SPCH Recognized
05/01/2007
Spruce Pine Community
Hospital was recently recognized as a top-ranked Community Value
Provider by Cleverley & Associates a leading healthcare financial
consulting firm. The findings are part of their new publication: State
of the Hospital Industry - 2007 Edition. "This is the third year in a
row that SPCH has either been recognized as a Cleverly Top 100 Hospital
in the United States or a Community Value Five-Star Hospital," said
Keith Holtsclaw, SPCH President/CEO. “I believe the recognition of this
award reflects the hard work of the physicians and staff at SPCH in
providing the best quality healthcare in a cost and charge responsible
manner." And in case you haven’t heard, the SPCH Board of Directors has
announced the hospital will change its name to Blue Ridge Regional
Center in late 2007 when the current $22.6 million expansion and
renovation project is completed. CEO, Holtsclaw said "the new name is a
reflection of the hospital's growing scope of services that are meeting
the healthcare needs of people throughout Mitchell, Yancey and
surrounding counties.
McDowell Teen Charged with Sexual
Assault
04/30/2007
A McDowell County High
School student is facing serious sex charges. 16 year old Richard
Hoosier is accused of molesting two young girls at his mother's home in
the Coxes Creek Community. He is charged with six felony counts, four
for indecent liberties and two for first degree sex offense. Deputies
say Hoosier molested a 1 year old and a 5 year old girl at his mother's
home in the Triple J Mobile Home Park. Detectives believe Hoosier's
mother, Stacy Blizzard, was baby-sitting the children, and left them
with her son for a short period of time while she stepped out. She is
charged with one count of misdemeanor child abuse. Hoosier is currently
jailed on $400,000 bond. Blizzard has a court date set for May 16th.
Autopsy Results Confirm Drowning
04/30/2007
A Spruce Pine woman
says an autopsy report indicates her granddaughter drowned but she's
looking for more answers. Sarah Carpenter died swimming in January
during a lockdown party at the Pinebridge Center. Her grandmother says
she never gave permission for Sarah to go swimming. Louise Hudgins says
an SBI agent gave her the results last week, but she now wants to know
why little Sarah was in the pool and what's going to be done to prevent
such tragedies in the future.
Mitchell Deputy Charged with DWI
04/30/2007
A Mitchell County
Sheriff’s Deputy has been charged with driving drunk after crashing his
SUV while off duty, two children were passengers in the vehicle. The
Highway Patrol reports that James Byrd blew a .15 after submitting to a
breathalyzer test, that’s almost twice the legal limit. No other
vehicles were involved. Troopers say Byrd and the two children ages
eight and nine were all taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Spruce Pine Community Hospital to
be Renamed
04/30/2007
The Board of Directors
of Spruce Pine Community Hospital has announced that the hospital will
be renamed Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in late 2007 when the current
$22.6 million expansion and renovation of the 52-year-old hospital is
completed. According to the hospital's president and CEO, Keith
Holtsclaw, the new name is a reflection of the hospital's growing scope
of services that are meeting the healthcare needs of people throughout
Mitchell, Yancey and surrounding counties.
"With this change, we are celebrating the past and embracing the
future," said Holtsclaw, noting that the Blue Ridge name is one that the
hospital has used as a corporate name since the 1970s. "The rich legacy
of this hospital's roots in Mitchell County will always be preserved and
treasured, and we will continue to build on that heritage as we serve an
increasingly broader geographic area as Blue Ridge Regional Hospital."
Holtsclaw pointed to statistics showing that in 2006, 51 percent of the
hospital's patients came from Mitchell County, 42 percent from Yancey
County, and most of the remainder from Avery and McDowell counties. The
hospital's employee base also reflects a widening geographic scope, with
just over half of employees living in Mitchell County and almost 37
percent residing in Yancey County.
