Tobacco Crackdown Begins In WNC
04/27/2005
Selling tobacco to minor’s, it’s against the law. A new
awareness campaign to stop the sale of tobacco to minor’s is underway in the
mountains. The initiative is aimed at educating retailers. It encourages sales
clerks to look for the red border around the picture on driver licenses of
people under 18. The campaign will spread out over a three year period beginning
with areas that have the highest cigarette sales to minors.
Grant for Construction Trades Project
04/27/2005
The Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity’s
Construction Trades Job Training Collaborative project has received a shot in
the arm, a $200,000 Janirve Foundation grant putting them much closer to their
$500,000 goal. Mountain Heritage High School and Mayland Community College
students, along with Habitat volunteers, will construct modular homes that will
be sold as Habitat homes. The project calls for the homes to be built inside an
80 X 120 foot steel building to be constructed on the campus of Mountain
Heritage High School. The homes will then be transported to home sites with
foundations constructed by Mayland Community College students. High school
students will receive college credit through Mayland for hours logged in this
program. Students continuing their education at Mayland will be able to receive
either a certificate or diploma in Building Trades Management.
Collecting Delinquent Taxes
04/26/2005
Spruce Pine is taking measures to collect delinquent taxes.
Danny Young, the Town’s finance Officer says in this week’s Mitchell News
Journal, the names of delinquent tax payers will be listed. At the end of April,
the police department will serve papers to these individuals whose bill remains
delinquent informing them that further action will be taken such as wage
garnishments and bank attachments.
Former Yancey Resident Charged With Sex Crimes
04/26/2005
A former resident of Yancey County has been served with
warrants charging him with 2 counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor
and 1 count of first degree sexual assault. Kevin Floyd Solomon, age 27, now
living in Mecklenburg County, Virginia was arrested on Friday, April 22nd.
According to information from the Sheriff’s Department, the offenses are alleged
to have occurred on three separate occasions at three separate locations in 2004
in Yancey County. Solomon remains in the Yancey County jail under a $52 thousand
secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey Superior Court on May 24th.
The Sheriff’s Department received assistance from child protective services
division of the Yancey County Department of Social Services and medical
personnel from the Ruth and Billy Graham Children’s Center in Asheville.
Search for Yancey Superintendent Continues
04/25/2005
At their April meeting, the
Yancey County Board of Education selected ten of the 20 applicants to interview
for the position of superintendent of schools for Yancey County. The
applicants from out-of-town ask that their names not be published because of
their current employment. Four of the selected interviewees are current
principals with Yancey County Schools: Patricia Bennett (South Toe Elementary),
Alan Lusk (Micaville Elementary), Dr. Barbara Tipton (Cane River Middle), and
Rick Tipton (East Yancey Middle). Also selected for interviews are Tim Hensley,
Career-Technical Education Director with Yancey County Schools, and a former
Yancey County principal. Interviews were conducted on April 22 and with more
scheduled for this Friday (April 29th). The Board hopes to name a
superintendent by June 1. The next regular meeting of the Yancey County Board of
Education will be held on May 2, at 5:00 PM at the Board of Education office,
100 School Circle, Burnsville.
Operation
Brighter Day
04/22/2005
Representative Ray Rapp says he’s learned that a public campaign called
"Operation Brighter Day," will be launched to provide information to citizens on
flood assistance that is available, and 50 Disaster Application Centers (DAC's)
will open at Agriculture Extension Offices in each county beginning today!! If
you are seeking assistance, you can call the Hotline between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00
p.m. Monday through Friday at (888) 835-9966; you can contact your local
Extension Office; or you can phone the Western Redevelopment Center in
Asheville. Their number is (828) 250-3823. He said the hazard mitigation grant
program to purchase or elevate homes and structures that are located in the
100-year floodplain is well underway. Rapp said The WNC legislative delegation
was informed that a total of 16,681 applicants were received for individual
assistance under Hurricane Frances and a total of $21,084,352 was dispersed.
