MCC Wants a Large Funding Increase
05/09/2008
Mayland Community College has
asked the three counties Avery, Mitchell and Yancey for an increase in funding
of $330 thousand in capital outlay from each County for the 2008-2009 fiscal
year. This an increase from last years request of $245 thousand. The increase in
funds is to help cover the college’s operational costs. These costs include
heating, water, and electricity bills as well as maintenance personnel salaries,
maintenance equipment for the college’s grounds and buildings, renovations to
existing buildings, campus security, and gas and upkeep of the college’s
vehicles. Mayland’s VP of Administrative Services Gerald Hyde said this funding
is crucial in the sustainability and potential growth for each of our three
campuses.” Since 1997, the college’s fulltime headcount rose from a total of
879 to a total of 1,963 in 2007. According to their contract with Mayland,
local funding is to be equal from each county. Mayland’s President Suzanne Owens
said all courses are rigorous, college level academic work, with the bulk of
them being structured for transfer to four-year institutions,” many others are
structured for work skills in the areas of carpentry, welding, auto body repair,
manicuring, landscape design, greenhouse production, horticulture, early
childhood education and esthetics.” According to Owens, in order to provide
these programs, additional space must be acquired, either through new
facilities, remodeled facilities or leased facilities. At this point the
college is limited by funding and lack of facilities.
Funding Requests
05/09/2008
The Mitchell School system is asking for $335 thousand from
Mitchell County for the fiscal year 2008-2009. Danny Young, Mitchell School
System Finance Officer comments. (click audio button above)
Larceny at MHS Results in Drug Charges
05/08/2008
An investigation into a larceny at Mitchell High School has
resulted in arrests of two individuals on drug charges. Austin Alan Moore, age
18, of Newland and Martin Ray Robinson, age 16, of Green Mountain have been
charged with 2 counts of possession with intent to sale or deliver a Schedule II
controlled substance and 2 counts of the sale or delivery of a Schedule II
controlled substance. In addition, Mr. Moore has been charged with maintaining a
vehicle for the purpose of storing or selling a controlled substance and
larceny. Mr. Robinson has been charged with possession of marijuana. The initial
complaint was from a student who had several hundred dollars stolen from his
locker. Investigators learned Martin Robinson would steal prescription pain
medications. Since he didn't have access to a vehicle, Austin Moore would drive
him around to sell these medications. There is no evidence Mr. Moore sold any of
these pills, but he was aware Mr. Robinson was and received compensation in the
way of gas and food. Deputies discovered two such sales occurred at the Ingles
parking lot in Spruce Pine. The individuals who bought the drugs confirmed these
sales. Mr. Robinson admitted to having about seventy Percocets on that day.
Mitchell Sheriff Ken Fox said the sale and abuse of prescription pain
medications is now our most serious drug problem.Often teen-agers will steal
these medications from family members and they end up being sold to other
teen-agers. All too often they end up in our schools. Family members who are
lawfully obtaining these prescriptions should take every precaution to prevent
the unlawful sale and abuse of these drugs. Moore and Robinson were arrested
Friday May 2 and incarcerated in the Rutherford County Detention Center. Bond
was set on Mr. Moore at $ 65,000.00 and $ 55,000.00 on Mr. Robinson. Their first
appearance was held May 5. Mr. Moore made bond and was released.
Large Funding Request from Yancey Schools
05/08/2008
Yancey County’s Board of Education has approved their budget to
take to County Commissioners and they’re requesting a large increase, Dr. Tom
Little, Superintendent of Yancey County Schools explains. (click audio button
above)
Primary 2008 in the Books
05/07/2008
Primary 2008 is now in the books. North Carolina Democrats said
they want Obama, Mitchell and Yancey Democrats said they wanted Clinton.
