Hayesville student loses life in Lake Chatuge
News May 21, 2019HAYESVILLE, NC – On Monday, May 20, a senior Hayesville High School student was reported to authorities as missing while swimming in Lake Chatuge with classmates. The incident was reported by a Towns County official to have occurred east of the Lake Chatuge Dam in Clay County, NC. The student was identified as an 18-year-old male participating in “Senior Skip Day” prior to graduation.
“In the early afternoon of May 20, 2019, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Fire and Rescue, EMS and numerous other personnel from fire departments throughout Clay County responded to the TVA ‘Circle’ for the report of a drowning. The victim was later found deceased and the name is not being released at this time,” Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese said.
Towns County Fire and Rescue Water Dive Team responded to North Carolina’s request for mutual aid.
An official press release is expected to be issued by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office later today.
UPDATED: CAPTURED – Sheriff’s Office seeks public’s help in identifying armed robber
News May 11, 2019
HAYESVILLE, NC – An armed robbery occurred at the Hayesville Big D gas station on Saturday, May 11, 2019.
Clay County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a white male, approximately 5’7 in height, wearing black clothing at the time of the incident, with “Mossy Oak” printed on the back of the shirt.
Video surveillance of vehicle from Big D gas station
The vehicle involved in the crime was reported as a Jeep Compass, dark in color.
Law enforcement asks anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the subject to dial 911, cautioning citizens to not approach the subject.
UPDATED, 5/13/19
Two days after the armed robbery of the Big D in Hayesville, both suspects are now in custody. In the late afternoon hours of Monday May 13th, a Cherokee County Investigator stopped with a black colored late model Jeep Compass matching the exact description of the suspect vehicle used in the convenience store robbery Saturday. Danny Fowler and Jennifer Kovacs both of Franklin were located in the vehicle and were held at the scene, less than 6 miles from the TN state line, until Clay County Investigators could arrive and make positive identification.
Information received early on in the investigation positively identified the vehicle as a Jeep Compass. Investigators spent most of Monday combing through DMV records looking to further a lead that provided a partial NC tag number given by witnesses. Additionally, hours were spent following up on leads in Macon County as well as reviewing numerous security cameras in the area. This is still an ongoing investigation and as factual information develops updates will be released. At this time Fowler and Kovacs are being held at the Clay County Detention Center while investigators continue to process evidence.
Sheriff-elect Bobby Deese to serve Clay County
Election 2018, News November 11, 2018
HAYESVILLE, NC – Clay County elected Bobby Deese to serve as their future sheriff on Nov. 6, with Deese garnering 56.6 percent of the votes. Deese, the successor to retiring, two-term Sheriff Vic Davis, states that he intends to meet with employees and the Clay County Board of Commissioners in the immediate future in order to discuss relevant matters.
“I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support I have received during this election,” Deese expressed on election night, “It’s been a long hard process but the election is now over and it’s time to look toward the future. As your Sheriff, I will work for all the citizens of Clay County and do everything possible to give you a Sheriff’s Office to be proud of. Thank you to Steve Byers for the professionalism and integrity of running a clean campaign. We need more of that in today’s politics. Thank you again. I look forward to the next four years.”
While campaigning, Deese avowed to operate a visible, available, professional , and accountable sheriff’s office. Additionally, Deese stated that he intends to “relentlessly pursue those who are supplying our community with drugs.”
Law enforcement leaving Clay County due to insurance issues
News November 20, 2018
HAYESVILLE, NC – Prior to retiring from office, Clay County Sheriff Vic Davis raised concerns to county commissioners related to changes imposed on employee health insurance benefits. According to Davis, county employees must now self-fund a portion of the cost of health insurance, causing law enforcement officers to seek employment elsewhere due to the hardship.
Davis stated that county staff must now pay in excess of $55 per month per individual insurance, and a whopping $1,500 per month for family coverage. In addition, employees are challenged with a $5,000 deductable prior to the insurance taking effect.
Clay County Sheriff Vic Davis
“At these costs, it is making living more difficult on my staff,” Davis wrote in a letter submitted to the Clay Countgy Board of Commissioners, “They do not feel like they can see a doctor when they need one and we even have officers leaving because they cannot afford to work here and have insurance. It is shameful that we cannot retain employees because benefits have been reduced and taken away. All employees deserve good insurance at a livable cost to them and their families. But then consider the law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line each day and then have rising costs to be sure themselves and their families are looked after.”
Davis stated that while he understands the limitations the county encounters, considering the expenses, the sheriff said that insurance is essential to employees and family livelihood.