Another 9006 applicants applied for assistance after Hurricane Ivan and a total
of $13,167,597 was paid out. Beginning today, the Division of Emergency
Management will have a web-based application process that will be more easily
accessible to flood victims. It is important to note he said that local
governments wanting to participate in the housing programs for their residents
will have to apply to the Redevelopment Center by June 30. Businesses have until
July 30 to apply for Small Business Administration loans and, to date, a total
of 30 of the 34 applications received have been approved. The deadline for
redevelopment planning grants by communities has passed and applications have
been received from Asheville, Canton, Clyde, Marshall, Madison County, Spruce
Pine, Newland and Bryson City. The Rural Center will meet on April 26 to act
upon these Grant applications.
Parkway to Mt.
Mitchell Reopens from South
04/21/2005
The
rockslide that forced the closure of a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway north
of the Folk Art Center last Thursday has been removed, and the scenic highway
reopened Wednesday from Asheville to Mt. Mitchell State Park. However the road
is still closed between Mt. Mitchell and NC Highway 80 and from just north of
Spruce Pine to the Linville Falls community. The 11-mile Mt. Mitchell to NC 80
section is expected to reopen Memorial Day weekend. The 8-mile stretch north of
Spruce Pine should reopen this fall or in the spring of 2006.
A Brutal Assault in Newdale
04/19/2005
A Yancey County man remains in jail, without
bond, following what authorities are calling a brutal assault on his girlfriend.
Jonathon Lewis Shepherd, age 19, of Highway 19E, in Newdale, was taken into
custody early Monday morning following the incident. According to Sheriff’s
Deputies Shepherd allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in their home during the
late hours of Sunday. He is alleged to have strangled her with his hands while
beating her head, upper and lower torso with his fist and kicking her with his
feet while wearing boots. In addition Shepherd is alleged to have repeatedly
struck his 19 year old girlfriend all over her body with a leather belt and
handle of a pistol. During the assault Shepherd shot at her as she attempted to
escape. The victim was finally able to get away from him. Shepherd has been
charged with 2-counts of assault by pointing a gun, 1-count of felony assault
with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury, 1-count of felony assault by
strangulation and 1-count of possessing firearms after being a convicted felon.
He is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on April 29th.
Suspected Cases of Whooping Cough in
Mitchell & Yancey
04/19/2005
A number of cases of suspected
“whooping cough,” (pertussis) are being reported by the Mitchell & Yancey County
Health Departments. No specific details are available about the suspected cases
in Mitchell, but Yancey officials are reporting the ages of these cases range
from young children to adults and are concentrated in the South Toe area.
Whooping cough can be a very serious disease, particularly for infants less than
one year of age. Since it is quite contagious, the disease can easily spread
through the air from a sick person during talking, sneezing or coughing. The
illness starts with symptoms similar to a common cold. Children suffering from
whooping cough often develop coughing fits, especially at night, giving a
high-pitched “whoop” sound. The “whoop” is a sign that the person is struggling
to breathe between coughs. The disease can be very severe and, although deaths
are rare, they do occur, especially in infants less than one year of age. Anyone
who is suspected of having whooping cough or who is exposed to a person with the
disease should contact their doctor or the county health department. In
Mitchell, call 688-2371
and in Yancey, call 682-6118.
Please
follow the North Carolina Department of Health recommendations:
§
Take or give your child the recommended medicines and stay home for 5 days if
instructed to do so.
§ Infants under one year, and particularly under six months, are
most likely to experience severe illness if they develop pertussis. When
possible, young infants should be kept away from people with a cough.
Infants with any coughing illness should be promptly evaluated by
their doctor.
§
If you have an infant in your family who may have been exposed to
pertussis contact his or her doctor immediately. Even if the infant is not
sick.
§ Pertussis vaccine is only given to children under age 7 years. If
you have children less than 7 years of age who have not been completely
immunized against pertussis (particularly infants under one year) we recommend
you talk to your child’s doctor about the benefits of vaccination.
§ If you or your child comes down with cold symptoms that include a
cough, talk to your child’s doctor without delay. Tell him/her that there has
been pertussis identified in your community.
