Better Business Bureau Western North Carolina President Norma Messer warns taxpayers to be extra cautious of a tax scam. “They may receive an email that appears to be from the IRS. The IRS never sends emails. The message claims there was a problem with your taxes and its impossible to refund your check to be mailed out unless you click that link and if you do, they access your computer and you never get any money.” The point of the scam is to retrieve private information such as bank statements and social security numbers to commit identity theft. If you think this has already happened to you, visit ncdoj.gov or call 877-5NO- SCAM

Saturday, April 27 starting with the 5K run at 9 AM, festival hours 10 AM-5PM, held on Main and Mill Streets. Including children’s performances, heritage dancers, youth talent show, and three musical stages featuring local music acts: Freight Hoppers, Buchannon Boys, John Luke Carter, Positive Mental Attitude, Porch Forty, Noonday Sun, Secondhand String Band, Matt Williams, and Pearly Peach, just to name a few. Storytelling, face-painting, and an inflatable slide plus food vendors. WRGC will be broadcasting live all day long hosting competitions and giveaways. The festival is one of the largest local events, drawing 10,000 visitors annually to Jackson County.

A gift card website claiming to sell certificates and represent local businesses may not be legitimate. Giftly.com is selling gift certificates to the who’s who of Jackson County; places like Bogarts and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Tim Hall, the owner of Bogarts in Sylva told WRGC, “A customer came to me with a gift certificate for $50 from giftly.com for Bogarts Restaurant and I had no idea what it was about, didn’t know anything about it.” The company is based out of San Francisco. The Better Business Bureau reports they have a rating of A- with two complaints resolved satisfactorily and they’ve only been listed with the BBB since 2010. As always, consumers are reminded that the best way to know you are getting a legitimate gift card to local businesses is by purchasing directly through the business itself.

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.

Bethel Christian Academy – CLOSED

Cherokee Central (Reservation) – CLOSED

Cherokee County Schools -2 hour delay

Haywood Christian Academy – CLOSED

Haywood County Meals on Wheels – CLOSED

Haywood County Schools-CLOSED

Heritage Christian Academy – Both Campuses – CLOSING AT NOON

Jackson County Schools – CLOSING IMMEDIATELY

Graham County Schools-CLOSED

Swain County Schools CLOSED/ANNUAL LEAVE DAY

Swain Public Transit – 2 hour delay

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.

Jackson County Schools (Smoky Mtn.)-2 Hour Delay

Jackson County Schools (Blue Ridge)-Schedule B opening at 10:30

Haywood County Schools-3 Hour Delay

Haywood Christian Academy-2 Hour Delay

Graham County Schools-2 Hour Delay

Highlands School-2 Hour Delay

Tri-County Community College (Graham)-Opening at 10am

Tri-County Christian School-Opening at 10am

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.