Suspect
Kills Himself
06/30/2006
Last night just after 11 PM, Yancey County Deputy Sheriff N.R. Ball conducted a traffic stop on a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse
registered to Isaac Nathaniel Guinn, age 19, of 91 Broadstone Road, in
Burnsville. Burnsville Police Officer Brian Buchanan assisted in the
stop. Local officers had been on the lookout for Guinn, and his vehicle
since June 21st, after he allegedly committed an armed robbery at the CVS
Pharmacy, in Weaverville, in Buncombe County. During the stop, Guinn initially
exited his vehicle, then quickly jumped back into the driver's seat and
proceeded east on US 19E. Deputy Ball and Officer Buchanan pursued Guinn
who traveled less than a mile on 19E and lost control of his car at the
entrance of High Country Ford, just east of Burnsville. Guinn exited his
vehicle, fled on foot in the parking lot of High Country Ford and waved
a handgun back and forth toward the officers, before turning the handgun
on himself and shooting himself in the head. The officers secured the
scene and found Guinn to be in possession of a .44 magnum revolver.
Yancey County Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived and Guinn was
pronounced dead on the scene. At the time of the incident, Guinn was
wanted by Weaverville Police for one count of felonious armed robbery
with a dangerous weapon. Yancey County Sheriff Kermit Banks, Burnsville Police
Chief Galen McMahan and Weaverville Police Chief Greg Stephens requested
agents from the NC State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the self
inflicted gunshot wound, the crime scene and information involved in the
case.
Henderson County Man Arrested on Drug Charges
06/30/2006
A joint investigation by the Burnsville Police & Yancey
Sheriff’s Deputies has resulted in the arrest of a Henderson County man
for drug violations. Loren Charles Baldwin, age 40, of Fletcher was
taken into custody on Tuesday (June 27th, at 5:30 pm) afternoon after he
was found to possess methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia
in his room in the Blue Ridge Motel. Burnsville Detective Randall
Shuford said Baldwin had apparently been living at the motel for
approximately five weeks prior to his arrest. Detective Shuford, Sgt.
Gerald Barnett, and Patrolman Jason Chandler from the Burnsville Police
Department and Lt. Tom Farmer, Sgt. John Robinson and Deputies Mark
Letterman and Ronnie Whitehead from the Yancey Sheriff’s Department
conducted a consent search of Baldwin’s room and found the illegal drugs
and paraphernalia. He remains in jail under a $4 thousand secured bond
and is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court July 21st.
Yancey
Passes Budget
06/29/2006
Yancey Commissioners approved the County’s 2006-2007
fiscal budget on Tuesday. It totals just over $18 million, the tax rate
remains at 50 cents per $100 valuation. County employees will receive a
3% cost of living raise and a new health insurance provider well mean
reduced cost for employees. Two departments, mapping and tax
collections, in addition to the 3% cost of living increase, will receive
an extra 7% salary adjustment as a part of the county’s pay &
classification plan which began last year. And, Yancey Schools will be
budgeted at $3,197,484.00 which is a slight increase over last year.
Commissioner Dean Hicks says the budget is very lean and he addresses
the County’s fund balance which is currently between 3% and 4%. (
click audio button above )
Con
Artists Prey on Elderly
06/28/2006
Con artists are preying on the elderly. Spruce Pine
Police Detective Bill Summerlin says it’s easy to be taken in because
the cause sounds legitimate; supporting law enforcement. Detective
Summerlin says if you get a call from someone saying they’re from a law
enforcement agency and they’re collecting money for their
department—tell them no and hang up.
Owens
Sworn in as MCC 5th President
06/28/2006
Saying she was blessed and honored to have her roots in
this community and to be a part of the Mayland family, Dr. Suzanne Owens
was sworn in last Friday as Mayland Community College’s 5th President.
