Cherokee County Sheriff’s office warns of Possible Police Impersonator
News March 5, 2019
Murphy, NC The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office states it has received reports of a white 2019 Ford Explorer with a regular car tag on it operating blue lights that has been stopping individuals in the Cherokee County Area. They do not have a vehicle as described above. If you should encounter that particular vehicle please contact Cherokee County Emergency Communications at 828-835-3144 so that they can determine if this an official vehicle or an impostor (blue light bandit).
If for some reason an unmarked car attempts to stop you in an area that you feel unsafe please call 911 and find a safe area to stop until such time as they can ensure the stop is legitimate.
Cherokee BOC in opposition to SB 179 and HB 278
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS April 2, 2019
MURPHY, N.C.- County Manager Randy Wiggins explained to the Cherokee Board of Commissioners how Senate Bill 179 and House Bill 278 would affect the county if passed, possibly costing Cherokee County taxpayers large amounts of money in the future.
According to the resolution before the Board at its bi-monthly meeting on Monday, April 1, 2019, “Taxpayers would bear the entire cost of this new retirement benefit without local elected officials having a say in this decision” and “would be paid solely by the last employer creating a deterrent to the hiring of late-career firefighters and rescue squad members reducing the benefit to (Cherokee County) and towns from seasoned hires.”
A copy of the Resolution submitted to BOC for signature on 04/01/19.
SB 179 and HB 278 would pay firefighters and rescue squad workers an annual separation allowance equaling eighty-five hundreths percent (0.85%) of their annual base rate separated into equal payments under the following conditions:
- “The firefighter or rescue squad worker has either completed 30 or more years of creditable service or attained the age of 60 with 25 or more years of service.”
- “Has not attained age 62.”
- “Has completed at least five years of continuous service rendered on or after July 1. 2019, immediately preceding in retirement service.”
In question is a service employee meeting the above requirements prior to retirement with possibly a few years left in the current system in another county relocating to Cherokee County. Should the County pay for the separation allowance once the firefighter, rescue squad worker, or EMS worker this benefit once relocated here for the remainder of their service years and has retired?
Upon some discussion by the Board, weighing the facts of the bills and its affect on the County, they voted unanimously to pass their resolution opposing SB 179 and HB 278.
The North Carolina bill’s primary sponsors were State Senators Brent Jackson (R), Danny Britt (R), and Tom McInnis (R) and was filed on March 4, 2019.
Other items the Board approved were:
- The adoption of Updated Local Government Records Retention and Disposition Schedule after records “do not and will not have further use or value for official business, research, or reference purposes after the respective retention periods.”
- Valley River Pickleball Association requested to “install two permanent nets on the other two designated pickelball courts.”
- The budget revision by Cherokee County school system for cameras mentioned at the March 18 meeting for an increase of $30,614.
- Applicants for Boards/Commissions/Committee were chosen. Christie Standish will be the permanent member with Shannon Greathead as the Alternate.
Valley River Pickelball Association request for permanent new nets.
The next Commissioners meeting will be held on Monday, April 15, 2019, at the County Courthouse.
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Cherokee NC County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 03/12 to 03/17
Arrest Reports March 18, 2019
Cherokee County NC Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report without images. Pursuant to the state open records law, North Carolina General Statutes Public Records § 132-1, Criminal investigations, § 132-1.4, Access to Records, § 132-9, allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for your viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Cherokee NC County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 02/25 to 03/02
Arrest Reports March 4, 2019
Cherokee County NC Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report without images. Pursuant to the state open records law, North Carolina General Statutes Public Records § 132-1, Criminal investigations, § 132-1.4, Access to Records, § 132-9, allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for your viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Marjorie June Price: Obituary
Obituaries February 28, 2019Marjorie June Price
06/07/1936 – 02/22/2019
Marjorie June Price, age 82 of Andrews passed away Friday, February 22, 2019 at North East Georgia Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late David Arthur and Carrie Owsley Fannin.
