Local Officers Locate Rape Victim and Assist In Investigation

08/31/2007 

Detective Randall Shuford of the Burnsville Police Department and Lt. Tom Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department spent many hours Tuesday August 28, 2007 assisting a 27 year old Buncombe County woman who had been held against her will and raped. According to Yancey County authorities the female victim managed to convince the male suspect to let her go at a local restaurant in Burnsville, at approximately 2:50 pm on Tuesday afternoon. The female victim called 911 and reported the incident. Detective Shuford met with the victim and determined that she had been held inside a vehicle and transported to several locations throughout Western Yancey County. Lt. Farmer was requested to assist in the investigation. The two officers accompanied the victim to several different roads in the Prices Creek / Indian Creek Communities of Yancey County where the suspect took the victim. In addition the officers secured surveillance tapes at several local businesses where the suspect and victim entered while in Yancey County on August 28th. The investigation revealed that the majority of the crimes committed against the victim occurred just inside Madison County at 1417 US Highway 19. Yancey county authorities contacted Madison County authorities and the investigation was turned over to Madison County Sheriff's deputies and Agents from the State Bureau of Investigation. The results of the investigation led to the arrest of Mark David Gunter 42; of Mars Hill, N.C. Gunter was charged with one count of First Degree Rape, one count of Felonious Restraint and one count of Assault by Strangulation. Gunter remains in the Madison County Jail under a $ 100,000.00 secured bond. According to Lt. Thomas L. Farmer, Gunter was recently released from the North Carolina Department of Corrections where he served time for Assault and False Imprisonment charges.

Holding Its Own

08/30/2007 

Drought conditions are all across North Carolina with several areas implementing water use measures but so far Spruce Pine is holding its own. Town Manager Richard Canipe comments. (click audio button above)

Investigation leads to Illegal Drugs Arrest

08/30/2007 

Raul Ambrocio Leco 16, of Boyd Wheeler MHP, Pine Swamp Road, Burnsville, N.C. was taken into custody on August 24, 2007 at 12:30 a.m. by Lt. Thomas L. Farmer and Deputy Nathan R. Ball ,of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department, after he sold and delivered Marijuana from his place of residence. Leco was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention Facility after posting a $ 2,000.00 secured bond. Leco is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on September 5, 2007. According to Lt. Farmer the arrest was a result of an ongoing investigation into illegal drug sales being made by 16-18 year old men who are selling drugs to young adults and teenagers.

Early Morning Raid in Madison County Results in 4 Arrests

08/30/2007 

The Madison County Sheriff's Department and SBI Agents executed a search warrant at about 2:30 Wednesday morning at a home off of Highway 19 which resulted in the arrest of 4 people. Authorities were looking for a suspect they say raped a woman. He was also charged with felony strangulation and felony restraint charges. While they were there, officers witnessed three other men suspected of drug activity. Those men have been taken into custody on various drug charges. So far, investigators have not released the names of the suspects.

Adult Daycare Center Plans Finalized

08/29/2007 

Back in July WAMY officials announced plans to close the Adult Daycare facility in Yancey County. Commissioners said they would do everything they could to keep the center open because the center provides a very important service to the community. Commission Chairman John Renfro says plans to keep center open have been finalized. (click audio button above)

IRS E-MAIL SCAM

08/29/2007 

The Internal Revenue Service is warning taxpayers about the latest versions of an e-mail scam intended to fool people into believing they are under investigation by the agency's Criminal Investigation division. The e-mail, purporting to be from IRS Criminal Investigation, falsely states that the person is under a criminal probe for submitting a false tax return to the California Franchise Tax Board. The e-mail seeks to entice people to click on a link or open an attachment to learn more information about the complaint against them. The IRS warns people that the e-mail link and attachment is a Trojan Horse that can take over the person's computer hard drive and allow someone to have remote access to the computer. The IRS does not send out unsolicited e-mails or ask for detailed personal and financial information. Additionally, the IRS never asks people for PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank or other financial accounts.

Back on the Front Burner

08/28/2007   

A previous Mitchell Commission Board said “no” to a USDA Rural Development Loan to build a new jail. Recently USDA Officials ask Commissioners to re-visit the subject one more time before the money was returned to the Federal Government, now it looks like the idea of building a new Mitchell County Jail is back on the front burner. By a vote of 3-2, Commissioners on Monday agreed to proceed with the loan. Voting to accept the Loan was Commissioners Byrd, Phillips and Sparks. They said there was too much potential liability from transporting inmates to the Rutherford County Jail or what happens if Rutherford or another facility decides not to house inmates in the future. Commissioners Hensley & Saylor voted against accepting the loan saying it was just too expensive and taxpayers can’t afford it without a tax increase and taxes are high enough in general. Commissioner Byrd said the loan would not require a tax increase. The loan is just over $4.5 Million with a 4.125% interest rate, which cannot go higher, but can come down. This money had been set aside by USDA for Mitchell to use for a jail facility. Not all of the money has to be used.