She said her swearing in was important to her because the event put
Mayland in the spotlight. ( click audio button above )
Mitchell Adopts Budget
06/27/2006
Mitchell County adopted their fiscal budget for 2006-2007
last night, it comes just under $18 million and the tax rate stays at 52
cents per $100 valuation. The vote for passage was 4-1 with Commissioner
Phil Byrd casting the no vote. Commissioner Byrd explains why he voted
no. ( click audio button above )
Yancey
Public Meeting on Proposed Budget
06/27/2006
Yancey County will hold a public meeting on the budget
tonight at 6 PM in the Commissioners meeting room on the second floor of
the Yancey County Courthouse. Their proposed budget is expected to be
around $17 million and the tax rate is expected to remain at 50 cents
per $100 valuation. Following the meeting, Yancey Commissioners will go
into special session at which time they are expected to adopt their
budget for 2006-2007.
Lightening Strike Causes Fire & a Pedestrian Hit in Yancey
06/27/2006
Lightening struck a house on Dixie Land Lane in South Toe
Monday morning, causing considerable fire damage. The house was under
construction and unoccupied. When units from South Toe and Newdale Fire
Departments arrived flames were coming from the roof. And a pedestrian
was hit by vehicle around 11 am Monday morning on Schronce Creek Road in
West Yancey. The victim was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Hospital
in Asheville. No other details are available.
Weaverville Police Searching for Yancey Man
06/27/2006
Authorities are searching for a Yancey County man after
he was identified in a store surveillance tape aired on WLOS-TV showing
him robbing the CVS Pharmacy in Weaverville. Police in Weaverville say
the man is Isaac Gwinn, age 19, of Yancey County. He may be driving a
black Eagle Talon, with North Carolina plates. Police say he robbed the
pharmacy last Wednesday. If you have any information about Gwinn, call
the Weaverville Police Department at (828) 645-5700.
Fees
Waved
06/26/2006
After months of
haggling between the Town of Burnsville and Yancey County over impact
assessment fees connected with water and sewer connections to Altec
Industries, off Cane River School Road, in West Yancey, Burnsville’s
Town Council has voted to wave the fees and move forward at improving
economic development. Burnsville Mayor McIntosh comments.( click audio
button above )
Yancey
Man Escapes from Sheriff’s Custody
06/23/2006
A Yancey County man, Lance Westall,
is back in jail after escaping from the Yancey Sheriff’s office Thursday
afternoon. He was apprehended in Spruce Pine a short time later. Westall
was in custody on drug charges and apparently while he was cuffed to a
bench deputies turned their back on him and he was able to get loose. He
went into the Courthouse parking lot, still wearing leg irons and found
a truck with the key in the ignition and stole it. He headed toward
Spruce Pine and was apprehended at the intersection of 19E and Greenwood
Road by State Trooper Brian Wyatt and Spruce Pine Police Captain Mike
Briggs and Office Steve Parsley. He was charged with DWI, reckless
driving and a felony charge of possession property. In addition to the
drug charges in Yancey Westall is probably facing charges of escaping
from custody and larceny of a motor vehicle.
Burnsville Council Passes 2006-2007 Budget
06/23/2006
Burnsville Council adopted its 2006-2007 budget ordinance
last night. The general fund is approximately $1.3 million and the tax
rate remains at 50 cents per $100 valuation. The budget was approved 4-1
with Mayor Danny McIntosh casting the no vote. He said he has
reservations as the town’s budget fund balance is dangerously low. (
click audio button above )
Yancey
Arrests
06/22/2006
Yancey Deputies have charged a Mars
Hill man with obtaining property by false pretenses. According to Lt.
