Parking Problems

11/30/2007 

Downtown Spruce Pine is experiencing a parking problem. Town Manager Richard Canipe comments. (click audio button above)

Taking Indecent Liberties with a Minor

11/30/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Edward Paul Gurley 39, of a Woodrat Drive, Burnsville, address and charged him with 3 felonious counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Minor. According to Lt. Tom Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department the offenses are alleged to have occurred on separate occasions between June 2007 and September 2007 and involved immoral and indecent contact with a 14 year old female. Gurley was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County Jail where he remains under a $ 30,000.00 secured bond. Gurley is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on December 11, 2007.

Burnsville Man Charged with Armed Robbery in Tennessee

11/29/2007 

A Burnsville man, Richard David Jones, age 27, has been arrested in Unicoi Tennessee; he was being sought in connection with an armed robbery in Erwin Tennessee. Police say a man went into a check cashing store on Main Street, in Erwin, showed the clerk a gun and demanded money. The incident happened just after 3 pm yesterday afternoon at the Cash Express check cashing store. Police say they identified Jones after looking at the security video. The amount of money taken has not been disclosed.

Three Charged in Old Fort Murder

11/29/2007 

McDowell authorities have arrested three people in connection with the death of Michael Brown, age 33, at his home on Mashburn Branch Road. Charged with first degree murder is James Effler, age 30, charged with accessory after the fact are Destiny Rhodes age 17 and Thomas Larry Thompson age 37. According to McDowell Chief Deputy Sam Arrowood, the four lived together in a camper next to a house on Mashburn Branch Road. Deputies and emergency crews arrived on the scene at about 9 am Tuesday morning and found the victim with stab wounds near his heart. He died later at McDowell Hospital. Arrowood said the motive for Brown’s stabbing death is still unknown. Effler is being held under no bond; Rhodes and Thompson are each being held under $100 thousand bond. Arrowood said Rhodes had given them misleading information and had tampered with evidence.

Death Investigation in McDowell

11/28/2007 

McDowell Detectives are investigating the death of a man at a residence just outside Old Fort on Mashburn Branch Road. The house is off U.S. 70, near the Ethan Allen Plant. Investigators and emergency crews arrived at the home around 9 am on Tuesday; they found 33 year old Michael Brown bleeding from wounds he received in front of his house. He died after being taken to McDowell Hospital. McDowell Chief Deputy Sam Arrowood said a witness gave them a description of three or four men in a blue vehicle involved in the incident, but he said that information became less credible as other leads developed. According to Arrowood, Brown appeared to have been stabbed but they’re waiting on autopsy results. Authorities have not named any suspects or made any arrests.

Break-In Arrest in Spruce Pine

11/28/2007 

A family from Raleigh, in Spruce Pine to buy a Christmas and watch the Christmas parade, got a little more excitement than they planned. On Sunday, November 25th, someone broke into their motel room. Billy Summerlin, a Detective with the Spruce Pine Police Department said the suspect was arrested Sunday afternoon. The suspect is identified as Nick Anderson, age 26, whose address is listed as Ridge Creek Drive in Morganton. Anderson is no stranger with trouble; Summerlin said he also may be charged as a habitual felon. As for the family from Raleigh, they said despite the break-in they had a good time and would visit Spruce Pine again. Billy Summerlin comments. (click audio button above)

Still a Priority

11/27/2007 

Yancey County’s Compressive Recreational Grounds project is still a priority and very important to the Board of County Commissioners. The property, 26.23 acres is in West Yancey, in the Whitt Bottoms area off Whittington road. The County has received a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant of $182,500.00. It's dollar for dollar match and the county can match the grant with other grants. The total cost of the property is $525 thousand. Yancey County Manager Michele Lawhern comments. (click audio button above)

NC Awards Tourism Marketing Grants

11/26/2007 

Nearly $130,000 in matching grants has been awarded by North Carolina for 29 tourism-based marketing initiatives across the state. The grants range from $1,800 to $6,750 based on each county’s economic tier ranking and are matched by local funds.
Tourism is one of North Carolina’s largest industries, generating more than 187,000 jobs, and visitors spent more than $15 billion in the state last year, it’s hoped these grants allow communities to promote their areas of the state as travel destinations and help North Carolina maintain its ranking as one of the Top 10 most visited states in the country.

Grants awarded for 2007 include:

Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce (Mitchell County) - A $6,750 grant will be used to purchase online advertising to promote the chamber’s “Craft Your Adventure” campaign.

