Lawsuit Can Go Forward

06/29/2007 

The state’s highest court ruled Thursday that the families of eight men killed in the 2002 fire at the Mitchell County Jail can continue with their lawsuit. Families of four of the inmates sued the state, saying state workers failed properly inspect the jail. The families were seeking the right to question witnesses and to obtain an SBI probe into the case. A lawyer for two of the families said the process of to subpoena documents and to call witnesses before the State Industrial Commission should begin in about a month. The Commission hears wrongdoing claims against the state. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services had asked the suit be dismissed but the court by a vote of 5-2 said the lawsuit should go forward. The fire started when cardboard stacked against a heater in a storage room ignited.

Clearing Up Confusion

06/29/2007 

Back in May, Yancey Commissioners passed a resolution to request additional funds to pay for cost over-runs on the County’s Jail expansion project. Yancey Commission Chairman John Renfro says there has been some confusion about why the county wants to borrow the money. John Renfro, chairman of the Yancey County Commission comments. Yancey adopted their budget for 2007-2008 Thursday. The total amount of the budget is $12,250,344.51 and the tax rate will remain at $.50 per one hundred dollars valuation. (click audio button above)

Illegal Weapons & Drug Arrests

06/29/2007 

Yancey Deputies report non-related drug arrests. Nealy Ray Silvers, age 35, of a Highway 19E address has been charged with various drug charges including felonious possession of Methamphetamine. According to Lt. Tom Farmer of the Sheriff’s Department, this arrest is the 3rd separate time this year Silvers has been arrested for Methamphetamine possession. He was released after posting bond. And Deputies have arrested Sharon Denise Stallings, age 29, of P & P Drive in Spruce Pine. She was also charged with methamphetamine possession. She was released after posing bond. Both cases will be on the Yancey County District Court docket on June 29th. And on June 19th 54 year old David Lamont Henson, Sr. of a Lester Lane address, in Burnsville was arrested at his residence on federal arrest warrants for illegal weapon and drug possession offenses. He was taken to federal holding in Asheville. At the time of his arrest he was being held without bond. The charges were violations of federal weapon and controlled substance laws.

SP Voluntary Water Conservation Still in Place

06/28/2007 

Even tough we have been receiving scattered afternoon thunder showers over the past several days, not enough water has fallen to replenish the ground water. Spruce Pine Manager Richard Canipe comments. (click audio button above)

Budget Hearings

06/28/2007 

Yancey County will hold a public hearing on their proposed budget for 2007-2008 this afternoon at 2 in the Commissioners Meeting Room on the second floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. Following the hearing, Commissioners will go into special session to consider adopting the budget ordinance for 2007-2008. Later today, at 5:30, Burnsville will hold its public hearing on their proposed budget in the meeting room at Town Hall. Then at 6, the Council will hold their July meeting, at this time they will consider adopting the budget ordinance for the coming fiscal year, and then they will consider any other town business. There will be no meeting in July.

Teens Body Found

06/28/2007 

Avery County authorities have found the body of a teenager who drowned over the weekend. 16-year old Nicolas Chad Hicks, of Elizabethton, Tennessee was found Elk River Falls, that’s near Elk Park. Authorities say Hicks was swimming with friends on Sunday when he didn’t resurface.

Arrests in Teen Center Break-In

06/28/2007 

Two Burnsville men have been charged with the break-in at the Teen Center in Burnsville on June 6th. Some $4-thousand in computer and game equipment was taken. Charged are Trevor Houston, age 18, and Corey Barnes, age 17. They were arrested at an apartment at Ivy and East Main Streets, in Burnsville. Houston and Barnes are each charged with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny and felony possession of stolen goods. The arresting officers were Sgt. B.L.Buchanan and Officer J.D. Bennett. Most of the stolen property was recovered.

Not in Trouble

06/27/2007 

Glen Raven has laid-off some salaried employees, but officials want the community to know Glen Raven is not in trouble and the plant is not closing. Glen Raven Officials have told us the plant is going through a minor restructuring of the work schedule from a 4-shift to a 3-shift schedule. The layoffs are only a small percentage of the plants 210 employees and they say laid-off workers could be eligible for hourly work Officials say they understand how important Glen Raven is to this community emphasizing they have just completed a $4-million capitol improvement project that will help to further solidify their $12-million payroll.