Tom Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department Thomas David
Sprinkle, age 25, of a Higgins Road address was getting money and goods
from local businesses using fraudulent checks. When he was arrested,
deputies found property and evidence that he had committed similar
offenses in Buncombe & Madison Counties and is awaiting court dates in
Asheville & Marshall. In an unrelated case another Mars Hill man, Calvin
Wilson, age 49, of a Ponder Creek Road address has been charged with
obtaining money by false pretences. Lt. Farmer said the arrest was made
after Wilson had converted over $20 thousand to his own use rather than
purchasing materials to complete a construction project he had been
hired to do. Also charged with obtaining money by false pretenses is
Daniel Scott Maltais, age 35 of Landfill Road, in Burnsville. He was
allegedly traveling throughout Yancey County asking citizens for money
for a family whose home had burned. During an interview with authorities
he admitted he was lying and using the story as a scheme to obtain
money. He has also been charged with the same offense in Charlotte. The
money Maltais possessed was seized pending disposition of his case. All
three men are scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court tomorrow.
Fire Danger
06/22/2006
This is not fire season, but rangers with the North
Carolina Forest Service say they are seeing more brush fires in WNC than
usual for this time of year, because of dry weather. They urge people to
use caution. The Forest Service says not only is it dry on top of the
soil, but it's even dry about six to eight inches into the ground. That
can cause problems as they try to fight brush fires by digging lines
around the fires.
State Wants Mental Health Funds
06/21/2006
At last night’s public hearing on Mitchell County’s
proposed budget, County Manager Ryan Whitson told Commissioners the
County needs to need to come up with as-much-as $400 thousand in mental
health funds. Whitson comments. ( click on audio button above )
Crunching the Numbers Time
06/20/2006
This is a busy time for municipal & county
governments—it’s 2006-2007 budget time. Earlier this month Spruce Pine
adopted their budget, the general fund will be just over $1.6 million,
water & sewer will be just over $1.6 million. Spruce Pine’s tax rate
remains at 43 cents per $100 valuation. Mitchell County will hold a
public hearing on their proposed budget tonight at 5 PM in the
Commissioner’s Conference Room, in the Administration Building in
Bakersville. Their proposed budget is just over $18 million and their
tax rate stays at 52 cents per $100 valuation. Mitchell will adopt their
budget on Monday June 26th at 5 PM. Burnsville will hold their public
hearing on the budget this Thursday at 7 PM followed by a special
meeting to adopt the budget, Their general fund is around $1.3 million
and water & sewer fund is around $1.4 million. Burnsville’s tax rate is
expected to remain at 50 cents per $100 valuation. Following the budget
adoption, Burnsville’s Council will then hold their July meeting at
about 7:30 PM. Yancey County continues to crunch their numbers and will
hold a public meeting on the budget Tuesday, June 27th at 6 PM in the
Commissioners meeting room on the second floor of the Yancey County
Courthouse. Their proposed budget is expected to be around $17 million
and the tax rate is expected to remain at 50 cents per $100 valuation.
Following the meeting, Yancey Commissioners will go into special session
at which time they are expected to adopt their budget for 2006-2007.
Alexander Man Arrested for Selling Cocaine in Yancey County
06/20/2006
Yancey Deputies have charged Frank
Mosley 3rd, age 33, of Alexander North Carolina with selling
and delivering cocaine, a felony. According to Lt. Tom Farmer of the
Yancey Sheriff’s Department, Moseley was arrested after he sold $400
worth of cocaine to an undercover officer in the Bakers Creek Community.
Deputies also seized Moseley’s 1995 Dodge Neon. He remains in the
Yancey County Jail under a $12 thousand secured bond. He’s scheduled to
appear in court Thursday.