Spotlighting Business
04/19/2005
It’s a spotlight on business
tomorrow in Burnsville. Miki Pontorno, the new Director of the Yancey-Burnsville
Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to “Business Showcase,” tomorrow, April
20th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the Burnsville Plaza Shopping Center on 19E.
Learn more about the many businesses in the area. There will be free handouts
and door prizes, live entertainment and karaoke. Free food samples from vendors
and full meals will be available. For more information, call 682-7413.
McDowell Woman Arrested On Embezzlement Charge
04/19/2005
McDowell County authorities have
charged the treasurer of a youth league with stealing money from the
organization. 41 year old Rhonda Dobson is charged with one count of felony
embezzlement. Members of McDowell Youth Concessions noticed money missing from
last year's sales. Investigators say she was writing checks to herself. They
have discovered $1000 dollars missing so far and say that number could get
higher.
A Potential Buyer for Avondale
04/18/2005
Yancey County is in negotiations
with a company to buy the Avondale Mills property. Danny Hensley, Chairman of
the County Commission, said a company (which he would not name) is very
interested in coming to Yancey County and talks are going well. He said the
County’s number one priority is to bring jobs to Yancey. 160 workers were laid
off when Avondale shutdown in May 2004.
DOT to Improve Industry Access
04/15/2005
The NC Department of Transportation
has approved a Yancey County request for funding to improve accessibility on 19E
between Depot Street and Highway 197 north. Danny Hensley, Chairman of the
Yancey County Commission, says the improvements will increase accessibility at
the entrances to Altec Industries, Glen Raven, Heritage Lumber, businesses on
Depot Street and traffic entering and exiting East Main Street. The improvements
project will cost $280 thousand.
Meth and Pharmaceutical Drugs
04/15/2005
Methamphetamine and obtaining
pharmaceutical drugs through fraud and Doctor Shopping tops the Spruce Pine
Police Departments “war on drugs” list. Stacy Hughes, a Detective with the
Spruce Pine Police Department says chemicals used to make methamphetamine come
from local stores, and that's why they need help from area merchants. Hughes
says if store owners suspect someone of cooking meth, they have the right not to
sell the products to them. He says the police department can advise store owners
on what mannerisms and appearances to be on the look out for when it comes to
meth cookers. Authorities say North Carolina has not yet prosecuted a business
owner for knowingly selling the chemicals to a methamphetamine cooker, but it
will happen eventually.
A Guilty Plea
Agreement
04/14/2005
The first
trial of a McDowell County man, accused of attempted first degree murder, in the
beating of a Burnsville woman in 2003, ended with a jury deadlock. To avoid a
second trial, which could result in a prison term of 85 years (if convicted of
all charges), Michael David Brown, age 36, in a plea agreement with the state,
has pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the beating and robbing of Milidene
Baker Wilson, in her West Main Street Antique Shop. Brown was sentenced to serve
74 to 98 months for assault with deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and 36
to 44 months for robbery. He was also ordered to pay $11,460 in restitution to
the victim’s compensation fund, plus court costs and the fees of his court
appointed attorney. The sentences will run consecutively. Wilson, age 68, was
found by her husband on November 4th, several hours after the attack. She was
hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. She stayed at Mission Hospital for
several weeks where she had multiple surgeries to repair extensive skull and
facial injuries.
Sale to New Vistas
04/13/2005
Mitchell
Commissioners have agreed to sell to New Vistas the county owned property
adjacent to Spruce Pine Community Hospital and formerly occupied by Blue Ridge
Mental Health. The purchase price is $550 thousand. The terms of the sale, New
Vistas will pay $440 Thousand in cash and Mitchell County will finance the
remaining $110 thousand to be paid by New Vistas in 15 annual installments of
$7,333.33. According to the contract, New Vistas must use the property to
provide mental health and substance services to the citizens of Mitchell County.
