07/30/2004

Avery Deputies have charged James M Heaton, 3^rd, age 52, of Banner Elk, with assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury. The accused allegedly shot Ricky Goins, age 46,  in the knee. Heaton is being held under a $10 thousand unsecured bond. His court date is September 27^th. And, Avery Deputies, acting on a tip from citizens, seized 13 marijuana plants in different sections of the county. The plants have a street value of $26 thousand. So far, no arrests have been made.

Free or Reduced Meal Applications

 07/30/2004

School Bells will so be ringing & parents are reminded to be on the lookout for a free or reduced meal application that will be sent home with each student. For any questions, call 688-3601 in Mitchell County and 682-6101 in Yancey County.

Start of School Delayed in Mitchell

07/28/2004

The start of school in Mitchell County is being delayed. This decision was made because officials feel the water shortage in Bakersville, and the water demand created by schools may cause a strain or shortage of water for some schools and communities. The school year will begin on Monday, August 9^th. Teacher workdays will be August 2^nd-4^th and optional workdays August 4^th-6^th.

Bat Mobile in Spruce Pine

07/28/2004

The Police call it the “BAT Mobile,” it’s a mobile unit from the state that measures alcohol levels in blood. The unit was in use over the weekend in Spruce Pine. Detective Van Williams said there was traffic stops Friday night at 19E and Greenwood Road and Saturday night at 19E and Hwy 226 South; they issued 65 total citations including 5 for drunk driving.  

Madison County Flooding

07/28/2004

Heavy rain on Monday caused major flooding in parts of the mountains. The Anderson Branch community in Madison County suffered some of the worst damage. Flood waters washed away private bridges and driveways and came dangerously close to some homes. The county's emergency management director is surveying the area to determine the amount of damage. Luckily, no one was injured from the rising waters.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

07/27/2004

Seven workers were rushed to the hospital Monday after being exposed to carbon monoxide on a construction site in McDowell County. Investigators say a gas powered machine being used to smooth concrete in the basement of the Marion Senior Center emitted the fumes. There was no ventilation in the building. All the workers are expected to be okay.

Mitchell Jurors

 07/26/2004

Due to the water shortage at the Mitchell County Courthouse, jurors scheduled for service today, should not report. Ted McKinney, Clerk of Court, says jurors will be no longer be needed this week and there is no need to call.

Bakersville Water Shortage

 07/26/2004

The Town of Bakersville has declared a “stage 3” water shortage condition. Voluntary and restricted guidelines are in effect. Restrictions include:

Do not wash automobiles or water lawns.

Limit use of clothes washers and dryers

Limit showers or bathing to no more than 4 minutes.

Limit flushing of toilets

Do not fill swimming or wading pools.

Any resident of the Town of Bakersville may pick up water at the Bakersville Volunteer Fire Dept from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm each day. There will be a check off list for residents who pick up water. Each resident will be supplied with 3 gallons of water per day, until the crisis is over. Town officials say the cause is a leak in a water main, which has yet to be located.

Tennessee Man Charged with Trafficking in Oxycontin

07/26/2004

Detectives and officers of the Spruce Pine Police Department and Mitchell County Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested Gary Wayne Barnette, 35, of Elizabethton, Tennessee on numerous drug charges. Barnette is charged with 5-counts of trafficking in Oxycontin and 2-counts of obtaining controlled substances by forgery. The arrest comes from an ongoing investigation by Detective Stacey Hughes of the Spruce Pine Police Department. Trafficking in Oxycontin can carry a minimum mandatory sentence of 70-months in prison.

A Guilty  Plea

 07/23/2004

A former McDowell County School employee has pleaded guilty to embezzlement. Lynda Handy, 63, worked in the school system’s “accounts payable” department.  Investigators say over a four year period, she wrote herself checks totaling more than $200 thousand. Handy was sentenced to 5 & ½ years-suspended and placed of probation for 5 years. The judge also ordered Handy to pay back the money she took.

Challenges Remain

 07/22/2004

NC House District 84 is a new district, but State Representative Phillip Frye says the challenges remain the same. He says he will continue to push toward road improvements and good paying jobs in the 84^th. Frye defeated Monroe Buchanan in Tuesday’s Republican primary.

McDowell Soldier Wounded 

 07/22/2004

A McDowell County soldier is recovering from burns and cuts he suffered after a bomb exploded near his truck in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Joel Shelton’s wife, Briana, received the news he was wounded last weekend. She’s says he suffered injuries from shrapnel and also some damage to his eardrum. Mrs. Shelton said she talked with her husband Wednesday and he’s back at his base camp. The National Guard has confirmed 5 soldiers from the 1450^th Transportation Unit, out of Lenoir, were hurt in the attack.