SBA Will Help SP Businesses

08/24/2007 

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Thursday the agency will make available low-interest disaster loans in the counties of Avery, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey in the State of North Carolina and the counties of Carter and Unicoi in the State of Tennessee following a fire in the Town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina on August 4 through 5, 2007. Administrator Preston took this action following an August 20, 2007, letter from North Carolina Governor Michael F. Easley requesting a SBA disaster declaration. Eligible small businesses may qualify for loans up to $1.5 million. Interest rates are available at 4 percent with loan terms up to 30 years. SBA determines eligibility for the program based on the size and type of business and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition. Applications and program information are available by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EDT).

Pinebridge Closing Coliseum

08/24/2007 

Pinebridge is closing down their day-to-day operations of the coliseum. According to co-owner Claudia Pitman, Pinebridge isn’t closing completely; the Inn and bunk houses will remain open and the coliseum will host various events throughout the year. Pittman said residents can still workout, as they are planning to move the exercise equipment to the Inn. Pittman said her family is taking these steps because they are going to focus on some different things.

Explosives Theft Suspect Arrested

08/24/2007 

A man accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods in Madison County has been arrested after a high speed chase in Kentucky. Deputies say 27-year old Grady Dockery broke into the French Broad Electric facilities twice in July. They say he allegedly stole explosives, copper wire and a truck. Madison county authorities were able to find enough evidence to get an ID on him and alert police in surrounding states. Dockery was also wanted in at least four other states for car theft and breaking and entering. Police spotted him in Middlesboro, Kentucky Wednesday afternoon and he led them on a dangerous high speed chase in his car and then on foot. Detectives from Madison County will go to Kentucky Friday to question the suspect about the stolen explosives.

GOV. EASLEY TO SEEK FEDERAL DISASTER AID FOR DROUGHT-STRICKEN FARMERS

08/23/2007 

Gov. Mike Easley announced on Wednesday he will ask the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for a federal disaster declaration for farmers whose crops and livestock are suffering from the ongoing drought. “Early indications are that more than 90 counties may meet the criteria for federal disaster assistance,” Easley said. “Our farmers need our help, and since we cannot make it rain, we will do everything we can to provide them some financial assistance.” Many farmers have reported significant losses in corn and soybean crops and a lack of hay to feed cattle. August is on track to be the hottest month ever recorded in North Carolina. Rainfall in some communities is 50-to-75 percent less than normal for this time of year. At Tuesday’s N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council meeting, officials received reports that groundwater levels are approaching the lows that occurred in the 2002 drought and that the state would need more than 15 inches of rainfall during the next six months to return to adequate levels. However, weather forecasters say there is no significant rainfall expected in the near future. Jeremy DeLisle with Mitchell County Extension Center comments. (click audio button above)

Parker Sentenced To Prison for Multiple Crimes

08/23/2007 

Jackie Lee Parker 52, of Golden Road Drive, Burnsville, N.C. appeared in Mitchell County Superior Court on Monday August 20, 2007 and entered guiltypleas to a number of charges including Weapon, Controlled Substance, Habitual Felon and Larceny Violations. Parker had been charged with numerous criminal violations since April 2006 in both Mitchell and Yancey Counties. The majority of the charges were filed by the Yancey County Sheriff's Department. On Monday, Parker and his attorney appeared in court a plea bargain with the District Attorney's Office was reached. Parker was sentenced to 11 years in the North Carolina Department of Corrections. Parker who was recently released from prison after serving 10 years for Manslaughter will spend the next 11 years in custody.

Governor Easley Asks SBA for Help

08/22/2007 

As a result of fires on August 4th and August 5th, many Spruce Pine businesses were destroyed or damaged. Efforts to get federal assistance in the form of subsidized loans were begun. Earlier this week those efforts paid off as North Carolina Governor Mike Easley asked the Small Business Administration to declare Downtown Spruce Pine a disaster area: The fires that occurred on August 4th & August 5th were found to be deliberately started and the arrest of David Kenneth McCall, age 44, of 201 Locust Street, in Spruce Pine was announced on Thursday August 9, 2007 by ATF agents. State House of Representative Phillip Frye from the 84th district comments. (click audio button above)

Revamping Mental Health Task Force Committee

08/22/2007 

Yancey Commissioners have revamped the County’s mental health task force committee. For information about the time and location of the next meeting of the task force committee, call the County Manager’s office at 682-3971. John Renfro, Chairman of the Yancey County Commission comments. (click audio button above)

