Yancey
Schools Accredited
03/30/2006
The Yancey School System has received special recognition
from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for having all
schools in the system accredited. Accreditation is a process to assure
an institution demonstrates a continuing commitment of providing quality
education programs that are aimed at improving student performance. For
2005-2006, there were 52 schools in North Carolina that qualified for
this recognition.
Mitchell Students at NC Governor’s School
03/30/2006
Three students from Mitchell High have been selected to
attend NC Governor’s School. School Administrators say this is first
time all 3 students who applied were accepted. There have been years
when no Mitchell students were accepted. The students selected are
Hannah Acuff, a sophomore, and juniors Sarah Brooks and Lauren Wilson.
NC Governor’s School is sponsored by the State, and was started in 1963
for academically and intellectually gifted students to explore their
cultural and intellectual curiosity.
Narcotics Arrests in Mitchell
03/29/2006
Mitchell County Deputies have charged three people with
narcotics violations stemming from separate investigations:
Renee Flynn Lowdermilk, 33, of Estatoe Acres Mobile Home Park was
charged with possessing and selling Methamphetamine and maintaining a
dwelling for controlled substances. Lowdermilk’s arrest is the result of
a long term investigation into illicit drug activity occurring at her
residence in the Estatoe Acres Mobile Home Park. The investigation
revealed that Lowdermilk was selling Methamphetamine from this location
over a period of time. A search of the residence at the time of the
arrest resulted with the location of a small amount of Methamphetamine.
She has also been charged with obtaining property by false pretense from
an unrelated investigation conducted by the Spruce Pine Police
Department. Lowdermilk received an $80,000 Bond and remains in custody.
Jamie Waycaster, 26, of Tempie Mountain in the Spruce Pine Community of
Mitchell County has been charged with possessing and selling
Methamphetamine and Cocaine and maintaining a dwelling to sell Meth. His
arrest is the result of a long term investigation into illicit drug
activity occurring at two separate locations in the Estatoe Community
Estatoe Acres and Crabtree Acres Mobile Home Park. The investigation
revealed that Waycaster was selling Methamphetamine and Cocaine while
living at these locations over a period of time. A search of the
residence where Waycaster was arrested revealed a small quantity of
Methamphetamine. Waycaster received a $102,000 Bond and remains in
custody.
Frankie Tolley, 32, of Walnut Street in the Spruce Pine Community was
arrested and charged with possessing and selling crack cocaine. Also,
Tolley has been charged by the Spruce Pine Police Department with one
count of Felony Larceny after an Investigation into an incident where
Tolley allegedly stole items from a Business in the Spruce Pine area.
Tolley received a $35,000 Bond and remains in custody.
Yancey
County has Serious Financial Problems
03/28/2006
According to the financial audit for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2005, Yancey County has serious financial problems. In a
letter to the County, the Local Government Commission, in Raleigh,
stated the percentage of fund balance available for appropriation
relative to expenditures appears to be inadequate to support operations.
As of June 30, 2005, the amount of available fund balance was a negative
$556,822 or -3.53%, this is a decrease from the 13.8% in the 2004 audit.
The Local Government Commission recommends maintaining an undesignated
fund balance equal to at least 8% of expenditures. Statewide, the
average fund balance available for comparably sized counties was 28.31%
of their total general fund expenditures. The Commission stated it
appears that expenditures increased by 14.7% over the 2004 levels. It
also appears the County may have over committed itself to capitol
projects considering the $2,436,093 loan from the general fund to the
Capitol Projects Fund. In a letter to the Commission, the County said
storm damage and extenuating circumstances regarding economic
development put excessive cash demands on the County. The County
outlined cost reduction measures that have been implemented. Some of the
measures included; a freeze on all hiring, efforts to sell the former
OMC/Bombardier building, a freeze on all travel unless necessary, County
vehicles should not be taken home, Sheriff’s Department is exempt and a
freeze of all capitol and non-essential spending. County officials said
if the cost reduction/savings measures remain in place, the County
should get back to a stable financial condition in about three years.
