CSX is Willing

02/28/2006

Spruce Pine Council received some news on Monday that could greatly impact all of Downtown. State Representative Phillip Frye told council that after trying for many years as Spruce Pine’s Mayor with no luck, he now, as a State Representative has finally broken through and has gotten CSX to be willing to work with the town of Spruce Pine to obtain the Depot. Frye said CSX will need a building for their use to replace the Depot. He said he hopes the entire community will get behind the effort to help build this building. He said CSX has property in Downtown that would be an ideal place for the new building. He said grants can be obtained for renovating the Depot and it will become a plus for Downtown for many, many years to come.

Fire Destroys House

02/28/2006

Fire units were called out just after 6 Monday morning to a house fire on 197 North, in Green Mountain, on the river below Covy Rock Church. When they arrived the structure was fully involved. No injuries were reported. The family, Aaron and Shelly Ledford, their teenage daughter and 4 year old son, lost everything. Donations are being accepted at Clearmont Fire Department and an account has been set up at United Community Bank. Fire units from Double Island, Clearmont and Burnsville, as-well-as Yancey EMS responded to the call.

Bradford and Hatfield Cases Continued

02/27/2006

The cases of two Burnsville men charged with sexual exploitation have been continued. Patrick Ray Bradford, age 42, of a Dale Earnhardt address and Jerry Van Hatfield, age 41, of a Roland Branch Road address were arrested in September of last year. Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Yancey Sheriff’s Department said the obscene material each suspect possessed was visual depictions of what appeared to be a minor female between the age of 14-16 engaged in sexually explicit behavior. Farmer said that at that time there was no evidence that Bradford or Hatfield produced or possessed pictures of Yancey County minor children. At the time of their arrests, Bradford was a computer technician at Clearmont Elementary School, he is no longer employed by Yancey Schools and Hatfield was a continuing education Dean at Mayland Community College, he resigned following his arrest. Neither Bradford nor Hatfield appeared in court on Friday in Yancey District Court. Their cases were continued until April 24th.

Fire Destroys House

02/27/2006

Fire units were called out just after 6 this morning to a house fire on 197 North, in Green Mountain, in Yancey County. When they arrived, the structure was fully involved. No injuries were reported, but the family lost everything. No other details are available. Fire units from Double Island, Clearmont and Burnsville, as-well-as Yancey EMS responded to the call.

Clearmont Teacher Case Continued

02/28/2006

The case of a science teacher at Clearmont Elementary charged with inappropriately touching several students was continued until March 24th on Friday, in Yancey District Court. Phillip Donald Deyton, age 48, of an Echo Hill Drive address in Green Mountain, faces 21 counts of assault on a child under 12 and 4 counts of an assault on a female. The charges involve multiple girls. Investigators say the incidents took place during class at Clearmont. Deyton was removed from the classroom after the allegations were made. He was later suspended without pay.

Motorcycle Fatality

02/27/2006

A wreck, Friday afternoon, at the intersection of Upper & Lower Brown’s Creek Roads, and NC 80, killed a Madison County man. According to Trooper JD Carver’s report, Stephen Dale Criss, age 64, of Marshall, was driving his motorcycle north on NC 80, when he was struck by a 1992 Chevrolet truck driven by Joseph Mark Peterson , age 28, of Bakersville. Peterson was traveling west on lower Brown’s Creek and failed to yield as he was making a right turn onto NC 80 and hit the motorcycle. Peterson has been charged with felony death by vehicle, DWI and failure to yield.

Close to a Deal

02/27/2006

Yancey Commissioners say they’re close to an agreement on the location of new recreation grounds. Dean Hicks, Commissioner says they have an option on property and are trying to work out the details. He invites citizens to come by the County offices to see a layout of their plans and he invites you to make suggestions. He said there is no promises, no guarantees, but he is very hopeful that an announcement can be made. It was back in May, 2005 that Commissioners agreed to give Altec Industries property in West Yancey that had been earmarked for the County’s new compressive recreation grounds. At the time, Commissioners said keeping Altec here was their top priority and they could not risk the possibility of losing 300 jobs. They said they were not giving up on recreation and would begin the search for new property for recreation as-soon-as possible.

