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 April 2nd, 2019  around 2:00 pm, Cherokee County Dispatch received a 911 call in reference to several male subjects running down Willow Street in Murphy, North Carolina with a firearm. The subjects were screaming at each other to shoot someone. Officers with the Murphy Police Department along with Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office responded to the area.  Officers arrived on scene and learned that a home invasion had just occurred on Sales Street in Murphy, North Carolina.  The individuals with the firearm running down Willow Street was identified as the suspects in the home invasion. Due to the location of the incident in relation to the area schools and the suspects fleeing on foot with a firearm, for safety reasons, the local area schools  (Murphy Elementary School and The Learning Center) was notified of the situation and decided to place the schools on a code yellow status.  Officers began looking for the suspects in the area and arrested one individual after a short foot chase. Several other individuals involved in the home invasion fled the area in a vehicle but was shortly apprehended in Union County, Georgia. During the investigation, Officers learned that six individuals were involved in the incident, three of which were juveniles. The juvenile names cannot be provided in this release. 

Jordan Tyree Mackey, DOB: 04/06/2000, B/M,  Address:1086 Jones Creek Road, Blairsville, GA was arrested in Murphy, NC and charged with Attempt Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Felony Breaking and Entering, and Conspire to commit Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon.  Mackey was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center and was given a $30,000.00 Secured Bond. 

Jordan Tyler Patterson, DOB: 04/24/2002, W/M, Address: 82 Murphy Drive, Blairsville GA was arrested in Blairsville, Georgia with pending charges in Georgia and pending charges in North Carolina for this incident for Attempt Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, Felony Breaking and Entering, Conspire to Commit Robbery with Dangerous Weapon. 

This case is still currently under investigation and further arrest and charges are still possible at this time. If anyone has any information about this incident they are encouraged to contact the Murphy Police Department at 837-2214.

Murphy Police Department thanks everyone involved for a fast and safe resolution in this case.  

Murphy, NC- March 27, 2019 - Hanging Dog boat ramp and picnic area on the Tusquitee Ranger District will temporarily close for parking lot improvements on Monday, April 15.

Improvements include paving the lower gravel parking lot. This project is funded by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Work is expected to be completed by May 15, 2019. In addition the U.S. Forest Service recently partnered with the NCWRC to install security lighting at Hanging Dog boat ramp.
 
The closure will be at the intersection of Ramsey Bluff road and Hanging Dog campground. Alternative boat access to Hiwassee Lake is available at Ramsey Bluff boat ramp which is located within Hanging Dog Recreation Area.

 Tusquitee Ranger District seasonal openings

Murphy, NC - The Tusquitee Ranger District will begin opening their seasonally closed roads and recreation areas on April 1, 2019. 
 
The roads to be opened are:

Bear Paw (FSR 435)
Beech Creek (FSR 307)
Cherokee Lake (FSR 313)
Chambers Creek (FSR 2071)
Deep Gap (FSR 71)
Derreberry Gap (FSR 614B)
Nelson Ridge (FSR 351)
Panther Gap (FSR 85A)
Perry Gap (FSR 350)
Persimmon Creek (FSR 651)
Powerline Cove (FSR 6020)
Stateline Loop (FSR 420-6)
Tellico River (FSR 420-5)
Tuni Gap (FSR 440)

The recreation area to be opened is: 

Cherokee Lake Picnic Area    
The Jackrabbit campground and beach area will open May 1, 2019. 

Emergency closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time. For current road conditions and status, contact the Tusquitee Ranger District at 828-837-5152 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


 Nantahala Ranger District seasonal openings
Franklin, NC - The Nantahala Ranger District will begin opening their seasonally closed roads and recreation areas on April 1, 2019. 
 
The roads to be opened are:

Boardtree (FSR 388)
Upper Nantahala (FSR 67)
Deep Gap (FSR 71)
Shingletree (FSR 713)
Shope Fork (FSR 751)
Ball Creek (FSR 83)
Connelly Creek (FSR 86 through Alarka-Laurel)
Wayah Bald (FSR 69)
Winding Stairs (FSR 422)
Little Yellow Mtn. (FSR 367)
Big Creek (FSR 4567)
Cold Spring Gap (FSR 4663)
Moses Creek (FSR 4651)
Old Bald Road (FSR 4652)
Sugar Creek (FSR 4665)
Gage Creek (FSR 4648)
Wolf Mountain (FSR 4663C)
Charley Knob (FSR 4654)
Beech Flats (FSR 4668)