New
Superintendent in Mitchell
03/28/2006
Mitchell County Board of Education named a new
Superintendent of Schools last night at a special meeting. He’s Dr.
Brock Womble, of Hyde County. (Hyde County is in Pamlico- Neuse Region
on North Carolina and consists of 4 schools with approximately 800
students) His contract is for 4 years and his salary is $90 thousand per
year. Jeff Harding, Chairman of the Mitchell County Board of Education
said it was a tough process and the board anguished over the decision
and it was very hard for board members to look at local candidates and
tell them they were not chosen. He said the members of the system who
applied work very hard in their positions, they are highly qualified and
put in long hours and the Board is very proud of their work. The board
vote was 4-0 with member Kathy Miller abstaining. She said she was not
voting against Dr Womble and would support him. She said her reason for
abstaining was a personal decision. Dr Womble begins his job as Mitchell
County Superintendent of Schools in July.
Yancey
Sheriff and SBI Investigate Death
03/23/2006
A Yancey County man died late Tuesday in the burn center
at Wake Forest Medical Center. Danny Lee Huskins Sr., age 48, of Seven
Mile Ridge Road, was airlifted from his home Saturday night after
receiving 3rd degree burns to over 80 % of his body. The Yancey County
Sheriff’s Department and the North Carolina SBI are investigating the
incident. According to LT. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s Department,
personnel from the South Toe Fire Department, the Yancey County
Ambulance Service and the Sheriff’s Department, responded to the Huskins
residence at about 5:20 PM on Saturday after a call to the 911 center
reported someone was injured with severe burns to the body. Farmer said
since the investigation into the cause of the fire and death of Huskins
is ongoing, it would not be proper to make any further statement at this
time. Information used in this story was supplied in a press release
from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department.
Saying
Goodbye
03/22/2006
A fallen hero was laid to rest Tuesday as family and
friends gathered at Holcombe Brothers Funeral home at noon to pay
tribute and say goodbye to Sgt. Kevin Akins, age 29, who was killed
March 12th in Afghanistan when an explosive device struck his armored Humvee, a total of 4 soldiers aboard the Humvee were killed. Akins was
described as a fun loving, loyal, proud soldier and best friend. Fellow
soldiers who spoke at the service called him “Big Ache,” family and
friends here at home said Kevin was physically imposing but he was a big
teddy bear underneath. People waving flags and saluting lined the square
area as his funeral procession passed. The day produced lots of tears,
and the day produced lots of people saying “I’m proud to be an
American.” Sgt. Akins parents were presented with seven commendations
and medals, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Remembering a Fallen Hero
03/21/2006
Yancey Commissioners have passed a resolution honoring
Sgt. Kevin Akins for making the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
Akins was killed while serving in “Operation Enduring Freedom,” in
Afghanistan on March 12th. The resolution reads in part “be it resolved
that Sgt. Kevin Akins is hereby remembered and posthumously recognized
for his service and dedication to the citizens of Yancey County and the
United States of America. Be it further resolved the Flag of the United
States of America, located on the grounds of the Yancey County
Courthouse and all county facilities, be lowered to half staff and
remain in that position for a period of 30 days in honor Sgt. Kevin
Akins. Funeral services for Sgt. Akins will be held today at Holcombe
Brothers Funeral Home at noon, he will be buried in the Sam Robertson
Cemetery with full military grave rites.