Republicans choose John McCain. For Governor, statewide it will be Republican
Pat McCrory meeting Democrat Bev Perdue in November. Republicans in Mitchell &
Yancey voted for Fred Smith. Democrats in Mitchell voted for Perdue while Yancey
voters choose Robert Orr, whose is from Yancey County. In local races, for the
Mitchell Board of Commissioner voters picked Marvin Miller with 27%, (1,873)
LeeRoy Ledford with 21%, (1,429) and Kevin Street with 19% (1,343) The rest of
the field: Jim Garofalo with 14% (953) Coy Hollifield with 14% (985) and Jerry
Prosser with 5% (327). Republicans Miller, Ledford and Street and Democrat Ron
McKinney will meet in November to run for three seats on the County Commission.
In the Non-Partisan Board of Education race in Yancey County, the winners were
newcomers Rhonda Boone with 15% (2,073), Sheila Pate Ramsey 13% (1,915), and
incumbent Randy Banks with 13% (1,807). Other candidates Bill Whiteside with 13%
(1,799), Randy Hall 11%
(1,555), current board member Elaine Boone with 10% (1,463), Paul Kardulis
9% (1,302), Phillip M. Hughes 9% (1,264), and Joel Deyton with 8% (1,107)
It’s Primary Day
05/06/2008
It primary day 2008, polls are open until 7:30. Voters are
choosing candidates to run in the general election in November. Voters will be
choosing candidates, for president, the U.S. Senate, Congress and state offices
including governor. Local interest is focused on the Republican Primary in
Mitchell County with candidates running for 3 seats on the County Commission.
And in Yancey County in non-patrician voting, nine candidates are running for
three seats on board of education. Listen here for results tonight right here.
Results will also be posted on our web sites wkyk.com and wtoe.com. You can get
a look at a sample ballot on our web sites too.
Church Scams
05/06/2008
The Yancey County Sheriff's Office has received several calls
from people in the county with concerns about individuals who go from one church
to another asking for money for gas, food, medicine or to help pay some
outstanding bill. The Sheriffs Office, while not wanting to discourage helping
someone in need would like to offer a few simple suggestions to the faith
community.
First, don’t be afraid to ask questions, after all it is your or your church’s
money.
Second, take your time there are very few things that must be paid for
immediately, the need will still be there tomorrow.
Third, call and ask other churches, charitable organizations and the Sheriffs
Office if they are familiar with this person or family and if they have helped
or been asked to help this family or person. These organizations meet a lot of
people and keep records of their involvement with them.
Fourth, always have another person with you as a witness and for support when
speaking with or assisting someone about a need.
Fifth, if you decide to help the family or person take care of a specific need,
don’t give them cash.
Sixth, determine if there is a long term need, if this is the case there are
other avenues thru government assistance programs.
The Yancey Sheriff’s Office says charitable giving when done wisely and
cautiously can give you great satisfaction.
A Tragic Accident
05/05/2008
A tragic accident Saturday killed a Burnsville man. According to
State Trooper Jeremy Carver, Wayne Joseph Carroll, age 35, was driving his 1998
Isuzu North West on Bald Mountain Road when a large tree fell from the side of
the roadway striking the top of the vehicle. After impact the vehicle ran off
the right side of the road striking a guardrail. The vehicle continued traveling
North West riding on the guardrail until it crossed the centerline, then ran off
the roadway straight ahead and struck a ditch. Mr. Carroll was killed and a
passenger in the vehicle, his daughter Caitlin, age 8, was not injured. The
accident occurred at about 2:30 pm. Yancey EMS, Yancey Rescue and Egypt-Ramseytown
Fire responded to the scene.
Primary Day Tomorrow
05/05/2008
Its Primary Election Day tomorrow with Democrat and Republican
voters picking candidates to move on to the General Election in November. The
ballot features a Presidential Primary plus other federal, state and local
offices. Locally, Mitchell voters will be choosing three Republicans to run in
November against Democrat Ron McKinney for three seats on the Mitchell County
Commission. In Yancey County, it’s a non-partisan School Board election with
nine candidates running for three seats. The polls will open at 6:30 am and
close at 7:30 pm. Get a look at sample ballots on our web sites: wkyk.com and
wtoe.com.
