Local

Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Ariane Reeves, director at large and volunteer chairperson, lists needs for the Valley River Humane Society during a meeting in Murphy on Feb. 8, one week after executive director Kirsty Waller’s sudden death.

Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Ariane Reeves, director at large and volunteer chairperson, lists needs for the Valley River Humane Society during a meeting in Murphy on Feb. 8, one week after executive director Kirsty Waller’s sudden death.

Humane society seeking path forward after tragic loss

Randy Foster
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Body Murphy – Still in shock from the sudden and unexpected death of their executive director, Valley River Humane Society volunteers gathered on Feb.
Kevin Hensley/The Graham Star Hiwassee Dam exceptional needs teacher Ashley Rhodes made an emotional FaceTime call so Eli Jones and his mother, Betty Jean Jones, were able to see the community support that poured into the high school’s gymnasium on Jan. 30. Various fundraisers throughout the evening’s Robbinsville vs. Hiwassee Dam games raised $5,324.25 for Eli, who is dealing with serious medical issues. The statement read that night is below.

Kevin Hensley/The Graham Star Hiwassee Dam exceptional needs teacher Ashley Rhodes made an emotional FaceTime call so Eli Jones and his mother, Betty Jean Jones, were able to see the community support that poured into the high school’s gymnasium on Jan. 30. Various fundraisers throughout the evening’s Robbinsville vs. Hiwassee Dam games raised $5,324.25 for Eli, who is dealing with serious medical issues. The statement read that night is below.

Quick Reads

News Staff
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Body MURPHY Rotary sets ‘Jail & Bail’
Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com  Murder defendant Bryan Crisp (left) sits with his lawyer, Bill Jones, as assistant district attorney John Hindsman Jr. shows the jury a photo of the crime scene Monday at the Cherokee County Courthouse in downtown Murphy.

Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com  Murder defendant Bryan Crisp (left) sits with his lawyer, Bill Jones, as assistant district attorney John Hindsman Jr. shows the jury a photo of the crime scene Monday at the Cherokee County Courthouse in downtown Murphy.

Crisp murder trial gets closer to jury

Randy Foster
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Body Murphy – With the criminal trial entering its second week, a clearer picture is emerging into the May 10, 2016, slaying of local resident Kenneth Ryan Jones.
Kirsty Waller helps load 30 puppies onto Alec Thayer’s aircraft at Western Carolina Regional Airport to fly them to a rescue agency in the Northeast. Her compassion and love for animals was obvious to those who knew her.

Kirsty Waller helps load 30 puppies onto Alec Thayer’s aircraft at Western Carolina Regional Airport to fly them to a rescue agency in the Northeast. Her compassion and love for animals was obvious to those who knew her.

Humane society director dies

David Brown
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Body Marble – The Valley River Humane Society was closed and in shock on Feb. 1 after the sudden death of director Kirsty Jane Waller.
Annette Ledford/Contributing Photographer  Hobo (left) and Gypsy enjoyed playing together on a local farm before Hobo died.

Annette Ledford/Contributing Photographer  Hobo (left) and Gypsy enjoyed playing together on a local farm before Hobo died.

Can outside dogs be adopted?

Anngee Quinones-Belian
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Body Hiwassee Dam – Annette Ledford owns a farm, with plenty of room for dogs to run and play safely. She also has a large covered porch on her house.
Abigail Blythe Batton/ Staff Correspondent  Brenda Lee-Koch of Culberson examines her dog bite injury at her home after receiving multiple treatments.

Abigail Blythe Batton/ Staff Correspondent  Brenda Lee-Koch of Culberson examines her dog bite injury at her home after receiving multiple treatments.

How to deal with dangerous animals

Abigail Blythe Batton
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Body Culberson – The county does not have an animal control division, which means the governing body over dangerous or distressed animals falls to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
From left are Titus, Thaddeus, Charity, Hope (holding Asher), Chloe, Robbie (holding Charlotte), Benjamin and Isaiah Ellison of Andrews with Elderberry products and more.

From left are Titus, Thaddeus, Charity, Hope (holding Asher), Chloe, Robbie (holding Charlotte), Benjamin and Isaiah Ellison of Andrews with Elderberry products and more.

No shortage of kids to love in this family 

Anngee Quinones-Belian
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Body Andrews The “Brady Bunch” has nothing on the Ellison bunch, as Hope and Robbie Ellison have a total of 11 children, three who are grown.