Burnsville’s Budget Meeting Thursday

06/27/2007 

Burnsville Town Council will have a public hearing on their proposed 2007-2008 budget ordinance on Thursday. Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)

More Acres Burn in Linville Gorge

06/27/2007 

North Carolina Forestry officials say a wildfire, in Linville Gorge may burn another two-thousand acres as firefighters try to contain it. So far, 27-hundred acres have burned in the Pisgah National Forest. Almost all the burned land is within the national forest in Burke County. Some 200 firefighters are working to prevent it from spreading. Forest officials said the fire was about 80 percent contained as of Tuesday. The fire has been burning since it was sparked by lightning on June eighth. Click the following link for more details. http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/fire/fire.htm

McDowell Deputy in Court

06/26/2007 

The McDowell County Deputy charged in an accident that claimed the life of a 2 year old Bakersville girl was in a McDowell Courtroom Monday. Investigators say Brandon Watson was driving over 120 mph on I-40, without his blue lights on, when he slammed into the back of a vehicle carrying 2-year old Kennedy Frye and members of the Frye family. 2 year old Kennedy was killed and 3 members of her family were critically injured in the crash in February. A grand jury indicted Watson May 29th on two misdemeanor charges of death by vehicle and reckless driving. Watson was suspended without pay from the Sheriff's office. He refused any comment to reporters. The purpose of the court appearance was to set August 13th as a trial date. Meanwhile, the girl’s father, David Frye, says he plans to seek civil penalties against Watson and the Frye family has also started the process of filing a grievance against District Attorney Brad Greenway's office, for their handling of the case.

Search in Avery County

06/26/2007 

A search in underway in Avery County for a 16-year old boy who was last seen swimming in the Pisgah National Forest. Police and rescue crews responded to the scene Sunday afternoon. Weather caused a halt to the search on Monday, but officials will resume looking for the boy today. The identity of the boy has not been released. Police say no alcohol was involved.

Flash Flood in Clearmont

06/26/2007 

The rain came down hard and fast on Monday afternoon, causing a flash flood in the Clearmont community in Yancey County washing out part of a road and the water line to three homes. No injuries were reported. More storms are forecast today with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Hardship for Counties

06/25/2007 

Yancey County’s Commission Chairman describes some of the areas they hope to fund in fiscal 2007-2008 and John Renfro talks about a hardship that North Carolina Counties face. A public hearing on their proposed budget for 2007-2008 will be held this Thursday at 2 pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room on the second floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. Following the hearing the Commissioners will go into special session to consider adopting the 2007-2008 budget ordinance. Chairman Renfro comments. (click on audio button above)

Yancey Educators Take Jobs in Madison

06/22/2007 

Last week the Yancey County School Board offered Dr. Barbara Tipton a 4-year contract to be a principal in the Yancey School System, on Monday of this week she was hired by the Madison County School Board to be Principal of Madison Middle School and her husband Tony E. Tipton was hired to be the Principal at Madison High School. They will begin their new jobs this summer. Dr. Tipton is currently Yancey’s School Superintendent, but her contract, which expires June 30th, was not renewed by the Yancey School Board on May 14th, the vote was unanimous. Tony Tipton has been an assistant principal at Mountain Heritage since 2002. According to Madison Superintendent Dr. Ronald Cox, Dr. Tipton will replace Carolyn Franklin at Madison Middle & Tony Tipton will replace Daniel Metcalf at Madison High. Metcalf & Franklin will remain with the school system, Metcalf has been moved to a position in the central office and Franklin will be Assistant Principal at Madison High, she replaced Nick Honeycutt who will become Assistant Principal at the Madison Middle. As for the Superintendent's post in Yancey County, on May 21st, the Yancey School Board offered Dr. Tom Little, currently an Associate Superintendent with the Yancey School System, a 4-year contract to be Superintendent. He has accepted and will begin his duties in July.