7
Arrested in Mitchell on Drug Charges
03/21/2006
The Mitchell sheriff’s office
started receiving information about possible drug activity occurring at
a residence belonging to Greg Boston located at 184 Boston Hill Rd. in
late December 2005. An extensive investigation reveled that illicit
narcotics where being sold from that residence and out of a garage
located on that property; all belonging to Boston. The garage was being
operated as a business by Vincent Hudson and went by the name “Hillside
Garage.” Deputies executed a Search Warrant for Narcotics at 184 Boston
Hill Rd. in the Estatoe Community of Mitchell County. As a result, seven
people are now facing drug charges. Arrested are Vincent O. Hudson, age
43, Gregory Boston, age 50, and Tina Gaye Burleson, age 40 all of the
same Boston Hill Road address. Also charged is Jackie Lee Ledford, age
26, of a Bantam Branch Road address in Burnsville, Jeremy Brandon
Huskins, age 22 and Chessnee Leann Huskins, age 21, both of the same
Baileys Peak Road address in Spruce Pine and Trenton Lee Geouge, age 29,
of a Snow Creek Road address, in Bakersville. Deputies located evidence
of illicit drug use and sells, the manufacture of drug paraphernalia, a
quantity of Methamphetamine, and a large quantity of prescription
medication throughout the residence and garage. No one at the location
had an active prescription for any of the medications located. The
medications included common “pain killers” such as Demerol, Valium, and
Methadone; to name a few. Also, deputies located items of glassware and
chemical solvents that where remnants of a prior methamphetamine
Laboratory. There was no indication that Methamphetamine had been
manufactured at the location. One arrestee admitted that an acquaintance
of his had left the items on a previous occasion. The arrestees
cooperated with deputies and admitted to their involvement with illicit
drug activity. Several agencies assisted the Mitchell County Sheriff’s
Office including the State Bureau of Investigation, Yancey County
Sheriff’s Office, Avery County Sheriff’s Office, Newland Police
Department, and the Avery County Municipal Drug Task Force. Lieutenant
Chris Gillespie of the Mitchell County Sheriff’s was the charging
officer. For photos of those arrested click
here.
A Community Effort
03/20/2006
Spruce Pine Town
Council has adopted a resolution in support of State Representative
Phillip Frye’s efforts to obtain the Depot (on Lower Street) for the
Town from CSX to renovate and use in prompting downtown. The Spruce Pine
Business Association and Spruce Pine Main Street endorsed the resolution
and agreed to help in anyway they can. Another part of the plan is to
construct a building for CSX employees near the depot to keep these
workers in Downtown.
Mayland Needs More Building Space
03/20/2006
Mayland Community
College has doubled in enrollment since 1997 and as Dr Suzanne Owens
says they need space desperately. She says in order to provide the
education/training Mayland must look wherever possible for funding and
support to build and expand to meet the needs of the school. Areas that
need building space for the programs include vocational trades &
electrical installation, health care and continuing education. Owens
said Mayland must prepare our people in technical, math, sciences and
vocations to meet the challenges of a changing world.
More Questions Raised
03/17/2006
Hoping to get a clearer
picture of what might be required in a new jail facility, Mitchell
Commissioners visited two jails recently, one in Burnsville, a 30 bed
facility and a new jail in Pickens County Georgia and Commissioner Jim
Saylor says seeing a jail operation and such things as the operation and
the layout of it, made him take notice of things he had not realized
before. He says he has more questions that have to be answered before he
can commit to spending taxpayers money on a new jail for Mitchell
County.
Altec Infrastructure Project to
Start
03/17/2006
Burnsville has awarded
a contract to Buckeye Construction Company to begin Phase One of the
Altec infrastructure water and sewer project. Danny McIntosh says the
Town is glad Altec has chosen to Burnsville and Yancey, they will
provide good jobs and hopefully make this areas economic situation
better. He said there’s been a little problem about who’s responsible
for some things, but those problems will be worked out and these
problems are certainly not the fault of Altec and “we are glad to have
them here.” The Mayor said this project will construct a sewer pump
station at the Altec Plant, build a sewer force main to the Mountain Air
pump station, upgrade the Mountain Air lift station and build the fire
protection water main to Bakers Creek Road. The project is to begin
Monday.