Mitchell Opposes Splitting the
24th
04/27/2007
This week the Mitchell
Commissioners joined Avery & Yancey Counties in passing a resolution
opposing Senate Bill 1302 introduced by State Senator Joe Sam Queen that
would split the 24th judicial district. If the bill passes, Madison &
Yancey would be in district 24A, Avery, Mitchell & Watauga would be in
judicial district 24B. Queen said he introduced the bill so that
residents of the southern part of the district could have better access
to the judicial system. As Mitchell Commissioners were discussing the
proposed bill, one said "it sounds political to me." Commission Chairman
Phil Byrd and DA Jerry Wilson comment. (click audio button above)
Assault Charges in Yancey
04/26/2007
Yancey Deputies have
arrested Ricky Lane Edwards, age 46, of a Highway 197 South address and
charged him with 1-count of felonious assault with a Deadly Weapon,
1-count of Assault by Strangulation, 1 count of possessing Marijuana and
1-count of Possessing Hydrocodone without a medical prescription. He was
released after posting a $5 thousand secured bond. Edwards is schedule
to appear in Yancey County District Court on May 16, 2007.
Bullying at Bowman Middle School
04/26/2007
A mother says excessive
bullying caused her to pull her two sons out of a Bowman Middle School
in Mitchell County. Beth Ervin says her son Shaun had been picked on for
more than a year. She says he went from being an "A" & "B" student, to
making "F's", and became angry. Ervin says the final straw was when
another boy grabbed Shaun by the neck in the bathroom and pushed him to
the floor and made lewd comments and gestures. Mitchell Schools
Assistant Superintendent Rick Spurling says the other student was
suspended for two days, and that Mitchell County Schools are bully-free
zones. Beth Ervin's been home schooling her two kids since the November
incident, and would like them to go back, but she says she doesn't
believe the problem has been solved.
Threat of School Violence Rumors
Not Credible
04/25/2007
The Yancey County
Sheriff’s Department and School Officials in Yancey County have
conducted joint investigations into an unsubstantiated threat of school
violence rumored to take place at both of the County’s middle schools.
According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, the rumors of
an incident surfaced late Monday afternoon (April 23,2007) just as the
school day was about to end. Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s
Department, said school personnel receiving information about the rumors
immediately called the Sheriff’s Department and a joint investigation
was conducted. Farmer said the investigation revealed no credible threat
and school officials were made aware of the findings prior to classes
resuming on Tuesday as scheduled. The news release stated the Sheriff’s
Department and School Board will continue to communicate with each other
and investigate any report of violence or disruption to occur at any
school. As always the safety and well being of students and staff is of
the utmost importance.
Looking for a Solution
04/25/2007
Downtown merchants and
truckers attended Monday’s Spruce Pine Town Council meeting. They were
there in response to a recent resolution passed by Council that supports
heavy trucks going through downtown and that caused some merchants to
wonder if some kind of compromise could be reached. After about an hour
of talk the Council asked Town Manager Richard Canipe to check with DOT
about placing Automatic crosswalk lights on Oak Avenue. And some
merchants support the resolution saying truckers are a very large
percentage of their business and that helps the towns economy too.
Another suggestion to limit traffic was that truckers go through town
with a full load and return with an empty truck down Highland Avenue
passing by Town Hall and then across the bridge. Most of the heavy
trucks going through town have been coming from the Sullins Branch Mine
and some from Explosive Supply. Spruce Pine Council Member Rocky
Buchanan comments. (click audio button above)
Assault & B & E Charges
04/24/2007
Yancey Deputies have
arrested Kevin Allen Lewis, age 41, of a Copperhead Drive address and
charged him with 2-counts of assaulting a female with a deadly weapon.
Lt. Tom Farmer of the Yancey Sheriff’s Department said the female victim
was treated at Spruce Pine Community Hospital and has been released
after sustaining injuries to her head, face and torso. Farmer said after
spending 48 hours in Jail, Lewis will be taken before a judicial officer
who will set bond in the matter. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey
County District Court on May 16, 2007.
And deputies have arrested Keith Allen Wyatt Jr., age 26 of a Smith
Johnson Road address in Green Mountain and charged him with 1-count of
felonious breaking and entering, 1-count of felonious larceny after
breaking and entering and 1-count of possessing stolen property.
Deputies took Wyatt into custody on April 20, 2007 after they documented
evidence that Wyatt had entered a neighboring residence and stole
household property. The property taken from the residence was recovered.
Wyatt remains in jail under a $6 thousand secured bond. HE is scheduled
to appear in District Court on May 16, 2007.
