The Jackson County Department of Public Health is reporting an isolated case of Hepatitis A at the High Hampton Inn in Cashiers. As a precaution, people who may have been exposed by eating at their restaurant between April 26 and May1, 2013 are being asked to contact the Department of Public Health for information on where to obtain vaccines or shots to help prevent them from getting sick. The possible exposure is due to an infection in an employee who was diagnosed on May 6, 2013. Symptoms, which include fever, a feeling of being unwell, loss of appetite, and more, appear 2–7 weeks after exposure. This means that anyone potentially exposed could experience symptoms as early as May 10, 2013 and as late as June 20, 2013.    The Department of Health says High Hampton Inn has been extremely proactive and cooperative with local and state health officials.  They have been fully cooperative in contacting their guests and members once the situation became apparent. Anyone with exposure concerns or questions is asked to call the Jackson County Department of Public Health at 586-8994.

Terrence Mann on stage with WCU students

Last week the nominees for the 2013 Tony Awards were announced and one nomination in particular has people at Western Carolina University excited. Terrence Mann, WCUs Carolyn Plemmons Phillips and Ben R. Phillips Distinguished Professorship in Musical Theatre, was nominated for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical” for his role as King Charlemagne in the Broadway revival of “Pippin”.

Even more impressive is the fact that this is not Professor Mann’s only Tony Nomination. His first came from his performance as the Beast in musical adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast, and his portrayal of Javert in the Broadway classic “Les Miserables” earned him his second nomination. Nathan Thomas, director of WCU’s Musical Theatre Program, said, “Congratulations to Terrence Mann on his third Tony nomination, proof that nice guys can succeed. Our students are extremely fortunate to be able to work with artists of Terry’s caliber.”

 WRGC had the opportunity to speak to Mann, and ask him about the challenge of maintaining a teaching career as well as an acting career in New York City. Mann said, “Well I have a really amazing group of folks, from the Chancellor on down to those who run the theater department. I am able to travel down to North Carolina and direct the major musicals, and when I am in New York students come up and I try to mentor them around here, show them performances, behind the scenes, and give them a feeling of what it will be like once they are in the profession. I have had a little bit of my cake and eaten it too, by being able to be in New York and work, but also come back to North Carolina and remember why I love what I do.”

The 2013 Tony Awards will be held in New York City on June 9^th, and Terrence Mann will not only be in attendance, but will also be preforming with the cast of “Pippin”. There are many at WCU that are hoping that after the night’s festivities Professor Mann will be able to swap “Tony Award Nominee” for a newer “Tony Award Winner”.

If you are interested in signing the online petition supporting Santa’s Land, the link we told you about in our news cast is http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/i-support-santas-land/

Authorities say Jeremy Shipman, a 27 year old resident of Haywood County, took his own life after he fired shots at a Deputy resulting in an extended standoff with law enforcement. The entire scenario began on the morning of Thursday, April 4. A concerned co-worker called police when Shipman failed to show up for work. Deputy Doug Carver of the Haywood County Sherriff’s Office responded to Shipman’s residence to verify his wellbeing. Reports say when the deputy made contact with Shipman, Shipman fired several shots at him with a rifle. Deputy Carver was not struck, and did not return fire. After calling for backup, a standoff ensued during which officers tried to communicate with Shipman but received no response. After tear gassing the house and deploying a flash bang grenade, SWAT team members entered the home where they found Jeremy Shipman dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to officials. The State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate the case since an officer was involved in a fatal shooting, even though the responding deputy reported firing no shots. Investigators have yet to determine any motive on Jeremy Shipman’s part in this case.