North Carolina High Country Host - (Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga and Wilkes counties) - A $3,000 grant will fund a direct-mail campaign for the spring travel season.

Spruce Pine Main Street (Mitchell County) - A $2,880 grant will be used to promote the Fire on the Mountain heritage festival in downtown Spruce Pine.

Yancey County Chamber of Commerce (Yancey County) - A $6,750 grant will support participation with cooperative print advertising opportunities.

Collapse of Village of Penland Leads to Lawsuit

11/23/2007 

Back in June NC Attorney General Roy Cooper shut down the Village of Penland development near Spruce Pine when his fraud investigation revealed that developers misrepresented the project and used investors’ money for other failed projects. Now, a suit has been filed against four banks in connection with the collapse of the Village of Penland and fraud investigation. The suit, filed on behalf of 99 investors in Wake County Superior Court in Raleigh claims the banks of working closely with the developers of the project that cost the investors millions of dollars. According to the complaint, the banks’ loan officers were willing participants in a scheme that left investors owing at least $80 million on property in the Village of Penland. According to the complaint, the property is now worth a fraction of that amount. The suit names Winston-Salem based BB&T, Charter of Charlotte, Carolina First in Greenville, South Carolina and United Community Banks of Georgia. Officials of the four banks said they could not comment because they had not seen the complaint. In the past bank officials said they were victims too.

288 New Jobs in McDowell County

11/22/2007 

New jobs are coming to McDowell County; Gov. Mike Easley has announced that PRC Industries Inc., a New York-based company that recycles and remanufactures household appliances, will open a facility in Old Fort in McDowell County. North Carolina’s Economic Investment Committee voted unanimously to award a Job Development Investment grant to the company to facilitate this project. The company will invest $3 million and hire 288 workers during the next five years. The North Carolina facility will remanufacture items such as vacuum cleaners, window and portable air conditioners, coffee makers, irons, kitchen appliances and high-definition televisions. PRC will also recycle these types of items at the plant. While wages at the Old Fort plant will vary by job function, the expected average yearly salary for all of the new jobs will be $28,379, not including benefits, which is higher than the McDowell County average of $26,728. PRC Industries plans to begin hiring and start operations early next year. This is the 68 th grant award announced since Easley and the General Assembly started the program in 2002, and the 13th awarded this year. Job Development Investment Grants are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant. Other partners that assisted with this announcement include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community College System, McDowell County, McDowell County Economic Development Association and the Town of Old Fort.

Congressman McHenry Urges Improved Assistance to Drought Weary NC Farmers

11/21/2007 

10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry has sent a letter to acting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner urging him to improve assistance to drought weary North Carolina farmers. In his letter to the secretary McHenry stated under current guidelines, USDA offers insurance benefits to farmers whose crops are totally dead. However, many Western North Carolina farmers haven’t reached that threshold of destruction because of the unique nature of their crops. Perennial crops like Christmas Trees and ornamentals, which are common in the Tenth District, don’t necessarily have to be totally devastated for their growers to experience substantial financial hardship in the wake of natural disasters like floods and droughts. McHenry comments. (click audio button above)

Burnsville Man Charged with Intent to Sell

11/20/2007 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Charles David Hall 25, of an Old Mine Fork Road, Burnsville address, charging him with felony possession of Methamphetamine and Marijuana, felony possession with the intent to sell and deliver Marijuana, and with maintaining a dwelling place to keep illegal drugs, also a felony. He was charged with illegal possession of Oxycodone, and possessing drug paraphernalia. According to Lt. Thomas Farmer of the Sheriff's Department, the illegal drugs were found during a search of the residence by Sgt. John Robinson and Deputy Mark Letterman while they were at the residence following up on stolen property and drug violations. Hall was released from the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 10,000.00 secured bond. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on December 11, 2007.

Dog Poisoned

11/20/2007 

McDowell resident Roger Reed found his eight year old dog Hugo eating hot dogs soaked green with anti-freeze Friday evening. Reed says within hours Hugo could no longer stand, was extremely sick, and reed was forced to put his best friend down. McDowell County animal control officers are investigating the incident.