Avery Clerk Arrested

02/23/2006

Avery County’s Clerk of Clerk, who has filed to run for Sheriff, has been charged with altering records. Robert “Nub” Taylor has been the Avery Clerk for 22 years. He was arrested Wednesday morning by SBI agents at his office in the Avery County Courthouse in Newland. According to authorities, Taylor changed the bail bonds of county jail detainees without judicial permission. These changes resulted in several early releases. Taylor told reporters he had altered the bond amounts without approval, saying he had been doing it for 20 years. He said he was arrested because he‘s running for sheriff. Taylor was suspended, he cannot return to his office and all locks at the clerk’s office were ordered changed.

Is Toe River Health District in Trouble?

02/23/2006

Is Toe River Health District, the health agency serving Avery, Mitchell and Yancey County in serious financial trouble? Mitchell County Manager Ryan Whitson told Commissioners at their February meeting that TRHD has received a letter from the Local Government Commission questioning their fund balance of 2%-3%, which is below the recommended 8%. Toe River Health District sent a letter to the state, which was supposed to tell them how the agency would get their fund balance back to 8%, but according to Whitson the letter only stated they would not lose as much money this year, and he said he didn’t think that would be acceptable. Whitson told Commissioners there is a possibility Mitchell County would have to operate its own health department. Whitson said he thought that was doable, but needs further investigation. He said he thinks the County could get the health department at  break-even in a couple of years.

Candidates file as Deadline Approaches

02/22/2006

Filing for state and local elected offices is continuing.

Mitchell County (all candidates are Republican):

For County Commission: Candidates are running for 3 seats, (currently held by Phil Byrd, Ken Hollifield & Keith Masters) the top 2 will serve 4 year terms; third place will serve 2 year terms.
Phil Byrd (incumbent)
Ken Hollifield (incumbent)
Keith Masters (incumbent)
Richard McDonald
Patrick Phillips
Lisa Sparks

For Sheriff:
Ken Fox (incumbent)
Victor Hollifield
John Wilson

For Clerk of Court:
Janet Cook

For NC House-84th District
Phillip Frye (incumbent)
Charles Monroe Buchanan.

Yancey County:

For County Commission:
Democrats Nathan Bennett & Dean Hicks have filed for Commission seats. Danny Hensley has filed for Chairman. Bennett, Hicks & Hensley are incumbents.
Republicans Jim Buckner, Freddie Penland and Robert (Mickey) Swann have filed for 2 Commission seats (a primary will be May 2nd) and John Renfro has filed for Commission Chairman.
 

For Sheriff:
Kermit Banks (incumbent-R)

For Clerk of Court:
Warren Hughes (incumbent-D)

For NC Senate-47th District:
Keith Presnell (incumbent-R)
Joe Sam Queen (D)

Yancey School Board-non partisan: Jeremy B.Chandler, Harvey Sharpe, Van Thomas,

Filing Deadline is February 28th at noon. Voter registration deadline for the May 2nd primary is April 7th.

Mitchell Searching for a Superintendent

02/22/2006

Mitchell County’s Board of Education held a public forum Monday to receive commit on the search for a new Superintendent of Schools. Four people spoke on what characteristics they want to see in the new Superintendent. They said this person should have a background in curriculum, dropouts, testing; the new Superintendent should be a person who will put the children first, who can work with the Board of Education and who can unify the relationship between the school board and the Mitchell County Commissioners. They want someone who can increase local funding and they want someone who will take Mitchell Schools to the next level. Jeff Harding, Chairman of the Mitchell Board of Education says selecting the right person to lead Mitchell County Schools is one of the most critical decisions the current board will make. He says they want to a Superintendent named and in place by sometime in April. Harding said issues facing Mitchell Schools include replacing windows in school buildings, upgrading the heating system, which he says is completely outdated in all schools except Greenlee and Mitchell High. He said it’s time to recycle new roofs on all their buildings, a $3.8 million project over a 5 year period. Harding says, right now, their biggest problem is paying the heating and electric bill. They are projecting a $150 thousand increase over last year and this has knocked a huge hole in available funds. Back on the subject of searching for a new Superintendent of Schools, Harding say 13-17 people have applied for the position, only one has Superintendent experience and that was with a smaller system. He said all candidates are qualified for the position.