Burning Safety
04/13/2005
The Forest
Service says McDowell resident Ed Wilkinson had the legal permit to burn debris
but he didn't clear enough room around the fire to keep it contained. The flames
jumped to some Kudzu vines nearby and spread from there, eventually burning up
10 acres. Wilkinson received third-degree burns on his arms and legs. Rangers
say it all could have been prevented. They suggest making a fire break with all
the trees, removing flammable material several feet, and keeping a five gallon
bucket of water nearby in case the flames get out of control.
Named to Committee
04/13/2005
Representative Phillip Frye has been appointed to the Select Committee on
Homeland Security, Military, and Emergency Management for the State of North
Carolina. The Select Committee on Homeland Security is responsible for reviewing
the preparedness of North Carolina in regards to the security of the State. The
committee will examine areas in the government that need more stringent
regulations and work to implement a course of action for North Carolina in the
face of an emergency. On his appointment Frye said: “I am determined to do
everything in my power to help pass legislation that further ensures the safety
and protection of our citizens and promotes an environment without fear
throughout our great state,”
Fighting Drugs in
Spruce Pine
04/12/2005
Drugs are
keeping detectives busy in Spruce Pine. According to Detective Stacy Hughes said
over the past three months his department has had 50 drug charges, of those 26
involved pharmaceutical drug diversion or prescription medication, 3 charges
involved trafficking of pharmaceutical drugs and 12 involved methamphetamine. He
said they have had over 30 felony cases over the past three months.
Assessing Health
Needs
04/12/2005
The
Yancey County Health Department and Healthy Yancey are gearing up for another
health assessment designed to address the health needs of the community. Tonda
Gosnell, the Health Educator of the Yancey County Heath Department says past
assessments have resulted in urgent care extended hours at Yancey Community
Medical Center, they have gotten information used to find funding and create
plans to get Kid Mountain, the Skate Park and some renovations at Ray Cort park,
and a full time employee has been hired to help with tobacco education in the
school system and to help with the grant process for pedestrian planning in
Burnsville. Dates, times and locations for the 2005 assessment will be announced
later.
Brush Fire in McDowell
04/12/2005
Officials
believe a man trying to burn off kudzu started ablaze that burned about 25 acres
in McDowell County Monday. The man who started the fire was burned and taken to
the hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening.
The blaze burned a car and
a mobile home on its way up the mountain. The fire also spread into a private
development.
Firefighters say they see this every so often, someone not realizing how dry
conditions are ends up setting the woods on fire.
Bomb Threat at Baxter’s
04/08/2005
Employees at the Baxter's North Cove Plant in
Marion were told to go home this morning after a bomb threat. According to Human
Resources Director, Nanette Davis, local authorities received a call early this
morning that a bomb was in the North Cove plant. The facility was immediately
evacuated. She said Baxter's is working with local authorities to complete the
investigation and prosecution of the person or persons responsible. She said the facility is back on regular schedule with the 2nd shift to
report at normal times.
Artrain USA in Spruce Pine
04/08/2005
Artrain USA is now open on the railroad tracks on Lower
Street, in Spruce Pine. Artrain USA is an art museum that travels the country in
custom-restored vintage railroad cars. Denise Cook is the Director of the Toe
River Arts Council says Artrain USA features contemporary works by Native
American artists from all over the country. The hours are today from 1:30 until
3:30 and Saturday and Sunday from 10 - 5.
Madison County Murder Arrest
04/08/2005
An alleged drug dealer from Madison County has
been charged with murder after the man investigators say he sold drugs to
overdosed and died. Richard Griffey faces second degree murder charges in the
death of Doug Branham. He died in January after overdosing on methadone, a
derivative of heroine. Investigators say Griffey sold Branham the prescription
painkiller illegally. Griffey was released on half a million dollars unsecured
bond.
Mars Hill College Votes Against Gay
Group
04/08/2005
Mars Hill
College Student Government members voted Thursday 21-14 against recognizing
“Open Doors,” a controversial gay and lesbian group will not be recognized as an
official campus organization.