Avery Arrests

 07/22/2004

An Avery County fugitive, on the run since 1998, has been arrested after Avery Deputies responded to an anonymous call that he was at a residence in Minneapolis. When deputies arrived at the residence, deputies found Richard Owens, also know as Richard Lyons.  Owens is 48, and is now in custody under a $200 thousand secured bond. He’s charged with 3 counts of first degree sexual offense and 2 counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.

And, Sheriff Gwyn has announced that an Avery Deputy is on administrative leave, without pay, pending an internal investigation to allegations received by the Sheriff’s Department. The deputy’s name has not been released.

Mitchell “Relay for Life” Raises $57 Thousand

 07/22/2004

The American Cancer Society held their Mitchell County “Relay for Life,” this past weekend; they raised $57 thousand which was short of their goal of $60 thousand. Jeff Bright, with the American Cancer Society says there is still time for you to help Mitchell County reach their goal. To contribute to Mitchell County’s “Relay for Life,” call 766-1799 for more information. Yancey County’s “Relay for Life,” held in June,  has reached their goal of $60 Thousand.

Yancey Election Results

07/20/04

Board of Education

(1) Iva Nell Buckner Total Votes 1,377 (2) Gary Grindstaff Total Votes 1,093 (3) Elaine Boone Total Votes 902 (4) Ron Chandler Total Votes 863 (5) Tie- Randy Proffitt & Ronnie Biggerstaff Total Votes 681 (6) Burl Huskins Total Votes 630 (7) Dennis McCurry Total Votes 458 (8) Harvey Sharpe Total Votes 319 (9) Karen Chandler Total Votes 312 (9) Tim Laughrun Total Votes 145

U.S. Congress 11 Distritct (Democrat Primary, Depends on other counties for final)

(1)Patsy Keever Total Vote 1,074 (2) Clyde Michael Morgan Total Votes 325

Governor (Democrat Primary, Depends on other counties for final)

(1) Mike Easley Total Votes 1,249 (2) Rickey Kipfer Total Votes 468

Commissioner of Agriculture (Democrat, Depends on other counties)

(1) Tom Gilmore Total Votes 666 (2) Britt Cobb Total Votes 640

Superintendent of Public Instruction (Democrat, Depends on other counties)

(1) J.B. Buxton Total Votes 470 (2) June S. Atkinson Total Votes 407 (3) Marshall Stewart Total Votes 386

Court of Appeals Judge (Non-Partisan)

(1) Alan Thornburg Total Votes 1,124 (2) Barbara Jackson Total Votes 543 (3) Marvin Schiller Total Votes 346 (4) Marcus W. Williams Total Votes 202

U.S. Senate (Republican Primary, Depends on other counties for final)

(1) Richard Burr Total Votes 722 (2) John Ross Hendrix Total Votes 131 (3) Albert Lee Wiley, Jr. Total Votes 63

Governor (Republican, Depends on other counties for final)

(1) Patrick Ballentine Total Votes 333 (2) Richard Vinroot Total Votes 300 (3) Bill Cobey Total Votes 284 (4) Fern H. Shubert Total Votes 31 (5) Dan Barrett Total Votes 30 (6) George W. Little Total Votes 28

Lieutenant Governor (Republican, Depends on other counties)

(1) Jim Snyder Total Votes 440 (2) Timothy Cook Total Votes 262 Thomas Smith Total Votes 133

Attorney General (Republican, Depends on other counties)

(1) Thom Goolsby Total Votes 295 (2) Joe Knott Total Votes 249 (3) Wendell H. Sawyer Total Votes 233

Auditor (Republican, Depends on other counties)

(1) Leslie Merritt Total Votes 510 (2) Jasper N. Albright Total Votes 296

NC House District 84

(1) Phillip Frye Total Votes 594 (2) Charles M. Buchanan Total Votes 381

Buchanan conceded, Frye wins district.

Mitchell Election Results

07/20/2004

County Commissioner

(1) Jim Saylor Total Votes 1848 (2) Phil Byrd Total Votes 1625 (3) Mike Hensley Total Votes 1461 (4) Bill Slagle Total Votes 1423 (5) Bill Burleson Total Votes 1397

Register of Deeds

(1) Patty Young Total Votes 2087 (2) Terry Wilson Total Votes 547 (3) Tom Glenn Total Votes 544

NC House District 84

(1) Charles Monroe Buchanan Total Votes 1761 (2) Phillip Frye Total Votes 1449

Buchanan Conceded, Frye wins district

U.S. Congress 10th District (Depends on other counties for final decision)

(1) David Huffman Total Votes 1279 (2) Patrick McHenry Total Votes 1056 (3) Sandy Lyons Total Votes 535 (4) George Moretz Total Votes 140

19E Widening-Back on Schedule

 07/19/2004

State Representative Ray Rapp says he’s been told by transportation officials that the Hwy 19/19E widening project, from Madison County through Burnsville, is back on schedule. Rapp said the environmental study to determine how or if the project would affect the Elk Toe Mussel in Yancey County is in the completion phase and no significant impact has been found. Right-of-way acquisition will begin in March, 2005 and construction in March 2007. As for the widening from Yancey to Mitchell, he says right-of-way acquisition is scheduled to being in March, 2008 and construction to begin in December, 2009.  