Mrs. Price worked as a secretary for the State of Florida. She loved to cook, camping and the outdoors, painting and loved her family and friends. Marjorie attended Tuskeegee Baptist Church for many years and later attended Marble Springs Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, George “Bill” Price; son, Michael Price of Warne; daughters, Tammie Rutkosky of Robbinsville and Jeanetta Brady and husband Preston of Marble; grandchildren, Christopher Brady and wife Heather, Derek Rutkosky, Drew Rutkosky and wife Jennifer, Jessica Price and Phillip Watts and wife Amber; great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Kynsley Brady, Acacia, Harper, Kellan and Hollyn Rutkosky, Brodie Gruber and Lana and Kaylie Watts and many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will receive friends from 1-2 pm, Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Rev. Larry Grindstaff and Rev. John Bailey will officiate.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
Cherokee County to see up to 2” rain through Saturday morning
BREAKING NEWS February 22, 2019
From Robin Caldwell ([email protected]):
Rain throughout the day today is expected with an additional 1.5-2” through Saturday morning.
Saturday is looking better with only .25 to .5” expected through Sunday morning. Sunday and into next week looks like we will finally get a break from all of the precipitation.
The entire week next week looks like just a slight chance of rain each day.
Hopefully we will get to see some clearing skies.
Thank you for all that you do and enjoy the rain-less days ahead.
Robin Caldwell, Coordinator
Cherokee County Emergency Management
59 Hiwassee Street Suite 105
Murphy, NC 28906
828.837.7352 (o)
828.837.5454 (f)
(Pursuant to North Carolina General Statues Chapter 132, Public Records, this electronic mail message and any attachments hereto, as well as any electronic mail messages that may be sent in response to it may be considered public record and as such are subject to request and review by anyone at any time. Also, the information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential. We will withhold confidential correspondences that are tagged as “Confidential” from public record requests. If this e-mail contains protected health information or personal identifying information, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited, except as permitted by law. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your computer. Thank You)
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Jack Rushin Hungerford: Obituary
Obituaries February 6, 2019
Jack Rushin Hungerford
02/11/1983 – 01/05/2019
Jack Rushin Hungerford, age 35 of Hayesville, NC passed away Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
He is survived by his parents, Jack Hungerford and wife Sherry of Hayesville and Laura Schumann of Florida; wife, Jessica Hungerford and sister, Ashley Kopek and husband Greg of Woodstock, GA.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the Hayesville First United Methodist Church.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Phillip James Marcus: Obituary
Obituaries February 28, 2019Phillip James Marcus
05/04/1942 – 02/23/2019
Phillip James Marcus, age 76 of Murphy, passed away Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital.
He was the son of the late Robert Clinton and Lucille Sexton Marcus. Phillip was a US Army veteran. He was a self-employed logger. Phillip also worked at Cherokee Land Surveying and the Sirloin Steak House. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, playing bingo and board games and he loved to read. He was an active member of Owl Creek Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Neil Marcus.
He is survived by his sisters, Susan Fowler of Hayesville and Ann Pirtle of San Antonio, TX; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 4 pm, Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at the Owl Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Randy Johnson will officiate. Music will be provided by the Owl Creek Baptist Church choir. Burial will be in the Owl Creek Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Keith Marcus, Kurt Marcus, Marcus Mauney, Kenneth Dockery, Gene Kephart and Neal Kephart. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Hughes, Brian Stuhl, and Lucas Dixon.
The family will receive friends from 3-4 pm, Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at the Owl Creek Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Activities Department of Murphy Rehab & Nursing, 3992 US Hwy 64 E, Murphy, NC 28906.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Larry Charles Swinnerton: Obituary
Obituaries February 28, 2019
Larry Charles Swinnerton
06/23/1941 – 02/24/2019
Larry Charles Swinnerton, age 77, of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, February 24, 2019 at his residence.
