(Left Click Audio Button to Listen - Right Click Audio Button to Save File)

More Troopers on the Roads this Weekend

07/03/2009 

The North Carolina Highway Patrol is urging motorists to watch your speed and don’t drink and drive this 4th of July weekend. Most times the 4th falls on a weekday and that means fewer drunk driver because they have to go to work the next day, (audio from Patrol spokesman Captain Everett Clendenin) but this year the 4th is on Saturday and that Troopers concerned. Last year 8-people died on North Carolina highway during the holiday weekend. (to hear Captain Clendenin comment click audio button above)

Drug Raid in McDowell

07/03/2009

Police in McDowell County raid a home and find cocaine and cash. Timothy Boyce & Megan Grant have been charged with various offenses including possession of a controlled substance. The raid turned up 22 grams of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, numerous pain pills, drug paraphernalia and more than $6-thouand in cash. Authorities said they have been investigating Boyce in connection illegal drug activity since before 1998.

Filing Opens in Burnsville Town Election

07/03/2009

On November 3rd Burnsville residents will be voting for candidates for mayor and two council seats. The filing period for this election opens Monday July 6th and continues through noon on Friday July 17th. The Elections Office is in the courthouse, room #9. For more information call 682-3950.

Boys Back Home Safe

07/03/2009

Two young boys were found safe Thursday after they went missing from the Shelton Laurel area of Madison County earlier in the day. Search crews with dogs combed the very rural part of the county near the Tennessee State line. According to a neighbor, the boys ten year old Brent Cutshall & his six year old brother Gabe said they were going to live off the land. They apparently knew what they were talking about because when they were found late Thursday afternoon they said they marked trees with a knife so as to not get lost. The kids said they heard search crews calling for them and decided they should leave the woods and return home and that’s what they did as rescuers found the boys walking down the road.

Out on Bond for Medical Reasons

07/02/2009

The woman accused of giving a Yancey County man a lethal dose of methadone is out of jail. Carolyn Shade was released after posting a reduced bond. Yancey County authorities say Shade, while in jail, was hospitalized with a serious & contagious medical condition. The illness requires frequent medical attention and quarantine from jail staff and other inmates, things they could not provide. After talking with the District Attorney and with the courts approval, her bond was reduced. As a part of her temporary release from jail, Shade must check-in daily with law enforcement. Her next court date is July 21st. Detectives arrested Carolyn Shade on April 10th of this year on second degree murder charges. They say she provided 25 year old Kelly Rathburn with methadone. Rathburn died last Easter from an overdose.

McHenry Makes Presentation

07/02/2009

Congressman Patrick McHenry was at the Frank Volunteer Fire Department in Bakersville on Wednesday to present a $199,500 check to Chief Bill Buchanan. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant was awarded to Bakersville Volunteer Fire Department by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funds will be used to purchase a new fire engine.

Cutting Expenses

07/01/2009

In an effort to save local money, beginning July 10th – August 7th, Mayland Community College and all satellite campuses will be going to a four-day work week with extended daily hours Monday- Thursday and will be closed on Fridays. The college will also be closed this Friday, July 3rd for the Independence Day national holiday. Mayland is using this time as a test to see how the college’s services to students are affected, if at all. The college does not expect to move to this schedule for the fall and spring semesters, but if the state economy does not improve, a four-day operating schedule, among other strategies, could be used to save money. Mayland Community College receives operating funds from Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties that are earmarked to pay for utilities, building and grounds, general maintenance, security, and housekeeping services. Closing on Fridays will cut expenses in some of these areas. Registration and advising for the Fall Semester will be held July 6-24, excluding Fridays. Mayland will be open Friday, August 14, to prepare for Late Registration for the fall semester that will be held on August 17.

Spruce Pine Adopts Budget

06/30/2009

Spruce Pine’s Council adopted their budget for the fiscal year 2009-2010 last night. Revenues expected to be around $1.7 million. The tax rate was set at $0.37 Per $100 evaluation.

Big Financial Boost 

06/30/2009 

Restoration plans for the Joseph McDowell House, in Marion has received a big financial boost from the National Park Service, the agency will pay the $15-thousand bill for restoration plans for the house. Once the plan is in place, the restoration committee will hire an architect from Winston Salem to do the actual work The Joseph McDowell House is certified as an official site on the celebrated “Over Mountain Victory National Historic Trail.”

Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker

06/30/2009

State and local law enforcement officers will be out in full force over the Fourth of July holiday as part of the “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign. Checkpoints and stepped-up patrols will run through Sunday, July 5, across the state in an effort to remove impaired drivers from the roads. There were 377 alcohol-related crashes, 322 with injuries and 12 that resulted in fatalities, over the Independence Day week last year. Officers charged more than 1,900 North Carolina motorists with driving while impaired during the 2008 “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign. More than 5,700 stepped-up patrols and checkpoints were held. N.C. D.O.T will suspend most road construction activities over the Independence Day holiday to help ease traffic delays and improve driving conditions throughout the state.

Consumers Urged to Dispose of Recalled Refrigerated Cookie Dough

06/29/2009

Local health officials in the Toe River Health District (TRHD - Avery, Mitchell, & Yancey County Health Departments) urge consumers to examine their refrigerators for pre-packaged Nestle Toll House cookie dough products that have been recalled nationwide for possible contamination with E. coli bacteria, and dispose of them properly. The products involved in the voluntary recall include all varieties of Nestlé Toll House refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub; Cookie Dough Tube; Limited Edition Cookie Dough items; Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. A complete list of recalled product varieties can be found at www.verybestbaking.com., or call 1-800-559-5025. Jesse Greene, TRHD Health Director, said. “There have been two cases of E. coli illness reported in association with this recall in our state. The warning is based on an ongoing outbreak investigation conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, other federal partners and state health departments. Since March 2009 there have been 70 reports of related or associated illness across 30 states. If you have any recalled, prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products, it is best to just throw them away. Even cooking the dough is not recommended because consumers might get the bacteria on their hands and on other cooking surfaces.

It’s a Miracle

06/26/2009 

Two very young children survived a cold night alone on Roan Mountain and rescuers are calling it a miracle. Six year old Alex Suddeath and his sister four year old Heidi Suddeath were found just after noon Thursday, they were safe and uninjured. Alex & Heidi had wondered away from their parents in a parking area near Roan Mountain Wednesday afternoon and that was last time they were seen for almost 24-hours. Rescuers found them in a cove below one of the parking areas on Roan Mountain near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Nearly 100 rescue workers from 28-agencies worked until midnight looking for the children, and found nothing. The search resumed Thursday morning and shortly after noon they found a pair of shoes and not too far away the children in a thicket (audio from Bradley Washburn with the Ashford-North Cove Fire Department in McDowell County.) It was a tearful reunion for the parents and the children, Ricky Suddeath said thank the lord for being with us and getting to see them again. The children had huddled together near a log overnight and rescuers say that’s probably what saved them. Temperatures had dropped into the upper 40’s and with a wind chill that fell into the 30’s. After the kids were checked out, the parents and the children left for home in Tennessee. (click audio button above to hear comment from Bradley Washburn)

Mitchell Adopts Budget

06/26/2009

Mitchell Commissioners adopted the county’s Fiscal-Year 2009-2010 budget Thursday in a special meeting at the County’s Administration Office in Bakersville. The budget totals $16,223,177 for all county operations, capitol improvements and debt service requirements. The 2009-2010 is balanced with a tax rate of $0.44 per $100 valuation with conservative estimates in both revenues and expenses. The current revaluation estimates for real property is $1,515,838,600. The prior property value was $1,091,748,829. (The Mitchell County Board of Education is allotted $2,046,571.00)

Burnsville Adopts Budget

06/26/2009

Burnsville’s Council adopted the Town’s Fiscal Year budget for 2009-2010 last night. The general fund expenditures are about $1.6 million and water and sewer expenditures at about $1.3 million. The tax rate will remain the same at $0.50 per $100 valuation. Mayor McIntosh said this budget is much like last year’s with the exception the Town expects to fund some amo8unt of money to water and sewer from their general fund due to the problems they have experienced at the waste-water treatment plant and with-in the waste water collection system over the past year or so. He says they are satisfied with their budget situation given today’s economic climate.

Missing Teen Back Home

06/26/2009 

McDowell County Authorities say a missing teen is safe and back home.15-year-old Brittany Stevens was found in an apartment in the Chicago area this past Saturday. Stevens' aunt reported her missing on June 13th. It's believed Stevens left, voluntarily, with 25-year-old Edgar Soto, an illegal immigrant from Mexico. McDowell authorities say Soto is charged with second-degree kidnapping because of Stevens' age, and because she’s only 15 and was taken across state lines, this may go to the Federal level if the kidnapping charge stays in place.

Missing Kids Found Safe 

06/25/2009 

The children are safe! Authorities say two children who went missing in Mitchell County, prompting an Amber Alert, have been found safe. 6 year old Alex Suddeath and 4 year old Heidi Suddeath, from Kingsport Tennessee were last seen Wednesday afternoon in a parking area near Roan Mountain. The U.S. Forest Service says searchers found a child's shoe about a mile down the mountain from the parking area, and that led them to the children. Authorities say the kids are in good shape.

Amber Alert for two Missing Children

06/25/2009

An Amber Alert for two missing children has been issued by authorities in Mitchell County. 6 year old Alexander Suddeath and 4 year old Heidi Suddeath, from Kingsport Tennessee were last seen at a parking area at Roan Mountain Wednesday afternoon. The children were last seen by their parents near the old Cloudland Hotel Site. The family arrived at the park around 1:30 P.M. and the kids vanished about thirty minutes later. Alexander Suddeath has sandy brown hair and brown eyes. He's 4'7" and 55 lbs. He was wearing a yellow t-shirt, navy blue shorts, and crocs. Heidi Suddeath has light brown hair and brown eyes. She is 3'3" and 38 lbs. She was wearing a purple shirt, pink skirt, and crocs. Search crews from the Mitchell County Sheriff’s office, U.S. Forestry Service, North Carolina State Troopers, Carter County Search and Rescue and several area volunteer fire departments are looking for the children. Crews are using dogs and helicopters in the search effort. Anyone with information should call the Mitchell Co. Sheriff's Office at 828-688-3982, or 911.

Yancey Adopts Budget

06/25/2009 

Yancey Commissioners adopted the County’s 2009-2010 fiscal year budget on Tuesday. The budget is balanced and totals $20,797,477. The property tax remains the same at $0.45 per $100 of valuation. The budget allocates $3,890.000 to Yancey County Schools, the same level as last year. As Commission Chairman Walter Savage says a portion of the Board of Education’s Budget is specifically appropriated for classroom teachers and for teacher’s assistants. (to hear comments from Savage, click audio button above)

DOT Awards Paving Contracts

06/25/2009

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced bridge and paving awards; in our region Madison County; 1 mile of N.C. 63 (New Leicester Highway) from south of Marrow Branch Road (S.R. 1190) to the Buncombe County line; and 0.7 miles of Bruce Road (S.R. 1354) to Bailey Road (S.R. 1355). Work on the the $823,217 contract is scheduled to start as early as July 27, with completion by Aug. 15, 2010. Resurfacing 2.4 miles of N.C. 197 in Mitchell County from Huntdale Road (S.R. 1304) to Flat Branch Road (S.R. 1350); 1.8 miles of N.C. 197 from Union Hill Church Road (S.R. 1310) to north of Brummets Creek Road (S.R. 1312); and 2.3 miles of Crabtree Creek Road (S.R. 1002) north of the McDowell County line. Work on the $527,941 contract is scheduled to start as early as July 27, with completion by Aug. 15, 2010. And in Yancey County, resurfacing 4 miles of N.C. 197 south of Cattail Creek (S.R. 1102) to Powell Road (S.R. 1179), and 2.3 miles of Phipps Creek (S.R. 1136) from Will Anglin Road (S.R. 1119) to U.S. 19 East. Work on the $525,326 contract is scheduled to start as early as July 27, with completion by Aug. 15, 2010.

Mitchell Commissioners to Adopt 2009-2010 Budget

06/24/2009

Mitchell Commissioners will meet in special session tomorrow (Thursday) at 8 am to adopt the budget for fiscal 2009-2010. Other business will also be conducted including discussion and consideration of the proposed Mitchell County Law Enforcement Facility. The meeting will be in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, in the Administration Building in Bakersville.

No More Texting While Driving

06/24/2009

Just in case you haven’t heard, Governor Perdue has signed into law a ban on text messaging or e-mailing on cell phones while driving a vehicle. Beginning December 1st, Drivers who want to text or e-mail on their cell phones will have to pull over or wait until their vehicle has stopped. School bus drivers are already banned from using cell phones and will be subject to this law, violators could be faced with a fine up to $100 plus court costs. NC is the 14th state to put this law into effect and the 7th state this year to pass the law. So what can you do, adult drivers can still make cell phone calls, look-up contacts while driving and drivers can still use their GPS system.

It’s Budget Public Hearing Time

06/23/2009

Yancey County will hold its public hearing on their proposed budget for 2009-2010 tonight at 6 pm in the commissioners meeting room on the second floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. And the Town of Burnsville will have a public hearing on the Town’s proposed 2009-2010 budget this Thursday, June 25th at 6 pm in the boardroom on the second floor of Town Hall. Counties and Municipalities are required to have their budget for the coming fiscal year approved and in place by July 1st.

Spruce Pine Man is “Dynamite Dad”

06/22/2009

A Spruce Pine man has won News 13’s “My Dynamite Dad” contest. Cody McKinney is the winner. Cody’s 8-year old son “Dane,” is physically and mentally handicapped. Dane almost died twice, Cody believes his son Dane is here for a reason and has dedicated himself to being a great dad. Many people in the community know Cody and they know of his love for Dane. Cody wins a prize package worth $15-hundred.

Yancey Deputies Locate Wanted Man during Theft Investigation

06/22/2009 

David Wayne Anderson 30, of Burnsville was taken into custody by Lt. Thomas Farmer, Detective John Thomas and Deputy Bobby Austin of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department last week and charged with one count of Felonious Breaking & Entering, one count of Felonious Larceny and one count of Felonious Financial Transaction Card Theft. Deputies arrived at the Anderson residence after they had confirmed that Anderson was responsible for entering into an office at a local medical practice without authorization and stealing a wallet and its contents including financial transaction cards owned by a practicing physician. And authorities had confirmed that Anderson was wanted by both Wilkes and Catawba for a host of Felony offenses including Breaking & Entering, Probation Violations and Non-Support. Anderson remains in the Yancey County Jail under a $ 10,000.00 secured bond. In a press release from the Sheriff’s Department, Lt. Tom Farmer indicated Anderson used the stolen financial transaction cards at business locations in Yancey and surrounding counties to obtain money and goods and that the investigation is continuing and other local charges are forthcoming. Anderson will be turned over to the other agencies wanting him when the local charges filed against him have been disposed of in court. Anderson is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on July 7, 2009.

Former Park Ranger Charged with Growing Pot

06/22/2009

A former Park Ranger with the Forest Service has been arrested on charges of felony manufacture and possession of marijuana, in Madison County. Deputies were flying a highway patrol helicopter on a routing flight for drug eradication when they flew over a Walnut Creek area home and saw about 2-hundred pot plants. Deputies on the ground arrived at the home and found 54 year old Tony Webb in the pot patch trying to pull the plants from the ground. Webb was a well known forest ranger who recently retired. He was arrested and released after posting bond.

NC Governor in Asheville

06/19/2009

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue is traveling across the state to rally support to keep education from falling under the cutting axe at the state is facing a $7-billion shortfall. One of the areas legislators are looking at is cutting funding to the state department of education, and that means teachers losing their jobs. The Governor was in Asheville Thursday to speak at T.C. Roberson High School to urge educators and parents to contact their representatives in Raleigh letting them know how important education is to our children now, and in the future. She told the audience they need to accept the fact that raising taxes may be necessary if the state is going to save education for our children and to keep teachers working. The Governor said she’s asking the General Assembly to not increase class size and to say 'no' to pay cuts and job cuts. She said she would support them in what ever they do, as long they have the courage to join her in raising enough revenue to pay teachers and teacher's assistants and to put school supplies in the budget. As of right now, Mitchell Schools plan to reduce their staff by 15 positions, they will do this through attrition and 3 or 4 part-time employees, but they will not lose any fulltime permanent positions. Yancey Schools have said they will lose 15-teachers. Thursday's rally was organized by parent-teacher groups who are organizing a petition drive to send signatures to send to the capital.

Open Grants Program Sessions

06/19/2009

The Golden LEAF Foundation has scheduled a second round of outreach sessions throughout North Carolina to provide more potential applicants with information about the new Open Grants Program process and priorities. The Foundation will begin accepting proposals for the Open Grants Program starting July 1, 2009. These outreach sessions raise awareness of the Foundation as a resource for qualified nonprofits and governmental entities. Sessions will be conducted via an interactive video conference on June 25, 2009 at 10 a.m. Space is limited, so please contact Tammy Gaulding 888-684-8404 to register and get more information!!

McDowell Authorities Looking for Missing 15-Year Old Girl

06/18/2009

McDowell authorities are looking for a 15-year old girl who has been missing since Saturday. She’s identified as Laura Beam, of Stacy Hill Road and authorities say she may have been taken to Chicago. A second-degree kidnapping charge has been issued for a Catawba man, Edgar Soto, age 24, of Hickory. McDowell authorities say Soto may be driving a 1991 whiter Silverado truck with the tag number TVE-6700 that was stolen in Catawba County. Sgt. Dan Shook says Catawba authorities have issued motor theft warrants against Soto. According to Shook the teen is considered a runaway and willingly left with Soto, but because of her age, this is a criminal case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 652-4000 or McDowell County Crimestoppers at 65-CRIME.

Yancey Budget Public Hearing

06/18/2009

A public hearing on the proposed Yancey County budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year will be held at a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. The Commissioners are required to adopt a budget by July 1 each year. Chairman Walter Savage says “We’re eager to share our plan for addressing the priorities of the County as we face tough budget choices this year. These are hard times economically, and of course we’re still under the mandate by the State Local Government Commission to return over a million dollars to the reserve fund depleted over the past several years.” The public hearing on the budget will be held in the Commissioners meeting room in the Yancey County Courthouse.

Governor’s Rally for Education

06/18/2009

Gov. Bev Perdue will address a rally of educators, teachers and other concerned citizens in Asheville today about her education priorities as state budget negotiations move forward in the General Assembly. The event will be held at T.C. Roberson HS today at 5 pm and is part of a statewide series of education rallies.

Burnsville’s Proposed Budget Now Available at Town Hall

06/17/2009 

The town of Burnsville's budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 has been submitted to the Town Council and a copy is available for public inspection at the Town Hall. The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the budget Thursday June 25th at 6:00pm in the upstairs boardroom at the Town Hall, 2 Town Square in Burnsville. This will be followed by a Special Meeting of the Town Council to consider the budget and conduct regular town business for the month of July. The special meeting will replace the regular Town Council meeting for July. (To hear comments on budget from Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh, click audio button above)

Yancey Deputies Locate Wanted Man in Newdale

06/17/2009

Justin Christopher Blackwell, age 23, at an address listed as Newdale, was taken into custody after Yancey County Deputy Sheriff L.R. Higgins confirmed that he was a Wanted Fugitive that Sheriff Deputies in both Swain and Cherokee Counties were attempting to locate. According to a news release from the Yancey Sheriff’s Department, Blackwell was wanted in both counties on a host of charges including Safecracking, Aggravated Assault, Assault on Female and Probation Violations. Blackwell who's last address was known to be in Andrews, was held without bond and transported to Cherokee County where he was placed in the Cherokee County Jail under no bond pending further orders of Judicial officials in Cherokee and Swain Counties.

Two Charged with Selling Xanax

06/16/2009 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Dawn Marie Hoyle, age 26, of Burnsville and Rachel Anne Hoilman, age 32, of Bakersville and charged them both with one count of Felonious Conspiracy to Sell and Deliver Xanax, A Schedule IV Controlled Substance. According to a new release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, the arrest was made in the Clearmont section of Yancey County as a result of an undercover investigation into the illegal distribution of prescription drugs throughout the county. Hoyle and Hoilman were both taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Detention Center after posting secured bonds in the amount of $ 2,000.00 each. Both women are scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 19, 2009.

Yancey County Launches New Website

06/16/2009

Yancey County has launched a new revised website for county government. The new site is much more user friendly and has many more features than the old version. If you go to yanceycountync.gov you can access all county departments as well as the GIS mapping system for the county. The county worked in conjunction with a new local business, McKinney Consulting, to develop this new website. Janice McKinney retired Technology Director for Yancey County Schools brings more than 20 years of experience constructing websites and working with technology. She said “the County needed more than just a static webpage, and what we have developed is a dynamic new web presence that allows current information, such as scheduled meetings and project updates to be available immediately. I believe the citizens of Yancey County will find a wealth of helpful information on the new website.” That’s www.yanceycountync.gov.

SP Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash

06/15/2009

A Spruce Pine man apparently lost control of his motorcycle Sunday evening and was killed in a single vehicle accident. The accident happened just past Meadowlark Lane off of Highway 226, also known as the Minpro Bi-Pass.  The victim has been identified as Timothy Buchanan age 45. He had turned off Highway 19-E and onto Highway 226N toward Bakersville, passengers traveling in a vehicle behind him told Burnsville Police he appeared to be having trouble with the bike. He was apparently thrown from the motorcycle cycle into a guard rail. The incident remains under investigation.

