Ernest D. Pheasant, Sr., 47, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), pleaded guilty on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 to first-degree murder in Indian Country, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Pheasant entered his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf.

John Edward Bradley, 50, of Cherokee, N.C., was sentenced on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

On Aug. 13-14, representatives from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), including Principal Chief Michell Hicks and members of the Tribal Council, traveled to Hollywood, Fla. for a meeting held with the leaders of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Cherokee Indian Police Department (CIPD) Chief of Police Carla Neadeau compiles a monthly report for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Law Enforcement Division. Chief Neadeau shared the following data for the month of July.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 7, Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) held a work session for Election Ord. No. 52, which was tabled. In the work session, the Election Board proposed several changes to the code, including shortening the overall election cycle.

All adults 21-years-old and up will soon be able to purchase cannabis products on the Qualla Boundary.

Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) held a work session on the morning of Thursday, Aug. 8 to discuss recent staffing issues and community concerns regarding Tsali Care Center senior living facility.