Fire at Baxter’s - Update

Meeting Tonight at Harris Middle School

11/19/2007 

How will growth and development over the next 5-8 years change what Mitchell County will look like?? The next community meeting is scheduled for tonight (Monday, November 19th) at Harris Middle School from 7- 9pm. All residents and business owners in the county are invited to attend. If you have a question, or want more information, please call Charles Vines at 688-2139 ext. 311.Manager Chuck Vines comments. (click audio button above)

Obtaining Money by False Pretenses

11/16/2007 

Yancey Deputies have charged a Burnsville Roofer with fraud. William Raymond Cordova Jr., age 58, of a Johnnie Hills Road address is charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, a felony. According to Lt. Tom Farmer of the Sheriff’s Department, Cordova, who operated Cottage Roofing in Burnsville allegedly obtained in advance a payment of $33 hundred dollars from a Burnsville resident in July to construct a new roof on her home, the advance payment was to purchase materials and begin the roofing repair job. According to the home owner months passed, and after repeated attempts to contact the accused failed, she called the Sheriff’s Department. An investigation revealed that Cordova had purchased no materials and not initiated a plan to start the job and in fact had converted the money to his own use. Cordova was released from custody after posting bond. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court today.

Strengths, Challenges and Recommendations

11/15/2007 

Yancey Schools received their district accreditation visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools last week. Superintendent Dr. Tom Little talks about the strengths and challenges the Association recognized and their recommendations to improve the school systems operations. (click audio button above)

More Jobs Lost in Mitchell

11/14/2007 

More job losses for Mitchell County. Feldspar Corporation, on Altapass Road, in Spruce Pine will be shutting down following a buyout by Imerys, the parent company of KT Feldspar, also in Spruce Pine. Feldspar plant Manager Jerry Prosser said they will cease operations over the next six months. The shutdown will affect around 50 workers KT Feldspar officials said there would be some layoffs, but just how many was not known.

Seeking District Accreditation

11/14/2007 

Yancey Schools received their district accreditation visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools last week. Tomorrow, Dr. Little talks about the strengths and challenges the Association recognized and their recommendations to improve the school systems operations. Superintendent Dr. Tom Little comments. (click audio button above)

Gang Activity in McDowell

11/14/2007 

McDowell Deputies say recent vandalism is coming from gangs operating in the county. Residents who live along Old Catawba River Road have had their homes vandalized and cars broken into. Sheriff's officials in McDowell County say they are tracking several gangs, some with ties to national criminal activity. Investigators say one group has about 200 people in it, another has 100. Law enforcement says theses crimes range from petty to serious. Law officers say they are educating school teachers and administrators about gangs and how to recognize one. They warn citizens not to approach groups of people they believe are in a gang.

Additional Arrests in Recent Horse Larceny Cases

11/13/2007 

Back in September Yancey Deputies arrested Lonnie Dee Parker and charged him with stealing horses from pastures of Double Island Road and transporting them to Carter County Tennessee, where they were sold. The horses have been recovered. Deputies have made two more arrests in the case. Donny Dewayne Hensley, age 45, of a 197 North Green Mountain address has been charged with two counts of larceny of Horses and two counts of possession of stolen property, both felonies. And Stacey R. Holtsclaw, age 21, of a Sullins Branch Road, Spruce Pine address has been charged with two counts of felony possession of stolen property. The arrest was made after it was learned Holtsclaw was present with Parker and Hensley when they were in possession of the stolen horses. In addition Holtsclaw was present with Parker while the stolen horses were being transported from Yancey County to Tennessee.

Winter Weather Talk

11/13/2007 

Yancey County Emergency Management, in conjunction with the National weather Service, will conduct a combined Skywarn Spotter and Winter Weather training class tonight from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm, in the Courtroom of the Yancey County Courthouse in Burnsville. The free winter weather talk will cover topics such as winter weather in the mountains, the amount of snowfall the National Weather Service is predicting and why snowfall amounts can vary so much in the mountains. The training is free and open to the public. That’s tonight from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Courtroom of the Yancey County Courthouse in Burnsville. And because Yancey Commissioners may attend this meeting, their regular monthly meeting, scheduled for tonight has been re-scheduled for Tuesday, November 20th at 7 pm.