County Will Pay Tapping Fee
03/16/2006
Yancey Commissioners
say they will pay the Town of Burnsville the $25,218 tapping fees
connected with water and sewer services to Altec Industries because
these fees are legal. And they will pay the impact assessment fees also;
if the Town of Burnsville can prove these fees are legal, Yancey
Commissioners say they’re not. Town officials agreed in February to
allow the impact assessment fees of $134 thousand to be paid in three
payments of $44,800.00, with the first payment due October 1, 2006.
Burnsville Man Killed In
Afghanistan
03/15/2006
Burnsville is mourning
the loss of Sgt. Kevin Akins who was killed Sunday by a roadside bomb
that exploded outside his Humvee in Afghanistan. Akins was one of four
men from the 391st Engineering Battalion in Asheville, who were killed
while they were working to remove mines and explosive devices. Akins was
29 and had lived in Burnsville for 8 years and was a store Manager at
Ingles. Many of his friends and co-workers at Ingles said he will be
greatly missed. He was on his second tour of duty overseas. His mother,
Elizabeth Harrisen, of Plant City Florida, said he was scheduled to come
home in 35 days. His father, Don Akins, who lives in Oglethorpe,
Georgia, said he talked with Kevin on Saturday and he said his son was
proud to be a soldier. Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is handling the
arrangements; he will be buried in the Bald Creek Community.
Child
Hurt at Riverside Playground
03/15/2006
Spruce Pine officials are asking parents to watch their
kids carefully following an accident on Monday at the new playground at
Riverside Park: Richard Canipe, Town Manager, said a small child was
playing on one of the pieces of equipment and somehow got his finger in
a hole where a bolt had become loose and came out. He said the child’s
injury was fairly serious and he hoped everything would be ok. He said
they encourage anyone who sees a problem on the equipment to please
report it immediately to the Town Hall or someone in Parks & Recreation. Canipe also ask parents to keep an eye on their kids as some of the
equipment is designed for older children and some is designed for
younger children.
Meeting
with DaVita Representatives
03/14/2006
Yancey Commissioners held a special meeting Monday for
families of dialysis patients and concerned citizens to meet with
representatives of DaVita, the company seeking a certificate of need
application for the location of a dialysis center to serve the
tri-county’s of Avery, Mitchell & Yancey. To this point all of the
information available indicates the center will be located in Mitchell
County, because of its central location. However, Yancey has more
dialysis patients than Avery & Mitchell combined and the County wants
DaVita to consider Yancey as a center location. Tom Gill with DaVita
said he was impressed with what was said and admitted if he had not
attended this meeting, the site would have definitely gone to Mitchell.
The Certificate of need currently lists 2 locations, both in Mitchell,
that DaVita is considering, Near the end of the meeting, Yancey Manager
Michelle Lawhern got officials to commit to looking at property in
Yancey County and to consider listing a Yancey property on their
Certificate of Need, if the County could get the necessary documents
ready by the filing deadline of Tomorrow, March 15th. Gill said it would
take up to 5 months before any final decision will be made and there is
plenty of time for public comment.
County
Wants Environmental Survey
03/14/2006
Mitchell Commissioners say environmental concerns are
forcing them to put the brakes on the county’s take over of Woody’s
Sawmill. County Manager Ryan Whitson says Commissioners and the County
Attorney had concerns there may be some environmental problems. Whitson
says when Mitchell County acquires property, by whatever means, the
County would be liable, and so they’re asking the state to pay for a
Phase One environmental survey. The cost would be around $2 thousand. If
this survey finds any problems, a Phase Two survey would be necessary.
The cost would be around $8 to $10 thousand. Manager Whitson says before
acquiring the property, its in the county’s best interest to know there
is nothing environmentally wrong, with it because once the county owns
it, they are responsible for any cleanup.
