Political Season Is Here
06/30/2006
Political season begins tomorrow as filing opens for
candidates to run in the November municipal elections. In Bakersville,
candidates can file for mayor and three council seats, each winner will
serve a 2-year term. In Burnsville, candidates can file for mayor and 2
council seats, each winner will serve a 4-year term. And in Spruce Pine,
candidates will be filing to run for Mayor and 4 council seats, with the
winners serving 2-year terms. Filing will close at noon, August 5th. If
you have any questions, call your county Board of Elections office. In
Mitchell, call 688-3101, in Yancey, call 682-3950.
Public Access Channel is Coming
06/30/2005
A part of the cable television contract agreed to by
Mitchell County, Bakersville and Spruce Pine, the cable companies will
provide an access channel. The channel and its operation, now in the
forming stage, will provide public, education and government programs to
cable subscribers. Examples of programming would include (but not
limited to) special interest stories or documentaries on the county’s
living treasuries and festivals, school activities such as plays and
sports. The channel could be used for broadcasting government and
education meetings.
Yancey Approves Budget
06/29/2005
Yancey Commissioners presented a balanced budget for
2005-2006 at a public hearing Tuesday night. The budget total is
$14,053, 691.05. The tax rate remains the same of 50 cents per $100
valuation. County employees will receive a 3% cost of living increase
and their portion of the cost for insurance will decrease by 2%, without
losing any benefits. Danny Hensley, Commission Chairman had praise for
the work of Manager Michele Lawhern and her staff for all their hard
work in preparing the budget. Commissioner Dean Hicks said every year it
gets harder to balance the budget and he was extremely proud of
employees who work on a “shoe-string” budget and are still willing to
provide the quality services they do. Commissioner Nathan Bennett said
they have worked hard to craft a budget that takes into consideration
the present and future needs of the county.
Meeting in Special Session
6/28/2005
Mitchell Commissioners met in special session Monday to
consider an amendment to the 2005-2006 budget. Keith Masters, Commission
Chairman said the Board originally considered a 2% raise for county
employees, but decided by majority vote to leave the funds in the budget
and look at the “raise issue” around December. It was learned they could
not leave it in the budget, so they met to decide to leave the money
there or remove it from the budget. They voted, 4-1 to remove the money
from the budget. Commissioners Masters, Saylor, Hollifield and Hensley
voting to remove the money, Commissioner Phil Byrd voted to leave the
funds in the budget, which totaled $43,925.00. He said the funds are
already there and county employees should get a raise. He said some
employees have by there since 1993 and are making $13,474 a year. The
money was removed from the budget and placed in the fund balance.
Spruce Pine Adopts Budget
06/28/2005
The Town of Spruce Pine met Monday and adopted its
2005-2006 last night. There are no tax or water & sewer increases. The
budget total is $1.720, 415. The tax rate remains the same at 43 cents
per $100 valuation. To balance the budget, $145 thousand was taken from
the Town’s fund balance, this is the fourth consecutive year money from
the fund balance has been used as a revenue source. While the Town’s
fund balance remains in a strong position, Town manager Richard Canipe
said the Council should consider alternate sources of revenue in
adopting future budgets.
Hoping For Good News from Raleigh Legislators
06/27/2005
Action by legislators in Raleigh has Mitchell Educators
on the edge of their seats. Currently members of the State Senate want
to cut teacher assistants positions from 3rd grade and higher and the
State House does not. Jeff Harding, Chairman of the Mitchell County
Board of Education says if the Senate gets their way, Mitchell could
lose as-many-as 4 people from the classroom. Harding says the schools
currently employ 27 teaching assistants, funded by the state and the
remaining 15 assistants from local monies or small rural money. He says
3rd grade is a tested grade and these positions are vital to our kids
and hopefully the system will not lose anyone.
Wreck Sends Two to Hospital
06/24/2005
A wreck on 226 sent two people to area hospitals Tuesday
afternoon. According to the Spruce Pine Police Department, the crash
occurred when a 1993 Ford Sedan, came out of Summit Avenue onto NC 226
South and into the lane of travel of a van heading north on NC 226, the
van was from Estatoe Church of God, and was carrying 5 passengers. No
names or conditions reports have been released at this time. The wreck
tied up traffic on 226 for about an hour. The investigation into the
incident is continuing.
