Graduates Could Almost Double
12/29/2006
As we have reported
Mayland Community College has received a federal grant of $899 thousand
and these funds coupled with the $1.8 million Mayland received during
the last Community College bond referendum, will be used to construct a
new Applied Health Science Building, a two-story, 13 thousand square
feet structure to be built behind the Gwaltney Administration Building
on the college’s main campus in Spruce Pine. Robert Branch, the Dean of
Mayland’s Small Business Center, says the grant will be an investment of
around $2.6 million into the college and will allow them to almost
double the number of graduates from the schools health sciences &
nursing programs. Currently the college has 48 students in an associate
degree nursing program, 20 in a medical assisting program and 20 in the
licensed practical nursing program. Robert Branch comments. (click audio
button above)
Septic Fees May be Coming Down
12/28/2006
It looks like septic fees may be
coming down soon. During the December Yancey Commissioners meeting,
Chairman John Renfro had some good news about the Toe River Health
District and their controversial charges for septic fees. Renfro
comments. (click audio button above)
Patches of Ice
12/27/2006
Crews with the North
Carolina Department of Transportation spent the night salting roads in
an effort to keep the roads safe. The Highway Patrol reports patches of
ice in the northern mountain counties along the Tennessee border.
Troopers also report snow on roads in some higher elevations. They
advise slowing down, and allow plenty of time to stop.
MCC Gets Grant
12/27/2006
Mayland Community
College has received a federal grant of $899 thousand from the Economic
Development Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of
Commerce. The investment is expected to attract $29.95 million in
private investment to our community and create 133 jobs. The funds will
be added to the $1.8 million Mayland received from the State during the
last Community College construction bond referendum. The $2.7 million
will be used construct a new Applied Health Services Building behind the
Gwaltney Administration Building on the Main Campus in Spruce Pine.
Mayland President Dr. Suzanne Owens said the new workforce training
facility will enable Mayland to provide additional classrooms, labs, and
computer rooms for the LPN, Registered Nursing Program and the Medical
Nursing Program. According to Robert Branch, Dean of the Small Business
Center, Mayland qualified for the grant because of high unemployment
rates in the area which are well above the national average. Branch
comments. (click audio button above)
Avery Stabbing on Christmas
12/27/2006
Avery Deputies have
charged Ronnie Dale Stines, age 38, of a Joe Parlier Road address with
stabbing David Dugger, age 43, in the chest. He was hospitalized; his
wound is not considered life threatening. The incident happened
Christmas Night at about 8 pm. Stines was charged with assault with a
deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. No other details are available.
Yancey Must Make Significant
Budget Cuts
12/26/2006
Yancey County
Commissioners were told at their December meeting last week that if
changes are not made, the County will run out of money by March.
Commission Chairman John Renfro comments. (click audio button above)
Former Yancey Sheriff Dies
12/26/2006
A former Yancey County
Sheriff from 1950-1958 had died. Terry Hall, age 92, past away at his
home in Elkin on Friday afternoon. One of his most noteworthy
accomplishments was for busting the most moonshine stills in NC history;
he also brought fingerprinting to the County for the first time, Terry
Hall, dead at age 92.
Snyder Resigns as MHS Football
Coach
12/21/2006
Charlie Snyder has
resigned as Mitchell High Schools Football coach, saying he thought it
would be in the best interest of the football program. Snyder has been
the head coach since 2002 his record was 32-23. Prior to becoming head
coach at Mitchell, Snyder guided the Mitchell JV team for 6 years and
his record with the JV program was 47 & 13. He said he wanted to be
remembered as someone who put kids first. Athletic Director Darren
Ponder said he hated to see Coach Snyder go. Ponder said Snyder will
stay on as the track coach and will help with the basketball team. So,
the search has begun for a new Mitchell High School Head Football Coach.
Drug Arrests in Yancey
12/21/2006
Yancey Deputies have
charged Janet Leigh Ollis, age 37, of Galley Street, with various drug
possession offenses including felony possession of Methamphetamine. She
was released after posting a $3 thousand secured bond. And deputies have
charged Kermit Boings, age 58 of Saw Mill Hollow Road with various drug
charges, including felony possession of Oxycodone. He remains in jail
under a $5 thousand secured bond. Both Ollis & Boings are scheduled to
appear in Yancey District court on January 9th.
Sidewalk Construction in SP
12/20/2006
The Town of Spruce Pine
is ready to accept bids for sidewalk construction: Richard Canipe,
Spruce Pine Town Manager says there will be new sidewalks on Link Street
and from the intersection of Highland Avenue and Greenwood Road down in
front of Ingles to the intersection of English Road. Canipe comments.
(click audio button above)
Man Wanted in Several Counties
Arrested in Burnsville
12/19/2006
Yancey Deputies have
arrested a North Vale, NC man on several charges including felony
breaking and entering, felony larceny, drug possession and felony
possession of stolen property and attempting to flee from a law
enforcement officer. Ricky Lee Towery, age 42, remains in jail
under a $16 thousand secured bond. Investigators learned he was wanted
in several counties including McDowell County for stealing a car and
probation violations in Lincoln County. He is scheduled to appear in
Yancey District Court on January 19th. Lt. Tom Farmer of the Sheriff’s
Department said Towery was located in a mobile home off Love Fox Drive.
