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

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

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

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

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

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

CCSO Press Release Dewayne Stillwell, 52 of Chattanooga, TN was arrested on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, by the Polk County, TN Sheriff’s Office. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began investigating Stillwell at the end of 2025 after receiving information that he was transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from Chattanooga, TN to Cherokee County. This information remained consistent throughout the investigation and after executing a search warrant

If you’ve ever bought a large household appliance in North Carolina, you may have noticed a small $3 charge on your receipt—but not everyone knows what it’s for. The charge is called the White Goods Disposal Tax , a $3 fee applied to the purchase of certain major appliances from any North Carolina business. It doesn’t just apply to state residents—anyone buying an appliance from a retailer in North Carolina is required to pay it. The fee covers so-called “white goods,” a cate

CCSO Press Release The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division, and Clay County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of Colby Brett Phillips on March 4, 2026. As a result of the search warrant, 250 grams of Methamphetamine was seized. Previously in the day, an agent attempted to stop Phillips. Phillips stopped his vehicle. As the Agent approached Phillips vehicle from the fro

HANGING DOG, N.C. — A 50-year-old Louisiana man died Tuesday after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Cherokee County, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. Deputies responded Tuesday, March 3, to reports of a person with a gunshot wound in the Hanging Dog community. When officers arrived, bystanders had already begun providing aid to the victim. Authorities identified the man as Joseph A. Kieffer, 50, of Louisiana. Investigators determined the gunshot

MURPHY, N.C. — Voters in Cherokee County turned out Tuesday, March 3, for the primary election, with all 16 precincts reporting results by the end of the night. In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Roy Cooper carried the county with 678 votes, or 84.86 percent. Marcus W. Williams finished second with 35 votes (4.38 percent), followed by Daryl Farrow and Justin E. Dues with 31 votes each (3.88 percent). Robert Colon received 13 votes (1.63 percent) and Orrick Quick had

CCSO Press Release ANDREWS, NC – On March 2, 2026, newly appointed Sheriff Chris Wood visited the students of Andrews Elementary School to participate in a community reading initiative. The Sheriff spent the morning engaging with young learners and emphasizing the critical importance of foundational literacy in early childhood development. During his visit, Sheriff Wood selected the timeless Dr. Seuss classic, Green Eggs and Ham, to read aloud to several students. The event

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Feb. 26, 2026, after receiving information that a Culberson family had discovered two explosive devices while cleaning out property belonging to a deceased relative. Deputies and a narcotics agent responded to the scene and identified the devices as a smoke grenade and an MK2 grenade. Both devices appeared to be live but were determined to be in stable condition. The area w

HIWASSEE DAM, N.C.  — Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible deceased individual on the evening of Feb. 25 in the 500 block of in the Hiwassee Dam community. Upon arrival, patrol deputies confirmed a deceased person at the scene. Investigators from the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Division were called in and identified the deceased as a 75-year-old woman. A family member had requested a welfare check at approximatel

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release Cherokee County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting an investigation into the death of an unknown person that was located on Cross Creek Lane in the Hiwassee Dam community of Cherokee County on the night of February 25, 2026. Our office is currently being assisted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office as the investigation continues. While this is an active inve

(Photo taken by Waynesville ABC staff) Waynesville ABC store manager, Mark Strugnell, welcomes Mountain Projects Prevention Manager Libby Ray, as she places a display rack for alcohol locks. Mountain Projects gave away more than 1,500 free locks for bottles, cabinets and refrigerators around western NC during 2025. This prevention strategy is meant to reduce access to alcohol for those who are underage. By Lorrie Ross Mountain Strong Prevention team Locking up beer, wine, a

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. —  Kevin Garrett Ledbetter, the man previously listed as armed and dangerous by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, has been arrested in Unicoi County, Tennessee, Sheriff Chris Wood announced Tuesday. Ledbetter was the subject of a Be On the Lookout (BOLO)  issued on February 13, 2026. At the time, authorities described him as a white male, approximately 5'11" with red hair, last seen wearing a black hoodie and pajama pants near Fall Branch Road and He

MURPHY, N.C. — Murphy native Braden Rumfelt took center stage Monday night on American Idol ’s first Hollywood Week episode, airing Feb. 23 on ABC, delivering a performance that left judges and audiences buzzing.  The 22-year-old substitute teacher from Murphy, North Carolina, stepped onto the American Idol  stage in Nashville’s Belmont University Fisher Center during the high-stakes opening round of Hollywood Week — a two-part elimination designed to narrow the field from 1

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, VA, and Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, GA arranged the arrest of wanted fugitive Eric Jason Watkins, 50 of Murphy. Watkins had outstanding indictments in Virginia for the following: - Object Sexual Penetration (Felony) - Aggravated Sexual Battery - Indecent Liberties with a Child Agents with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics