Health & Wellness

04/30/2004

The North Carolina Health & Wellness Trust Fund Commission has announced grants totaling $12.34 million for 87 organizations in the state. Mission Healthcare Foundation, in Asheville, has been awarded a grant of $185 thousand to expand “Prescription Assistant Coordinator” staff time for services to additional low income and senior patients in Buncombe, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey County’s. And, Mitchell County Schools has received a grant of $5 thousand for assisting in policy development, enforcement and "stop Smoking" programs in the schools.

Creating and Retaining

04/29/2004

A project that started in 1996, and created jobs was finally wrapped up this week with a public hearing at Spruce Pine’s Town Hall: The project extended water service to the Unimin Plant, on highway 226, in Minpro. To secure grant funding from the state, Unimin agreed to create and retain jobs. 15-new jobs and retain 20 existing jobs.

French Broad Annual Meeting

 04/28/2004

French Broad EMC will hold its annual meeting Saturday, May 1^st, at Madison High School, in Marshall. Member registration and the health fair begin at 3:00 pm. The health fair will feature many free screenings. The business session  will feature the election of 4-directors. Nominations made by the nominating committee are Earle Wise, of Madison County, Gary Wilde, of Buncombe County, they face no opposition. The nominations of Warren Buchanan and Bill Riddle from Yancey County will be challenged. Nominations by petition are Wendell Wilson, he will oppose Buchanan, and Eddie Faw, will oppose Riddle. Voting for directors will be from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm. If you have any questions contact your local French Broad EMC office.

SP Gets grant from OMC Foundation

 04/27/2004

 Spruce Pine has received a $50-thousand grant from the Outboard Marine Corporation Foundation. The funds will be used for revitalization, beautification and sidewalk improvements.

Political Season Opens

04/26/2004

The official political opens today with the start of the filing period for candidates wanting to run for public office. The filing period ends May 7th. The primary will be July 2oth. The general election will be Nov 2nd. For more information, call your local Board of Elections office.

Yancey Sheriff’s Mother Dies

04/24/2004

The Mother of Yancey County Sheriff Kermit Banks has died. Pauline M Banks, age 88, of Cane River School Road, in Burnsville, died Thursday, April 22, 2004, at her home.  Mrs. Banks worked for the sheriff’s Dept for many years, during her late husband Donald Banks’ 3-terms as Sheriff and during 4 of her son Kermit Banks’ terms. Mrs. Banks worked as a cook, dispatcher and matron. Funeral Services will be held today, at 3:00 pm, at Cane River Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Cane River Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 pm until the service hour.  The flag, on the front lawn of the Yancey County Courthouse, has been lowered to half-staff in honor of Mrs. Banks, and a marked Yancey County Sheriff’s Dept patrol vehicle has been parked at her residence as a symbol of honor and respect for her and her families continued service to the citizens of Yancey County.

Mitchell Meetings

 04/21/2004

Mitchell Commissioners will meet in special session, Thursday, at 4:30 pm, in the commissioner’s conference room, in the administration building, in Bakersville. The purpose of the meeting will be to consider approving the contract for the Mitchell County infrastructure plan. Also on Thursday, Commissioners will hold a public hearing, at 6:00 pm, in the superior courtroom, of the county courthouse. The purpose on the hearing will be to obtain citizen comment on proposed plans and proposals for the secondary improvement program for Mitchell County.

Movie Scouts in Burnsville

Movie scouts began searching in Burnsville, Monday, for locations for a feature film, based on a book written by Asheville doctor, Olsen Huff. "Mountain Time" is the story of a widower physician from Chicago, who brings his son to Burnsville for a summer of medical mission work. Asheville native Bellamy Young has the female lead. The male lead could be nailed down this week. Movie producers and Yancey County development managers hope the shoot will bring good publicity, attract tourists and bring jobs to an area hit hard by job losses. The movie starts shooting in June and should premiere at the Asheville Film Festival in November.

Burnsville Updates City Ordinances

04/19/2004

Burnsville's City Council has update city ordinances. These ordinances address problems such as traffic, debris, overgrown yards & junk cars!!

Worthless Checks

04/19/2004

Two Spruce Pine men have been charged in separate incidents involving the APEC Asphalt Company, of Burnsville.  Charles Lee Forbes, age 55, of Fairground Apartments, has been charged with presenting a worthless check and obtaining property by false pretenses. Forbes was charged and released from jail, April 10^th, after posting a $5000.00 secured bond. And Deputies have charged Kenneth Lee Silvers, age 39, of Fortner Drive, in Spruce Pine, with 7 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, and 7 counts of passing worthless checks.  Silvers was arrested and released from jail, April 11^th, after posting a $29,000.00 secured bond.

Flag To Come Down

A Confederate flag flying high above US 221 in  McDowell County is coming down this weekend. The Sons of Confederate Veterans raised the flag to symbolize their heritage. Some say it's a part of history, others that the flag reminds them of the old South when racism and hatred ran strong. NCDOT says the problem isn't the flag, or community reaction to it, the problem is the flag pole--it sits on the right-of-way, and it has to be moved.

Stay in School

04/16/2004

The message is loud and clear---stay in school and graduate. Shirley Hise, Director of the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce, says the Chamber is doing everything they can to keep the Mitchell High Freshman Class in school and to graduate in 2007. Education has been identified as a major component of the county’s economic growth and future!!