Mitchell Adopts Budget Ordinance

06/22/2007 

Mitchell County has adopted their 2007-2008 budget ordinances.The total budget will be $16,956,689, and the fund balance will be in the 10-12% range, the state requires at least 8%. Mayland Community College had requested a 14% increase in funding; the Commissioners approved a 3% increase. Commission Chairman Phil Byrd and Commissioner Jim Saylor comment. (click audio button above)

Yancey Will Be in the Black

06/21/2007 

Yancey Commissioners are close to finishing work on their 2007-2008 budgets and as for the current budget, they expect to be in the black at the end of this fiscal year. John Renfro, Chairman of the Yancey County Commission comments. (click audio button above)

A Shot in the Arm

06/21/2007 

Yancey County’s Library Expansion Project has received a much needed shot in the arm; members of the State Employees Credit Union, through their Employees Credit Union Foundation, have awarded a grant of $176 thousand for the SECU Information Gateway, to be located in the new library. The Information Gateway will serve citizens who cannot afford a home computer or the advantage of high-speed internet access. Another purpose of the Information Gateway will be to provide a site to assist workers who have lost their job due to plant closings in the area. Officials of the State Employees Credit Union Foundation say they hope this grant will serve as a model for other grants in small, economically distressed communities in North Carolina.

SP Approves Budget Ordinance

06/20/2007 

Spruce Pine Town Council has adopted their 2007-2008 Budget ordinances. Richard Canipe, the Spruce Pine Town Manager gives details of budgets. (click audio button above)

Discrepancies in Receipted Monies for Some Continuing Education Classes at MCC

06/19/2007 

Mayland Community College has found discrepancies in receipted monies for some Continuing Education classes. In a statement released by the college; following a brief review of the situation, following state law, the State Bureau of Investigation and the State Auditor’s Office were notified. Both the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department and the Avery County Sheriff’s Department are currently working in conjunction with the SBI. Mayland is also working closely with the appropriate staff at the NC Community College System Office. The College is involved in a thorough review and investigation of all records in order to ensure that the State of North Carolina and Mayland Community College do not suffer any financial loss. As of Wednesday, June 13th, the amount of money mishandled was less that $8000. Mayland’s President Dr. Suzanne Owens says “as a college, we are being pro-active in assessing all practices of handling money within all divisions of the college. This will result in greater safe guards, such as increasing the frequency of our internal audits, and evaluating all internal financial procedures. She said "Mayland is well and doing business as usual and due to legal obligations this is all the information that can be shared at this time."

Making Yancey Schools the Best

06/19/2007 

Dr. Tom Little has accepted the offer from the Yancey County School Board and will become the new Superintendent of Yancey Schools in July. Dr. little’s agreement is a 4-year contract with a base salary of $94,668 and includes no supplement. Dr. little is currently an Associate Superintendent and has been working for the school system for about 9 months. Dr Little comments on his goals for the system. (click audio button above)

Rabies on the Increase

06/18/2007 

The Toe River Health District reports there have been fourteen documented cases of rabid animals in Mitchell County. Nine confirmed cases were in raccoons located in the Cane Creek community along with two on White Oak and one each on Bear Creek and in the Glen Ayre community. In Yancey County, there have been six confirmed cases, one confirmed case each on Jack’s Creek, Bill Allen Branch, Arbuckle Road and Roses Branch and two on Highway 80 North. Mike Ledford with Toe River Health District says “it is reasonable to believe that more positive cases will appear in wild animals particularly in view of these most recent confirmations. We want to remind to remind everyone to be alert; do not pet strays or approach wild animals. He says “the best way to protect pets and ourselves is to keep our pets vaccinations current.”

Linville Gorge Wildfires Continue

06/14/2007 

Firefighters made progress Wednesday on containing three wildfires near Linville Gorge which have burned over 1,466 acres of national forest land in Burke and Avery counties. The 600 acre Dobson Knob Fire located just west of Linville Gorge received rain and is now 95% contained. The Shortoff Mountain Fire within Linville Gorge still had not received any measurable precipitation as of 6 pm Wednesday and has burned about 800 acres. The 67 Cold Mountain fire in nearby Avery County also received rain and was declared 100% contained. Around 300 firefighters, 4 helicopters and one fixed wing aircraft continued the battle against the fire yesterday.

