 After handling multiple reports of companies using scare tactics or threatening language about fines to sell labor law posters to employers, the N.C. Department of Labor warns businesses across the state to be vigilant about suspicious correspondence they may receive. “These scams surface periodically and business owners, confused and upset about receiving the correspondence, will contact us,” Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said. “The threats of fines are bogus and should be ignored. The Department of Labor provides free sets of labor law posters to businesses.”
The scammers often pose as government officials or use company names such as the North Carolina Labor Law Poster Service, a non-regulatory entity that does not operate under any government agency. These companies use public information to contact new and old businesses to try and swindle them into purchasing labor law posters. The N.C. Department of Labor has issued cease and desist letters to these companies, but many are still operating. Some poster companies threaten fines from $7,000 to as much as $17,000 for non-compliance. Mailings can often appear to be from an official or government source and request fees for posters that cost anywhere from $84 to $200. The letters received from these companies often are printed to look like an invoice. Businesses should be aware that scammers may also attempt to contact them by either email, text or phone. While labor law posters are required to be displayed at a workplace by law, NCDOL inspectors carry the most up-to-date versions of the posters in their vehicles and will distribute them free of charge. The N.C. Department of Labor will never fine a business that has older versions of the posters displayed. NCDOL prints new versions anytime a significant law is changed or updated by Congress. Businesses are not required to order a new poster each time a change is made. Employers that wish to order new posters can visit our website or can call 1-800-625-2267.  The Robbinsville Black Knights will take on the Northampton County Jaguars for the State Championship game on Saturday, December 14 at 3 pm at Duke University.
You can get local updates of this game in various formats: WKRK - Score updates posted on our website at www.wkrk.love via ScoreStream. WCVP/WCNG - Live play-by-play radio coverage on 95.9 FM (Robbinsville) and 102.7 FM (Murphy) The Graham Star - Kevin Hensley, editor of The Graham Star, will be tweeting live updates via @KevinHensleyCNI and @thegrahamstar as well as posting them on The Star's Facebook page. Each game will also be simulcast in its entirety via the NFHS Network (video.) The NFHS Network charges a $10.99 per month subscription fee to access live sporting events including other NCHSAA Championships. You can find additional information about the NFHS Network at www.NFHSNetwork.com. Join WKRK and local media outlets in wishing best of luck to the Black Knights. Let's bring the State Championship back home to the Smoky Mountain Conference.
Murphy, N.C. – Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital (EWCH) welcomes doctors Karen Davis, Dena Snead and Matthew Snead to its growing list of primary care providers.
Dr. Karen Davis is a board-certified general practitioner who is accepting new patients at Erlanger’s Hayesville Primary Care office, located at 146 Highway 64 E. Dr. Davis attended medical school at NY College of Osteopathic Medicine of NYIT in Old Westbury, N.Y. Following graduation, she completed an internship at Richmond Heights General Hospital in Richmond Heights, Ohio, and a residency in general practice at Rocky Mountain Hospital in Denver, Colo. Dr. Davis has practiced primary care medicine in many settings, including private practices, hospitals, urgent care facilities and correctional facilities. To make an appointment with Dr. Davis, call 828-389-3608. Drs. Dena and Matthew Snead are board-certified internal medicine physicians who are accepting new patients at Erlanger’s Andrews Primary Care office, located at 2751 Business 19. Before their appointments to Erlanger, they practiced at Shelby Medical Associates in Shelby, N.C. Both physicians enjoy practicing in small communities, where they can better familiarize themselves with their patients and provide comprehensive primary care close to home. To make an appointment with Dr. Dena Snead or Dr. Matthew Snead, call 828-321-4510. Dr. Dena Snead is originally from Clyde, N.C. After obtaining a master’s degree in medical science, Dr. Snead attended William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Miss. She then completed an internal medicine residency at Southeastern Health in Lumberton, N.C. In addition to her primary care