Search Continues
06/30/2008
A massive search and rescue effort is continuing for an elderly woman who wandered away from McDowell House, an assisted living home in Nebo, in McDowell County. Authorities issued a Silver Alert on Sunday morning for 63-year-old Nancy Hawkins. Investigators say McDowell House employees noticed Hawkins was missing Sunday morning, when she didn't show up to set the table. McDowell County Sheriff's Deputies believe Hawkins wandered away, but not far because she's easily winded. They're especially concerned about Hawkins' safety, since she missed her morning dose of medication for seizures. Hawkins also suffers from dementia. Hawkins was last seen wearing lime green pants, with a striped shirt. She also has on white shoes with Velcro straps. If anyone has seen Hawkins, call the McDowell County Sheriff's Office at (828) 652-4000.
Intermountain to Provide Child Care
06/30/2008
Recently Region D. Child Care Development Inc announced plans to close their facilities in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties by the end of June. Their basic reason-more money was going out than coming in and it was time to close. Closing these facilities would create a hardship on many families in the communities. Mitchell County has reached an agreement with Intermountain Children’s Services to take over operations of the Bakersville facility on July 1st. (Chuck Vines, the Mitchell County Manager. comments.) Meanwhile in Yancey County, Region D Child Care has agreed to continue operations at the Bald Creek Child Development Center Through Friday July 11th. On Monday July 14th Intermountain Children Services will begin operating the Bald Creek Center. (Michele Lawhern, the Yancey County Manager comments.) At this time Intermountain Children Services will be serving children between the ages of 3-5. Opportunities for child care service delivery in other age groups are being explored. (click video button above)
More Information to DV Victims
06/27/2008
NC Governor Mike Easley has signed a bill giving domestic violence victims more information. David Pike with Mitchell County Safeplace comments. A part of the law is to study a statewide automated notification system for persons with domestic violence protective orders. The law becomes effective July 1st. If you’re in a domestic violence situation, call the Family Violence Coalition in Yancey County at 682-0056, in Mitchell County call Safeplace at 765-4044.(click audio button above)
Rutherford County Shooting
06/27/2008
A 15 month old girl has died after being shot in her Rutherford County home. Witnesses say they saw the girl's father, Andy Rhodes, outside the home crying with the child in his arms. Emergency crews arrived and took her to Rutherford County hospital with a gunshot wound to the torso. She died a few hours later. Investigators say Rhodes was the only person home at the time of the shooting. He has not been charged with a crime, and police did not take anyone into custody. Detectives won't say what type of firearm killed the child. And forensics teams were called in to investigate the scene. Investigators say they have contacted the district attorney's office.
New Faces on Yancey BOE
06/25/2008
There will be three new faces on the Yancey County Board of Education. In Tuesday’s non-partisan runoff election Yancey citizens voted for a change by voting two incumbent members off the board. The winners are Shelia Pate Ramsey with 1389 votes and Bill Whiteside with 1253. Incumbents Randy Banks Randy received 616 votes and Elaine Boone with 348. Elected in the May primary was Rhonda Boone. Meanwhile democrats voted for Mary Donnan for NC Commissioner of Labor, she received 513 and her opponent John Brooks had 450 votes. Donnan won statewide and will face incumbent Labor Commissioner, Republican Cherie Berry in the November Election. Mitchell democrats voted for Donnan, she received 28 votes and Brooks received 11 votes.
Marion Votes for Beer & Alcohol in Restaurants
06/25/2008
Marion voters have voted to allow city restaurants to sell beer & liquor. The totals are unofficial, but 53% of voters cast their ballot in favor of the two ballot questions. Many restaurants owners have said they will start today to apply for their beer & liquor licenses.
Former Madison Teacher Convicted
06/25/2008
Twenty-nine-year-old Chad Vance Draper, age 29, of Fairview, a former teacher and coach at Madison High School has been convicted of disseminating pornography to a minor. The girl, a minor at the time testified Draper showed her the video on his cell phone in an office on the school gymnasium. She testified she didn’t ask to see the video and in made her uncomfortable. A Madison detective also testified that Draper had admitted showing the girl a video of a couple having sex. District Judge Bill Leavell sentenced Draper to 30 days in jail and to serve 18 months of probation and the judge said Draper must not have contact with minors or pornography. Draper also must wear an electronic tracking device during home arrest for six months.