Back in January 2007, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal Council approved a massive $650 million expansion for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel. The project has taken six years to complete, and today the resort proudly held its Grand Re-Opening Celebration in honor of the completion of the monumental upgrade. At today’s press conference, that showcased the new capabilities of the facility, General Manager Brooks Robinson said, “The six hundred and fifty-million dollar expansion brought many things. Of course the big thing is the one hundred fifty-thousand square feet of gaming space, followed by ten outstanding restaurants we have including Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse,  Paula Deen’s Kitchen, Johnny Rockets, and many more, along with eleven hundred hotel rooms, and an event center that seats over thirty five-hundred guests.” WRGC also had the opportunity to speak with Chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian, Michell Hicks, and ask him how the casino’s new facilities, having now been completed, effect the tribe. “Well I think we can now consider ourselves a resort,” he replied. “We now have all of the assets you would find, pretty much, anywhere in the United States, with golf, and the spa, and the entertainment, and from a revenue perspective that gives us more opportunity than we have ever had. The last five years have been fairly tough. We have managed through some tough times, but we are starting to see a bit of an up trend. We are just hoping that continues, so we can take these resources and push them out and put them back into our community.” Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel is kicking of its celebration tonight with a performance by Darius Rucker, followed by Blake Shelton tomorrow night, and, Super Bowl performer, Alicia Keys headlines on Wednesday evening.

Trooper Hal S. Robertson

Today, at approximately 7:55 a.m., authorities say Trooper Hal S. Robertson responded a call of a suspicious person sitting in a parked vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 64 approximately five miles east of the Tennessee state line in Cherokee County. When he arrived at the scene, the Trooper attempted to speak with the suspect and says the suspect was very combative. For unknown reasons he charged toward the officer in an aggressive manner, and a physical confrontation ensued which resulted in the Trooper discharging his firearm at the suspect. The suspect was struck thus ending the altercation and was taken into custody. The suspect, who’s identity has not yet been released, was taken to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN, where his condition is unknown at this time. The Trooper sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. Trooper Robertson is a 12-year veteran of the Highway Patrol and is assigned to the Cherokee County patrol office. In keeping with standard operation procedures for all Trooper related shootings, Trooper Robertson has been placed on Administrative Duty pending an investigation that will be led by the State Bureau of Investigation.

After a several hour standoff that resulted in the closing of Highway 19, Swain County deputies arrested suspect Charles Alvin Guess early Friday morning.  According to official reports, authorities received a call around 7:00 Thursday evening, reporting that a man was waving a gun on Highway 19 in the Nantahala Gorge. Deputies say when they arrived on the scene, Guess barricaded himself in his home and during the ensuing standoff began firing at them. Law enforcement then closed Highway 19 and evacuated civilians from the area. After several hours, deputies were able to take Guess into custody a little after 1:00 Friday morning. No injuries were reported from the incident. Guess has been charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer with more charges pending. He is being held at the Swain County Detention Center on $500,000 bond.

Bethel Christian Academy: OPEN AT 10AM

Buncombe County Schools: TWO HOUR DELAY – NO BUSES ON ICY ROADS

Cherokee County Schools (NC): TWO HOUR DELAY

Clyde First Baptist Church Preschool: OPEN AT 8AM

Graham County Schools: CLOSED/OPTIONAL WORK DAY

Haywood Christian Academy: TWO HOUR DELAY

Haywood County Schools: TWO HOUR DELAY – NO BUSES ON ICY ROADS

Heritage Christian Acadamy - OPEN AT 10AM

Jackson Co. Schools – Blue Ridge Dist.: SCHEDULE B

Jackson Co. Schools – Smoky Mountain Dist.: TWO HOUR DELAY – NO BUSES ON ICY ROADS

Jackson Co. Transit: CLOSED

Southwestern Child Dev. – Haywood Co.: OPEN AT 9AM

Southwestern Child Dev. – Jackson Co.: OPEN AT 9AM

Southwestern Child Dev. – Qualla Boundry: OPEN AT 9AM

Southwestern Community College (Day): OPEN AT 10AM

Swain County Schools: CLOSED/ANNUAL LEAVE DAY

Swain Public Transit: TWO HOUR DELAY – NO BUSES ON ICY ROADS

Tri-County Christian School: CLOSED

Tri-County Community College – Peachtree: OPEN AT 10AM