Welch seeks re-election
District Attorney Ashley Welch announced June 22 that she intends to seek a third term in office.
Welch, 42, a Republican, has been top prosecutor since 2016 for the state’s seven westernmost counties. Prior to that, she served as an assistant district attorney for the 30th Prosecutorial District, now designated the 43rd Prosecutorial District.
The district attorney was born and raised in Hendersonville. She attended East Henderson High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In 2003, Welch received her law degree from William & Mary School of Law. That same year, she began her career as a prosecutor, working as an assistant district attorney in the 29th Prosecutorial District.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the 43rd Prosecutorial District,” she said. “We have a great team of dedicated, hardworking people in place, and I’m very proud of the work they do.”
MURPHY
Man accused of ‘road rage’
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A local man is accused of firing gunshots at a car during a “road rage” incident last weekend.
Shiloh Jacob Orellana-Irvin of Murphy is accused of firing gunshots into a vehicle that was driving on the four-lane highway near Walmart around 1:40 p.m. Saturday. Police found Orellana-Irvin’s vehicle at Walmart a short time following the shooting, and a scuffle ensued when law enforcement officials tried to apprehend him.
Two civilians in the area assisted the arresting officers, and Orellana-Irvin was taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center. A sheriff’s deputy and Murphy police officer each suffered superficial and muscular injuries during the encounter.
“The victims did exactly what they were supposed to do and called 911 instead of taking matters into their own hands,” Murphy Police Chief Justin Jacobs said. “This incident could have ended in the worst-case scenario.”
The victims were three adults from a nearby county who said they were visiting car lots in the area. Orellana-Irvin is charged with several weapons offenses, assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and possession of an open container of alcohol. A judge set a $30,000 secured bond.
From staff reports.