Busy Time in Yancey
05/05/2008
Budgets and property tax appeals in Yancey County, it’s a busy
time. Commission Chairman John Renfro explains. (click audio button above)
Marion Man Charged with Murder
05/02/2008
A Marion man, Dwayne Hoyte Dockery, age 41, has been arrested in
Buncombe County charged with first-degree murder in the death of Daniel
Mosteller. The 20 year old Mosteller had been reported missing since April 21st
by family members in McDowell County. His body had been discovered Thursday in
Madison County. According to Madison Sheriff, John Ledford, Mosteller’s body was
found underneath the porch of an abandoned house in the Paint Fork section of
the County. McDowell authorities say they had suspected Dockery of killing
Mosteller and turned him over to Buncombe authorities when it was determined the
murder took place near Asheville. Buncombe Deputies believe Dockery killed
Mosteller on April 21st while the two were in a car on I-40 near Asheville, they
argued and Dockery stabbed Mosteller, then they believe Dockery took the victim
to Madison County to dispose of the body. Captain Dudley Green, with the
McDowell Sheriff’s Department said he thought the murder was drug-related.
A Mystery Odor Solved, Dead Fish Still a Mystery
05/02/2008
A mystery odor was discovered coming from the Burnsville’s
waste-water treatment plant last week: Tom Storie, Public Works Director for the
Town of Burnsville said he disagrees with Davis’s statement that Glen Raven was
the cause, he said they may have contributed to the problem, but he also
believes that someone dumped what he call a “slug” or a mixture of chemicals
into the system. It’s not clear if this problem is connected in any way with
findings by Biologist from U.S. Fish & Wildlife on Thursday of last week. They
looked at the Cane River at the Langford Road Bridge, they did not find any
living mussels there, they found 8 shells of the endangered Appalachian Elktoe
Mussel and the air did smell of sewage. On Friday biologists from the Fish &
Wildlife Service and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission returned to take a
closer look at the Cane River at the Whittington Rd Bridge. They found 2
relatively fresh dead Appalachian Elkltoe shells and also recovered 20 dead fish
at this site. U.S. Fish & Wildlife officials say they now have major concerns as
to what caused the problem and the extent of the damage and how long this
problem has been going on. Spokesman Gary Peeples with U.S. Fish & Wildlife said
they thought the Cane River was a good place for the Appalachian Eltoe Mussel,
but this may be a significant setback. Roy Davis with the NC Division of Water
Quality comments. (click audio button above)
McDowell Man’s Body Found in Madison
05/02/2008
The body of a man who disappeared from McDowell County ten days
ago has been found at an abandoned house in Madison County. Now a murder
investigation is underway. 20 year old Daniel Mosteller's body was found off
Hamburg Road Thursday afternoon. Detectives say evidence developed in McDowell
County led them to believe Mostellers body was here but they did not know where.
Deputies and SBI agents investigated the crime scene at a dilapidated house
where they say a suspect tried to conceal the body. Deputies have not identified
the suspect or person of interest in the case. Investigators think illegal drugs
may have played a role in Mosteller's death. Captain Dudley Greene with the
McDowell Sheriff's Department comments. (click audio button above)
School Configuration to Stay in Place
05/01/2008
At their April 29th meeting, the Mitchell County Board of
Education voted to keep the current school configuration in place for next year.
Dr. Brock Womble, the Superintendent of Mitchell County Schools explains. (click
audio button above)
One-Stop Voting
04/30/2008
“One-stop” voting was established to give citizens a more
convenient time to vote and to make it easier to fit into they’re schedules. We
checked with area Boards of Election offices to get the numbers. As of Tuesday
morning,
Avery: 252 early voters, officials say this a moderate turnout. (One location:
Avery Courthouse)
Madison: Around 400 early voters, officials say this is an average turnout.
(Three locations: Hot Springs, Beech Glen and the Madison County Administrative
offices.)