Bakersville Gets 21^st Century Grant

 07/15/2004

The Town of Bakersville gets a 21^st Century shot in the arm. Mitchell’s County Seat has received a $750 thousand grant for improvements to the Town’s water system: Bakersville Mayor Chuck Vines says being a 21^st Century Community is a tremendous advantage for our small mountain towns.

One Stop Voting

 07/14/2004

One Stop voting gives registered voters an opportunity to vote early and at a time that may be more convenient. Voting place is the Board of Elections Office in each county.

Avery County:      8:30 am – 4:30 pm (Monday-Friday) and 8:30 am – 1:00 pm (Saturday, July 17^th.)  Avery Phone #: 733-8282

 Mitchell County:  9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday) and 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Saturday July 17^th.)  Mitchell Phone #: 688-3101

 Yancey County:    8:30 am - 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday) and 8:30 am – 1:00 pm (Saturday July 17^th) Yancey Phone #: 682-3950

  One stop voting ends July 17^th.

Harassing Convenience Center Workers

 07/14/2004

Yancey County continues to have problems with out of county residents using Yancey County Convenience Centers. Some employees have even been harassed by these people. Commissioner Blaine Whitson says the board is very concerned and will address the problem at their August 10^th  meeting.

Traffic Signal in Grassy Creek

 07/12/2004

Mitchell County has received notification that NC DOT has determined there is a need for a traffic signal at the intersection of NC 226 & Carters Ridge Road, in Grassy Creek. According to Mitchell County Manager, Ryan Whitson, DOT has placed this intersection on its “needs” list and they are in the process of pursuing funding for this project.

2 killed and 5 Injured in Avery

 07/12/2004

A Saturday night wreck in Avery County killed 2 people and injured 5 others. The incident happened around10:30 pm, on NC 105, about a mile north of Sugar Mountain. The dead have been identified as Kathleen D Wagstaff, 53, of Jacksonville, NC and Matthew P. Galloway, 14, Edgewater Florida. According to information from the State Patrol, the vehicle in which Galloway was riding was traveling north on NC 105, the driver, not identified, attempted to pass in a no-passing zone, then swerved to avoid a southbound vehicle, lost control, traveled left of center and struck the vehicle driven by Wagstaff. The wreck is still being investigated and no other information is available. It’s believed that none of the injured was from this area.  

One Stop Voting

 07/09/2004

One Stop voting gives registered voters an opportunity to vote early and at a time that may be more convenient. Board of Elections hours:

Avery County:      8:30 am – 4:30 pm (Monday-Friday) and 8:30 am – 1:00 pm (Saturday, July 17^th.)  Avery Phone #: 733-8282

Mitchell County:   9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday) and 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (Saturday July 17^th.)  Mitchell Phone #: 688-3101

Yancey County:    8:30 am - 5:00 pm (Monday-Friday) and 8:30 am – 1:00 pm (Saturday July 17^th) Yancey Phone #: 682-3950

Absentee ballots can be requested by phone until July 13^th and must be returned by July 19^th.  One stop voting ends July 17^th.

Burnsville Man Charged

 07/08/2004

Yancey Deputies have charged a Burnsville man with felony breaking & entering and felony larceny. Wade Miller, 53, of Depot Street, was arrested after he was found to be in possession of stolen property he allegedly taken from a residence at a mobile home park. Miller remains in jail under a $6 thousand secured bond & is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on July 30^th.

Yancey Deputies have charged two men from Candler, in Buncombe County, with various drug offenses. Andy Carl Curtis, 19, was arrested in the South Toe Community on July 2^nd; he allegedly possessed approximately 3 grams of cocaine. He’s in jail under a $25 hundred secured bond.  Travis Lee Tipton, 22,  was arrested July 3^rd, in the Celo Community and charge with cocaine possession. He’s also jailed under a $25-hundred secured bond. Both Curtis & Tipton are scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court, on July 30^th. And, an Asheville man, Michael Mason McFarling, 20, was arrested on July 4^th, in the Claremont Community on marijuana possession charges. He was released after posting a $100 bond.

