New Vistas Mountain Laurel
Assisting Clients
09/29/2006
Earlier this month,
Western North Carolina's largest mental health care provider announced
they were shutting down. "New Vistas Mountain Laurel" will close October
31st. The company acts as a safety net, offering care to patients other
providers won't. It has 700 employees and more than 10,000 patients here
in the mountains, including Madison, Mitchell & Yancey Counties. We
spoke with Beth Cassida, the Administrative and Clinical Director of
“New Vistas Mountain Laurel” for Madison, Mitchell & Yancey Counties;
she talks about what happened and how New Vistas Mountain Laurel will be
assisting their clients work through this transition period. Cassida
comments. (click audio button above)
McDowell Man Charged
09/29/2006
A man who robbed an Old
Fort convenience store led police on a two-county chase Thursday that
ended in an accident in front of Asheville High School. Officers say
Leon Jones hit two other cars in the accident. He was taken to nearby
Mission Hospitals for treatment, and then taken to the Buncombe County
Jail. Officers say Jones robbed the store on Bat Cave Road in Old Fort
late Thursday afternoon and led them on the chase. They say they found
the cash drawer he stole, still inside his car. He is charged with
robbery. No one else was seriously injured in the accident.
No Parking Means No Parking
09/28/2006
Parking has become a problem in the area around Harris Middle School &
Deyton Elementary School. Spruce Pine Town Manager Richard Canipe
comments (click audio button above)
McDowell Man Charged
09/28/2006
A McDowell County man
has been charged with three counts of injury to personal property for
allegedly spreading his semen from a vial, onto clothing and other
merchandise at a Marion discount store. Clerks at Burke's Outlet called
police Saturday, after they say they caught the man, 38 year old Dwight
McKinney, putting the bodily fluid on women's undergarments. Police say
McKinney admitted doing the same thing at as many as 20 other local
businesses, but officers declined to give the names of those stores.
They do caution shoppers to check recent purchases for unusual stains.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Burke’s says they've cleared all items
that could possibly be contaminated. Store clerks say they are handling
a lot of returns from concerned customers. McKinney posted bond the same
day he was arrested. Police say he could face more charges.
Another Delay
09/27/2006
The Highway 19/19E
widening projects will be delayed another year. The current
Transportation Improvement Plan indicates construction on the highway 19
project from I-26 in Madison County to Jacks Creek Road in Yancey County
will begin in 2008, the 19/19E project from Jacks Creek Road to
Micaville in Yancey County will begin in 2009 and the widening of 19E
from Micaville in Yancey County to Spruce Pine in Mitchell County will
begin with right-of-way acquisitions in 2010 and construction is
scheduled to begin in 2012. The 19E widening project from Spruce Pine in
Mitchell County to Highway 221 in Avery County is currently unfunded.
Craig Hughes, transportation planner for High Country Rural Planning
Organization says DOT has stated the reason for delays can be attributed
to “balancing funds” or “allowing additional time for planning.” He said
DOT’s funding stream from the Federal Highway Administration and the NC
Highway Trust Fund has been cut while their construction costs have
increased.
Making Mental Health Reform Work
09/27/2006
Mountain
Representatives from the NC Legislature met with area health providers
and concerned citizens on Monday to discuss ways of fixing the problems
plaguing with mental health reform in the state. Arthur Carter, CEO,
Western Highlands Network & Yancey Representative Ray Rapp comment.
(click audio button above)
It’s Time to Get the Project
Started
09/26/2006
After months of
petitions, meetings and more petitions, and a few tears, a decision has
been made on the location of the Mayland Dialysis Center. Tom Gill,
Divisional Vice President of DaVita, in a statement said, “I am
convinced upon review of all information provided regarding the new
center; the best location is the Spruce Pine area of Mitchell County.
Please know this decision was made after careful deliberation and
concern for all interests." Gill said he’s glad to get project started."
Gill comments. (click audio button above)
Dialysis Center Goes to Spruce
Pine
09/25/2006
A decision has been made on the
location for the new Mayland Dialysis Center. Tom Gill, Divisional Vice
President of DaVita, in a statement said, " I am convinced upon review of
all information provided regarding the new center; the best location is
the Spruce Pine area of Mitchell County. Please know this decision was
made after careful deliberation and concern for all interests."
He Says it’s Not about drinking,
It’s about Spending Money Here
09/25/2006
Local businessman
Luther Stamey says it’s not about drinking; it’s about keeping money
here. The Spruce Pine convenience store owner has started a petition
drive to get alcohol sales on the ballot. Earlier this month, Mitchell
Commissioners passed a resolution opposing further sales in the county.
Commissioner Jim Saylor explains his reason for supporting the
resolution. There has been confusion about when and if voters in Spruce
Pine would vote on the issue, according to state election rules “no
alcoholic beverage election may be held on the Tuesday next after the
first Monday in November of an even-numbered year. That means the issue
cannot by law be on the ballot in November. To add to the confusion, Stamey did not notify the proper authorities of the start date of his
petition, so he is starting over and a new petition begins today and he
will have 90 days to get the 500 signatures required by the board of
elections. If he does that, the elections board will set a date for the
alcoholic beverage election, not sooner than 60 days nor later than 120
days from the date the request was received from the governing body or
the petition is verified by the board. All of this means there will no
vote on the issue until January, February or March of 2007. Stamey and
Saylor comment. (click audio button above)
Yancey Receives Grant for Jail
Expansion
09/22/2006
Yancey County has
received a grant of $493,614.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice to
complete the County’s jail expansion project. Sheriff Kermit Banks
applied for the grant through Congressman Taylor’s office. The funds
will be used to furnish the new expansion with adequate equipment,
update its technology, purchase jail transportation and equip a jail
response team. The expansion project was started as a result State
mandates which came about following the tragic Mitchell County Jail fire
that killed 8 inmates in 2002.Taylor comments. (click audio button
above)
Partnership Receives Grants
09/21/2006
The Mitchell-Yancey
Partnership for Children has received grants for their “Imagination
Library” project. Jennifer Simpson is the partnership’s director; she
says the project is off to a good start. Simpson comments (click audio
button above)
H.S. Students Charged with Drug
Offenses
09/20/2006
Two Mountain Heritage
High School students have been suspended, as required by school board
policy, after being arrested on drug charges. The incident occurred on a
county school bus taking kids home. One student was charged with selling
and delivering marijuana to another student on the bus, the student who
received the marijuana was charged with possession. Both teens are 17
years old and were released from custody after posting bonds. The teens
are scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on October 3rd.
No to Convenience Center, Yes to
EDC
09/20/2006
Glen Ayre resident’s
told Mitchell Commissioners earlier this month thanks but no thanks to a
convenience center and to put the monies designated for the project to
better use. Phil Byrd, a Mitchell County Commissioner comments. (click
audio button above)
Health Care Provider Shutting
Down
09/19/2006
Western North
Carolina's largest mental health care provider has announced it’s
shutting down. "New Vistas Mountain Laurel" will close October 31st. The
company acts as a safety net, offering care to patients other providers
won't. It has 700 employees and more than 10,000 patients here in the
mountains, including Madison, Mitchell & Yancey Counties. Company
officials say they'll work to make other arrangements for their
patients.
Option Extended
09/19/2006
In August 2005, Yancey
Commissioners entered into an option agreement with “Murphy to Manteo”
to purchase the former OMC property which is owned by the County. That
option expired Monday and Commissioners extend the option for 45 days.