McDowell: 1,055 early voters, officials say this is an average turnout. (Two
locations: Old Fort and Marion)
Mitchell: Around 300 early voters, officials say this is a low turnout. (Two
locations: Bakersville and Spruce Pine)
Yancey: 356 early voters, officials say this is an average turnout. (One
location: Yancey Courthouse)
This is the last week for “one-stop.” Check with the Board of Elections Office
in your County for voting times.
Overnight break in at Harris Middle
04/29/2008
Spruce Pine Police are investigating a break-in at Harris Middle
School. It looks like the suspect or suspects gained access to the school
through an unlocked door late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Police
investigation indicates nothing was destroyed or vandalized and authorities
believe the suspect or suspects were looking for money as it appears they went
from room to room, going through desk drawers and some lockers. A small amount
of cash was taken. When students arrived on campus this morning they were
directed to the auditorium until the investigation could be completed.
New “Well” Rules
04/29/2008
A couple of years ago, the NC General Assembly passed legislation
that required any new well drilled after July 1, 2008 would have to be
inspected. The Toe River Health District has adopted rules to allow them to
inspect new wells. John Renfro, chairman of the Yancey County Commission
comments. (click audio button above)
Pleading Guilty
04/28/2008
Adam Burleson, age 18, of Bakersville has pleaded guilty in
Mitchell County Superior Court to attempting to traffick in opiates and
possession with intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture a Schedule II controlled
substance. He received an active sentence of 15-18 months in the N.C. Department
of Corrections, and upon his release placed on 36 months supervised probation of
which the first 6 months are to be intensive, he was given a 12-15 month
suspended sentence, he is to perform 50 hours of community service, and pay
restitution in the amount of $ 800.00 to the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office,
Spruce Pine Police Department, and S.B.I.
And a Spruce Pine Woman, Sherry Ann Ledford, age 41, has pleaded guilty in
Mitchell County Superior Court to 8-counts of obtaining property by false
pretenses and 2-counts of selling and delivering a Schedule IV controlled
substance. She was placed on supervised probation for 36 months, she was given a
suspended sentence of 60-80 months in the N.C. Department of Corrections,
ordered to perform 75 hours of community service, obtain and comply with TASC
assessment, and pay restitution in the amount of $ 1,270.00.
Annual FBEMC Meeting is May 3rd
04/28/2008
French Broad Electric Membership Corporation’s annual meeting is
coming up on May 3rd. The event will be at Madison HS, in Marshall. Highlighting
the afternoon is their free “Health Fair” at 3 PM. Get free medical screenings
and information from area health care providers. Entertainment begins at 4:30 PM
with award winning Asheville native Bill Grimsley and his fast-pace, high-energy
comedy illusion show. At 5:30 PM, The Whisnants, a southern gospel group from
Morganton will perform. The Mars Hill Shrine Club will be selling a chicken
stripe meal as a fundraiser for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. A brief
business meeting will follow the entertainment. Members will elect four
directors. Nominees are Joe Justice and Gordon Randolph of Madison County,
Parnell Cooke of Mitchell County and Jimmy Ray of Yancey County. Members should
register for cash prizes and to count toward a quorum necessary to hold the
meeting!! Registration will begin at 3 PM.
To State Lab for Tests
04/25/2008
A small child may have been exposed to a raccoon earlier this
week at Brad Reagan Park in Spruce Pine. The child’s mother isn’t sure the child
touched the raccoon, but there were 2 small scratches on the child and
authorities did capture the raccoon in question. The child was not bitten; there
were no puncture wounds, only 2 small scratches. The animal has been sent to the
state lab for testing and the child has begun post-exposure treatment until
authorities determine if the raccoon test positive for rabies. Health
authorities say it is not unusual for a raccoon to come around places where they
can get food and raccoons in past years have been domesticated and kept as pets,
but this is no longer the rule, raccoons are wild animals and are at risk for
rabies. The general public needs to know if they see a raccoon they should not
go toward the animal, but should go away from it, and if the animal comes toward
them, this is considered inappropriate behavior. If the animal is staggering or
appears to be falling down while walking, you should call 688-9110. Officials
say it’s important to protect your family and pets and they urge you to get your
pets immunized.
