Water Talks Continue
03/16/2007
The
Town of Burnsville & Mountain Air Development Corporation are continuing their
water talks. Danny McIntosh, the Mayor of Burnsville comments. (click audio
button above)
Reducing Dropouts-Pt 2
3/16/2007
North
Carolina’s school dropout & graduation percentages were released recently. For
2005-2006, Mitchell’s dropout rate was just over 6%, the state average was 5%
and their graduation rate was almost 62%, the state average was 68%. On
Thursday, we began a 2-part series of reports on keeping kids in school. Robin
Buchanan, an assistant superintendent of Mitchell County Schools said keeping
our kids in school should start early in their school life and it takes parents,
schools and the community telling kids to stay in school. Today in part 2,
Buchanan talks about what the schools are doing to convenience students to stay
in school. Robin Buchanan comments. (click audio button above)
Missing Ohio Couple Found Safe in Avery County
03/16/2007
A
Columbus Ohio couple reported missing earlier this week has been found safe in
Avery County after they were stopped by police for a minor traffic violation.
This incident happened at about 1 o’clock this morning. Avery authorities say
William and Goldie Slavens, who are in their 80s, appeared physically ok, but
confused. Deputies said the couple told them they were on there way back to
Columbus. They will remain in a local hospital until family members arrive to
take them home.
Bill Banks Dies
03/15/2007
Well
know Burnsville businessman and community leader William A. (Bill) Banks, passed
away on Wednesday, he was 82. Active in many church, civic and development
projects in Yancey County and beyond, Banks was not only a successful
businessman, but a genuine humanitarian. He was known as an innovator and
developer. He headed early shopping center projects, including Banks Family
Square. Banks was a co-founder and first chairman of the board of Blue Ridge
Savings Bank. His business interests included Banco Lumber. He and his family
developed Mountain Air. He served on numerous boards and committees including
many concerned with Yancey County economic development. A true friend to his
community, he will be missed. William A. (Bill) Banks, dead at age 82.
Fees Increased at Toe River Campground
03/15/2007
Yancey Commissioners have had to increase camping fees at Toe River Campground,
the popular recreation area in the South Toe section of the county. Commission
Chairman John Renfro says the county is facing about a $20 thousand operating
deficit plus a $72 thousand cost of replacing the entire water system, possibly
having to drill a well and redoing the water system with chlorination. John
Renfro comments. (click audio button above)
Reducing Dropouts-Pt 1
3/15/2007
North
Carolina’s school dropout & graduation percentages were released recently. For
2005-2006, Mitchell’s dropout rate was just over 6%, the state average was 5%
and their graduation rate was almost 62%, the state average was 68%. Today, in
the first of a 2-part feature with Robin Buchanan, an assistant superintendent
of Mitchell Schools she says starting early in a child’s school life is a must
and it takes parents, schools and the community telling kids to stay in school.
Tomorrow in part two, Buchanan talks about some of the efforts the schools makes
to keep our kids in school. Robin Buchanan comments. (click audio above)
Reducing the Deficit
03/14/2007
Yancey Commissioners continue to reduce the County’s budget deficit. John
Renfro, Chairman of the Yancey County Commission comments. (click audio button
above)
Yancey Sexual Exploitation Case Continued
03/13/2007
The
case of sexual exploitation against two Yancey County men has been continued in
district court. Patrick Ray Bradford, of a Dale Earnhardt Drive address and
Jerry Van Hatfield, of a Roland Branch Road address, were taken into custody in
September, 2005. Both Bradford and Hatfield are each charged with 2 counts of
second degree sexual exploitation and 2 counts of third degree sexual
exploitation. Yancey Deputies investigated allegations the two men unlawfully
possessed and disseminated obscene material. The case was heard Friday in
District Court, but was continued until May, 31, 2007.