He was a native of Omaha, Nebraska and the son of the late Charles W. and Betty Jane Reed Swinnerton. Larry was retired from the US Navy and had been a supervisor for the US Postal Service.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Ann Swinnerton; son, Daniel Swinnerton and wife Dawn; daughters, Pamela Miller and husband Chris and Michelle Johnson; stepson, Henry Johnson and wife Jo; stepdaughter, Dawn Wiloth and husband Larry; brother, Jeffrey Swinnerton and wife Kathy; sister, Christine Frye and husband Dean and four grandchildren.
No Services and planned.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Carl Palmer: Obituary
Obituaries February 6, 2019
Carl Palmer
12/12/1942 – 02/01/2019
Carl Palmer, age 76 of Murphy, NC passed away Friday, February 1, 2019 at his residence.
He was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC and the son of the late J.C. and Mary Jane Franklin Palmer. Carl was owner and operator of Palmer Construction. He loved gardening, playing the guitar and singing, camping, dancing and riding horses. Carl loved his family and took great pride in being a provider for his family. He was a member of the Marble Springs Lodge #439 A.F. & A. M & the Eastern Star. Carl attended Tomotla Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Sandra Palmer.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Palmer; two sons, Carlos Palmer and Danny Palmer and wife Revonda; three daughters, Lottie Palmer and Doug Pendergrass, Cassey Conley and husband Robert and Noley Jean Sutton and husband “Whitey” Adam; two step-sons, Max and Rex Wilson; four brothers, J.C. Jr, Johnny, Dale “Butterball”, Ronnie and Donnie Palmer; seven sisters, Willie Anthony, Betty Watkins, Helen Pace, Sandra Pace, Judy Chastain, Connie Watkins and Janice Carringer; 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Monday, February 4, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Pastor Harold Stiles and Rev. Don Watkins will officiate. Burial will be in the Maltby Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Danny Palmer, Cody Bullers, “Whitey” Sutton, Jeff Holloway, Doug Pendergrass and Robert Conley. Honorary pallbearers will be the Marble Springs Lodge #439 A.F. & A. M, Tyler Hale and Jerry Hughes.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm, Sunday, February 3, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Faye Lee Beaver: Obituary
Obituaries February 28, 2019
Faye Lee Beaver
10/19/1924 – 02/27/2019
Faye Lee Beaver, age 94, of Dewy Rose, GA and formerly of Murphy passed away at her residence.
She was a native of Cedar Town, GA and the daughter of the late Walter and Allie Little Dempsey. She was a self-employed interior decorator. Faye was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where she had been the pianist.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, M.B. Dempsey; and sisters, Susie Redden, Ruth Brock, Eva Stevens and Betty Rawell.
She is survived by her husband, Arnold Beaver; daughter, Nata Kimbrough and husband Larry of Dewy Rose, GA; grandchildren, Ashley Wilson, Pepper Wilson and Alleah Crawford; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 am, Monday, March 4, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy, NC. Rev. Calvin Murphy and Rev. Sonny Beaver will officiate. Burial will be in the Violet Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral in Murphy.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Valdis Lusis: Obituary
Obituaries February 28, 2019Valdis Lusis
01/27/1936 – 02/21/2019
Valdis Lusis, age 83 of Hayesville, NC passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the Murphy Rehab & Nursing.
He was born in Aloja, Latvia to the late Karlis and Elza Spelman Lusis. Valdis was a US Army veteran. He retired from General Electrics in St. Petersburg, FL before moving to Hayesville 25 years ago.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Lusis; son, Jeff Lusis and daughter, Sandra Knapp.
No services are planned at this time.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Jennifer Lynn Martin: Obituary
Obituaries February 14, 2019
Jennifer Lynn Martin
November 9, 1971 – February 5, 2019
Jennifer Lynn Martin, age 47 of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at her home. Jennifer was born November 9, 1971 in Andrews, NC to Randall Davidson and Cathy Holloway Davidson. A member of Little Brasstown Baptist Church, Jennifer worked as an LPN. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, hiking and traveling. She was a talented singer and she loved to care for others.