McDowell County Murder Victims Identified

07/08/2004

Police say three men involved in a McDowell County shooting Tuesday were roommates. 44 year old Warren Mack from Shelby was shot in the head and killed. 20 year old Monty Williams was shot three times and is in a Spartanburg Hospital. Police say Jason Harris was the shooter. He is in jail and will not be allowed out on bond. Police won't release any other details surrounding the incident. Harris led police on a 6 hour manhunt Tuesday before being captured.

Yancey Drug Arrests

 07/07/2004

Several Burnsville residents have been charged by Yancey Deputies in unrelated drug cases. Alan John Carroll, 48, of Cactus Lane is charged with selling Cocaine, he posted a $25-thousand bond & Bennie Dean Maney, 51, of Prices Creek Road, has been charged with selling schedule 2 controlled substances, he remains in jail. Both men are scheduled to appear in Yancey Superior Court on July 20^th.

Yancey Deputies have also charged Michael Clarence Pate, 44, & Alesia Swann Pate, both of Josh Lane with drug possession and maintaining a residence to keep drugs. They posted $5 thousand bonds each and are scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on July 30^th.

Murder in McDowell County

07/07/2004

A McDowell County man is accused in a shootout that left one man dead and another severely injured. The suspect disappeared before police arrived on the scene. That started a manhunt that lasted about 6 hours. Authorities aren't releasing much information about any motive for the shooting. Police say 26 year old Jason Harris of Marion gunned down 2 men at a home on Love Drive early this morning, and then took off running. Police searched for hours using dogs. They finally picked up his scent at a nearby home where Harris was arrested. The victims names haven't been released, but authorities say they are not from McDowell County.

Animal Cruelty Case

07/07/2004

A Madison County woman has pleaded guilty to intentionally starving seven horses to death. As punishment, Tina Shuffler will spend approximately three years on probation. Her fate was decided by structured sentencing, which gives judges a small range of legal options when it comes to doling out discipline. Back in January, sheriff's deputies discovered the carcasses of four horses, another three died later. Many people in the mountains feel she should serve jail time. But proponents of structured sentencing say it helps control jail populations and makes sure judges don't abuse their power.

Middleton Dies

 07/06/2004

We are saddened to report that Barton Middleton passed away this weekend. Barton was Main Street Coordinator for the Town of Spruce Pine. Funeral services will be held in Lexington, North Carolina today, and services will be held in Mitchell County later this week

A State-of-the-Art Playground

 07/06/2004

Rotary celebrates their Centennial year in 2005, as a part of the celebration the Spruce Pine Rotary Club wants to build a $40 thousand state-of-the art playground at Riverside Park, in Spruce Pine. Rotary will provide $10 thousand, with the remainder coming from grants, corporate and individual donations. They hope to have the playground ready for kid use in June of next year.

Work is ready to Begin

 07/06/2004

Work is ready to begin on Yancey County’s Comprehensive Recreational Grounds Project: Michele Lawhern, Yancey County Manager, says a contract with “Young and McQueen,” for grading has been approved by Yancey Commissioners. Lawhern says if all goes according to plan, the grounds will be ready for use next spring. The recreation Grounds are west of Burnsville, off Cane River School Road.

Spruce Pine Approves Budget

 07/02/2004

Spruce Pine Council passed their 2004-2005 budget Wednesday. The total operating budget is $1,595.22, that’s lees than a 1% increase over last year’s operating budget. The water & sewer fund budget is $1,328.544. Town Manager Richard Canipe said the town remains in good financial shape and there will be no tax increase.

Burnsville Man Faces More Charges

 07/02/2004

A Burnsville man, already in jail on felony assault and drug charges is now facing 2^nd degree kidnapping and assault by pointing a gun. Clifton Edward Bowden Jr. age 46 of Rolling Ridge Road was arrested on May 19^th after an investigation by Yancey deputies revealed he blocked Rolling Ridge Road with a motor vehicle and refused to let a male and a female riding in another vehicle to drive down Rolling Ridge.  Instead, Bowden exited his car, holding a pistol; he approached their vehicle and demanded they show him their identification. After keeping their vehicle blocked for at least 10 minutes, Bowden allowed them to leave. Lt Tom Farmer, of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department said the two people who were stopped were over 18 years of age and had no knowledge of who Bowden was. Farmer said fortunately no one was injured, but the incident certainly was against the will of the two involved. According to the arrest warrant, Bowden unlawfully and willfully did kidnap and terrorize the parties involved. Bowden remains in jail; he is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court today.   

Burnsville Adopts Budget

07/01/2004

Burnsville Council adopted the Town’s 2004-2005 budget Wednesday: Burnsville Mayor, David Grindstaff says the almost $4 million budget, which includes water and sewer, maintains the current tax rate. There will be no increase in water and sewer charges. Grindstaff says he’s pleased with services provided from the town’s police, fire and sanitation departments.

Click Here To Visit Our Sister Radio Station

This page was last updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 04:38 PM