Providing Water in a Natural Disaster
03/13/2007
Mitchell Commissioners have approved an amendment to a Community Development
Block Grant to allow the Town of Bakersville to purchase a generator to ensure
the Town can provide water in the event of a natural disaster. The grant was for
housing in Henson’s Creek. All of the houses in the project have either been
replaced or rehabilitated. When the project was complete there was $105,835 to
be used or returned to the state. The state gave permission for the money to be
used by the Town of Bakersville. Chuck Vines, Mayor of Bakersville, comments.
(click audio button above)
Pinebridge Gives the Coliseum to the SP Fire
Department for Community Center
03/12/2007
Pinebridge is giving their coliseum to the Spruce Pine Fire Department to use as
a community center. This move not only allows the fire department to house
citizens in an emergency but it also gives the fire department an opportunity to
use the building as a training facility which would bring people to the county
and that would mean a boost to the area’s economy. Claudia Pitman says she
hasn’t been this excited about Pinebridge in a long time. She says the facility
will still continue to host many events as they have in the past such as the
mineral and gem festival. David Hughes, the Spruce Pine Fire Chief and Caudia
Pitman with Pinebridge comment. (click audio button above)
Openings for County Manager and Tax Assessor
03/09/2007
Mitchell Commissioners will be in closed session on Tuesday March 13th at 5 PM
to review applications for two openings in the County; County Manager and Tax
Assessor. Phil Byrd, Chairman of the Mitchell County Commission comments. (click
audio button above)
Deadline to Request a Refund Approaches
03/08/2007
Residents of Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties who obtained septic permits
from Toe River Health District from July1, 2006 through February 6, 2007, may be
due a partial refund. To be considered, you must submit a refund request form
postmarked no later than March 16th. The forms are available at your county
health department. These refunds are the result of the agency charging fees not
approved by Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Commissioners. New lower fees are now in
place. It’s estimated that these refunds could cost Toe River Health District
as-much-as $100 thousand. The refunds will be to homeowners who make a written
request which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Refunds do not apply to
developers & contractors.
Building Fund Balance
03/08/2007
As
Yancey Commissioners grapple with budget deficits, they’re actively trying to
sell the Yancey Community Medical Building on Pensacola road. John Renfro,
Commission Chairman comments. (click audio button above)
Wildfire in Madison
03/08/2007
Firefighters in Madison County worked to contain a fire Wednesday that started
as a controlled burn, but got out of control, some 50 acres burned off High Rock
Mountain Road on Walnut Mountain. Fire crews from 8 local fire departments and
about 2 dozen firefighters from the NC Forest Service responded to the fire. The
fire started when a resident was burning overgrowth on his property. No injuries
were reported and homes in the area were protected. The National Weather Service
had issued a fire danger statement for the region warning of the potential for
fire because of high wind and dry conditions.
TRANSPORTATION BOARD APPROVES $4.75 MILLION FOR
ROAD
IMPROVEMENTS IN MITCHELL AND YANCEY COUNTIES
03/07/2007
The
N.C. Board of Transportation awarded a $4.5 million contract to replace the
Tipton Hill Road and N.C. 197 bridges over the North Toe River at the
Yancey/Mitchell County line. The contract was awarded to Taylor & Murphy
Construction Company Inc. of Asheville. Work is scheduled to begin in April with
completion set for December 2008. Also approved was $250,000 in small
construction funds to add a left-turn lane at the intersection of Clearmont
School Road and N.C. 197 to help alleviate congestion during peak hours. Work
can begin as early as this spring.
Graduate for a Better Future Act
03/07/2007
NC
Senator Richard Burr has introduced the Graduate for a Better Future Act on the
Senate floor. The legislation aims to help public high schools improve
graduation rates by focusing on the 3 R’s of high school reform: Rigor,
Relevance, and Relationships. The bill establishes a competitive grant program
targeted at school districts and high schools with the lowest graduation rates.
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) is the lead co-sponsor of the legislation. Senator
Burr comments. (click audio button above)
P.O. Box 744
