Restoring
Streams to Pre-Flood Conditions
09/30/2004
After suffering damage from back-to-back
storms, Mitchell & Yancey Counties has requested Federal assistance in restoring
streams to pre-flood conditions. The program, through the Agricultural Act of
1978, requires a 25% local match. County & municipal officials hope the Governor
will wave the local match requirement. This would mean stream restoration would
not cost local governments.
Missing Man’s Body
Found in Madison
09/30/2004
According to Madison
Emergency Management Director Stewart Coates, the body of a 43 year old man,
reported missing nine days ago, was found Wednesday in the Upper Brush Creek
area of Madison County. His name is not being released pending notification of
family members. Director Coates said there appeared to be no foul play. His body
has been taken to medical examiners in Chapel Hill.
Sam Phillips Dies
09/29/2004
Sam Phillips, a man who made significant and
lasting contributions to our community throughout the last several decades has
died. He was a giant in Economic Development in
Mitchell County in
the 1960s and 1970s. Phillips was the driving force in bringing industry to
Mitchell County including the Henredon Furniture Plant. He was a great
philanthropist to our local community college resulting in significant growth at
Mayland during the last several years. Mr. Phillip’s son, Van, is Director
Mitchell County’s Economic Development Commission. Funeral arrangements for Sam
Phillips will be tomorrow at 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church of Spruce Pine. He
was 82!!
Three Ways to
Vote in NC General Election
09/30/2004
IN PERSON, ON
ELECTION DAY. Vote at your assigned polling place. You will be asked to sign the
poll book before you vote. The polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. If
you are in the line by 7:30, you will get to vote
IN PERSON, BEFORE
ELECTION DAY. From October 14th to October 30th, you can vote at the County
Board of Elections office at the Courthouse. You can request a “one-stop
absentee ballot.” You do not need an excuse for voting early.
BY MAIL-IN
ABSENTEE BALLOT. You can request an absentee ballot no excuse is needed but the
county board of elections must receive the request by 5 p.m. on October 26th. It
must be a written request from you or a near relative or on a form provided by
the board of elections and must be signed by you or a near relative. A request
for an absentee ballot in the general election should include: Your name, date
of birth, residence address, the address the absentee ballot should be mailed
to, and, if appropriate, the near relative’s contact information and relation to
you. The absentee ballot will be mailed directly to the voter. The County Board
of Elections must receive the ballot back not later than 5 p.m. on the day prior
to the election. It is permissible for a near relative to hand carry the ballot
into the election office.
AND REMEMBER,
to vote in the November General Election, the deadline to register is Friday,
October 8th, at 5:00 pm.
Advantage West Meeting
09/28/2004
Dale Carroll, CEO and President
of Advantage West Spoke to a small group of Yancey County Citizens last night at
Town Hall. Carroll gave a report on past accomplishments and future plans for
attracting Business to the area. Advantage West has been Serving 23 counties in
Western North Carolina for the past 10 years as a marketing company helping
promote business and retain business in the Blue Ridge Mountains.Advantage West
board members include Randy Banks and Wanda Proffitt of Burnsville and Van
Phillips of Spruce Pine. More information about Advantage West can be found at
www.advantagewest.com
Flood Damages & Ordinances
09/28/2004
Spruce Pine Council talked about flood
damage and updating ordinances at their meeting last night: Richard Canipe, Town
Manager, told council they’re estimating damages from Hurricane’s Frances & Ivan
to the town’s wastewater treatment plant at about $70-$75 thousand, including
damage to the road to the plant, 3 pump stations have extensive damage to the
protective fencing around them. The town expects FEMA to reimburse funds for
flood related repairs. He said all repairs to keep the plant operating normally
have been made. Also, the council discussed possible amendments to the Town’s
Noise Ordinance with Town Attorney Lloyd Hise.
Missing in Madison
09/28/2004
Emergency crews in Madison
County are continuing their search for
43-year-old Dwight Gosnell, who
disappeared a week ago Sunday. He went hunting for ginseng in the back country
of Madison County but never came back. An active search started after his car
was found off Upper Brush Creek road Sunday night. Gosnell's family says he has
seizures, and did not have his medicine with him. 5 North Carolina search and
rescue teams are involved in the manhunt as well as about 25 to 3O people.
