MURPHY
Man guilty of child abuse
District Attorney Ashley Welch announced Thursday that a Cherokee County man pleaded guilty this week to intentional child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury.
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Trenton Anthony Stainback, 22, said he “snapped” on March 6, 2023, when the 2-year-old child of his then girlfriend kept trying to climb off a bed. He admitted dropping the child and striking his head.
The 2-year-old suffered a skull fracture, according to a release. There were numerous bruises on his body and on his forehead. Stainback claimed he could not remember how the child suffered such severe injuries, citing fentanyl use.
Superior Court Judge Tessa Sellers sentenced Stainback to serve a minimum prison sentence of 179 months up to a maximum prison sentence of 227 months. Assistant district attorney Kimberly Harris prosecuted the case.
ANDREWS
Chase tops at 120 mph
Officers responding to a reported domestic disturbance July 10 ended up in hot pursuit of a suspect.
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Robbinsville resident Teresa Gail Orr led authorities on a two-county chase, after fleeing a residence at 510 Old Highway 129 when officers attempted to talk with Orr after reaching the home. Orr jump-started the pursuit after reaching Rodney Orr Bypass (U.S. 129).
Speeds during the chase reached 120 mph, according to a release from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement personnel from the N.C. Highway Patrol, Andrews Police Department and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office eventually joined the effort to end the pursuit, when the vehicle Orr was driving was halted after crossing spike strips deployed by Cherokee County personnel near Sulpher Lane on U.S. 19/74 in Topton, just moments before the chase was set to reach the four-lane highway in Andrews.
Orr was taken into custody without incident following the crash. Charges are still being compiled
by both Cherokee and Graham counties, but included thus far are felony flee to elude, driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving, as well as resist/delay/obstruct. Orr also racked up 10 different traffic violations.
Thankfully, no one was injured in the 15-minute, 18.1-mile pursuit.
“The quick and coordinated response by our officers and partnering agencies ensured that a dangerous situation was resolved without harm to the community,” Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit said.
LAKE SANTEETLAH
Man drowns at the beach
A 63-year-old employee working on the Corridor K project in Graham County drowned at Lake Santeetlah’s Cheoah Beach around 6:20 p.m. July 13.
According to three different eyewitness accounts, Chester Coleman became distressed and started yelling for assistance while in the water. Despite the attempts of the witnesses, Coleman was unable to be rescued before going underwater. It is unclear what caused Coleman to become distressed.
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The first call regarding the incident to Graham County Emergency Medical Services was received at 6:31 p.m., with the unidentified caller stating that “someone is drowning.” Three sheriff’s office employees – Sgts. Logan Howarth and Dylan Taylor, as well as deputy Jared Lovelace – quickly responded to the scene.
Sheriff Brad Hoxit told The Graham Star the officers wasted no time cutting their belts off and diving in to try and locate the victim. They were joined on the search by Graham County Rescue Squad member Tevin Smoker.
Radio traffic indicated that Coleman was found in about 20 feet of water around 6:45 p.m. His body was taken to Townson-Smith Funeral Home for examination by county medical examiner Drew Silvers.
Chief deputy Cody George’s official report said Coleman’s boss was on the scene. Mike Mitchell, 55 of Eufaula, Ala., confirmed that Coleman was an employee of Ozark, Ala.-based F&W Construction.
RALEIGH
Best looking car contest
The American Association of State Troopers has kicked off the 2024 America’s Best-Looking Cruiser Contest and the NCSHP will be represented again this year with a special photo submission to highlight the resurgence of the iconic Ford Mustang among our vehicle fleet.
The contest started July 15 and will end at noon Monday.
This year’s photo submission was taken in front
of the renowned Wolfpack Turf statue on the campus of N.C. State University and features a N.C. Highway Patrol Ford Mustang that is backlit by the Patrol’s Bell 429 helicopter hovering above.
This image serves as a salute to NCSU’s athletic programs after having had a stellar 2023-2024 season in numerous sports categories. These accomplishments included a College World Series appearance, nine wins in football, men’s & women’s basketball Final Four appearances, a third consecutive women’s cross country national title, the ACC men’s swimming championship and the ACC gymnastic championship.
The Best-Looking Cruiser Contest will feature photo submissions from Highway Patrol and state police agencies across the nation. Those that place in the top 13 positions will have their state’s photo featured in a 2025 calendar. Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit the American Association of State Troopers Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to dependents of member troopers.
Details: Visit surveymonkey.com/r/BestLookingCruiser2024.
MURPHY
Have coffee with a cop
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office invites you to join them for the next Coffee with a Cop from 8-10 a.m. Thursday at Rare Bird Emporium, 680 Andrews Road.
Everyone is invited to the free event to ask questions, gain information and enjoy a tasty beverage.
Details: Visit rarebirdemporium.com.
PEACHTREE
1st National Night Out
The first National Night Out event is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Tri-County Community College, 21 Campus Circle.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is planning for representation from all local law enforcement agencies to be present along with state and federal wildlife officers, N.C. Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, Emergency Medical Services, local fire departments and more.
Some of the events to look forward to include K9 demonstrations, drone demonstrations and rescue demonstrations. Tri-County has donated the use of their facilities and will also be advertising for Basic Law Enforcement Training.
There will be hot dogs and water, along with a hot dog eating contest between Murphy Mayor Tim Radford and Andrews Mayor James Reid that should be highly entertaining.
A dunking booth is also in the works. Don’t want to miss a chance to dunk Sheriff Dustin Smith, Murphy Police Chief Tim Lominac and Andrews Police Chief Caleb Stiles.
Details: Call 828-837-2589.
MURPHY
Classes set for hunters
A Hunter Education class, taught by the local game warden, will be held from 6-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 12-13, at the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, 577 Regal St.
If you are interested in attending, go to the website, select “Log In” to register and sign up. This class is free, with no minimum age, but passing a written test and attendance both nights is required.
Details: Visit license.gooutdoorsnorthcarolina.com.
Compiled by Publisher David Brown and The Graham Star.