Burnsville Man Charged with Assaulting His Grandmother
03/14/2006
Yancey Deputies have arrested Blair Kent Rathbone, Jr.,
age 18, of a Moccasin Flower Lane address in Burnsville and charged him
with assaulting his elderly grandmother and destroying her South Toe
residence. Sheriff Deputies received a call that the accused was
intoxicated, disruptive and assaulting his grandmother. When Deputies
arrived they confirmed that Rathbone had struck his grandmother in the
head and arm with his fist. He had also destroyed much of the property
inside her home. According to Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s
Department, Jessie Rathbone, age 85, is a physically handicapped person
who requires oxygen at all times. He said Mrs. Rathbone was obviously
injured and upset about the incident. The oxygen she depends on had been
removed and she was quite scared. Yancey EMS transported the elderly
lady to the Spruce Pine Hospital where she was treated and released with
stitches to her head and arm. At the time of this news release, Blair
Kent Rathbone, Jr., who lives with his grandmother, was arrested outside
her home Saturday evening around 6 PM. At the time of this news release
Rathbone was in jail under a $2 thousand secured bond. Information for
this story was supplied in a news release from the Yancey County
Sheriff’s Department.
Faw
Named Hospice of Yancey Director
03/14/2006
Hospice of Yancey County has named Eddie Faw its
Executive Director; he has been serving as interim director since
September, 2005. Faw brings 30 years of managerial experience to
Hospice, most recently he was Human Resources Director for Avondale
before its closing. He says the Hospice team is a group of very
dedicated, caring professionals and he sees a bright future for Hospice
of Yancey County.
Brush
Fire on Paint Fork
03/13/2006
NC Forest Service Rangers worked a brush fire late Sunday
night on Paint Fork Road in Madison County near the Yancey County Line.
Somewhere around 20 to 25 acres burned before it was brought under
control between 3 & 3:30 am Monday Morning. Roger Thompson, Yancey
County Ranger urges everyone to refrain from burning if possible. He
says conditions remain high for fire potential.
Seeking
Relief
03/13/2006
Glen Raven plant manager Randy Blackston told
Burnsville’s Town Council at their March meeting that if they are to
expand their Burnsville operation, they must get relief in areas of
utility rates, water & sewer rates and health care costs. He said the
company cannot make a profit with the current situation, and these fees
are higher at the Burnsville plant that any of their other locations.
Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh said the council wants to be industry
friendly and they want Glen Raven stay here. He said the council will
address Glen Raven’s request during their upcoming budget process and
will do what they can to help. McIntosh said Glen Raven has been a
tremendous asset to this community over the years and he hopes the Town
can provide some assistance to them.
Request
for Sanitary District Withdrawn
03/13/2006
The Mitchell County Commissioners meeting room was packed
last week as supporters and non-supporters of a proposed development
called the “Village of Penland” were ready to speak their piece to
Commissioners when the developers withdrew their request for the
creation of a sanitary district saying they didn’t think they had enough
votes to get a favorable decision from Commissioners. Even though the
withdrawal meant the issue was dead, at least for the time being,
Commissioners allowed the public to comment on the project. Some spoke
of environmental concerns, fines levied against the developers for
improper permits and no compensation for land taken. The project had its
supporters too with some saying it’s good for the tax base, tourism and
new jobs. Construction on the “Village of Penland” was schedule to begin
this year, this development could delay that, but the project would
include as-many-as 200 neighborhood homes and several commercial
buildings. According to “Communities of Penland,” that’s the group
building the “village,” they paid $178 thousand in property taxes last
year and they say it will go much higher in the coming years.