Construction Trades Project Moving Forward
06/24/2005
The Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity Construction
Trades Job Training Collaborative project at Mountain Heritage High
School continues to move forward. Jim Swain says Habitat continues to
work to get all the necessary funding in place. The project calls for
Habitat 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. Soil
tests conducted at the construction site revealed uncompacted soil,
requiring the redesign of the building’s foundation. The Yancey School
Board has approved Swain’s request to release the plans for construction
bids to determine the accuracy of cost estimates for the project.
Mitchell Residents Getting Help
06/23/2005
Some Mitchell County residents will be getting help
thanks to efforts by the County Commission: Keith Masters, Chairman of
the Mitchell Commission says the county has secured a community
development block grant to help residents in Henson’s Creek who suffered
losses during last year’s floods. The grant total is $600 thousand.
Over 200 cases of Salmonella in NC
06/22/2005
As we reported on Tuesday, eggs have been identified as
the source of 10 confirmed cases of salmonella in Mitchell County.
Officials in Yancey say they have had no reported cases but that may be
because people aren't showing up to be tested. It’s also reported that
over 200 cases of this strain of salmonella have been reported
throughout North Carolina. At this time, no specific source of the eggs
has been confirmed.
A New Trial Ordered
06/22/2005
A new trial has been ordered for a Burke County man who
was convicted of murder in 2002. The state Court of Appeals ruled that
the trial judge had failed to properly instruct the jury that they could
find Vincent Lebron Ledford not guilty by reason of self-defense.
Ledford had been found guilty of murdering George William Birchfield of
Nebo in January 2002. Deputies were called to the Burchfield residence
where they found Burchfield and Ledford with gunshot wounds. The
investigation revealed Birchfield had been dating Ledford’s estranged
wife when the shooting occurred in Burchfield’s home on Pinnacle Church
Road.
Salmonella Source Identified
06/21/2005
Eggs have been determined as the cause for the recent
Salmonella outbreak in Mitchell County. After extensive testing, the
Mitchell County Health Department learned that the 10 persons diagnosed
with the bacteria actually all have the same type of bacteria that is
associated with eggs. According to Charles Canipe, Environmental Health
Supervisor with the Toe River Health District, the bacteria can be
inside perfectly normal-looking eggs and is transferred to humans when
raw or undercooked eggs are eaten or when there is contamination from
cooking utensils and unwashed hands. A person infected with Salmonella
usually has fever, cramps, and diarrhea beginning 12 to 72 hours after
consuming a contaminated food or beverage. If a diarrhea is severe a
person may require hospitalization. If you suspect you may have
Salmonella, contact your doctor so he can do a test. This will also help
the health department get a clearer picture of what is happening. For
more information contact Mitchell County Health Department 688-2371.
Mitchell Approves Budget
06/21/2005
Mitchell Commissioners, in a special session, approved
the County’s 2005-2006 budget Monday. The new budget contains a tax rate
reduction of a penny, from the current 53 cents per $100 valuation, to
52 cents per $100 valuation. The total budget is balanced at
$13,849,822.00 (last year: $14,405,501.00). And because July 4th falls
on the first Monday of the month (their regular meeting day),
Commissioners voted to meet in regular session on Monday, July 11th, at
6:00 pm, in the County Administration Building, in Bakersville.
Yancey Man served with Fugitive Papers
06/21/2005
Yancey Deputies have arrested a Burnsville man on drug
possession charges and they have also served him with a fugitive warrant
from Wisconsin. Wesley Scott Robinson, age 38, of Silver Springs Road
has been charged with one count each of possessing marijuana, drug
paraphernalia, oxycodone and hydrocodone. Robinson was served with a
fugitive warrant alleging that he fled from law enforcement authorities
in Wisconsin, in 1995 after being placed on probation for burglary.
Robinson was released from custody after posting a $2 thousand secured
bond. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on June 29th.
Drug Bust in Micaville
06/20/2005
Yancey Deputies make a drug bust in Micaville. Bryon
Anthony Duboise, age 36, of the Micaville Loop, was taken into custody
on Monday, June 13th. According to Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s
Department, the arrest was the result of an investigation into
allegations that Duboise was distributing marijuana from his residence.
During the investigation, an undisclosed amount of marijuana was seized.
Duboise was charged with selling, possessing with intent to sell,
maintaining a vehicle to keep and sell drugs from and felony possession
of marijuana. He was released from jail after posting a $6 thousand
secured bond. Duboise is scheduled to appear Yancey District Court on
June 29th.