Possible Flooding
09/27/2004
Tropical Storm Jeanne is making its way towards the
mountains of Western North Carolina.
Emergency Services are already making
preparations for possible flooding. Area Rivers can withstand four inches
of new rainfall, but any more than that could put rivers over their banks.
Residents and merchants that areas damaged by hurricanes Frances and Ivan
are being advised they could be hit again. Current forecasts predict up to
seven inches of rainfall in certain parts of the mountains.
Escape in McDowell
09/27/2004
Four inmates are back in custody after
overpowering a guard and escaping from the McDowell County jail. According
to information from the Sheriff’s Department,
three of them attacked the officer
shortly after two Saturday afternoon, they then stole the jailor's cell
keys, let out a fourth inmate, and locked the guard in the cell. The
prisoners then escaped through the fire escape, jumped a fence in the
backyard, stole a truck from a nearby home and led officers on a chase
down 221N. The inmates wrecked at the Tom's Creek intersection and police
captured three of them, the fourth inmate fled on foot but officers and
K-9s tracked him down. All four were back in custody two hours after the
escape. They're in jail for various charges including murder and armed
robbery.
Traffic Fatality in East Yancey
09/27/2004
A logging
truck collided with a car at the traffic signal in East Yancey this
morning killing one person and injuring two others, one seriously. State
trooper Jeremy Carver, said the truck, driven by Jerry Ayers, Rt2 Green
Mountain, 67, was traveling west on US 19E, approaching the traffic light
near East Yancey Middle School. A Blue Lumina, on Georges Fork Road,
driven by Lily Kay Bradford was stopped at the light. The light turned red
for the truck, his brakes locked up and hit the car driven by Bradford in
the side, (her light was green) The impact pushed her into a red pickup,
driven by Jennifer Barnett, of a Hill Road Green Mountain address. Carver
said Bradford died at the scene and a passenger in her car, Cordelia
Riddle, her mother, age 84, of a Route 2 Green Mountain address was flown
to Johnson City Medical Center in critical condition. The Driver of the
pickup was treated and released from Spruce Pine Community Center. Charges
against Jerry Ayers are pending and will be determined by the District
Attorney
We’re Open for
Business
09/24/2004
Area
economic development and community leaders met this morning in Little
Switzerland with State Commerce Officials to discuss the problems associated
with our recent storms—namely the perception that our counties are covered in
water and tourists should stay away. Many area accommodations have been
cancelled. Van Phillips, with the Mitchell County Economic Development
Commission, says this area is open for business. He said many travel
agencies are misinformed and saying this area is still covered in water & it’s
this kind of negative press that we need to correct. A representative from U.S.
Senator Elizabeth Dole’s office said her office is getting the word out to the
media in the Southeast that this area is open and inviting everyone to the
mountains for the leaf season.
Debris pick-up
begins in Mitchell
09/24/2004
Mitchell County will begin storm related
road side pick-up of vegetative debris or trees and branches on Monday.
Residents are ask to get the debris as-close-as possible to state road
right-of-way. The debris pickup will last about 2 weeks.
Con Artists Are
Working Overtime
09/23/2004
Con artists are working overtime. As you’ve
heard, they’re calling homeowners and saying they’re with FEMA, now the NC State
Board of Elections has received reports that unauthorized calls are being made
to citizens informing them they are not registered voters and suggesting that
the individual would not be eligible to vote in the November 2nd
General Election—unless personal information is provided to the caller. This is
a scam. The State & county boards of elections have the sole responsibility to
determine the eligibility of voters. Under no circumstances has the State Board
of Elections or county boards of elections contracted with any outside
organization or group to make these calls. In addition, no group has been
authorized to act on behalf of the State or county boards of elections to
confirm or verify with citizens their voter registration status. If you want to
verify your registration status, call the Board of Elections office in your
county. In Avery call 733-8282, in Mitchell, call 688-3101 and in Yancey call
682-3950. By the way, if you are not registered, the deadline to register for
the November General Election is Friday, October 8th.