Yancey
Wants Dialysis Center
03/10/2006
Right now dialysis patients in the tri-counties travel to
Weaverville, Asheville, Marion, Boone or Tennessee three times a week
for treatments. These folks and their families received news recently
when it was announced the state had approved a dialysis center to be
located in the tri-counties. Then the word came that the location of the
center would be in Mitchell County, because of its central location. But
Yancey County officials feel the center should by in Burnsville because
Yancey has more dialysis patients than Avery and Mitchell combined and
according to Yancey Commission Chairman Danny Hensley, “it’s just common
sense to put the center here.” Hundreds of signatures have been
collected on petitions throughout the county in support of locating the
dialysis center in Yancey County. However, Mitchell County & Spruce Pine
officials say the information they have, is the center will be located
in Spruce Pine near the hospital. Mitchell County has approved DaVita
Inc.’s request to send a letter to the state supporting their
application for a Certificate of Need to develop the Mayland Dialysis
Center. Yancey Commissioners said they would also send the letter of
support, but would request the center be located in Yancey. Yancey
Commissioners have announced a special meeting on the issue and everyone
who is interested or concerned about this subject is invited to attend.
Representatives of DaVita will be there to meet with Commissioners and
concerned citizens concerning their request for a letter supporting
their application for a certificate of need. The meeting will be Monday
at 3:30 pm in the Commissioners boardroom on the 2nd floor of the Yancey
County Courthouse.
State
Health Plan Resolution
03/10/2006
Mitchell Commissioners have passed a resolution
requesting the County by allowed to participate in the state health
plan. County Manager Ryan Whitson says if the county can get on the
state health plan, it would be a better plan for employees and it would
be cheaper too. The state health plan has a $350.00 deductible, which is
a lot better than the County’s current plan which has a $1,000.00
deductible. Whitson says the state plan would save the County $82
thousand per year.
B & E
on Swiss Loop
03/09/2006
Yancey Deputies have arrested Brian Douglas Kendall, age
18, of a Swiss Loop, Burnsville address, on charges of felonious
breaking and entering and felonious larceny. The arrests came after an
investigation of a break in at a residence on Swiss Loop. Several
personal property items were removed from the victim’s residence and
Sgt. John D. Robinsion, of the Yancey Sheriff’s Department, recovered at
least one jewelry item from a pawn shop in Buncombe County. Kendall had
sold the item recovered. He was released after posting a $6 thousand
bond. Information for this story was provided in a news release from the
Yancey Sheriff’s Department.
NC
Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Families of Mitchell Jail Fire
Victims
03/08/2006
The NC Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the
families of the 8 victims of the Mitchell County Jail Fire in May 2002.
This means their lawsuit against the State can go forward. The court
ruled the families can have access to documents and to question
witnesses to learn what happened. The Plaintiffs alleged that Ernest
Dixon, a Department of Health and Human Safety employee responsible for
inspecting the Mitchell County jail, failed to adequately inspect the
jail "to ensure compliance with certain regulations and to ensure that
all fire safety devices and procedures were in good working order." The
plaintiffs also alleged that DHHS acted negligently in "failing to
properly train Mr.Dixon to perform the special duties of inspecting
county jails for the protection of inmates." The ruling by the Court also gives the State the right to
appeal. According to court documents, if the State doesn’t appeal the
ruling in 30 days, attorneys for the families can begin to subpoena
documents and call witnesses. The case would be heard in Asheville
before the Deputy Commissioner of the NC Industrial Commission. In March
2004, the Commission refused to dismiss the lawsuit. The families say
they just want the truth about what happened that night. If they win
their claim against the state, the families could get up to $500
thousand each and evidence gathered could be turned over to the District
Attorney.
Getting Bad Press
03/08/2006
Members of Burnsville’s
Town Council feel they’re getting bad press about not being industry
friendly in connection with water and sewer service fees for Altec
Industries. According to Council Member David Grindstaff, “the Town has
been very supportive to industry for many years including an industrial
rate established 3 years ago for existing industry of Glen Raven and
Avondale. He says they have tried everything to be as industry friendly
as possible, but at the same time we have accountability to the Town
residents, who expect the Council to look out for their interests. The
citizens of Burnsville own the water and sewer system. He says 60% of
the town’s population is on a fixed income and to give away the services
they have paid for over the years, and then come back to them in 10 to
20 years and tell them the town has given it all away and has not
required accountability to anyone outside the city limits, but we need
you to rebuild it or to build new, it’s just not right. He said the Town
hasn’t sprung anything on anyone at the last minute, they have been
discussing the impact depletion fees since April, 2005, and what it cost
the citizens to operate their infrastructure. After an investigation it
was determined those fees were needed. The whole purpose is to protect
Burnsville citizens and their needs in the future.”
