“eRecording” at Yancey County Register of Deeds

01/31/2008 

If you want to see government red tape blur away at the speed of a computer mouse click, just come to the Yancey County Courthouse on Monday Feb. 4th. Yancey County Register of Deeds Willoree Jobe and her staff will be conducting the first ever "eRecording" of an official Yancey County filing in their offices at 10 a.m. North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall, who has been a leader in bringing eRecording filing technology to the State will be attending the ceremonial kick-off of this new program. No stamps, envelopes, or even sheets of paper will be harmed in the making of this transaction as a filing moves from one place to another and is entered as a registered county document in the eRecording process. The first filing to be submitted to the Yancey County Register of Deeds Office on Monday will be what is called a "mortgage satisfaction" filing that shows a loan for real estate has been repaid in full. Willoree Jobe said "This is a way for government to become just as efficient and cutting-edge as any leading major corporation." Also, through this technology, Yancey County actually passes most of the other counties in North Carolina in terms of what we can do electronically." The process can save money as well for those using electronic transmission and for the government agency that has a system to accept the filings. North Carolina is considered a national leader in the effort to move routine government filing processes into the electronic age of doing business with the public more quickly. The Yancey County Register of Deeds Office joins its counterparts in only Johnston, New Hanover, and Wake counties in having such an electronic filing process available for public use at this time. However, several other counties are developing similar programs.

Talking Capital Improvements

01/30/2008 

Mitchell Schools and County Commissioners are scheduled to meet in early February to talk about capital improvements projects. Dr. Brock Womble, Superintendent of Mitchell County Schools comments. The school systems list of capital improvements includes possible construction of classrooms at Gouge Elementary and security needs systems. (click audio button above)

Bakersville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Receives FEMA Grant

01/28/2008 

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has awarded $2,043,024 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in the state of North Carolina. Bakersville’s Volunteer Fire & Rescue, has received $198,716 for operations and safety. Assistance to Firefighters Grant awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to fund or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles. Since 2001, nationwide over $3.3 billion in AFG funding has been distributed to fire departments and first responder organizations.

Dropout Prevention Grants Awarded

01/25/2008 

An initiative by the North Carolina General Assembly to help improve high school graduation rates in North Carolina has resulted in the awarding to sixty groups some $7 million in state grants. Mitchell High School is one of those recipients. The grants range in size from $25,000 to $150,000 and were awarded to school systems, schools, agencies and nonprofits. More than 300 groups applied for the grants. Mitchell High School was awarded a $95,032 grant. The recipients were selected by the recently formed Committee on Dropout Prevention. The new Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention and High School Graduation will evaluate the programs that receive grants and decide whether expanding or replicating them will improve graduation rates in the state. Mitchell High School’s grant will help students address social issues that can affect school success, including poverty, drug and domestic abuse, and pregnancy. The program will focus on students already identified in their Freshmen Leadership Academy, students who may fail a class, students with several discipline referrals, ESL students, and students who are experiencing social issues that may put them at-risk of dropping out. Also receiving grants in our region, Avery County Schools was awarded $148 thousand and McDowell County Schools received $132 thousand.

Parkway Section Closed

01/24/2008 

During recent repairs of the tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a geological problem was identified by the Park Service between mile marker 364 and 365, and this problem could affect the 2008 tourism season and could impact the area’s economy. Shirley Hise, the director of the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce wants to make it clear, the Parkway is not closed. She comments (click audio button above)

Eight Mitchell Teachers Nationally Certified

01/24/2008 

Eight Mitchell County School System teachers recently met the criteria to become nationally board certified. Superintendent of Schools Dr Brock Womble, the Superintendent of the Mitchell County School System says being nationally certified means you’re one of the best in the nation.The eight teachers to become nationally board certified are Sam Deyton, Tracy Deyton, Sarah Hobart, Angela Holtzclaw, Tamara Houchard, Dana Ledford, Felicia Spurling and Brandy Stockton. Dr. Womble comments. (click audio button above)

Developing a Master Plan

01/23/2008 

Spruce Pine’s Council is looking at developing a master plan for the Town. Richard Canipe, the Spruce Pine Manager comments. (click audio button above)

Fighting Illegal Drug Possession

01/22/2008 

Yancey Deputies have arrested William Molt Angel, age 42, of Erwin, Tennessee and charged him with felonious possession of marijuana with the intent to sell and deliver, maintaining a vehicle to transport illegal drugs, and felony possession of marijuana. Angel was released from the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 5,000.00 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on Friday. Also scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court Friday on charges of intent to sell and delivery drugs are Terry Tremane Geouge, age 27 of Micaville and Danny Ray Edwards, age 26, of Possum Trott Road in Burnsville, Edwards remains in jail, Geouge made bail. And on Sunday, January 20th, Deputies arrested Monica Quinn Sherlin, age 38, of Chestnut Mountain Road, in Spruce Pine, charging her felony selling and delivering schedule IV controlled substances and felony possession with intent to sell and delivery schedule IV controlled substances. Sherlin was released from in lieu of posting a $4,500.00 secured bond. She is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on February 18th.

Triple Murder in McDowell

01/21/2008 

People in the mountain community of Nebo, in McDowell County, are still in shock over the tragedy that happened on Friday morning. Stephen Buckner, age 50, is charged with three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and six counts of assault with a deadly weapon. The incident happened at Buckner's home on US 70 East in Nebo, about five miles east of Marion. Police say around 10am, Buckner shot his 25 year old daughter Rebecca, his live-in girlfriend, Vicki Lowry, and her daughter, 14 year old Chelsea Gregory. Another person, 21 year old Gina Edwards was also shot; she survived and was able to run to the home of a neighbor who called 911. When police arrived, they say Buckner fired at them, and officers fired back, wounding Buckner. He remains at Mission Hospitals under heavy guard, but his condition is unknown. Police are not releasing a possible motive in the shootings.

Council Considers Parking Ordinance

01/18/2008 

An on going problem in downtown Spruce Pine is parking; people who work downtown are leaving their vehicles parked in front of retail businesses all day and this means there is no parking spaces for shoppers. At this weeks Council meeting a first reading of an ordinance was read that gives police some enforcement measures to encourage these people to park in the town’s municipal parking lots located behind the Mitchell News Journal and next to the Carolina Theatre building. Spruce Pine Manager Richard Canipe comments. (click audio button above)

Still Time to Apply

01/18/2008 

Small businesses in ten Western North Carolina Counties including Ashe, Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey that were affected by record low temperatures and freeze that occurred April 4th thru April 11th, 2007, have until February 15th to file for federal economic injury disaster loans. The SBA’s disaster declaration was issued as a result of a similar action taken by the Secretary of Agriculture to help farmers recover from this disaster. Under this SBA declaration, the loan program is available to farm-related and non-farm related, small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered financial loss as a direct result of this disaster. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to the SBA. Interested businesses should call the SBA’s customer service center at 1-800-659-2955.

Mixed Bag

01/17/2008 

A mixed bag of precipitation is still to come through early afternoon. Meteorologist Terry Benthall with the NWS explains. (click audio button above)

Working Together

01/17/2008 

Spruce Pine and Mitchell County are working together to get funding for water extension from the town to Mitchell High School in Ledger. Chuck Vines, Mitchell County Manager comments. (click audio button above)

Woman Sentenced Life in Prison for Newland Murder

01/16/2008 

55-year-old Gloria Hughes Estes of Avery County has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Samuel Joe Roberson (age 59 at the time of his death) also of Avery County. Estes was charged and arrested in June 2005 near the town of Newland for Roberson's murder, who was found dead from a severe head trauma. Opening statements began Thursday January 10th and Prosecution lasted until late the next morning. The trial occurred in Mitchell County after Estes' Defense Attorney, Gary Triggs, sought out a change of venue last year. Although Estes did not confess to the 2005 murder of Samuel Roberson, the jury heard testimony from State Bureau of Investigation representatives as well as statements from Estes' fellow inmates.