Brush Fire on Mica Springs Road
04/23/2007
Fire units from
Burnsville, Newdale, West Yancey, South Toe and the NC Forest Service
responded to a brush fire Sunday night at about 9:15 pm on Mica Springs
Road in the Phillips Knob area of Burnsville. The volunteer units left
the scene at about 1:30 am and the NC Forest Service crew’s left at
around 3:30 am on Monday. No other information is available at this
time. With conditions favorable for fire you are encouraged to avoid
burning.
Lots of Smoke at McDonalds
04/23/2007
Fire units from Parkway and Spruce Pine responded to a call at McDonalds
in Grassy Creek this morning around 7 o’clock. According to Mitchell
Communications, fire in the air handler motor on the roof caused smoke
to get into exhaust fans and it looked a lot worse than it was. The fast
food restaurant opened up soon after the problem was taken care of.
SP Council Supports Truckers
04/23/2007
Spruce Pine Council has
passed a resolution supporting heavy trucks going through downtown. Some
merchants are against this decision saying the trucks speed through town
and it’s very dangerous and they’re asking citizens to attend today’s
council meeting and voice their opposition to the Town’s resolution. The
Council acted on the issue at the request of NCDOT who wanted the town
to take a stand for or against. Spruce Pine Mayor Wes Foy comments.
(click audio button above)
Found in Mitchell County
04/23/2007
Two Johnson City
Tennessee girls, ages 10 and 13, were found in Mitchell County North
Carolina Sunday after officers say the pair stole a pick-up truck,
credit cards and money early Saturday morning. The missing girl’s
families said they thought the two had died in a fire at one of the
girl’s home, but that wasn’t the case. According to investigators the
girls tried to use a parent’s credit card in Newland, they were with two
older teenage boys. The fire destroyed the mobile home of 13 year old
Tabitha Price, her friend 10 year old Shania Osborne was there on a
sleep-0ver. The girl’s families said they were a little hungry, but ok.
No other details are available.
Be Watchful
04/21/2007
On Wednesday April 18,
2007 at approximately 2:50 P.M. the Yancey County Sheriff's Department
received a call reporting a suspicious incident, possibly an attempted
abduction of a 10 year old female off of Upper Browns Creek Road.
Deputies responded to the scene and interviewed the child and her
mother. They were told that the 10 year old child had walked down the
driveway from her residence to the mailbox while her mother watched her
from outside the home. While the child was checking the mail box a green
passenger car stopped beside the child and an unknown male subject ask
her to come to the vehicle on at least two occasions. The child became
scared and turned away from the car and quickly walked back home. When
the child arrived back home she told her mother that the driver of the
car had ask her to walk to the car and the mother contacted the
Sheriff's Department. Deputies remained in the Celo area for several
hours attempting to find the suspect & vehicle. The child had described
the man as a white male, about 40 years old, with a gray beard and
wearing a blue cap.
Lt. Farmer, of the Sheriff’s Department, said no suspect has been
located. He said the incident has raised a lot of concern around the
county especially in the local schools. He said the incident did not
involve any school or school bus. He said Law enforcement and school
officials have been in contact with each other about the incident hoping
to send a joint message to the public to be watchful of all suspicious
persons and vehicles frequenting driveways or bus stops.
Keep Them in School
04/20/2007
Recently the President
of Communities in Schools of North Carolina came to Spruce Pine to meet
with members of the Mitchell County chapter and to address the Spruce
Pine Kiwanis Club. She said parents need to make sure their kids stay in
school. Linda Harrill, President of Communities is Schools of North
Carolina comments. (click audio button above)
Fox Attacks Man, Rabies Suspected
04/19/2007
The Yancey County
Health Department reports a Fox attacked a man, this past weekend, in
the Highway 80 north area. He’s currently undergoing treatment. The
results have not come back on the fox but according to health department
officials, the fox attack was unprovoked and the fox’s aggressive
behavior would indicate rabies. And a case of rabies has been confirmed
in a raccoon that was killed by a farmer on Barn Road in the Jacks Creek
area. The raccoon that was attempting to get into a barn and attack his
cows. Two confirmed cases of rabid raccoons were reported on Sandy
Branch Road and Ted Byrd Road in the Bakersville area of Mitchell
County. Rabies clinics are planned this Saturday in both counties. The
Mitchell Clinic will be behind the Administration Building in
Bakersville, from 10-3, for more information, call 766-7348, and the
Yancey clinic will be at the animal shelter off Cane River School Road,
from 9-3, for more information, call 682-9510.