House Fires in
Yancey
09/23/2004
Yancey Firefighters were called out to two
house fires early this morning. West Yancey units were called at 5:30 am to a
house on Horton creek road in Prices Creek, when they arrived, the house was
fully involved—it was a total loss. No other details are available. Shortly
after 7:00 am, South Toe units were called to a home Charles & Margaret Ledford
on Bantam Branch Road, off Colberts Creek. Reportedly the family lost
everything.
Arrest for
Breaking & Entering & Larceny
09/23/2004
Burnsville Police have charged Ted Marshall
Silvers, age 22, of Genes Lane with felony Breaking & Entering and Larceny of
Fox’s Country Store, on West Main Street. Silvers was also served with an
outstanding warrant for misdemeanor larceny of a bicycle from a residence on
Woodlawn Avenue. He’s in the Yancey County Jail under an $82 hundred secured
bond. Silvers is scheduled to appear in Yancey District Court on October 5th.
The arrest was made by Burnsville Detective Randall Shuford.
Yancey Roads
09/23/2004
DOT reports all roads in Yancey County are
passable with the exception of Bolens Creek which is blocked and open to local
traffic only----DOT says it will probably take up to 2 weeks to repair.
Other problem areas: 7 Mile Ridge one lane
(mud slide and broken off section) repairs will take at least a month.
Cattail Creek Road (dirt section on the
upper end—one lane)
Scam!!
Area authorities have issued an alert about
a scam in our area. Residents have been getting calls from people saying they’re
with FEMA. They ask for personal information such as bank account numbers.
This is a scam. FEMA will not call you; you must call them at 1-800-621-3362
and register your claim. They will then mail something to you regarding your
claim—they will NEVER call you and ask for personal information. If someone
calls saying they’re from FEMA, do not give them any information—it’s a scam---call
the sheriff’s department immediately.
Burnsville Man Charged With
Sexual Exploitation of Minor Children
09/21/2004
Yancey
County Deputies have arrested a Burnsville man on second degree sexual
exploitation of minor children. Johnny Wayne Duckett, age 36, of a Lickskillet
road address is in the Yancey County Jail under a $120 thousand secured bond.
According to Lt Tom Farmer of the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, charges
were brought against Duckett after evidence revealed that he was in possession
of a computer that contained visual representations of minor female children in
sexual activity with an adult male. Farmer said additional charges in state and
federal court may be brought. Duckett is scheduled to appear in Yancey District
Court on October 5, 2004.
Yancey Man Found
09/20/2004
A Yancey
County man reported missing since last Tuesday has been found, at Lost Cove, in
the gorge, near the Tennessee
line. Yancey Emergency Officials identified the man as Bobby Byrd, of the
Crabtree area. He was found by CSX Railroad workers Saturday. He was taken to
Spruce Pine Community Hospital. No other details are available.
Getting Help from Ivan
09/20/2004
The Federal
Emergency Management Agency is urging residents & businesses who have suffered
damage from “Ivan,” to resister with FEMA for assistance. Call 1-800-621-3362.
If you get a busy signal, and you probably will, please try again. That’s
1-800-621-3362. This number is open 24 hours a day.
Flood Fatality
in Yancey
09/20/2004
A Yancey County woman died of a heart attack
Friday in a storm related death. According to Yancey County Emergency Management Director
Junior McIntyre, Savannah Geouge Shuford, age 73, and her husband Ed, were
leaving their house on Upper Browns Creek because of rising waters when
volunteers from South Toe Fire Dept came by and told them they could come to
Fire Station. When the Shuford’s arrived at the station they decided to remain
their truck—it was there where Mrs Shuford went into full arrest. Fire Dept
volunteers tried to help her, but it was too late. Mrs Shuford was buried
Sunday.
Burnsville PD
Needs Your Help
09/16/2004
The Burnsville Police Department is seeking
help from all white females who attended the Mt Mitchell Crafts Fair, August 6th
or August 7th. If you were wearing the following types of clothing:
blue jean skirt, white skirt & black top, purple skirt, white denim, white skirt
with blue & red top, white skirt with any color top, black free flowing skirt,
blue denim skirt with pink top, light blue skirt, dark denim with white top,
blue denim with black top, blue denim with ruffles, red top, floral print free
flowing skirt, blue denim with short sleeved pink shirt, blue denim skirt with
white cotton t-shirt material top, blue denim light blue top, shoulder length
reddish hair or blue denim skirt with vertical striped button-up shirt. Please
remember the sun was very bright both days and color shades could vary.