According to a majority of
student government members, this is the best outcome so the college doesn't lose
its Baptist affiliation or any funding. Members of "Open Doors" say this issue
is not over. Administrators say the next time it can come to a vote is the next
academic year.
Can’t Get Help
04/07/2005
For the past two weeks, the Yancey County Board
of Commissioner have tried, on a daily basis, to schedule a meeting with
Governor Easley to discuss the county’s concerns and frustrations over the flood
recovery effort in Western North Carolina, but so far, they haven’t been able to
one or even any guarantee they will get one. Yancey Commissioner Dean Hicks says
the funds have been allocated, but they can’t use them because of all the
restrictions and regulations they have to go through, He says the county has
hired an environmental engineering firm, all they paper work has been completed,
but nothing gets done. He says the main problem is over 80% of Yancey’s water
and trout streams have been classified as “high quality,” but there is no way to
get into the creek banks and clean them without crossing the land and getting
into the creeks, but, because of restrictions and regulations imposed by the
state, these are the two things they can’t do.
Saving Historic Mitchell Courthouse
04/06/2005
For almost a year, the Mitchell County Historic
Courthouse Committee has been working on the best way to save the building in
Bakersville that was built in 1907. On Monday, the committee brought to the
Commissioners a proposal involving a partnership between Mayland Community
College and the Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Library System. Reid Duncan, the
Chairperson of the Committee said the Library will have use of the second floor
and Mayland will have use of the first floor. The estimated cost to renovate the
historic building will be from $1 million to $1.5 million. An elevator will have
to be installed and the interior will have to be brought up to code, but they
hope to leave the outside just as it was built in 1907. The 5 year project will
see many fundraisers and grant applications. The renovation is scheduled to
begin in June, 2007 with the grand opening set for June, 2010.
Offering Disaster Recovery Services
04/06/2005
Yancey United Way and the Yancey Baptist
Association have teamed together to offer disaster recovery services to help
residents with unmet needs from last year’s floods. Tommy Hewitt, with United
Way, says right now, what they need more than anything else is community
volunteers who can assist in assessments, repairs and case management. Although
some residents received assistance from FEMA, in many cases those dollars were
not enough. Its estimated Yancey County still has almost $970 thousand in unmet
needs. To get more information, call the Yancey Baptist Association at 682-2388.
Discussing a New Mitchell Jail
04/05/2005
Mitchell Commissioners met Monday night in
regular session…a main topic of discussion was a new jail facility for the
county. Much of the discussion wasn’t if the county should build a new jail, but
rather once it’s built can the county afford to operate it on a day-to-day
basis. A part of the discussion was a possible USDA Rural Development loan at a
fixed rate of 4.25% interest rate over a 40 year period, but to be eligible for
the deal, the county must apply by July 1st. The Commissioners voted to go ahead
with the loan application, to get the necessary feasibility & environmental
studies and get cost estimates on 3 different size facilities. They also want to
discuss a proposal made to Mitchell, by Yancey County, to house inmates in
Burnsville.
Strong Wind Causes Damage in Mountain Counties
04/04/2005
Howling wind & power outages hit the
mountains late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Reports of wind 55 mph
and higher in Yancey, and 40 mph and higher in Mitchell. McDowell County was one
of the harder hit areas as high wind took down signs, trees and power lines. The
storm left a path of destruction all along US-70. Crews spent Sunday trying to
restore electricity to part of Marion and cut down trees to free up power lines.
The wind also ripped the roof off a barn and tore down signs. Some trees are
still blocking roads and driveways, but most of the power has been restored.
Yancey Petitions Delivered to Lawmakers
04/01/2005
A state lottery continues to be the hot topic in
the General Assembly. Earlier this week, House Speaker Jim Black appointed a
special 14-member Lottery Committee to craft an education lottery bill by April
10th. On Tuesday, Bill Mitchell and Dave Shelton, from Yancey County, delivered
several hundred petitions with names of church members who oppose the lottery.
Yancey Representative says his view on the subject has not changed, he believes
the lottery is poor public policy and it exploits our poorest citizens.
P.O. Box 744