After misleading deputies about his identity, Towery fled on foot, then
stole a four wheeler and then drove to downtown Burnsville and then
apprehended off Reservoir Road.
Micaville Grill Burns
12/18/2006
A landmark in Yancey
County, the Micaville Grill burned Sunday morning. Tony Hoover, Fire
Chief of the Newdale Fire Department comments. (click audio button
above)
Sidewalks & Parking on Main
Street
12/18/2006
Burnsville’s Town
Council continues to talk about sidewalks and parking on Main Street.
Mayor Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)
Mars Hill Woman Charged in Yancey
12/15/2006
Yancey Deputies have
charged a Mars Hill woman for uttering a stolen check. Linda Peterson
Phillips, age 33, was arrested after she entered Poplar Grove store and
presented a check payable in the amount of $200, drawn on the account of
Lee Ann VanEyk who lives in Asheville. The check was returned to the
store unpaid. An investigation revealed Phillips had stolen the check
from VanEyk and investigators learned Phillips had also stolen a credit
card owned by VanEyk. Phillips is scheduled to appear in Buncombe County
District Court on December 19th for the credit card theft and she is
scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on January 19th in
regard to the uttering stolen check charge.
Wreck on 19E in Windom
12/14/2006
A 3-vehicle accident
Wednesday morning on 19E at Motorsports Lane, in the Windom Community of
Yancey County tied up traffic quite a while. According to State
Troopers, Kenneth Edward Chriswan, age 85, of Cane Branch, was traveling
west on 19E in his 92 Nissan when he apparently had a heart attack and
died, his vehicle went left of center sideswiping a 93 Ford driven by
Federico Vargas, of Burnsville and then traveled on hitting a 96
Dodge Van head-on, the Van driven by Silvia Hernandez of Burnsville, two
small children were in her vehicle. Vargas was not injured and Hernandez
& her two children were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Good Report
12/14/2006
Spruce Pine gets a good
2005-2006 audit report. Town Manager Richard Canipe says the town is in
good financial shape. He comments. (click audio button above)
Changes Have to Be Made
12/13/2006
As we reported earlier
this week, Burnsville’s town council received the Town’s audit for
fiscal year 2005-2006 from CPA Cody McKinney at their December meeting
last week. McKinney told the council they have to make some changes.
Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)
Yancey Arrests
12/12/2006
Yancey Deputies
arrested Johnathon Edward Ballew age 26 & Douglas Eugene Ballew Jr., age
22, both from the same White Oak Creek Road address, charging each with
felony breaking & entering, felony larceny after breaking & entering and
felony possession of stolen property. According to Lt. Tom Farmer, of
the Sheriff’s department both men forcefully entered a locked storage
building off of Balsam Drive in the South Toe Community. After entering
the building the men stole a pressure and air compressor valued at $850.
The accused were released after posting a $9 thousand bond. They are
scheduled to appear in district court on December 15th. The arresting
officer’s were Lt. Tom Farmer and Deputy John P. Grindstaff. The
pressure washer has been recovered and deputies are hoping to recover
the compressor.
Spending More
12/11/2006
Burnsville’s town
council received the Town’s audit for fiscal year 2005-2006 from CPA
Cody McKinney at their December meeting last week. Burnsville Mayor
Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)
House Fire in Bakersville
12/08/2006
A Bakersville family
lost their home to fire last night. Fire units from Bakersville Fire &
Rescue responded to the home of Bruce and Sally Woody on McKinney Cove
Road. When the first volunteers arrived on the scene, the garage was
fully involved and the high wind was pushing the fire though the top of
the house. Response time to the fire was hampered by slick roads and
fighting the fire was slowed because there are no fire hydrants in this
section and they had to shuttle water to the house. Mutual aid from Fork
Mountain, Buladean, Ledger, Parkway Fire & Rescue and Spruce Pine
responded to the scene. The high wind spread the fire quickly through
the house. Luckily no one was injured. Everything was lost; one
firefighter told me Mrs. Woody didn’t even get her purse. The exact
cause of the fire has not been determined. Mr. Woody is a former girls
Basketball coach and Mitchell High School & is currently a branch
manager of United Community Bank in Bakersville.
Icy Roads and Accidents
12/08/2006
A wave of snow showers left a wet
mess that quickly froze on Mountain roads last night, causing many
accidents, Troopers say they covered 116 accidents in the Western
Counties; for the latest on closings and delayed starts return to home
page and click on school and special weather announcements.