Golden Leaf Grants Help Community Colleges

06/15/2009

The Golden LEAF Foundation has awarded 17 grants totaling over $3 million for job training projects to community colleges located throughout North Carolina through its Golden LEAF Opportunities for Work (GLOW) program. Many of the projects provide critically needed equipment for Gov. Bev Perdue’s “Jobs NOW: 12 in 6 program” currently being developed at community colleges across the state to promote training in six months or less for 12 in-demand jobs. In supporting the “12 in 6” effort and other workforce training programs, Golden Leaf officials said the GLOW initiative will help address some of the urgent employment challenges and opportunities North Carolina faces during the current economic downturn. In our area:
1) $200,000 to Mayland Community College for core construction training programs to meet the demand for more skilled workers in the construction trades industry by businesses in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
2) $220,000 to McDowell Technical Community College for short-term training programs in both welding and machining. The county has immediate need for 65 welders and 25 machinists recently announced by new and expanding industry.

Mitchell Proposed Budget-Public Hearing

06/15/2009

The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the Proposed Budget for FY 2009-2010 tomorrow, June 16, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room located in the Administration Building in Bakersville.

Arrests in Little Pine/Big Pine Break-Ins in Madison

06/15/2009

Madison County Deputies say two teens from Buncombe County face charges in some high-end break-ins and they’re looking for more suspects. Charged with breaking and entering, larceny of a firearm & safecracking are 18-year-old Edward Goforth, of Alexander, and 17-year-old Adam Rice, of Weaverville. Both men are being held in the Madison County Jail under $55-thousand secured bond each. Authorities said the teens broke into a least four homes in the Little Pine/Big Pine community in the past three weeks, and stole about $15,000 worth of items, including guns and jewelry.

Only "Category One" Approved

06/12/2009 

A few weeks back, Mitchell County received notice that they had been approved for $2-million in federal stimulus funds for a water line from Spruce Pine to Mitchell High School in Ledger. The County filed the necessary papers with the state and recently received official notification the funds are set for Mitchell County’s Project. (to hear comments from Chuck Vines, Mitchell County Manager, click audio button above)

Bid Process Concerns

06/11/2009

Concerns have surfaced about the current budget shortfall in the state and how it relates to the Hwy 19E widening project from Jacks Creek to Micaville. We spoke with Rick Tipton at the Department of Transportation and he said this section is scheduled to be let in spring 2010. He said with the current fiscal situation, that could change somewhat, but not anything like several months and that DOT projects are still being evaluated on a statewide basis.

Yancey Schools Receive Grant

06/11/2009

Yancey County Schools have received a 3-year grant of $227-thousand from the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund to develop a tobacco prevention and cessation at Yancey County Schools. This grant will fund a full-time coordinator based at Mountain Heritage to focus on prevention and cessation strategies. The teen tobacco program will help develop teen tobacco-prevention advocates, be a catalyst for social marketing in youth, and provide curriculum, resources and training for prevention and cessation issues in teens. The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund was created by the General Assembly as one of 3 entities to invest North Carolina's portion of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

SP Council Receives Proposed Budget

06/10/2009 

Spruce Pines Town Council has received the proposed budget for 2009-2010. (To hear comments from Richard Canipe the Spruce Pine Town Manager click audio button above)

Burglary & Larceny Arrest

06/10/2008

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested a Yancey County man, Gary Lee Phillips Jr. 29, charging him with one count of First Degree Burglary and one count of Felony Larceny. He’s currently in the Yancey county Jail under a $ 25,000.00 secured bond. According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, the charges against Phillips were filed after it was revealed that Phillips entered a residence in the South Toe area at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Friday June 5th while a resident was inside asleep. He removed a wallet and money. Phillips was arrested on Saturday June 6, 2009, most of the money he allegedly stole was found in his possession. Phillips has a court date on June 19th.

Asbestos Violations

06/10/2009

The North Carolina Labor Department has found five serious violations over asbestos work at the construction site of the new Marshall Town Hall, in Madison County, including failure to provide respirators. The fines total $1,750.00. The Town has fifteen days to pay the penalties or contest the findings.

Yancey County to Expand to 5-Members with 2010 Elections

06/09/2009

On Monday, in a final vote just after 7:00 p.m. in Raleigh, the North Carolina House concurred with the Senate vote and enacted House Bill 633 into law, making official the change in structure of the Yancey County Board of County Commissioners, expanding the board’s membership to five members who will serve longer terms. Yancey Commission Chairman Walter Savage Said: “We want to thank our legislators, Representative Ray Rapp and Senator Joe Sam Queen, for helping to move this important piece of legislation for Yancey County through the General Assembly, the passage of this bill into law is one of the most important steps taken to move Yancey County and its local government forward in a positive direction in a long time.” Beginning in the 2010 general election Yancey County citizens will elect five members to their board of county commissioners who will serve staggered four year terms. Thereafter, three members will be elected in each general election. The office of chairman of the board of county commissioners was also abolished as a separate elected office. Instead, the newly elected board of commissioners will choose one of its members to serve as chairman. Commissioner Jerri Storie stated “I am certain that this change will insure that Yancey County government is more open and accountable to its citizens”. Commissioner Johnny Riddle added “this change was an initiative that has been on the table for a long time, considered by previous boards of commissioners, and we’re proud to have been able to have worked so successfully with Representative Rapp and Senator Queen’s leadership in Raleigh to see that it finally got accomplished.”

Telemedicine-Internet Healthcare

06/08/2009 

An exciting concept in caring for children is in the developmental stage in Mitchell & Yancey counties. It’s called the M-Y Health-E Schools telemedicine program a part of Graham’s Health Service of the Toe River. Telemedicine will use video conferencing technology and the ability to talk to someone over the internet, seeing them in person using a camera or computer screen, the hooking into that a stethoscope, a hodoscope, for looking in the nose, ear and mouth and a camera to look at rashes, bruises and cuts. We asked Dr. Steve North with Bakersville Medical Clinic what he hopes to see develop from this project in Mitchell-Yancey Counties. North says the timeline for the pilot project will begin this fall and will link Micaville & Tipton Hill to Cane River & East Yancey School based health centers. The full program at all schools will be developed over the 2-3 years. (to hear comments from Dr. Steve North, click audio button above)

Schools & State Shortfalls-Cutbacks 

06/05/2009 

As the state’s projected shortfall continues to widen, area school systems continue to brace for more cuts as they look to the coming year. As of right now, Yancey County Schools will lose 15 teachers. As for Mitchell County Schools, as of right now, they plan to reduce their staff by 15 positions, they will do this through attrition and 3 or 4 part-time employees, but they will not lose any fulltime permanent positions. (To hear comments from Dr. Tom Little, Yancey Schools Superintendent & Danny Young Mitchell County Schools Finance Officer, click audio button above)

Yancey County Man Gets 66-years for First Degree Rape

06/05/2009

A Yancey County Jury has found a Burnsville man guilty of first degree rape. It took the jury 3 hours to hand down the unanimous guilty verdict for Gary Allen Lee, age 36, of Burnsville. Lee had pled not guilty to 4-counts of sex offense including rape of a minor child. These offenses were committed in 2006. Because of the sensitive nature of this story we are not reporting other details. After the verdict was announced Superior Court Judge James L. Baker, Jr. sentenced Lee to 66 years in the North Carolina Department of Corrections. Lee was immediately transported to Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina.

More Jobs Lost in Spruce Pine

06/04/2009 

Genesis Furniture in Spruce Pine is cutting more jobs, eight workers had been laid off earlier now the company has announced more cuts, saying that thirty will ultimately lose their jobs. Sherrill Barber with News 13 in Asheville has more details. Our thanks to News 13 for the story. (to hear Barber's report, click audio button above)

Working on 2009-2010 Budgets

06/04/2009 

Mitchell County Manager Chuck Vines presented the county’s preliminary budget for 2009-2010 to County Commissioners this week. If you have any questions, you are encouraged to call the county manager of finance officer at 688-2139. There will be a public hearing on the proposed budget June 16th, with adoption of the budget scheduled for June 22nd. In Yancey County, Commissioners and the finance department continue working on their budget. (To hear comments from Mitchell County Manager Chuck Vines and Yancey Commission Chairman Walter Savage, click audio button above)

McDowell Murder Investigation-More Arrests

06/04/2009

McDowell Deputies have made more arrests in connection with the murder of Harry Dwayne Causby, 43, of Nebo. Already charged with murder is 52-yeasr old Kenneth Pittman of Marion. Deputies received a tip on Wednesday that led to the arrest of Frank Roberts, Sr. age 55, also of Marion who was wanted in Causby’s death. He was found in Woods near his home. Investigators also charged five other people for being accessories after the fact of Causby's murder. Some of them are accused of helping move his body from Pittman's home in Nebo to Roberts' home in Marion. Investigators believe Causby was shot in Pitman’s Nebo home, and then his body was taken to Burke County and then taken to Roberts’s home outside Marion. Authorities say the homicide may be drug related.

Racist Investigation Continues

06/03/2009

Yancey County Sheriff’s Investigators continue to look into a May 22nd incident that scared the inside of a bi-racial family’s home. Lt. Tom Farmer of the Sheriff’s Department said someone entered through the looked door of the basement at the home of Erick & Amber Alford in West Yancey, then used spray paint from the garage to put a swastika and the words “All Will Die” on the wall. Farmer said nothing was taken or disturbed in the home. The Alford’s have 5-children and have lived in Yancey County for 3-years. Farmer said the Sheriff’s Department is running extra patrols and there hasn’t been any further vandalism in the area.

Convicted Rapist-Sentenced

06/03/2009

Joshua D. Jones, age 21, of Asheville, was sentenced up to 30-years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of statutory rape in Madison County. He was sentenced up to 30-years in prison. Jones raped a 14-year old girl and her parents told Madison authorities earlier this year. According to Madison Sheriff John Ledford, the victim was visiting a cousin and Jones came be, he had brought beer and that he and the victim drank it. Then Jones raped the girl repeatedly. Jones is currently in the Buncombe County jail charged with raping a girl under the age of 16.

Burnsville Man Charged-Rape

06/02/2009

Burnsville Police have charged Ricky Raymond Ledford, age 39, of Burnsville with 1st Degree Rape and Assault Inflicting Serious Injury. Ledford was taken into custody on May 29th by Lt. Detective Randall Shuford. According to the news release from the Burnsville Police Department, Ledford allegedly assaulted a female at his apartment by hitting her in the mouth with his fist, hitting her in the chest and arms, pulling her hair and then kicking her in the side. Then Ledford raped the woman for a period of time. The alleged attack happened on May 27th. After getting away from Ledford the victim called for help. The victim was transported to Blue Ridge Regional Hospital where she was treated then later released. Ledford was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate where he was given a $55,000.00 dollar secured bond and is being held in the Yancey County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 10th, 2009.

Six of Seven High Country Counties – Double Digit Unemployment

06/02/2009

The High Country Workforce Development Board reports unemployment rates in the seven High Country counties every month. According to the NC Employment Security Commission, the unemployment rates for April, six of the seven High Country Counties have Double-Digit unemployment rates Six of Seven High Country Counties Have Double-Digit Unemployment Rates.
Alleghany 12.2%, Ashe 12.7%, Avery 10.2%, Mitchell 13.2%, Watauga 7.5%, Wilkes 12.5% and Yancey 12.4%. Watauga County continues to hold one of the lowest unemployment rates in North Carolina, currently having the fifth-lowest unemployment rate in five counties in the seven-county region—Alleghany, Ashe, Mitchell, Wilkes and Yancey—continued to exceed the state’s unemployment rate last month, and the region wide rate of 11.1% is also higher than the statewide unemployment rate of 10.5%. In April, the unemployment rate decreased in 83 of North Carolina’s 100 counties compared to the first quarter of 2009, when increases touched nearly every county in the state in January and February and then began to decrease slightly in March. Only Avery County showed an increase in unemployment from March (9.9%) to April (10.2%). The remaining six High Country counties all posted a decrease in unemployment from March to April.

Reports Say Chase Victim Has Died

06/02/2009

News 13 in Asheville is reporting that family members have told them that a Buncombe County man involved in a high speed chase trying to flee authorities, then shooting himself in the head has died. The man, identified as 19-yerasr old Jacob Suttles, led police on a high speed chase through 2-counties. The chase started Saturday afternoon when Buncombe County Deputies said Suttles was breaking into a house in Barnardsville, and then led them on a chase into Yancey County where Buncombe Deputies warned Yancey Deputies the suspect had a gun. Yancey deputies, along with assistance from the NC State Patrol tried to stop him with stop sticks which blew out the tires on his vehicle forcing his vehicle to run off the road and down an embankment. When they reached Suttles, they found him with a single gunshot wound. A gun was found in his vehicle.

Suspect Apparently Shoots Himself after Buncombe/Yancey High Speed Chase 

06/01/2009

On Saturday May 30, 2009 at approximately 3:00 p.m. Buncombe County Sheriff's Deputies were called to a Breaking & Entering in progress on Barnardsville Highway in the Northern section of Buncombe County. At 3:15, Bucombe Deputies requested assistance from Yancey County Deputies to be on the lookout for a suspect in the B&E traveling at high speed toward Yancey County in an area locally known as Barnardsville Mountain and urged extreme caution should be used as the suspect was in possession of firearms. At 3:30, the suspect entered Yancey County in a 1998 Subaru at a high rate of speed, the chase continues down NC 197 toward Burnsville, N.C. According to a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, assistance was requested from State Troopers, stop sticks were used near Ferguson Hill Road and at the intersection of Ferguson Hill Road and NC 197. The stop sticks punctured all four tires and the vehicle went off the road and down an embankment. At times, speeds of the chase had reached 100 mph at times. When officers reached the vehicle a revolver fell out from under the drivers mid section onto the floorboard. They found the suspect with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound under the suspects chin. The man was identified as Jacob Daniel Suttles 19, of Leicester, North Carolina (Buncombe County) and flown to Johnson City Medical Center According to Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s Department, Suttles was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm having been recently convicted of several felonious offenses of Breaking into Places of Worship in Buncombe County as well as Felony Larceny offenses there. As of Sunday morning May 31, 2009 Suttles was reported to be in Critical Condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Johnson City Medical Center being treated for a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

McDowell Murder Investigation

06/01/2009

A man is under arrest for a McDowell County murder, and another man accused of the crime is still on the run. McDowell deputies say the man is identified as 43-year old Harry Causby, who was found dead Friday at a home in Marion. Sunday, officers picked up 52-year old Kenneth Pittman on Park Avenue in Marion, he was charged with him with murder and opium trafficking this evening. They say Causby was shot in Pittman's Nebo home, and the body taken to the Marion home of John Roberts, Sr. Roberts is still on the run and warrants have been issued for his arrest. Deputies need your help in finding Roberts, he is said to be driving a tan and brown 1982 Chevy Truck. One or both men are acquaintances of the victim. Deputies say this homicide is possibly drug related.

197N between Bakersville & Burnsville Remains Closed

05/28/2009

197 North at Forbes Bridge at the Yancey - Mitchell Line remains closed this morning following a CSX train derailment in the Red Hill Community on Wednesday. 17 cars of the CSX train jumped the tracks; the train was carrying natural gas, ethanol, and gravel. No leaks were reported but 3 homes were evacuated as a precaution, they were allowed to return to their homes. A HAZMAT team from Asheville was sent to the scene. No injuries were reported. The road is expected to be closed at this location for most of the day and possibly longer.

Jobs Added in McDowell

05/28/2009

Gov. Bev Perdue has announced that Baldor Electric Co., an international supplier of industrial electric motors, mechanical power transmission products, drives and generators, will expand its Marion operations. The company plans to invest $3.1 million and create 25 jobs during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $75,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund; Baldor currently employees nearly 100 workers. The 25 new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $34,282, not including benefits. That is higher than the McDowell County average annual wage of $27,976.
Also receiving a One North Carolina Fund Grant is Morganton Pressure Vessels LLC, a manufacturer of air pressure vessels and oil separators, filters and containers for absorption dryers is expanding. During the next three years, the company plans to create 43 jobs and invest $2 million, including lease payments. The announcement was made possible in part by a $129,000 One North Carolina Fund grant. The company currently employs 23 workers. The 43 new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $28,105, not including benefits. That is higher than the McDowell average of $27,976.

Parkway Temporary Closed

05/28/2009

Blue Ridge Parkway officials announce the temporary closure of the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area at Milepost 367.6 until noon Friday, May 29, 2009. Full access to the picnic area will be restored on Friday. Repaving operations on the Parkway between Asheville and Craggy Gardens continue through the 2009 visitor season. Parkway officials caution visitors traveling though this area to pay close attention to traffic control by flagmen as slight travel delays may occur in the repaving zones.

Train Derailment

05/27/2009 

A train Derailment in Mitchell County this morning has blocked the road between Bakersville and Burnsville. 197 north at Forbes Bridge at the Yancey Mitchell Line is closed. Wilson Branch at Toe River Road is also closed. 17 cars of the CSX train jumped the tracks in the Red Hill Community early this morning. The train was carrying natural gas, ethanol, and gravel. No leaks were reported but 3 homes were evacuated as a precaution. A HAZMAT team from Asheville was sent to the scene. No injuries were reported. The DOT expects the road to be closed through late this afternoon

Track Grant

05/27/2009 

The Mountain Heritage Community Track received another shot of funding with $5,000 awarded from the North Carolina School Health Advisory
Council’s sustainability mini-grant program. This grant will be utilized to perform assessments on physical activity at Mountain Heritage and provide funds for necessary architectural designs pertaining to the track at E. L. Briggs stadium. This Grant is a part of a fund raising effort to revitalize the use of the track around the football field.
 

Yancey County Deputy Wounded (News Release)

05/27/2009 

The following is a news release from the Yancey County Sheriffs Department:

Ralph Steven Westall 55, of 415 Clear Creek Road, Burnsville, North Carolina was taken into custody after a brief exchange of gunfire with Yancey County Sheriff Deputies at his residence on Monday night May 25, 2009 in the South Toe Community of Yancey County.

During the exchange of gunfire Westall shot Yancey Deputy Rick Turner in the right wrist, arm and elbow with a .38 caliber handgun while hiding from Deputies in a rear bedroom of his residence. Multiple shots were fired at members of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department Special Response Team who were inside the residence serving arrest warrants and seizure of weapon warrants on Westall, issued earlier in the evening after he had fired a weapon at an occupied vehicle turning in his driveway from the front porch of his residence.

Court documents in the matter state that in the evening hours of May 25, 2009 Westall stood on the outside of his front porch and fired a weapon in the direction of Billie Joe Simmons Pope and April Allison Whitaker as the two ladies who live near Westall were turning around in his driveway in a motor vehicle being operated by Pope.

Pope and Whitaker called the Yancey County Sheriff's Department and Patrol Deputies responded and took a report and referred the two ladies to the Yancey County Magistrate's Office. There the two ladies gave testimony to Magistrate Terry M. Hall who issued two arrest warrants on Westall for the offense of Assault With A Deadly Weapon.

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies are familiar with Westall and have recently accompanied Yancey County EMS officials to the residence due to fear that Westall would assault or interfere with Emergency Services Personnel often called to his residence. In addition Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have responded to reported threats of violence between Westall and other family members including his wife and daughter. On occasions Westall has allegedly made threats to family members that he would kill any law enforcement officer who tried to arrest him.

Having these recent acts in mind in addition to the fact that Westall had allegedly shot at two ladies turning in his driveway for no apparent reason a decision was made for a Search Warrant to be issued for the seizure of weapons from the Westall residence in addition to the service of the arrest warrants.

In addition Sheriff Banks directed that the Sheriff's Department Special Response Team serve the Search and Arrest Warrants. When the Special Response Team entered in the residence they announced there presence and purpose and attempted to locate Westall. The officers first located Frances Westall who was removed from the residence for her own safety. As the officers cleared the interior of the residence Ralph Westall started firing at the officers from a concealed location in a rear bedroom. One of the rounds hit Yancey County Deputy Sheriff Rick Turner in the right arm. After a brief exchange of gunfire Westall was subdued and taken into custody. Deputy Turner was removed from the residence and transported by ambulance to Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville where he was treated and later released on May 26 for a gunshot wound to the right arm. Turner is scheduled to undergo surgical procedures on his right arm on May 27, 2009.

Westall was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and served with warrants for his arrest charging him with one count of Attempted First Degree Murder of A Law Enforcement Officer, one count of Felonious assault With The Intent To Kill Inflicting Serious Injury and two counts of Assault With A Deadly Weapon.

Westall appeared before Superior Court Judge James L. Baker, Jr. on May 26, 2009 in Yancey County Superior Court and his bond remained set at $ 101,000.00 secured. Westall is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 10, 2009. Judge Baker also signed a Safekeeping Order directing that Westall be housed at Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina until further notice from the court.

Yancey County Deputy Wounded

05/26/2009 

It’s being called an exchange of gun fire and it happened last night in the South Toe area of Yancey County. A Yancey County Deputy has been wounded. Sherrill Barber from WLOS News 13 has the story. (Audio). We will have more details as they become available, later this afternoon

Yancey County Death Threat

05/25/2009 

The Yancey County Sheriffs Department is investigating a death threat to a A bi-racial family in Yancey County. News 13’s Courtney Brennan has the report. (Audio). The family says they have also contacted the NAACP about the incident.

Kitchen Fire at the Hilltop

05/21/2009

The Burnsville Fire Department responded to a call at 4:40 am to the Hilltop Restaurant this morning. According to Lt. Isaac McCurry, one engine and eight personnel went on the call. Fire damage was minimal, but there was heavy smoke damage. The fire was in the kitchen and was ruled accidental by the SBI Arson Investigator. The Fire Department was clear at 6:25 am. This is a tough blow to the restaurant; they recently remodeled and were ready for a grand re-opening. At this time it’s not known when the restaurant will re-open.