Burnsville Man Faces Felony Restraint Charges

02/21/2006

A Burnsville man has been charged with felony restraint. The arrest of Alfredo Gabriel-Zavala, age 24, of a Depot Street address, was made Wednesday, February 8th, at about 9:30 am after he was found to be in the custody and control of a 13-year old girl. Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s Department, said the girl attends school in Yancey County and administrators from two schools confirmed that the student had boarded her assigned bus that morning but failed to make it to school. School authorities contacted the Sheriff’s Department and the child’s parents immediately and a search was begun. Deputy Daniel Hughes and a school administrator located the missing student in a car being operated by Zavala near his residence. The 13 year old was found safe. Farmer said school personnel were extremely helpful and reported the incident immediately as they were supposed to do. Zavala was charged and released after post bond. He was ordered to have no contact with the girl and was forbidden from being on any property owned by the Yancey Board of Education while the charges against him are pending.

6 Injured, all Taken to Hospital

02/21/2006

An accident last Wednesday on 19E just inside the Mitchell County line at Crabtree resulted in 6 people being taken to the hospital. 5 of the 6 were from one family. According to the report filed by Trooper Bauer, a 1998 GMC pick up truck driven by Brian Keith Hughes, age 26, of an Arbuckle Road, Burnsville, address was traveling west on 19E when the vehicle went left of center and collided head-on with a 1996 Dodge Van driven by Ruth Ann Sillman, age 17, of a Glenn Church Road, Spruce Pine, address. The Van was traveling east on 19E. The driver of the Pick-up Brian Keith Hughes was taken to an Asheville Hospital. 4-of-the-5 occupants of the Van were also taken to an Asheville hospital, there were identified as Ruth Ann Sillman, age 17, the driver and passengers Edward Sillman, age 51, David Sillman, age 14, Melissa Sillman, age 11. Alicia Sillman, age 5, was taken to a Johnson City hospital. Condition reports were not available. Charges in the case are pending.

NCDOT Public Hearing on Road Improvements

02/20/2006

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will hold a Pre-Hearing Open House and Combined Public Hearing on road improvements to US19E, from old US19 to the multi-lane section west of Spruce Pine tomorrow at the Sam Center of Mayand Community College. Representatives from the NCDOT will be available at the Pre-Hearing Open House from 4pm-7pm to answer questions and receive comment and a formal presentation will take place at 7pm. Ed Lewis with Dot says the main thing about this project is the number of re-locations that will be necessary. He says about 104 businesses or residences that DOT will have to buy outright. He says construction of this section will begin after October 2010. 

Filing for Yancey School Board

02/17/2006

Candidates filing for a seat on the Yancey County Board of Education (as of: 02/17) are Jeremy B Chandler, Harvey Sharpe and Van Thomas. The Board of Elections office is open Monday-Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 PM.  Call 682-3950 for more information.

$1 Million Grant for Altec Project

02/17/2006

Another piece of the Altec Industries puzzle is now in place, a $1 million grant from the NC Department of Commerce. This grant, a community development block grant, will help fund water and sewer service to Altec, off Cane River School Road, in West Yancey. Altec officials say construction of the 175 thousand square feet facility should be completed this month. The project is costing almost $2 million, funding has also come from grants through the NC Rural Development Center and the Golden Leaf Foundation. In order to get economic incentives from the County and State, Altec agreed to create 300 jobs over the next few years.

Four Critically Injured

02/16/2006

Four people were critically injured Wednesday night when a Van & a pick-up collided. The wreck occurred just inside the Mitchell County line on 19E near Crabtree. 3 of the injured were airlifted to Johnson City & Asheville, a forth was taken by EMS to Spruce Pine and then to Asheville. The wreck tied up traffic for quite a while. Sources say 3 adults and two children were involved in the incident. Emergency units from Spruce Pine, Parkway, Newdale and Yancey County responded to the scene. No other details are available.