If you noticed anyone with a video camera,
possibly making inappropriate video’s of someone you could identify, please
contact Detective Randall Shuford. Call 682-4683, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am to
4:30 pm. Any help will be appreciated.
Stokes Austin
Appointed
09/16/2004
Yancey County resident Stokes Austin has
been appointed to the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. The General Assembly
created the fund to provide resources to protect tobacco farmers from economic
hardships arising from the Master Settlement Agreement. Mr. Austin is co-owner &
President of Summit Building Supply. He is married to Pauline Webb Austin and
has two children & two grandchildren. Mr. Austin has a wide variety of
agricultural knowledge as a former dairy farmer, a tobacco quota owner and
experience in beef cattle production.
Get Ready For
Ivan
09/15/2004
As Hurricane Ivan approaches the United
States, the western mountains are expecting to take a major hit. The latest
track of Ivan has the center approaching this region late Thursday night &
Friday, then stalling just west of the region for several days. The result will
be rainfall amounts ranging from 10 to 15 inches and even as-high-as 20 inches.
The storm will produce high wind gusts up to 60 mph. This may result in fallen
trees and power lines. Significant flooding is very possible.
Contaminated Water?
09/13/2004
After last weeks
flooding, there is definite need for concern over water safety and
quality. If you feel that your water supply may have been contaminated by
flood waters, your local health department can help you decide the steps
to take to make sure your water is safe. Toe River Health District
Director, Tommy Singleton said you should assume everything touched by
flood water is contaminated and will have to be disinfected. In Avery,
call 733-6031, in Mitchell, call 688-2371 & in Yancey County, call 682-6118
Yancey
Man Arrested For Larceny of Motor Vehicle
09/13/2004
Burnsville Police have arrested a
Yancey County man for “larceny of a motor vehicle.” Police Chief Rick
Turner says Ted Marshall Silvers, age 22, of Genes Lane, allegedly took a
1992 Nissan truck on August 18th, from a driveway on Ramsey
Street, in Burnsville & later wrecked the truck on Charlie Brown Road,
near the defendant’s residents.
Henredon
Closing Spruce Pine Plant
09/10/2004
The
Henredon Furniture Plant in Spruce Pine has announced plans to close its Spruce
Pine facility. The plant, which employees 332 people, will close most operations
by the end of the year. The company expects to release the first employees on or
after November, 10, 2004. Some employees will not be released until early 2005.
A news release indicates the majority of the product being manufactured in
Spruce Pine will be relocated to Henredon’s largest plant in Morganton. Over 200
jobs will be created in the Morganton Plant, and many Spruce Pine employees will
have the opportunity to transfer to the Morganton location as the processes are
relocated. Henredon President, Stephen McKee said “we have reached a point in
our business that makes this consolidation of our manufacturing operations, the
only logical alternative. He said Henredon will do all they can to assist their
Spruce Pine employees, including offering them positions in the Morganton plant.
Stranded on
Cattail
09/10/2004
A special note for residents that may be
stranded in the Cattail Creek road area, if you need assistance, call 678-9516
or 678-9269. Residents in Cattail are reporting rainfall of 21-25 inches from
this week’s storm.
Food & Flooding
09/10/2004
The NC Cooperative Extension has a warning
about foods that have been covered by flood waters: Denise Baker, the family and
consumer sciences agent with the NC Cooperative Extension, reminds farmers and
gardeners that crops intended for human consumption are considered contaminated
if they have been covered by flood water from rivers creeks or streams. Growers
should distinguish between rain waters that accumulate of a field versus fields
covered by flood waters from rivers, creeks and streams. Flood waters may
contain potential contaminates. Because flood waters may present hazards which
cannot be effectively controlled, these foods should be thrown away. For more
information, call the NC Cooperative Extension. In Mitchell, call 688-4811, in
Yancey County, call 682-6186.
Some Roads
Still In Bad Shape
09/09/2004
Road Conditions are improving, but there
are still problem areas.
In Mitchell County:
Whitson Branch Road has been damaged; it’s
questionable if it’s passable. Also Huntdale & Sams Branch Roads, down along the
river, in the North end of the County, have been damaged. DOT crews are working
to repair these roads as-soon-as possible. County Manager Ryan Whitson says to his
knowledge, all other roads are passable. He says if residents have suffered
property damage as a result of flooding, they should call 688-4615.