It's Not Clear

05/21/2009

Earlier this month, Thursday, May 14th, Superior Court Judge Bradley Letts threw out the lawsuits brought against Yancey County by Peter Franklin & Tamara Frank. Judge Letts ruled the complainants did not peruse relief in the proper manner as provided by law. In a released statement, Franklin & Frank stood firm saying they were still the authorized and legal appointments to the Yancey County Department of Social Services Board of Directors. They sighted state statute 153A-76 and quoted a portion of the statute: “The Board of Commissioners “may not change the composition or manner of selection of […] the board of social services […].” At Tuesday’s DSS Board meeting, it was clear nothing had been accomplished in determining who are to be the new appointees to the board. A meeting was attempted by the three non-controversial board members, but there was confusion and disruption in the meeting, so-much-so a motion to dismiss was made and the meeting was over. The lawsuits by Franklin & Frank came about when the current Yancey Commissioners, declared their appointment to the DSS Board of Directors invalid. The new Commission named Elaine Boone & Judy Buchanan. Franklin & Frank were appointed by the outgoing Commission in November 2008.

Memorial Day Weekend-Heavy Traffic

05/21/2009

The N.C. Highway Patrol reminds motorists to be careful as they enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. The holiday officially kicks off the summer vacation season in North Carolina. The holiday, which is set aside to honor deceased men and women from the Armed Forces, officially begins at 6 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 22, and ends at midnight, Monday, May 25. Last year nine motorists died and 534 were injured in traffic collisions investigated by the Highway Patrol over the Memorial Day holiday. Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state. Troopers will also join other law enforcement agencies at “Click-It or Ticket” seatbelt checkpoints across the state throughout the week. Troopers will also increase their efforts to enforce the state’s litter laws. First-time offenders can be fined as much as $1,000 and be ordered to perform up to 24 hours of community service. Repeat offenders can get a $2,000 fine and 50 hours community service. To report crashes, impaired drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations dial * HP (*47 on your cell phone. )This is a toll-free call that connects the caller to the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.

Drug Bust-Madison County

05/20/2009

Madison County deputies have seized nearly 200 marijuana plants in a drug bust Monday evening. The incident happened at a home on Riddle Farm Road. Deputies seized 190 high-grade, high-potency marijuana plants. Sheriff John Ledford said it was a fairly large and fairly sophisticated hydroponic indoor grow. Ledford said the Sheriff's Office will not tolerate illegal drug activity in Madison County. Sheriff Ledford said what made this bust so unusual was that the suspect is a woman. It's believed she has left the state, and no arrest has been made. He said this bust is not related to the ongoing undercover drug investigation taking place in the county.

Latest TRHD H1N1 Report

05/19/2009

With reports of a death attributed to the H1N1 Virus in a NYC School and several NYC Schools closing, Jesse Greene, Health Director of the Toe River Health District reports as of Friday, May 15th, no cases of the H1N1 Virus have been reported in Avery, Mitchell, or Yancey Counties. The first WNC case was reported in Rutherford County last week. A history of travel to Central America was associated with this Rutherford County case. There have been three H1N1 laboratory specimens submitted to the state lab during the past two weeks; one from a probable hospitalized case, and two from Sentinel Provider sites. All three tests were NEGATIVE. Greene says there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself:
 

• Wash your hands frequently
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
• Stay at home from school or work if you are sick

Track Renovation Projects Gets Assist

05/19/2009

Yancey County Schools has received a $7,000 grant from the Community Foundation of WNC to assist in their track renovation project. School System Officials said as one of the very few flat surfaces in mountainous Yancey County where families can walk and exercise safely, the track renovation addresses the alarming rise of youth obesity in the area, upgrades a near-absent component of local recreational infrastructure, and promotes quality health. Funding for this award was provided by the Yancey Foundation, the Peterson Endowment Fund, and the Jennifer Morgan Charitable Fund.

Yancey Deputies Arrest 3 in B&E Case

05/18/2009

Yancey County Sheriff Investigators have arrested three Burnsville people, Jessica Leigh Deese age 24, Brandon Joseph Williams age 26, and Brandon Cortney Ogle age 26, charging each of them with one count of Breaking & Entering, one count of Larceny, one count of Possessing Stolen Property and one count of Trespassing. Information in a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, indicated officers responded to a report of a breaking & entering in progress that was observed by neighbors at a residence in the Big Creek Section of Yancey County. The three suspects were stopped near Huntdale while traveling in two vehicles away from the residence. Deputies found the property that had been removed from the unoccupied residence. The three were charged and released from the Yancey County Detention Center after they each posted secured bonds of $ 10,000.00. The arrests were made by Sgt. John Robinson and Det. John Thomas of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department. Deese, Williams and Ogle are scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 10, 2009.

Good News for Burnsville Chrysler Dealership

05/15/2009

Chrysler announced Thursday plans to close 879, or about a quarter of its 32-hundred dealerships nationwide. There is good news for several area dealerships. The Asheville-Citizen Times is reporting that Buchanan & Young Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Burnsville, will remain open, they employee 20 people. Other dealerships in Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Marion and Waynesville will remain open as well. The dealership closures are part of Chrysler's bankruptcy filing and restructuring plan. In its filing, Chrysler said too many dealerships have low sales, and 50% of its dealers account for 90% of its annual sales.

Yancey County, DSS, Frank, Franklin, Court

05/15/2009

In a news release from Yancey County, all legal claims asserted by Peter Franklin and Tamera Frank against Yancey County, the Commissioners, county manager, and the DSS Board of Directors concerning the December 2008 appointment of members to the DSS Board, were dismissed on Thursday, 14 May 2009, by Superior Court Judge Bradley Letts. Judge Letts determined that the lawsuit brought against Yancey County by Franklin and Frank failed to meet requirements necessary to reverse the commissioners' December 2008 appointments and dismissed the action. The court found that Frank and Franklin did not pursue relief in the proper manner as provided by law. Additionally, Judge Letts ruled that the Motion for Contempt Sanctions alleged against the current DSS Board of Directors by Frank and Franklin also lacked evidence to find any cause for sanction. The Judge concluded that the DSS Board in no way violated the February 2009 agreement which was entered into by the parties before the case was heard at Thursday's hearing.

Meanwhile, Peter Franklin said in a news release that he & Tamara Frank were appointed by the Yancey County Commissioners in November, 2008 to serve out the remainder of three year terms on the Yancey County DSS Board of Directors. Frank and Franklin’s appointments are valid he said and they were appropriately sworn into the positions, and they intend to continue to serve as members of the DSS Board of Directors. Franklin quotes a portion of NC General Statue 153A-76, the Board of Commissioners “may not change the composition or manner of selection of […] the board of social services […].” He goes on to say the Yancey County Commissioners have illegally sought to act as a judicial body, failing to provide for Frank and Franklin’s Constitutional Rights of Due Process by seeking to invalidate their appointments to the Yancey DSS Board of Directors. As Frank and Franklin currently occupy the two appointed positions afforded to the county, the Commissioners have further attempted to commit an illegal act by attempting to appoint two other people to the board. Frank and Franklin would encourage the Yancey County Commissioners to obey the law, and cease attempting to interfere with appointments to the DSS Board of Directors. This was a news release statement from Peter Franklin.

MHS Water Line Project Receives Federal Stimulus Bucks

05/14/2009

Mitchell County has been awarded $2-million in federal stimulus money for the water extension line from Spruce Pine to Mitchell High School in Ledger. County officials say they will now complete documentation required by the state, once that’s done, the state should give the County to go ahead to start the construction process. Mitchell County Manager Chuck Vines says the water line is one part of the project, the other is to make application for sewer line funding, that deadline is June 3rd; he says he feels the county has a good chance of getting a state grant for the sewer line. He says it just makes more sense to run water and sewer at the same time. The total cost of the project, both water and sewer is $4.3 million. With the federal stimulus of $2-million and another $1-million from grants, the county still needs another million or so to start the project. Vines said if the County gets the funding for sewer, construction could start as-soon-as late summer or early fall this year with a competition date of 2010.

ABC Board Sworn In

05/14/2009

Back in April Spruce Pine Town Council nominated three people to serve on the ABC Board of Directors; Danny Burleson, Mike Thomas and Matt Miller. Thomas declined the nomination. Spruce Pine Council swore in candidates Burleson & Miller and they named Burleson the Board Chairman to serve a 3-year term. Miller will serve a 1-year term. Now the Council must search for another candidate. The ABC board meets Tuesday’s each week at 4:30 m, at Town Hall. The meetings are open to the Public.

First WNC H1N1 Virus-Confirmed

05/13/2009

The first Western North Carolina case of Swine Flu, now called H1N1, has been confirmed in Rutherford County. Health officials there say the patient likely contracted the virus outside of the county, but lives in Rutherford and they have spoken to people who have come in contact with the patient. There are 11 other confirmed cases of the virus, in North Carolina, including 7 in Craven County, and 2 each in Carteret and Onslow Counties. Federal officials report more than 3-thousand cases of the H1N1 virus in the United States. Symptoms include a fever over one hundred degrees, sore throat, runny nose and cough. There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
• Stay at home from school or work if you are sick

Cruelty to Animals Arrest

05/13/2009

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested a Burnsville man, Gary Lee Chaney, age 50, charging him one count of Cruelty to Animals. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, Chaney was taken into custody after he refused to provide appropriate amounts of food and water for two horses he owned and had in a field. The field had almost no vegetation to eat. Lt. Tom Farmer stated that Deputy Bobby Austin and Veterinarians' had observed the two horses on recent occasions and Deputy Austin had met with Chaney and requested that he provide the necessary food and water needed for their survival. Farmer stated that Chaney refused to take care of the horses and they were noticeably malnourished. The two horses were seized at the direction of the District Attorney and taken to a shelter where they were examined and immediately placed on a rehabilitation plan to return them to good health. Chaney was released from the Yancey County Detention Center in lieu of posting a $ 500.00 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on June 10, 2009.

05/13/2009

Blue Ridge Parkway officials have announced the Craggy Gardens Area will be open to alternating one-lane traffic beginning this Friday, May 15, 2009. The Parkway detour between US 70 at Milepost 382.5 and NC Route 226 at Milepost 330.9/Gillespie Gap will be discontinued. Retaining wall reconstruction will continue until the estimated completion in mid-June when this section of Parkway will be fully opened for two-lane visitor traffic. The Craggy Gardens Visitor Center is also scheduled to open this Friday for the remainder of the 2009 visitor season. All visitors, in particular motorcyclists and bicyclists, should travel through the area with extreme caution because of loose gravel and rough pavement conditions existing along the entire route. Mitchell County Chamber officials say they hope this is the beginning of a wonderful season for our community.

05/12/2009

Who will be the new members of the Yancey County DSS Board of Directors and what will be the outcome to all those suits filed against various people and agencies? These questions will have to wait a few more days. In Yancey Superior Court, the Court ruled Monday that this matter would be addressed after two jury trials were completed. That could possibly come later this week. For details about this story, scroll down to the headline “Yancey DSS Board Appointments Controversy - Back in Court.”

05/12/2009

In a vote coming just past 5:00 pm on Monday in Raleigh, the full North Carolina House of Representatives approved a measure to expand the Yancey County Board of Commissioners to five members with staggered terms. The vote was 69 in favor with 48 members voting against the bill. The bill, sponsored by Representative Ray Rapp (D-Madison), was recommended by numerous nonpartisan economic development agencies as well as most recently by the Local Government Commission as a way for Yancey County to bring continuity and stability to the Board of Commissioners. As Rep. Rapp pointed out in speaking for the bill Yancey County is currently one of only three counties with three commissioners and the only county in North Carolina to elect all of its commissioners every two years. Representative Phillip Frye (R-Mitchell) again spoke against the bill on the floor of the House of Representatives. Upon hearing about the vote Yancey Commissioner Johnny Riddle stated, “We, the Commissioners, are really pleased that Representative Rapp has been able to get this bill through the House and that he sees the value in moving Yancey County forward.” The bill now moves to the North Carolina Senate for consideration. If the vote is favorable in the Senate the bill will become law.

05/12/2009

Gov. Bev Perdue was in Western North Carolina Monday. She attended an economic recovery workshop in Transylvania County. She announced 16 projects she will recommend to receive $4 million from the Appalachian Regional Commission. Recommended to receive funds in our area, Marketing Association for Rehabilitation Centers (MARC) — to retain and create new jobs for people with disabilities; among the counties recommended include Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties. Mars Hill, in Madison County, would receive funds for water system improvements. And Mayland Community College would receive funds to expand allied health program and facilities in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. Funding proposals for projects were submitted and reviewed by the North Carolina ARC Office and project partners to ensure they are consistent with ARC’s goals. The Commission will make the final decision on the projects to receive funding; those that are successful will be announced later this year. The grants could also bring 125 new jobs to Western North Carolina.

05/11/2009

Peter Franklin & Tamera Frank or Elaine Boone & Judy Buchanan; who are the legal appointments to the Yancey County DSS Board of Directors? The controversy will be back in Yancey County Superior Court today. It was back in November 2008, Peter Franklin & Tamera Frank were named to the Yancey County DSS Board of Directors by the outgoing Yancey commissioners, then when the new board came into office in December 2008 they declared the Franklin and Frank appointments invalid. They appointed Elaine Boone and Judy Buchanan. Franklin & Frank sued the Commissioners, the County Manager, the DSS Board and the Department of Social Services. The suit asked the court to declare their appointments valid. In February 2009, Superior Court Judge Marlene Hyatt issued a consent order which means parties agree to conditions until the matter can be settled. The order stated the Yancey DSS Board could not discuss any new business and could only deal with day-to-day issues. Franklin, Frank, Boone & Buchanan could attend meetings but could not vote on issues and Franklin & Frank must be informed 48-hours in advance before a board meeting. In April 2009, Franklin & Frank filed a motion for contempt against DSS Board members and Board Chairman Jason Robinson. The motion alleges they have not been notified 48-hours in advance of a meeting and that Robinson has introduced new business and is in willful contempt of the consent order.

05/08/2009

The latest information about the H1N1 virus was released Thursday to a three county joint emergency management meeting at Blue Ridge Regional in Spruce Pine.
 

1. 642 cases in 41 states, an increase of 484 cases since Saturday, May 2nd.
2. The average age of all cases is 21 years old.
3. There are 7 confirmed cases in North Carolina (Onslow, Carteret and Wake County – the average age is 27 years old.)
4. Two deaths have been recorded, both in Texas.
5. The virus appears to have a short incubation period of 1-2 days.
6. The transmission probably similar to seasonal influenza,
 

There is a suspicious case in Avery County, the person is hospitalized and is not a school age child or connected with any school system. All three school systems reported good attendance in their schools and are currently dealing with virus strands that are common during this time of the year. The CDC feels the virus is easing up but officials say there are still a lot of unknowns about this virus.

05/08/2009

A 6-month investigation has resulted in at least 16-people being arrested in Madison County for illegal use of prescription drugs. The arrests included two Mars Hill Football players. Detectives say “prescription drugs” are the current drug of choice and its spreading to rural counties. Sheriff John Ledford says this was the largest drug bust in the county’s history. The arrests involved the sale of Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Viagara, Xanax and other medications. Ledford said more arrests are expected. Several vehicles and weapons were also seized in the bust.

05/08/2009

An Old Fort woman was found dead Sunday and police say her estranged husband killed her and then himself. Their bodies were found Sunday morning in Lenoir. Robin Jarvis moved in with her uncle in Old Fort four months ago when she separated from her husband Larry Jarvis, they had been married for 29-years. That's where Lenoir police say Larry picked her up Saturday night. Police say Larry shot Robin in his pick up truck and returned to his apartment in Lenoir. Sunday morning, neighbors found a note on the door saying to "call 9-1-1." Officers discovered Robin and Larry dead inside. Investigators say they found documents in the home that appear to be a confession, but they still don't have a motive.

05/07/2009

The proposal to increase the Yancey County Commission from 3-members to 5-members passed a large hurdle Wednesday. Yancey County Manager Nathan Bennett tells us that HB633, the Yancey Commissioner Election passed with broad bi-partisan support in the House Election Law & Campaign Finance Reform committee. Representative Rapp spoke in favor and Representative Frye spoke against. In addition to Democrats who voted in favor of the bill, Bennett says there were several republican members who spoke in favor of the bill, a completely different environment than the local government committee. Next for the bill is a vote by the full house, Bennett says that may come early next week. Yancey Commissioners support expanding the membership of the board from three to five members serving four years staggered terms, modeled after a system adopted several years ago by Mitchell County. Under the new proposal, the position of Chairman of the Board will be elected by the membership of the board itself instead of a separate elective office.

05/07/2009

We had some rough weather Wednesday morning in the Western mountains. The NWS issued a tornado warning at 10:45 for Southeastern Yancey & Southeastern McDowell Counties. In Yancey the warning included Mount Mitchell State Park & Bill Davis the Emergency Director for Yancey County added the South Toe area to the warning alert. In McDowell, Old Fort was in the warning area. Emergency Communications said there were no reports of injury or damage. Area schools went into the emergency mode with everyone moving to the hall until the warning was lifted. In the event of another warning, you will be advised these actions should be taken; mobile homes and vehicles should be abandoned for sturdier shelter, others should go to an interior room on the lowest level of your home or place of business. Make sure there are as many walls and floors between you and the outside as possible, in the event of another storm situation stay here to this station for complete weather information. Rain totals for the area from Wednesday and this morning.

Mitchell:
Spruce Pine -1.35
Little Switzerland -0.80

Yancey:
Black Mountain Gap-0.92
Blue Rock -0.44
Mt. Mitchell -0.28

05/06/2009

The Golden LEAF Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to the economic well-being of North Carolinians, aims to help grow the state’s economy through a $13 million investment to benefit Tier 1 and rural, Tier 2 counties. Tier 1 and 2 counties are North Carolina’s most economically distressed. The Foundation invested in the Access Capital Community Investment Fund in 2007 to purchase AAA-rated loans in underserved communities. “The Foundation is not only investing in rural North Carolina through grants-making, we’re also are interested in making a difference through our investment arm,” said Golden LEAF President Dan Gerlach. “By purchasing these loans, capital becomes available for lending institutions in rural areas to make the loans needed to keep our economy thriving.” The Foundation originally made a $7 million allotment for loans in Tier 1 counties. The Foundation allotted another $6 million in March 2009. These additional funds will be earmarked for loans in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties. As of March 31, 2009, the Foundation has invested $7.8 million in mortgages, helping 35 communities in 21 Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties in North Carolina. In all cases, the mortgages are fixed rate and are extended to North Carolinians with income at or below 80% of the area median income. For more information about Golden LEAF, or to learn more about applying for a grant, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404.

05/05/2009 

Mitchell County has named Becky Anderson as the director of the County’s Economic Development Commission. Anderson comes to the job with over 30-years experience in the economic development business. We ask her about areas she sees in the county that need to be to expanded and developed: (Comment from Becky Anderson ) Anderson said she wants to talk to the people in the community because she believes someone in the county has an idea or ideas that’s just waiting to explored. (to hear Anderson comment, click audio button above)

Million Dollar Lottery Winner

05/04/2009 

There was a million dollar lottery winner last week, close to home. Pat Phillips of Bakersville was the big winner. She purchased the “NC State Lottery Ticket” at Murphy’s gas station, located at Walmart in Spruce Pine. It was a 1 in 1.26 million chance. The “Lifetime Riches” game provides $50,000 a year for life with a guarantee of at least 1 million dollars.

Yancey Commission Expansion Proposal Passes Hurdle

04/30/2009

The attempt to increase the Yancey County Commission from three members to five members, failed last week in Raleigh during a local government committee meeting when Republicans stalled the move with a vote of 7 to 7. The measure was brought before a committee yesterday and this time it passed by a vote of 8-7, again the vote was along party lines. Local Representatives who serve the Yancey district split their vote with Democrat Ray Rapp voting for the measure and Republican Phillip Frye voting against, he said he would like to see the people of Yancey County to vote on the subject rather than have it decided in Raleigh. Next the measure goes to the election law & campaign Finance committee Law. If it passes this hurdle, the next vote will be on the house floor. Timetable for these votes has been determined. Yancey Commissioners support expanding the membership of the board from three to five members serving four years staggered terms, modeled after a system adopted several years ago by Mitchell County. Under the new proposal, the position of Chairman of the Board will be elected by the membership of the board itself instead of a separate elective office.

French Broad EMC Meeting

04/30/2009

The annual French Broad EMC annual meeting is set for this Saturday, May 2nd at Madison High School in Marshall. The annual meeting features a health fair with free medical screenings and information from area health care providers. The health fair will be from 3-5 pm. Entertainment for the event is from award winning magician and illusionist Bill Grimsley , he will be wondering through the crowd also from 3-5 pm. Then, at 5:30 pm, southern gospel favorite, the Perry’s, will perform for an hour. Following the entertainment, there will be as brief business session, General Manager Jeff Loven will speak and the members will elect 3-directors. Nominees, named by the nominating committee are John Chandler of Madison County, Dan Quinn of Mitchell County and Carl Ramsey of Unicoi County Tennessee. The Mars Hill Shrine Club will provide food as a fundraising effort for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals. All members and their families are encouraged to come and take part in the activities. That’s this Saturday at Madison High School in Marshall.

Final Suspect in Convenience Store Robbery Arrested

4/30/2009

Yancey County Deputies have arrested the final suspect in a recent convenience store robbery. Marvin Jack Taylor, age 21, of Yancey County, has been charged with Breaking & Entering, Larceny and Possession of Stolen Property, all felonies. Evidence gathered during the investigation revealed that Taylor assisted Alyse Greene in the theft of the money taken from a West Yancey convenience store during the early morning hours of March 13th. Investigators say Taylor received at least half of the money taken in the theft, he drove a vehicle to and from the store and provided clothing for Greene to wear to disguise her identity. Taylor was released from the Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $ $ 9,000.00 secured bond. Alyse Greene was arrested earlier for her part in the offense, she was charged with breaking & entering, larceny, possession of stolen property and safe cracking, all felonies. She was released after posting bond. Both Taylor & Greene are scheduled to appear in Yancey County Superior Court on May 26, 2009.

ABC Board Named

04/29/2009

In March, Spruce Pine citizens voted to allow alcohol sales within city limits. They also approved the operation of an ABC Store. Earlier this week, Spruce Pine Town Council nominated members to make-up the ABC Board. The ABC Board is responsible for finding a location for the store, they have the authority to buy, lease and borrow money for the start-up costs; they’re responsible for opening the store and its operation which includes hiring a manager and staff to run the day-to-day operations of the store.