 

Resolution to Begin Eminent Domain Proceedings

02/16/2006

Hoping to insure Spruce Pine Community Hospital will stay in Spruce Pine, Town Council has begun eminent domain procedures to acquire 10.83 acres of Mitchell Lumber Company land so that the hospital can complete its$17 million expansion project. The problem is the expansion will take the Hospitals existing parking area and render the current access road inadequate. Hospital officials say they have been negotiating to buy the property from owner Bud Phillips for 3 years, but those negotiations have now reached a stalemate. Council members said they feared the Town’s would be in jeopardy of losing the hospital and they had to make a hard decision. The land, on the northern side of the Hospital, is valued at $205 thousand, and will be used to for parking and to build a road that meets the requirements of the Department of Transportation. A notice of the resolution will be sent to property owner Phillips with proceedings to begin next month.

Constitutionally Speaking

02/16/2006

An overflow crowd in the Yancey County Courtroom attended a meeting Tuesday night that was billed as a “water issue-land grab” meeting. At issue was the North Carolina Echo System Enhancement Program, which provides stream restoration to private land owners in the Bald Creek Watershed. Representatives of Ecosystem told the crowd their program is completely voluntarily, no one has to agree to participate. The concerned citizens who organized the meeting said if land owners sign-up for the enhancement program they will be letting the Government get their foot in the door and this would lead to land buffers in Yancey County. The meeting then turned into a “stop buffers” meeting. Later, during the Yancey Commissioners meeting, the board heard a request from the organizers of the land-grab meeting. They ask Commissioners to write a letter to state and federal officials who are elected with votes from Yancey County citizens asking them to justify, constitutionally, the “Clean Water Act.” Commissioners agreed to help them. On Wednesday, rumors surfaced that the Yancey Commissioners had passed a resolution. Commissioner Dean Hicks said the board wants to clear up any confusion, at no time was a resolution on this issue brought forward to vote-no resolution was passed. Hicks said they routinely help citizens who wish to make contact with state or federal elected officials. He said Yancey County Government is not involved with the NC Echo System Enhancement program, adding it’s strictly voluntary and if you do not want to participate, tell them no and they will leave your property and never bother you again.

More Filing

02/16/2006

In political news, Charles Monroe Buchanan has filed for the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 84th district. Voter registration deadline for the May 2nd primary is April 7th. The 84th district serves Avery, Mitchell & Yancey Counties and a portion of Caldwell County.

Filing Begins

02/14/2006

The political season is underway; filing began Monday for state and local elected offices.

Yancey County—as of Monday:

For County Commission:
Republicans Jim Buckner, Freddie Penland and Robert (Mickey) Swann have filed for 2 Commission seats (a primary will be May 2nd) and John Renfro has filed for Commission Chairman.

For Sheriff:
Kermit Banks (incumbent)

For Clerk of Court:
Warren Hughes (incumbent)

For NC Senate-47th District:
Keith Presnell (incumbent)


In Mitchell County:

For County Commission: Candidates are running for 3 seats, (currently held by Phil Byrd, Ken Hollifield & Keith Masters) the top 2 will serve 4 year terms; third place will serve 2 year terms.
Keith Masters (incumbent)
Richard McDonald
Lisa Sparks

For Sheriff:
Ken Fox (incumbent)
Victor Hollifield
John Wilson

For Clerk of Court:
Janet Cook

For NC House-84th District
Phillip Frye (incumbent)


Filing Deadline is February 28th at noon. Voter registration deadline for the May 2nd primary is April 7th.

Ribbon Cutting at Genesis

02/14/2006

It was back in September that the announcement was made that Genesis Furniture Industries would be coming to Mitchell County and would call the old Henredon Furniture Plant home. Genesis received economic incentives from the state and Mitchell County; in return they would create 206 jobs. The plant held a ribbon cutting ceremony last week, State Representative Phillip Frye said the good news he heard was “come back in 6 months and you will be shocked at the number of people that have working.” He said this is good news for Mitchell & Yancey Counties; things are moving and jobs arte coming in. State Senator Keith Presnell said it was good to see people going to work.

Clean Opinion with Concerns

02/14/2006

Following delays of over 3 months and after getting an extension from the local government council, Cody McKinney of Spruce Pine finally presented the Burnsville Town audit for the fiscal year 2004-2005 to Council at their February meeting: Danny McIntosh, Burnsville Mayor said “overall” the Town received a clean report from, but McKinney warned the council they could expect to receive a somewhat harsh letter from the Local Government Commission” over the substantial drop in reserve funds from last year and McIntosh said McKinney he also pointed out that the town may be starting a establishing a pattern of having decreased revenues and over runs in our expenditures in water and sewer. McIntosh said the Town’s fund balance at the end of June 2005, was just over $200 thousand, which was about 11% of the Town’s operating budget, this is within the recommend operating balance, but McIntosh said it’s been much larger than in the past. He says this does not take into account the substantial loan the Town took out in September, 2005. This loan was to be used for sidewalks, supposed to repay the original loan on the Styles Building and to replenish money taken from the general fund to pay on the Town Center project. He said the Town is not sure what their situation will be in the up coming budget.

