shane Donovan McKinney was charged with murder and discharging a firearm in the city limits. McKinney was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center and currently being held with no bond.  At this time this will be the only press release, this case is still currently under investigation.

On behalf of The Murphy Police Department I would like to thank our law enforcement community and all the different agencies for the assistance in this case. The cooperation between our Law Enforcement agencies helped to bring this case to a fast conclusion.

Thank you to
Cherokee County 911 Center
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
Cherokee County Emergency Services
Cherokee Tribal Police
North Carolina Highway Patrol
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Cherokee County Schools
Cherokee County School Police
30th, District Attorney's Office

Dustin D. Smith
Assistant Chief of Police
Murphy Police Department ​

WKRK extends our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Lowery.  

CHAPEL HILL, NC -- North Carolina’s groundbreaking new low-tuition plan, NC Promise, is driving significant increases in undergraduate enrollments as tuition drops to just $500 a semester at three UNC System institutions: Elizabeth City State University, UNC Pembroke, and Western Carolina University.
 
The new plan, driven by an annual $51 million investment by the North Carolina General Assembly, has led to record-setting undergraduate enrollment, an increase in student quality, and a surge in undergraduate transfer student enrollment at all three institutions.
 
“NC Promise is an ambitious and bold answer to the legitimate concerns about college costs and student debt,” said UNC System President Margaret Spellings. “Here in the state that invented public higher education, our lawmakers have helped put an affordable degree within reach of every North Carolinian.”
 
The NC Promise Tuition Plan, originally approved by state lawmakers in 2016 and launched in Fall 2018, reduces in-state tuition to $500 per semester and out-of-state tuition to $2,500 per semester at the three institutions. All students, including those enrolled before Fall 2018, are eligible for NC Promise and are automatically enrolled in the program regardless of financial means. Spanning the state from the mountains to the coast, an NC Promise institution is located within 150 miles of every North Carolinian.
 
“NC Promise builds on our state’s long-standing commitment to keeping its public education system affordable for all North Carolinians,” added President Spellings. “All NC Promise institutions are uniquely tied to historically underserved regions and have long been pillars of their community.”
 
At Elizabeth City State University, an HBCU in northeastern North Carolina, NC Promise has driven enrollment to a 5-year high at a resurgent institution with a proud history of empowering an economically struggling region. This freshman class includes the largest number of students enrolled in the honors program in ECSU history. The university’s aviation degree and its online interdisciplinary studies degree are also among the fastest growing programs driving enrollment growth.
 
“The increase in transfer numbers as well as the increase in out-of-state freshmen, especially from the Tidewater, Virginia area, are a direct result of NC Promise,” said ECSU Interim Chancellor Karrie Dixon. “We are incredibly grateful that the NC General Assembly acted to put an initiative in place to address access and affordability, making a quality education available for students from all backgrounds and walks of life.”
 
In Southeastern North Carolina, UNC Pembroke’s continued growth, evidenced by a new College of Health Sciences as well as a new School of Business, has been accelerated by NC Promise as the Historically Minority Serving Institution deepens its roots in a county and region with some of the most urgent health disparities and upward mobility issues in the state. UNC Pembroke’s growth has resulted in the largest freshman class on record as well as the highest number of transfer students in university history.
 
"Through NC Promise, more students than ever before are seeing the value in the high-quality and affordable education UNC Pembroke offers," said UNCP Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings. "This innovative program is helping us advance UNCP and the UNC System's shared mission of access and affordability, and this fall's historic enrollment growth is the result of the visionary commitment to the power and potential of higher education by our state's leaders."
 
At Western Carolina University, NC Promise is not only leading to continued enrollment growth for a student body that has increased in seven of the last eight years, but it is also helping to drive a freshman class with the highest average GPA in the institution’s history. For a university whose identity is intimately connected with serving the communities around it, NC Promise is allowing WCU to be more accessible than ever.
 
“With the onset of the NC Promise tuition plan, a Western Carolina University education becomes an even better value for our students and their parents,” said WCU Interim Chancellor Alison Morrison-Shetlar. “We are excited to be a part of this effort to improve affordability for North Carolina families and to help reduce the amount of student loan debt facing our graduates, leaving them with more money in their pockets to invest in their local communities.”
 
For more information on the NC Promise tuition plan, visit www.ncpromise.com.