ABC Board Members:

Danny Burleson – 3 year term
Mike Thomas – 2 year term (declined the nomination)
Matt Miller – 1 year term

Salaries for the board are: (Set by Town Council. No taxpayer money will be used. Board member salaries will be paid from store profits and or line of credit)

Chairman - $250 per month
2 Board members - $200 per month each


The appointed ABC Board members will decide who will be the chairman. At the end of a term Spruce Pine Council will name an appointment to the board, current members may be re-appointed. All of the decisions made and are in compliance with North Carolina State Statue 18B. Statue 18B deals with all aspects of alcohol sales.

Burnsville arrest report 2008

04/29/2009

The Burnsville Police Department has released their 2008 arrest and citation totals. According to Lt. Detective Randall Shuford there was a total of 222 arrests; fraud arrest ranked number one with 33 arrests, followed by DWI-Alcohol and/or Drugs with 29 arrests. 15 arrests for vandalism, 10 arrest for assaults and 10 for drug violations. There were a total of 606 citations issued in 2008 with speeding ranking number one with 242 citations, no operators license ranked second with 93 citations issued, screeching of tires and racing of engines ranked third with 41 citations issued. All offenses are submitted to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations for their annual crime statistics report.

State Ready for Swine, Health Officials: “Protect Yourself”

04/28/2009

North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue says the state is prepared to respond to any suspected cases of swine flu. North Carolina is equipped with a full supply of antiviral medications and personal protective supplies such as face masks. She said public health teams are ready to deploy to any community in our state that needs assistance. Meanwhile two people in Buncombe County are suspected of having swine flu. Health officials there say it will be a couple of days before lab results are known. Repeating; as of now these are suspected swine flu cases. Symptoms include a fever over one hundred degrees, sore throat, runny nose and cough. There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself:
 

• Wash your hands frequently
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing
• Stay at home from school or work if you are sick

Veteran Yancey Deputy Dies

04/28/2009

A 28-year veteran of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department has died; James Stuart Bagwell, age 57, died suddenly Monday afternoon while working outside on property he owned near Mt. Mitchell State Park. Bagwell was an active Reserve Deputy who was primarily assigned to the Southern Communities of Yancey County which boarder the Federal Park Service including what is commonly known in Yancey County as the Wilson Boundary. He was first appointed deputy by Sheriff Kermit Banks on June 24, 1980. Chief Deputy Gary Banks said preliminary findings suggest that Deputy Bagwell died as a result of a massive Heart Attack. His body will be taken to Watauga Medical Center in Boone for a post mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Deputy Bagwell is survived by his wife and four sons.

March Unemployment Statistics

04/27/2009

Unemployment rates decreased in 84 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in March according to figures released Friday by the state’s Employment Security Commission. Rates increased in eleven counties and remained the same in five. North Carolina had 40-counties which were at or below the state’s unadjusted employment rate of 10.9%. Larry Parker with ESC says this doesn’t necessarily means the economy is turning around, those counties with reduction is only slight, we need to look at the numbers for several months to see if there is a trend.  He says the challenge is still in the creation in new fulltime jobs for all counties. Here in the western mountains Avery County is at 9.9%, down from 10.7% in February, Madison 9.6%, down from 10.3% in February, McDowell at 16%, up from 15.9% in February, Mitchell at 13.8%, down from 15.6% and Yancey County at 13.1% down from 14.4% in February.

Number of Unemployed

Avery:       907
Madison:   929
McDowell: 3,489
Mitchell:    1,014
Yancey:    1,032

Statewide: 494,852

Woman Charged with Biting a Burnsville Police Officer

04/27/2009

Burnsville Police Officers have arrested Christian Raven riddle, age 21, of Burnsville on 5-misdameanor charges. In a news release from the Burnsville Police Department, on April 20, 2009 at 10:15 pm Officer Jason Chandler was performing a traffic stop on Woodland Drive when a vehicle approached him from behind and the driver began to act suspicious. Officer Chandler investigated further and found the driver to be intoxicated, Officer Chandler was assisted by Sergeant Brandon Buchanan. During the course of the arrest Riddle began to resist the officers and became combative to the point of biting Officer Chandler as he was placing her in the rear of the patrol car. Riddle was charged with Driving While Impaired, two counts of resisting a public officer, and two counts of assault on a government official. Officer Chandler suffered only minor injuries as a result of this incident.

Exposing Businesses with Other Businesses

04/24/2009

The Mitchell Chamber of Commerce wants to know if small business owners and entrepreneurs in Avery, Mitchell & Yancey Counties would be interested in participating in a gathering at Mayland Community College designed to expose businesses that provide goods and services in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey with tri-county businesses who can use these goods or services but don’t know they are available locally. If you are interested contact the Mitchell Chamber at 765-9033.

Warning of Scam

04/24/2009

The Burnsville Police Department has a warning for local residents of a telephone scam that has been committed recently in Burnsville. According to a news Release from the Burnsville Police Department, a man calling himself James Scott is calling people informing them they have won a large sum of money but need to wire him money to get the check through customs. Once the money has been wired, the victim does not receive the check and the telephone number and address the check was sent to--are not legitimate. Anyone who is contacted by this person or any other individual should not give out any personal information or send any money and should contact local law enforcement.

Yancey B & E Case Solved

04/24/2009

Timothy Scott Honeycutt, age 30, of Burnsville, has taken into custody by Yancey Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel K. Hughes on charges of Felonious Breaking & Entering, Felonious Larceny and Felonious Possession of Stolen Property. Honeycutt was released from the Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $ 9,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on May 5, 2009. A news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department stated the offenses charged were the result of an investigation into the unlawful breaking & entering into a storage building off of Possum Trot Road in January 2008. In the incident numerous hand tools and equipment were stolen. Several of the stolen items were recovered from a residence located off of Summit Street in Burnsville where they were sold.

Court Sentences Handed Down

04/23/2009

Sentencing was handed down this week in Superior Court. A Burnsville man, Charles Michael Foster, age 29, was sentenced to 61-83 months in prison. He had been charged with armed robbery of the Murphy’s USA Gas station at Walmart in early 2009. And, Patrick Murphy, age 20 and Eddie Fields, age 21, both of Spruce Pine were each sentenced to 4-5 months active time and 5-6 months probation for multiple counts of felony obtaining property by false pretense, forgery and uttering. In late 2008, they stole a women’s check book and wrote checks for $17-thousand, most checks were written at Walmart in Spruce Pine.

Board Expansion Hits a Bump

04/23/2009

Republicans in the NC State House have stalled a move to increase the make-up of the Yancey County Board of Commissioners from 3-members to 5-members. The measure was kept from passing Wednesday by a local-government committee; the vote was 7-7. The Committee chairman has indicated he plans to hold another vote. Walter Savage, the Chairman of the Yancey County Commission says the measure has support from the County’s Representatives in Raleigh. Representative Ray Rapp, a Democrat from Madison County, said 3-member boards tend to prevent long-range planning as there can be a full turnover of Commissioners ever two years. If approved a 5-member board would be elected to staggered 4-year terms every two years. Only three counties out of one hundred in the state have 3-member boards.

Yancey Deputies Close a 2008 B & E Case

04/22/2009

Yancey Deputies have arrested a Burnsville man on breaking and entering charges in a case that dates back to October & November 2008. A news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department states that Devin Brogan Burleson, age 20, was taken into custody by Deputy Bobby Austin and Lt. Tom Farmer. He was charged for his involvement in the breaking and entering, larceny and possession of stolen property at three separate residential locations in neighborhoods located in the Jacks Creek/Green Mountain and Possum Trot/Bald Creek Communities of Yancey County. Burleson remains in the Yancey County Detention Center under a $ 20,000.00 secured bond. A May 5, 2009 court date has been set.

2008 Arrests Totals in Yancey

04/22/2009

Yancey County Sheriff Kermit Banks has released his Department’s 2008 arrest totals. There were a total of 1,505 arrests; drug violations ranked number one with 411 followed by damage to property with 171, assault with 129, there were 126 arrests for larceny or theft and 113 for worthless checks and 68 for breaking and entering. The complete list of criminal offenses committed in Yancey County is submitted to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Paddlin the Nolichucky

04/21/2009

RiverLink's Riverkeeper is kicking off the Paddlin the Nolichucky event on May 23rd from 11am-1pm in Riverside Park in Spruce. This ground breaking trip is a two week monitoring, education, and outreach trip, starting on the North Toe River in Spruce Pine, NC and finishing at the mouth of French Broad River, 140 miles down stream. This is third trip in a series of outreach trips RiverLink has performed in order to highlight every corner of the French Broad Watershed, from the Pigeon River to the Nolichucky River This fun kick off event will feature great Bluegrass music from the Wisemans, food, speakers and lots of boating fun. The event will also celebrate the removal of the dam on the North Toe River. This dam removal has been a collaborative project that will tear down a huge barrier on the North Toe River. This will help make the river a fishing and paddling destination for everyone. This is the first of fourteen days of paddling to reach the mouth of the Nolichucky River. The trip will assess the rivers health and hold a series of educational and fun events as part of this journey. This kickoff event is being organized by Toe River Valley Watch and RiverLink. Both organizations are working to protect and restore the areas water quality. RiverLink is a regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the entire French Broad River Watershed. Visit RiverLink’s website at www.riverlink.org or contact the French Broad Riverkeeper at Riverkeeper@riverlink.org or 828-252-8474 ext. 114 to learn more about this exciting trip. And to sign up for their newsletter.

NC Receives Emergency Food & Shelter Funds

04/20/2009

FEMA has announced that $3,224,647 has been awarded to North Carolina by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), to bring immediate relief to communities to address unemployment, poverty and other needs in light of the economic climate faced by our country. The funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. Counties in our region to receive Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Avery: $5,837
Madison: $6,522
McDowell: $20,441
Mitchell: $6,588
Yancey: $6,849

In each funded jurisdiction, a Local Board will advertise the availability of the funds, establish local priorities, select local non-profit and government agencies to receive supplemental funding, and monitor program compliance.

Woman Charged with Cruelty to Animals

04/17/2009

Mitchell Deputies have charged a Spruce Pine woman, Michele Potter, age 52, with one count of felony cruelty to animals. The case against Potter began in January after she was evicted from a house in the Grassy Creek area. Deputies returned to the house and found a dog lying partially underneath a detached storage building next to the house, the dog was dead, frozen to the ground. Animal Rescue was contacted and as they were looking around the storage building they could see dog legs hanging through the floor boards of the building, inside the building they found three more dogs, they were dead too. An autopsy on the dogs revealed that starvation was the cause of death. Potter was arrested and charged earlier this week; in an unrelated case, Animal Control charged her with 3-counts of abandonment of animals, a misdemeanor. These charges involve cats. Total bond for all charges was $5-thousand which she posted and was released. Her first court appearance is scheduled for April 28th.

Financing Your Business - For Entrepreneurs

04/17/2009

Being an entrepreneur these days can be a challenge!! How do you predict how much money you need for your business? Where do you find it? How do you get it? A free seminar at Mayland Community College-Spruce Pine Campus will examine how to access capital. Also discussed will be the differences between traditional and non-traditional lenders, equity vs. debt financing, how forms of business ownership affect financing possibilities, and many other topics of interest. The class is at the Spruce Pine Campus of Mayland Community College on Tuesday April 21 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Call 828-765-7351 x 249 to pre-register or x 227 for more information.

Armed Robbery in Spruce Pine

04/16/2009

Police are investigating an armed robbery in Spruce Pine. Wednesday at about 8 am, a man came into Habitat for Humanity on Oak Avenue and demanded money. The office manager gave him the money and then he left. The amount of money taken was not disclosed and no one was injured in the incident. If you have any information that may help police and their investigation, call 765-2233, ext 14.

Father Facing Child Abuse Charges

04/16/2009

A McDowell County father has been charged with misdemeanor child abuse after passing out with his child in the bathtub. 25 year old Karl Vetter says he wasn't feeling well so he took twice the recommended dose of Nyquil. He was watching his 2 year old daughter Mia and decided to give her a bath. But while the child was in the tub full of water, Vetter passed out. Mia's mother came by while Vetter was passed out. She heard the child crying and couldn't get in the house so she called police. They burst into the home and found Mia in the tub full of cold water, the water still running. Vetter estimates he was out for about 30 minutes. He has voluntarily given urine and hair samples and says he was not under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. His court date is set for May 1st and he can't see his daughter until then. (details from WLOS TV)

I-26 Connector Delayed-Again

04/16/2009

The N.C. Department of Transportation has changed the project schedule for the proposed Interstate 26 Connector in Asheville to further review and revise the proposed designs for the alternatives under study and to prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The new project schedule, which reflects an approximate one-year delay, will begin in spring 2010 and construction will begin in fall 2014.

Insurance Agent Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

04/15/2009

A Marion Insurance agent has pleaded guilty to eleven counts of embezzlement. Kenneth Rick Morrow, age 43, was sentenced to 60-months supervised probation and he was ordered to pay more than $9-thousand in restitution to a client and more than $54-thousand to the insurance companies involved. He had been an agent for one of the company’s for 19-years. And he was ordered to surrender his insurance license. According to information from the State Insurance Commissioner’s office, Morrow pocketed premiums and forged a client’s signature to withdraw $13-thousand from her retirement account. An investigation began after Morrow’s client received an IRS notice for failing to pay taxes on $13-thousand withdrawn from her retirement account. Morrow admitted to forging his client’s signature and withdrawing the money to cover his own financial obligations. An estimated 10 cents of every dollar paid in premiums goes toward the payment of fraudulent claims. To report suspected fraud, contact the Department of Insurance Investigations Division at (919) 807-6840. Callers may remain anonymous.

Shred Day/Secure ID

04/15/2009

This Saturday, April 18th, the Better Business Bureau which serves Asheville and Western North Carolina will host a free “Shred Day / Secure Your Id” day. Bring up to three boxes or bags or fifty pounds of documents to be shredded and take home the tips and resources you need to help protect you. Documents to be shredded should be removed from binders. The event will be from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 112 Executive Park, College Street, Asheville, North Carolina. The Better Business Bureau serves Asheville and 17 Western North Carolina counties. Call the bureau at 800-452-2882, consumers may obtain reports on companies and charities, file a complaint or get consumer tips by going to the Web site, www.asheville.bbb.org.

Pharmacy Break-In in SP

04/14/2009

Spruce Pine Police are continuing their investigation of a break-in at Hospital Drive Pharmacy on March 7th. After reviewing the security video it was determined that 3-men were involved in the incident as the camera caught them breaking into the backside of the building from the roof. Their identity was unknown until there was a break in the case. Detective Billy Summerlin was contacted by Captain Hollifield of the McDowell Sheriff’s Department who told him they had information about the Pharmacy break-in. From there, Summerlin went to McDowell to interview the suspect they were holding on fugitive warrants in Virginia. He was identified as Christopher Hensley, age 19, of Morganton. In the interview, Hensley admitted his involvement in the Spruce Pine pharmacy break-in. and he gave Summerlin the names of the other two men involved. He also admitted his involvement in pharmacy break-ins in Virginia and in Caldwell and Avery Counties in NC. Hensley was jailed in Mitchell, he made bond, then was taken to Avery County. As for the other two suspects, they are still at large. Warrants have been issued for Patrick William McDaniel, age 30, of Morganton and Christopher James Woodard age 28, of Valdese in Burke County. The three are charged with felony Breaking & Entering and Felony Larceny and there may be more charges. No money was taken in the break-in. Summerlin said they were scared away when the security alarm went off. If you have any information about this incident call: 765-2233, ext 14.

State Investigates Possible Exposure to Asbestos

04/14/2009

The state is investigating whether workers in the Madison County town of Marshall were exposed to asbestos during a renovation job at the town hall building. The town purchased the Madison County D.S.S. building to use as its new town hall. A local architect who volunteered her services in the renovations noticed the recent work inside the building and she became concerned about the potential exposure of asbestos, she contacted the state and now the Occupational Safety and Health Division is conducting an investigation. It’s expected to take the agency 4-5 weeks to complete the investigation.

Suspect in Man's Overdose Death Arrested by Yancey County Sheriff Investigator's

04/13/2009

A tragic incident that happened in March of 2008 has resulted in the arrest of a Pensacola woman--charged with second degree murder. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department; on Easter Sunday March 23, 2008, Yancey County EMS and Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the Pensacola residence of Kelly Lee Rathburn age, 25, after family members had arrived to check on Rathburn and found him on a couch inside his residence, he was unresponsive. Rathburn was taken to Blue Ridge Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon his arrival. Investigators with the Yancey County Sheriff's Department requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The autopsy revealed that he died as a result of an overdose of opiate derivative drugs, primarily Methadone. An investigation into who provided Methadone to Rathburn has been underway since his death. The results of that investigation, which is still ongoing, has revealed that during the evening hours of Friday March 21, 2008, Rathburn arrived at a residence in the neighborhood where he lived and received a large amount of Methadone from Carolyn Lee Shade, age 49, who was living at the Pensacola address.
This past Friday April 10, 2009, Lt. Tom Farmer and Det. John D. Thomas with the Yancey County Sheriff's Department took Carolyn Lee Shade into custody charging her with one count of Second Degree Murder. Shade is currently in the Yancey County Jail under a $ 50,000.00 secured bond, she is scheduled to appear before Yancey County Clerk of Superior Court Warren Hughes on Monday April 13, 2009 (today) for a first appearance. Shade will be appointed an attorney if she desires one and additional court hearings will be scheduled.

Lt. Farmer stated under NC Law, if a person distributes opium, cocaine, or a derivative of either substance, or methamphetamine, and the ingestion of that substance causes the user's death, the person who provided the illegal drugs is guilty of Second Degree Murder.
 

Beloved Pastor Dies

04/10/2009

A long-time Burnsville business owner who impacted many lives has died. Reverend Troy McCourry of Cherry Lane passed away Wednesday. Along with his wife Hatti and son Wade, they operated Troy’s greenhouse and Variety, one of Burnsville’s oldest businesses. Under his ministry, 25 young men have become ordained ministers. Funeral services for Reverend McCourry will be Saturday morning at 11am at West Burnsville Baptist Church with burial in the Holcombe Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6pm-8pm tonight at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Reverend McCourry was 88.

Training to Save Lives

04/10/2009 

Spruce Pine’s new fire station was dedicated on Wednesday and Chief David Hughes talked about the volunteer firefighters in his department, but he was also speaking about every fire department and their volunteer’s who train, to save lives and property. (To hear comments from Chief Hughes, click audio button above)

Jail Time for McDowell Woman

04/10/2009

It’s at least 3-years in jail for a McDowell woman who was convicted of beating a friend with a piece of firewood. Thirty nine year old Revonda Harris pleaded guilty to an assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators say Harris repeatedly hit her roommate twenty year old Jessica Morgan during an argument last October.

SP Fire & Rescue Dedicate New Station

09/09/2009 

The Spruce Pine Fire Department held its dedication for their new fire station on Wednesday. USDA Rural Development provided a $2-million low interest community facility loan to Spruce Pine Fire & Rescue for the construction of the new fire station. (To hear comments from Spruce Pine Fire Chief David Hughes and Congressman Patrick McHenry click on the audio button above)

LGC Rep Here

04/09/2009 

Yancey Commissioners met for their April meeting this week, one of the topics was the county’s financial situation. Sharon Edmondson, a representative from the Local Government Commission was there. (To hear comments from Walter Savage, the Chairman of the Yancey County Commission, click on audio button above)

Weaverville Husband & Wife Charged with Fraud in Yancey

04/08/2009

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Joseph Webb 24 and his wife Sidney Ella Webb 19, both of Weaverville in Buncombe County. Both were each charged with two counts of Felonious Obtaining Money by Fraud/trick. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, Lt. Tom Farmer stated the two subjects entered Prices Creek General Store and attempted to obtain money by using a fraudulent scheme and other denominations of money in an attempt to confuse the clerk. After attempting the scheme without success; the two left Prices Creek and went to Riverside Grocery where they were able to deceive the clerk out of an undisclosed amount of money. Charges have also been filed on the couple in neighboring counties for committing similar schemes and obtaining money. Joseph and Sidney Webb were jailed in the Yancey County Detention Center where they remained until they posted secured bonds of $ 3,000.00 each. An April 14, 2009 court date has been set for the couple to appear in Yancey County District Court.

Drive Smart 2009

04/08/2009

The N.C. State Highway Patrol along with the N.C. Department of Transportation will kickoff Operation Drive Smart 2009 this week. Drive Smart is an effort to reduce the number of traffic collisions in North Carolina’s work zones. The Highway Patrol will set up enforcement and crack down on excessive speeders in some of the busiest work zones in the state. According to NCDOT, there were 2,381 work zone crashes resulting in nearly 1,500 injuries in 2008. Of these injuries, 21 were fatal. More than four out of five work zone crash fatalities are motorists. Speeding and driver distraction account for more than half of all work zone crashes.

Multiple Drug Arrests in Mitchell

04/06/2009 

A six month investigation involving the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department, the Spruce Pine Police Department, the SBI and Probation & Parole has resulted in the arrest of at least 16-people on various charges of selling drugs including trafficking in opiates and controlled substances. (To hear comments from Kip Aldridge with the Mitchell County Sheriff's Department click audio button above.)

