
A Cherokee County man died Sunday night following a farm accident in the McCord’s Crossroads community.

A Cherokee County man died Sunday night following a farm accident in the McCord’s Crossroads community.

A Georgia fugitive wanted out of Floyd County was taken into custody in Cherokee County, Alabama, after authorities say he ran from deputies and jumped into Weiss Lake.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies went to a campground in the Wildwood Cove area off County Road 182 Tuesday afternoon to serve a warrant for the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies located 33-year-old Eric Carl Virta of Cartersville, Georgia. Authorities say that when deputies attempted to take Virta into custody, he ran and jumped into the water. Virta reportedly crossed to the other side and entered the Kirk’s Grove/Mud Creek area.
Deputies responded to that area and searched for more than an hour before finding Virta hiding in a swampy area in Mud Creek. He was taken into custody without further incident, and no injuries were reported.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol transported Virta and the deputies back across the water by boat.
Virta was wanted in Floyd County on a probation violation connected to charges involving possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and terroristic threats and acts.
He was also charged in Cherokee County with fugitive from justice and attempting to elude.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office thanked ALEA, the Leesburg Police Department and the Cedar Bluff Police Department for their assistance.

A Trion man was arrested earlier this month in neighboring Cherokee County, Alabama, according to jail and arrest records.
Derrick Hogue, 31, of Trion, was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center on August 18. Records show Hogue was booked at approximately 8:33 PM.
Hogue was reportedly charged with harassment.
Available online booking information does not provide details concerning the circumstances that led to the harassment charge.
Records indicate Hogue was subsequently released from custody on August 20.
The arrest occurred in Cherokee County, Alabama, which borders Chattooga County to the west.
An arrest is based on probable cause, and Hogue is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Jordan Kelley has been appointed secretary of the National Association of School Resource Officers, giving the local agency representation in a national school-safety leadership role.

A Piedmont man is facing charges following a motorcycle theft investigation in Cherokee County, Alabama.

An elderly couple suffering from dementia was located safely after family members contacted the Cherokee County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office to report them missing earlier this week.

A Centre man is facing multiple felony charges following an investigation by the Centre Police Department tied to an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) cyber tip received in late January 2026.