Hundreds of police chiefs from across the state flocked to Western North Carolina this week for their annual winter conference for the N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police.

This year marked the second time the event was held at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel, the most popular and successful venue so far, said Clyde Police Chief Gerard Ball, who has organized the event both years.

Although the event took place in Cherokee, Ball, who is a Waynesville resident, said his goal was to attract conference attendees to nearby towns, especially Waynesville.

"Everything had a Haywood County flavor to it this year," Ball said in regard to the opening ceremony Monday.

Local songstress Lisa Gillespie sang a moving rendition of the national anthem and Voices in the Laurel children's choir performed ...