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

Andrews, NC – Chief J.J. Wooten announced the December 19th, 2018 arrest of 26-year-old Amy Jumper of Robbinsville, North Carolina for controlled substance violations and fleeing to elude law enforcement.

During the afternoon hours of December 19th, 2018, Chief J.J. Wooten and Officer Nick Roberson observed a vehicle in the Andrews area committing motor vehicle violations. Chief Wooten and Officer Roberson attempted to conduct a vehicle stop and the vehicle fled from law enforcement. The vehicle pursuit went on for several miles at high rates of speed before ending in the Granny Squirrel area of Cherokee County. During the investigation, a search of the vehicle and driver recovered controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and US Currency.

Amy Jumper was taken into custody and transported to Erlanger Murphy Medical Center to be medically cleared prior to being transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center where she was incarcerated for TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE, PWIMSD METHAMPHETAMINE, MAINTAIN PLACE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, FELONY FLEE TO ELUDE, POSSESS MARIJUANA UP TO ½ OZ, POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, POSSESS MARIJUANA PARAPHERNALIA, OPERATE A VEHICLE WITH NO INSURANCE, NO OPERATORS LICENSE, SPEEDING IN A SCHOOL ZONE, AGGRESSIVE DRIVING, DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. Jumper is currently being held on a $50,000 secure bond and has a January 3rd, 2019 court date.

Chief J.J. Wooten stated “I am thankful no one was seriously hurt during this incident. It is good knowing that a large amount of controlled substance was taken off the street as we continue the fight against dangerous drugs in our area. I would like to thank the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office for their response and assistance.”

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 announced the December 19th, 2018 arrest of 39-year-old Nathon Wesley Barnett of Murphy, North Carolina on charges alleging he assaulted a man with a firearm.

Shortly before 9pm, December 19th, 2018, the Cherokee County Emergency Communications Center received a call stating a person had been shot and was in need of emergency assistance. As deputies were responding to the scene, additional information was being provided by the caller who later was identified as the victim, 34-year-old Jared Hawkins, that Barnett had shot him in the head. First responders and Life Force Air Ambulance staged and awaited the arrival of law enforcement.

Upon arriving to the scene, deputies made entry into the residence and located the victim and the assailant.  Nathon Wesley Barnett was detained and subsequently arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center for the assault of Hawkins.

Jared Hawkins was airlifted by Life Force to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN where he remains in stable condition at the time of this release.

The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in processing the crime scene.

Nathon Wesley Barnett is currently incarcerated in the Cherokee Detention Center for Assault With A Deadly Weapon With Intent To Kill Inflicting Serious Injury and has a $150,000.00 secure bond. Barnett is expected to be in the Cherokee County District Court on January 3, 2019 at 9 am.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “We appreciate the assistance of our local first responders who provide invaluable assistance in these situations. We are glad to be able to partner with the North Carolina SBI who are a super resource in these cases. Our prayers go out to both families during this time. There are many questions that still have to be answered as we continue our investigation.”

​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. 

In a press release dated December 17, 2018, Darryl Brown, Attorney for Cherokee County and Cherokee County Sheriff's Office sent a press release to local media outlets.  

"In recent weeks, Cherokee County and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office have received numerous and voluminous public records requests from media outlets regarding the May 2, 2018 incident at the Cherokee County Detention Center involving George Victor Stokes, a federal inmate; and regarding the death of Joshua Shane Long, a Cherokee County inmate, on June 12, 2018."

​To read the full press release and view the jail incident reports, download the .pdf below.

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Murphy, NC— On December 04th, 2018 Barry Wade Allen, of Murphy, North Carolina was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of a minimum term of 17 months to a maximum term of 35 months with 427 days credit for his plea of guilty to the charge of Indecent Liberties with a Child announced Sheriff Derrick Palmer of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Superior Court Judge William H. Coward ordered Allen to register as a sex offender for a period of 30 years and to have no contact with the victim for a lifetime.

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 returned to Cherokee County.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “These are difficult and trying cases on all concerned. This is an excellent example of how working as a team involving HAVEN Child Advocacy Center, the District Attorney’s Office and utilizing our Federal partners helped bring this case to court.”

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.

Murphy, NC— On December 04th, 2018 Robert J Tyndell, of Murphy, North Carolina was sentenced to 2 terms of imprisonment of a minimum term of 13 months to a maximum term of 25 months with 745 days credit to be applied to the second sentence for his plea of guilty to the 2 charges of Indecent Liberties with a Child announced Sheriff Derrick Palmer of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. The Honorable Superior Court Judge William H. Coward ordered Tyndell to register as a sex offender for a period of 30 years and to have no contact with the victim for a lifetime.