Linville Gorge Fires Only 15% Contained

06/13/2007 

Nearly 300 federal and state firefighters continued to battle two wildfires on the Pisgah National Forest near Linville Gorge in Burke County. As of 6 pm Tuesday the fires had burned over 1,200 acres and were considered only about 15 percent contained.. Firefighters plan to keep building and securing control lines around the perimeter of the fires. They also plan to do “back burning” on the Shortoff Mountain fire later in the week to clear out combustible fuels inside the control lines and make it more difficult for the wildfires to jump the lines. U.S. Forest Service spokesman Terry Seyden said “Unfortunately the thunderstorms that have moved through our area the last two days have missed Linville Gorge,” said. “We have gotten only a few sprinkles over the fires and the forest remains extremely dry.”

Fires Near Linville Gorge Continue to Burn

06/12/2007 

Two wildfires on the Pisgah National Forest near Linville Gorge in Burke County continued to burn last night. Approximately 200 federal and state firefighters are fighting the blazes using a combination of bulldozers, hand crews, fire engines, helicopters and air tankers. As of 6 pm Monday the Dobson Knob fire, three miles north of Lake James, had burned approximately 540 acres. The Shortoff Mountain fire has also burned about 700 acres on the east side of Linville River within the Linville Gorge Wilderness. The U.S. Forest Service has closed all trails and campsites within the Linville Gorge Wilderness until further notice. At this time, the fires are burning entirely on national forest lands and pose no direct threat to adjacent private lands or homes. Forest Service Information Officer Bill Sweet said the fires have put up a lot of smoke because of high humidity but are not spreading too fast. Because of the cloud cover, adjacent communities may notice more smoke from the fires settling in the valleys overnight. At this time the Forest Service does not have an estimate of when these two fires will be contained.

Linville Gorge Fires

06/11/2007 

AG Cooper stops $100 million mountain real estate scheme

06/08/2007 

Attorney General Roy Cooper won a court order this week to stop a real estate venture that sold overpriced lots in the North Carolina Mountains by promising consumers they could make a profit without having to invest any of their own money. The defendants’ complicated investment scheme used inflated appraisals and phony second mortgages as down payments to entice consumers to borrow millions of dollars to purchase property in the Village of Penland development in Mitchell County. “These developers squandered more than $100 million in financing, leaving consumers stuck with property that isn’t worth what they owe on it,” said Cooper. “We’re putting a stop to this scheme before any more consumers get caught up in it.” Wake County Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan on Wednesday ordered a group of developers behind the Village of Penland project, in Mitchell County, to stop using misrepresentations to encourage consumers to take out loans to purchase lots. Cooper is also asking the court to permanently stop the developers’ deceptive practices and to order them to pay refunds to consumers to satisfy consumers’ loans on properties sold by the developers.

Council Member Not Attending Meetings

06/08/2007 

After weeks of taking no action, Burnsville Council has moved to deal with a Council member who has not been attending meetings. Mayor Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)

Local Teen Center Burglarized

06/08/2007 

In a news release from the Burnsville Police Department, on Thursday morning an employee at Burnsville Pharmacy, when reporting to work, discovered a window that had been broken out at the Teen Center on West Main Street, next to the China Garden Restaurant, When officers responded they found the center had been entered and around $4-thousand in computer, game and entertainment equipment had been taken. Police collected evidence at the center as well-as interviewed several witnesses. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Burnsville Police Department at 682-4683. The Teen Center is operated by Redemption Outreach Ministries. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in the break-in. Information can be turned in to the Burnsville Police Department, the Yancey Sheriff’s Department or call Darryl Huskins at 284-3894.

Yancey Drug Arrests

06/07/2007 

Yancey Deputies have charged Nealy Ray Silvers Jr., age 35, of a Highway 19E Burnsville address with several drug offenses involving methamphetamine; including possession, intent to sell and deliver and maintaining a dwelling place to keep and sell illegal drugs. In unrelated cases, deputies also charged Jessica Gayle Boone Elliott, age 24, of an Oakdale Drive address in Spruce Pine and James David Bills, age 34, of Shoal Creek Road in Burnsville with Meth possession. And charged with marijuana possession were Eric Arron Burleson, age 18, of Sunrise Street in Spruce Pine and Andrew Ryan Deyton, age 18, of a Highway 197N, Green Mountain address. Lt. Tom Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department said the arrests are part of an aggressive campaign against those who choose to use, possess and sell illegal controlled substances.