Felony
Arrest, Counterfeit Money Investigation
06/19/2006
On Tuesday June 13, 2006 Deputies with the Mitchell
County Sheriff’s Office arrested three men from Tennessee and charged
them with offenses related to counterfeiting money. The investigation
began when the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office received information
from the Bakersville Quick Mart that a man had attempted to pass a
counterfeit $20 bill for merchandise. An employee at the store
recognized the bill as counterfeit and refused to accept it. The
employee retrieved a description of the vehicle, the tag number and the
direction of travel when the men left the store. As deputies were
searching for the suspects, a caller from Thomas Grocery in Glen Ayre
stated the men where at their store attempting to pass money. Deputies,
Richard Hoilman & James Byrd arrived within minutes and took the men
into custody after searching the vehicle and recovering a large amount
of counterfeit money and merchandise that the men had obtained with the
fake cash. The men admitted that they had been passing the money since
early in the afternoon at stores in the Avery County area and continued
along Highway 19E into Mitchell County. The accused, all from Roan
Mountain Tennessee, are identified as Shannon Clawson, age 31, Stacy
Gene Oliver, age 28 and Henry Donald Gibbs, 22. Each man is charged with
five counts of Obtain Property by False Pretense, Five Counts of
Uttering a Forged Document and Forgery of a Governmental Document.
Mitchell County investigators contacted the United States Secret Service
(the federal agency responsible for investigating counterfeiters) and
the Avery County Sheriff’s Office and they continue to investigate the
incident. Several more charges are pending for the men. Also, one of
suspects Shannon Clawson is a Fugitive from Justice and is wanted by the
Carter County Sheriff’s Office in relation to a serious assault that
occurred in their county. The men are currently being held on $33,000
bonds. Lieutenant Chris Gillespie, with the Mitchell Sheriff’s
Department was the charging officer.
Odd Twist to Rabies in Yancey County
06/19/2006
Since August 2004, areas throughout Yancey County have
experienced incidents with rabid animals, both domestic and wild. The
latest case of rabies in Yancey County has been confirmed (Thursday,
June 15th) bringing the total to around 71. But this latest case has an
odd twist; the rabies was confirmed in a groundhog following an incident
on Monday, June 12th in the area around Burnsville Elementary. The
animal attached a family dog. Unfortunately, the pet had not been
vaccinated and had to be put down. There was a potential human exposure
and this person is receiving the shots. Mary Alice Beaver, LPN with the
Yancey County Health Department said “We don’t usually test groundhogs
because it is so rare that one would carry the virus.” This case shows
that an animal with the virus attacked the groundhog. The problem of
rabies is here and will continue to be a major health threat in Yancey
County. Health Department Officials urge you to be a responsible pet
owner, protect your pets and your family, have your pets vaccinated.
Some of the cases have potentially exposed humans to the virus meaning
individuals had to have the costly shots. If you have a possible human
or domestic animal exposure to rabies, please call the Yancey County
Health Department at 682-3003. If you need to report an animal control
incident, please call 284-4234.
Rabies Confirmed in Grassy Creek
06/16/2006
Mitchell County Health Department is reporting a
confirmed case of rabies in Grassy Creek area. Rabies is a viral disease
that can be transmitted to humans by a bite or scratch from infected
animal’s saliva. The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your
pet is to practice “responsible pet ownership-get your pets vaccinated.”
A low-cost rabies clinic will be held at the Parkway Fire Department in
Grassy Creek. The clinic will be from 12-6pm Wednesday, June 21st. The
price of the rabies vaccine is $6/pet. Get your pets vaccinated.
Rebuilding the Economy
06/16/2006
It’s all about rebuilding the economy in Western North
Carolina. Dale Carroll, with Advantage West, says the recent
announcement of new jobs at the Bombardier Plant in Spruce Pine is great
news. Advantage West is Western North Carolina’s Regional Economic
Development Commission. Hear Carroll's comments. ( click audio button
above )
Burnsville’s Westall Named to Mining Commission
06/16/2006
Governor Easley has appointed Forrest R. Westall, Sr. of
Burnsville to the NC Mining Commission. The Commission adopts
administrative rules and oversees the Mining Act of 1971 as-well-as
making decisions on contested actions by the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources. Westall is an environmental consultant with
McGill Associates Law Firm. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s
degree in civil engineering from NC State. In 2004, he received the
Leadership and Service Award from the NC Division of Water Quality and
the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2005. Award
Minor Earthquake
06/16/2006
A minor earthquake was felt in the Western North Carolina
Mountains last night. Mountain residents say they felt the earth move
just before 9:00 pm. According to the USGS, the epicenter was located 28
miles north of Franklin, which isn’t too far from Gatlinburg Tennessee.
