Avery Murder Charge
03/30/2005
On March 28th, Deputies from the Avery Sheriff’s
Department arrested Carl David Jennings, Jr., age 21, of Lexington. He’s been
charged with the murder of Bartley Trivette, age 39, of Old Beech Mountain. The
charge resulted from an incident that occurred on March 23rd on Old Beech
Mountain. Mr. Trivette was taken to Baptist Hospital, in Winston Salem, where he
died March 24th. Jennings is currently in jail without bond pending a May 26th
court date. The North Carolina SBI assisted the Avery Sheriff’s Department with
the investigation.
Burnsville Man Faces Felony Child Abuse Charges
03/30/2005
Yancey Deputies have arrested Gene Anthony Riley,
age 27, of Turtle Rock Lane, in Burnsville and charged him with felony child
abuse. According to information supplied by the Yancey Sheriff’s Department, the
arrest was made after deputies and Social Services Personnel obtained medical
and other evidence confirming that during the early morning hours of Monday,
March 21st, Riley picked up his girlfriends 3 year old son and slammed him to
the floor, breaking his right arm. According to Lt Tom Farmer, when the offense
occurred, Riley was the only adult male present in the home and in control of
the child. According to authorities, Riley and the child’s mother live together
at their Pensacola residence where a 13 month old child and a 3 month old child
also reside. Riley is the father of the 3 month old child. All of the children
have been taken into protective custody. Riley remains in the Yancey County
Jail, under a $12, 500.00 secured bond and will make his first court appearance
in District Court on April 22nd.
Fighting Methamphetamine
03/30/2005
Area merchants attended a meeting Tuesday in
McDowell County, with federal and state agents to learn what to look for when
selling potential meth ingredients. Authorities say the chemicals used to make
the drug come from local stores, and that's why they need help from local store
owners. Merchants learn what mannerisms and appearances to be on the look out
for when it comes to meth cookers who frequent their shops. Officials say if
store owners suspect someone of cooking meth, they have the right not to sell
the products to them. Authorities say North Carolina has not yet prosecuted a
business owner for knowingly selling the chemicals to a meth cooker, but it will
happen eventually.
New VP at Mars Hill College
03/30/2005
Dr. Nina T. Pollard has been named the new VP for
Academic and Student Affairs at Mars Hill College. Her selection comes after
year long nation search. The position, a new one, is designed to realign
academic and student affairs in an integrated liberal arts environment. Dr.
Pollard comes to Mars Hill from her position as VP for Academic Affairs at Peace
College, in Raleigh. She is a graduate of Louisiana College and holds a Ph.D. in
microbiology from the University of Louisville. Her duties begin in June.
Arrests in Pensacola Break-Ins
03/29/2005
Yancey County Deputies have arrested four
Pensacola residents and charged each with 8 counts of breaking & entering and 8
counts of felony larceny after breaking & entering. The arrests were made after
investigators connected the four individuals to 8 separate residences that were
broken into earlier this month. According to Lt Tom Farmer, reports were
received at the Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, March 14th, indicating that summer
homes in the Deep Gap Road area of Cattail Creek Development had been broken
into. Charged are Clinton Scott Dowis, age 20, of Mountain Farm Road, Joshua
Paul Allen, age 24, Robin Elaine Allen, age 18 and Donald Earl Lee Jr., age 17,
all of the same Hillcrest Lane address. They were jailed under a $50 thousand
secured bond each. Joshua Allen, Robin Allen and Donald Lee all made bond while
Dowis remains in the Yancey County Jail. The property taken included tools,
camping products and household items; so far most of the stolen property has
been recovered.
Looking at Funding a Mitchell Jail
03/29/2005
Mitchell Commissioners met Monday night, with a
representative of USDA, to discuss funding possibilities for a new County Jail
Facility. Commission Chairman Keith Masters said he feels every county should
have a jail and Mitchell should have one. He said this is the first step in a
lengthy process to determine if the county can afford a jail. He said there are
many questions to be answered before a decision can be made. Some of their
concerns are; what will it cost to build a jail, where can the county build a
jail and what will it cost to maintain and operate a jail on a day-to-day basis.
New Police Chief in Burnsville
03/28/2005
Burnsville has a new Police Chief; he’s Galen
McMahan, a 10 year veteran of the force. He was sworn in Thursday by Yancey
County Clerk of Court Warren Hughes. Rick Turner, the former Chief, resigned in
November to pursue family business interests.