Bill Would Help Counties
04/19/2007
Earlier this month NC
Counties got some good news about their contributions to Medicaid. A
bi-partisan group of legislators has put together a package that would
cap counties contributions to Medicaid at last years cost.
Mitchell County has budgeted $1,088.423 for their contribution. NC is
the only state that requires counties to share in paying for all
Medicaid services. Representative Ray Rapp said their plan is to
eventually eliminate county contributions. Yancey County Manager Michele
Lawhern comments. (click audio button above)
Hoping to have Power by Tonight
04/18/2007
The high wind eased up
Tuesday afternoon across the Progress Energy service area and crews made
good progress on reducing outage numbers. Ken Maxwell, with Progress
Energy comments. (click audio button above)
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
04/18/2007
This is sexual assault
awareness month, Mitchell Commissioners have passed a proclamation to
encourage all citizens to speak out against sexual assault and support
the community’s efforts to provide services to victims of this heinous
crime. Here are some numbers that may get your attention: Mitchell
County Safe Place served 76 rapes and or sexual assault cases in 2006,
there are 14 registered sex offenders in Mitchell County, and in NC
1-in-5 women have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.
Rape is the most costly crime to victims in the United States, totaling
$1.27 billion a year in medical costs, lost earnings, pain, and
suffering and lost quality of life. If you are a victim of sexual
assault or you know someone who is a victim of sexual assault, call your
local police authorities. To get help in Mitchell County call Safe Place
at 765-4044, in Yancey County, call the Family Violence Coalition of
Yancey County at 682-0056. Mitchell Safe Place Director David Pike
comments. (click audio button above)
Making Slow Progress
04/17/2007
Progress Energy crews
continue to work to restore power to WNC customers in the wake of
sustained high winds since Sunday, April 15. But the high wind continues
to hamper their progress. Ken Maxwell, a spokesman at Progress Energy
comments. (click audio button above)
Sections in SP under Boil Water
Advisory
04/17/2007
Water consumers of The
Town of Spruce Pine, are experiencing periods of low pressure and
outages in the distribution system due to electrical power outages.
Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the
potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water
system. The Division of Environmental Health has issued a boil advisory
for the areas of Swiss Pine Lake Drive, McHone Road, Rogers Street &
Dale Street. The advisory only affects these areas of Spruce Pine. When
water is restored consumers are urged to boil all water used for human
consumption (including drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice and
washing hands) or use bottled water. Vigorous boiling for one (1) minute
should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the
water. Infants below the age of six months and pregnant women should use
an alternate water supply, such as bottled water whenever possible.
Capping Counties Contributions to
Medicaid
04/17/2007
A bi-partisan group of
legislators has put together a package that would cap counties
contributions to Medicaid at last years cost and let them share $250
million for the next 2-years:(ray1b) Representatives Ray Rapp and Phil
Frye says getting rid of Medicaid cost to the counties is their top
priority. The two met with members of the Yancey County Commission and
the County’s DSS Director on Friday. Representatives Frye and Rapp
comment. (click audio button above)
Strong Wind, Power Outages
04/16/2007
Wind gusting up to 60
miles per hour caused trees to fall knocking out power to many sections
of WNC late yesterday afternoon and last night. Progress Energy reported
more than 10-thousand customers without power including many areas of
Mitchell County, lesser numbers in Avery & Yancey. French Broad Electric
reports a few outages last night in Yancey, but most have been restored.
Ken Maxwell with Progress Energy comments. (click audio button above)
Confirmed Rabies in Mitchell
County
04/16/2007
The Mitchell County
Health Department is reporting two confirmed cases of rabies in raccoons
on Sandy Branch Rd and Ted Byrd Rd in the Cane Creek area of Bakersville.
One person is now undergoing post exposure treatment. A pet (not
identified) was vaccinated but the owner came into direct contact with
the raccoon’s saliva by handling the pet. Rabies is a viral disease that
can be transmitted to humans by a bite or scratch from an infected
animal’s saliva. The Health Department is concerned that more positive
cases will appear in wild animals in this area. Most human exposure to
rabies is through an individuals own pet that had contact with these
wild animals. State law requires owners of every dog and cat over four
months of age to have the animals vaccinated against rabies. State law
also requires an unvaccinated pet that is exposed to rabies be
euphonized or placed under six months quarantine at an approved facility
at the owner’s expense.