Wanting
Mitchell EDC to Stand Alone
03/07/2006
Mitchell Commissioners addressed the issue of a contract
with the County’s Economic Development Commission and the County’s
Chamber of Commerce last night at their March meeting. Currently the two
groups have their own boards, but are tied together with the same
director and the Commissioners want them to separate. County Manager
Ryan Whitson said the board voted 4-1 (Commissioner Phil Byrd said the
makeup of the EDC/Chamber should remain as is) to separate the EDC from
the Chamber allowing the EDC to concentrate on bringing industry into
the County. Ryan said he feels it’s the Commissioners intention to
strengthen each organization by allowing them to deal with their
specific mission statement. Commissioners said they hope funding and a
contract with EDC will be worked out during future meetings. The current
contract with the county and the EDC/Chamber expires at the end of June.
Bakersville Man Charged in Yancey
03/07/2006
Yancey Deputies have arrested Michael Lynn Robinson, age
38, of a Young Cove Road, Bakersville address on charges of felonious
breaking and entering and felonious larceny. Sgt. John D. Robinson, of
the Yancey Sheriff’s Department, made the arrest after an investigation
of a residential break in off Langford Branch Road. Several personal
property items were located at the suspect’s residence in Mitchell
County. Michael Robinson was released after posting $4 thousand bonds.
Information used in this story came from a news release furnished by the
Yancey County Sheriff’s Department.
Earthquake Hits Area - Measures 2.8
03/06/2006
Area residents felt the earth move this morning. Several
residents called in reporting the shakes started just before 5:30 this
morning. One resident, from Whitt Bottoms, in the Cane River area of
Yancey County, said she felt aftershocks until about 7:30. The US
geological survey confirmed a quake measuring 2.8 magnitude did occur at 5:28.02 AM.
Some homeowners experienced minor damage to their home including chimney
bricks falling to the ground. Some people felt the jolt, but others did
not. This is the second quake to strike the area in three months.
Seismologists recorded another 2.8 quake in December. Experts say the
area is on a fault line. The location was 35 Degrees North, 82 Degrees West. The earthquake was felt 4 miles WSW from Burnsville, 14
miles SW from Bakersville, 11 miles ENE from Mars Hill.
A Battle of Words
03/06/2006
The battle of words
continues between the Town of Burnsville and Yancey County. At issue is
who owes what to whom concerning fees related to water and sewer
connections to Altec Industries, on Cane River School Road, in West
Yancey. The latest butting of heads is over the tapping fee bill of
$25,218 the town sent to the county. The county responded by saying the
Town owed the County $25 thousand for the sheriff’s department providing
dispatching services for the Town police department, so they deducted
that amount and sent the Town a check for $218. At Thursday’s Town
Council meeting, the board voted to send the $218 back to the county and
send the tapping fee bill to Altec, telling them if the bill wasn’t paid
by April 15th, service would be cut off. Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh
says its apparent, at this time, there is no agreement that obligates
the County to pay all the fees and assessments as it relates to Altec.
Having considered this, the Town Board sent the tapping fee bill to the
“customer,” Altec. He said the agreement to pay all the charges and fees
was actually between Altec and Yancey County, so the Town gave Altec and
the County until April 15th to sort out who is obligated to pay the bill
of $25,218. McIntosh said if the bill has not been paid by April 15th,
the Town has agreed to stop services to Altec.