Mitchell Commissioners Special Session
03/28/2005
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners will
meet in Special Session this evening with a USDA Area Specialist to discuss
possible funding for a jail facility, as-well-as possible sites for a jail. The
meeting is tonight at 6 pm, in the Commissioners meeting room, in the County
Administration Building, in Bakersville.
Madison Murder Charge
03/25/2005
Madison Sheriff's detectives and the SBI have charged Jason
Keith Soltis, age 24, with murder and felony child abuse in the death of 20
month old Nicolas Vega. Soltis is the live-in boyfriend of the child’s mother.
Authorities are still waiting for an autopsy report and other forensic evidence.
The 20 month old was dead when paramedics arrived on the scene Saturday at the
Mintz Family Care Home in Marshall. The boy’s mother lived and worked at the
facility. The mother told a 911 dispatcher her son was not breathing and had
bruises. The accused is being held without bond, he was already in jail on
unrelated charges.
Celebrating Excellence
03/25/2005
It was a day of Panthers Pride at East Yancey
Middle School Thursday as they celebrated a 5th straight year being named a
“school of Excellence” and being named one of NC “schools to Watch.” Rick
Tipton, the Principal at East Yancey Middle School, says it’s like a family at
East Yancey. Only 4 middle schools in NC and only 55 schools in the nation have
received the “Schools to Watch” award.
Slide Cleanup Repairs Delayed Until April 11th
03/24/2005
NC DOT will delay the repairs and cleanup of the
slide area on Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine until after the Artrain’s visit. Richard
Canipe, Town Manager, says because of the large turnout expected for the Artrain
exhibition (April 7th-April 10th) closing access to downtown would create a
traffic nightmare, DOT has agreed to delay their work until April 11th. The
slide, back on Sunday, March 6th, closed this entrance to downtown until
Thursday afternoon, March 10th and knocked out power several hours for many
sections of Spruce Pine.
More Animal Testing in Yancey
03/23/2005
Over the past week and a half to two weeks Yancey
County has shipped off 8 more wild animals for testing for the rabies virus.
Yancey County Manager Michele Lawhern urges all pet owners to get their animals
vaccinated against the rabies virus. She said this is the best way to protect
your pets and your family.
Making Extra Money off Your Land
03/23/2005
Would you like to make a few extra dollars off
your land?? If you answered yes, then you need to attend a workshop tomorrow
(Thursday) in Burnsville. Jeff Vance, the county agent in Mitchell County says
the workshop will give tips on how to make extra money from your land through
wildlife habitat management. The workshop is this Thursday, March 24th, at 6:30
pm, in the Yancey County Courthouse. For more information, call your County
Extension Center, in Madison County, call 648-2411, in Mitchell County call
688-4811 and in Yancey County, call 682-6187.
Toddler Found Dead in Madison
03/22/2005
Madison County Sheriff's deputies are still
waiting on autopsy results after a toddler was found dead over the weekend. 20
month old Nicholas Vega was discovered not breathing at the Mintz Family Care
Home where his mother lived and worked. Madison Sheriff John Ledford says they
are considering the incident suspicious, but, so far, no one faces criminal
charges!!
More Meth Labs in the Mountains
03/18/05
According to a federal indictment, Sixteen
McDowell County residents have been charged with conspiracy to manufacture and
possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute the illegal drug. The charges
stem from an 18-month investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
State Bureau of Investigation, McDowell County Sheriff’s Department and other
law enforcement agencies. Those charged could face from 10 years to life in
prison if convicted. These arrest reflect a growing drug problem in Western
North Carolina. Five years ago, nine methamphetamine labs were busted in the
state. Last year there were 322 labs busted, and over 80 so far this year. The
majority of those were in the Western part of the state.
Severe Weather Awareness Week
03/15/2005
Governor Mike Easley has declared March 13-19 as
Severe Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina and designated Wednesday, March
16 as the day for statewide tornado drills in government buildings and schools.
Last year in North Carolina, tornados touched down in 70 counties across the
state, breaking the record of 65 counties with tornados in 1998. The National
Weather Service issued 158 tornado warnings, 462 severe thunderstorm warnings
and 191 flash flood warnings for North Carolina in 2004.
Mitchell Disaster Relief Fund
03/15/2005
Governor Easley has designated Mitchell County to
receive a portion of the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. These funds are to
be used to aid victims of the two tropical storms (Frances and Ivan) that hit
the County last year. Some of the guidelines for the funds include: The
Primary criteria for assistance is a lack of adequate resources. The recipients
will be individuals and families who have unmet needs, who cannot get assistance
form other sources, and whose losses are not covered by insurance. The
specific and unique needs of each applicant will be considered when assistance
decisions are made. Applications for assistance may be submitted to:
Mitchell County Clerk to the Board, Attention Kathy Young, 26 Crimson Laurel
Circle, Suite 2 Bakersville, NC 28705. All applications for assistance
must be received by Thursday, March 31, 2005.
