SP Declared a State Disaster Area

09/28/2007 

Gov. Mike Easley on Wednesday declared Spruce Pine a state disaster area to help offset damages caused by a series of fires August 4th & 5th, making the Town eligible for financial assistance. In their application for the disaster declaration, the Town had to document expenses incurred in fighting the fires. The town qualifies for a Type 1 Disaster Declaration and is eligible to receive disaster aid to repair and rebuild public structures. To be eligible damage estimates had to exceed 1% of the Town’s annual operating budget. State Representative Phillip Fyre and Spruce Pine Town Manager Richard Canipe comment. (click audio button above)

Madison Meth Lab Bust

09/28/2007 

An anonymous tip has led to the arrest of two leaders in the Meth drug trade in Madison County. Deputies and the S.B.I agents obtained search warrants for a mobile home on Gerald Drive. What authorities found was materials used to cook meth at two labs inside the home. Authorities arrested Johnny Porche, Scott Stine, James Cutshaw, Nicki Saam, and Sarah Sparks. Porche was already wanted by the law on previous drug charges. Authorities say Porche’s mother recently died of lung cancer and her funeral took place Wednesday, just a few hours before authorities say meth was being cooked inside her home. Madison Sheriff John Ledford says two of the suspects are leaders in the meth drug trade in the County, so it was easy to pull up their names from the law enforcement database and connect them to these two meth labs. All five suspects are due in court November 2nd to formally face meth manufacturing charges.

No Problems Now, Continue to Conserve

09/27/2007 

Drought conditions continue across the state and the number of town’s and cities going to mandatory restrictions are growing but that’s not the case in Burnsville & Spruce Pine. Burnsville’s Public Works Director Tom Storie told the Town Council at their September meeting that the town is not having any water shortage problems at this time. In Spruce Pine, Town Manager Richard Canipe comments. (click audio button above)

Public Hearing on Proposed Asphalt Plant
 

09/26/2007 

Following complaints and questions about the proposed location of a hot mix asphalt plant at 680 Chalk Mountain, Mine Road, in Spruce Pine, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Air Quality will hold a public hearing on October 23rd at 6 pm at Harris Middle School. The company seeking approval to construct and operate the asphalt plant is Young & McQueen Grading Company, their application has been reviewed and a preliminary determination was made that the project could be approved and a permit could be issued if certain conditions are met. A copy of all data and the application submitted by Young & McQueen as-well-as other material used in making a preliminary determination are available locally at the Spruce Pine Public Library at 142 Walnut Street, in Spruce Pine. According to Brendan Davey, an environmental engineer with the division of air quality, the application by Young & McQueen, as proposed, complies with the state of North Carolina air quality rules. He said the emission controls and what they are doing are very similar to almost every other asphalt plant in the state. The public hearing will be held on October 23rd at 6 pm at Harris Middle School at 121 Harris Street in Spruce Pine.

(For more information call Christopher Scott, Project Engineer at 828-296-4500 or mail comments to NC DENR, Division of Air Quality at 2090 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778. Written comments can be presented at the public hearing. If you wish to speak at the hearing, comments should be 3 minutes or less.)

Shooter of Paramedic Sentenced

09/25/2007 

On July 31st, 2006, a Madison County paramedic team was called to Wolf Laurel Country Club where a man was reported to be losing consciousness. When they arrived it was determined he was intoxicated. As the team was attempting to get the man back into his residence on El Miner Drive, he pulled a pistol from his pants pocket and fired one shot into the chest of paramedic Tami Stephen. She was taken to Mission Hospital in serious, but stable condition. Tami was a resident of Yancey County. The man was identified as Joseph Boyer Candler Jr., age 68. After a period of time, Stephen recovered from her injuries and was cleared to report to work. Since that time we have learned that Stephen has moved from the state. Earlier this month, Mr. Candler was sentenced to a term of 16-20 months suspended for 28 months under supervised probation, he will serve an active term of 120 days in the custody of the North Carolina Dept of Corrections, and he was given credit for having served 42 days in custody. He is to not have any firearms; he is to perform 60 hours of community service. He was fined $1-thousand, ordered to pay $200 community service fee and court costs of $145 for a total payment of $1,645.00. Special alcohol conditions, he is not to have alcohol on or about his residence, premises, and vehicle or to ever have blood alcohol content higher than .04 at any time. He can be tested at anytime he is out and if it is higher than .04 he would be subject to serve active time in prison. No other details are available.