In July of 2016 the Macon County Department of Social Services opened an investigation and reported to the Cherokee County Department of Social Services and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office allegations that Tyndell had sexually assaulted a child under the age of 12 at a Murphy, North Carolina address. The initial disclosure was in Macon County, North Carolina. The joint investigation was assisted by Kids Place Child Advocacy Center in Franklin, North Carolina.

The investigation was presented to the November 14th, 2016 setting of the Cherokee County Grand Jury which handed down Indictments for Statutory First Degree Sex Offense of a Child, and two counts of Indecent Liberties with a child.

Tyndell was arrested at his Murphy, North Carolina residence and incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Again we see how utilizing all our resources several agencies worked together helped to bring this case to court.”

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 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 December 10th, 2018 arrest of Eric Edward Hill, a 24 year old Marble, North Carolina man and Kayla Marie Coffey, a 30 year old Blairsville, Georgia woman on charges in connection with several breaking and entering investigations in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

From December 05th, 2018 to December 10th, 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received numerous complaints of breaking and entering to buildings primarily in the Marble community of Cherokee County. Investigators and Deputies worked jointly and were able to identify Hill and Coffey as suspects in the investigations. Additionally, several items that had been reported missing were recovered and returned to the owners.

Eric Edward Hill was arrested on December 10th, 2018 on the following charges: BREAKING AND OR ENTERING 2 COUNTS, LARCENY AFTER BREAK/ENTER, BREAK OR ENTER A MOTOR VEHICLE 2 COUNTS, POSSESSION OF STOLEN GOODS 5 COUNTS. Hill is currently being held in the Cherokee County Detention Center on a $18,000.00 secure bond and is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on January 24th, 2018 at 9 AM.

Kayla Marie Coffey was arrested on December 10th, 2018 on the following charges: AID & ABET LARCENY (F), BREAK OR ENTER A MOTOR VEHICLE 2 COUNTS, POSSESSION OF STOLEN GOODS 2 COUNTS. Coffey is currently being held on a $9,000.00 secure bond and is expected to be in Cherokee County District Court on January 24th, 2018 at 9 AM.

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “I want to commend the Deputies and Investigators involved in this case. This is a good example of how working together as a team helped solve these crimes quickly.”

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 Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.  All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Murphy, NC— Sheriff Derrick Palmer of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Chief JJ Wooten of the Andrews Police Department announced the December 12th, 2018 arrest of 17 year old Jadon Luke Spivey of Andrews, North Carolina for Murder.

At about 8:45 PM on December 11th, 2018 the Cherokee County E911 Communications Center received a call from an individual at a residence inside the city limits of Andrews, North Carolina. According to the caller an individual had been shot at the residence. Officers with the Andrews Police Department, Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene.

Upon arrival at the residence, the initial responding officer found 27 year old Alexander Bryant in an apparent lifeless condition. Cherokee County Emergency Services personnel arrived and confirmed that Bryant was deceased.

During the investigation, Investigators from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Andrews Police Department worked together to gather information and evidence from the crime scene.

Jadon Spivey was identified as a suspect in the crime and was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he is currently charged with Murder and being held under no bond.

Sheriff Palmer and Chief Wooten stated “There are a lot of questions that are being asked to help us find answers as we continue this joint investigation. We would like to thank the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Office of District Attorney Ashley Welch for their valuable assistance and advice during this very difficult time for all concerned. Because of the nature of the crime we do not anticipate any further information being released from our offices.”

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.

DURHAM, NC – The Murphy Bulldogs reeled off 21 first quarter points on their way to a 60-27 victory over Pamlico County and the school’s ninth NCHSAA football state championship. The win was Head Coach David Gentry’s 406th career win, which is second all-time for Head Coaching wins in the NCHSAA.
 
Murphy’s defense got the scoring started when Micah Nelson recovered a Pamlico fumble and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown just 17 seconds into the game. The next possession for Murphy was after another Pamlico turnover, as the Bulldogs started at the Hurricane 34. Six plays later KJ Allen galloped five yards to the end zone and a 14-0 lead.
 
The Bulldogs built a huge advantage on the ground, racking up 479 yards to just 153 for Pamlico. Allen led the way for Murphy with 153 yards on 18 carries and four touchdowns as he was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Murphy’s Devonte Murray also added two touchdowns on his six carries with 106 yards.
 