Yancey County Surplus

04/06/2009

Yancey County Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 24, to address surplus county vehicles located around the County Courthouse. County Manager Nathan Bennett, identified 15 vehicles that are no longer in use and have been out of service for some time. Commissioners agreed with his assessment of these vehicles and declared them surplus county property and authorized the disposition of the vehicles according to state law. The County will accept sealed bids for the 15 surplus vehicles described as follows: (7) Chevrolet Caprice, (2) Dodge Vans, (3) Chevrolet S-10 Trucks, (1) Ford Ranger, (1) Ford Van and (1) Chevrolet Dump Truck. The vehicles are available for inspection in the lower parking lot of the Yancey County Courthouse, at the East Yancey Recycling Center on Burnsville School Road, and across from the old EMS building on East Boulevard, all in Burnsville. Bid forms may be obtained from the County Manager’s Office located in the Yancey County Courthouse. Bid forms shall be received in a sealed envelope delivered to the County Manager’s Office no later than Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Bids shall be opened by the Commissioners at a public meeting on April 14, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Board Room on the 2nd floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. For more information contact the County Manager at 682-3971.

Grandfather Mountain-Newest State Park

04/03/2009

Gov. Bev Perdue has signed legislation formally authorizing Grandfather Mountain as the state’s newest state park. An agreement for the state to purchase the undeveloped, backcountry portion of Grandfather Mountain was announced in September. Funding for the $12 million acquisition will come equally from the Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds. Grandfather Mountain State Park will be comprised of these 2,456 acres, which the state will purchase from the Morton family later this spring. House and Senate authorization bills had 48 co-sponsoring legislators. The primary sponsor of the Senate bill was Sen. Joe Sam Queen, of Haywood County. Primary sponsors of the House Bill included Representative Phillip Frye of Mitchell County also co-sponsoring the house bill was Representative Ray Rapp of Madison County. The heirs of company founder Hugh Morton will continue to operate the travel destination with its nature center, wildlife habitats and “mile-high” swinging bridge on a paid admission basis. The property lies in Watauga, Avery and Caldwell counties, and contains the headwaters of both the Watauga and Linville rivers. Developed as an attraction by Hugh Morton in the 1950s, it boasts 73 rare species and is distinguished by the 5,946-feet Calloway Peak.

Mother Jailed After Assaulting Her Child

04/03/2009

Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies have arrested Imelda Guerrero, age 21, of Burnsville, charging her with one count of Assault on A Child Under 12, one count of Domestic Assault and one count of Domestic Criminal Trespass. In a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, Lt. Tom Farmer stated that Guerrero arrived at the residence of her former husband on Monday afternoon March 30, 2009 and assaulted him and her two year old son while he was being held in the arms of his father as she was attempting to physically take him away. Lt. Farmer stated that neither the father nor the child was seriously injured but noticeable marks about the child's face were observed. Child Protection Investigators with the Yancey County Department of Social Services were called in to assist in the case and Temporary Court Orders imposed by District Court Judge Greg Horne were issued placing the minor child and his infant sibling in the custody of the biological father. Guerrero remains in the Yancey County Detention Center under no bond. She is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on April 30, 2009.

Will Not Affect Bombardier in Spruce Pine

04/03/2009

The business world is hearing that Canada’s Bombardier Aerospace will cut 3,000 jobs because the demand for its business aircraft has fallen rapidly and is expected to remain weak for the foreseeable future. The world’s third-largest maker of commercial aircraft says the cuts represent 10 percent of its total work force. The Bombardier facility in Spruce Pine will not be affected by the layoffs, the Spruce Pine facility is not associated with the Aerospace Division of Bombardier and would not face job cuts.

Unemployment Rates Continue to Rise

04/02/2009

Unemployment rates increased in all but one of North Carolina’s 100 counties in February. The unemployment rate for Mitchell is 15%; the number of unemployed is 1,104 from a work force of 7,378. In Yancey the unemployment rate is 14.5%; the county’s work force is 8,002 of that number 1,159 are unemployed. According to ESC officials beginning in early April those receiving unemployment benefits will get a boost. The ESC is set up to start paying an extra $25 a week to eligible claimants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The additional $25 will be added to the amount eligible claimants currently receive and it will be retroactively paid to the week ending February 28.

Yancey DSS Board Appointments Controversy Continues

04/02/2009

Back in November 2008, Peter Franklin & Tamera Frank were named to the Yancey County DSS Board of Directors by the outgoing Yancey commissioners, and then when the new board came into office December 2008 they declared the Franklin and Frank appointments invalid. They appointed Elaine Boone and Judy Buchanan. Franklin & Frank sued the Commissioners, the County Manager, the DSS Board and the Department of Social Services. The suit asked the court to declare their appointments valid. In February, Superior Court Judge Marlene Hyatt issued a consent order which means parties agree to conditions until the matter can be settled. The order stated the Yancey DSS Board could not discuss any new business and could only deal with day-to-day issues. Franklin, Frank, Boone & Buchanan could attend meetings but could not vote on issues and Franklin & Frank must be informed 48-hours in advance before a board meeting. On Monday of this week, Franklin & Frank filed a motion for contempt against DSS Board members and Board Chairman Jason Robinson. The motion alleges they have not been notified 48-hours in advance of a meeting and that Robinson has introduced new business and is in willful contempt of the consent order.

Golden Leaf Visit to the Mountains

04/01/2009 

Officials from the Golden Leaf Foundation made a stop in Mitchell County on Monday to talk about their Community Assistance Initiative. Dan Gerlach is the President of the Golden Leaf Foundation. He said they hope to return to Mitchell in July or August to get to work helping a community in need. Community Assistance Initiative grants has been given to 7-counties in the western part of the state including McDowell & Yancey Counties. (To hear Gerlach's complete comments, click audio button above)

Publishers Clearing House Scam

04/01/2009 

The Better Business Bureau of WNC is warning the public to beware of letters supposedly from Publishers Clearing House which claim that they have won a grand prize drawing of $1 million. Victims receive a letter supposedly from Publishers Clearing House claiming that they have won $1 million as the second place winner of a drawing sponsored by Reader’s Digest Magazine. The letter is accompanied by a check for as much as $5,900 with instructions to call the Publishers Clearing House representative listed in the letter. Over the phone, the victims are told that, in order to receive their prize, they must cash the check and then wire approximately $4,000 to Publishers Clearing House and then the rest of the winnings will be sent to them. The check, however, is fraudulent and any money wired to the scammers cannot be recovered. Norma Messer of the BBB says beware and if it sounds to good to be true it probably is. The Better Business Bureau serves Asheville and 17 counties in Western North Carolina. Consumers may call the bureau at 253-2392 or 800-452-2882. Consumers may obtain reports on companies and charities, file a complaint or get consumer tips by going to the Web site, www.asheville.bbb.org.(to hear Messer's comments, click audio button above)

Pedestrian Hit by Vehicle in Burnsville

03/31/2009

On Saturday evening March 28th, at 5:28 pm a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road on North Main Street near The Yancey Common Times Journal's office. According to Lt. Detective Randall Shuford of the Burnsville Police Department, Sergeant Brandon Buchanan responded to a call of a pedestrian being hit by a vehicle. Sgt. Buchanan's investigation revealed that Christy Lee Honeycutt, age 20, of the Jacks Creek community, was struck by a 1996 GMC truck driven by Matthew Harold Shepherd,18,of Burnsville. Sgt. Buchanan said Honeycutt failed to look before stepping into the road in an area where there is no marked crosswalk. Honeycutt was transported by Mission EMS to Mission Hospital in Asheville NC. Honeycutt’s condition has not been released; Burnsville Police indicated her injuries are not considered life threating.

Operation Slow Down/No Need 2 Speed

03/31/2009

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue has announced the kickoff of “Operation Slow Down/No Need 2 Speed,” to catch speeders on North Carolina’s highways. Local law enforcement agencies will join troopers from now through April 12 to encourage drivers to slow down and follow the speed limit. “North Carolina law enforcement will be going after speeders who recklessly endanger our citizens,” said Perdue. “Speed is the leading cause of crashes on our highways. I urge motorists to slow down and obey the speed limit. ” Last year 1,405 people were killed in traffic crashes on North Carolina highways; speed was the leading cause of those crashes. Stepped-up enforcement will be conducted across the state, focusing on motorists speeding. Dangerous driving can be reported to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP on cellular phones from anywhere in the state. “Operation Slow Down/No Need 2 Speed,” is sponsored by the N.C. State Highway Patrol and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

Bids Scheduled for June

03/30/2009 

At a recent special meeting of the Yancey County Commission the subject of the east Yancey water-sewer project was discussed. The project will run from Burnsville to Micaville then to Hickory Springs. (To hear Yancey Commission Chairman Walter Savage comment, click audio button above)

Taxability of Unemployment Benefits

03/30/2009 

Taxpayers receiving unemployment benefits could be getting a break from the Internal Revenue Service. (To hear Mark Hanson with the IRS explain, click audio button above)

Burnsville-A Day Trip

03/27/2009 

Burnsville’s Main Street Program was established back in September and as Jake Blood, the director of the Yancey County Economic Development Commission says the NC Department of Commerce, office of community assistance has helped the town with data that has identified areas the town should promote. Blood said the data indicated Burnsville should be promoted as a regional shopping center and as a one-day trip for shopping and recreation. The Burnsville Main Street Group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6 pm in the Burnsville Town Hall and everyone is welcome to attend and participate.

Survivor Speaks Out

A survivor of the Mitchell County jail fire is speaking out!! O.M. Ledford, Junior was the only inmate on the top floor of the jail who made it out alive; he tells WLOS-TV he thinks a personal vendetta is to blame for the fire that killed eight people in 2002. The state says Melissa Buchanan started the fire to get out of jail, Ledford says she really started the fire to kill him. Ledford and Buchanan were married at the time and in jail together. They’re now divorced!! Ledford says Buchanan did not tell him that she was going to start the fire. He says she had help and that she had two bottles of fingernail polish remover. It was that remover that the state says Buchanan used along with some cardboard to start the fire. The state also says Buchanan conspired with inmate Jesse Davis and his wife Denise to carry it out. Buchanan has denied those allegations.

A few Weeks Away

03/26/2009 

Its spring and that means the opening of Patience Park is just a few weeks away. (To hear comments from Yancey Commission chairman Walter Savage on the opening of the park click on audio button above)

7-Year old Boy Brings Pellet Gun to School

03/25/2009

A 7-year old boy, who attends Burnsville Elementary, brought a pellet pistol and a knife to school last Thursday. The pellet gun and  knife were discovered in his backpack. The Sheriff’s Department was notified, and it was determined that the boy meant no harm and there would be no criminal charges. Any discipline would be left to school officials. We made an error in our news story on Tuesday concerning the number of days the boy was suspended. We are sorry for this error and the problems it may have caused.

Getting a Face Lift

03/25/2009 

The pothole filled bridge on 19E in Spruce Pine will be getting a face lift. The cost of the project will be $1.6 million. (To hear Gary Cooper with NCDOT comment click audio button above)

EC Wing at Gouge Elementary

03/24/2009 

Construction of an exceptional children’s wing at Gouge Elementary has been approved by the Mitchell County Board of Education. Funds for this project come from a move by the Mitchell County Commission to allow the school system to re-allocate $800-thousand from their heating and cooling project. The school system has been approved for a Qualified Zone Academy bond which allows for improvements not increasing footage and by re-allocating the funds from the heating a cooling project they can construct the classrooms at gouge and funding for heating and cooling needs for the system will be provided by the Qualified Zone Academy Bond money.

Explosion Rocks Spruce Pine

03/23/2009 

The peaceful atmosphere in Spruce Pine was rocked by an explosion on Friday at the Bombardier Plant. It happened around 1:30 as kids were playing outside at nearby Deyton Elementary and Harris Middle Schools, teachers and kids said they heard a loud boom and then a thick cloud of smoke quickly covered the area. The kids ran for safety inside school buildings. There were no injuries, but the students were evacuated as a precaution. When fire crews arrived, they found fire coming from the plants “dust collector.” The fire was brought under control within a couple of hours. Bombardier makes parts for boat and all terrain vehicle engines. It’s not clear what type of chemicals may have been inside the plant at the time of the explosion and air quality control officials were contacted to make them aware of the incident. David Hughes, Spruce Pine’s Fire Chief said “adding to the concern for safety and doing their job, one of the thoughts that ran through his mind as the call came in was this could mean more jobs lost, something our community doesn’t need. Hughes thanked the fire and rescue units from Mitchell County as-we-as units from Avery & Yancey that were placed on standby. Hughes said the building was in tacked, but there was considerable smoke damage. He estimate 75-80 fire and rescue personnel were on the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Charges of Sexual Misconduct

03/23/2009 

A two county criminal investigation into allegations of Sexual Misconduct has led to the arrest of a Burnsville Man who is now facing Felony Sex Abuse charges in both Buncombe and Yancey Counties. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, evidence was found to support allegations that over the past 6 years a father sexually offended his two young daughters while they lived together at locations in Buncombe and Yancey Counties. Jason Dale Hunsicker age 35, of Burnsville, has been charged with one count of First Degree Statutory Sexual Offense and one count of Taking Indecent Liberties With A Child in Black Mountain, N.C. In Yancey County Hunsicker has been charged with one count of First Degree Sexual Offense and one count of Felonious Indecent Liberties with a Child .Hunsicker was placed in the Yancey County Detention Center where remains under a $ 70,000.00 secured bond. Hunsicker will appear before Yancey County Clerk of Superior Court F. Warren Hughes on Monday March 23, 2009 for a First Appearance Hearing and will make his first District Court appearance on April 14, 2009.

Hopeful for Fund Requests

03/20/2009 

The Town of Burnsville was recently awarded $350-thousand from the North Carolina Rural Center for the purpose of beginning the work on over a million dollars worth of improvements at their wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Danny McIntosh is hopeful that a fund request of $1.5 million from the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund North Carolina will be granted and this will get them closer to getting these much needed improvements. (to hear McIntosh comment click audio button above)

County Settles with Lawhern

03/19/2009 

Yancey Commissioners have reached a monetary settlement with former County Manager Michele Lawhern; Commission Chairman Walter Savage says all parties are happy and he’s glad to put this matter behind them: (savage comments) The agreement also eliminates any past, present or future claims by either party. The former Commission Board had amended Lawhern’s contract to include a severance pay package if fired by an incoming board and to provide insurance until she found another job for a period not to exceed three years. Current County Manager Nathan Bennett said the yearly insurance coverage under this agreement would have been $18,878.64 and he said “the former commission obligated the current board to something the county could not honor.” At the time her dismissal, Lawhern had served as Yancey County Manager for more than 9-years. (To hear Savage comment, click audio button above)

Most Can File for Free

03/19/2009 

The deadline to file your tax returns for 2008 is fast approaching and as Mark Hanson of the IRS say about seven out of ten taxpayers in North Carolina qualify to file their federal tax returns for free on line, Mark Hanson with the IRS explains: (To hear Hanson comment click on audio button above)

Shocking Case of Animal Cruelty

03/18/2009 

A shocking case of animal cruelty in McDowell County; authorities are searching for a suspect or suspects that killed a cat by burning it alive. The cat’s remains were found by a customer in the parking lot of the Double R convenience store on Sugar Hill Road. Investigators say the tabby cat was bound and tortured before it was burned and tossed on the roadside, they say they do have a few good suspects. They say the crime will not be treated lightly and person or persons responsible will face felony cruelty charges. And officers say because of the malicious intent and torture, they could face jail time.

Crash through Fence at Ray-Cort Park

03/18/2009 

Burnsville Police have taken into custody Sebastian Campos-Tomas, age 43, of Burnsville charging him with Driving While Impaired, Leaving the scene of an accident, resist obstruct and delay a police officer and damage to property. According to Lt. Detective Randall Shuford, on March 8th, officers found a white Dodge Durango crashed through the fence at Ray-Cort Park on Mitchell Branch and the driver had left the scene of the accident. Officers went to Tomas's residence and the suspect fled on foot but was shortly apprehended. The arresting officers were Sgt. Gerald Barnett and Officer JD Chandler. Tomas was given a $1000.00 secured bond, he has a court date set for May 05, 2009.

Hospice Does Not Solicit Funds by Phone

03/17/2009 

Hospice of Yancey County has once again been notified by local citizens that someone is calling homes soliciting funds for hospice. They are asking for money to support hospice and to help with care for cancer patients. Individuals are being told they will receive a form with instructions as to how to return their donation. Hospice does not take part in phone calls to solicit funds. All Hospice fundraising events are advertised and conducted by authorized Hospice volunteers and employees. Hospice will not allow any non hospice person to conduct fundraising for them nor do we loan our name to anyone. Any person calling in the name of Hospice of Yancey or Hospice should be denied any answers from you. Question the person thoroughly and report any names or phone numbers you obtain to the Executive Director of Hospice at 682-9675.

Targeting the Elderly

03/17/2009 

Thieves posing as carpet salesmen are targeting the elderly. Residents in Marion say the three men have hit several homes in the area. Witnesses say the thieves are in their late sixties. They're knocking on doors, posing as carpet salesmen, and once they get into the home, one man occupies the homeowner while the others ransack the place. It happened to a 95-year-old great-grandmother, but it was the quick thinking of a neighbor who helped stop the thieves in their tracks, they escaped. The woman’s granddaughter filed a report with the Marion police. She says the same men have hit other homes in the area and she wants everyone to be aware that scammers like this are out there.

Severe Consequences if Convicted

03/17/2009 

A Burnsville woman, Heather Ruth Oliver, age 23, has been taken into custody by Yancey County Sheriff Deputies and charged with one count of Felonious Trafficking in Opium. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, at the time of arrest, Oliver was found to be in possession of 39.2 grams of an Opium Derivative Drug and faces severe consequences if convicted of the offense in court. The offense charged is a Class C Felony and North Carolina Law states that a person convicted of possessing 28 grams or more of an Opiate drug shall be sentenced to a minimum of 225 months in the North Carolina Department of Correction's. Oliver remains in the Yancey County Detention Center under a $25,000.00 secured bond. She is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on March 26, 2009.

Beware of a Scam

0/3/16/2009 

The Burnsville Police Department is warning people to be aware of a scam. The news release reports that Thomas "Scott" Bailey,49, of Granite Falls, NC has approached a business here in Burnsville representing himself as the owner of AD Signs Advertising of Granite Falls, NC. Bailey presented the business with a service contract to subscribe to a bench sponsorship display to be displayed on a bench outside of Ingles in Burnsville for a period of one year for the price of $300.00. The payment for the ad was paid in December 2008 and the ad still hasn't been placed at Ingles. And an investigation revealed that Bailey had no such agreement with Ingles to place any advertisements on their property. The phone number on the contract has been disconnected. A warrant for Bailey's arrest was secured on March 11, 2009 for obtaining property by false pretense. Burnsville PD is working with other law enforcement agencies in the state to try and locate Bailey. Any one that feels they may be a victim of Bailey can contact Lt. Detective Randall Shuford at the Burnsville Police Department at 682-4683.

Mitchell Ag District Approved

03/16/2009 

At the March meeting, Mitchell Commissioners approved establishing an agricultural district for the county. For more information call the Mitchell County Extension office at 688-4811. (To hear comment from Mitchell County Manager Vines click audio button above)

More Information on Mitchell’s Deadly Jail Fire

03/13/2009 

As we reported earlier this week News 13, WLOS-TV has learned the state now believes an inmate started the deadly jail fire in Mitchell County seven years ago. The blaze killed eight people. A motion filed by the state Attorney General's office reveals the fire was part of a conspiracy. The state alleges the plan was hatched by an inmate who wanted drugs and money, and another who wanted to escape from jail and his wife. Now the Attorney General's office has filed a motion to counter sue Melissa Robinson, who now goes by the name of Melissa Robinson Buchanan. She says she had nothing to do with starting the jail fire. She was an inmate and a trustee at the jail at the time of the fire, serving time for delinquent child support. But according to sworn witness testimony she was involved or at least knew about the plan. An EMT, who transported Buchanan, claims he heard her say that starting the fire was a bad idea; they were going to “smoke up the jail” so that prisoners could get released. Another witness claims that a day or two after the fire, she saw alleged co-conspirator Denise Davis at the scene and Davis told her we never meant for this to “get out of hand.” Also Buchanan admitted to starting the fire to her ex-husband, she patted him down looking for a hidden microphone then said they poured a chemical on the cardboard and flipped matches on it. The motion states that she agreed to "smoke up the jail" in return for drugs and money. The motion also alleges that Robinson conspired with Denise Davis and Davis' husband, Jesse. Jesse Davis was one of the inmates who died in the fire. The decision to prosecute anyone would have to come from the District Attorney’s office. The Attorney General’s office has asked the SBI to re-open the investigation. Meanwhile Mitchell Sheriff Ken Fox says he gave information to the SBI years ago, indicating the fire might not have been an accident. He says he got anonymous letters accusing Melissa Robinson, Jesse Davis and Denise Davis of setting the fire. The Sheriff says he'd heard the conspiracy rumors in the community for many years, but he says his hands were tied because he was not the investigating body.

Burnsville Gets Rural Center Grant

03/13/2009 

The Town of Burnsville recently announced the Rural Center has awarded the town a grant of $350-thousand to complete improvements at their wastewater treatment plant. (To hear Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh comment, click on button above)

New Information in Mitchell Jail Fire

03/12/2009 

New information has surfaced in the Mitchell County fire. The state now believes an inmate started the blaze that killed 8 people at the Mitchell County jail in 2002. Reporter Courtney Brennan from News 13, WLOS-TV spoke with a family whose son died in the fire. Haley Thomas was serving out a DUI sentence while working and going to school during the week. His family says they never believed a faulty heater caused the fire like investigators originally said. Now, it appears the state agrees. A motion filed by the Attorney General's office on Tuesday reveals they believe the fire was part of a conspiracy. Seven other people also died in the massive blaze. The state now says inmate Melissa Robinson agreed to "smoke up the jail" in return for drugs and money. The Attorney General's office alleges that Robinson conspired with inmate Jesse Davis and his wife, Denise, to create a smoke diversion so the two inmates could get out of jail. Court documents say Robinson poured nail polish remover on cardboard boxes in a storage area. The Attorney General's office says those boxes were placed near a heater and set on fire. The Thomas family says local residents told investigators after the fire, that they didn't think it was an accident. Now, in depositions taken last summer, acquaintances of Robinson say she admitted to starting the fire. In one particular deposition, Robinson alleging told the EMT drivers who took her to the hospital, "Starting the fire was a bad idea." But a decision must still be made on whether the state can pursue criminal charges. Robinson was considered a victim of the fire and received $70,000 as part of a settlement with the county. Reporter Courtney Brennan from News-13, WLOS-TV. (To hear Brennan, click on button above)

New Burnsville Police Chief Named

03/12/2009 

The Town of Burnsville has named a new Police Chief. (McIntosh audio) Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh. Brian Buchanan will be sworn in tonight at 6:00 pm in the boardroom of Town Hall. The Council reviewed 19 applications before naming Buchanan to head the Burnsville Police Department. Buchanan was hired after the former Police Chief Gaylen McMahan was fired on January 27, 2009; and because his firing was a personnel issue, no information as to why he was fired has been released. (To hear Mayor McIntosh comment, click on audio button above)

300 Acres Burned in McDowell

03/12/2009 

A fire has burned more than 300 acres Northwest of Old Fort, in McDowell County. Authorities were hopeful they could contain the fire on Wednesday. No structures are threatened. Authorities say the fire was started by a passing train on Monday. More than 100-firefighters have been on the scene fighting the blaze.