The quake measured 3.1 magnitude. Experts say earthquakes like this are
not out of the ordinary. There have been no reports of injuries or
damage.
Concerns for Safety on Oak Avenue
06/15//2006
During the floods from Hurricanes Frances and Ivan in
September 2004, a slide hit Oak Avenue causing many to wonder if this
area was safe and if another slide would happen the next time there was
a storm. Over $800 thousand in funding was secured to fix the problem
and the project was completed. But concerns have surfaced over safety
after cracks in a few of the boards in the barricade have appeared.
Spruce Pine Mayor Wes Foy comments. ( click audio button above )
Suspicious Fire in Marion
06/15/2006
Investigators say a fire that damaged a building filled
with items intended for the less fortunate at Marion Mission Ministries
may have been intentionally set. The fire damaged a mobile home used by
the Ministries' men's shelter to store donated furniture and other
items. Witnesses told police they saw someone leaving the scene, just as
the fire broke out last Sunday. The damage is estimated at 15-hundred
dollars, but volunteers at the shelter say it's worth much more than
that to those who could have used the lost items. The Marion Fire
Department has called in SBI arson investigators to help with the case.
Managing Funds
06/14/2006
Spruce Pine Council adopted their 2006-2007 budget Monday. Richard
Canipe, Town Manager, says they work hard at managing the money in their
fund balance and this has kept them from raising taxes for several
years. ( click audio button above )
DOT Traffic Plan
06/14/2006
DOT planners are currently looking at the road networks
of Burnsville & Yancey County using socio-economic, current road
conditions and population to predict traffic for 2030. Jamie Adrignola
,a transportation engineer with the NC Department of Transportation told
Burnsville Council members at their June meeting, that these projections
will be matched with the current state of the road networks, identify
deficiencies and recommend projects that are needed. ( click audio
button above )
Bailey Mountain Preserved
06/14/2006
Bailey Mountain, in Madison County, has remained
untouched for decades, but when it came up for sale seven years ago
developers wanted to change that. So members of the community rallied to
buy the 200 acres themselves. They formed the Hoffman Foundation and
have been working to pay off the loan to purchase the property through
grants, private donations and even a flea market. Now with help from a
10-thousand dollar gift, the last of the bill has been paid off. The
Foundation says this means Bailey Mountain will be spared from
development forever and will remain accessible to the public for hiking
and educational opportunities.
Spruce Pine Adopts Budget
06/13/2006
Spruce Pine Town Council adopted their 2006-2007 budget
last night. Richard Canipe, Spruce Pine Town Manager comments. ( click
audio button above )
Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards
06/13/2006
Yancey County nominations are now being accepted for the
2005 North Carolina Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service. These
awards honor the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals,
groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their
community through volunteer service. Any person, group, or business from
the public, non-profit and private sector may be nominated for an award.
This year marks the 28th Anniversary of the program that showcases North
Carolina’s most dedicated residents. Frank McFadden and David Davis of
Yancey County were honored this past year for their Volunteer Service to
our community. Please take the time to recognize some of the marvelous
volunteers who serve Yancey County. Nomination forms are now available
for Yancey County residents at the NC Cooperative Extension Center on 10
Orchard Drive in Burnsville or contact the County Coordinator Linda
Semon at (828) 682-6186. Nomination forms must be received back by
Friday, June 30, 2006.