Teen Charged with Murder
03/15/2005
A Marion teenager has been charged with first
degree murder and robbery in the death of 21-year-old Sherri Ann Renaye Nelson.
Nelson was a night manager of the Marion Pizza Hut Restaurant. 17-year-old Eric
Valdez worked at the restaurant and has been charged with stabbing Nelson
several times. The incident occurred in the parking lot after closing early
Monday. A money deposit bag was taken and is still missing. When An officer on
patrol stopped Valdez he ran and dropped a Pizza Hut T-shirt. The officer then
checked the Pizza Hut restaurant where he found the victim. Nelson had been
stabbed or cut 32 times. Valdez turned himself in Monday morning at the Marion
Police Station. Valdez is charged with first degree murder and robbery and is
being held in the McDowell County Jail. Sherri Nelson also worked as a paper
carrier for the Asheville Citizen Times.
Notes from Yancey Schools
03/14/2005
At the March 7 meeting of the Yancey County Board
of Education, the Board reviewed the school calendar for the remainder of the
2004-2005 school year. As of March 11, there are two snow days remaining in the
calendar, as well as one teacher workday for the purpose of finalizing the
school year. March 25, Good Friday will be a regular school day and Spring Break
will run from Saturday, March 26, through Sunday, April 3. Superintendent of
Schools, Vernon Chapman, said “Despite the fact that students have missed
several days due to inclement weather we do not expect that Spring Break will be
affected,” As of March 11, the projected last day of school for students will be
June 2. The Board will continue to accept applications for the position of
Superintendent of Schools until March 18, and will review applications at their
April 11 meeting.
Fire Destroys unoccupied House in Yancey
03/11/2005
Fire destroyed a house on Tuesday, on Highway 197
south—reportedly it was unoccupied. The call came into the Yancey Emergency
Operations Center at 5:30 pm. Units from Pensacola & Burnsville Fire
Departments, Yancey Rescue Squad and Yancey EMS responded to the scene. No other
details are available.
Needing Full-Time Help
03/11/2005
Burnsville’s Fire Chief, Niles Howell, told the
Town Council Thursday he feels if the Town hopes to maintain and improve the
Department’s current state fire insurance rating of “5,” his department will
need some full time help—currently Burnsville’s Fire Department is “all
volunteer.” Chief Howell asked Council to consider his request of 2 full-time
(paid) firefighters during the next budget.
Education and Economic Development
03/11/2005
When an industry is looking at locating a
facility in a community, one of their main concerns is the education level of
potential workers. Jeff Harding, Chairman of the Mitchell County Board of
Education, says this one area Mitchell County has to improve if we are to
attract business/industry to this area. He hopes community leaders and the Board
of Education can work together to improve graduation rates at Mitchell High
School.
Traffic Getting Back to Normal
03/10/2005
Good news, if all goes according to plan, NC DOT plans to re-open Oak Avenue, at
the bridge, to through traffic by 4:00 pm, this afternoon. This access to
downtown Spruce Pine has been closed since Sunday after the hill area above Oak
Avenue gave way from the combination of the September storms, plus cold
temperatures which caused the dirt and rock to freeze and then thaw and
eventually come loose.
Bomb Scare at Mountain Heritage High School
03/09/2005
At 9:52 am this morning, a call was received at Mountain Heritage High School.
The caller, a male voice, said there might be a bomb on the campus of the high
school. Principal Alton Robinson said the school was safely evacuated and the
students were taken to Cane River Middle School. The buildings were searched by
Yancey Sheriff's Department Personnel with the assistance of the Buncombe County
Sheriff's Department and a bomb sniffing dog. No bomb was found.
Concerns over Animal Control
03/09/2005
Last night’s Yancey County Commissioners meeting
was cancelled, but Commissioners were on hand to listen as citizens voiced their
concerns over the county’s proposed position of Animal Control/Animal Cruelty
Investigator. County Manager, Michele Lawhern said the board was not in session,
therefore no business could be conducted, but they could listen. She passed out
information on the subject of a Yancey County Animal Control/Animal Cruelty
Investigator. The information dealt with rumors and facts about
their efforts to date.