Controlled Burn
04/24/2008
Firefighters are still trying to get control of the “Sunrise
Wildfire” north of Marion that has been burning since last Friday. The fire is
about 50% contained. Today, they plan to begin a controlled burn of 12-hundred
acres of land they say is “unburned fuel,” they hope this will prevent the
spread of the fire and prevent future flare-ups. The wildfire, about 15 miles
north of Marion off U.S. 221 has destroyed some 700-plus acres. National Park
Service officials say an electrical fire that destroyed a house Friday morning
caused the Sunrise Wildfire.
Train Derailment
04/23/2008
A CSX train derailed Tuesday morning in Mitchell County.
According to a CSX spokesman, about six cars loaded with grain jumped the tracks
in the Toecane area. Only a few of the cars overturned and no one was hurt. The
derailment happened around 5:15 AM. CSX crews responded and cleared the tracks.
The train was headed south from Erwin, Tennessee.
Schools feeling the Pinch
04/23/2008
One of the problems facing school systems as they prepare next
years budget is fuel costs. Dr. Tom Little the Superintendent of Yancey County
Schools explains. (click audio button above)
About 50% Contained
04/22/2008
It was last summer that wildfire burned 54-hundred acres in the
Linville Gorge Wilderness, now a wildfire has burned some 800 acres in the
Pisgah National Forest in the North Cove area of McDowell, County. This area
runs along the gorge wilderness. U.S. Forest Service Officials say the fire is
about 50% contained and before containment is reached as-many-as 2-thousand
acres could be burned. The Sunrise fire is around 15 miles north of Marion of
U.S. 221. The fire was sparked by an electrical fire that destroyed a home on
Friday morning.
School Bus Accident
04/21/2008
A Mitchell County School bus
collided with a car this morning. Dr. Rick Spurling, an Associate Superintendent
of the Mitchell County School System explains. (click audio button above)
Weekend Wildfires
04/21/2008
Fire crews spent the weekend
trying to contain several wildfires that burned in several parts of the
mountains, including McDowell County. So far, some 700 acres have burned and the
fire is about 60% contained. The wildfire was sparked by a house fire in Oconee
Falls Subdivision and affected residents in the Deerwoods & Fox Run Subdivisions
near Linville Falls. Residents in these areas were told to leave, but have now
been allowed to return to their homes. No homes were threatened. Some 180
firefighters are on the scene, fire crews say they will be fighting the fire
over the next several days and they are planning a back burn near N.C. 105. The
number of acres burn could be near 1- thousand before things are wrapped up.
Meanwhile wildfires were reported in Madison County in the in a new development
called The French Broad Crossing. No one lives there yet, but a couple of houses
are under construction. This fire is close to being contained. And fires in
Haywood County have forced sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Balsam Gap to
Beech Gap to be closed until further notice. Fires have burned hundreds of acres
in the mountains since Friday.
Midwest Quake Felt Here
04/18/2008
An earthquake that hit the Midwest this morning was felt here in
the mountains. The earthquake was centered near Evansville Indiana; it measured
5.4. The quake happened at about 5:30 AM eastern time and it
was felt by residents in the Western NC Mountains. Reports have come from
Burnsville, Asheville, Brevard and Flat Rock . No reports of any injury or
damage from residents here.
One-Stop Voting is Under Way
04/17/2008
One-Stop voting is under way for the May 6th primary in North
Carolina.
Registered voters in Yancey County can “one-stop” at the Board of Elections
Office, on the first floor of the Yancey County Courthouse in Burnsville. Their
hours are Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. On Saturday May 3rd, the voting
hours will be 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM. The Primary is May 6th.
In Mitchell County there are two locations to “one-stop,” the Board of Elections
office on the ground floor of the Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville,
their hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM & on May 3rd, from 9:00 AM –
1:00 PM. And you can “one stop” at the Cross Street Commerce Center, 31 Cross
Street, in Spruce Pine, located in the old Ellen’s Knitting Mill building. Their
hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and on Saturday May 3rd from
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM!!