Looking to Stay in Mitchell County
06/12/2006
The recent announcement by Bombardier in Spruce pine of new jobs says a
lot for the quality of work coming out of Spruce Pine and it means
Bombardier is looking to stay in Mitchell County. Bill Sagle, with the
Mitchell Chamber of Commerce, comments. ( click on audio button above )
Recreation is looking up in Yancey
06/12/2006
Yancey County’s recreation future received a shot in the
arm recently with the announcement of a grant of $182 thousand from the
Parks and Recreation Trust fund to purchase property on Whittington Road
in the Whitt Bottoms area of West Yancey. Nathan Bennett, Yancey County
Commissioner comments. He says the grant is dollar-for-dollar match,
meaning to get the full amount of the grant, the County will have to
come up with $182 thousand and the County will be having funding raisers
and looking for other grants to help with the competition of this
project. (click audio button above )
Old Courthouse Renovation in Limbo
06/09/2006
Is the project to renovate the “old” Mitchell County
Courthouse, in Bakersville, dead in the water? The Avery-Mitchell-Yancey
Library (AMY) has dropped out of the project (Patty Bowers comments on
the library boards decision.) The project, was a joint effort of AMY and
Mayland Community College with Mayland using the bottom floor for
classrooms and the library using the top floor for community activities.
The library’s announcement is a disappointment to the community. (Reid
Duncan, a member of the restoration committee that got the library
system and Mayland to agree to the project in 2005 comments.) We spoke
with Mayland President Dr. Suzanne Owens says she’s not sure what
Mayland will do. The historic Courthouse renovation project was to have
begun next year; with a completion date of 2010. ( click audio button
above )
It Takes Dedication
06/09/2006
Responding to emergency’s takes dedication and it takes
time away from your family. Randy Ollis Chief of the Yancey County
Rescue Squad comments. ( click audio button above )
Suspicious Fire in South Toe
06/08/2006
The SBI Arson Taskforce and the Yancey County Sheriff’s
Department are investigating a suspicious in South Toe. Yancey
Communications received a call late Monday night of a fire at
International Floral Company, owned by Jim Ballew, on Highway 80 South,
in the South Toe Community. Fire units from South Toe, Burnsville &
Newdale Departments and Yancey EMS responded. When they arrived 2
structures were involved. The SBI & the Yancey County Sheriff’s
Department were also on the scene. Lt Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s
Department said the business’ Galax warehouse building and a storage
building were severely damaged and he said evidence was found indicating
an attempt was made to set fire to the back of Ballew residence, but
that failed. Three people were inside the home and they escaped without
injury.
Governor’s Crime Prevention awards
06/08/2006
Gov. Mike Easley has announced the Governor’s Crime
Commission is awarding $21.96 million to state and local agencies to
improve community security and assist crime victims. Counties in our
area receiving grants include:
Madison: (My Sister’s Place & Sheriff’s Department. Total: $120,255.20)
McDowell: (Marion PD & Family Services of McDowell County. Total:
$111,898.94)
Mitchell: (Spruce Pine PD, Sheriff’s Department & Safeplace. Total:
$249,696.98)
Yancey: (Family Violence Coalition. Total: $93,702.40)
The money will provide assistance for a range of programs including
efforts to fight juvenile delinquency, assist victims of domestic
violence, provide modern equipment and technology for local law
enforcement agencies, stop gang activity and fight drug abuse.
Taylor Holds Town Hall Meeting in Yancey
06/08/2006
Western North Carolina Congressman Charles Taylor will
hold a Town Hall meeting at the Burnsville Town Center, this Saturday,
from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The 11th District Representative said he hopes
Yancey County residents will come and share their views with him on such
topics as taxes, immigration, Social Security and the budget.” He urges
citizens to have a voice in the federal government. Staff members will
be at the meeting to assist residents with paperwork and other matters.
For more information call Taylor’s office in Asheville at 828-251-1988.
New Jobs in Spruce Pine
06/07/2006
Bombardier, in Spruce Pine, has announced plans to hire
new workers. Bill Johnson, BRP Spruce Pine Plant Manager comments on the
company’s long-range plans. The move is great news for Mitchell County
Economic Development official too, Bill Burleson comments. ( click audio
button above )
Dispatching Fees Resolved
06/07/2006
Talks between Burnsville & the Yancey Sheriff’s
Department have resulted in an agreement on dispatching services. Danny
McIntosh, Mayor of Burnsville comments. (click audio button above )
Where Will Funds Come From?