Complying with No Child Left Behind

02/13/2006

In 2001, President Bush signed the “No Child Left behind Law” which mandated that teachers in public school classrooms be “highly qualified” in their subject area and the deadline to meet this mandate is by the end of this school year. Currently Avery County is at 87.8%, Madison is at 84.4%, McDowell County is at 97.3%, Mitchell is at 90.1%, up from just above 80% in 2001 and Yancey County is at 97.3%. According to Dr Cheri Boone, Assistant Superintendent of Yancey Schools, their system is in the top 10 in the state of having the highest percentage of “highly qualified” teachers. She says she has been notified that the Western Region Service Alliance will observe Yancey Schools to determine what Yancey is doing so well and then take this information to help county’s that have not reached their goal. Meanwhile, Mitchell Assistant Superintendent Robin Buchanan says they have had an indication that North Carolina will be given an additional year to achieve their goal. She said as long as states are making a good-faith effort to improve, the federal government will give them more time and she says North Carolina has made great strides over the past few years to reach the mandated goal of 100% “highly qualified” teachers in public school classrooms.

Steam Pipe Bursts at Bowman

02/10/2006

It looked like Bowman Middle School was on fire this morning, but it wasn’t. A leak in a steam pipe in the School Cafeteria blew out at a seam creating lots of billowing steam which looked like smoke. There was no fire and the pipe was quickly repaired by fire fighters. The resulting mess & clean up caused officials to close Bowman Middle & Gouge Elementary for the day. The cold temperatures and water caused some icy spots and a maintenance worker with the Mitchell School System, Reed Burleson, slipped and fell as he entered the building. He was taken to the hospital where x-rays show no breaks, Assistant Superintendent Rick Spurling says he has rotator cuff problem and he’s very sore. Spurling said he should be back at work in a few days.

Yancey Schools Investigation Complete

02/10/2006

Yancey County Schools has completed its investigation of Phillip Deyton, the 5th grade teacher at Clearmont Elementary School who is accused of assaulting female students. According to Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cheri Boone, a recommendation has been made to Deyton and he has 14 days, or until February 21st , to respond to that recommendation. She said Deyton was suspended without pay effective this past Wednesday, February 8th, during the investigation he was suspended with pay. Following his arrest on January 26th, , Dr. Boone, Pete Peterson, Principal at Clearmont and Dean Shatley, the attorney for Yancey County Schools met with concerned parents of some of the students at Clearmont. They explained the procedures that were necessary as a school system investigation, which is different than a criminal investigation. They reassured the parents that the safety, welfare and protection of the children was their top priority. Dr. Boone said based on the conversation, the parents seemed to feel confident and comfortable with the school system’s investigation which began on January 3rd. Phillip Deyton, age 48, of an Echo Hill Drive address, in Green Mountain, is charged with 21 counts of assault on a child under 12 years of age and 4 counts of assault on a female. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on February 24th.

Mitchell Chamber President Resigns Over County Action

02/09/2006

Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce President Andy Ashurst has resigned. He says his decision comes on the heels of a Mitchell County Commission meeting where the county manager disclosed that he sent a letter to the EDC/Chamber ending the current agreement between the county and the organizations. Chairman Keith Masters told the commissioners in the meeting he had directed the manager to write the letter ending the agreement. As publisher of the Mitchell News-Journal, Ashurst says is obligated to take a stand when a public official undertakes an action as flagrant as this. He says Masters has clearly overstepped the bounds of his chairmanship and the policies and procedures of the government he serves. In accordance with the bi-laws of the Chamber, President-Elect Bill Slagle will assume the duties of President until July 1st.