Jail Costs Going Up
04/17/2008
Mitchell Commissioners have approved a request by County Manager
Chuck Vines to seek additional funds from U.S.D.A. for construction of the new
County Jail. The vote to approve seeking additional funds was 3-2 with
Commissioners Hensley & Saylor voting against the request. Manager Vines
comments. (click audio button above)
Embezzlement at Madison Middle School
04/16/2008
A Madison County woman is facing of embezzlement charges. Nanette
Norton, age 37, a worker in the Madison Middle School lunch room is charged with
taking $20 thousand or more over the past two years. Madison authorities said
she worked the cash register and all the money from meal purchases would go
through her.Madison Sheriff John Ledford said Norton is charged with four counts
of embezzlement and is out jail on bond. (click audio button above)
A Freeze Worries Apple Farmers
04/15/2008
Apple growers are hoping temperatures will stay above freezing as
another cold night is forecast. Farmers want to avoid two big losses in a row.
Last year, a spring freeze wiped out most of the apple crop. Jim Saylor in
Bakersville says a freeze could cost him more than $50 thousand on his 12-acre
apple farm. (click audio button above)
Buy from Local Farmers
04/15/2007
State agricultural officials are trying to push schools to buy
more produce from local farmers. Until a year ago, local schools could use
federal dollars to buy produce from local farmers but that policy was changed in
favor of a national distributor. State Representative Ray Rapp says the general
assembly should urge Congress to restore the local program. Rapp is a democrat
from District 118 represents Haywood, Madison and Yancey Counties in Raleigh.
Officials with the Appalachian Sustainable Project says the new farm bill in
Congress would restore the local program. (click audio button above)
Members Robbed During Church Service
04/14/2008
Three
men stormed into Ridgeview Presbyterian Church, on Whitson’s Branch in the Red
Hill Community of Mitchell County, during their 11:00 Am service on Sunday. They
demanded money, cell phones and keys from church members; the church offering
was also taken. All three men had their faces concealed by masks and two of the
men had handguns. One of the church members was restrained with duct tape, they
told the congregation if they tried to leave the church within a certain time
they would return and kill them. When the suspects left the church, members saw
the vehicle they were driving and called 911. Prior to leaving the church, one
of the handguns discharged as one of the suspects picked up items he had dropped
on the floor. No one was injured. Deputies responding to the scene met a vehicle
with three males matching the description. The Vehicle was stopped at Boyd’s
Seafood on N.C. 226. The two handguns were found in the vehicle and a total of
$1,643.60 was seized. Other evidence was also seized from the vehicle and the
three men. The suspects were identified as Jonathan Neil Koniak, age 20, of
Tennessee, and Brothers Josiah Jacob Deyton, age 18 and Andrew Ryan Deyton, age
19, of Green Mountain. According to information from the Mitchell Sheriff’s
Department, the three men had decided to rob a church a few days prior to
Sunday. They first went to Union Hill Church with intent to rob them, but they
went elsewhere. Bond was set at $150 thousand each. Their first court appearance
was conducted by the Mitchell Clerk of Court and attorney’s appointed. They will
be indicted on April 21st. SBI Agent Chuck Vines assisted the Sheriff’s
Department in the investigation. The District Attorney may submit charges on
additional crimes. All three men are in custody in the Rutherford County Jail.
Not Guilty on 9 of the 15 charges
04/11/2008
The jury in the case of Phillip Deyton, the Burnsville man
accused of inappropriately touching some students when he a was science teacher
at Clearmont Elementary was back in session at the Yancey County Courthouse this
morning to continue deliberating his innocence or guilt. Last year a judge found
Deyton guilty on 25 counts of assault on a female, Deyton appealed and got a new
trial, this time a jury trial. During the trial, Deyton took the stand and
denied he ever touched any of his students in an inappropriate way. The Verdict
from the Jury today was “Not Guilty on 9 of the charges”. 10 of the original 25
charges were dismissed and it was a hung jury on the other 6 charges. It is
possible that Deyton could be a re-tried on those 6 charges. No other
announcements on the future of case were made at this time.