Yancey-Burnsville Chamber Director Resigns

06/06/2007 

Yancey County/Burnsville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Miki Pontorno, has resigned and will be leaving the Chamber effective June 29, 2007. Miki has accepted a new position as Office Manager at the new Yancey House Assisted Living facility that will open in mid-July. Debbie Sigmon, President of the Chamber Board of Directors says she’ll be missed. Sigmon says the position of Director is vital to the day-to-day operations of the chamber, and a search for a new director will begin immediately. Sigmon comments (click audio button above)

Public Hearing on Mitchell’s proposed 2007-2008 Budgets

06/05/2007 

Mitchell Commissions held a public hearing on their proposed budgets for 2007-2008 last night. Mayland Community College had requested a 14% increase in funding, the Commissioners approved a 3% increase. Final budget approval is scheduled for June 21st at 10 am in the Commissioners meeting room in the Administrative Building in Bakersville. Phil Byrd, Chairman of the Mitchell County Commission comments. (click audio button above)

McDowell Deputy Suspended

06/04/2007 

McDowell County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Watson has been suspended without pay following misdemeanor charges filed last week. Investigators say Watson caused an accident that killed 2-year old Kennedy Frye and seriously injured 3 members of her family. According to the Highway Patrol report, Watson was traveling on I-40, on the evening of February 6th, he was responding to a domestic violence call. Troopers estimate his speed at 120 mph, and the report says he was not using his car’s flashing blue lights or sirens when he slammed into the rear of the vehicle carrying the little girl. McDowell Sheriff Jackie Turner said Watson has not been given special treatment. He said he delayed any comment on the incident to make sure nothing he said would influence the investigation. The Sheriff says further action may be taken against Watson depending on the outcome of the trial.

Bradford and Hatfield Cases Continued Again

06/04/2007   

The cases of two Burnsville men charged with sexual exploitation have been continued again. Patrick Ray Bradford, age 42, of a Dale Earnhardt address and Jerry Van Hatfield, age 41, of a Roland Branch Road address were arrested in September 2005. Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Yancey Sheriff’s Department said the obscene material each suspect possessed was visual depictions of what appeared to be a minor female between the ages of 14-16 engaged in sexually explicit behavior. Farmer said that at that time there was no evidence that Bradford or Hatfield produced or possessed pictures of Yancey County minor children. At the time of their arrests, Bradford was a computer technician at Clearmont Elementary School, he is no longer employed by Yancey Schools and Hatfield was a continuing education Dean at Mayland Community College, he resigned following his arrest. Their cases have been continued until July 31st in Yancey County District Court.

Burnsville Council to Get Proposed Budget Thursday

06/04/2007 

Burnsville’s Town Council has wrapped up work on their 2007-2008 budgets and the proposed document will be presented to Council this Thursday. Citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting. Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh comments. (click audio button above)

Meetings This Week
 

06/04/2007   

Meetings of interest this week: Today, the Mitchell Commissioners will meet at 5 in the Courtroom of the Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville. The highlight of the meeting is expected to be the public hearing on the County’s proposed budget for 2007-2008. According to the agenda, the hearing is scheduled to begin just after 5 pm.

The Yancey School Board will meet today at 6 pm in the School Board office on School Circle in Burnsville.

Tomorrow, Yancey Commissioners will meet at 1 pm in special session in the commissioner’s board room on the 2nd floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. The purpose of the meeting is a budget workshop. The public hearing on the proposed budget for 2007-2008 will be Thursday, June 28th, at 2 pm in the commissioner’s board room.

And on Thursday at 6 pm the Burnsville Town Council will meet in regular session. The Council is scheduled to receive the proposed budget for 2007-2008; the public hearing on the proposed budget will be at June 28th at 5:30, just prior to the Town’s July meeting at 6 pm.

Drought Beginning to be a Concern

06/01/2007 

Last week NC Governor Mike Easley issued a proclamation declaring 12 western counties drought areas. The 12 western counties are Buncombe, Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey; 9 of these counties, Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey are suffering a “severe drought.”, the third stage of a five stage system.. The Governor said the lack of rainfall this spring is already having an impact on stream flow and ground water levels, which makes it prudent to begin voluntary conservation measures in the event that the summer remains dry. Richard Canipe, Spruce Pine Town Manager comments. (click audio button above)