SP Voters Said Yes

03/11/2009

Voters in Spruce Pine said yes on Tuesday to alcohol sales in the town. Around 52% of eligible voters cast ballots. Voters said yes:
 

To permit the "on-premise" sale of malt beverages by Class A hotels, motels, and restaurants only; and to permit "off-premises" sales by other permittees:
For- 459
Against- 365
 

To permit the "on-premises" and "off-premises" sale of unfortified wine:
For- 457
Against- 369

To permit operation of ABC stores:
For- 456
Against- 369
 

To permit the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theatres, and convention centers:
For- 459
Against- 362

These results are "unofficial". Next Tuesday is Canvas Day when the Board of Elections will research and finalize the results.

Yancey Deputies Busy with Drug Arrests

03/11/2009 

Yancey County Deputies have charged Michael Dale Briggs age 32, of Burnsville, with several drug offenses including trafficking in Opium and intent to sell various controlled substances. He was released from the Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $ 17,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on March 26, 2009.The arresting officers were Sgt. John Robinson and Deputy Mark Letterman. In a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, deputies have charged Tammymae Joanne Ayers age 31, of Burnsville, was taken into custody by Yancey County Deputies and North Carolina Probation Officers and charged with various drug violations, including felonious Trafficking In Opium and felonious Possession With The Intent To Sell several controlled substances. She was also charged with probation violations from drug convictions in 2006 and 2008. Ayers was released from the Yancey County Detention Center after posting a $ 22,000.00 secured bond, she is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on March 26th. According to Lt. Thomas L Farmer of the Sheriff's Department Ayers was found to be in possession of at least four different types of prescription drugs and was known to be selling and distributing the prescription painkillers to several individuals throughout the county. Farmer said with probation violations if convicted of the latest offenses Ayers is likely to receive a prison sentence.

SP Vote on Alcohol Today

03/10/2009

Spruce Pine citizens are going to the polls today to vote on alcohol sales in the town limits. The polling place is Town Hall & the polls are open and will remain open until 7:30 pm. You can see a sample ballot on our websites, (return to home page for instructions) Listen for the vote totals shortly after the polls close on WKYK/WTOE. The vote totals will also be posted on our websites. (Later tonight return to home page and follow instructions)

Stimulus Request from Mitchell County

03/09/2009 

Mitchell County has been notified that the state is beginning to evaluate projects using federal stimulus money under the recovery act of 2009. The Commissioners met is special session last week to pass a resolution requesting funds to be used to run water & sewer from Spruce Pine to Mitchell High School. (To hear Mitchell County Manager Chuck Vines, click audio button above)

IRS Scam Alert

03/10/2009 

A note from the Internal Revenue Service, they do not send out unsolicited email messages. There are scams out there trying to steal taxpayer information. A common “hook” involves emails claiming to be from the IRS asking for a taxpayer’s personal information in order to process a refund. If the IRS needs to contact a taxpayer, they will send them a letter in the mail via the US Postal Service. Taxpayers are advised to delete the messages. Do not open attachments, click on links, or reply with personal information. On another subject, the IRS released the first set of filing season statistics today. Early filing is slightly higher. So far, the average refund is up about 9% to about $2,869. As of Feb. 27, more than 84 percent of all refunds have been issued through direct deposit.

SP Vote on Alcohol Tomorrow

03/09/2009 

Spruce Pine citizens will vote tomorrow on the question of alcohol sales in the town limits. The polling place is Town Hall & the hours to vote will be from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. There are four questions on the ballot. The subject of alcohol sales gets people stirred up on both sides of the issue, those opposed from the group “citizens against alcohol” say it will cause too many problems, those from “partners for progress” say it’s about the economic boost alcohol could bring to Spruce Pine & the County. (return to home page and follow instructions to see sample ballot) Listen for the vote totals shortly after the polls close on WTOE and WKYK, and the vote totals will also be posted on our websites.
 

Ruled in Family's Favor

03/09/2009 

A McDowell jury has recommended 5-and-a-half million dollars for the family of a little girl who died when a deputy hit her family's car. Back on February 6, 2007, former McDowell County deputy Brandon Watson was responding to a domestic violence call when he slammed into the car on I-40, near Old Fort, killing 2-year-old Kennedy Frye. According to the NC Highway Patrol Watson was traveling at 120-mph without and emergency flashers or siren. The Frye’s filed a civil suit against Watson, former McDowell County Sheriff Jackie Turner, and the sheriff's bonding company. Friday the jury ruled in the families' favor. Sheriff Dudley Greene issued a statement saying the office continues to offer sympathy for Kennedy's death, and it's an incident they deeply regret. The judgment on the jury's recommendation is set for March 16th.

Local Fire Departments Receive FEMA Grants

03/09/2009 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded $ 1,805,371 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in the state of North Carolina. “Proper staffing, equipment and preparedness are essential to the nation’s first responders,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Phil May. “Through the AFG program, FEMA is supporting fire departments throughout the country to meet those needs so they can provide communities with safety and security during times of crisis.” AFG funding in our area includes:

Bakersville VFR Operations and Safety $63,175
Woodlawn - Sevier VFD Marion Operations and Safety $98,135
Burnsville VFD Operations and Safety $65,550

Three Men Pull Mother & Four Kids from River

03/06/2009 

We have more details about the single car wreck that happened Wednesday morning on 19W about a ½ mile from Bee Log in West Yancey. Sometime between 9 am & 10 am, a vehicle, driven by Laura Ann Presnell, age 28, of a Coxes Creek Road address, went off the road after hitting ice then overturned and rolled down an embankment several times before coming to rest in the Cane River on the vehicles right passenger side. Also in the car were her children ages nine, eight, six and four. A man across the river, identified as Freedmont Wright saw the car go in the river and called 911. He then went into the icy cold water after them; the water was about waist level. As he was getting to them two men who were traveling behind the woman, saw the incident and went down the embankment to help. They were identified as Kevin Laws and Scott Bradford. Wright began to pull the mother and the kids out of the car handing them to Laws & Bradford. They tried to get them warm until the Egypt-Ramseytown Fire Department and Yancey EMS and Rescue arrived. There were reports of a little hypothermia, but it could have been a lot worse if it hadn't been for three men who saw a mother and 4-kids in harms way and helped them. Trooper Silvers report indicated there were no injuries.

Resolution to Expand Yancey Commission to 5-Members

03/06/2009 

At their March meeting, the Yancey County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to support a local bill to be introduced in the N.C. General Assembly to expand the Board of Commissioners to five members and to have those five members serve staggered terms. The resolution calls for five members to be elected in 2010. The top two vote getters would receive a four year term and the next three top vote getters would receive a two year term. For the election in 2012 the three people who were the three lowest winning vote getters in 2010 would run for reelection. In that election of 2012 and for every other election to follow the two highest vote getters would get four year terms and the next highest vote getter would receive a two year term. The chairman would no longer be elected at large but instead by the commissioners themselves. Yancey is one of only three counties in the state to still elect only three members and is the only county in the state to elect three commissioners to a two year term. This weakness was recognized in 2005 when the nonpartisan Sanford Holshouser Group stated that “A five-member board with longer, staggered terms would provide for greater consistency.” This consistency is what the present Board wants to provide for the people of Yancey County along with a more effective form of government.

Three Men Pull Kids and Mother from River

03/05/2009 

An incident happened Wednesday morning on 19W about a ½ mile from Bee Log that could have been tragic, but it turned out to be a heartwarming story. Sometime between 9 am & 10 am a vehicle, driven by a woman was going up the river when her car hit ice, went off the road, down the embankment, a distance of about 200-feet, then into the river (about waste deep) Also in the car were her children ages 8,6,5 and 2. A man across the river, identified as Freedmont Wright saw the car go in the river and called 911. He then went into the water after them. As he was getting to them two men who were traveling behind the woman, saw the incident and went down the embankment to help. They were identified as Kevin Laws and Scott Bradford. Wright began to pull the mother and the kids, ages 8, 6, 5 and 2 out of the car handing them to Laws & Bradford. They tried to get them warm until Egypt-Ramseytown Fire Department and Yancey EMS and Rescue arrived. There were reports of a little hypothermia, but it could have been a lot worse. Thanks to these three men who saw a mother and 4-kids in harms way and helped them. The state trooper has not turned in his report and the names of the mother & kids are not available at this time.

Yancey Audit Doesn’t Look Good

03/05/2009 

Yancey County has received their latest audit, and it doesn’t look good, Commission Chairman Walter Savage explains. (to hear Savage comment click audio button above)

Mitchell Goes to 4-yr Revaluation

03/05/2009 

Mitchell Commissioners voted on Monday to switch from a revaluation every 8-years to a revaluation every 4-years. County Manager Chuck Vines explains (audio). Mitchell County’s Revaluation values are scheduled to be mailed out today. (to hear Vines comment click audio button above)

Judge Recuses Himself in DSS Hearing

03/04/2009 

The controversy continues as to who is the valid members of the Yancey County Department of Social Services Board of Directors. A hearing was set for Tuesday in Yancey County Superior Court, but before the hearing could get started, the Judge recused himself and there is no date at this time when the case will be heard. The hearing is in connection with a lawsuit filed by Peter Franklin & Tamera Frank asking the court to rule that their appointments to the Yancey County Department of Social Services Board of Directors are valid. The hearing was ready to get underway when Judge Dennis Winner recused himself after Attorney Brian Buchanan; the lawyer for Tamera Frank asked the judge if he should be hearing this case. It was Judge Winner who swore in the current Yancey County Board of Commissioners. Franklin & Frank filed the lawsuit against the current Board of Commissioners, County Manager Nathan Bennett, the current DSS Board and Elaine Boone & Judy Buchanan. In November, Franklin & Frank were appointed to the DSS Board of Directors by outgoing Yancey Commissioners Renfro, Penland and Hicks; but in December the new board of commissioners Water Savage, Johnny Riddle and Jerri Storie declared the appointments invalid and appointed Elaine Boone and Judy Buchanan to the board.

Formulating a Plan

03/03/2009 

The Town of Spruce Pine is holding a series of community meetings to determine how local residents want the town to grow and change over the next 5-8 years. A youth meeting was scheduled for tomorrow, March 4th, has been moved to March 11th in the Cross street Building (formerly the Hampshire building) at 31Cross Street. Light refreshments will begin at 6:45. Spruce Pine Manager Richard Canipe talks about why a plan is needed. Dr Gary Cooper has been hired to facilitate the meetings and to bring to the council the results of these community meetings.

Purchase Complete, More Grants Sought, Work Day Planned

03/03/2009 

Yancey County recently purchased the remaining 8.29 acres of the proposed Yancey County Comprehensive Recreational Grounds property along Cane River in West Yancey. Completion of the property purchase has allowed the county not only to apply for a N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) development grant, but also to apply for two other grants that will provide funding for trail construction and river bank restoration and improvement which will comprise part of the park’s construction. “We are deeply grateful to the Young, Bailey, and Brown families for working with Yancey County to provide a beautiful recreation facility for our citizens and visitors to enjoy for generations to come,” said Chairman Walter Savage. Ownership of the park will also allow the county to work with other local organizations to begin using the property as soon as possible. A cleanup day is planned for this Saturday, March 7 from 9 to 5. Contact Jeff Howell for more information at 284-5129. Once the cleanup is completed, the public is welcome to use the grounds and along the river for walking. The county hopes to first utilize the property as a beautiful backdrop for outdoor music, cultural heritage, and tourism events that will help raise funds toward the gradual completion of the park. When completed, the park will offer many recreational activities from organized youth and adult sporting events to personal fitness and outdoor activities.

DSS Hearing Postponed

03/03/2009 

A hearing scheduled for Monday in Yancey Superior Court was postponed because of weather. The hearing is in connection with a lawsuit filed by Peter Franklin and Tamera Frank who are asking the court to rule that their appointments to the Yancey County Department of Social Services Board of Directors are valid. Franklin & Frank filed the lawsuit against the current Board of Commissioners, County Manager Nathan Bennett, the current DSS Board and Elaine Boone & Judy Buchanan. Court is scheduled to be held today. In November, Franklin & Frank were appointed to the DSS Board of Directors by outgoing Yancey Commissioners Renfro, Penland and Hicks; but in December the new board of commissioners Water Savage, Johnny Riddle and Jerri Storie declared the appointments invalid and appointed Elaine Boone and Judy Buchanan to the board.

Fire at Iglesia Hispana Church

03/02/2009 

We have an update on the fire in Spruce Pine that occurred over the weekend. The call came in at about 6 pm Saturday. The fire was on Summit Avenue at the Iglesia Hispana Church. According to David Hughes, Spruce Pine Fire Chief, the building was not destroyed and they believe the cause of the fire was electrical in nature. To see pictures of the fire return to our website.

Watch for EMAIL Scam

03/02/2009

Social Security offices have been notified of an email scam circulating with the message that SSA’s database has been corrupted due to “misleading” reporting of wages or self-employment earnings. The email alleging to be from Social Security threatens that unless the beneficiary clicks on a link in the email and provides personally identifiable information via an online form, the beneficiary’s Social Security and/or Medicare benefits will be terminated. This message is not from Social Security.

Social Security advises to always take precautions when giving out personal information. You should never provide your Social Security number, bank account number or other personal information over the Internet (or the telephone) unless either you initiated the contact or you are confident of the identity of the person to whom you are speaking. If in doubt, do not release information.

Early College High School

02/27/2009 

An Early College High School will open in the fall of 2009. The High School with consist of students from Avery, Mitchell and Yancey County’s and will be located on the Spruce Pine Campus of Mayland Community College . Angie Burleson, the current Principal at Bowman Middle school will become the Principal at the Mayland Early College High School. She explains how this non-traditional school works. Funding for the school, a 5-year grant, from the Bill Gates Foundation. (click audio button above)

Doctor Shopping an Epidemic in Yancey

02/27/2009      

A Burnsville woman, Nicole Leeane Robinson, age 27, has been charged with one count of attempting to Obtain Controlled Substances (Hydrocodone) by fraud a felony offense. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Thomas L. Farmer stated that the Sheriff's Department has ongoing investigations into similar incidents of many individuals who are "Doctor Shopping". According to Farmer, Doctor Shopping” is when individuals request and receive care from multiple physicians in different towns and will receive prescriptions from these physicians for Oxycodone, Hydrocodone and other opiate painkillers. The individuals then present the multiple prescriptions to several different pharmacy locations in numerous towns to avoid detection resulting in them acquiring a tremendous amount of painkillers to abuse, over medicate and often sell and distribute to others. Farmer stated the practice of "Doctor Shopping" has become an epidemic affecting the entire country. Nicole Leeane Robinson was released from custody in lieu of posting a $ 2,000.00 bond. Detective John D. Thomas of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department was the arresting officer.

Madison Man Killed in Yancey Wreck

02/25/2009 

A Madison County man was killed Tuesday afternoon after losing control of his vehicle just past Toe River Road on 197 North in Yancey County. According to State Trooper B.K. Wyatt the victim is Gareth Alexander Eyman, age 38, of Marshall. The vehicle he was driving was a Southern Concrete Materials truck. Trooper Wyatt’s report indicated the vehicle was traveling north on NC-197, the driver lost control of the truck and crossed into the southbound lane, then crossed over the southbound shoulder and struck the guard rail and overturned. The driver died at the scene. Emergency units responding to the scene were from Yancey EMS & Rescue Squad and Clearmont & Double Island Volunteer Fire Departments.

Stolen Signs

02/24/2009 

Someone has stolen about $400 worth of signs that urged citizens to vote against alcohol. March 10th, Spruce Pine residents will say yes or no to alcohol sales within the city limits. The theft happened Monday morning sometime between 9:30 am 11:30 am. The signs, paid for by the Mitchell Baptist Association, were placed up and down the bypass and around town. If anyone has information about the incident you’re asked to call the Spruce Pine Police Department at 765-2233

Job Loss in Old Fort

02/24/2009 

More bad economic news…up to 80 workers will be laid off from the Ethan Allen furniture plant in Old Fort. An Ethan Allen spokesperson says the company plans to keep the plant open and hopes to increase production once the economy improves. The company says a downturn in business led to the decision. There is no word on severance packages for the employees. After the layoffs, Ethan Allen will employ about 300 workers. The latest unemployment rate in McDowell County is 12.2%.

MHS Teacher Resigns

02/24/2009 

A Mitchell High School teacher, Ken Hartless, suspended February 12 following an incident involving a 15-year old student has resigned. (womble comments) System Superintendent Dr. Brock Womble. Sheriff’s Deputies say they talked with the 15-year old student and his parents, no charges have been filed against the teacher. School officials say Hartless had been a teacher at the High School for less than a year. (click audio button above)

Operation Drive to Live

02/24/2009 

"Operation Drive to Live,” an initiative to saves lives, is underway across North Carolina. The Highway Patrol says 125 teens died on the highways over the past year; the contributing factors--speed and inattention. Here in the mountains, recently accidents have claimed the lives of three teenagers in a span of just over a week. The goal of the initiative is to reduce the number of deadly accidents. Troopers will step-up their enforcements in and around high schools across the state. They will also head into the classrooms. "Operation Drive to Live" runs through this Friday.

Additional Money for Unemployed

02/23/2009 

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to provide $25 more per week in federal unemployment insurance benefits to those who qualify under the Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act. “We need to do all we can to help people looking for work who have been hard hit by the nation’s economic crisis,” said Gov. Perdue. Within the next few weeks, those unemployed who qualify will begin receiving this money.” February 19th was the earliest the agreement could be executed. The action, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was passed by Congress and signed by the president, creates a new federally-funded initiative which increases unemployment benefits by $25 a week through calendar year 2009, with a “phase-out” period for previously-qualified individuals. Gov. Perdue and officials from other states had to sign an agreement to act as the agent for disbursing this money.

Counterfeit Money Seized

02/23/2009 

Ronald Keith Shehan, age 57, of Burnsville, has been charged with one count of Felonious Possession of Counterfeit Money and one count of Felonious Distribution of Counterfeit Money at a Government Office in Yancey County on February 19, 2009. According to a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, he was released from custody after posting a $ 4,000.00 secured bond. Shehan is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on March 10, 2009. Detective John D. Thomas of the Yancey County Sheriff's Department was the arresting officer.

Future Direction

02/20/2009 

There will be a community meeting on the future direction for Spruce Pine on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at the Cross Street Building, the former Hampshire hosiery building. The purpose of the meeting is to identify how local residents want the town to grow and change over the next 5-8 years. Issues and concerns identified at the meeting will affect where you live, where you work, leisure-time activities and the future quality of life for area residents and area business owners. The results of the meeting can influence decision-making by elected officials on a variety of issues such as: the environment, historic preservation, housing, transportation, community facilities, economic development, land use and downtown development. The meeting will be from 7 pm -9 pm, on Thursday, February 26th, in the Cross Street Building, the former Hampshire Hosier Building, at 31 Cross Street. Light refreshments will begin at 6:45 pm.

New Ways to Take Your Money

02/20/2009 

Scammers are finding new ways to take people's money in the bad economy and too many people are falling victim. One of the most common ones right now involves fraudulent text messages claiming to be from a company that’s appears to be a legitimate business and asking for personal information. Authorities say if you get an unfamiliar text message, don't respond-erase it. If you apply for a job and are paid up front, be cautious and don't cash a check and send money back. And never give out your personnel information to anyone who could use it against you.

Alleged Drug Offender Back In Jail

02/20/2009 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have served warrants for arrest on James Gregory Fender, age 46, of Burnsville, charging him with (3) counts of Felonious Possession of Prescription Drugs, (2) counts of Possessing Methamphetamine, (1) count of Maintaining A Dwelling Place To Keep Illegal Drugs,(2) counts of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia and (3) counts of Felony Probation Violation. He was placed in the Yancey County Detention Center under a $ 170,000.00 secured bond. Fender is scheduled to appear in Yancey County Superior Court on March 24, 2009.

DA Dismisses Charges

02/19/2009 

Charges against Jerry Van Hatfield and Patrick Bradford of Burnsville that date back to 2005 have been dismissed by the District Attorney’s office. In September 2005, the Yancey County Sheriff's Department investigated allegations that Hatfield and Bradford possessed photographic images of sexual activity involving minors, sent over the internet. After review of the subjects in the photographs and further investigation, and after consulting with the District Attorneys office, the Sheriff's Department determined there was evidence sufficient to charge Bradford and Hatfield with several counts of second and third degree sexual exploitation of minors. The images, along with the computers that disseminated the images, were sent to the State Bureau of Investigation lab for analysis in November of 2005.Over the next two years, the DA’s office and the Sheriff's Department continued to ask the SBI for updates on the analysis. A report was issued by the SBI in August 2008 finding no child pornography or acts involving minors. The charges specifying sexual exploitation of minors were therefore dismissed by the District Attorney's office prior to indictment before a grand jury. The dismissal date was January 16, 2009.