focus, Dr. Snead has extensive experience in dermatology and can perform skin checks and do minor dermatology procedures and biopsies. She is also fluent in Spanish. Dr. Matthew Snead is originally from Boaz, Ala., in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. He also attended William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following medical school, he completed an internal medicine residency at Southeastern Health in Lumberton, N.C. “One of Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital’s initiatives is to provide better access to primary care for the people of western North Carolina,” said EWCH CEO Mark Kimball. “There is a large need for primary care within our community, and we know these exceptional physicians will help satisfy this need.”  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 North Carolina Sheriff’s Office reported the November 24th, 2019 arrest of 23 year old Jordan Alex Michelsen for child sexual assault charges. In September of 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s commenced an investigation into allegations that an adult male had engaged in sexual assaults on a female child sometime during the month of August 2018. During the investigation assistance was given by the Cherokee County Schools, Cherokee County Department of Social Services, and HAVEN Child Advocacy Center. During the investigation Michelsen was identified as a suspect in the sexual assault allegations. The case was presented to the Cherokee County Grand Jury which handed down indictments for the arrest of Michelsen. At the time of the investigation Michelsen had been living in Andrews North Carolina and had a previous residence in the Culberson Community of Cherokee County. Shortly after the issuance of the indictments Michelsen apparently fled from Cherokee County to Cornelia Georgia and eventually surrendered at the Cherokee County Detention Center. Jordan Alex Michelsen was arrested for STATUTORY RAPE OF A CHILD BY AN ADULT, FIRST DEGREE KIDNAPPING, INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD. Michelsen appeared before the Magistrate who set a $250,000.00 secure bond. Michelsen is currently being detained at the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a December 02nd, 2019 Superior Court date. Sheriff Palmer said “Great team work by all. These crimes are difficult on everyone concerned and often take time to bring to conclusion.” 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.  EWCH DAISY Award nominees from left to right: Breanna Johnson, Katie Gore, Ashley Stiles, Matthew Lyvers, and winner, Debra Lee. Missing from photo are Lisa Parker, Deborah Carter and Noely Sutton. Murphy, N.C. – Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital (EWCH) and the Nurse Professional Practice Council honored eight outstanding nurses at the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses ceremony on November 5.
The DAISY Award is a national award to honor nurses who exemplify extraordinary, compassionate care. Nurses can be nominated by anyone in the healthcare organization, including patients and family members. The 2019 EWCH DAISY Award was presented to Debra Lee. The other nominees recognized at the ceremony were Deborah Carter, Katie Gore, Breanna Johnson, Matthew Lyvers, Lisa Parker, Ashley Stiles and Noely Sutton. All nominees were recognized with stories detailing the outstanding patient-centered care they consistently provide. “All eight nominees for this year’s DAISY Award are extraordinary nurses who go above and beyond for patients and their families,” said EWCH chief nursing officer, Teresa Bowleg. “Debra is the perfect recipient for this award, and we congratulate her and thank all of the nominees for their dedication and the kindness they show to our patients.” The DAISY Foundation was created in 1999 after Patrick Barnes passed away from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. His family wanted to honor his memory and show appreciation for the compassion and kindness shown by the nurses during Barnes’ eight-week stay in the hospital. Barnes’ wife, Tena, created the DAISY acronym, which stands for “diseases attacking the immune system.” For more information about the DAISY Foundation or the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, please visit www.DAISYfoundation.org. Murphy High School Varsity Cheerleaders performed the 2020 Census “Count Everyone” song at the Cherokee County Commissioners Meeting on August 19. The lively ditty speaks to counting everyone once, only once, and in the right place for a complete and accurate count. The Cherokee County Commissioners adopted a resolution to partner with the 2020 Census in support of a complete and accurate count.