Survivors include her parents, Randall and Cathy Davidson of Murphy, one son, Justin Martin of Murphy, two brothers, Jeffery Martin (wife Tracy) and Joseph Martin (wife Robin) one sister, Jeannie Pumphrey (husband Guy), one nephew, Jonathan Pumphrey, one niece, Sarah Martin and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. Aud Brown officiating. Interment will follow in the Holloway Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Justin Martin, Jonathan Pumphrey, Ray Gutierrez, Matt Gutierrez, Korey Eller and Brian Jackson.
The family will receive friends at the Cochran Funeral Home on Friday, February 8, 2019 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Logans Run or the humane society. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.
Cherokee NC County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 03/17 to 03/23
Arrest Reports March 25, 2019
Cherokee County NC Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report without images. Pursuant to the state open records law, North Carolina General Statutes Public Records § 132-1, Criminal investigations, § 132-1.4, Access to Records, § 132-9, allows for www.fetchyournews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Those arrests are posted on www.fetchyournews.com for your viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Lou Montgomery Graves Ledford: Obituary
Obituaries February 28, 2019Lou Montgomery Graves Ledford
10/21/1921 – 02/17/2019
Lou Montgomery Graves Ledford, age 97, of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Murphy Rehab and Nursing after an extended illness.
She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC and the daughter of the late Waysell and Birdie Hartness Montgomery. She was a seamstress most of her life retiring from Levi Strauss Company. She loved to quilt, work in her garden, canning her green beans and taking care of her farm animals. She enjoyed milking her cows and gathering eggs and most of all feeding her family from the fruits of her labor. She would churn her own butter and at one time sold butter, milk and eggs locally. She was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husbands, Garland Graves Sr (a WWII veteran) and Winfred Ledford; two sons, Jerry Graves and Jimmy Graves; one daughter, Juanita Killian; one grandson, Jeremy Graves; one brother, Ray Montgomery; and three sisters, Betty West, Edith Martin and Hazel Cornwell.
She is survived by sons, Garland Graves Jr. and wife Nina of Murphy, Johnny Graves and wife Debbie of Nokomis, FL and Jamie Graves and wife Suzie of Etowah, TN; sister-in-law, Barbara Graves of Andrews, NC; daughters, Judy Griggs and husband Robert of Murphy, NC, Janet West and husband William of Andrews, NC and Jackie Graves of Murphy, NC; one sister, Faye Hall of Murphy, NC; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Warren Golden and Dr. Eddis Dockery will officiate. Music will be provided by Kathy Gentry and Steve and Blanche Coleman. Burial will be in the Grape Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Floyd Worley, George Sneed, Robert Griggs, Paul Hall, Jeff Martin and Levi Killian.
The family will receive friends from 12-2 pm, Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy, NC.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Geraldine Grace Swartz: Obituary
Obituaries February 13, 2019
Geraldine Grace Swartz
03/26/1927 – 02/10/2019
Geraldine Grace Swartz, age 91 of Murphy, NC passed away Sunday, February 10, 2019 at PruittHealth –Town Center in Harrisburg, NC.
She was born in Crow, West Virginia to the late William and Bertha Boley Redden. Geraldine was an insurance agent for Independent Life and also worked several years for the Social Security Office. She was an ordained minister with the Church of the Science of Minds. Geraldine traveled extensively. She was a member of the Alcohol Anonymous for 47 years and attended the Church of the Science of Minds in Blairsville, GA.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo W. Swartz; and four brothers and five sisters.
She is survived by three sons, Jerry Carpenter of Ocala, FL, Merle Radford of Concord, NC and Franklin Radford of Ft. Myers, FL; one sister, Marie Oaks of Shady Springs, WV; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Speaker J.J. Carpenter will conduct the service
In lieu of flowers donations may be made from the AA members only can be made to: Alcohol Anonymous, 444 Hill Street, Murphy, NC 28906.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.