$838 Million in Economic Recovery Plan Funding

02/19/2009 

Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has announced that North Carolina has received $838 million for transportation improvements through the federal economic recovery plan approved by Congress on Friday and signed by President Barack Obama. The total includes about $735 million for highway and bridge projects and about $103 million for transit, including aviation, bicycle and pedestrian, ferry, public transportation and rail projects. NCDOT is continuing to work with local communities across North Carolina to determine which additional projects could be ready most quickly and provide the greatest boost to the state's economy. Most projects being considered have already been approved as part of NCDOT's seven-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and have been delayed due to lack of funding.

Great American Spit Out

02/19/2009 

The Great American Spit Out is today, it’s a public awareness campaign to decrease smokeless tobacco use nationwide. Like its counterpart, the Great American Smoke Out, all spit tobacco users are encouraged to stop for at least one day. According to the U. S. Surgeon General, people who regularly use snuff and chewing tobacco are up to 50 times more likely to get oral cancer than nonusers, and only one-half of people diagnosed with oral cancer are still alive five years later. For more info, go to www.LastDip.com

Having a Safety Plan

02/18/2009 

Teachers, administrators and emergency officials in Mitchell and Yancey Counties got a lesson this week on the importance of having a safety plan. Russell Bentley of the group Safe Havens International says knowing the drill when an emergency hits, can keep everyone safe. The safety seminars are funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Armed Robbery in Spruce Pine

02/17/2009 

Spruce Pine Police have arrested a Yancey County man charging him with robbing the Murphy’s USA gas station at Wal-mart in Spruce Pine. He’s identified as Charles Michael Foster, age 29, of Burnsville. According to Spruce Pine Detective Billy Summerlin, the incident happened on Saturday, February 14th at around 5 am as the clerk was getting ready for the day when Foster allegedly made his way into the office of the station, showed a weapon and demanded money. The clerk gave him the money, and then he locked her in a bathroom and fled the scene. The clerk used her cell-phone and called 911. An alert was issued to area counties to watch for a red or maroon small passenger car. Less than a half-hour Yancey Deputy Daniel Hughes stopped a vehicle near the Mitchell/Yancey County line that was somewhat close to the description issued by emergency officials, he logged in, but having no positive evidence to link the driver to the crime, he was let go. Later, evidence obtained from video from the gas station and Wal-Mart led authorities to the suspect’s home. Charles Michael Foster was charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and because he locked the clerk in the bathroom he was charged with second degree kidnapping. Foster is currently in the Rutherford County jail under a $65-thousand bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for tomorrow. Detective Summerlin said the investigation is still ongoing and more charges are likely. He thanked Lt. Tom Farmer and Deputy Daniel Hughes from there Yancey County Sheriff’s Department and Detectives Richard Hoilman and Josh Sparks with the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department.

Yancey Locates Suspect

02/17/2009 

A Buncombe County man with an extensive criminal record that Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have been attempting to locate is in custody in Morganton on a host of charges. The suspect is Joseph Robert Webb, age 24, of Weaverville, NC. A background check confirmed that he was wanted by Yancey County Sheriff Deputies for two Felony Counts of Obtaining Money by Fraud from two local businesses owners. Webb will remain in jail until he can be transferred to Yancey County. In a news release from the Yancey Sheriff’s department, on February 10, 2009 Webb and a female accomplice allegedly entered two convenience stores in Yancey County and obtained an undisclosed amount of money using a fraudulent trick and scheme. According to Lt. Tom Farmer, of the Sheriff’s Department the identity of Webb and the female was confirmed with the assistance of a video surveillance system at the business locations. It was learned Webb was recently released from the North Carolina Department of Corrections for Common Law Robbery. And he has been convicted of 71 total criminal offenses to date in the counties of Buncombe, Rutherford and McDowell. The female accomplice has yet to be located but efforts are underway to take her into custody as well. Webb and his known associates are also suspected of being involved in a host of other criminal offenses that have recently occurred in Yancey County specifically recent residential breaking and enterings that have occurred in the Green Mountain Community. . A Yancey County Court date for Webb will likely be set for March 10, 2009 when he is taken before a Magistrate at the Yancey County Courthouse.

MHS Teacher Suspended

02/16/2009 

A Mitchell High School teacher was suspended last week after an incident in his classroom. Ken Hartless was suspended with pay following an incident with a student Thursday morning. (AUDIO) Dr. Rick Spurling is an Associate Superintendent with the Mitchell School System. Sheriff’s Deputies say they have talked with the 15-year old student and his parents, no charges have been filed against the teacher. School officials say Hartless has been a teacher at the High School for less than a year.

Madison Deputy Charged with DUI

02/16/2009 

A Madison County deputy has been arrested and charged with DUI. Detective Scott Allan Gaddy was arrested Saturday night at a DUI checkpoint in Marshall. A state trooper said Gaddy was given a breathalyzer and blew a .10. The legal limit is .08. Captain Buddy Harwood of the Madison County Sheriff's Office says Gaddy has resigned. Harwood could not speak any further on this issue citing "personnel matters." This is not Gaddy's first DUI charge while in law enforcement, before working with the Madison County Sheriff's Office, Gaddy was a 12 year veteran of the Asheville Police Department. He was fired from APD in 1999 after being convicted of DUI and speeding.

Stress and the Economy

02/13/2009 

Today’s economic woes can push the stress button to its limit. If you are experiencing domestic violence, there is help available; in Mitchell County, call Safe Place at 765-4044 and in Yancey County call the Family Violence Coalition at 682-0056. David Pike with Mitchell County Safe Place comments on stress and violence. (click on audio button above)

More Snow Days Will Mean Saturday School in Mitchell

02/13/2009 

Mitchell County Schools have been closed 12-days so far this school year because of bad weather and officials say if schools are forced to close again this will mean Saturday school for Mitchell County Students. Associate Superintendent Dr. Rick Spurling says for the months of February and March if a day of school is lost, due to bad weather, that day will be made up on the following Saturday. Dr. Rick Spurling is an Associate Superintendent of the Mitchell County School System explains. (click audio button above)

Court to Hear Yancey DSS Case March 2nd

02/12/2009 

A hearing has been set for March 2nd in connection with a lawsuit filed by Peter Franklin and Tamera Frank who are asking the court to rule that their appointments to the Yancey County Department of Social Services Board of Directors are valid. In November, Franklin & Frank were appointed to the DSS Board of Directors by outgoing Yancey Commissioners Renfro, Penland and Hicks; but in December the new board of commissioners Water Savage, Johnny Riddle and Jerri Storie declared the appointments invalid and appointed Elaine Boone and Judy Buchanan to the board. Franklin & Frank filed a lawsuit against the current Board of Commissioners, County Manager Nathan Bennett, the current DSS Board and Elaine Boone & Judy Buchanan. On February 2nd, Superior Court Judge Marlene Hyatt issued consent order, agreed to by attorneys for all parties involved. This means the DSS Board of Directors will not meet to address new business or take any action other than day-to-day operations until the outcome of the March 2nd court hearing. The order also requires Franklin & Frank be notified 48-hours before a DSS Board meeting and cannot prohibit in anyway their rights to attend meetings. Franklin, Frank, Boone & Buchanan cannot vote at any DSS Board meeting until the matter is settled. The consent order also requires all parties meet to discuss possible resolutions of the case before the February 19th meeting of the Yancey County DSS Board of Directors.

FEMA'S Firefighters Grants to Yancey Fire Departments

02/12/2009 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $5,458,188 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in the state of North Carolina. Officials with the U.S. Fire Administration said: "Today's firefighters face numerous challenges as they work to prevent and respond to fires in their communities. These AFG funds have a direct impact on the safety of both residents and firefighters throughout the nation." Yancey County Fire Departments receiving AFG funding are West Yancey VFD $71,155 for operations and safety and South Toe Fire and Rescue, $70,500 for recruitment. Nationally, this week's grants total more than $56 million.

Statewide Dropout Rate Falls Below 5 Percent

02/11/2009   

North Carolina high schools reported that 4.97 percent of students dropped out of school during the 2007-2008 academic year, according to a Dropout Report released by the State Board of Education this week. This means that 1,116 fewer students across the state decided to drop out in 2007-2008 than in the previous year. Overall, 22,434 students out of approximately 450,000 North Carolina high school students dropped out of school in 2007-2008. This marks the first decrease in the state's rate since 2004-2005. The numbers in our area do not reflect the state trend. At Mitchell High School, the drop out rate for 2007-2008 was 7.08% compared to 5.93% in 2006-2007 and at Mountain Heritage High School the drop out rate was 7.07% for 2007-2008, this compares to 4.5% for 2006-2007.

Missing Man's Body Found

02/11/2009 

Madison Deputies confirm a body found Tuesday in the Laurel Community near Hot Springs, in Madison County is that of a missing Arden man Judson Brandon age 28, who had been missing since January 18th. Madison County Sheriff John Ledford said there is no indication the body was dragged through the rough terrain, but he says the remote location has them considering Brandon's death suspicious. Brandon's body has been sent to Winston-Salem for an autopsy. Investigators say they could have preliminary results as early as today.

Statutory Sexual Offense with a 13-year old Boy

02/10/2009 

McDowell authorities say a 23 year old woman has been charged with four counts of statutory sexual offense for having a relationship with a 13 year old boy. Investigators say Heather Causby was staying with a friend when that friend's 13 year old son became the victim. Causby was already in jail on Robbery and probation charges when she was arrested on these latest charges. Detectives say they learned of the crime from the victim's mother who is also in jail. She learned of the crimes from cellmates who said her friend had a romance with her teenage son. McDowell Detectives say the teen was writing letters to Causby in jail and accepting collect phone calls from her. The teen is now in the care of his grandmother.

An Increase in Water and Sewer fees

02/10/2009 

Burnsville’s Town Council has voted to increase water and sewer fees. Burnsville Mayor Danny McIntosh explains. (click audio button above)

Getting the Truth Out

02/09/2009 

A push is on to get Citizens in Yancey County involved in letting the state know the county does not have 93% availability to broadband. Walter Savage, Yancey County Commission Chairman said broadband in needed for school & work, he explains. (click audio button above)

Child Abuse in McDowell County

02/09/2009 

A McDowell County couple is facing charges after the woman's five-year-old showed up at school with bruises on her face. 27-year-old Sara Bosowicz is charged with two misdemeanors. Her boyfriend, 19-year-old Jesse Williams faces five counts of child abuse; four of them are felonies. Deputies say Williams abused the child repeatedly and over a period of time. The investigation revealed he assaulted the child resulting in bruises on her head, face and back. Deputies say he broke the child’s leg when he tossed her in the air, then not catching her. They say he tried to cover it up by saying she fell off her bicycle. She is being cared for by the Department of Social Services. Jessie Williams remains in the McDowell Detention Center.

Former Yancey residents charged with multiple drug offenses

02/06/2009 

An on going investigation into the illegal distribution of drugs in Yancey County by the County Sheriff’s Department has resulted in the arrest of former Burnsville resident Joseph DeWayne Gaskins, age 25, of Travelers Rest South Carolina. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, on January 21, 2009 Gaskins was taken into custody as he was prepared to sell and deliver 20 grams of Opium to a subject in an open parking lot in Western Yancey County. In addition Gaskins was found to be in possession of numerous dosage units of Oxycodone and other suspected controlled substances and paraphernalia. Lt. Tom Farmer of the Sheriff's Department said the investigation of Gaskins and others close to him had been going on for years while they were living in Yancey County and after they moved to South Carolina. Farmer said that Gaskins has continued to be a major supplier of illegal drugs, especially prescription pain drugs to individuals in Yancey County. Gaskins was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County Jail under a $ 35,000.00 secured bond. As we reported Wednesday two others, Michael Williams and Kimberly Lynn Gaskins, both of Travelers Rest South Carolina are facing similar charges. All three remain in the Yancey County Detention Center. They are scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on February 10, 2009.

Pastor and Son Burned

02/06/2009 

A McDowell County pastor and his son, who is also an Old Fort Police officer, were badly burned Thursday afternoon while trying to battle a brush fire. Friends say Phillip and Joe Steppe were burning brush when it spread near downtown Old Fort. According to Old Fort Fire Chief Ron Richardson, "I think they made an effort to put the fire out and got in that kudzu that was burning fast. They lost their footing and that’s when they sustained burn injuries.” Phillip Steppe is the pastor at New Covenant Community Church in Marion; both were taken to the burn center in Winston-Salem.

Funding Cuts from the State Will Hurt

02/05/2009 

Funding Cuts from the state will greatly affect area school systems next year. Dr Tom Little, Superintendent of the Yancey County School System says without funding from the federal government, the cuts mandated by the NC Department of Education could mean cutting staff. He said right now, they are within their budget and they are not having to layoff teachers, but he said next year, if the state continues to mandate cuts anywhere from 3% to 7% and they do not get federal funds, this would mean cutting teacher positions. Listen to Dr. Little's comments (click audio button above)

Two from South Carolina Charged with Drug Trafficking

02/04/2009 

Two people from South Carolina have been charged with Drug Trafficking in Yancey County. In a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, Deputies have arrested Michael John Williams, age 36, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina and charged him with one count of Trafficking In Opium, one count of Felonious Possession With The Intent To Manufacture Sell and Deliver Oxycodone, one count of Felonious Conspiracy To Sell and Deliver Oxycodone and one count of Maintaining A Vehicle To Transport Illegal Controlled Substances. Williams was arrested in the Bald Creek Community of Yancey County where it is believed he has been delivering illegal drugs from South Carolina to local Yancey County citizens who meet him their for the purchase of prescription drugs. Williams is in jail under a $ 27,500.00 secured bond. The motor vehicle driven by Williams during the offense has been seized. And Deputies have arrested Kimberly Lynn Gaskins, age 21, of Travelers Rest, South Carolina on similar charges, her bail was set at $25,500.00 secured bond. Both Williams and Gaskins are scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on February 10th.

Unimin Continues working on engineering plans

02/03/2009 

Unimin officials say they are working as–fast-as they can to complete engineering plans to build a new plant on the site of the old Quartz/Feldspar plant on Highway 226 in Spruce Pine that was destroyed by fire On November 29, 2008. The plant was vacant at the time and there were no injuries. Joe Shapiro, Executive Vice President at Unimin, said they are not letting the current economic downturn affect there efforts to get this site back to full operations. It was back in late January the company began the process of laying off a total of 53 workers at their Crystal Plant in Spruce Pine and their Red Hill Plant. Shapiro said they were temporarily shutting down and mothballing the Crystal Plant. We asked him is the economic turndown affecting their other locations, Shapiro said the economy has affected some of the company’s other plants. He said Unimin remains a healthy viable company.

Food & Heating Assistance Requests Rise

02/02/2009 

We hear news reports of the economy forcing more and more families to seek food and heating assistance, and sometimes we think that’s not happening here—but it is. County Department of Social Services says their client list has seen significant increases. Reconciliation House in Burnsville says their client list has doubled over the past 4-years. Libby Miller, Director of Reconciliation House in Burnsville, comments. If you would like to help families in need call 682-7251 and in Mitchell County Call The Shepherd’s Staff at 765-5385. (click audio button above)

Quick Action

02/02/2009 

Former Mitchell County Commissioner Mike Hensley got a surprise last week when he came home early for lunch and when he pulled into his driveway, he found a car that didn’t belong there, the motor was running, he reached in the vehicle and took the keys. He walked around to the front door of the house, look inside and saw a man inside, when the man saw Hensley, he dove through the window that he had opened to break-in. Hensley then went around to that side of the house and caught the man on the ground and held him at gunpoint until the sheriff’s department arrived. We spoke with Mitchell Detective Josh Sparks; he said the man, identified as Timothy Boyd, age 22 of Spruce Pine, had broken into the house earlier in the morning and had stolen three firearms. Sparks charged him with two separate breaking and entering and larcenies, 2-counts each on those offenses, 3-counts of larceny of a firearm, felony possession of stolen goods, felony possession of burglary tools and damage to property. Timothy Boyd is currently in the Rutherford County jail under a $70-thousand bond. As for Hensley, he said quote: “I’m glad I didn’t have to shoot him.”

Charges Dismissed

01/30/2009 

All pending criminal charges against Allen Lloyd Baker were dismissed by the District Attorney's office on Tuesday January 27, 2009 in Superior Court. Baker was charged with multiple counts of Failure to Deliver Title, a statute designed for consumer protection. For the past several months, Baker has paid restitution to the locatable victims through a civil bond posted by Baker's attorney, Lloyd Hise. Because the intent of the statute was fulfilled by the payment, the criminal charges were dismissed. Department of Motor Vehicles Investigator Ron Harwood worked with attorney Hise in identifying the victims and determining damages owed, which was then reported to the District Attorney's office. All identified victims had been given time to come forward and present their claims to be paid out of the bond. And according to Mitchell County Court records, in 1988, Baker was charged with 18-counts obtaining property by false pretense and 51-counts embezzlement, all of the charges in Mitchell relate to the same case. The charges of obtaining property by false pretense and embezzlement were dropped, upon a plea of guilty to 72-counts of cooperate malfeasance; Baker was sentenced to 15-years, suspended, he served 5-months active time and placed on 5-years probation. He also paid restitution of $21, 979.18 and $10,815 for court costs and fines.

Progress Energy Deploys Crews to get Power Back on in Kentucky

01/30/2009 

In response to severe weather that has crippled parts of the country, Progress Energy Carolinas is deploying more than 250 line crew members, contract workers and support staff to assist with power restoration in Kentucky. Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas said: “Our customers and employees certainly know the damage and difficulty that an ice storm can bring, and we have benefited in the past from other utilities helping us after winter storms and hurricanes,” “we are glad to be in a position to help our peers in Kentucky get things back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.”

DSS Controversy Heating Up

01/29/2009 

The question of who belongs on the Yancey County Department of Social Services Board of Directors is heating up. It was back on December 1st that the current board of commissioners rescinded the appointments of the previous board who had named Peter Franklin & Tamera Frank to fill two positions on the Yancey DSS Board. After rescinding the appointments made by the previous board, the newly elected board selected Judy Buchanan & Elaine Boone to fill the two seats. Saying they are the legal DSS Board members, Franklin & Frank have filed suit asking the court to issue a restraining order that would prohibit the three current members from taking any action until Franklin & Frank are allowed to participate and a preliminary injunction that would prohibit Buchanan & Boone from participating until the matter is resolved. The suit also seeks the court to recognize Franklin & Frank as the rightful members of the DSS Board and the actions of the commissioners as null & void. They also want to recover attorney fees from the County to cover what Franklin & Frank have expended. The suit was filed against the current Board of Commissioners, Walter Savage, Jerri Storie and Johnny Riddle plus Count Manager Nathan Bennett and the DSS Board members including Buchanan & Boone. A judge is scheduled to hear the request for the restraining order February 2nd.

Getting Wish Lists Together

01/29/2009 

Area Governments are getting their “wish lists” together in hopes of landing funds from Washington through President Obama’s economic stimulus package. Richard Canipe, the Spruce Pine Town Manager says he has sent requests to Congressman McHenry & to State Representative Phillip Frye and State Senator Joe Sam Queen. His requests are for a water storage tank, new water line and pump station to the Overlook Drive area near the hospital (cost: about $600-thousand), renovations to the Town Hall (cost: about $2-million) and at the Town's waste water treatment facility, they need a better way to handle the sludge that is generated there and Canipe wants to create a compost operation (cost: around $350-thousand.) To hear Richard Canipe's comments (click audio button above)

Burnsville Police Chief Terminated

01/28/2009 

At a special meeting of Burnsville’s Town Council Tuesday night a motion was made and accepted to terminate the employment of Gaylen McMahan as the Town’s Police Chief, the vote was unanimous; and the Council accepted the resignation of Tax Collector Alicia Harrison. We asked why McMahan was terminated, Mayor McIntosh said it's the Council's policy to not talk about personnel issues. Mayor Danny McIntosh was appointed interim police chief until the March meeting and Town Clerk Jeannie Martin was appointed to the position of Tax Collector.

McDowell Teacher Not Abducted

01/28/2009 

Authorities say they don’t think a McDowell County teacher, missing for several hours on Monday, was abducted. But they are still trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. 28 yr. old Amanda Fields, a 7th grade teacher at West McDowell Junior High School, was reported missing Monday morning when she didn't show up for work. Authorities went to her home and found what appeared to be a crime scene, including a broken window in the front door, items strewn around the home, and an anti-gay slur spray painted on her garage. They also found Fields' car with a door open, and the keys inside. Then around 7pm, Fields was found alive, about a mile from her home, in the Candee Acres neighborhood. A resident found her, and called for help. The neighbor said he ask for her name but she said didn’t know. McDowell Sheriff Dudley Green said she was wearing several layers of clothing and pajamas over her jeans. She was taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville for treatment, and reportedly told investigators she didn't remember what happened. (Details from WLOS)

Bald Creek Gets Grant

01/28/2009 

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas has announced a grant in the amount of $10,000 to Bald Creek Elementary School to refurbish the play land area at the school. "Our faculty understands the impact physical education has on high academic standards," said Sherry Robinson, principal of Bald Creek. "We, along with the PTO, are committed to obtaining a well equipped, updated, and safe playground which encourages all students to become more engaged in physical activity. Our school is fortunate to have the strong support of the PTO and their dedication to this project. My compliments to Tamara Presnell for her dedication to our students and for helping Colby Martin in pursuing this grant opportunity and to Dawn Proffitt for spear heading the PTO playground project."

