Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was honored to welcome District Attorney Ashley Welch, the elected District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 43, for a visit to our office today. During her time with us, District Attorney Welch received a comprehensive overview of our current operating procedures, including how our deputies and staff work daily to serve and protect the citizens of Cherokee County. As part of the visit, she

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has received a donation of five patrol rifles from local business owner Doc Wacholz, helping the agency begin replacing an aging inventory of equipment. According to a statement shared on social media, Wacholz, owner of Cherokee Guns, presented the rifles to the department, a contribution officials say would have cost more than $5,000 if purchased. Sheriff’s officials said the new rifles will enhance deputies’ ability to respond to calls while

Press Release Free Bird Southern Spring Water will make its official NASCAR Cup Series debut as the primary sponsor of Chase Briscoe's No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing at Darlington Raceway on March 22, marking a major milestone for the fast-rising Southern beverage brand. The Darlington race marks the first time Free Bird will appear as the primary partner on Briscoe's car, launching a three-race primary sponsorship schedule during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series seas

(Photo by Carissa Daniels) Senior Peyton McGaha plays a key role in the latest Yellow Jacket win. The Hayesville Yellow Jackets are heating up at the right time, delivering another dominant performance on both sides of the ball Tuesday. After putting up 10 runs in a win over Robbinsville last Friday, Hayesville matched that total again, blanking the Cherokee Braves 10-0 for their second straight shutout victory. The Yellow Jackets’ offense came alive with 13 hits — their high

As spring arrives, Union County Fire and Rescue is reminding residents about the importance of safe outdoor burning practices to prevent wildfires. Each year, officials share guidance as more residents begin burning leaves and yard debris. While many of these fires are small and contained on private property, they can still raise concerns due to visible smoke. Fire officials say most are controlled burns and not cause for alarm, but proper precautions remain critical. Under G

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC is warning members about a phone scam reported by multiple customers involving fraudulent claims of unpaid balances. According to the utility, several members reported receiving calls from individuals claiming they owed money on their accounts. The callers allegedly instructed victims to visit a Dollar General store and purchase a specific form of payment. BRMEMC officials emphasized that the company does not conduct business in that manner and will ne

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its sincere appreciation to Cherokee Guns, LLC and its owner, Doc Wacholz, for their generous donation of five AR-15 rifles to our agency. These rifles will be used to support law enforcement operations and help ensure that our deputies have the equipment necessary to effectively respond to a variety of situations in the field. Community partnerships play a vital role in h

Photo from the CCSO Facebook page. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has added a new member to its ranks. Sheriff Chris Wood swore in Deputy Jake Boring during a ceremony held at the sheriff’s office, with Boring’s family present for the occasion. According to the sheriff’s office, Boring is a second-generation law enforcement officer. He is following in the footsteps of his father, who served as a veteran trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Deputy Boring

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents that they may soon receive letters in the mail from the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association asking for support through a $25 membership. In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office said the mailing is legitimate and supports programs that benefit all 159 sheriff’s offices across the state. According to the agency, money collected through memberships goes directly to the association to help fund training, education and other initi

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release An arrest has been made following a months-long investigation into a series of intentionally set fires in the Martins Creek Community. On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, investigators with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Murphy Police Department, the North Carolina Forest Service, and the Georgia Forest Service arrested Kevin James Roper, 48 of Blairsville, Georgia, in connection with multiple fires that were deliberately set in w

Dr. Rob Peck Chairman Clay County Board of Commissioners It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Commissioner Dwight Penland. Dwight dedicated more than 27 years to public service in Clay County — 19 of those as a County Commissioner and eight years on the Board of Education before that. He was a voice of reason and an unyielding advocate for our community, helping bring forward vital improvements including our new courthouse, P

Motorists traveling through Hiawassee should expect traffic changes Saturday morning as portions of U.S. Route 76 and Georgia State Route 288 will have lane closures for the Hiawassee Half Marathon and 5K. According to event organizers, one lane of SR 288 and US 76 will be closed during the race. Traffic cone placement will begin at 6 a.m., with official lane closures starting at 7 a.m. Roads will reopen on a rolling basis as runners clear the course, with all lanes expected

Photo from the UCFR Facebook page. Work continues on a new facility that will soon house the Union County 911 Dispatch Center, with officials reporting significant construction progress since the project began last year. According to a recent update from Union County Fire and Rescue, groundbreaking for the new building began in May 2025. In the months since, the structure has taken shape with the building now framed, exterior walls completed and the roof finished. Crews are c

On March 3, 2026, at 6:43 p.m., Clay County Officer Sean Stout, with his K-9 Freya, stopped a Buick LeSabre in the area of U.S. Highway 64 East and Jackie Cove Road in Hayesville. The vehicle was stopped due to having no functional taillights. Officer Stout identified the driver as Gregory Austin Orr, 47, of Robbinsville. Melissa Ann McCarter, 53, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, was identified as a passenger in the vehicle. Orr was unable to produce a registration for the car. Cl

Press Release The Clay County Republican Party will hold its annual Precinct and County Conventions on Thursday, March 19 2026, in the restored courtroom upstairs at the Beal Center/Historic Clay County Courthouse, on the Square in downtown Hayesville. The primary purpose of the conventions is to elect delegates to the 11th District and State Republican Conventions for 2026.   Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Everyone must be registered no later than 5:30 p.m. The Precinct Conventions

Press Release The Gwinnett Stripers, Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and Gray Media have announced a continuation of their partnership to televise Stripers home games across the Southeast in 2026.   Gray Media will air 51 Stripers home games on Peachtree Sports Network in Georgia this season. Select games will also air on Palmetto Sports & Entertainment in northeastern Georgia and the western Carolinas. This agreement marks a significant increase in broadcasts on Gr

The Towns Union Master Gardener Association is inviting the community to participate in a special observance honoring children lost in the Holocaust and supporting children affected by humanitarian crises today. The event, Remember the Children Observance Day, will take place Tuesday, March 10, at 3:30 p.m. at Lloyd’s Landing Park, 458 Azalia Drive. Attendees will gather at the Daffodil Project Garden, where a short program will include a brief history of the Daffodil Project

With the recent time change now behind us, Clay County Fire & Rescue  is reminding residents to take a few minutes to check the smoke alarms in their homes. In a recent social media post, the department encouraged people to use the time change as a reminder to replace batteries and test smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. Fire officials recommend replacing the batteries in every smoke alarm in the home and pressing the test button to confirm each unit is f

Governor Josh Stein announced more than $40 million in grant funding aimed at strengthening disaster recovery and resilience efforts across North Carolina, particularly in western parts of the state recovering from Hurricane Helene. The announcement came during a meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery in Marion. According to the governor’s office, more than $24 million will be distributed through the Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and Criminal Investigations Division recently executed a search warrant at 296 Hampton Church Road in the Murphy community of Cherokee County. While clearing the residence, officers observed debris on the floor that appeared to have fallen from the ceiling. Officers then cleared the attic area and located a male subject hiding inside a chimney. The occupants of the residence