B & E Charges

01/15/2008 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Ted M. Silvers 26, of Dam Road, Burnsville, on felony breaking & entering and larceny charges and possessing stolen property. Silvers remains in jail under a $ 9,000.00 secured bond. Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff's Department, said Silvers was found in possession of firearms stolen from a residence off of Fox Creek Road. More charges are likely to be filed against Silvers who is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. And, in an unrelated case, Deputies have arrested Jacob Brian Crain 30, of Jay Drive, Burnsville, and charged him with felony breaking & entering and larceny, possessing stolen property, injuring personal property and Possessing Firearms While Being a Convicted Felon. The charges stem from a criminal investigation into the illegal entry and removal of property including firearms from a residence off of NC 197 N in the Green mountain community of Yancey County. Crain was released from the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 25,000.00 secured bond. He scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on January 25, 2008.

Exceptional Drought Areas

01/15/2008 

Gov. Mike Easley on Monday, told water system managers from the state’s 30 most vulnerable communities they need to take certain actions now to make sure they will have adequate water supplies for their citizens during the long, hot summer if North Carolina’s historic drought continues. He called on these communities to set up interconnections to other water supplies, conduct water audits and adopt conservation based price structures to encourage citizens to conserve water. Sixty-seven counties have been listed in exceptional drought including Avery, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey. The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that federal disaster loans are available to small businesses located in North Carolina as a result of drought and high temperatures throughout this year. The Loan program is available to farm and non farm-related small-business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered financial losses from the weather. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply, but nurseries are. Eligible small businesses may qualify for loans up to $1.5 million. The loans are available at a 4 % interest rate with terms of 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 on each applicant's financial condition. (To get more details on the SBA loans return to our homepage)

Outstanding Bill

01/14/2007 

Burnsville’s Town Council has asked their attorney Jack Wilson, to speak with officials of Mountain Air to straighten out an outstanding bill in connection with past connections into the town’s sewer system. Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh explains. (click audio button above)

What’s Next?

01/14/2008 

Back in October of last year, a series of seven community meetings began to get input from Mitchell County Citizens on how they want the county to grow & change over the next 5-8 years. Assisting the county in conducting these meetings was Dr. Garry Cooper, of Appalachian State University. Those meeting have been completed, Chuck Vines, Mitchell County Manager, explains what’s next. (click audio button above)

Two Injured in Crash

01/11/2007 

Two people were injured after a head-on collision Wednesday evening on January 9th on NC-80 south near the entrance to Hickory Springs. According to the NC Highway Patrol, Randy Aaron Hughes, age 51, of Burnsville was driving his vehicle northbound when he crossed the centerline and crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by Cas Eugene Thomas, age 67, of Burnsville. Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles. Both victims were taken to the Hospital. Hughes was taken by helicopter to Mission Hospitals in Asheville and Thomas was taken to Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. The condition of the two victims has not been released. Hughes was charged with DWI, left of center and failure to wear a seatbelt. Trooper JD Carver was the investigating officer.

Yancey Tax Listing Extended

01/11/2008 

Yancey County has extended the tax listing period for 60 days through March 31st. John Renfro, Chairman of the Yancey County Commission explains. (click audio button above)

Classroom on Wheels

01/10/2008 

Building early education skills is becoming more and more important for kids entering kindergarten, to answer this need Yancey Schools is working on providing a classroom on wheels to go into the rural areas to provide this experience for children. Spearheading the project is Marsha McKinney, a kindergarten teacher at Burnsville Elementary; she says it’s extremely important that children, 3 & 4 years old have some type of pre-school experience. You can hear more about the “Classroom on Wheels,” and how you can support education in Yancey County tomorrow (Friday) on our “Community Close-up” feature here on WKYK, and our web site wkyk.com. Marsha McKinney comments. (click audio button above)

Yancey County School Needs

01/09/2008 

Yancey Commissioners and the County’s School Board met recently to discuss education needs for the future. John Renfro, Chairman of the Yancey County Commission  comments. (click audio button above)

Pay Plan & Personnel Policy in Mitchell

01/09/2008 

Mitchell Commissioners have voted to implement a pay plan and personnel policy for County employees. Chuck Vines, Mitchell County Manager comments. (click audio button above)

Fire Destroys Mobile Home

01/09/2008 

A father and his son are without a home following a fire that destroyed their mobile home on Rector Corner, in Madison County. Firefighters say an oil barrel next to the mobile home exploded, and the flames quickly spread. No one was home at the time. The explosion and fire happened at about 12:30 Tuesday afternoon. If you can help out with clothing or donations, call Pauline Malone at 828-206-0104.

Sex Charges against Madison High Staffer

01/09/2008 

According to Madison Sheriff John Ledford, a Madison County High School staff member is facing sex charges. Christopher Jenkins, age 34, who oversaw the school’s In-School Suspension Program, allegedly had consensual sex with a female student, off campus. He was released Tuesday night on $12,000 bond. Jenkins' arrest comes a month after another Madison staffer, PE teacher and coach Chad Draper was put on administrative leave with pay, for allegedly showing a pornographic video clip on a cell phone, to another female student. The sheriff says the two cases are not related.

Roof Leak Causes Damage to Town Center

01/08/2008 

Last weeks very cold weather may have caused a leak in the roof of Burnsville’s Town Center. Mayor Danny McIntosh explains. (click on audio above )

Barn/Apartment Fire

01/07/2008 

A fire call this morning, to the upper end of Jacks Creek in Yancey County, sent units to Valle Drive off of Patterson Branch Road The structure was a barn with an Apartment on top. Firefighters were able to save the barn but the Apartment appears to be a loss. The fire was brought under control at around 8 am. No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported. Fire and emergency units from West Yancey, Burnsville, Clearmont and Double Island were called to the scene. Newdale Fire Department was on standby for Burnsville. Yancey Communications said the call came in at 7:30 am

Grants for Library Expansion

01/07/2008 

Yancey County’s Library Expansion project has received two grants; one a $100 thousand Janirve Foundation, the second is from the Cannon Foundation in the amount of $50 thousand. Both grants are earmarked for interior renovations of the historic Yancey Collegiate Institute Building located in the historic school circle district between the Parkway Playhouse and Yancey County Schools Administration offices, in Burnsville. The cost of the project is $2.7 million. The grant from the Janirve Foundation is a dollar-for-dollar match which means for every dollar raised for the project, Janirve will match up to $100 thousand. To find out how you can contribute, call 682-2600.

Still the Centerpiece

01/07/2008 

Although the economic playing field is changing, officials in McDowell County say manufacturing will always by the centerpiece of their economic development plan. Chuck Abernathy, the McDowell County Manager comments. . In late 2007, a new company announced plans to locate in McDowell and an existing company announced plans to expand. Over 300 new hundred jobs will be crated by theses companies. (click audio button above)

McHenry Hosts Housing Seminar

01/04/2008 

North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) will host a Homeownership Promotion and Foreclosure Prevention Seminar this Monday, January 7th at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. In a news release from McHenry’s office, the seminar is designed to give Western North Carolina families an opportunity to receive expert advice on a range of housing issues. It will begin with a roundtable discussion of housing issues, featuring Congressman McHenry, the HOPE NOW Alliance and NeighborWorks America, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the North Carolina Housing Coalition, and the Olive Hill Community Economic Development Corporation. The news release goes on to say millions of Americans will be impacted by the nationwide downturn in the housing sector, and according to the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, more than 45,000 small businesses and households faced foreclosure in North Carolina last year, including nearly 5,190 in the ten counties comprising the Tenth Congressional District. Those numbers are projected to rise in the coming year.

Charged with Selling Drugs

01/04/2008 

Yancey County Deputies have arrested William Doris "Doober" Byrd Jr. age 31, of a Depot Street, Burnsville address and charged him with one count of felonious possession of Cocaine and one count of possessing with the intent to sell & deliver Cocaine. Byrd was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 4,000.00 secured bond. And Yancey Deputies have arrested Melinda Clemens, age 41, of NC Hwy 80 South and charged her with one count of Selling Hydrocodone. Clemens was taken before a Yancey county Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Jail after posting a $ 2,000.00 secured bond. Both Clemens and Byrd are scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on January 25, 2008.

Winter Weather Hits the Mountains

01/02/2008 

Snow, high wind, cold temperatures and wind chill; our region continues under a storm warning, Patrick Moore with the National Weather Service comments on what we can expect today. (click audio button above)

New Yancey Senior Center Update

01/02/2008 

A committee formed to look at ways of getting a new Yancey County Senior Center gave Commissioners an update at their December meeting. John Renfro, Chairman of the Yancey County Commission comments. (click audio button above)