Helping Small Business
06/20/2005
The Town of Spruce Pine is in the business of helping
small business. In 1987, the Town established a revolving loan fund to
help small businesses in downtown. Town Manager, Richard Canipe says the
loan is up to $15 thousand or 75% of the cost of the project to renovate
or upgrade or improve buildings. The Town set aside $150 thousand for
the fund from a re-payment of an urban development action grant the town
received. To get all the details about the loan fund, call Town Hall at
765-3000.
No Increase
06/17/2005
Spruce Pine Mayor Wes Foy says the Town’s preliminary
budget of $1,720, 416.00, for 2005-2006 has no tax increase or water and
sewer increases. Finance Officer Danny Young says they had to use their
fund balance to balance the budget, and after all is said and done, the
budget is close to last year’s total. Spruce Pine’s public hearing on
their proposed 2005-2006 budget is Monday, June 27th, at 5:30 pm.
Click It or Ticket
06/17/2005
The NC Highway Patrol’s “Click It or Ticket” spring
campaign was May 30th thru June 5th. Results from area counties:
Avery had 18 safety belt & restraint violations and a total of 76
traffic & criminal violations. (1DWI)
Madison had 35 safety belt & restraint violations and a total of 115
traffic & criminal violations. (4DWI)
McDowell had 51 safety belt & restraint violations and a total of 222
traffic & criminal violations. (3DWI)
Mitchell had 18 safety belt & restraint violations and a total of 96
traffic & criminal violations. (2DWI)
Yancey had 33 safety belt & restraint violations and a total of 81
traffic & criminal violations. (3DWI)
Mecklenburg County had the highest number of safety belt violations with
917. Beside safety belt & child restraint violations, officers statewide
charged 11 hundred with DWI, 10 thousand speeding tickets, 700 drug
charges, 51 stolen cars and 12 fugitives.
Requesting More Funding
06/16/2005
Mitchell Schools went before County Commission earlier
this month to ask for more funding. No specific amount was asked for.
Commission Chairman Keith Masters said the County has given them the
same amount of money for the last two or three years which is about $1.5
million. He said the board, previous to the current board, voted to give
them $100 thousand extra for capitol expenditures. Masters said the
Commissioners are naturally interested in the children of Mitchell
County and the schools. He said Commissioners have a lot on their plate
right now; they are going to have to do something about a jail, which
will be pretty expensive. He said Commissioners are going to look at a
lot of things right now, so they’ll see how the Board of Education
request fits in. The Commissioners will meet in special session Monday
morning at 8:00 am to adopt the budget.
Applying For Flood Assistance Programs
06/15/2005
Yancey Commissioners will make application to the Crisis
Housing Assistance Fund and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program,
as-well-as other related flood assistance programs on behalf of citizens
and businesses impacted by the floods of September 2004. Danny Hensley,
Commission Chairman says the county will enter into a contract with RSM
Harris Associates, out of Goldsboro, who will search out any and all
flood assistance programs, as-well-as prepare and administer those
programs. Hensley encourages all citizens who had damages from the
September floods, to contact the Yancey County Extension office to apply
for assistance; he says the county will do what ever they can to help
those who were impacted by the storms.
More Grant Money
06/15/2005
The Town of Spruce Pine recently applied for and received
a redevelopment grant for $5 thousand through the Hurricane Recovery Act
of 2005. Last week Representative Phillip Frye notified the Town the
grant amount had been increased to $20 thousand. Spruce Pine Town
Manager, Richard Canipe says the grant will be used to recommend and
develop measures to prevent future flooding to buildings, to the Town’s
infrastructure and areas along the river bank, to develop economic
strategies, to support flood management goals that would promote
economic activities in the downtown area, to protect and support the
existing business and to help them in future in the ways to prevent
damages if there is more flooding. Canipe says Spruce Pine is now
eligible to apply to the NC Rural Center for a $700 thousand
redevelopment grant, if funds become available. He says the town hopes
to get some of this grant money to implement the measures outline in
their economic development strategies.
Section of Parkway Closed
06/14/2005
An 11-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Mt.
Mitchell State Park and N.C. Highway 80 was closed Saturday after runoff
from recent rains and water surfacing from underground began to erode
and undermine the supporting roadbed and slope at mile 348. Access to
the state park is still available from Asheville. Parkway officials said
that engineers and technicians are still evaluating the site but
preliminary indications are that repair could take at least a month. The
site is one that was washed out last September when remnants of
Hurricane Frances dumped double-digit precipitation on the region.
Officials noted that the road also remains closed from just north of
Spruce Pine to the Linville Falls community (mile 317-325). A detour for
this eight-mile stretch has been posted. Parkway officials say this
8-mile stretch should reopen this fall or in the spring of 2006. The
rest of the 469-mile scenic roadway and all campgrounds, visitor centers
and other public facilities are open. The Crabtree Meadows campground
and trails, and the Museum of North Carolina Minerals are open. Access
to these areas and to the Little Switzerland community is available from
N.C. 80 and N.C. 226 at Spruce Pine. In addition, the historic Orchard
at Altapass and nearby private campground is accessible from the
Parkway. Drivers of large RVs should be aware that N.C. 80 is steep and
curvy, especially the eastern section between Marion and the Parkway.
The Cost of Education
06/14/2005
Mitchell County Board of Education Chairman, Jeff
Harding, says education is costing more and more everyday and he hopes
the County Commissions will consider helping them and he says education
plays a very important part of attracting new industry. Harding says 20%
to 22% of the surrounding counties budgets are for education, but
Mitchell only budgets around 11%. He says they have received $1.5
million each year since 2001-2002 school year and he says the cost of
living has gone up significantly in areas such as insurance for local
paid employees and fuel oil. He says the Board of Education feels it’s
hard to operate with the amount of local money the system is receiving.
He says Mitchell schools are in good shape, considering their age, but
heating systems are beginning to give them problems, two facilities need
window replacements, all of their buildings have leaking roofs and it’s
getting to the point where they can’t continue to patch them up. Harding
said he realizes the County has to make some tough decisions, such as
building and staffing a new jail, but education is a vital part of
getting new industry to come here. He said through planning with the
Commissioners, the board hopes they will be able to help them. He says
his board has had an open and good working relationship with the
Commissioners over the past two years which is very important to the
Board of Education!!
New Yancey Schools Superintendent Sworn In
06/14/2005
Dr. Barbara Tipton was sworn in as the new Superintendent
of Schools for Yancey County during the June meeting of the Yancey Board
of Education. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dennis Howell, a former member of
the Yancey County Board of Education, swore in Tipton before a crowded
boardroom. Dr. Tipton, Principal at Cane River Middle School, will begin
the transition to Superintendent immediately and will assume full
responsibilities beginning July 1st. During the summer, the NC
Department of Transportation will install solar-powered flashing lights
and school zone warning signs at the entrance to East Yancey Middle
School. In addition, they will repair and update the two lights at the
entrance to Mountain Heritage High School. The project is scheduled for
completion prior to the start of the 2005-2006 school year. And Renee
McCurry, Early Childhood Education Teacher at Mountain Heritage, ask the
Board to approve the allocation of five slots for a More at Four program
at the Mountain Heritage Child Care Center for the upcoming school year.
The More at Four Pre-kindergarten Program is a state-funded program
designed to prepare at-risk four-year-olds for success in school. The
Board approved a motion by Elaine Boone in a 5-0 vote authorizing the
allocation of five slots for the More at Four program.
Newland Woman Charged with Murder
06/13/2005
Avery Deputies have charged a Newland woman with murder
in connection with the death of Samuel Joe Roberson, age 59, of Newland.
Avery Deputies along with North Carolina SBI agents, conducted an
investigation into an incident that occurred near the town of Newland on
June 9, 2005. The incident left one person dead. AS a result of the
investigation, Gloria Hughes Estes, age 53, of Newland, has been charged
with murder, she remains in the Avery County Jail under a $750,000 bond.
She has a pending court date of June 17, 2005. No motive or other
details of the incident have been released.
Three Dead in Micaville Wreck
06/10/2005
A two car wreck Thursday near the Micaville Loop on 19E
in Yancey County killed three Burnsville residents. The crash happened
around 1:00 pm between B & W Stone and the Silver Bullet Convenience
Store. According to State Troopers, Maria Delaluz Munoz, age 33, of
Green Creek Road in Bakersville, was traveling west on 19E in a 1998
Taurus, when she lost control of the car and crossed the center
line and hit head on with a 2000 Lumina, driven by Claude Elliott, age
78, of Upper White Oak, in Burnsville. The Lumina ran off the right side
of the road into an embankment. There were two passengers in the Lumina,
Margie Gossett Elliott and Essie Watson, both of the Upper White Oak
Address. All three died as a result of the crash, one at the scene and
two died later. The condition of Munoz and two children in her car are
not known. Fire & emergency units from Burnsville, Newdale, Yancey and
Mitchell County’s and Spruce Pine responded to the scene. Trooper JD
Carver said the investigation is continuing, but it appears the weather
played a part in the crash.