Need Money? Want to Serve Your Community? Local Census Jobs, Federal Funding, and Fair Representation According to the Census Bureau, 384 Cherokee County census taker applicants are required to achieve a complete and accurate 2020 Census for the county. This week the Andrews Valley Initiative, the Andrews Chamber of Commerce, the Nantahala Libraries, and community volunteers mobilized by Mary Ann Anderson serve the county to bring those Census jobs, as well as the federal funding and just representation that will follow. The community joins the 2020 Census Community Partnership and Engagement (CPEP) program in a Census recruitment kick-off headquartered at the Andrews Chamber of Commerce. Volunteers and CPEP partnership specialist Debbie Denise Reese, PhD, will engage and prepare Cherokee County residents to apply as 2020 Census takers. The word here at the Census is that the mountain folk of western North Carolina believe anything worth doing is worth doing 100%. The 2020 Census partnership effort in Cherokee County seeks a 100% applicant recruitment and 100% response to the 2020 Census next April. The Census Recruitment kick-off runs this week between 10 AM and 4 PM, Tuesday through Friday. Attendees will learn how to prepare and submit a Census application. They will learn why an accurate Census count is essential for services that affect everyone in Cherokee County. The count determines funding for programs such as roads, education, housing, economic development, and assistance to children, young mothers, seniors, and veterans. The kick-off sessions target prospective applicants and those in the community who provide services to individuals who might apply as Census takers (train-the-trainer). The schedule repeats every hour, with some flexibility:
Future 2020 Census recruitment events are being planned for Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, and Swain Counties. For more information, contact Debbie Denise Reese, 2020 Census Partnership Specialist, 678-662-2816 or debbie.d.reese@2020census.gov.  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 - (October 3, 2019) - On Thursday afternoon, a Clay County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to a residence in the Snoozy Park area of Brasstown, NC to conduct a civil standby. Civil standbys are typically a routine performance of duty to keep the peace between parties involved in civil and or domestically related disputes. Many of these are performed annually without incident, this Civil Standby would be anything but typical. A male subject, 54-year-old Tommy James Anderson of Brasstown, was reported to have armed himself with a rifle and allegedly refused the homeowner entry into her residence. The home owner reported that she heard a gunshot from within the residence and breaking glass. Anderson allegedly pointed the firearm at her before she called law enforcement. Once deputies were on scene Anderson refused to leave the residence and surrender to law enforcement. A standoff then ensued that lasted approximately 3 hours. A perimeter was established around the residence to contain the suspect and prevent any compromise of the community’s safety or involvement of neighboring properties. The perimeter included a section of Old Hwy 64 West which the NC State Highway Patrol secured and detoured traffic in a safe route around the scene. A NC State Wildlife Officer working in the same area also responded to support Clay County Deputies. A negotiator from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene and was able to affectively talk with Anderson over a loud speaker. Macon County Sheriff’s Office also sent a member of their SWAT team to the scene to evaluate and prepare for their response if needed. At approximately 4:50pm, Anderson came out of the residence unarmed and surrendered himself to law enforcement without incident. Anderson was initially charged with Misdemeanor Assault by Pointing a Gun and Felony possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon. Later that same night additional charges were entered for Anderson that included Felony Discharge of a Firearm to Incite Fear and Misdemeanor Resist, Delay and Obstruct. Anderson is being held without bond for 48 hours due to the incident being Domestic Violence related. By statute, Domestic Violence related charges require a 48-hour hold time before the Defendant can have a bond set by the Magistrate Judge. Anderson has previous convictions in Clay and Cherokee County NC for Felony drug charges dating back to 2000. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that OCTOBER is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS month. Contact our local REACH Shelter for help - CRISIS HOT LINE (828)389-0797.  CULLOWHEE – Organizers of the Western Carolina University “Chancellor’s Welcome Tour” have added two more Western North Carolina stops to a series of events designed to introduce Kelli R. Brown, WCU’s new chief executive officer, to the region and state.
Brown, who became WCU’s 12th chancellor effective July 1, and husband Dennis are meeting with a variety of stakeholders – including alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors and elected officials – as she begins the process of crafting her vision for the direction of the university. “I want to hear from alumni, students, faculty and staff. I want to hear from community members and neighbors. I want to hear from our students’ parents. I want to hear from fans of our Catamount sports teams and from patrons of our arts programs,” she said. “I want to be known as fully collaborative and transparent, and to develop initiatives and solve problems through open discussions with all of our many stakeholders. I truly believe that we will do our best work when we work together.” Newly added stops on the tour are: Franklin – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Lazy Hiker Brewing Co., 188 W. Main St.; hosted by Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. Murphy – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Shoebooties Cafe, 25 Peachtree St.; hosted by 1968 WCU alumnus Bill Forsyth and the Murphy Electric Power Board. Additional upcoming stops on the tour are: Hendersonville – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Technology Education