 The recreation areas to be opened are: 

Wayehutta OHV                   
Balsam Lake Lodge                    
Appletree Group Campground         
Standing Indian Campground            
Kimsey Creek Group Campground
Hurricane Horse Campground
Cliffside Lake/Van Hook Glade Campground         
Nantahala River facilities            

Emergency closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time. For current road conditions and status, contact the Nantahala Ranger District at 828- 524-6441 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cheoah Ranger District seasonal openings
Robbinsville, NC - The Cheoah Ranger District will begin opening their seasonally closed roads and recreation areas on April 1, 2019. 
 
The roads to be opened are:

Big Fat (FSR 62)
Farley Cove (FSR 407)
Tatham Gap/Long Creek (FSR 423)
Long Hungry (FSR 1127)
Santeelah Creek (FSR 81)
 
The recreation areas to be opened are: 

Cheoah Point Campground
Cheoah Point Beach
Tsali Campground
Horse Cove Campground
Cable Cove Campground 
Rattler Ford Group Campground

Emergency closures due to weather or resource conditions can occur at any time. For current road conditions and status, contact the Cheoah Ranger District at 828-479-6431 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nfsnc) or Twitter (twitter.com/NFsNCarolina) for more news and features.

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 March 20th, 2019 arrest of Dylan Cruse, a 22 year old Marble, North Carolina man for charges of misdemeanor child abuse.

On March 20th, 2019 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a report involving a minor child that was at Union General Hospital and had possible ingested a controlled substance at a residence in Cherokee County, North Carolina. A deputy with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office went to Union General Hospital and received information which identified Cruse as suspect in the incident.

Additionally, during the investigation information was provided that the minor child required further medical attention and was transferred to another hospital facility in Georgia. The deputy made the appropriate notifications with the Cherokee County Department of Social Services.

The incident was turned over to the Investigative Division which continued the investigation and then presented the information to the District Attorney’s office who provided guidance on the charges. The information was then presented to the North Carolina Magistrate who issued the charges for the arrest of Cruse.

Cruse, who was already incarcerated in the Cherokee County Detention Center, was charged with Misdemeanor Child Abuse. Cruse was given a $10,000.00 secure bond in addition to NO BOND for a probation violation.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “This was some good work between our Patrol Deputies and our Investigations Division to bring this case to conclusion so quickly. It is one of the unfortunate problems we face here with drug abuse in Cherokee County.”

Sheriff Palmer asks if you should have any information concerning this case or any other case to report suspicious activity and suspected violations of the law by calling 828-837-3144 or submitting a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.

​Today, the Principal Chief, Vice Chief, members of Tribal Council, and leadership from Siemens Government Technologies gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the new solar project at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel.

Richard Sneed, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, opened the ceremony by emphasizing on the Tribe’s appreciation for their partnership with Siemens Government.

“We’ve had a great partnership with Siemens and appreciate all they have done,” said Sneed."This project is a landmark victory for the EBCI and is the result of years of work by many individuals, tribal programs, and community partners. I am very proud of the hard work that has gone into this project and I was pleased to be able to celebrate this success with so many today. I look forward to many more community partnership projects like this for the future of our tribe."

Leading the project was Joey Owle, Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who began collaborating with Siemens Government Technologies in May of 2018.

“Siemens Government Technologies worked closely with the Tribe to make this project happen and it’s exciting to see what we have accomplished through teamwork” said Owle. “This will be here for years to come and will set an example to get our youth excited about future projects like this.”

The solar project will generate 700 kilowatts of energy, saving roughly $100,000 annually, and is another great example of the Tribe and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel’s shared commitment to environmental sustainability. 

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.

In the early afternoon hours of March 21, 2019, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen U-Haul truck. Later that afternoon, Clay County dispatch center received a report of a U-Haul truck in the Shooting Creek Community that matched the description of the one that was reported stolen earlier in the day. Deputies initiated a traffic stop on the U-Haul on Highway 64 East at the Shooting Creek Market. Before it came to a complete stop in the parking lot, it immediately left and continued west on Hwy 64 at a high rate of speed. Deputies pursued the vehicle down Highway 64 and onto Old Highway 64 East where it sped through a construction zone. It continued towards Highway 175 and eventually turned onto Elf School Road. The stolen U-Haul turned around in a field at the end of Patterson Road and traveled back out Elf School Road.