Drug Testing at Mitchell High
03/09/2005
The Mitchell School System has implemented drug
testing at Mitchell High. So far, only athletes have been tested, none tested
positive. Jeff Harding, Chairman of the Mitchell County Board of Education, said
they tested three self-referrals, a policy in which a student, who has a
problem, can come to the principal, admit that problem and receive help, without
being penalized from that sport. Harding said one who asked for help was a
non-athlete; he said he was glad the school system could offer help. Harding
also said they are in the process of making the high school a tobacco free
facility, which would mean faculty, students, and visitors will not be able to
use any tobacco products while on the grounds of the high school. He said the
next step is to implement this policy in every school in Mitchell County.
Rape Investigation
03/09/2005
A McDowell County wife and mother of three has
been charged with molesting her son's friend multiple times. The woman, age 31,
(31-year-old Melissa Strange) is accused of ten counts of statutory rape.
Investigators say the alleged crimes involved a 13-year-old boy, and that they
happened over the course of a year. The resource officer at the alleged victim's
school tipped-off authorities.
One Entrance to Oak Avenue Remains Closed
03/08/2005
A section of Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine remains closed
following Sunday’s rockslide that knocked out power to portions of Spruce Pine
and Avery County. DOT crews worked Monday to get Oak Avenue open, at the bridge,
but it didn’t happen. Town Manager Richard Canipe said DOT told him they plan on
keeping the road closed at the bridge for at least two more days while they
study the best and safest way to clear the area. And, the weather may change
those plans. The exact location of the slide is at the traffic signal where the
Bridge, Oak Avenue and Roan Road meet. Businesses were not affected by the
slide. Access from the bridge to Roan Road is clear, but turning right into town
is barricaded. To reach Downtown (via 19E, exit at Altapass Road, Ward Street
near Lakeview Nursery, or at the north end of Oak Avenue near Liberty
Motorcycles. Another route, turn left at the bridge, turn right on Fortner
Street at Jims Used Cars, turn right on Balsam Avenue to Walnut Avenue, turn
right, this will end at Oak Avenue)
More Rabies in Yancey
03/08/2005
Another rabies case has been confirmed in Yancey County. Tonda
Gosnell, the Health Educator for the Yancey County Health Department, says the
latest rabid animal is a skunk on Jack’s Creek. She says it is reasonable to
believe that more positive cases will continue to appear occur in wild animals
around this area. The best way to protect you and your family from exposure to
this deadly virus is to keep your pets vaccinated on a regular basis. Gosnell
says if your pet has been in a fight with a wild or domestic animal any you plan
on treating your pet’s wounds, protect yourself by wearing rubber gloves, using
a towel to prevent blood or saliva from getting on you and possibly exposing you
to rabies is very important. Then, you should contact your vet and they will
probably recommend a rabies booster for your pet. If someone has been bitten or
scratched by a stray or wild animal, you should thoroughly wash the wound with
soap and water and then seek medical attention as-soon-as possible. After
medical attention, you are asked to call the Yancey County Health Department so
they can investigate the incident. Call 682-6118. Mitchell County residents
should call 688-2371. Since August, 2004, there have been 17 confirmed cases of
rabies in Yancey County.
Notes from Yancey Commissioners
03/08/2005
Notes from Yancey Commissioners, tonight, at 6:45 pm, a public
hearing for close-out of the county’s 2002 CDBG grant will be held in the
commissioner’s meeting room, in the Yancey County Courthouse. Tonight’s regular
meeting of the Yancey Commissioners meeting has been cancelled. The
Commissioners invite you to join them for their next in their series of
community meetings, the March meeting will be at South Toe Elementary on
Tuesday, March 22nd, at 7pm. This is a listening session—no county business will
be conducted. The next regular commissioners meeting will be April 11th, at 7pm,
in the Commissioners meeting room, in the Yancey County Courthouse.
Meth Lab Explodes At Madison Landfill
03/08/2005
A worker at the Madsion County Landfill was exposed to
dangerous gas when the remnants of a meth lab exploded, Monday. He was using a
loader to move garbage, when he ran over a bag filled with drug-making chemicals
that released a cloud of toxic gas. The driver wasn't injured but he and a
co-worker saw a doctor as a precaution. Investigators believe someone dumped the
bag over the weekend. They have a list of everyone who brought trash there and
hope that will lead to an arrest. This is the ninth meth lab found in Madison
County this year.