 Yancey Arrests

04/16/2004

 A Burnsville woman is facing drug charges!! On Tuesday, April 13^th, Yancey Deputies arrested Martha Ann Johnson, age 39, of Peterson Mobile Home Park. She’s charged with possession of cocaine, oxycontin, hydrocodone and drug paraphernalia; plus, 1-count of larceny of prescription drugs. Also on April 13^th, Deputies took Stephen Wayne Peyatt, age 19, of Rocky Springs Drive, in Burnsville, into custody. While conducting a routine traffic stop, Deputy M.A. Letterman, became suspicious when the accused was behind the wheel of a truck registered to Silvers Construction, on Saw Mill Hollow Road. When Deputy Letterman ask him to step outside the vehicle, Peyatt assaulted the deputy and started running. Charges against Peyatt include larceny of a motor vehicle, assaulting an officer and resisting arrest. He remains jailed under a $7,000.00 secured bond.

New AMY Library System Director

04/15/2004

 The Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library System has named Pattie Bowers as its new director. She’s currently the Librarian at Lee’s McCrae College, in Banner Elk. She begins her new job on May 25th. Thersa Coletta, the current director, is retiring after 24 years.

Break In at Heritage High

 04/14/2004

Two Burnsville men have been charged with breaking into Mountain Heritage High School and stealing money and other valuables. School Staff discovered the break-in when they arrived Thursday morning, April 8^th, Deputies say the apparent motive was money as the school was not vandalized, but almost every administrative office had been entered. Deputies have charged Joseph Dewayne Gaskin, age 20, of Sang Branch Road and Lloyd Raymond Phillips, age 16, of Walt Road, with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny and felony possession of stolen property. Gaskin and Phillips are scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on April, 27^th. Most of the stole property has been recovered. 

Mitchell Recreation Plan

 04/14/2004

 Mitchell County is leaving no economic stone unturned, they’re coming up with a recreation master plan designed to draw sporting events and tourism to the county. Region D Council of Governments will help the county develop this plan. County Commissioners see this as a huge economic opportunity to bring people to the area and they spend money.

Burnsville Man Jailed After Car Chase

 04/13/2004

 A Burnsville man is in jail after a car chase that started around midnight on Saturday, April 10^th, near Schronce Creek Road, in Yancey County and ended up in Grassy Creek, in Mitchell County. Charges, against David Eugene Stansberry, 22, of Pine Swamp Road, include  DWI, driving with a revoked license, reckless driving to endanger and resisting a law enforcement officer. He is currently in the Yancey County Jail.  Deputies say Stansberry’s vehicle reached speeds of 100 miles per hour.

New County Manager Hired

04/12/2004

Mitchell County Commissioners met this morning to discuss hiring a county manager. By a vote of 5 to 0, they appointed Mitchell County resident Ryan Whitson of Tipton Hill. He begins his new job on Monday, April 12th. Whitson's salary is listed at $44,000 per year.

Becoming an Entrepreneur

 04/09/2004

Back in January, Mitchell County received a $100-thousand Economic Recovery Entrepreneurial Assistance Grant, from the NC Dept of Commerce, for the purpose of helping displaced county workers get the necessary training to create their own businesses. The county has entered into an agreement with Mayland Community College to provide this training. Richard Sullins, with Mayland, says the program can accept up to 74 displaced Mitchell County workers!!

Local Marine Wounded

04/08/04

Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Shane Letterman, 21, was wounded during an attack in Ramadi, Iraq on Tuesday, April 6th. Letterman was shot in the stomach and also hit with shrapnel in the face and arm. He underwent emergency surgery and is expected to recover. Letterman is 2001 graduate of Mitchell High School. His home station is Camp Pendleton, CA. He is with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, Golf Company, 3rd Platoon.

More Meth Labs

04/06/2004

McDowell police have discovered two methamphetamine labs, one in the Woodlawn Community and one on Jacktown Road, both had chemicals and equipment used to make meth. No arrests have been made.

Services in Little Switzerland

 04/06/2004

 Mitchell Commissioners ran into a bump in the road Monday. It seems the County has agreed to put a permanent trash and recyclable location on County property on Chestnut Grove Road in the Little Switzerland Community and they also agreed to allow Parkway Fire Department to build a sub-station on the same property: So, they’ve ask the group promoting the sub-station to go back to the drawing board and see if its possible to do both. Commissioners agree both services are needed and they hope it can be worked out.

Stay in School

 04/05/2003

A key component for Mitchell County’s future was put into motion Friday at Mitchell High School--keeping our kids in school and getting them educated. Claudia Pitman, president of the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce, says it’s vital for the future of our youth and for Mitchell’s economy that the students graduate. The Chamber initiative offers rewards to the class of 2007 for staying in school.

New Districts Approved

04/02/2004

North Carolina’s legislative districts have received final clearance from the federal government. The ruling also sets July 20^th as primary day in North Carolina. The new re-districting plan will affect Yancey and Mitchell representation. Under the new plan, district 118, which is currently made up of Haywood, Madison and Yancey County’s will change with next year’s elections. The new 118^th will be made of the Price’s Creek prescient in Yancey, all of Madison and most of Haywood. The rest of Yancey County will be in the 87^th district, joining Avery, Caldwell and Mitchell.

North Carolina’s Corporate Tax, under fire

 04/01/2004

North Carolina’s Corporate Tax continues to come under fire. Phillip Frye, a Republican, from the 84^th district in the State House of Representatives, says the state's corporate tax of 6.9% must be lowered to keep current industry, and attract new industry. Frye says North Carolina's corporate tax is the highest among neighboring states in the southeast. By comparison, South Carolina's corporate tax rate is 5.0%.

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This page was last updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 04:28 PM