Fearing the U-Haul would go back into the construction zone and strike pedestrians, a deputy was blocking a portion of Elf School Road. The U-Haul then accelerated directly into the path of the deputy who was out of his vehicle. The deputy fired his service weapon at the U-Haul. The U-Haul turned into a field and the driver attempted to run from deputies on foot but was taken into custody. The female passenger was flown to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment and was released a short time later. During the pursuit the U-Haul struck two patrol cars, one of which was totaled, and almost ran over pedestrians in the construction zone.

The NC State Bureau of Investigation was immediately notified and responded to the scene.

Michael Paul Ledford, 36 of Murphy NC was charged with Driving While License Revoked, Reckless Driving to Endanger, Reckless Driving With Wanton Disregard, 2 counts of Injury to Personal Property, Felony Flee/Elude Arrest, Felony Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, and 5 counts of Assault With a Deadly Weapon With Intent to Kill. Ledford was given a $350,000 secured bond and a court date of April 4, 2019.

Ledford also had active warrants for arrest out of Cherokee County for Resisting Public Officer, Felony Break and Enter, Larceny After Break and Enter, Injury to Real Property, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was given a secured bond of $8,500 on those charges and a court date of April 2, 2019.

Murphy, N.C. – Granny’s Attic, an Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital (EWCH) auxiliary group, recently provided 12 new CPR training mannequins to Clay County Schools. This contribution was one of the community health needs accomplished through funds raised at the Hayesville thrift store.

Clay County Schools offer CPR training classes to both students and employees. The classes are led by Clay County school nurses who are American Heart Association instructors.

“Erlanger is proud to be able to contribute to community health education in this way,” said Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital CEO Mark Kimball. “CPR can drastically improve a person’s chance of survival. We hope these materials will help our local schools in the training efforts of this lifesaving procedure.”

Granny’s Attic is a non-profit organization run solely by volunteers. The store, which sells donated clothing and small household items, contributed its annual earnings to several local organizations, including $55,000 to EWCH.

Granny’s Attic is located at 200 Highway 64 West in Hayesville and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tri-County Community College, in partnership with Interstate Welding and Steel Supply will hold a Welding Open House on Thursday at Interstate Welding and Steel Supply in Marble from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“The Welding Open House gives both current and prospective students a chance to come out and meet various representatives from the industry,” said Jason Penley, head of the welding program at Tri-County Community College. “Those who attend can also gain experience first-hand of what it is like to be a welder.”

The welding open house is set to feature representatives from the industry, who will bring equipment and perform several live demonstrations for attendees. The event will also include other representatives to discuss the benefits of a career in welding.

“Welding as a career can provide a lot of stability,” Penley said. “On average, nearly 95 percent of welders find full-time jobs, and the field keeps growing. A lot of skilled welders are getting close to retirement, which means there won’t be a shortage of welding jobs in the coming years.”

According to the American Welding Society, estimates by 2020 indicate there will be a national shortage of 290,000 professionals in the welding sector, including inspectors, engineers, and teachers.

“This event gives both high school students and anyone else in our the community with an interest in welding a chance to explore the opportunities a career in welding can open up for them,” Penley said.

For more information regarding the welding open house, call 837-7965. To learn more about the welding program at Tri-County Community College, visit www.tricountycc.edu.

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

Murphy, NC— On March 4th, 2019 during an administrative session of Superior Court, Ricardo Gamez Dockery appeared before the Honorable William H Coward, and entered a plea of guilty to Indecent Liberties with a Child and received an active sentence of 15–27 months and given 271 days jail credit against that sentence.

On or about May 7th , 2018 the Cherokee County Sheriff’s began an investigation into a report detailing a sexual assault reportedly committed by Dockery on a juvenile sometime during the month of April 2018.

During the investigation the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office worked in conjunction with the HAVEN Child Advocacy Center and the Cherokee County Department of Social Services. Ricardo Gamez Dockery was subsequently arrested at his residence in Clay County North Carolina where he had moved once the allegations were made known.

Ricardo Gamez Dockery is currently a registered sex offender on the North Carolina Registry. Dockery’s previous convictions were for four counts of Indecent Liberties with a Minor in January of 2008.

A subsequent hearing will be held at a later date to determine what if any new restrictions are to be placed on Dockery once he is released from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Adult Corrections.

To report suspicious activity and suspect violations of the law please call 828-837-3144 or submit a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov.