Press Release A joint investigation conducted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a significant methamphetamine supplier operating within both counties. Rennie Davenport, 63, of Hayesville, NC, was taken into custody at his residence on April 2, 2026. At the time of his arrest, Davenport was found in possession of more than 300 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators have identified Davenport as a major source

The Murphy Business Association is turning up the volume on community spirit with “Murphy Takes the Mic,” a multi-night karaoke competition designed to spotlight local singers and celebrate the town’s vibrant talent before the highly anticipated Murphy Spring Festival. According to the Hello From Murphy blog — the popular insider’s guide to living beautifully in Western North Carolina — the event was highlighted in a recent postdated April 4, 2026, as part of the lead-up to s

Agents with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, along with detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, executed a search warrant at a residence on Barnett Road. As a result of the search, suspected methamphetamine was seized. At the time the warrant was executed, the resident was not present. Authorities subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for Jeffery Kenneth Stiles. Stiles later surrendered himself to the Cherokee County Detention Center an

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release Murphy, NC – The Clay County Sheriff's Office has successfully taken into custody Stephanie Michelle Vega Burgos, who was wanted on outstanding felony warrants from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. Burgos was apprehended on April 2, 2026, and is being held at the Clay County Detention Center under a $15,000 secured bond. She is scheduled to appear in Cherokee County District Court on April 21, 2026. Sheriff Wood extends his app

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release On Monday, March 30, 2026, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residential break-in in the Hanging Dog community after a victim reported that a male and female suspect had been captured on his home security cameras stealing property. The victim posted photographs from the security footage to his Facebook page, which quickly generated leads from the community. Members of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release At the end of February 2026, Detective Sparks with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office reopened a cold case originally reported in 2022 involving serious allegations of child exploitation. What followed was nearly a month of relentless investigative work, interviews, and evidence review. That work paid off. Detectives developed probable cause and secured both a search warrant for 955 Fairview Road in Andrews, North Carolina, and

Press Release The Cherokee County Historical Museum has officially completed a major expansion, now occupying the full footprint of the historic Carnegie Library building in downtown Murphy, a space that has served the community for generations as a library, municipal facility, and museum. The expansion includes the renovation and integration of the building’s remaining half, most recently used by the Murphy Police Department, creating a unified museum experience that honors

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Forest Service, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, conducted a coordinated warrant enforcement operation on March 23, 2026, resulting in the arrest of 20 individuals. The operation was conducted as part of an ongoing initiative targeting outstanding warrants and individuals engaged in criminal activity throughout Cherok

Photo from the Downtown Murphy NC Facebook page. The Town of Murphy has announced the retirement of Downtown Director Laura Lachance, crediting her with accelerating economic development efforts and elevating the town’s profile across the state. During her tenure, Lachance guided Downtown Murphy to designation in the North Carolina Main Street Program in just two years—surpassing the typical three-year timeline and positioning the town for long-term growth and recognition. M

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release On March 18, 2026, at approximately 11:20 a.m., deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported breaking and entering in progress at a residence located at 4545 W U.S. 64. Upon arrival, deputies observed a vehicle parked in the driveway of the residence. The property owners arrived on scene and advised that the residence had been unoccupied for approximately ten years and that a vehicle had previously b

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release Cherokee County Sheriff Chris Wood announces the arrest of Robert Gee Stalcup,44 of Murphy on multiple charges related to weapons violations and failure to comply with sex offender registry requirements. On March 18, 2026, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of shots fired on Willow Tree Lane in the Ranger community. Cherokee County Dispatch advised that a male subject was walking along the roadway act

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