Landslide Closes One Entrance To Oak Avenue
03/07/2005
A Sunday morning landslide knocked out power and
closed access to Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine. Entrance to Oak Avenue remains
blocked from the “bridge.” Most of Spruce Pine lost power for two hours right
after the incident. Mayor Wes Foy says the problem started during last falls
floods, "It was loose rocks where the ground had been wet, the snow had been on
it, it froze and thawed out, all combined together it brought it down". Progress
Energy cut down many trees near Oak Avenue to keep them from falling on power
lines and knocking out more electricity. The exact location of the slide is at
the traffic signal where the Bridge, Oak Avenue and Roan Road meet. Access from
the bridge to Roan Road is clear, but turning right into town is barricaded. To
reach Downtown (via 19E, exit at Altapass Road, Ward Street near Lakeview
Nursery, or at the north end of Oak Avenue near Liberty Motorcycles. Another
route, turn left at the bridge, turn right on Fortner Street at Jims Used Cars,
turn right on Balsam Avenue to Walnut Avenue, turn right, this will end at Oak
Avenue) Authorities hope the entrance to Oak Avenue
from this side of town will be open sometime today!!
The Artrain is Coming
03/03/2005
The Artrain, 1940’s vintage railcars, is coming
to Spruce Pine. The dates are April 7, 2000 through April 10, 2005. The Artrain,
called America’s Hometown Museum, will be on the tracks, on Lower Street. The
traveling Artrain presents “Native Views-Influences of Modern Culture,”
featuring Native American Art. See interactive artworks on computers as-well-as
traditionally woven baskets using modern designs and materials. Watch artists at
work. The event is a great educational opportunity for area school students and
adults too. Admission is free. The Artrain in sponsored by Toe River Arts
Council. For more information, call 765-0520
East Yancey Middle School Receives National Recognition
03/03/2005
East Yancey Middle School was recently named one
of only 4 middle schools in North Carolina as "Schools to Watch," for 2005.
“Schools to Watch” is a national recognition program originally developed by the
National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. The other schools are in
Iredell-Statesville and Charlotte-Mecklenburg. State Board of Education Chairman
Howard Lee said East Yancey was named as a “Schools to Watch” because of their
academic excellence, responsiveness to the needs and interests of young
adolescents, and their commitment to helping all students achieve at high
levels. In addition, each school has strong leadership, teachers who work
together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment
and accountability in order to bring about continuous improvement. These schools
join 10 schools selected in 2003 and 2004, bringing the total number of Schools
to Watch in North Carolina to 14. An awards ceremony and celebration will be
held on March 24, at East Yancey Middle School, at 1:30 PM. Principal Rick
Tipton, Assistant Principal Angie Anglin, the faculty, staff and students invite
all parents and members of the community, to come and celebrate with them.
Educating Our Kids
03/02/2005
Our Children’s education is a vital component to
our economic future. Jeff Harding, Chairman of the Mitchell County Board of
Education says they’ve invited representatives from Spruce Pine, Bakersville,
The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners, the Mitchell County Economic
Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce, as-well-as our state
representatives for a tour of the school system on March 11th. He said if our
community is to continue to grow, and get new industry, our children must have
the best education as we can give them and that means a cooperative effort of
the community. He said the Board of Education hopes this tour will bring about a
good exchange of ideas for the children and the future of this area.
$98 Million in Highway Contracts
03/02/2005
The NC Board of Transportation will consider
awarding contracts totaling $98 million in 30 counties statewide at its meeting
tomorrow in Raleigh. The board will also consider awarding contracts totaling
$24.4 million to resurface 375 miles of the state’s primary and secondary
highways, including roads in Avery, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey
counties.
McHenry in Mitchell
03/01/2005
Mitchell Commissioners met with 10th District
U.S. Congressman Patrick McHenry last week. They told him what the county needs
& he said he would do what he could to help get Mitchell’s economy back on
track. The commissioners wish list was help getting improvements to Highway 226,
which is a part of the economic lifeline for goods and services, as-well-as
tourism. They’re looking at Water & Sewer infrastructure connecting Bakersville
& Spruce Pine at Mitchell High School, in Ledger and the county needs help with
getting funds for a new jail.
Many Seniors & Disabled Can’t Pay Rent & Buy Food Too
03/01/2005
A recent study has revealed many elderly &
disabled people in Yancey County can’t afford to pay rent and buy food at the
same time. Ned Fowler, Executive Director of the Northwestern Regional Housing
Authority says the study identified 3 thousand households that are headed by
elders or disabled or both, who make less than 30% of the area median income
(about $7 or $8 thousand total household income) This is forcing many to live
with or get help from family and friends.
P.O. Box 744