Yancey Commissioner Nathan Bennett comments. (click audio button above )
Parkway Awarded Grant
09/15/2006
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Association has been awarded a $438,000 National Scenic Byways grant to
market the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway that traverses southwest Virginia
and western North Carolina. The federal grant will be used to highlight
the cultural, historical, and recreational landmarks, natural features
and activities available along the parkway, through the development of a
user-friendly website, electronic marketing, ad campaigns, and trade
shows. Despite recent declines in visitation, the Parkway still receives
nearly 20 million total visits a year. Phil Noblitt, with the Blue Ridge
Parkway comments. (click audio button above)
SPCH is Regional
09/14/2006
Last week Spruce
Community Hospital held a ground breaking for their largest expansion
and renovation in the hospital’s 50 year history. Cheryl Craigie,
Executive Director of the Hospital Foundation says Spruce Pine Community
Hospital is truly a regional hospital with many workers living outside
Mitchell County. Craigie says the foundation is responsible for raising
$4 million of the $20 million the project will cost. Craiie comments.
(click audio button above)
Mitchell Says Fees Are Not Legal
09/13/2006
Following action taken
by Yancey County on August 28th, Mitchell Commissioners have passed a
resolution in opposition the recent rate increases for septic fees by
Toe River Health District. Lloyd Hise, the Attorney for Mitchell County
comments (click audio button above)
SPCH Ground Breaking
09/12/2006
Spruce Pine Community
Hospital held ground breaking ceremonies last week for their $20 million
expansion project. Cheryl Craigie, Executive Director of the Spruce Pine
Community Hospital Foundation comments. (click audio button above) For
pictures click
here.
Starting to Sink In
09/11/2006
As the news of Ethan
Allen closing its Spruce Pine plant sinks in, Mitchell County’s Economic
Development Commission Board Chairman Keith Holtzclaw says EDC is doing
all it can to help the some 340 Ethan Allen employees who’ve been told
the plant will close in November with layoffs to start in 3-4 weeks.
Keith Holtzclaw comments (click audio button above) .
Parking on West Main
09/08/2007
Burnsville Council
talked at length at their September meeting last night about parking on
West Main Street and the dangerous situation that exists. Burnsville
Mayor Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)
NEW CEO for Cannon Memorial
Hospital
09/08/2006
Avery County’s Cannon
Memorial Hospital has named a new CEO; he’s Chuck Mantooth who comes
into the position with 16 years experience in the health care industry,
most recently serving as a Sr. Vice President for Corporate Services
with Appalachian Regional Healthcare System. Mantooth replaces interim
CEO John Barrett. Cannon has been searching for a replacement for Eddie
Greene who served the hospital as CEO for many years before leaving last
March.
Ethan Allen Closing Spruce Pine
Plant
09/07/2006
Ethan Allen has dealt a
huge blow to the economy of Spruce Pine, Mitchell County and surrounding
communities. The furniture maker announced Wednesday they’re closing the
Spruce Pine Plant—around 340 workers will lose their jobs. The plant
will close November 6th. Ethan Allen officials say the move will also
affect an Oklahoma plant for a total 465 jobs lost. They say the move is
an effort to consolidate operations by moving some production to
domestic plants and some to overseas suppliers. The Spruce Pine
facility, which totals approximately 280,000 square feet, was built by
the Company in 1989. Layoffs will begin in 3-4 weeks.
All 4 Sites Approved
09/07/2006
The NC Division of
Facility Services, Certificate of Need Section has finished their work
on the DaVita Application for a nine station dialysis center to be
placed in Mitchell or Yancey Counties. DaVita is doing business as Total
Renal Care. According to Carol Hutchinson of the Certificate of Need
Section, all four of the proposed cites, 2 each in Mitchell & Yancey
Counties, submitted by DaVita have been approved and it’s now up to
DaVita and she says a decision should not be too far away. According to
Hutchinson 90% of the dialysis patients in Avery, Mitchell & Yancey
Counties are within 30 miles of all 4 proposed sites, which exceeds the
80% threshold required by program rules. DaVita, in its application,
listed Spruce Pine as their primary site.