Runoff Election-Today
06/24/2008
Today is runoff day for two seats on the Yancey County Board of Education runoff election. On the Ballot in the non-patrician race are four candidates running for two seats: Randy Banks, Elaine Boone, Sheila Pate Ramsey and Bill Whiteside. Democratic voters will also choose between Mary Donnan and John Brooks in the race for NC Commissioner of Labor. All polling places in the county are now open and will remain open until 7:30 pm. Listen for election returns right here and on our web sites: wkyk.com and wtoe.com. And polls are open in Mitchell for that democratic nomination for the post NC Commissioner of Labor. Mitchell County officials urge you to get out and vote. Polls are open until 7:30.
O’Dears’s Remains Closed
06/24/2008
A favorite Marion eatery remains closed today as more salmonella cases are reported. O’Dear’s Country Diner closed over this past weekend after salmonella poisoning cases were linked to the diner. The restaurant cleaned up and did open for a brief period Monday and then closed after more salmonella poisoning case were reported. McDowell Health Department officials say 9 cases of the illness have been reported with at least 5 cases linked with O’Dear’s. According to McDowell Health Department officials at least three people have been hospitalized after being infected from the bacteria, none were in critical condition. Investigators are still trying to figure out the source of the salmonella, but they do know that tomatoes are not to blame.More Cases Of Salmonella Linked to Marion Restaurant (06/23/08) Many customers say they can't wait for her to reopen. Health officials say the restaurant can reopen after staff members are found not to be infected with the bacteria. Salmonella can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and headaches. If you have these symptoms see a doctor and notify your local health department.
Warnings Remain in Place
06/24/2008
Two weeks after high levels of fecal matter was found in the Cane River, Toe River Health District officials say things have improved a little but are continuing to warn people not to swim or wade in an 11-mile stretch of the river downstream from the Burnsville Wastewater Treatment Plant. According to Roy Davis, an environmental engineer with the NC Division of Water Quality plant operators have not found a definite source of the waste that has been damaging the treatment plant, but the waste has not been seen for a few weeks. Sampling of the water last week found levels of the bacteria were dropping as it moved further from the treatment plant.
Death by Tick Bite
06/23/2008
The Mitchell Community of Estatoe is mourning the loss of a teenager who died of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever believed to be caused by a tick bite. 17 year old Ethan Robinson died Sunday June 15th. The family says the illness spread quickly after they took him to the emergency room on Friday the 13th. He was given antibiotics and sent home. On Saturday, Ethan complained of pain, a sore throat and severe rash. His family says they believe doctors did all they could to save their son.
Food Poisoning
06/23/2008
McDowell County health officials say five cases of salmonella poisoning have been traced back to O'Dear's Country Diner in Marion and there could be more. They don't know an exact source of the bacteria at this time. The restaurant's owner, Lois O'Dear voluntarily closed the business last Thursday after hearing the news. She says she threw everything away and cleaned the place top to bottom. O'Dear has been given permission to reopen today. Salmonella can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and headaches. If you have these symptoms see a doctor and notify your local health department.
One Stop Voting Ends Saturday
06/19/2008
One Stop voting for the Yancey County Board of Education runoff election continues through Saturday. The Week day hours are 8:30am to 5:00pm. Saturday from 8:30am to 1:00pm will be the final chance for One Stop voting which is being held in the Board of Election office in the Yancey County Courthouse. On the Ballot there will be four candidates, Randy Banks, Elaine Boone, Sheila Pate Ramsey and Bill Whiteside. Two of the Four will be elected to the school board. Democrat voters will also choose between Mary Fant Donnan and John C. Brooks in the Commissioner of Labor Race. The runoff election will be June 24th. All polling places in the county will be open from 6:30am to 7:30pm.