Yancey
County/Burnsville Chamber of Commerce Partners with U.S. Chamber to
Build Small Business Alliance
03/03/2006
The Yancey County/Burnsville Chamber of Commerce has
partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to bring a stronger voice to
the legislative issues that affect small business. Now through the U.S.
Chamber’s Federation Membership program, small business members of the
Yancey County/Burnsville Chamber of Commerce also receive benefits of
membership with the U.S. Chamber. Through Federation Membership, small
business members receive access to members-only sections of the U.S.
Chamber’s online Small Business Center; discounts on products and
services; uschamber.com Weekly, the U.S. Chamber’s small business
e-newsletter; and other communications that provide action alerts to
pressing legislation or policy initiatives.
“This partnership leverages the Yancey County/Burnsville Chamber of
Commerce relationship with the U.S. Chamber to ensure that the issues
that matter most to small business stay at the forefront of the nation’s
business agenda.” Says Miki Pontorno, Executive Director of the Yancey
County/Burnsville Chamber of Commerce
Federation Membership is provided at no cost to you or the Yancey
County/Burnsville Chamber of Commerce. We hope you take full advantage
of this unique opportunity. Use your U.S. Chamber member number to
access these benefits. If you have not received your U.S. Chamber member
number or would like to become a member of the Chamber, please contact
Miki Pontorno at 828-682-7413.
Candidates Ready to Run
03/01/2006
Filing for state and local elected
offices has ended.
Mitchell County: (all county
candidates are Republican)
County Commission: Candidates are running for 3 seats. (Top 2
will serve 4 year terms; third place will serve a 2 year term.)
Martha Vaughn Biddix
Phil Byrd (incumbent)
Ken Hollifield (incumbent)
Keith Masters (incumbent)
Julia O’Sullivan
Patrick Phillips
Lisa Sparks
Richard McDonald had filed, but has withdrawn.
Sheriff:
Ken Fox (incumbent)
Victor Hollifield
John Wilson
Clerk of Court:
Janet Cook (Rep.)
Ted McKinney (Incumbent)
NC House-84th District: (serves Mitchell & Yancey)
Charles Monroe Buchanan.
Phillip Frye (incumbent)
Yancey County:
County Commission:
(Candidates running for 2 Commission Seats & Chairmanship)
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 Commission
seats. John Renfro has filed for Commission Chairman.
Sheriff: Kermit Banks
(Republican. no opposition)
Clerk of Court: Warren Hughes
(Democrat. No opposition)
NC Senate-47th
District: (serves Mitchell & Yancey)
Keith Presnell
(Republican/Incumbent)
Joe Sam Queen (Democrat)
Yancey School Board-non partisan:
(3 candidates running for 2 seats) Jeremy B. Chandler, Harvey Sharpe,
Van Thomas (incumbent) Current Board member Randy Banks is not seeking
another term.
Voter registration deadline for the
May 2nd primary is April 7th. The general election
is November 7th.
Burnsville Man Jailed After
Stabbing His Brother
03/01/2006
Yancey Deputies
answered a call on Monday February 20th to a mobile home on Simns Fork
Road. The caller said a teenager living at the residence had been
stabbed. When Deputies arrived they found William F. Angel, age 16, with
a stab wound to his left side. An investigation revealed the victim’s
brother Wade Ronald Angel, age 18 had stabbed him with a 3 inch single
blade knife. The victim was taken to a hospital in Asheville where he
underwent surgery to repair tissue and remove his injured spleen. Wade
Angel was arrested and charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon
inflicting serious injury. Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s Department
said an argument occurred between the brothers over the use of the
telephone. During the argument, Wade Angel removed a pocketknife from
his pocket and stabbed his brother. At the time of this Sheriff’s
Department news release, Farmer said the victim; William Angel was
reported to be recovering well and was expected to be released from the
hospital in a few days. The probable cause hearing for Wade Ronald Angel
was set for March 17th. Information for this story was supplied in a
news release from Yancey County Sheriff’s Department.
P.O. Box 744
