Local News

NC- (AccuWeather)With the dog days of summer upon us, many residents may head to their local beaches or lakes to cool off from the heat. Some may want to take their furry friends to splash around in the water. But before diving in with your pets, beware of toxic algae that could be lurking in the water and is deadly to canines.

BRYSON CITY — Priceless crucifixes – one 7 feet tall that serves as a grave memorial – were destroyed at St. Joseph Church Aug. 7.  

Henderson County Sheriff's Office Report -- On Thursday August 8, 2019 Investigators with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office charged Darryl Keith McMahan of Custom Monument (14 Heritage Park Dr., Fletcher NC) with twenty four (24) counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense.

McMahan had been the subject of an ongoing investigation after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office begin receiving reports that patrons of his business (Custom Monument) had paid for gravestones/monuments and never received the them.

McMahan is currently incarcerated in the Henderson County Detention Facility under a $192,000.00 secured bond.

This is an ongoing investigation with more charges forthcoming.

Anyone who has been a victim of McMahan and has not filed a report is ask to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at 828.697.4596

*Editor's Note: A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.

Ahsheville,NC -- (AP) A former North Carolina police officer has pleaded guilty to beating a black pedestrian in a case that sparked outrage after graphic video of the encounter surfaced.

Press Release -- Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy - The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservacy purchased 187 acres in Haywood County near the Pigeon River to protect a corridor for wildlife grazing and movement. Encircled by the Pisgah National Forest and adjoining the NC Welcome Center on I-40, the Wilkins Creek property is very near a large box culvert under the interstate, which provides a way for wildlife to travel safely from one side of the highway to the other.

Asheville -- Military.com reported the following story August 6, 2019 By Amy Bushatz 

(Aug. 6 - UPDATE): Brian Keith Leonhart is now believed to be driving a 2005 red Ford Focus (NC tag BFZ-1883). The white Mitsubishi Endeavor suspect had been driving was located in Jackson County. Leonhart should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone who encounters Leonhart should call 911. Anyone with information may call 828-252-1110 or Crimestoppers at 828-255-5050.

MURPHY, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina gun shop that drew nationwide attention with a billboard targeting four minority congresswomen replaced it Monday with a sign praising the First Amendment, its owner said.

A billboard sponsored by Cherokee Guns in Murphy had shown the congresswomen with the apocalyptic phrase “The 4 Horsemen Cometh” altered to read “The 4 Horsemen are Idiots.”

Cherokee Guns owner Doc Wacholz confirmed in an email to The Associated Press that the billboard message had been changed to one invoking the First Amendment. Television station WDEF published photos of the new billboard that reads: “First Amendment. Enough Said.”

The previous version of the billboard had targeted U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib, all of whom have drawn the wrath of President Donald Trump. It was signed “the Deplorables.”

Wacholz said in an email Monday night to The AP that he changed the billboard after receiving threats to himself and his staff. Still, he said that he doesn’t regret putting up the sign “nor do I apologize to anyone.”

“We had more support then hate and continue to receive lots of positive feedback on the board nationwide,” he said.

The board had been criticized as an invitation to violence against the congresswomen. In an August 1 tweet , Tlaib asked the FBI, “are you investigating this type of violence targeting members of Congress?”

Asheville Police Department Requests Assistance to Locate Missing Person Arthur Bernard Dawkins

(ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Aug. 1, 2019) - The Asheville Police Department (APD) is seeking assistance to locate Arthur Bernard Dawkins, a 58 year-old black male, 5’9”, 170 pounds, bald with brown eyes and a mustache and goatee.

His last known address is Veterans Quarters on Tunnel Road in Asheville. It is not known when he was last seen.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Arthur Bernard Dawkins is asked to call the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110 or Asheville-Buncombe Crime Stoppers at (828) 255-5050. Callers may remain anonymous through both of these numbers.

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Arthur Bernard Dawkins