New Board Appears Divided
12/08/2006
Following Monday’s
Mitchell County Commissioners meeting it appeared that the commission
was divided 3-2 on many issues. New Commission Chairman Phil Byrd says
he’s confident the current board will come together and do what is best
for Mitchell County. One issue that has stirred public interest is a
proposed “sub division” ordinance. That subject was tabled until the
commission’s January meeting. Phil Byrd comments. (click audio button
above)
Murder for Hire Charge
12/08/2006
Authorities have
charged a McDowell County businessman with trying to hire an undercover
officer to kill his former in-laws. Officers say 51-year-old Michael
Higgins was arrested yesterday at his wrecker service. The arrest comes
after months of undercover work by several agencies. Higgins owns
Collision Specialties on Tom's Creek Road. His ex-in laws, Pete and Faye
Hamlin, live right behind his shop. According to Hamlin, he's had
problems with his son-in-law for decades. He says they were mainly
fighting over his property. Officers say three search warrants uncovered
210-thousand dollars cash, 15 assault riffles, 40-thousand rounds of
ammunition, two riot grenades and a M-16 from Higgins's property.
Major Money Problems in Yancey
12/07/2006
The new Yancey
Commission has major money problems that have to be addressed
immediately. Auditors say the county is around $850 thousand in the red
for this fiscal year, so far. The Commissioners met in a special session
Wednesday for the purpose of organization and board appointments. One of
the appointments was the naming of Todd Bailey as County Attorney. New
Commission Chairman John Renfro comments. (click audio button above)
Stocking the Toe River through
Spruce Pine
12/06/2006
If you like to “wet a
line,” there may be some good news for you. Richard Canipe, Spruce Pine
Town Manager comments. (click audio button above)
Whitson Dismissed
12/05/2006
Mitchell Commissioners
dismissed Ryan Whitson as County Manager last night. The vote was 3-2,
Commissioners Byrd, Sparks & Phillips voting for dismissal and
Commissioners Hensley & Saylor voting against the motion. Commissioner
Sparks made the motion to quote “immediately dismiss and terminate
Whitson as County Manager and that he be instructed to immediately
vacate his office of all his personal property and that all Mitchell
County property in his possession be returned. When Whitson ask the
reasons for his dismissal, newly appointed County Attorney Hal Harrison
said no reasons were required since he serves at the pleasure of the
board. Whitson said he had a contract, Harrison said because of
impending litigation no further comment should be made. The board voted
3-2 to hire Phillip Castro as an interim manager. Commissioners Byrd,
Sparks & Phillips voted to hire Castro, Commissioners Hensley & Saylor
abstained. Saylor called Whitson’s dismissal a big mistake. Newly named
Board Chairman Phil Byrd said the search for a new manager will begin
as-soon-as possible. (click audio button above)
Covering the Eye-Sore
12/04/2006
When word came that the
slide area on Upper Street was to be repaired everyone was all smiles,
until the “great white wall” appeared and not only was the design faulty
but the sight of all that white rock was a real eye-sore. Spruce Pine
Town Attorney Lloyd Hise has suggested when the work is complete; the
Town should look into putting some kind of covering on the area. Lloyd Hise comments. (click audio button above)
White House Spotlight on SP &
Mitchell County
12/01/2006
First Lady Laura Bush
had the White House Spotlight shinning directly on Spruce Pine &
Mitchell County Thursday as it was announced that two White House
Christmas tress are filled with 135 hand-blown red glass balls and 115
“Carolina Snowflakes” from the “Home of the Perfect Christmas
Collection.” First Lady Bush said this is a very American story, they
all worked together to figure out a new industry for themselves. Members
of the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce, government & civic community
attended a decorators' reception at the White House hosted by Mrs. Bush.
The First Lady said the ornaments symbolize the determination of a
community to rebuild its economy that has been hit hard by the loss of
manufacturing jobs. The project was born when during the Christmas
season of 2003, author Gloria Houston gave the rights to her
award-winning children's book, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree,
to Mitchell County. Two years later, in 2005, the Mitchell County
Development Foundation leased and renovated a retail facility in
downtown Spruce Pine to serve as the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree
store. The Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree collection now features
over 300 high quality products by 30 product makers from the mountain
counties of Mitchell, Yancey, McDowell, Avery and Buncombe. The Home of
the Perfect Christmas Tree” project will be featured on HGTV's White
House Christmas Special, first airing on December 6 at 8:00 PM.
Spruce Pine Community Hospital
Foundation Receives Grant
12/01/2006
The Spruce Pine
Community Hospital Foundation has received a $15,000 grant from the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. The money will be
used to fund the Toe River Project Access, low-income, medical, dental
and prescription assistance program initiated by the Spruce Pine
Community Hospital Foundation in November 2003. To date, Toe River
Project Access has assisted 424 people in receiving over $1,200,000 in
free care. Local physicians, dentists, optometrists and Spruce Pine
Community Hospital donated the care to these residents of Mitchell and
Yancey counties through their participation in the program. To qualify
for assistance, certain criteria must be met. Clients must have an
active health problem and have a household income less than 150% of the
federal poverty guideline. They must have lived in Mitchell or Yancey
County for at least 30 days and have no health or dental insurance.
Additionally, clients cannot be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid and
cannot be working with Vocational Rehabilitation. Toe River Project
Access is funded in part by the United Way of Mitchell County, Yancey
County United Fund, The Duke Endowment, Spruce Pine Community Hospital,
and the Dr. Glen Buchanan Fund of the SPCH Foundation.
P.O. Box 744