McDowell Teacher Found

01/27/2009   

A West McDowell Junior High School teacher, missing since Monday, has been found alive. Amanda Fields was found about a mile from her home.  McDowell Sheriff Dudley Green said she was found with minor injuries and was taken to Mission Hospital for treatment. Fields is a 7th grade teacher at West McDowell Junior High.  She was reported missing Monday morning when she didn't show up for class. Authorities went to her home in Marion. They found a broken window in the front door, the inside the home was in disarray. They also found an anti-gay slur spray-painted on her garage.  Her car was in the driveway with the door open and the keys inside. The investigation is still ongoing. (details from WLOS)

Bakersville Man Arrested in Yancey

01/27/2009 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Frank Ryan Honeycutt, age 26, of Bakersville, charged him with one count of Felonious Uttering of a Forged Check, one count of Misdemeanor Larceny of Money, one count of Possessing Schedule III Prescription Drugs and one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. The arrest was made after Detective John D. Thomas, and Deputies L. Ryan Higgins and Bobby Lee Austin. According to a news release from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department evidence was gathered and the stolen property was recovered and illegal drugs from Honeycutt after he stole several items of value from family members. Honeycutt remains in custody at the Yancey County Detention Center under a $ 5,000.00 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Yancey County District Court on February 10, 2009.

Yancey Commissioners Special Session

01/27/2009 

Yancey Commissioners are scheduled to meet in a special session this afternoon at 3:15 pm in the Commissioners meeting room on the 2nd floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. Items to be discussed include approval of application for NC Recreational Trails grant, appointment to the Workforce Development Board, approval of application for Clean Water Trust Fund grant for Comprehensive Recreation Grounds and a closed session for advice of council

Bomb and Weapons Charges

01/23/2009 

Madison County Deputies have uncovered a collection of explosives and automatic weapons at a home in Madison County. They found home-made bombs, gun powder and automatic weapons in a home on Culvin Creek Road. 30-year-old Aaron Cutshaw is charged with four counts of possession of weapons of mass destruction. Federal agents and the Asheville Police bomb squad were called in. The sheriff says the explosives could have threatened Cutshaw's wife and three children or their neighbors. Aaron Cutshaw also faces domestic violence and communicating threats charges brought by his wife Mandy. The couple's three children are in her custody. He is in jail under a forty thousand dollar bond. (Details from WLOS)

Layoffs at Unimin

01/22/2009 

Unimin Corporation has announced plans to layoff workers at their Crystal Plant in Spruce Pine and at their Red Hill Plant. The number of layoffs at the Crystal plant will be 40, and at Red Hill 13 hourly workers will be laid off. According to Unimin Executive Vice President Joe Shapiro, their high purity quartz business has been affected quite a bit in the worldwide economic downturn, which has resulted in a sharp falloff in the level of orders they are receiving for their product. Sharpio said they are temporarily shutting down and mothballing their Crystal Plant. This will affect 40 hourly employees, 30 will be laid off by tomorrow and 10-workers will be laid off in February. There are 7-salaried employees at the Crystal plant and they will be assigned to other duties. At the Red Hill Plant, 13 hourly workers will be laid off by this weekend. The total number of employees at Red Hill is 63 hourly and 10 salaried. Sharpio said they do not anticipate any other closures. He said when economic conditions improve they expect to bring workers back as the number of orders increase.

Yes We Can

01/22/2009 

“Yes, We Can” was the theme of the Yancey County Summit held last week in Burnsville to talk about resources to help Yancey’s economy. On the heels of an announcement that a local plant would be cutting 35 jobs, those in attendance heard about potential resources at the state level, such as the NC Chamber of Commerce that stands ready when possible to provide assistance to the county. Speaker after speaker urged the agencies in attendance to collaborate. County Commissioner Johnny Riddle said he came away from the meeting with optimism. (hear comment) One surprise announcement came from Dan Gerlach, with the Golden Leaf Foundation. Yancey County will receive a $2-million Community Assistance Initiative grant. (click audio button above)

Assistance Needs Increase

01/21/2009 

During these times of economic uncertainty and job loss, more and more people and families find themselves applying for assistance from the Department of Social Services. We spoke with area DSS Directors and they say they client base is increasing: Larry Deyton, the DSS Director in Mitchell County comments. Alice Elkins with Yancey County DSS says their Food & Nutrition Programs and Medicad Cases have each increased about 20% from 2006-2008 and emergency assistance needs have grown about 35% from 2006-2008. (click audio button above)

Area Fire Departments Receive Grants-Correction

01/21/2009 

We need to make a correction in a story we aired on Monday January 19th about grant monies awarded to area Volunteer Fire Departments. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $6,503,641 in Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding to local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations in North Carolina. The correct grant amounts to area fire departments are:

Burnsville VFD has received $226,170 for vehicle acquisition, specifically for the purchase of large diameter hose and fitting packages for the eight fire departments in Yancey County.

Egypt-Ramseytown VFD has received $67,754 for operations and safety.

Nationally, grants totaling $64 million were released.

Getting Their Attention

01/20/2009 

Representatives from Yancey County’s local economic partners spoke at the Yancey County Economic Development Summit held last week in Burnsville. Yancey EDC Director Jake Blood said he was excited to put the County fresh in the minds of state legislators Queen, Frye and Rapp, who represent Yancey in the NC General Assembly as they return to Raleigh. (click audio button above)

Marion Moose Lodge Shooting

01/20/2009 

Police are investigating a shooting at the Moose Lodge in Marion. Charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury is 61-year old Jay Rutledge. Authorities say Rutledge fired several shots at 23-year old Steven Cash, hitting him 3-times. Cash was taken to Mission Hospitals, where he was treated and released. The investigation revealed the incident began over a bottle of liquor.

Mitchell Adopts Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance

01/19/2009 

Mitchell Commissioners have adopted a “Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.” Chuck Vines, the Mitchell County Manager comments. Spruce Pine adopted a similar ordinance at their January 12th meeting. (click audio button above)

Not a Good Day for a Power Outage

01/16/2009 

It’s not the kind of day you want the power to go out, but that’s what happened this morning for customers of French Broad Electric in the Bakersville area. Officials with French Broad say the cold weather is the reason for the failure of their sub-station. The power went out at about 7:50 am, French Broad crews went out in the cold and worked as fast as they could to get power restored. The power came back on at about 10 am.

Very Dangerous Cold Temperatures

01/16/2009 

When temperatures get this cold and when you add wind chill it can be very dangerous. Linda Kinnane with the Yancey County Health Department says if you must be out dress in layers. (click audio button above)

Yancey Gets $2-Million Grant from Golden Leaf

01/16/2009    

Yancey County got some good news yesterday. During the Yancey County Economic Development Summit, held at the Burnsville Town Center, Dan Gerlach, with the Golden Leaf Foundation announced that Yancey would be getting a $2-Million community assistance initiative grant, designed to support projects that will significantly enhance the quality of life for Yancey citizens. This grant is designed to support the most economically distress counties. Gerlach said no time have been finalized on when the grant for Yancey will be put into motion. It was announced in September, 2008, that Mitchell County had also received this grant award. (click audio button above)

Illegal Hunting Results in Fines & Jail Time

01/16/2009 

Two Burnsville North Carolina men have been convicted of 22 counts of illegal hunting in Canada and have received fines totaling $25,000. Morris Silvers, age 48, of Burnsville, was fined $15,500 and sentenced to 65 days in jail for illegal deer hunting, and also received a lifetime hunting suspension in Ontario Canada. His rifle, deer racks, and all other incidental seizures, including knives, saws and fanny packs, were forfeited. Ben Morrow, age 48, also from Burnsville pleaded guilty and was fined $10,000 for illegal deer hunting. He also received a four-year hunting suspension in Ontario. His rifle, deer rack, deer mounts and miscellaneous equipment were forfeited. The sentences are the result of hunting trips in 2006 and 2007 in which the two men shot deer and abandoned most of the meat but kept the antlers and capes. During the investigation, photos showing incriminating evidence were seized. These photos included shots of the five racks that were taken in 2006, displayed on the hood of a truck parked in front of Morrow’s house. Officers were able to match the deer racks in the photos taken in North Carolina to the photos of the deer with racks taken in the Gohere Bay Road area. A United States Fish and Wildlife Service special agent in North Carolina assisted in statements resulting in Morrow turning over a mounted deer skull and a deer head mount with rack. (Information provided by The Canadian Ministry of Natural Resource Enforcement Branch)

SP Man Arrested in Yancey 

01/14/2009 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Chad Julius Clark, age 28, of Spruce Pine and charged him with two counts of Felony Breaking & Entering Into A Motor Vehicle, one count of Felony Larceny, one count of Felonious Possession of Stolen Property, one count of Obtaining Property By False Pretenses, one count of Misdemeanor Larceny and one count of Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Property. According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, arrest warrants for Clark indicate that a Sheriff's Department Investigation revealed that he arrived at a private residence in the Double Island Community of Yancey County in early November 2008 and broke into two motor vehicles and removed numerous chainsaws valued at more that $1,200.00. According to Farmer all but one of the 5 total saws has been recovered and returned to the owner. Clark was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and remains in custody under a $ 9, 000.00 secured bond. Clark is scheduled to make his first court appearance on January 16, 2009 in Yancey County District Court. The investigating officers, Lt. Tom Farmer and Detective John D. Thomas.

Murder in Mars Hill

01/14/2009 

Police in Mars Hill, in Madison Country, are investigating a murder on South Main Street. They say 43-year old Terrell Rice died of a gunshot wound Monday night. The S.B.I. has identified Linda Phillips as a suspect in Rice's death, but no arrests have been made. Neighbors say Phillips was Rice's girlfriend and lived in the home with him for about 3-years. Rice's body was sent to Winston-Salem for an autopsy. Police say they will release more information when they get those results. Mars Hill Police say this is the first murder they can remember in ten years.

Robbery at Grassy Creek Chevron

01/13/2009 

Spruce Pine Police Detectives are investigating a robbery at the Grassy Creek Chevron across from Parkway Fire & Rescue. Officers were called to the business between 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm this past Thursday Afternoon, to respond to an armed robbery. The clerk told police the suspect was a white male and she felt he was armed by the way he had is hand in his pocket, and she felt he was very serious and adamant in wanting the money. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash. The clerk told Detective Billy Summerlin the suspect seemed very serious, she was scared. Summerlin said they do have suspects and the investigation is continuing.

Three Yancey Schools Recognized

01/13/2009 

Three schools in Yancey County were recently recognized by the state Positive Behavior Support (PBS) initiative as being schools to watch and visit. Burnsville Elementary, who began implementing PBS in 2007-2008, and South Toe Elementary, who began implementing PBS in 2005-2006, were recognized as Exemplar PBS schools. This is the highest award given in the state program. Both schools were honored and presented with a plaque at a PBS conference in Greensboro. Mr. Shane Cassida, principal at Burnsville Elementary, and Ms. April McKinney, teacher at South Toe Elementary, accepted the plaques on behalf of their schools. East Yancey Middle school came home with the title of a PBS Banner School. All nine schools in Yancey County are now PBS schools and they are all working toward eliminating unwanted behavior by teaching and recognizing appropriate behavior. Behavior is taught the same way we teach academics. Each school establishes school-wide expectations that are taught in the classroom, in the cafeteria and even in the bathrooms. Having these expectations ensures consistency and each student knows that the expectations are the same for everyone. In turn, everyone is recognized for their positive behavior and everyone benefits.

Elderly Man Dies in a Madison House Fire

01/13/2009 

An 82-year old man died Monday in a house fire in the Walnut Creek Community of Madison County The victim has been identified as Wade Freeman His wife of 65-years, Emma Freeman tried to get her husband out of the house but was unable to rescue him. Investigators say the deadly fire started in a wood stove. Fire crews say when the arrived, they found one end of the structure fully engulfed in flames. Emma Freeman was treated for her injuries and released from the hospital.

Calling For an Investigation

01/12/2009 

The Burnsville Council met on Thursday, January 8th for their monthly meeting. Council Member Judy Buchanan made a motion the Burnsville Town Council investigate why a 2003 Infiltration and Inflow study by McGill Associates for the Town of Burnsville was never acted on. The motion was seconded by Council Member Ruth Banks and the motion was approved by a unanimous vote. The study identified eight major projects recommend to be corrected. Burnsville Council members have said they knew nothing about the study. How and when the Council will begin its investigation have not been finalized. Burnsville Mayor details how he became aware of the study. (click audio button above)

It Must be Completed

01/09/2009 

The Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee hosted a meeting earlier this week with government and education leaders to discuss getting water and sewer lines from Spruce Pine to Mitchell High School in Ledger. County Manager Chuck Vines said this is as project that has to be completed. (click audio button above)

Charged with Statutory Rape

01/09/2009 

Madison County Detectives have arrested a man accused of raping a 14-year-old girl. 21-year-old Joshua Jones is charged with statutory rape in Madison County, 2-counts and he’s also charged with one count of rape of another girl in Buncombe County. Detectives say the alleged attack took place late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in an apartment in Mars Hill. The girl told Detectives Jones gave her alcohol before the alleged attacks. And because he allegedly provided alcohol to the victim, he was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The girl told detectives Jones raped her repeatedly.

Another Step

01/08/2009 

Yancey Commissioners have voted to purchase the remaining property in the Whitt Bottoms area of West Yancey for the County’s proposed comprehensive recreational grounds. Yancey Commission Chairman Walter Savage comments. (click audio button above)

Money Must be Returned-Yancey

01/07/2009 

The funds school systems receive is based on projections of money coming into the state and with the economic crisis all across the U.S., their projections were short and the only way the State Board of Education could get that money back was to assess each system an amount of money that had to be returned to the state to make up for the shortfall. Dr. Tom Little, the Superintendent of the Yancey County School System comments. (click audio button above) Mitchell County was required to return $86-thousand.

Forced to Resign

01/07/2009 

The animal shelter director in Madison County, Robert Davidson, says he was forced to resign after he and his officers shot four dogs. The county says it's investigating what happened on the property on Worley Road. It was back in September, that animal control found about 120 dogs living in deplorable conditions. Davidson says he and his officers shot some of the remaining dogs after trying numerous times to bring them into the shelter. He says they felt threatened by the 15 dogs. "It's gotten out of hand. I thought I was following the law he said, if I wasn't, I apologize for that." The County says in some cases the law does allow dogs to be shot, but is investigating whether it was appropriate in this case.

Money Must be Returned-Mitchell

01/07/2009 

The funds school systems receive is based on projections of money coming into the state and with the economic crisis all across the U.S., their projections were short and the only way the State Board of Education could get that money back was to assess each system an amount of money that had to be returned to the state to make up for the shortfall. Dr. Brock Womble, the Superintendent of the Mitchell County School System comments. (click audio button above) Yancey County was required to return $100-thousand.

No Cause Found at Unimin Fire

01/06/2009 

The SBI has wrapped up their investigation into the cause of a fire at the Unimin Plant in Spruce Pine late last year. Officials say the cause of the fire cannot be determined. The fire broke out on November 29th and burned much of the quartz area of the plant. No employees were there at the time. Karl Kuchta, Unimin’s Regional Manager said at the time of the fire they plan to rebuild. Some 92 employees worked at the plant. The Plant makes high quality quartz products for computer chips. As a precaution, residents within a four mile area were evacuated.

Husband & Wife Arrested for Exploiting Family Member

01/06/2009 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested husband and wife Clayton William Miller age 33, and wife Rachelle Nicole Miller age 34, of Burnsville. Evidence revealed they each committed acts together to embezzle thousands of dollars from a relative. Clayton Miller was charged with Felony Conversion and Rachelle Miller was charged with Forgery, Uttering and Felony Conversion. According to a news release from the Sheriff’s Department, the Millers recently moved to Yancey County from Georgia. When they arrived in Yancey County they were accompanied by a maternal aunt of Clayton Miller. According to Lt. Tom Farmer, the two suspects obtained a Power of Attorney over the aunt and used the Power of Attorney document to deplete her checking, savings and retirement accounts of thousands of dollars in just a few weeks. Farmer stated at no time did the victim authorize the withdrawal of the money taken by the defendants who converted the financial accounts of the victim to their own use and to obtain additional credit. Clayton and Rachelle Miller were taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and released from the Yancey County Jail after posting secured bonds in the amount of $ 4,000.00. Both are scheduled to make there first appearance in Yancey County Superior Court on January 27th.

Yancey Commissioners Meet Tonight
 

01/06/2009 

The Yancey County Board of Commissioners will meet tonight at 7 pm in the Commissioners Board room on the second floor of the Yancey County Courthouse. In the past, the meeting day was the second Tuesday of the month, but when the new board took office in December, they moved the meeting day to the first Tuesday of the month. The meeting time will remain at 7 pm. Tonight will be the first meeting under their new schedule.

Bombardier Cutting Jobs and Reducing Production

01/05/2009 

Bombardier Recreational Products, with a plant in Spruce Pine, is cutting production company-wide by 20% and making big job cuts. The company said will it eliminate 550 white-collar jobs, while 430 blue-collar employees have been given temporary layoff notices in the current quarter. The cuts will be across all of the company's divisions. The company had already laid off 370 blue-collar workers in its third quarter. BRP officials said the power-sports industry is being hit hard by the global economic recession. The 20% production cut will take place over the coming year. This reduction in the workforce includes the Spruce Pine plant off Greenwood Road. Locally, Employment Security officials say BRP tells them there could be a small number of layoffs, but specific numbers have not been mentioned.

New Cell Phone Use Policy Begins Today at Mountain Heritage HS  

01/05/2009 

Beginning today, students at Mountain Heritage High Scholl may not use cell phones on campus during the school day from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm. These devices may be carried to school and may be stored in lockers or cars for use before school or after school. But under no circumstances will cell phones be allowed to be used or carried during the school day including time between classes and during lunch. Cell phones will be allowed to be used for extra-curricular activities. School Principal Bennett said this change in policy is directly related to instances this fall that included students using their cell phones to threaten other students, participate in cyber-bulling, and record and send inappropriate photos. If students need to call home, phones are available at school for emergency use. This policy change has been approved and endorsed by school administrators and the Yancey County Board of Education.

Mitchell County Commissioner's Meet Tonight

01/05/2009 

The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners will meet tonight in regular session at 6:00pm. Topics on the agenda include discussion include the Toe River Health District Fee Schedule and the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Mitchell Commissioners meet the first Monday of each month at 6 pm in the conference room of the Administration building in Bakersville.

Yancey School Board Meets

01/05/2009 

The Yancey County School Board will meet in regular session tonight in their main office at 100 School Circle. The Board meets in regular session the first Monday of each month at 6 pm.

Change in Cell Phone Use at Mountain Heritage  

Due to excessive cell phone misuse by students at Mountain Heritage High School, there will be a change in policy relating to cell phone use on the school campus. Beginning this Monday, January 5th, 2009, students may not use cell phones on campus during the school day from 8:00 am - 3:15 pm. These devices may be carried to school and may be stored in lockers or cars for use before school or after school. Under no circumstances will cell phones be allowed to be used or carried during the school day including time between classes and during lunch. Cell phones will be allowed to be used for extra-curricular activities. School Principal Bennett said this change in policy is directly related to instances this fall that included students using their cell phones to threaten other students, participate in cyber-bulling, and record and send inappropriate photos. If students need to call home, phones are available at school for emergency use. This policy change has been approved and endorsed by school administrators and the Yancey County Board of Education.

Consequences with regard to cell phone use:

1st Offense: Confiscation of the device by the office and the parent
must come to school and retrieve.
2nd Offense: Confiscation of the device by the office, parent must
retrieve, and one day of ISS assigned. (in-school suspension)
3rd Offense: Confiscation of the device, parent must retrieve, and three
days of ISS assigned.

Additional offenses may result in OSS (outside-school suspension) and further parental involvement.

Caught trying to bring drugs to an inmate

01/02/2009 

Yancey County Sheriff Deputies have arrested Donna Jean Self Elliott, age 30, of Burnsville, charging her with one count of Possessing Methamphetamine, one count of Possessing Controlled Substances on Jail Property, one count of Attempting to Deliver Controlled Substances To An Inmate and one count of Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. Elliott was taken before a Yancey County Magistrate and placed in the Yancey County Detention Center under a $ 10,000.00 secured bond. Lt. According to a Sheriff’s Department news release, on December 13th, Elliott arrived in the lobby of the Yancey County Detention center and had in her possession Methamphetamine that she had concealed inside an book that she was asking to be delivered to an inmate in custody. The property was searched and the hidden Methamphetamine was seized. Since August 2008, Elliott has been arrested three times for drug violations. She will appear before a District Court Judge on these new charges on January 16, 2009.

Escapee Captured

01/01/2009 

A fugitive who's been on the run for almost six months is back behind bars. 28- year-old James Cutshaw escaped from the Madison County jail in July. A tip led deputies to neighborhood in McDowell County. Cutshaw was found hiding underneath the home after escaping through a trap door. Deputies also found evidence that the home had been operating as a meth lab. Cutshaw is now facing additional drug and escape charges. Micheal and Shallie Daines were also at the home, they're facing charges of harboring a fugitive. Cutshaw and Daniel Arnold Jr. escaped from the Madison County Jail on July 6th; when a supervisor was distracted, they walked out of the jail. Arnold was captured in Waveland Mississippi.

Spruce Pine adds Martin Luther Jr., day to their holiday schedule

01/01/2009 

Spruce Pine Council will recognize Martin Luther King Jr. day as an official holiday. Saying it’s important to recognize this federal holiday and the contributions King made in the civil rights movement. The King holiday is observed the 3rd Monday of January. This means Spruce Pine Town Offices will be closed on January 15th, with al employees given the day off, with the exception of the Police Department; they will remain duty and will receive a day of vacation. The vote to recognize the holiday was unanimous.

NCHP Cracking Down on Speeders

01/01/2009 

The Highway Patrol is out in force, and it's not just for the holidays. Troopers are staging on area interstates and bridges once a week as part of a crackdown on speeders. Troopers say speed is the number one cause of deaths on North Carolina highways.  Another thing they're noticing is drivers failing to obey the Move Over law when they have someone pulled over. Not moving over can result in a minimum $250 fine plus court costs.