Ex Deputy Pleads No Contest

Smith Visits Mountains

08/20/2007 

Fred Smith, Republican candidate for North Carolina Governor was in the mountains Friday as a part of his 100 county barbeque tour. We ask him why he decided to seek his party’s nomination. For the past 17 years, Smith has run a family business with some 700 employees in real estate and heavy construction. Smith comments (click audio button above)

McDowell Deputy Sentenced

An Arrest in SP Fires Case

08/09/2007   

A Spruce Pine man has been charged with setting the fires this past weekend that destroyed several businesses in Spruce Pine. (audio) McCall is being held in the Rutherford County Jail. Special Agent Vasilko said this is all that they will say about the case as any information they release may affect his rights and the government’s case. Repeating David Kenneth McCall, age 44, of 201 Locust Street in Spruce Pine has been charged with setting the fires in Spruce Pine. Reading from the ATF news release: During the early hours on August 4th, a fire was reported at the Keen Building, which housed various businesses to include a Hispanic Church located at 380 Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine. The Building and church was completely destroyed by fire. On the evening of August 4th, four additional fires were reported within a three block area. Businesses that were damaged or destroyed on Locust street include the Cheepskates Music and Thrift  and apartments, the Wylie Building, Lady Blues Boutique, DT's Blue Ridge Java, Tree House Mountain Realty and Spruce Pine Railroad Depot. The total loss of the structures, contents and value to the community by these fires is estimated at more than $1 million. Carl Vasilko, the Special Agent in charge of the ATF’S National Response Team comments. (click audio button above)
 

No Chemical Spill at SPCH

08/08/2007 

Fire & Emergency personnel responded to Spruce Pine Community Hospital at about 10:30 this morning. According to Spruce Pine Police Chief Coy Hollifield a chemical spill had occurred. We have now been informed by hospital officials that there was no spill and we get the latest on what happened from Cheryl Craigie, a spokesperson for Spruce Pine Community Hospital. (click audio button above)

ATF & SBI Meet with Business Owners

08/08/2007 

Authorities met with Spruce Pine Town leader’s and business owners on Tuesday to talk about when they will be able to get back into their buildings following the weekend fires. Meanwhile the joint arson investigation between the ATF, SBI & Spruce Pine Police is continuing. They’re trying to determine how the fires started. A number of businesses, a church, the train depot, and a storage building burned in multiple fires early Saturday morning and late Saturday night and ATF agents say many areas are not safe and there are still hot spots. Agents are taking apart the burned buildings piece by piece. Mayor Wes Foy said without the exceptional effort by firefighters and police, things could have been a lot worse. Streets are open with the exception of the area from the Town parking on Lower Street to Crystal Street and Link Street is closed too, and a curfew remains in effect for areas with crime scene tape. Spruce Pine Mayor Wes Foy comments. (click audio button above)

Yancey Makes Arrest on Property Crime

08/08/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Donna Jean Elliott 29, of a Church House Lane address in Burnsville, and charged her with one count of Felonious Breaking & Entering, one county of Felonious Larceny and one count of Possessing Stolen Property. The charges were filed after evidence revealed that Elliott entered a residence on or about July 10, 2007 and removed personal property. Eliott was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from custody after posting a $10,000.00 secured bond. Elliott is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on August 24, 2007. According to Lt. Thomas L. Farmer the property stolen from the residence was recovered.

Arson Investigation Continues as Most Streets Open

08/07/2007 

4 separate fires this past Friday night to Saturday nights in Downtown Spruce Pine are being looked as arson and as-many-as 45 SBI & ATF Agents are looking through the burned remains to find clues as to who started these fires that has left the Downtown section devastated. Federal officials gave the word late Monday morning that several streets could be opened with the exception of those closed by police tape and a 24 hour curfew remains in the roped off areas, meaning no one can enter theses areas. As of this morning Link Street and Lower Street between Crystal Street and the intersection of Upper & lower streets remains closed. All other streets are open. It’s this section of Lower Street where the building that housed Cheapskates burned and various amounts of water and smoke damage hit Treehouse Mountain Realty, some apartments and Hair Craft salon!! Rumors around town said a suspect had been arrested, but that cannot be confirmed.

State of Emergency-Update

08/06/2007 

Good news for some businesses and residents in Spruce Pine; Oak Avenue, Crystal Street, Topaz Street and Walnut Street are open for business and residents. The areas that are marked by police tape will remain under 24 hour curfew, per ATF instructions. Fire investigators continue to work to solve the cause of two fires from the weekend that destroyed two buildings and several businesses. Businesses lost to fire on Upper Street; Keene Enterprises, Brian Buchanan Law Offices, a church and Miller Insurance Group--they have relocated at 7548 Hwy 19E in the Phillips Grading Building next the Carquest toward Avery County. On Lower Street, Cheapskates was destroyed as-well-as apartments upstairs. Several businesses received smoke & water damage. Repeating, Oak Avenue, Crystal Street, Topaz Street and Walnut Street are open for business and residents. The areas that are marked by police tape will remain under 24 hour curfew, per ATF instructions.