Highway Patrol Trooper Fatally Shot
06/18/2008 
A North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper, 24 year old David Blanton Jr., was shot twice and killed late Tuesday during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 in Haywood County. Law Enforcement officers have charged Edwardo Wong II age 37 with First Degree Murder in the death of Trooper Blanton. According to police reports, Blanton stopped a vehicle towing a passenger car operated by Wong when he was fatally shot. Blanton later died at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Law enforcement officials stopped Wong soon after the shooting incident and located narcotics and weapons in Wong's vehicle, one of which was Trooper Blanton's weapon. Wong, who already has a lengthy criminal record, is being held in the Haywood County Jail without bail. Blanton, who was from Cherokee, was a two-year veteran of the patrol. He was married and had one child.
Two McDowell County Men Arrested for Child Abduction
06/13/2008
Two McDowell men have been charged with child abduction, a felony. Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Manuel Tehandon Juarez age 23 and Ramiro Ambrosio Juarez age 20, both Marion and charged them each with one count of Felonious Abduction of a Minor Child. According to Lt. Tom Farmer a 13 year old female child was placed in the custody of her uncle who lives in Yancey County on June 1st by McDowell County Social Services. The placement was made in an effort to keep the child safe and with proper family members after offenses against the child had been made in McDowell County. At approximately 10:30 p.m. on June 5th Manuel and Ramiro Juarez drove to Yancey County, located the female and removed her from the custody of her uncle without legal consent. The incident was immediately reported to the Sheriff's Department and efforts to locate the female were initiated. At about 9:00 a.m. on June 6th the child was located in Burke County. She was taken into protective custody and the two Juarez men were located and taken into custody and transported back to Yancey County where they were served with arrest warrants. Both men are in jail under $10 thousand secured bond. Lt. Farmer stated that the two men are not related to the child victim and were prohibited from having any contact with her at the time of the offense. The Marion men are scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on June 30th.
Caught, on the Run from the Law
06/13/2008
A Greenville S.C. man, Bryan Keith Jennings, age 42, on the run from the law was arrested on June 6th by Mitchell County Chief Deputy Donald Street and Deputy Richard Hoilman at a residence in the Buladean community. Mr. Jennings waived extradition and was transported back to Greenville. In S.C. he was wanted on a probation violation for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine near a school and grand larceny.
Sex Offender Sentenced
06/12/2008
On November 18, 2007 Edward Paul Gurley, age 39, of Burnsville was arrested by Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies and charged with (3) counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Minor Female Child. On Monday June 2, 2008 Gurley appeared in Yancey County Superior Court with his attorney and pled guilty to the offenses. Judge Ronald K. Payne of Asheville, NC sentenced Gurley to an active sentence of no less than 19 months and no more than 23 months in the North Carolina Department of Corrections. The Judge ordered that upon his release from prison Gurley register as a sex offender and be monitored for a period of three years by a satellite based monitoring system. In addition Gurley will be on Intensive Probation for a period of 6 months upon his release from prison and an additional 4 1/2 years of Supervised Probation to follow. He was ordered to attend and complete the Sex Offender Treatment Program. Finally Gurley was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with any minor child under the age of 18 years. Judge Payne advised Gurley that after his release from prison that if he were to violate any part of his sentence he would be returned to the North Carolina Department of Corrections and serve an active term of no less than 38 months. No other criminal charges are pending against Gurley.
Storms Bring Rough Weather
06/11/2008
Storms on Tuesday brought some relief after nearly a week of record-breaking temperatures, but many areas of the mountains received heavy rain, thunder & lighting, hail and high wind. The rain came down quick and caused motorists to have problems & some areas lost power, but there were no reports of any major damage.