06/06/2006
The proposed Mitchell County budget for 2006-2007 drops
the fund balance, or cash on hand, to 8%, the minimum recommend by the
Local Government Commission. The 8% is the amount of funds the
commission says is enough to run County or municipal government
operations for 1-month. But, what if there is an emergency and more
funds are needed? We ask Commissioner Phil Byrd if the County has an
emergency where will the money needed to cover the emergency come from.
( click audio button above )
Yancey Recreation Back on Track
06/05/2006
In May 2005, Altec Industries said the former OMC
building did not meet their requirements for production, and saying they
wanted to stay in Yancey County, they decided to construct their own
building, but they needed the County’s help. Yancey Commissioners,
rather than taking a chance on losing much needed jobs, opted to give
Altec property in West Yancey that had been earmarked for the County’s
new compressive recreation grounds. So the search began for another
tract of land suitable for a recreation facility. As we reported last
week, Yancey has received a grant from the state’s Parks and Recreation
Fund to purchase property for a recreation site. Commissioner Nathan
Bennett said the County is happy to be back on the recreation track. The
grant totals $182.500, and is a dollar-for-dollar match, that means each
dollar Yancey Contributes to the project; the granting agency will
release the same amount. ( click audio button above )
Hugh Morton Dies
06/02/2006
A man, whose life passion enhanced the beauty of our
area, has passed away. Hugh Morton died
Thursday in Linville, at the foot of the mountain he helped preserve.
Among his many achievements, Morton inherited Grandfather Mountain and
made the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains a top tourist
attraction. The environmentalist also took his camera everywhere,
capturing breathtaking images of North Carolina. Morton's daughter says
he died after a battle with esophageal cancer. He was 85.
Getting Budget Ready
06/02/2006
Burnsville’s Council
continues to work on the 2006-2007 budget. Mayor Danny McIntosh says the
tax rate will remain at 50 cents per $100 valuation. ( click audio
button above )
Available for Public Inspection
06/01/2006
A copy of the Yancey
County draft budget for 2006-2007 is available for public inspection in
Room 11 of the County Courthouse. Updated versions will be available as
changes are made during work sessions. This is only a draft not the
final budget. A public hearing on the budget will be held at 6:00 pm,
Tuesday, June 27th, in the Commissioners meeting room, on the second
floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. At 6:30 pm, Commissioners will
meet in special session to give further consideration to all comments
received during the public hearing, and then Commissioners will adopt
the Yancey County 2006-2007 budget.
Area’s First “Ammonia Lab” Seized
in Mitchell
06/01/2006
On Tuesday May 23,
Deputies with the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office discovered an active
Clandestine Laboratory used to manufacture Methamphetamine during an
investigation into activity occurring at a residence in Northern
Mitchell County. Investigators had received information about drug
activity involving men from Tennessee. The men where reported to be
staying in a camper in the Glen Ayre Community and manufacturing
Methamphetamine at that location and at other locations in the area.
Remnants of Methamphetamine production were found at the camper site. At
a separate location, 3818 Fork Mountain Rd, investigators located an
active “lab” which included evidence that the individuals were producing
Anhydrous Ammonia; this form of Ammonia is a highly toxic and very
dangerous chemical that is used during the final stages of
Methamphetamine production. This is the first of its kind to be seized
in this area. Deputies are currently following up on information about
more sites were the men had been manufacturing Meth. At this time
William Shell, 42, of Roan Mountain, TN, William Keith Largent, 48, of
Johnson City, TN remain in Custody in Mitchell County for several
related drug offenses, and Tennessee officials are holding Duane Yeager,
37, of Hampton, TN for pending drug charges in Mitchell County. Yeager
is awaiting extradition for those charges. The investigation into the
case is continuing and further charges are pending.
P.O. Box 744