Bakersville Man Charged

09/24/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Travis Lee Blevins 30, of a Rebels Creek Road, Bakersville address and charged him with one count of possessing marijuana, one count of possessing a schedule II controlled substance (Methadone) and one count of possessing a schedule IV controlled substance (Xanax) without a lawful prescription. In addition Blevins was charged with violating a court order. Blevins was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County Jail where he remains. Blevins is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on November 2nd.

Dangers of the Internet

09/24/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff Kermit Banks and officers with his department are sending a strong message to parents to protect their children from the dangers of the Internet. Lt. Tom Farmer says “We all know how extensive the internet is, and most of us can accept that our children are more Internet savvy than we are." "However, knowing how to surf the Internet and understanding how dangerous it is do not always go hand in hand." That is why it is so important for all parents to teach their children to protect themselves and learn to practice Internet safety."

Examples of steps parents can take to protect their children from Internet danger are:

1. Create clear and simple ground rules for children to follow;
2. Place a computer with Internet access in a location that is visible to other members of the family;
3. Do not let children post identifying information anywhere on the Internet without your permission.
4. Immediately report to authorities if you think your child is being solicited online.
5. Make sure your child knows they can come to you if they feel threatened or encounter any sort of problems online.
6. Become familiar with blocking and monitoring programs

Charged with Selling Drugs

09/21/2007   

Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Nina June Hensley Arrowood 59, of a Jacks Creek Road, Burnsville, address and charged her with 4 counts of selling and delivering schedule II controlled substances, a felony, and 4 counts of possession with Intent to sell and deliver controlled substances also a felony. Arrowood was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from Jail after posting a $ 25,000.00 secured bond. She is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on October 2nd. Lt. Tom Farmer of the Yancey Sheriff's Department was the arresting officer, he said the Arrowood arrest was one of many to come and that additional charges are likely. He said Arrowood has been the subject of an ongoing investigation for over 3 years and Arrowood and associates close to her have illegally sold and distributed oxycodone and other opium based pain killers to numerous people throughout Yancey and surrounding counties. He said the illegal drug activity Arrowood has engaged in has caused a lot of innocent people harm and been a tremendous problem for the residents in the community where she lives.

Burke Man Faces Several Driving Offenses

9/21/2007 

A Burke County man James Scott Christenbury, age 31, of Morganton faces several driving charges: driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, hit and run, resisting a public officer, failure to reduce speed and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Authorities say he stole a car from a newspaper carrier in Tennessee, wrecked it on I-40 in McDowell County on Tuesday, then fled on foot and leading officers on a two-hour manhunt. He was captured on Burma Road East, just off Harmony Grove Road, around 9:30 a.m. He was taken into custody in lieu of a $20,000 bond. He will be returned to Tennessee to face charges there. State Trooper J.E. Reid said the wreck involved Christenbury and Corbin Dayton, age 30, of Spruce Pine. He said no one was injured he crash.

Henredon in Morganton Will Close Plant

09/21/2007 

Henredon has announced plans to close its Morganton Plant. Officials say the majority of the furniture made at the plant will be outsourced. Some 520 workers will be affected; some of the workers will be transferred to a smaller plant the company will keep in the Morganton area.

East Yancey Sewer Update

09/20/2007 

The East Yancey Sewer project has been a long drawn out process but as Yancey Commission Chairman John Renfro says they are very near getting it started. He comments. (click audio button above)

Grants for "PLAY"

09/19/2007 

Project Live Active in Yancey or “PLAY” is an initiative of Graham Children’s Health Services of Toe River to improve the infrastructure of recreation facilities in Yancey County, and their efforts are paying off. One of their projects is remodeling the recreation facilities at the old Burnsville Elementary School building located across from the Yancey County School System’s Administrative offices on School Circle in Burnsville. In June they received a grant of $50 thousand from the Janirve Foundation to improve the gymnasium floor. And on September 13th, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas Inc. announced an $8,500 grant to the agency to assist in the remodeling of the restrooms. And on September 10th and 11th, Ray Cort Park got a boost when a group from Yancey Public Works, Yancey Parks and Recreation, NC Corrections and Graham Children’s Health Services put up new playground equipment. Funding for the playground equipment, around $21 thousand, came from North Carolina’s State Health Funding Promotion.