2 Confirmed Rabies Cases Mitchell

02/09/2006

Mitchell County Officials are urging pet owners to protect their families and their pets from rabies. Mitchell County Manager Ryan Whitson says there have been confirmed cases of rabies. (last week a pet cat, in the Buladean area and a few days ago a raccoon on Cane Creek) He advises everyone to be careful and notice any domestic or wild animals that may be acting strange. If this occurs, call 911 for help. A rabies clinic is scheduled this Saturday from 1 PM to 3 PM at Buladean Fire Department. The cost is $6 per shot.

Stabbing in South Toe

02/08/2006

Yancey Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a stabbing in the South Toe Community. The incident happened around 4 o’clock this morning on Mama’s Flower Lane. The victim was airlifted to Mission Hospital in Asheville. No details about the investigation are available. Emergency crews from South Toe Fire Dept and Yancey EMS responded to the scene.

Mitchell County Opts out of EDC & Chamber Agreement

02/08/2006

There was a bit of controversy at the Mitchell Commissioners meeting on Monday. County manager Ryan Whitson announced the County had sent a letter to Mitchell EDC/Chamber of Commerce informing them the county will not extend the present agreement with them which expires on June 30th. Commissioners Hollifield and Byrd said this decision was news to them and said this decision should have been considered by the entire board. The notice to Mitchell EDC & Chamber came at the direction of Commission Chairman Keith Masters. He did not address Hollifield’s or Byrd’s concerns. He said the letter was sent to avoid any confusing about the contract being automatically renewed at the expiration date of June 30th. He said no contract should automatically “rollover.” He said in no way should the letter be construed to mean the county is going out of the economic development business. Commissioners Hensley & Saylor said they had not seen the letter prior to the meeting and had no comment on it, they did say that economic development remains their number one priority and they will continue to work toward that end for the County & its citizens.

Mother Faces Child Abuse Charges

02/08/2006

Yancey Deputies have arrested a Burnsville woman on charges child abuse and assault on a child under 12. According to Lt. Tom Farmer of the Sheriff’s Department, the woman arrived at Spruce Pine Hospital with her infant daughter and reported the child had cried uncontrollably for hours for unknown reasons. The infant was examined and X-rays revealed that she was suffering from a fracture of the femur near the knee cap. The woman said she was changing her daughter’s diaper and she began to cry. Farmer said her explanation of the baby’s injuries was not consistent with the medical evidence documented and the injuries were an obvious sign of child abuse. Farmer said this type of injury is a result of jerking and violent shaking. The 15 month old and her 2 year old sister were taken into custody by the Yancey County Department of Social Services and placed in a safe and proper environment. The woman is scheduled to appear in court on February 24th. Because of the sensitive nature of this story we are not using the names of the accused or the victim.

Resolution Opposing Buffers

02/07/2006

Mitchell Commissioners passed a resolution opposing “buffers” at their February meeting last night. The resolution reads in part: “Whereas, the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources and the Environmental Management Commission is charged with the duty to develop and implement a basin wide water quality management plan, which proposed plan, if implemented, would establish Riparian Buffers on all streams in Mitchell County, and whereas a majority of real property owners in Mitchell County will have portions of their land subjected to Riparian buffer regulations, which will substantially restrict the right of the property owner to make use of their property, which restrictions, in the opinion of this Board of Commissioners, amounts to taking a property without just compensation.” Commissioner Jim Saylor says the proposed buffer regulation violates both the state and federal constitutions.

Tapping Fees to Altec

02/07/2006

Burnsville Council talked about the tapping fee invoice of $25,218.00, for Altec Industries at their February meeting last Thursday. Councilman David Grindstaff said its town policy for the tapping fee to be paid before any services can be provided and that’s not the case with Altech Industries. He said there should be one policy for everybody and Altech should not be treated any differently than “John Q citizen.” At one point he made a motion that if the bill wasn’t paid by March 1st, then service should be discontinued, that motion was withdrawn and the council decided to send the tapping fee invoice to Altech and a copy to Yancey County. The bill reads tapping fees are due upon receipt and will be considered delinquent 10 days after the due date.

