Body Discovered In Madison County

05/31/2004

A body found in Madison County is believed to be a woman missing for three weeks. 42 year old Jan Proulx disappeared near her daughter's house amid strange circumstances earlier this month. A neighbor discovered the body in a wooded area Saturday morning. Due to its condition there is no positive identification yet, but investigators say they believe it is Proulx. Her husband, William Stankevich, was arrested shortly after her disappearance on charges he communicated threats. When an autopsy is complete, more charges could be brought against him.

A Question of Degree

05/28/2004

Questions that surfaced in April, in a published report, about the educational background of Tom Singleton, the Director of the Toe River Health District, were addressed at the health agency’s board of directors May meeting.  At issue is the creditability of Singleton’s Master’s degree, which he obtained by correspondence from Hamilton University, in Wyoming. State health officials have said the school is nothing more than a diploma mill, offering degrees without much study. Singleton says at the time he obtained his degree, Hamilton University was an accredited institution.  At their May 20^th meeting, the board, after consulting with their attorney, Gerald McKinney, said the previous board acted properly when they appointed Singleton as its Director on October 30, 2001. McKinney was then directed to seek a formal opinion from the state attorney general as to whether the board’s action was appropriate under the law at that time.

Positive and Beneficial Growth

05/28/2004

Burnsville Mayor David Grindstaff says several projects are moving forward; sidewalk improvements on West Main, DOT resurfacing of West Main, as early as next week, West Glendale water project Monday, Styles Building project on target to open in June 2005, Installation of street lights on the Square is complete, with plans to possibly extend lights down East, & West Main as-well-as North and South Main.

Spruce Pine Burger King Robbed

05/26/2004

Spruce Pine police are investigating a robbery at Burger King, on South 226, just past Wal-Mart. Few details are available, the incident happened between midnight and 12:30 am. Employees were closing when 2-3 masked men entered the store, at least one of the men was armed. The men assaulted the workers, no one was seriously hurt. An undetermined amount of money was taken. Authorities say no one can identify the vehicle the thieves were driving or in which direction they made their getaway. If anyone was in the area around midnight or just after, and saw anything, please call Spruce Pine Police at 688-9110.

A Lean Budget in Spruce Pine

 05/25/2004

A copy of Spruce Pine’s proposed budget for 04-05 will be available June 1st, at Town Hall. A public hearing on the budget will be June 24th. Town Manager Richard Canipe says no tax increase is anticipated. 

Job Fair Draws Good Numbers

 05/24/2004

The Job fair, last Friday at Mayland Community College drew close to 600 people looking for work. Sandy Buchanan, with the Employment Security Commission, in Spruce Pine says pplications will continue to be taken through Friday, May, 28th.  An apparel industry has said they are interested in coming to Spruce Pine. If they come, they will create some 250 jobs with benefits.

Job Fair Needs You

 05/21/2004

Are you unemployed?? Are you under employed?? Or are you looking a career change?? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, area economic development leaders urge you to come to the job fair. The job fair hours are 10-5, today, in the Sam Center, on the Spruce Pine Campus of Mayland Community College

Bikes and Bad Language in Spruce Pine

 05/18/2004

Bike riders on the sidewalks and bad language are giving the Spruce Pine Police Department headaches.Chief Hollifield says bike riders have hit parked cars and the windows in some of the stores and he says shoppers could be hit by the riders. An ordinance prohibits riding bicycles on town sidewalks---it’s a $25 fine. The Chief says some of the young people are using language that is offensive to people who come to downtown to shop.

Yancey Deputies make B & E arrests

05/18/2004

In news releases from the Yancey Sheriff’s Department, Deputies have made several arrests in connection with separate break-in’s and larcenies in the Prices Creek, and Green Mountain communities. Charged are three Burnsville men, Roy Lee Elkins, 30, of Prices Creek Road, Robert Keith Deyton, 37, of a Church Street address and Gerald Eugene “Geno” Phillips, 35, of a Driftwood Lane address. Charged with 2 separate break-in’s in the Bald Mountain Community are Kevin Lee Holcombe, 33, and his wife, Delilah Fink Holcombe, 45, both of a Bald Mountain Road address. Elkins is in jail, Deyton, Phillips and the Holcombe’s made bond. Each of the accused has June 11^th court dates.

Mitchell County Jail Demolition

05/18/2004

A painful part of Mitchell County's history started coming down on Monday. Crews began tearing down the old jail in Bakersville that caught fire two years ago, killing eight inmates. Some victim's families say they would like a permanent marker placed at the site to remember those who died.

Job Fair This Friday

 05/17/2004

The number of people who show up at a job fair scheduled this Friday, in the Sam Center, on the Spruce Pine Campus, of Mayland Community College, could very well be the determining factor if an industry will locate in Spruce Pine—bringing with it some 250 jobs with benefits: The job fair is this Friday, from 10-5, in the Sam Center, on the Spruce Pine Campus of Mayland Community College.

Westall Takes Mitchell Board of Education to Court

05/14/2004

The Mitchell Board of Education, in February, voted 3-2 not to renew the contract of Mitchell High Principal Johnny Westall. On Friday, April 30^th, lawyers representing Westall filed a petition for judicial review with the Mitchell Clerk of Courts office.  According to court papers, North Carolina General Statutes states a Board of Education’s decision not to renew a school administrator’s contract is unlawful--if the decision is arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory, personal or political. The petition claims the non-renewal of Westall’s contract was entirely capricious, because it was made on the recommendation of a renewal and because no reasons were given. The court documents further states Westall received superlative comments from Mitchell Schools Superintendent Bill Sears since he was first employed in 2000. The School Board has 30 days to respond to the petition.

National Tourism Week

05/14/2004

This is National Tourism Week; tourism is big business in North Carolina and its big business here at home. In Mitchell County, tourism generates about $16 million each year, saving each county resident about $100 in taxes each year. In Yancey County, tourism generated an economic impact of $ 21.56 million and state and local travel to Yancey was $2.7 million, representing a $148 tax savings to each resident.

An Industry is looking at Spruce Pine.

 05/13/2004

Mitchell County economic leaders hope an Industry Recruitment package will payoff with jobs for the region. If the industry decides to come to Spruce Pine, it would mean some 250 good paying jobs with benefits.  A job fair is scheduled for Friday May 21^st  at Mayland Community College.  Mitchell leaders stress, this potential industry is hoping as-many-as a thousand people will come to the job fair. The date again is Friday, May 21^st, from 10-5, in the Sam Center, at Mayland Community College, in Spruce Pine. Residents from Avery, Mitchell and Yancey County’s are urged to attend.

Spruce Pine to Hire Auxiliary Police Officers 

05/12/2004

Spruce Pine Council has approved a plan by Police Chief Coy Hollifield to hire auxiliary police officers: Hollifield would recommend candidates to be hired. Final decision on hiring would be up to the Council.

FVC Feeling Economic Climate

 05/11/2004

Yancey County’s Family Violence Coalition has told Burnsville’s Town Council today’s economic climate is affecting their budgets too, as grant contributions are getting smaller and smaller. Sara Ratliff, the Coalition Director, asked the Town of Burnsville for $20 thousand. Council said they would consider the agency’s request. Ratliff says all donations are welcome. If you would like to help in the fight against domestic violence, call 682-5655, or send donations to Family Violence Coalition, P.O. Box 602, Burnsville, 28714.

Riding Bicycles on Spruce Pine Sidewalks

 05/11/2004

Spruce Pine’s Town Council last night, addressed the problem of young people riding their bicycles on downtown sidewalks: A town ordinance forbids riding bicycles or motorcycles on any sidewalk within city limits. The fine is $25. 

Asking for Your Vote

05/10/2004

The filing period is over and it’s time for candidates to campaign for your vote.

Mitchell County: All candidates are Republicans. For County Commission,  5 candidates filed for 3 seats. Bill Burleson, Phil Byrd, Mike Hensley, Jim Saylor and Bill Slagle. Burleson and Slagle are current Commissioners. Longtime Commissioner Harry Anderson chose not to run again.

Resister of Deeds: Tom Glenn, Patty Young and Terry Wilson have filed. Patty Young is the current officer holder.

State House:(84th) Monroe Buchanan and Phillip Frye filed. Frye is the current Representative.   

Yancey County: For Commission Chairman, Democrat Danny Hensley & Republican John Renfro have filed. Renfro is the current Chairman.

For County Commissioner, four  candidates have filed for 2 seats: Democrats Nathan Bennett & Dean Hicks and Republicans Freddy Penland and  Blaine Whitson. Hicks and Whitson are current Commissioners.

Yancey Board of Education, (non-partisan) 10 candidates filed for 3 seats: Ronnie Biggerstaff, Elaine Boone, Karen Chandler, Ron Chandler, Gary Grindstaff , Burl Huskins, Tim Laughrun, Dennis McCurry, Randy Proffitt and Harvey Sharpe. Ron Chandler and Gary Grindstaff are current board members.

Register of Deeds: Current officer holder Willoree Jobe, (democrat) was the only person to file and will face no opposition.

NC House: (84th) C. Barry Williams (Libertarian) has filed.

NC Senate: (47th) Keith Presnell (Republican) has filed.

The primary is July 20^th and the general election is November 2^nd.

Burnsville Receives OMC Foundation Grant Check

05/07/2004

As we reported back in February, Burnsville was awarded a $250 thousand grant from the OMC Foundation. The check has arrived and the town is ready to put the money to good use. Burnsville Mayor, David Grindstaff says $200 thousand will be used for renovating the Styles Building and $50 thousand will be placed into an education endowment fund. All citizens can apply for the education funds; however preferential consideration will be given to former employees of OMC and their families.

Jail to Be Demolished

05/07/2004

The demolition of the Mitchell County Jail is set to begin next week with a completion date of May 31^st.  NEO Corporation, of Waynesville, with over 20 years in the demolition business, will do the job for $34,700. The Jail was condemned in 2002, when a fire destroyed the jail, killing 8 inmates.