Former Red Cross Worker Charged with Embezzlement

09/19/2007 

A former worker with the Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has been charged with 2 counts of embezzlement, Eileen Saxon, a former accounting director, is accused of taking more than $!65 thousand from the agency. Accounting discrepancies were noticed during the 2007 audit of the agency. Along with the chapter, law enforcement uncovered a sophisticated embezzlement scheme that targeted the Western North Carolina community.

Open Burning Ban Lifted

09/18/2007 

Recent rains across the state have allowed the NC Division of Forest Resources to lift its ban on open burning for all 100 counties in North Carolina. The statewide ban on burning was implemented August 21st. Officials with the Division of Forest Resources decided to lift the ban because of Friday’s storm that dumped several inches of rain across the state. While recent rainfall and lower temperatures have reduced the fire danger, this small amount of precipitation has not ended drought conditions the state is facing. Officials are warning that if the drought continues, and there is an increase in the number of wildfires, the ban on open burning could be reinstated.

Grants for Stream Restoration

9/18/2007 

Grants from U.S. Fish & Wildlife have been awarded to organizations in Mitchell & Yancey Counties for water quality improvement projects in the Upper Nolichucky River Basin. The Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Program will receive a $25 thousand grant and Toe River Valley Watch will receive a grant of $24,259. The money will support efforts to stabilize eroding streams banks, establish streamside forests and keep live stock out of streams where they contribute to stream bank erosion and contaminate the water. Both organizations will identify landowners interested in being paid to participate in soil conservation and water quality projects.

Drugs and Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felon

09/18/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Jarvis Marlin Beaver 50, of a Saw Mill Hollow Road, Burnsville address and charged him with two counts of Felonious Possession of Methamphetamine, one count of Felonious Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Keep & Store Illegal Drugs, one count of Resisting A Public Officer and one count of Possessing Firearms While Being a Convicted Felon. According to Lt. Thomas L. Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department the arrest was made by Sgt. J.D. Robinson and Deputy Mark Letterman on Sunday September 9, 2007 after the deputies executed a search warrant and located Methamphetamine and firearms at a garage and camper in the use and control of Beaver at the Saw Mill Hollow Road address. Beaver was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County Jail under a $ 15,500.00 secured bond. Beaver is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on October 2, 2007. Beaver was charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine in October 2005 by Yancey County Sheriff Deputies and convicted of the Felony offense in January 2007. Beaver served 13 months for the offense and was released. On April 2, 2007 Beaver was once again charged by Yancey County Sheriff Deputies for Possessing Methamphetamine. The charges filed in April 2007 and the most recent charges are all pending in Yancey County Court.

3rd in State

09/17/2007 

Yancey Schools are 3rd in the state in AYP testing. System Superintendent Dr. Tom Little comments. (click audio button above)

New Jail Update

09/17/2007 

If all goes as planned, Mitchell County could have a new jail by late 2009. Mitchell County Manager Chuck Vines comments. (click audio button above)

USDA Declares Disaster Area in North Carolina

09/17/2007 

Farmers in North Carolina are now eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the federal government to help them recover from crop losses in the drought. The Agriculture Department issued the drought disaster declaration in 85 counties. It also applies in eleven adjacent counties. Farmers in all but four counties in the state are eligible to ask for the help. NC Governor Mike Easley requested the declaration last month saying the state's farmers need all the help they can get. The Agriculture Department says farmers in the affected areas have suffered losses of at least 30 percent in at least one significant crop. Farmers can apply for the loans through their local U.S. Farm Service Agency office.