Spruce Pine Woman Arrested in Yancey

02/06/2006

A Spruce Pine woman, Jessica Gayle Boone, age 23, of an Oakdale Drive address, has been arrested in Yancey County on charges of felony possession of Methamphetamine, possessing Marijuana and for possessing drug paraphernalia. Yancey Deputies arrested Boone, on February 1st in the South Toe Community. The illegal drugs were found after a search of her car and pocketbook. She was released from jail after posting a $6 thousand secured bond. Boone is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on February 24th.

Yancey Woman Charged in Shooting Incident

02/06/2006

Yancey Deputies have charged Donna Kay Crain Hoffman, age 49, of a Schronce Creek Road address with shooting her boyfriend in an apparent domestic dispute. Deputies answered a call, by the accused on Monday, January 30th at about 9 PM, to the residence of Hoffman and Brian Wilson. She told dispatchers Wilson was outside their residence trying to get in and harm her. When Deputies arrived they found Wilson on the front porch with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was taken to Spruce Pine Community Hospital and treated for bone fractures in his lower leg. He was released on February 3rd. An investigation revealed both Hoffman and Wilson had been drinking and had an argument earlier in the evening. Wilson left the residence, when he returned, Hoffman would not unlock the door and when Wilson attempted to gain entrance, Hoffman fired two shots through the wooden door, one of the shots hit Wilson in the leg. Hoffman was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting injury. She was o4rdered to have no contact with Wilson and was released from jail after posting a $25 hundred bond. Hoffman is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on February 24th.

Rabies Case in Mitchell

02/03/2006

Following the report on Wednesday that a pet cat had rabies, health officials are urging residents in the Buladean Community, of Mitchell County to watch their pets closely and get them vaccinated. Tom Singleton, Director of Toe River Health District said the owners of the cat had it euthanized when they suspected it might be rabid after becoming aggressive with the family’s three dogs. The dogs were also put down because they had not been vaccinated. The family, two adults and two children are undergoing treatments. Singleton said 3 cats, a dog and two parrots that were also exposed were put down on Wednesday. There will be two rabies clinics next week at the Buladean Fire Department, Wednesday February 8th from 2-5 and Saturday February 11th from 1-3. Shots are $6 per pet. This is the first confirmed cases of rabies in Mitchell County since a bat was rabid in 1993. Yancey County has had 63 cases of rabies over the past year and half to two years. Be a responsible pet owner—get your animals vaccinated.

Felony assault of an officer

02/02/2006

Avery deputies have arrested Darrell Buchanan from Newland after he attempted to shot at a deputy. The incident occurred on January 28th near Crossnore, when Officer Chris Workman caught up with a vehicle the suspect was driving when it became stuck in mud. She had been in pursuit following complaints buy a woman that her husband had rammed her vehicle with his truck. According to reports from the Avery Sheriff’s Office, when Deputy Workman approached the suspects truck, he got out of the vehicle and pointed a gun at her, she took cover behind the door of her patrol car. Workman said she heard a click as he attempted to fire the gun. She ordered the suspect to drop his weapon and finally after the fourth command he put his weapon on the seat of the truck. Deputy Workman was able to control the situation until other officers arrived and took the suspect into custody. An examination of the gun the suspect attempted to fire revealed the bullet had jammed in the weapon. Also recovered from the truck was a 30 inch samari sword, which had been concealed, a skinning knife found on the front seat, a pill crusher and a container the suspect said contained valium. Darrell Buchanan, age 45, of Baldview Mountain, in Newland, was charged with felony aggravated assault of an officer, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, and fleeing to elude arrest, also a felony. He also faces possession and concealed weapons charges and several drug charges. Buchanan remains in jail under a $32 thousand bond. Avery Sheriff Edward Gwyn says he expects the charges against the accused to be upgraded to attempted murder. Court records indicate Buchanan has similar charges pending in superior court, stemming from a domestic violence call involving Avery County Officers.

Tri County Dialysis Center Approved

02/01/2006

A dialysis center has been approved to serve Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties: The petition requesting this multi-facility was submitted by Senator Keith Presnell, Representative Phillip Frye and Becky Pate. Presnell said “patients in these three counties have to travel over roads that can be really difficult in good weather, but really dangerous in our snow and ice months. And these patients have no choice; they have to go, three days a week.” Representative Frye said “the counties of Avery, Mitchell and Yancey did not have enough patients to qualify for themselves, but all three together did and that was the reason for our request. I hope the center will be in operation by July of 2007.”