The Health Department urges Mitchell County to protect themselves ,their
families, and their pets is by practicing “Responsible Pet Ownership” If
you have questions or need to report an animal bite, call your local
health department. In Mitchell County, call 688-2371 press 0 to direct
your call.
(Follow the five “R’s” of rabies prevention.
Rabies Vaccination … have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies
and keep their rabies vaccination up to date.
Remove food from your yard … food items left outside will attract wild
or stray animals that may have rabies.
Restrict your pets to your property … this will lessen the likelihood
that your pets have contact with sick animals.
Receive prompt care from your medical provider if you are bitten by an
animal … rabies disease can be fatal if treatment is not given in a
timely manner.
Report animal bites and unusual animal behavior … such as refusal to eat
or drink water, staggering walk, sick “wasted” look or extremely
aggressive or passive behavior.)
A Gas Leak
04/13/2007
Confusion in Downtown
Spruce Pine this morning….a gas leak was discovered in the alley behind
People’s Furniture, everything is under control. As a safety measure Oak
Avenue, between People’s Furniture & the Tokyo Restaurant, was closed
for a time…the road is now open to through traffic. The alley behind
Peoples remains closed until Piedmont Natural Gas can repair the leak.
Repairing a Burnsville Landmark
04/13/2007
A Burnsville landmark
will under go repairs. Burnsville Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio
button above)
Improving the Graduation Rate
04/12/2007
The President of
Communities in Schools of North Carolina, Linda Harrill, was in Spruce
Pine & Mitchell County on Tuesday to meet with members of the community
and to address the Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club about how communities can
become more involved in improving the graduation rate. If you would like
more information call Lori Gilcrist, the Director of Communities in
Schools of Mitchell County, at 467- 0970. Linda Harrill comments. (click
audio button above)
Acting as Mediator
04/11/2007
Yancey Commissioners
are continuing to act as a mediator between residents of Arbuckle Road
community and the owners of Arbuckle Rodeo, the two parties met last
week. Commissioner Dean Hicks said residents of the Arbuckle Community
have some legitimate concernsnd the Rodeo owners offered to make
changes. Commissioner Hicks comments. (click audio button above)
Still Talking
04/10/2007
The Town of Burnsville
and Mountain Air are still taking about water service. Burnsville Mayor,
Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)
Group to Study Mitchell’s Pay
Plan
04/10/2007
Mitchell Commissioners
have approved by a vote of 3-2 to contract with the Management &
Professional Services group to provide a comprehensive, classification
and pay study for Mitchell County. They will look at the job description
for each of the county employees and make sure they are in the proper
pay grade and that their job description fits the job they are currently
doing. They will also update the County’s personnel policy with current
federal and state regulations. County Attorney Hal Harrison said,
considering the recent lawsuit the County settled with employees from
the Department of Social Services, he would recommend the contract
because he felt the wording of the current personnel policy could lead
to more litigation. Commissioners Byrd, Sparks & Phillips voted to
approve the contract, Commissioners Hensley & Saylor voted against the
motion.
SP Opposes 24th Split Too
04/09/2007
Spruce Pine Council has
joined Yancey County’s Commissioners in opposing a proposed bill by
State Senator Joe Sam Queen that would divide the 24th Superior Court,
District Court & Prosecutorial District into District 24A, made up of
Madison & Yancey & 24B, made up of Avery, Mitchell & Watauga. Spruce
Pine Mayor, Wes Foy. Opponents of the bill have said if there is this
kind of money available there are better uses for it. Foy said Mitchell
Schools could use the funds and Spruce Pine could use the money for
roads, Yancey said they could use the money for much need repairs in
their schools. Spruce Pine’s Council adopted a resolution opposing
Queen’s proposed bill at a special meeting Friday. Mayor Foy said he
understood Avery County would address the bill tonight during their
April meeting and Mitchell will announce this week a meeting time to
deal with the subject. Senator Queen said one of his reasons for
proposing the bill so citizens in the southern part of the district
could have better access to the judicial system. Wes Foy, Spruce Pine
Mayor comments. (click audio button above)
P.O. Box 744