Revaluation in Yancey

09/13/2007 

Yancey County held the first of several public meetings on revaluation on Tuesday. John Renfro, Chairman of the Yancey County Commission comments. (click audio button above)

Some Relief for Western Farmers

09/13/2007 

A $500 thousand grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation will go a long way in helping drought stricken farmers in North Carolina’s western counties get much needed hay for livestock, State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxlor said hay will be transported from eastern counties but he says that probably will not be enough. It’s estimated the drought has caused a shortfall of 800 thousand round bails of hay. Troxler comments. (click on audio button above)

Locker Room Rip-Off at Owen High

09/13/2007 

While the JV Volleyball teams from Madison High School and Owen High School were playing Tuesday night, someone was stealing purses, cell phones, credit cards, even social security cards that belonged to Madison athletes. The girls didn't find out until after the game when they went to change clothes and reported the incident to the school resource officer. Madison High School's coach, Becky Morris says she did not receive a key to secure the locker room. But Owen officials say she would have been given one, if she'd requested it. In the meantime, Owen officials are offering a $100 reward for information that helps authorities help find those responsible for the locker room theft.

Asheville Councilman to Run for Congress

09/13/2007 

Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower says he will run for the 11th district congressional seat. He decided to run because he says Western North Carolina needs a conservative and independent voice in Washington. Right now, there is no word if former Congressman Charles Taylor will run again for the republican seat. If he does announce, Mumpower and Taylor would compete in the primary. The winner would then challenge Congressman Heath Shuler in the race for the 11th district congressional seat.

State to Require Public Hearing on Asphalt Plant Location in Mitchell

09/12/2007 

Concerns over the proposed location of an asphalt plant on Chalk Mountain in Mitchell County have prompted the state to require a public hearing to receive comment on the issue. At Monday’s Mitchell Commissioners meeting, citizens from the affected area gave Commissioners their view on the subject. Chuck Vines, Mitchell County Manager comments. (click audio button above)

SP Woman Charged with Several Reckless Driving Offenses

09/12/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies, with the assistance of the Highway Patrol arrested Diane Marie McAlonan 48, of Spruce Pine, N.C. after a 13 minute chase from Sam Greene Road in Bandanna to South Ridge Drive in Celo. She was charged with a number of reckless driving offenses including: DWI, failing to stop for a blue light & siren, fleeing arrest, resisting an officer, hit & run, leaving the scene of an accident and speeding in Excess of 100 miles per hour. The search for McAlonan began at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Monday September 3, 2007 after she collided with a moving vehicle at the intersection of Rice Road and U.S.19E. McAlonan refused to stop after colliding with the vehicle and sped away from the wreck scene. She drove to a location off of Highway 80 South in Celo before her Toyota RAV Sport Utility mechanically failed. She was then taken into custody and transported to the Yancey County Magistrate's Office in Burnsville, N.C. and served with arrest warrants. McAlonan was released from custody on September 4, 2007 after posting a $ 6,000.00 secured bond. McAlonan is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court this Friday!!

70 New Jobs in Mitchell County

09/11/2007 

Gov. Mike Easley has announced that New Buck Corp., a national supplier of woodstoves and other items, will expand in Mitchell County creating 70 jobs and investing $2.3 million during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $70 thousand “One North Carolina Fund” grant. New Buck Corp., headquartered in Spruce Pine, is a national supplier of custom fabricated woodstoves, oil and gas burners, heaters, fireplaces and lights. The expansion will increase production and provide contract machining and welding services. While wages will vary by job function, the average weekly wage of the new jobs will be $471 plus benefits. Other partners who helped make this announcement possible include the NC Department of Commerce, Advantage West Economic Development Group, the NC Community College System and the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission. According to the news release, Plant Manager David Honeycutt said they had considered leaving the county or even the state, but none had the availability resources and high quality work force as Mitchell County. The “One North Carolina Fund “grant is contingent upon a local match.

Newdale VFD Gets Grant

09/11/2007 

U.S. Representative Heath Shuler announced on Monday that the Newdale Volunteer Fire Department has secured an “Assistance to Firefighters” grant (AFG) through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. The operations and safety grant for $72,870 will be used to purchase 15 sets of turn-out gear, air packs, and radio and communications equipment. Newdale Fire Chief Tony Hoover was excited by the news of the grant. "This grant will allow us to keep our firefighters safe with the gear and communications equipment they need. I am extremely grateful to Congressman Shuler for his assistance in securing this grant. Chief Hoover went on to say that the grant was especially useful this year as the department is facing budget constraints due to the costs of building the new fire station required by the widening of US-19E.