A Dangerous Game
09/07/2006
McDowell County
Sheriff’s detectives say they’re relieved no one was hurt after several
college and high school students played a dangerous game of tossing
Molotov cocktails at buildings in the county. The worst damage was at
McDowell High School where someone hit the ROTC building. Vandals also
hit the future campus of Marion Christian Academy and an old Winn-Dixie
store. Investigators say the damage in each case was not extensive.
Ethan Allen Closing Spruce Pine
Plant
09/06/2006
Ethan Allen today
announced a plan to close its Spruce Pine manufacturing facility and
convert its Atoka, Oklahoma facility into a regional distribution
center. In connection with this initiative, the Company will permanently
cease production at both locations, allocating production among its
remaining domestic manufacturing locations and selected offshore
vendors. The decision impacts approximately 465 employees.
Around 340
of those are from the Spruce Pine plant. Farooq
Kathwari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said "We sincerely regret
the impact that this decision will have on many of our employees. We
believe, however, that this action will strengthen our logistical
capabilities and improve the Company's remaining U.S. manufacturing
operations." The Spruce Pine facility, which totals approximately
280,000 square feet, was built by the Company in 1989. The Spruce Pine
Plant will close November 6th.
Something Has To Be Done
09/05/2006
The recent outcry by
the public and area community leaders over septic fees imposed by Toe
River Health District has brought to the forefront the financial
problems the health agency has and one County commissioner, who serves
on the Health Districts Board of Directors, says something has to be
done. Nathan Bennett, a Yancey County Commissioner comments. (click
audio button above)
Yancey BOE Special Meeting
Tonight
09/05/2006
The Yancey County Board
of Education will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:00 PM for the
purpose of considering personnel matters. The meeting will be held at
the Board of Education office, 100 School Circle, Burnsville.
Madison’s Teacher of the Year
09/05/2006
A 2nd grade teacher at
Mars Hill Elementary has been named Madison County’s “Teacher of the
Year” for 2006-2007. Stephanie Cody has taught 10 years, she’s a home
grown product having graduated from Madison High School; she received
her graduate degree in elementary education from Western Carolina
University. Cody was selected from 6 candidates who were “Teachers of
the Year” at their Madison School. Cody said “I’ve always just wanted to
teach.”
New EDC Director in Mitchell
09/04/2006
Mitchell County has a
new Economic Development Commission director; he’s Jack Dobson, who
comes to the job with a background in business and finance. He say’s its
important to meet the challenges of securing new business but it’s also
important to help existing business with their needs and challenges.
Dodson comments. (Click audio button above)
Yancey Man Charged with Rape
09/01/2006
A Yancey County man has
been arrested on numerous felony sex offenses, including rape. Gary
Allen Lee, age 34, of a Darrell Drive Burnsville address was arrested as
a result of a criminal investigation into the offenses which are alleged
to have occurred between June 1st and July 2nd at a residence where Lee
resides in Yancey. Because of the sensitive nature of this story we are
not reporting on other details that have been supplied by the sheriff’s
department. Lee was placed in jail under a $200 thousand secured bond.
After 48 hours in custody, Lee was released after family members made
his bond. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on
September 6th.
Parkway Etiquette
09/01/2006
For visitors on the
Blue Ridge Parkway, the months of August, September and October are
statistically the highest months of the year for involvement in a
collision. Vehicles of all types, bicycles to recreational vehicles,
cars to motorcycles, are more likely to be involved in a collision than
any other period of the year. To address this concern the Parkway is
recruiting participation from vehicle operators by encouraging “Parkway
Etiquette.” At the very heart of the visitor experience is a slower
pace, allowing opportunities to absorb and reflect on the beauty and
history. This means that those operating a slower vehicle, such as a
bicycle or RV, should use the many overlooks to allow others to pass.
Motorcyclists and other drivers should also be prepared for longer drive
times, as the Parkway is intended to be traveled at speeds lower than
most routes in the region. Drivers are urged to heed the Parkway slogan,
“enjoy the view, watch the road.”
P.O. Box 744