Development Center at Blue Ridge Community College, 49 E. Campus Drive, Flat Rock; hosted by RCBC Global. Charlotte – 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Sugar Creek Brewing Co., 215 Southside Drive. Washington, D.C. – 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Terrell Place, 575 Seventh St. NW; hosted by WCU alumnus Ben Comm. Waynesville – 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at Boojum Brewing Co., 50 N. Main St.; hosted by Stanberry Insurance. Atlanta – 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Georgian Club, 100 Galleria Parkway No. 1700; hosted by WCU alumnus Bruce Clayton. To participate in a tour stop, registration one week prior to the date of each event is required. To register or for more information, contact Elizabeth Honbarger in WCU’s Office of Alumni Engagement at 877-440-9990 or aehonbarger@wcu.edu. The tour kicked off July 15 in Greensboro at First National Bank Field, home of minor league baseball team the Greensboro Grasshoppers. The event attracted a crowd of approximately 450 alumni and friends and was hosted by Wes Elingburg, a 1978 graduate of WCU who is team owner of the Grasshoppers. More than 300 people attended the Jackson County tour stop Aug. 19 at Innovation Station in Dillsboro, and nearly 100 attended an event Aug. 22 in Cherokee at Selu Garden Cafe at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort. More than 250 people took part in the tour stop in Asheville on Aug. 28 at Highlands Brewing Co. Formerly provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University, Brown succeeds David O. Belcher, who died in June 2018 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. The University of North Carolina Board of Governors elected her as WCU chancellor April 25 upon the recommendation of Bill Roper, interim president of the UNC System. For more information about the events, visit the website go.wcu.edu/welcometour.  Dwight McClure, member of American Legion Post 532 in Hayesville, works to hoist an American flag at Tri-County Community College's annual Patriot Day ceremony on Sept. 11, 2018. In recognition of the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Tri-County Community College will hold its annual Patriot Day memorial ceremony on Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. in front of the McSwain Building flag pole on the main campus. “This annual event allows us the opportunity to come together as a college and community to pause and reflect on those who lost their lives or were injured on Sept. 1, 2001, and appreciate the freedoms we all have in this country,” said Bo Gray, vice president for college and community initiatives. The college held its first Patriot Day remembrance ceremony on Sept. 11, 2002, and it has been an annual event ever since, Gray said. The ceremony will feature a display with a recovered piece of steel from the World Trade Center Twin Towers, which was presented to the college to memorialize and honor those who died in the attacks. “This event is free and open to the public,” Gray said. “On behalf of President Dr. Donna Tipton-Rogers and our board of trustees members, we would also like to invite all local public safety personnel to attend our memorial ceremony.” The most recent ceremony attracted more than 100 students, faculty, staff and community members to the main campus, where attendees watched members of the American Legion Post 532 hoist an American flag, before reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the national anthem, and observing a moment of silence. “Tri-County Community College trains and prepares public safety professionals and volunteers on an almost-daily basis, which is why we at the College can promise that we will never forget,” Gray said. For more information regarding the Patriot Day memorial ceremony at Tri-County Community College, call 837-6810.  Hayesville, NC - (August 28, 2019) The Clay County Sheriff’s Office received information late Wednesday afternoon of a potential threat to Clay County Schools, it was an immediate all available hands on deck response to put an end to it before it began. This was a rapidly evolving scenario that took a lot of effort to coordinate resources in a short amount of time. Ultimately those resources included School Administration, Clay and Cherokee county Sheriff’s Offices, NC State Highway Patrol, ATF, NC State Bureau of Investigation and ADAs from District Attorney Ashley Welch’s office.
Our students and community did an excellent job by reporting the information immediately, we are very thankful and fortunate that it was brought to law enforcements attention when it was. Not only did work immediately begin to identify and locate the source of the threat but efforts were being made to document and preserve evidence as well as setting a plan into motion to confront the source. As information developed every aspect of the scenario was considered and prioritized with the safety of our students the schools and the general public being of the highest priority. Everyone involved was fully committed and remained on scene actively working their assigned responsibilities well into the early morning hours of Thursday. Law Enforcement in two separately organized groups simultaneously made contact at two locations approximately 10 miles apart. The suspect was located, identified and taken into custody without incident in the Andrews, NC area at approximately 12:30 AM and a search warrant was executed at that residence. A second person in the company of the suspect at the time was temporarily detained and later released when it was determined this person was not involved. Consideration was given to the possibility of more than one suspect; however, no information was developed to corroborate that as a credible scenario. At this time the investigation is still ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available. As always, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is committed to keeping our community informed with timely and accurate information. Above all else though, the men and women of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated to the safety of our community and stand ready at all times to answer that call. |
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