Growing Pot
06/11/2008
Mitchell Deputies have arrested Daniel Ray Lemons, age 20, and Janet L. Ramsey, age 33, both from the same address in Bakersville on charges of manufacturing marijuana. A total of 5 marijuana plants were discovered growing near the edge of the yard approximately 30 yards from the residence. This is the first marijuana plants seized this year by the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office. The marijuana had not been planted very long and was only a few inches high. There was a worn path leading from the house to the plants. Deputies Richard Hoilman and Chad Thomas were at the residence on June 8th, searching for a wanted individual when they located the marijuana plants. Lemons and Ramsey were each released on a $ 3,000.00 secured bond and are scheduled to appear in court on June 13th.
Working on Budget
06/11/2008
Burnsville’s Town Council continues to work on next year’s budget, Mayor Danny McIntosh comments. (click on audio button above)
Not the Choking Game
06/10/2008
A tragic end to a 12 year old Mitchell County boy’s life on Saturday when he was found hanging from a noose — the Sheriff’s Department doesn’t think his death was from the “choking game.” According to the Sheriff Department the boy was apparently playing a joke he often played, pretending to be dead hanging from a noose, but this time he lost his footing. Sheriff Ken Fox explains (hear audio). The Sheriff said its not clear if the boys parents knew the boy had played this game before. The boy’s name is not being released, he attended Tipton Hill Elementary and the tragedy of his death has touched many in the Pigeon Roost area of Green Mountain where the family lived. (click audio button above)
Stay Alert
06/10/2008
Over the weekend the Toe River Health District issued a heath advisory prohibiting swimming or wading in the Cane River downstream from the Burnsville Waste Water Treatment. The states Division of Water Quality has found elevated fecal levels in the water. The plant has been trying to find the source of the contaminate that’s been getting into the system since April and now Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh has put the Police Department and town employees on alert to be looking for anything suspicious. (click on audio button above)
Health Advisory
06/09/2008
The Toe River Health District has issued a health advisory. Because of the continuing problems at the Burnsville Waste Water Treatment Plant, swimming or wading in the Cane River downstream from the Treatment Plant will not be permitted until further notice. Some type of toxic waste continues to come into the plant system and because of potential for pollution of the river; authorities with the Yancey County Department and the Toe River Health District have issued this health advisory.
Bomb Hoax
06/09/2008
On Friday June 6th at approximately 1:00 p.m. employees of Alpha-Omega Mental Health located off of Pensacola Road received notification by U.S. Mail that there was a bomb on the property. Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Personnel were advised immediately and an immediate evacuation of the premises occurred. Lt. Thomas L. Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department, Burnsville Police Chief Galen McMahan and officers with the Police Department arrived on scene and conducted a search of the premises. The Sheriff's Department of Emergency Services K-9 Unit trained in the detection of explosives assisted in the search and no items were located. An investigation into the incident revealed that Scott Brentin Stansberry, age27, formerly of Ivy Street, in Burnsville, was responsible for generating the threat. Stansberry is being detained in Buncombe County Jail and that Federal authorities are assisting local law enforcement in criminal charges since the United States Mail service was used in the offense. Lt. Farmer stated that the incident was handled very well by Alpha -Omega personnel and employees were able to return to work by 4:00 p.m. Assisting local law enforcement in this incident were Yancey Co. Ambulance Personnel and Burnsville Fire Department Members.
Making Tough Decisions
06/09/2008
Operating a business means making tough decisions. Dr. Tom Little, Superintendent of Yancey Schools says the school system has to be run like a business and that means making tough decisions too (hear Dr. Little's comment)Ten teaching contracts and the contract of the principal at Micaville Elementary were not renewed. (click audio button above)
Honeymooners Jailed
06/06/2008
Newlyweds from Marion are spending their honeymoon in jail. On Tuesday, Officers from the McDowell Sheriff’s Department arrested 20 year old James and Lindsay Hobbs, both age 20, along with 25 year old David Jones also of Marion. All three face charges of breaking into another guest’s hotel room at the Sportsman Inn where they were staying, then attacking and stealing from a guest. Investigators say David Jones held down Ronnie Haney while James Hobbs cut him with a knife and strangled him. McDowell Detective David Shook says they accused Haney of stealing prescription medication from Jones, the victim denied having their medication. Detectives found some of the victim’s stolen property in the suspect’s possession including a knife that was believed to be used during the assault. Haney is okay. He did not require medical attention. All three suspects remain in jail in McDowell County.
More Charges
06/06/2008
More charges have been filed against Chad Draper, age 29, of Fairview. Draper is the former Madison High School teacher and coach who was charged in December with showing pornographic material to a high school student. The new charges are decimating harmful materials to minors. He was released from jail after posting a $12 thousand secured bond. In December Draper was accused of showing a pornographic video on his cell phone to a student. Reportedly at the time that he arrested Draper’s cell phone had a pornographic video clip still on it. According to Madison County Detectives these new charges are similar to the December accusations. Draper has a June 24th court date.
Problems Continue
06/05/2008
Problems continue at Burnsville’s Waste Water Treatment Plant: (Roy Davis, with the NC Division of Water Quality comments. Meanwhile Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh is asking for help, he comments. (click audio button above)
One Stop Voting Begins Today in Yancey
06/05/2008
One Stop voting starts today in Yancey County for the Board of Education runoff election. The voting place is the Board of Elections office on the first floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. One Stop hours are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Weekdays (Monday-Friday) the last day for one-stop voting will be Saturday June 21st and the hours will be 8:30 am – 1:00 pm. On the ballot there will be four candidates running for two seats on the Yancey County Board of Education. The candidates are, in alphabetical order: Randy Banks, Elaine Boone, Shelia Pate Ramsey and Bill Whiteside!! The runoff election will be June 24th, and all polling places in the county will be open from 6:30 am – 7:30 pm.
Chamber comments on Sections of Parkway Remaining Close
06/04/2008
It was announced recently that repairs to a collapsed retaining wall on a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway are taking longer than expected. A section between Milepost 355 at Mount Mitchell State Park to Milepost 367 near Craggy Picnic Area will remain closed until repairs are finished in spring of 2009. Shirley Hise, with the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce said: “The Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce remains concerned about the closure of the Parkway and about the potential impact on Parkway communities and businesses, especially those that have already been hard hit in these challenging economic times. We recognize that the decision made by the Park Service was a difficult one, and we look forward to the reopening and return to normality.” The Parkway announcement stated the state park will remain accessible from the northeast.
Charged with Assault
06/04/2008
Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Antonio Gomez Camacho 24, of Burnsville, North and charged him with two counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, two counts of Assault on A Female and two counts of Injury To Personal Property. The arrest was made after Camacho assaulted other male and female persons with a knife during an altercation at a location off of Pine Swamp Road. Camacho remains in the Yancey County Jail under a $ 2,000.00 secured bond. Camacho is scheduled to appear in Yancey County Jail on June 10, 2008.
WTZQ Now Part of Mark Media
06/03/2008
WKYK and WTOE have a new radio station “Sister” in Western North Carolina with the purchase of WTZQ in Hendersonville, according to Michael Sink, Chief Operating Officer of the Mark Media Group. Mark Warwick, who has been with the company since joining the staff in 1995 at WISE in Asheville, has been named General Manager of WTZQ. The station, like WKYK and WTOE, will focus on service to the community….Also; the FCC gave final approval in early May to the purchase of Houston Broadcasting Corp. By J. Ardell and Remelle K. Sink. Mark Media and affiliated companies are headquartered in Burnsville, North Carolina.
It’s Tick Season
06/03/2008
With warm weather here, we remind you to be alert for ticks. April – October is generally regarded at “tick season.” Ticks can carry dangerous diseases. The dog tick is the most common tick that transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which should be treated early to prevent getting sick. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most common tick-borne disease seen in North Carolina. Officials with the Mitchell County Health Department suggest when outdoors in the woods, wear one piece clothing. Cover your feet and ankle area; regularly check your body for ticks. Ticks usually linger around taller grass. It’s suggested you wear long sleeves; long pants and insect repellant are good ways to keep them off. And never use dog collars on humans or give dog medicine humans. If you are bitten, wash the area with alcohol and see a doctor.
P.O. Box 744