It’s Time to Move Forward

11/12/2007 

Spruce Pine will have a new mayor next month. Ralph Hise Jr., ran with no opposition during the recent election. He says growth is paramount and it’s time to move forward. Current mayor, Wes Foy did not seek another term. Also elected were incumbent council members Phillip Hise and Rocky Buchanan. Mayor-elect Ralph Hise Jr., comments. (click audio button above)

Arrest in Dynamite Theft

11/12/2007 

Madison County Deputies have arrested three people in connection with the explosives taken last July from the French Broad Electric Company in Marshall. Detectives say they found the items buried in the Mars Hill Area. 25 year old Kelly Shelton, 34 year old Bryan DeBruhl and 31 year old Ronnie Burleson face breaking and entering charges as well as possession of weapons of mass destruction. Law enforcement officials say these explosives could easily have gotten in the wrong hands. Deputies say one of the suspects has a background in construction and explosive work.

Humbled by Support

11/09/2007 

Burnsville’s new council member- elect Judy Buchanan says she’s humbled by the support she has received, she will serve a four-year term. Voters also elected incumbent Doyce McClure to a four-year term and Frank McFadden was elected to serve the two-year unexpired term of David Grindstaff, who resigned on July 5th. The swearing-in ceremony for Judy Buchanan, Doyce McClure and Frank McFadden will be December 6th in the Council meeting room on the 2nd floor of Town Hall at 6 pm. Judy Buchanan comments. (click audio button above)

Mitchell’s Prefect Christmas Tree Project Receives Grant

11/08/2007 

Mitchell County’s Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree Project has been notified they have received a $250-thousand grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation. Shelly Carver, Project Administrative Coordinator says they have not received the list of grant restrictions, but they do know the grant will allow them continue marketing and promotion of the project, and they will begin research on the development of a new “Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree product, but right now they’re not sure of the amount of funding earmarked for constriction. Shelly Carver, Project Administrative Coordinator comments. (click audio button above)

Williamson Returned to Custody of NCDOC

11/08/2007 

A Parole Commission Hearing was held in Yancey County on October 25th, to determine whether or not George Raeford "Bo" Williamson Jr., would be allowed to continue to be out of custody on bond for a pending felony assault charge or to determine if he should be returned to prison to continue serving a Life Sentence imposed in 1982 in Yancey County Superior Court for a conviction of Murder. After the hearing was completed, probable cause was found by the commission and it was ordered that Williamson be returned to the custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections. On October 30, 2007 Williamson appeared before Chief District Judge Alexander Lyerly and no action was taken on his pending felony assault charges. Williamson was arrested and charged on October 13th with allegedly striking a female, inflicting serious injury, resulting in multiple bone fractures to her head, eye, jaw and month. After his appearance in court, Williamson was taken to Central Prison in Raleigh where he will remain until further orders are made by the North Carolina Parole Commission. Williamson still faces prosecution on the Felony Assault charges which led to his parole revocation. The District Attorney will schedule the trial date for the assault allegations in December 2007.

Elections Results from Tuesday

11/07/2007

These numbers are un-official until certified by the state board of elections…

In Burnsville, four candidates were seeking two seats to serve four year terms and one candidate ran unopposed two year ynexpired term of David Grindstaff who resigned. Political newcomer Judy Buchanan received the most votes with 221, incumbent Doyce McClure was next with 153, William Fox, received 135 votes and Thomas Surber had 61. Buchanan & McClure will serve four year terms. Incumbent Council member Charles Gillespie did not run for re-election. Running unopposed for a 2-year term was Frank McFadden, he received 207.

In Spruce Pine, four candidates were seeking two seats on town council. Incumbents Phillip Hise and Rocky Buchanan will return for 2-year terns; Hise received 249, Buchanan received 214 votes. Two others running for council were John Penley Jr., he received 178 votes and Tommy Westall received 172. For Mayor, Ralph Hise Jr., was the only candidate on the ballot and he received 240 votes. Incumbent Mayor Wes Foy is not seeking another term.


In Bakersville, three candidates were seeking two seats on town council. Sue Ledford had 67 votes and Gregory Alan Morgan received 49 votes. Incumbent Charles Nash was defeated, his vote total was 46. Ledford and Morgan will serve two-year terms.

It’s Municipal Election Day

11/06/2007 

In Bakersville, three candidates are running for two council seats. The winners will serve two-years. The polling place is Bakersville’s Town Hall.

