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The following traffic accident has been compiled from reports from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. At or around 7:41 pm on Tuesday, October 17th, 2017 an accident occurred on Highway 19/74 near Casino Parkway in Murphy. Vehicle #1: A 2015 Honda was being driven by Douglas Edward Gibby of Andrews, NC. Vehicle #2: A White 1974 Log Truck was being driven by Jason Lee Mashburn of Murphy, NC. Narrative: Both vehicles were traveling East on US 19/74. Vehicle #2 (Log Truck) was going at a slow speed and was in the right lane with his flashers on. Vehicle #1 (Honda) failed to reduce speed and collided into the rear of the log truck. The Honda came to uncontrollable rest after impact. The log truck, driven by Mashburn, pulled to the shoulder of the roadway after impact to offer assistance. Mr. Gibby was airlifted to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Mr. Gibby passed away at 9:38 am on Wednesday, October 18th. No charges are forthcoming in the case. Our family at WKRK sends our thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of Douglas Gibby during their time of loss.   Soon our streets will be scattered with little ghosts, goblins, and witches trick-or- treating this Halloween. “Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun,” said Sheriff Derrick Palmer of Cherokee County. Sheriff Palmer reminds all Cherokee County residents to follow these safety tips: Motorists: Watch for children darting out from between parked cars. Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs. Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully. At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing. Parents: Make sure that an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12. Check the sex offender registry at sexoffender.ncsbi.gov/ when planning your child’s trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders’ addresses in your neighborhood and sign up to get email alerts when an offender moves nearby. Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Know the names of older children's companions. Make sure older kids trick-or-treat in a group. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route. Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger's home. Establish a return time. Tell your youngsters not to eat any treats until they return home. Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules. All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency. Pin a slip of paper with the child's name, address, and telephone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group. Costume Design: Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes. Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath. Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard. Make sure that shoes fit well to prevent trips and falls. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible. Face Design: Do not use masks as they can obstruct a child's vision. Use facial make-up instead. When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled "Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives," "Laboratory Tested," "Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics," or "Non-Toxic." Follow manufacturer's instruction for application. If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes. Accessories: Knives, swords, and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects. Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark. Carrying flashlights with fresh batteries will help children see better and be seen more clearly. While Trick-or-Treating: Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision. Walk; do not run, from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards. Walk on sidewalks, not in the street. Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, if there are no sidewalks. Treats: Give children an early meal before going out. Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces. Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or partially wrapped or has a strange odor, color, or texture. Homeowners/Decorations: Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, and porches when expecting trick-or- treaters. Keep candles and Jack O' Lanterns away from curtains, decorations, and other combustibles that could catch fire. Do not leave your house unattended. "Halloween is a fun time in Cherokee County,” Sheriff Palmer concluded, "but let’s make it a safe time as well. The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes. “   The USDA Forest Service announced that it is opening the Panther Top Fire Tower to the public for viewing on selected dates during October and November 2017. This Forest Service fire tower is normally closed to the public. The Panther Top Fire Tower is located in Cherokee County, near Hiwassee Lake. The 40- foot tall lookout tower was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940. Standing atop a 2,293 foot summit, the Panther Top Fire Tower is the lowest situated lookout tower in western North Carolina, and it is also the most western tower in the state. The tower will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday: October 28th & 29th and November 4th & 5th. Hours will be 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, call the Tusquitee Ranger District Office at 828-837-5152. DIRECTIONS TO PANTHER TOP TOWER FROM MURPHY: – Take Hwy 64 West for approx. 7 miles. Turn right onto NC 294, then go 0.8 miles to Panther Top road (SR1303), and go 2 miles. The road forks and the pavement becomes gravel. Take a right, continuing on Panther Top Road for another 1 mile. At the top of the hill, turn left. Continue approx. ½ mile to the tower. The shooting range is in the general area. If you traveled about 0.7 of a mile on Panther Top Road, you’ll see the entrance is on the left, up the hill and through the gate with another 0.2 miles to the range.   U.S. Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Susanna B. Oberg graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Oberg is the daughter of Danny and Donna Pullium of Marble, N.C. and wife of Robert B. Oberg III of Murphy, N.C. She is a 2016 graduate of Andrews High School, Andrews, N.C. She earned an associate degree in 2017 from Tri-County Community College, Murphy, N.C.   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 Monday October 9, 2017, Winford Nolan Parker was arrested on outstanding warrants. These warrants stem from the multi-agency investigation that was done with the SBI and the ATF earlier this year. Sheriff Davis said Parker was charged with the Felony charges of Deliver Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Trafficking in Opium, Manufacturing Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Sell Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, Two Counts of Deliver Methamphetamine, Sell Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Firearm by Felon, and the Misdemeanor charge of Simple Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substance. He is currently in custody in the Clay County Detention Center under a $75,000 bond. He has an October 16, 2017, court date.   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. Sheriff Davis said today that Ricky Ledford is in the custody of the U.S. Marshalls after a federal grand jury indicted him on Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearm by Felon charges. On Thursday, August 24, 2017, Clay County Sheriff’s Investigators in a joint operation with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), executed search warrants and arrested five people for drugs and firearms charges. Ledford was one of the five, along with Eugene “Bo” Mashburn, Peggy Mashburn, Sammy Henderson, and Amanda Wheeler. Sheriff Davis said he was pleased to see this process moving forward in an effort to keep drugs and guns off the streets of Clay County. He is also grateful for the assistance of the SBI and ATF in this matter.  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 Monday October 9, 2017, Clay County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Hwy 64 Mini-Storage in reference to a breaking and entering. Deputies were able to view video at the storage unit of individuals taking items out of one unit and placing them into another unit. This incident occurred back in the middle of September. Deputies thought they recognized the individuals involved but were not certain. Sheriff Davis said what pieced the whole thing together was when a deputy encountered these subjects the same day they were committing the crime. A deputy was doing an extra patrol at the storage units due to recent break ins. While there, he encountered the three men at one of the units. He knew the men and stopped to talk to them, but he did not have any evidence to arrest them for any crime at the time. Through the use of the deputy’s body camera, you can see the interactions with the same men, driving the same car as the one on the video at the storage units. After gathering all this information charges were taken out on Dennis Ray Moss, 51 of Hayesville, for Felony Breaking and Entering and Felony Larceny. His son Daulton Ray Moss, 23 of Hayesville, was charged with the same thing. Later this same day, Deputies observed the vehicle involved in the break ins leaving Ingles. The vehicle was stopped and Dennis and Daulton Moss were arrested for the outstanding warrants. Sheriff Davis said both received additional drug charges after they were arrested. Dennis took pills into the jail and was charged with Felony Possession of Controlled Substance on Jail Premises and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Dalton was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine. Both are currently in custody in the Clay County Detention Center under a $20,000 bond. There are other charges pending in this matter.   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 October 6th, arrest of 54-year-old Mark Newlyn Patterson of Robbinsville, North Carolina for cyberstalking. In June of 2017, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a male individual sending unsolicited and unwanted indecent videos via the Social Networking Application Facebook.com. As the investigation progressed, numerous search warrants of Facebook.com accounts were served. Additionally, several cellular telephones were seized and examined. Through those examinations and comparing the records received from Facebook.com, the investigator was able to develop probable cause and present the matter to the Cherokee County Magistrate who issued a warrant for Patterson’s arrest. Patterson was arrested at the Cherokee County Detention Center where the Magistrate set a $1000.00 unsecure bond and gave additional conditions to have no contact with the victim. Patterson is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on October 17th, 2017. Sheriff Palmer stated, “These are very time consuming cases involving several court orders and additional technical expertise. We do not feel this is a single incident and ask if there are any additional victims to please contact Detective Williams so that he can follow up. This case is a prime example of the dangers that are out on the internet.” 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.   Tri-County Community College (TCCC) would like to congratulate the following students on being selected for academic honors for the 2017 Summer Semester. Students are selected for academic honors at the end of each semester in which they have earned 12 or more non-developmental credit hours in a degree, diploma, or certificate program; have earned a current and cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50; and have no grades of F, I, NM, U or WF for that semester. Andrews, NC: Timothy P. Duggan, Magnus D. Fonda, Sarah N. Moses, Jonathan A. Ogilvie, and Adrianna M. Yonce. Blairsville, GA: Alana R. Cook, Mindy L. Lockaby, and Cade Marsh. Cleveland, TN: Nathaniel D. Monroe. Copperhill, TN: Michelle Chastain. Franklin, NC: Brandon C. Ledford. Hayesville, NC: Jennifer L. Bennett, Kolby S. Engelskind, Justin C. Flanagan, Ben A. Kelly, Michael T. Lomauro, Jason A. Medlin, and Emily M. Vandewerker. Marble, NC: Zackery B. Dockery, Wade P. Ellis, Abby E. Hayes, Breanna D. Johnson, Julia E. Mays, Savanna L. Sutton, and Darrell J. Watkins. Murphy, NC: April L. Allen, Mark L. Allen, Jonathan A. Brege, Nicole C. Bullers, Angela D. Chapman, Mollie R. Cornwell, Amber L. Dean, Misty D. Dittman, Taryn A. Farmer, Rebecca A. Hand, Kimberly J. Limon, Keaton B. Marasco, Darian J. McClure, Payton McKnight, Joseph O. Morin, Valerie H. Morrow, Kyle P. Newland, Harleigh O. Parker, Daniel A. Peterson, Dianna D. Peterson, Sarah M. Radford, John W. Rateliff, Alexis N. Riley, Marceline E. Sena, and Lindsey N. Smith. Robbinsville, NC: Deloris D. Carver, Alexandria R. Bird, Dora M. Daniels, Leslie O. Eller, Samantha N. Hedrick, Shelby L. Jones, Tracey G. Jones, Cheri C. Massey, Sydney G. Moody, Erin A. Teesateskie, and Kosal Thach. Turtletown, TN: Aaron L Edrington. Warne, NC: Juliet H. Spafford Jamie R. Tiblis.   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 October 3rd, arrest of 41-year-old Barry Wade Allen of Murphy, North Carolina for sexual assaults involving a child. In June of 2017, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspected sexual assault committed by Allen. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the HAVEN Child Advocacy Center. The case was presented to the Grand Jury which met in July 2017 who returned true bills of indictment for Statutory Sex Offense with a Child greater than 13 years of age and defendant 6 years or more older, and Indecent Liberties with a Child. Allen fled from Cherokee County prior to the true bills being issued. The United States Marshal Fugitive Apprehension Unit assisted in locating and apprehending Allen in Louisiana during the last week of September 2017. Allen waived extradition and was transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office personnel where he was served with orders of arrest on the above charges. The North Carolina Magistrate set a $500,000.00 secure bond as well as conditions to have no contact or be around the victim. Allen is currently confined in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a December 11th, 2017 Cherokee County Superior Court date. Because of the age of the victim(s) and the sensitive nature of the incident, no further information is expected to be released from this office. Sheriff Palmer again thanks all the agencies and individuals that were a large part of getting this case to the court. Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone with information on this crime or any other to report it by calling the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or emailing a tip to crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.  |
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