At least Two Dead in Micaville Wreck
06/09/2005
A two car wreck this afternoon near the Micaville Loop on
19E in Yancey County killed at least two people. The wreck caused emergency
workers to shut down 19E, in both directions, for close to an hour. The crash happened around
1:00 pm between B & W Stone and the Silver Bullet Convenience Store.
According to State Troopers, the driver of a vehicle traveling west on
19E lost control and crossed the center line striking another vehicle
causing it to run off the right side of the road into an embankment. One
person died at the scene, and another died later. No names or other details have been released.
Emergency workers said 6 people were involved in the accident; a landing
area was set up at G & R Power Equipment. 2 of the injured were
airlifted to area hospitals, one to Asheville and one to Johnson City.
The other 4 people injured were taken to Spruce Pine Community Hospital.
The extent of their injuries has not been released. Fire & emergency
units from Burnsville, Newdale, Yancey and Mitchell County’s and Spruce
Pine responded to the scene.
Scams Target Area Residents
06/09/2005
A fraud scheme accessed by several Yancey County
residents over the internet has cost residents time, money and
not-so-pleasant chats with local bank and law enforcement officials. The
most common scam identified has been the passing of counterfeit postal
money orders. According to Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Yancey County
Sheriff’s Department, the scam begins when someone needing help to cash
phony postal service money orders contacts a victim by e-mail, through
an internet chat room or on-line auction site. Once the bogus money
orders are cashed, the victim returns the funds via wire transfer, often
unaware they have assisted in a federal crime. Additional scams include
fictitious letters from Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes notifying
residents they have won a substantial amount of money. The letter
demands the recipient send $700 to a money gram center in Charlotte or
Atlanta to “insure the large prize award” so that if the winnings are
lost in the mail, they can be replaced. Of course this is a scam and not
legitimate. Finally, all correspondence in the mail or by internet from
The De-Lotto Trust Fund Group, Spanish Lottery, Nigerian Government
etc., are scams and should be given no attention. Farmer says scams
promising quick and easy money are designed by fraudsters and scam
artists to rob innocent people of their money, not reward them. He
suggests citizens receiving mail or messages in regard to prize winnings
should first call the Better Business Bureau. Always remember---do not
send money to receive money.
Salmonella in Mitchell County
06/08/2005
The Mitchell County Health Department is investigating 7
confirmed cases of Salmonella. According to Charles Canipe,
Environmental Health Supervisor for Toe River Health District, they’re
taking steps to identify the source of the infection, but so far they
have not been able to pinpoint a common source. The best prevention
against Salmonella is to eat only thoroughly cooked meat and poultry and
to handle food properly which means washing hands with soap and water.
Symptoms of Salmonella are diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 6 to 72
hours after infection. The illness last 4-7 days and most people recover
without treatment, unless a person becomes severely dehydrated. For more
information on preventing Salmonella, call the Mitchell County Health
Department at 688-2371.
Working on the Budget
06/06/2005
Mitchell Commissioners held a public hearing last night
on the proposed 2005-2006 county budget. Chairman Keith Masters says
they’re going to have to take another look at pay raises for county
employees, but it doesn't look too promising right now. He says the
county has a high unemployment rate, and commissioners feel county
employees salaries should remain the same, not getting too far ahead of
the private sector. He says Commissioners will probably take look at
salaries again in December. The new budget contains a tax rate reduction
of a penny, from the current 53 cents per $100 valuation, to 52 cents
per $100 valuation. The projected budget for 2005/2006 is balanced at
$13,849,822.00(last year: $14,405,501.00) Commissioners will hold a
special meeting on June 20th at 8:00 am to adopt the budget.
Deadline Extended
06/06/2005
Governor Easley has extended the deadline to apply for
hurricane assistance to June 17th. If you have received assistance from
FEMA or your insurance company and you still has uninsured losses,
you’re encourage to call the agriculture extension center in your
county. Jeff Vance, with the NC cooperative Extension Service in
Mitchell County says the number of people applying for assistance is
lower than expected. To date 241 have applied in Avery, only 68 in
Mitchell and 201 people in Yancey County have applied for assistance.
Area Extension office phone numbers include:
Avery: 733-8270
Madison: 649-2411
Mitchell: 688-2051
Yancey: 682-6187
First Step
06/03/2005
Mitchell Commissioners are beginning the process to see
if they can build a new county jail. Commission Chairman, Keith Masters
says the county is in negotiations with USDA to obtain a loan to build a
jail. The property chosen to be a site is located on the left, about
half way up the drive leading to the County Courthouse. The site has
quite a bit of fill material on it and core drilling will have to be
done to determine the stability of the site. Masters said it’s the
county’s understanding when the fill material was added to the site it
was compacted to a suitable rate to sustain future construction. He said
the stability of the property has to be determined before the county can
continue move forward in the pursuit of a loan.
Parking limited at Heritage Graduation
06/03/2005
Graduation ceremonies are tonight at Mountain Heritage
High School. Assistant Principal Tony Tipton says parking will be
limited. You are asked to attempt to park at the school first, if no
parking is available, you will be directed to parking on the Yancey
Campus of Mayland Community College, a shuttle bus will take you back to
the school & return you to your car following the program. It’s also
suggested that you “car pool,” if possible. The graduation is tonight at
7 pm.
Honoring Kristy at Graduation
06/02/2006
Classmates of 17 year old Kristy Elliott, a senior at Mountain Heritage
High School, shot and killed days before her graduation are making
special plans to honor her memory at the ceremony.
Investigators say
Elliott was accidentally shot by 19 year old Brian Ledford, her longtime
boyfriend, Sunday night. Authorities say he was putting his gun away
when it discharged, hitting Elliott in the head. He's charged with
manslaughter. Kristy’s classmates, as a special tribute to Kristy, plan
to leave flowers on the chair she would have sat in. Also, all the
seniors will wear green bracelets, her favorite color. When each student
gets up to receive his or her diploma, they will take off the bracelet
and leave it next to her picture. The Heritage graduation is tomorrow
night at 7.
Town Meeting
06/02/2005
10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry
was in Bakersville Tuesday for a town meeting. Questions from the
audience ranged from social security to illegal aliens. He had a bit of
good news about a major highway in Mitchell County. He said he’s trying
to work with the U.S. Senate so that $3.5 million in the transportation
bill will be earmarked for a study on how Highway 226 can be improved so
that Mitchell County gets linked so that industry and business can get
its products to the market place. The event was sponsored by the
Mitchell Chapter of “Citizens for a Sound Economy.”
Charged with Manslaughter
06/01/2005
Yancey Deputies have charged Brian
William Ledford, age 19, with manslaughter, in the death of Kristy Marie
Elliott, age 17, of Mount View Drive, in Burnsville, who died Sunday
night from a gunshot wound to the head. Kristy worked at Ingles and was
a senior at Mountain Heritage High School. She would have graduated this
Friday night. According to Yancey Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Tom Farmer,
the investigation began just after 9:00 pm on Sunday, May 29, 2005, when
authorities were called to the residence of Gary and Teresa Ledford, at
11 Sharp Top Road, in the Pensacola Community. When emergency personnel
and law enforcement officers arrived, they found Elliot, dead from an
apparent gunshot wound to the head. Farmer said evidence obtained
suggests that Ledford was acting carelessly with a handgun while he and
Elliott were in his bedroom and the gun discharged and Elliott sustained
a fatal wound to the head. Ledford was taken into custody Monday night,
May 30, 2005 and charged with one count of manslaughter. Tuesday
morning, May 31, 2005, Ledford appeared before Yancey County Clerk of
Court, Warren Hughes for his first appearance. Attorney Charlie Hunt
from Mitchell County was appointed to represent Ledford. Later Tuesday
morning, Lt. Farmer appeared before members of the Yancey County Grand
Jury during a session of Superior Court and gave testimony. The Grand
Jury returned a True Bill and Ledford was indicted on one count of
manslaughter. The case has been set for July, 19, 2005, in Yancey County
Superior Court. The SBI assisted the Yancey Sheriff’s Department in the
investigation. According to Chief Deputy Gary Banks, the District
Attorney will review the case to determine if the manslaughter charge
will be voluntary or involuntary.
P.O. Box 744