Pamlico got on the board for the first time in the latter portion of the first quarter. Senior quarterback Lamont Murray settled into the game and was able to lead his team on a 12-play, 66-yard drive that took 5:28 off the first quarter clock. Murray capped the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run to trim the Murphy lead to 14-7 with 2:54 to go in the first. Four plays later, Murphy stretched their lead back out to 14 when Reid Beal hauled in an 18-yard pass from Micah Nelson with 1:47 to go in the first. Nelson was named Murphy’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player as he completed 3 of his 5 pass attempts for 42 yards and a touchdown while running for 49 yards on two carries.
 
The Bulldogs took a 21-7 lead into the half and came out ready to roll in the third quarter, adding two scores in the frame. Ray Rathburn scored from 11 yards out on the ground to go up 28-7. Five minutes later Allen ripped off a six-yard touchdown run for his second score of the night.
 
Pamlico did not quit despite trailing 35-7, after a long kickoff return into Murphy territory by Jarrod Ramsey, Murray bought time and found George Jones open over the middle for a 42 yard touchdown pass to make it 35-14 with under a minute to go in the third. Just three plays later, Murray raced 46 yards to the end zone for a touchdown, however the point after failed and Murphy led 41-14.
 
Murray went back to work for Pamlico, finding room and sprinting for a 17-yard touchdown to make it 41-20 after the point after failed. After touchdown runs by the Bulldogs’ Murray and Allen made the score 54-20, Pamlico’s Murray launched another touchdown pass, this one from 18 yards out to La-Monti Lewis to trim the lead to 54-27.
 
Lamont Murray finished the night with 157 yards passing and two scores to go along with 79 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player for the Hurricanes for his efforts. William Lovick was the Hurricanes’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player as he tied for the team lead in tackles with nine. Hunter Shope took home Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors for Murphy, racking up nine tackles, 1.5 of them for a loss.
 
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting good sportsmanship and with the assistance of North Carolina Farm Bureau are pleased to present Sportsmanship Awards to one member of each Championship team that have exhibited good sportsmanship throughout the 2018 season. Pamlico’s winner was junior offensive tackle, Stephen Sawyer. Murphy’s selection was senior linebacker and fullback, Chase Roberts.

Ribbon Cutting on Dec. 17 for New North Carolina Addition to Hospice of Chattanooga Network

MURPHY, N.C. (Dec. 6, 2018) – Hospice of Chattanooga will celebrate the addition of the Good Shepherd Hospice Agency to its network of service providers with a ribbon cutting on Monday, Dec. 17.  

The office located at 125 Medical Park Lane, Suite C, in Murphy, N.C., will host the ribbon cutting at 12:00 noon. The event marks not only a significant expansion of end-of-life services currently being offered in Cherokee, Clay, Graham and Macon counties, but also Hospice of Chattanooga’s network expansion into North Carolina. All members of the community and local officials are invited to attend.

As part of Hospice of Chattanooga’s network, Good Shepherd will now provide palliative care services, which offers relief to patients who suffer from symptoms and stress of serious illnesses. This type of care is administered by specially-trained medical professionals to improve the quality of life for both the patients and their families.

“We welcome Good Shepherd to our family of hospice and palliative care providers. We look forward to continuing their mission to give patients the opportunity to live the best lives they can, especially as they embark on their end-of-life journeys. All programs in Hospice of Chattanooga’s network are non profit organizations that are dedicated to providing life-affirming support for those in the community who face physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges that come at the end of life,” Tracy Wood, president and CEO of Hospice of Chattanooga, said.

Good Shepherd will continue its outstanding end-of-life care in the community as part of the Hospice of Chattanooga Network. The agency will continue to provide care teams of nurses, social workers, members of the faith community and volunteers to help patients and their families through the most difficult of times. These caregivers work with families to determine how best to comfortably manage their loved ones’ symptoms and pain, and offer grief support for a year after a patient’s passing and longer, if needed.

About Hospice of Chattanooga:
Founded in 1980, Hospice of Chattanooga offers a variety of family-focused services that seek to meet the medical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients during their end-of-life journey, and to support their loved ones through the process and beyond. Chattanooga’s first and longest-running hospice organization also offers palliative care services for the chronically ill who are not facing a terminal diagnosis and special programs for children facing life-limiting illnesses. Hospice of Chattanooga serves patients and families in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. More information is available at www.hospiceofchattanooga.org or by calling (423) 892-1533.

We welcome Good Shepherd to our family of hospice and palliative care providers. We look forward to continuing their mission to give patients the opportunity to live the best lives they can, especially as they embark on their end-of-life journeys.
- Tracy Wood, president and CEO of Hospice of Chattanooga