Jury Deliberations Continue
04/11/2008
The jury in the case of Phillip Deyton, the Burnsville man accused of inappropriately touching some students when he a was science teacher at Clearmont Elementary will be back at the Yancey County Courthouse this morning to continue deliberating his innocence or guilt. Last year a judge found Deyton guilty on 25 counts of assault on a female, Deyton appealed and got a new trial, this time,
a jury trial. During the trial, Deyton took the stand and denied he ever touched any of his students in an inappropriate way.
McDowell Sheriff Stepping Down
04/11/2008
Minor health problems are being cited for the announcement by McDowell Sheriff Jackie Turner that he will resign at the end of this month. County Government & Republican Party officials said job related tragedies that occurred within the Sheriff’s Department also contributed to his decision to step down. The 63 year old Turner was serving his fourth term as McDowell Sheriff.
Could Go to Jury
04/10/2008
The re-trial of a Burnsville man charged with inappropriately touching some of his students while he was a science teacher at Clearmont Elementary School could go to the jury today. Phillip Deyton was found guilty last year of 25 counts of assault on a female; he appealed and got another trial. The students who accused Deyton took the stand Tuesday and told jurors he had fondled them, yesterday Deyton took the stand and said that was not true. He was originally charged in January 2006.
Decrepit Dams to be Removed from Toe River Valley
04/10/2008
Two dams, one in Mitchell County, the other in Yancey County, are slated to be removed in an effort spearheaded by Toe River Valley Watch and Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Council. One dam sits on the Toe River, outside of Spruce Pine in Mitchell County, while the other sits on the Cane River, upstream from Yancey County's Mountain Heritage High School. The Cane and Toe Rivers join to form the Nolichucky River, which flows west into Tennessee. Cliff Vinson, coordinator of the Blue Ridge RC&D Council, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture said: " These dams serve no purpose. Both dams were constructed for power generation, though it has been decades since either produced electricity. Today, they've been breached by their respective rivers and all that remain are massive slabs of concrete, impeding natural water flow. It was at the Toe River dam, outside Spruce Pine, that a local resident died in a paddling accident when he was caught in a hydraulic immediately downstream of the dam. This dam's removal will help clear the way for the Toe River Trail – a proposed paddling trail spearheaded by Toe River Valley Watch. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently provided habitat improvement grants to both Toe River Valley Watch and the Blue Ridge RC&D, which will use portions of the funds on the projects.
Deyton Sentencing Trial
04/09/2008
The sentencing trial began this week for Phillip Deyton. In July 2007, he was found guilty of inappropriately touching some of his students while he was a science teacher at Clearmont Elementary School. The judge found Deyton guilty of 25 counts of assault on a female. Deyton had previously been found guilty of 3 counts in the same investigation. He received a suspended sentence, 30 days in jail, 3 years unsupervised probation and a $100 fine. His attorney immediately appealed, and because the sentence is under appeal he doesn't serve any of the sentences now. Mr. Deyton was originally charged in January 2006.
McHenry’s Comment Criticized
04/09/2008
10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry has come under fire for a comment he made to a group of Republican supporters in Lincoln County. He said while he was on a trip recent to Baghdad he was stopped from working out in a gym in the Green Zone by a, "two-bit security guard." McHenry has been criticized in the national media for the remark and has since said it was a poor choice of words. McHenry also accused his Democratic opponent, Lance Sigmon, of making too much of the remark for political gain in the upcoming election.
Rabid Raccoon in Yancey
04/08/2008
Yancey County authorities have received the results of a possible rabid raccoon at the head of Toodies Creek. The results indicate the raccoon was rabid, there was no human contact, and one dog was exposed but is ok as the dog’s rabies shots are up to date. Public health officials urge citizens to be wary of wild or strange animals. Precautions include:
* Vaccinate pets.
* Don't try to rescue, pet or touch wild animals.
* Avoid physical contact with unfamiliar dogs and cats.
* Do not sleep in a cabin, tent or shelter if bats are present.