State of Emergency & Crime Scene

08/06/2007 

Downtown Spruce Pine is under a State of Emergency and the downtown area is a crime scene as fire investigators work to solve two fires from the weekend that destroyed two buildings and several businesses. Spruce Pine Fire Chief David Hughes says the fires resulted in a total loss of Miller Insurance, by the way Miller Insurance Group has open at 7548 Hwy 19E next the Car Quest toward Avery County) Keene Enterprises, Brian Buchanan, Attorney at Law and a church. On Lower Street, Cheapskates was destroyed with several businesses receiving smoke & water damage. Town Manager Richard Canipe comments. (click audio button above)

McFadden Sworn in as Burnsville Councilman

08/06/2007 

Burnsville’s Town Council has appointed Frank McFadden and he has been sworn in to fill the unexpired term that was split between Heather Hockaday and David Grindstaff. Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh says McFadden is an asset to the Town. McFadden was sworn in at the Town’s August 2nd meeting and will serve until December to fill out the term left vacant when David Grindstaff resigned last month. Because McFadden filed for the unexpired term and was the only candidate to file he faces no opposition in the November election he will serve as a councilman until 2009. McFadden & McIntosh comment (click audio button above)

Spruce Pine Fires

08/05/2007 

Spruce Pine Fire Department Chief David Hughes has reported that a fire at 380 Oak Avenue in Spruce Pine has resulted in the total loss of Miller Insurance, Brian Buchanan Attorney at Law, Keen Enterprises and a church that occupied the three-story brick structure, .The fire started between 1:30 and 2 a.m. Saturday morning and was spotted by a Spruce Pine police officer driving by the building. There were no fatalities, and one firefighter was taken to the hospital to be treated for dehydration. Another Building fire was reported Saturday night. Spruce Pine Town Manager has released this statement. "The Town of Spruce Pine suffered two major structures fires on Saturday, in the downtown area. No cause or origin has been determined. The SBI is handling the investigation along with the Spruce Pine Police Department. Anyone who might have seen anything unusual, please call 765-2233 and leave a message. A State of Emergency has been declared in the downtown area. No residents or business owners will be allowed in the area until it has been determined to be safe. Progress Energy is working to restore power to the area. The Town of Spruce Pine wants to thank everyone involved in their effort: An update will be issued at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon at the Spruce Pine Town Hall". We will have more details as they become available.

Caught Slipping a Drug to an Inmate

08/01/2007 

The wife of the man accused of killing Gary Wayne Harrell Jr., on July 3rd already charged with accessory after the fact to the felony of murder has now been charged with trying to slip her husband a prescription drug. Holly Whitson, age 39, was out on bail and was given permission to visit her husband, Kelly Shane Whitson, who remains in jail without bond. On Tuesday, July 31st, Kelly Whitson was in court in Bakersville on his first court date that had been set on his murder charge, he met with his attorney and his case was continued until September. It was at this time the wife and husband met in a room next to the holding cell in the Courthouse and this is when she was caught trying to slip him the drug. The warrant states she unlawfully gave an inmate a controlled substance “Percocet,” who at the time was an inmate at the Mitchell County holding facility in the Courthouse. She was released from custody after posting a $75 hundred bond. Kelly Whitson was charged with possessing a controlled substance in prison or jail premises. Both defendants are scheduled to appear court on these charges on August 10th.

Library Expansion Project Making Progress

08/01/2007 

The Yancey County Library Expansion Project is continuing and so is the job of getting more funding. James Byrd is a member of the Project Steering Committee; he said he is very grateful to the committee for sticking together on the expansion project. A big book sale is going on tomorrow, Friday and Saturday in the Library Annex on Town Square. Hundreds of books, including fiction, nonfiction and children’s books will be on sale, many of them are new and priced at $2 or less. So while you’re at the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair stop by the Library Annex and pick-up a book or two and help the Yancey County Library Expansion project. The new library is in the old Yancey Collegiate Institute building on the hill between the Parkway Playhouse and the Yancey Board of Education. James Byrd comments. (Click audio button above)

Murder Arrest in Avery

08/01/2007 

An 18-year-old woman, Tabitha Messina, has been arrested in a motel in Avery County and charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of her father and his girlfriend in Cleveland Ohio. Also arrested at the motel was 19-year-old Carlos Christopher. Police say Christopher also has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder. They are charged in the beating deaths of 50-year-old Richard Messina and his 43-year-old girlfriend, Sandra Cover. Police found the couple Sunday in an upstairs bedroom of a home in suburban Cleveland.