Undercover Drug Operation

09/10/2007 

Authorities in Avery County have arrested, or are in the process of arresting, as-many-as 21 people on multiple drug charges. These individuals have been indicted or warrants have been issued for them. The arrests follow a 6 month undercover investigation by the Avery County Sheriff/Municipal Drug Task Force, a collaborative effort of the police departments in Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Elk Park, Newland and Sugar Mountain and the Avery County Sheriff’s Department. The names of suspects have not been released. According to the Mitchell Sheriff’s Department some of the suspects are from Mitchell County.

Entrepreneur Ready

09/07/2007 

AdvantageWest Economic Development Group has announced that 14 communities graduated from leadership training through the Certified Entrepreneurial Community program. The communities include Mitchell County and Yancey County. AdvantageWest is the first region in the country to implement a rigorous method to certify communities as entrepreneur-ready. Communities will receive ongoing support and marketing from AdvantageWest, which will improve the business climate for existing company’s and help attract new start-up company’s to the Burnsville and Spruce Pine areas. AdvantageWest is an economic development group serving the 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina. Dale Carroll comments. (click on audio button above)

Additional Charges Filed Against Michael Allen Cheatham

09/07/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies have served additional arrest warrants on Michael Allen Cheatham after a Sunday night altercation with his younger brother Darren Gene Cheatham. The additional offenses charged were one count of felonious assault by strangulation and assault inflicting injury. At the time of his arrest he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Deputies were called to the Cheatham residence at 5:25 p.m. on Sunday September 2nd. When they arrived there they found Darren Cheatham suffering from injuries to his face and head. An investigation revealed that the two brothers got into a verbal dispute that turned physical. During the physical alteration Michael picked up a rock and struck Darren Cheatham repeatedly, he was taken to Spruce Pine Hospital for treatment of injuries to the head, neck and face. Michael Allen Cheatham remains in the Yancey County Jail under a $ 4,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on September 14, 2007.

Newdale VFD Facing Problems

09/06/2007 

Yancey Commissioners met with members of the Newdale Volunteer Fire Department last month to talk about the problems facing the department. John Renfro, the Chairman of the Yancey County Commission explains. (click audio button above)

His Heart is in Mitchell County

09/06/2007 

Mitchell County’s new Manager Chuck Vines says his heart is in Mitchell County. He explains. (click audio button above)

Ordinance Redefined

09/05/2007 

Following the fires of August 4th & August 5th, Spruce Pine Council has moved to redefine an ordinance that has been in place since the town was chartered. The ordinance established fire limits within their area. A fire limit is described as an area considered to be vulnerable to fire and to fire spreading from building to building. The Ordinance also describes extra measures for materials and construction, Town Manager Richard Canipe says the Town Council wants to move slowly with this ordinance. (click audio button above)

Brothers Argue, one Hospitalized, one Jailed

09/04/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Michael Cheatham 45,0f 140 Rob Carroll Road, Burnsville, N.C. and charged him with one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The arrest was made at the residence of Darren Cheatham located off of Highway 80 S on White Oak Creek Road. Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies were called to the Cheatham residence at 5:25 p.m. on Sunday September 2nd. When they arrived there they found Darren Cheatham suffering from injuries to his face and head. An investigation revealed that the two brothers got into a verbal dispute that turned physical. During the physical alteration Michael picked up a rock and struck Darren Cheatham repeatedly. Michael Cheatham was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County Jail where he remains. Darren Cheatham was transported to Spruce Pine Hospital where he is being treated for multiple injuries to the head, neck and face. Michael Cheatham will appear in Yancey County District Court on October 2, 2007. Lt.Tom Farmer, of the Yancey Sheriff’s Department said more charges may be filed in this case after medical injuries sustained by Darren Cheatham are confirmed.

What’s next for Jail Project?

09/04/2007 

Last week Mitchell Commissioners meet in special session and agreed to accept a USDA rural development loan to build a new jail. We spoke with County Manager Chuck Vines and asked him what’s next. 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. Vines comments. (click audio button above)

Head-on Collision in Nebo

09/04/2007 

Two people were airlifted to area hospitals after a head-on collision Monday night in McDowell County. One man is believed to be fighting for his life, he was air lifted to Mission Hospitals. A pickup truck and a station wagon collided on Rolands Chapel Road off of Highway 70 East in Nebo. Four people were inside the car, one of them was trapped. She was airlifted to Carolina Medical Center. The other three in that car are okay. No other details are available.