Featured: 1951 Centennial Edition
Law Enforcement
Sylva town board puts hold on police chief hiring practices
Sylva might not have a new police chief by the time current Chief Jeff Jamison retires Oct. 1. Town Manager Adrienne Isenhower was planning to hire the new chief with the help of an outside panel, but Sylva board members tabled the process during their Aug. 19 meeting so they can determine how much influence… »
One arrested, one still at large in child rape case
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office CrimeStoppers is seeking information on Juan Carlos Trejo Hernandez, 24, who is wanted for first-degree rape of a child, according to Capt. Steve Lillard of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Hernandez, an Hispanic male, is 5-foot, 6 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He was… »
Sheriff’s Office seeks information after armed robbery in Whittier
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s CrimeStoppers team is seeking information regarding a robbery that occurred at the Whittier Post Office around noon on Sunday, June 13. A 75-year-old woman was approached by a male suspect in the post office parking lot, according to Capt. Steve Lillard. The suspect produced a handgun and demanded the woman’s money… »
Deputies investigate Cullowhee shooting; four are arrested
Four people have been arrested on charges stemming from the investigation of a Monday (June 14 ) shooting and break-in at Campus Apartments in Cullowhee, according to Capt. Steve Lillard of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The victim, 21-year-old Ian McGrayne of Asheville, was enrolled at Western Carolina University during the spring semester but is… »
Bridge on I-40 to be named for Shawn Blanton
Col. Randy Glover, commander of the N.C. State Highway Patrol, will join state and local officials in a ceremony naming the bridge on Interstate 40 at Exit 31 in Haywood County as the Trooper Shawn Blanton Bridge in recognition of Blanton’s service to the state of North Carolina and the citizens of Haywood County. The… »
Local woman is charged with embezzlement
By Carey Phillips A former employee of WNC Eye Care Associates (now Asheville Eye Associates) has been charged with embezzling more than $149,393.53 over the past five years from the medical practice. Robyn Dillard Crawford, 47, of Evans Road, Sylva, is free after posting a $25,000 secured bond. Crawford was office manager at WNC Eye… »
One dead after Cherokee shooting
A woman is dead after an early-morning shooting on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. According to Ray Stamper, public information officer for the tribal public safety communications center, the victim is Erien Amanda Smith, 22, a non-enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The call came at 1:16 a.m. from the Rough Branch housing… »
Leatherwood called out of order, meeting recessed, receives Sheriff deputy escort
Marie Leatherwood responds to County Commissioners April 19, 2010 in the video that appears below, outside of the public comment portion of the meeting regarding audits of the Economic Development Commission and Jackson Development Corp. Subsequently, she was called out of order, the meeting was recessed and Sheriff deputies escorted her back into the board… »
Shooting suspect surrenders
A man wanted in connection with a March 22 shooting in Cashiers turned hmself in to authorities Wednesday. Jonathan Lugo, 27, listing a Windy Gap Road address in Cashiers, surrendered to officer’s of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, according to Capt. Steve Lillard Accompanied by his attorneys, Rusty McClain and Jonathan Song, Lugo arrived… »
Officials suspect arson in Sunday fire at local business
A Sylva business owned by a Democratic candidate for sheriff was damaged by fire early Sunday morning, and authorities believe the blaze was intentionally set. Sgt. George Lamphiear of the Sylva Police Department spotted the fire at Custom Truck Covers, a business on East Main Street owned by Robin Gunnels, around 1:30 a.m. Lamphiear was… »