Claims of Voter Fraud in Madison

05/06/2004

 State agents say they’ve wrapped up their investigation into claims of voter fraud in Madison County, involving the 2002 Clerk of Court election. Now it’s up to the DA’s office to decide if any charges will be filed. Authorities say supporters of candidate Tim Cantrell received more than 60 absentee ballots in their mail boxes. The votes didn’t count—Cantrell lost the race!!

A First Look at the Budget

05/05/2004

Mitchell Commissioners got a first look at the preliminary county budget for 2004-2005, at their monthly meeting Monday night. The tax rate will remain at 53 cents per $100 valuation. The proposed budget totals $13,308,576. A public hearing on the budget has been set for June 7^th, at the county administration building in Bakersville. By state law, the budget must be adopted by June 30^th.

Murder Investigation

05/05/2004

A Madison County man who reported an accidental shooting turns out to be the triggerman. That's according to the Sheriff. Deputies found 23 year old Eric Hensley shot in the head at a home on Walnut Creek Road Monday night. He died after being airlifted to Mission Hospitals. Deputies charged 33 year old Jackson Ramsey, Junior with the murder. He lives at the home on Walnut Creek. They won't reveal what led up to the shooting, but say alcohol played a role.

Baxter to cut 75 jobs

05/05/2004

Baxter Healthcare, in Marion, has announced plans to cut 75 jobs at its North Cove Facility. The cuts at the medical products company could begin in late spring or early summer and continue through the end of the year. Currently, the plant employs 2,700 people The Company said cuts are expected to be in administrative and supportive positions, not in production. Baxter International, announced in April, plans to cut 3-4 thousand jobs of its global workforce. Half of the jobs were expected to be outside the U.S.

Access to Some Mitchell County Jail Fire Records

 05/05/2004

The N.C. Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday the State Bureau of Investigation cannot withhold public records just because they are part of an SBI probe.The decision should force the agency to release public records that are part of its investigation in a May 2002 jail fire that killed eight inmates.The Asheville-Citizens Times and WLOS-TV filed the lawsuit after the SBI refused to release any part of the Mitchell County jail fire investigation, which found no wrongdoing on the part of public officials.

Animals Killed in Madison

05/04/2004

Members of a Madison County farming family say something or someone, is killing their cattle and doing it in a gruesome way. Six steers have died on the Cutshall's farm in the Shelton Laurel community. Something has left large puncture wounds in the heads of the cattle and chewed the ears. There is no blood and the cattle haven't been touched anywhere else on their bodies. Investigators say the first three may have been shot, but they're bringing in a veterinarian to check the animals. The livestock losses total more than $5,000 for the Cutshalls.

Murder Investigation

05/04/2004

A gunshot victim dies after being airlifted to Mission Hospitals. Madison County Deputies found the man in the yard of a home on Walnut Creek Road around 7:30 Monday night. One man is in custody charged with the murder. Right now, there is no word on a motive for the shooting. Deputies are waiting to notify the next of kin before releasing the victim's name.

Suspects Detained and Arrested

 05/04/2004

Last night between 5:30 & 6 pm, police authorities in Spruce Pine and Mitchell County were advised to be on the lookout for a Gold Lexus, with Maryland tags, believed to be the getaway car involved in an armed robbery of “Linville Market,” in Avery County. At around 6:45 pm the vehicle was spotted just past 226 on 19E. While the three suspects, one black male and 2-black females were being detained, the male suspect, by way of what authorities call a declaration, admitted to the robbery. He said the female’s distracted the store clerk, while he went behind the counter and was able take money and a gun from a safe. The three suspects are in the Avery County Jail at this hour. Spruce Pine Police, The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Department and the Highway Patrol worked together to capture the suspects. The names of the accused or any charges against them have not been released.

Who’s Running

 05/04/2004

Filing continues through noon Friday for offices to be filled by voters in the November election. In Yancey County, 4 candidates have filed for three seats. The three incumbents, Dean Hicks, John Renfro and Blaine Whitson have filed, and Freddie Penland has filed.  5 candidates have filed to run for 3 seats on the Board of Education. Current Board members Ron Chandler & Gary Grindstaff have filed, also filing Burl Huskins and Harvey Sharpe. Wiloree Jobe has filed for another term as Register of Deeds. And, Keith Presnell has filed for 47^th Senate seat, in the North Carolina General Assembly. The 47^th is made up of Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey.

In Mitchell County, 5 candidates have filed for 3 commissioner’s seats. Incumbents Bill Burleson and Bill Slagle have filed for another term. Also filing to run are Phil Byrd, Mike Hensley and Jim Saylor. Register of Deeds Patti Young is being challenged by Tom Green and Terry Wilson.  Filing for the State House of Representatives, 84th district, is incumbent Philip Frye, he will face Monroe Buchanan. Redistricting will change the 84^th, with this years election, the new 84^th covers all of Avery and Mitchell, a portion of Caldwell, and all but one prescient of Yancey County.

The primary is July20^th and the general election is November 2^nd.

Click Here To Visit Our Sister Radio Station

This page was last updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 04:32 PM