Any mammal can get rabies, but raccoons are the most common carriers in North Carolina. The disease can occur at any time of year, although humans are most likely to be exposed in the warm months when they are outside more often. For more information, call your local health department.
Missing Boys Found After 14 Hour Search
04/07/2008
Some terrifying moments for a South Toe family had a happy ending Sunday morning. It was Saturday afternoon, two brothers, ages 6 & 8, from Georgia were visiting their grandparents and went outside to play, they were told to be back in 30 minutes. When the boys did not return at around 5 o’clock, their parents began searching around the house area by 6 PM they called the authorities. Yancey County Manager, Michele Lawhern comments. South Toe Fire Department became a command post as over the next 14 hours, over 120 people from more than 20 agencies searched the wooded area on foot, ATV and horseback. The boys were wearing only T-shirts and pants and it was raining. Finally after 14 hours searching for the boys they were found Sunday morning about a mile from their grandparents home. The boys were taken Mission Hospitals in Asheville; they were treated for cuts and scratches and released. The boys are doing fine and their family so happy to get them back safe and sound. (click audio button above)
Prison Break in Marion
04/07/2008
A Spruce Pine man, Floyd Ramsey, age 42, housed at the Marion Correctional Institute in McDowell County escaped Friday morning, assaulted a man, and then took the man’s van to aid in his escape. A short time later, authorities found the van at Ramsey’s home in Spruce Pine. Apparently he left the van there and headed to Avery County. Authorities say it was a tip from Ramsey’s wife that helped them to find him. They captured him after finding in a vehicle near Grandfather Mountain, he was unconscious after overdosing on prescription medication; he was taken to a hospital where he was listed in stable condition. Ramsey was serving an 18-month sentence for a possession of a firearm by a felon. The man Ramsey assaulted was treated and released from the hospital. Authorities say Ramsey now faces additional charges of escape and assault with a deadly weapon.
Fish & Wildlife Gives OK
04/04/2008
The U.S Fish & Wildlife Service has concluded its review of the proposed widening of Highways 19 & 19E between the future Interstate 26 & Spruce Pine, determining that the project would not jeopardize the existence of any threatened or endangered species. The Service’s primary concern is the endangered Appalachian elktoe mussel, found in the Cane, North and South Toe and Nolichucky Rivers of the Nolichucky River basin which covers all of Mitchell & Yancey Counties. The elktoe and its habitat are protected under the Endangered Species Act that resulted from a lawsuit against the Service in 2002. Gary Peoples is with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says DOT and his agency worked together to reach a common goal, protecting the streams and widening the road. (Peoples comments) As for the widening project, construction is set to begin in August on the first section from 19-23 to just inside Yancey County. (click audio button above)
Selling Prescription Meds is Big Money
04/04/2008
We have new information about a Madison county man who apparently overdosed on the painkiller Fentanyl. The victim has been identified; we choose not to release his name out of respect for his family. Charged with selling him the Fentanyl is 27 year old Larry Roberts, he’s in jail under a $25 thousand cash only bond. Madison Sheriff John Ledford says Roberts has a past record of selling and delivering prescriptions medicines and he says there is a lot of profit in selling prescription drugs. Ledford says if an autopsy reveals the victim died of an overdose of Fentanyl, Roberts could face murder charges. Authorities say the victim used Fentanyl patches which are 80 times stronger than Morphine and they say he chewed on the patches and swallowed them. Sheriff Ledford comments. (click audio button above)
Madison Man Overdoses on Fentanyl
04/03/2008
A Madison County man is in jail after selling potent painkiller patches to a victim who overdosed on them. Larry Roberts is charged with selling the drug, Fentanyl, illegally and could face murder charges. Madison County Authorities say the victim used Fentanyl patches which are 80 times stronger than Morphine. The name of the victim is not being released, Madison officials say he chewed on the patches and swallowed them.
Answering Concerns about Revaluation
04/01/2008
Yancey Commission Chairman John Renfro addresses concerns about revaluation. (click audio button above)
P.O. Box 744 