In Burnsville four candidates are running for two-seats which are four-year terms and since incumbent council member Charles Gillespie is not running for another term, Burnsville will have at least one new member when the ballots are counted tonight. And Frank McFadden who filed to run for the 2-year unexpired term of David Grindstaff who resigned his seat has already been appointed by council to fill his term and he has no opposition. The Polling place is Burnsville’s Town Hall

In Spruce Pine candidates have filed for Mayor and two council seats: Incumbent Mayor Wes Foy will not run for another term and the only candidate to file for mayor is Ralph Edward Hise Jr., so he faces no opposition. For Council, four candidates are running for two seats. Winners of both elections will serve 2-years. The polling place is Spruce Pine’s Town Hall.

The polls will be open until 7:30 pm.

Yancey Assists McDowell in Murder Investigation

11/05/2007 

A Marion man has been charged in the fatal assault of his girlfriend, who was found dead in her home near the Marion Moose Lodge. Joel Bernard Haley 55, of Moose Shady Lane, was arrested Wednesday October 31, 2007 and charged with Second Degree Murder in the death of Christine Suttles Benfield, age 41. Haley remains in the McDowell County Jail.

Around 1:15 p.m. on Saturday October 27, 2007, McDowell County Patrol Deputies and Paramedics were called to the couple's residence; they found the victim, deceased in her bed. Captain E. Dudley Greene of the McDowell County Sheriff's Office said Haley, Benfield's boyfriend made the discovery. According to Captain Greene, the initial investigation showed no obvious signs of foul play, but preliminary autopsy reports showed Benfiled died of head trauma.

On Monday October 29, 2007 Captain Greene asked Lt. Thomas Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department to assist in the interviewing process of Haley. The accused agreed to travel to Yancey County and meet with Lt. Farmer. During the interview process Haley admitted that he had in fact assaulted Benfield during a domestic dispute at their residence during the late hours of October 26 or early morning hours of October 27, 2007.

Captain Greene said the medical evidence obtained from the autopsy and the admission of physical harm inflicted on the victim by Haley prior to her death led to the arrest. H said alcohol likely played a role in the incident.

Battling Brush Fires

11/05/2007 

Yancey Firefighters have had a busy weekend; Sunday fire destroyed a home on Evans Road, off Jacks Creek, there were no injures….then last night, Yancey Communications dispatched fire units to a brush fire on McKinney Gap above Schronce Creek, fire burned about an acre and a cabin was destroyed and this morning they battled a brush fire on Banks Creek Road with concern for two structures in the area. No other details were available.

Election Tuesday

11/01/2007 

The municipal elections are coming up on Tuesday, November 6th

In Bakersville Sue Ledford, Gregory Alan Morgan, and incumbent Charles Nash have filed for two council seats. The winners will serve two-years. The polling place will be in Bakersville’s Town Hall.

In Burnsville four candidates are running for two-seats which are four-year terms. The candidates for the 4-year terms are Judy Buchanan, William Carter Fox, incumbent Doyce G McClure and Thomas W Surber. Incumbent Charles Gillespie is not seeking another term. Frank McFadden filed to run for the 2-year unexpired term of David Grindstaff who resigned his seat. McFadden was appointed by council to fill his term and he has no opposition for the two-year term. The Polling place will be in Burnsville’s Town Hall

In Spruce Pine candidates have filed for Mayor and 2 council seats: Incumbent Mayor Wes Foy will not run for another term and the only candidate to file for mayor is Ralph Edward Hise Jr., so he faces no opposition. For Council, four candidates are running for 2 seats. The candidates are incumbents Rocky Buchanan & Phillip Hise, and John Pendley Jr. and Tommy K Westall. Winners of both elections will serve 2-years. The polling place will be in Spruce Pine’s Town Hall.

The polls will be open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.

Yancey at the Top of the List

11/01/2007 

According to 2006 figures released by the NC Division of Tourism, Film & Sports Development, 17 counties in the state showed double digit increases in economic impact of tourism over 2005 with Yancey County at the top of the list with a 12.5% increase. According to Gwen Harris, director of the Yancey County Economic Development Commission said many factors contribute to the increase such as the Crafts fair, Parkway Playhouse, the Burnsville Town Center and the Quilt Trails Project. She said all of the factors have a trickle down impact on the County’s economy.

Life in Prison

11/01/2007 

A McDowell County murder is solved. Two years ago, in May 2005, two campers found the body of John Wilkerson at a campsite in the Vane Mountain area This week, that case was solved when Robert Ellis, age 39, pleaded guilty to shooting his neighbor. The judge sentenced Ellis to life in prison without parole.

Click Here To Visit Our Sister Radio Station

This page was last updated on Wednesday, 02 January 2008 02:53 PM