In Yancey County:
According to Yancey County Emergency
officials, roads in Yancey County are passable except for South Toe River Road,
Neil’s Creek road and Cattail Creek Road—they remain closed (they were washed
out.) According to DOT, they hope to have South Toe River Road & Neil’s Creek
Road open by Saturday, but there is no time table for the opening of Cattail
Creek Road.
Prospect
for Avondale
09/09/2004
Yancey Commissions announced Wednesday there
is a business prospect that wants to occupy the Avondale Building. Commissioners
voted to give the County Manager permission to negotiate with the prospect and
Avondale to acquire the building. Commission Chairman John Renfro said the
company wants this worked out as-soon-as possible and he hopes they will be able
to make an announcement about details very soon.
State of
Emergency
09/09/2004
Because of flooding, Spruce Pine has
declared a “state of emergency,” which means no person may travel into or remain
in any place which is flooded or likely to be flooded. No business, office or
other establishment may operate or continue to operate in any area which is
flooded or likely to be flooded. Police officers are authorized to prohibit
entry or remove persons in designated flooded or potential flooded areas.
Still Impassable
09/09/2004
NC DOT
reports over 250 primary and secondary roads in WNC remain impassable at this
time due to high water, downed trees and mudslides. The worst conditions are
found in counties surrounding the Asheville area and along the Tennessee state
line, including and south of the Boone area. Conditions are expected
to continue into today and beyond. Motorists are advised to avoid traveling in
these areas. For travel conditions, call the DOT travel line..dial “511.” And
remember---NEVER DRIVE INTO OR AROUND STANDING OR MOVING WATER
Barricades
09/09/2004
Emergency officials remind
motorists not to drive through barricades, risking their own lives and the lives
of those trying to rescue them. It's against the law to drive around barricades.
You can be fined and get a ticket it you're caught.
They’re
Safe
09/07/2004
We have good news about those 3 adults that
disappeared Saturday from Tennessee-- they’re back home, safe and sound. They
were found in the Atlanta area. According to Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris,
the three were confused with no medications; they stopped at a fire station
where they received help.
Bond
Refunding
09/07/2004
Burnsville’s Town Council has voted in favor
of refunding of the water bond from the 1970’s. The rate of interest was 5.87%.
The new rate will be 3.87%; the loan will be 15 years instead of 30 years. The
annual payment will increase by about $20 thousand. Mayor Grindstaff said the
council’s action will save the town 15 years of financing and some $720
thousand. He said if the town needs to upgrade or expand the water system in the
future, this move will help the town in seeking financing and not be under any
obligation at that time.
Mitchell
Schools Closing Early Wednesday
09/07/2004
Officials with the Mitchell County School System have
announced a schedule change for Wednesday. All schools will open on regular
schedule, and then close at 11:15 am Wednesday morning. Schools will be
re-open Thursday on regular schedule.
Special
Meeting on Economic Development Efforts
09/07/2004
Yancey Commissioners have called a special meeting for
tomorrow, at 6 pm, in the commissioners meeting room, in the Yancey County
Courthouse. The purpose will be to discuss updates regarding recent economic
development efforts.
Missing
From Tennessee
09/06/2004
Unicoi County Tennessee Law Enforcement
Officials are looking for three adults that may be traveling through our area.
They have medical problems and have not had their medication since they
disappeared Saturday. They are identified as: Ruth Stanzil, age 62, Floyd
Edwards, age 78 and Clifford Edwards, age 47. All three are from Tennessee. They
were last seen in a 2000 Nissan car, silver, with Tennessee tag: DD-49075. If
you have any information about these three people, call (423) 743-1850.
Minor
Flooding in Mitchell
09/03/2004
All the rain from Wednesday caused some
minor flooding in Mitchell County Thursday. County Manager Ryan Whitson said
flooding occurred in the Altapass area and Carpenter Island and a couple of
bridges were flooded, but it was only minor.
Mountain Heritage High School SAT Scores
Improve.
09/02/2004
Yancey Schools Superintendent Dr Ivan Randolph says,
based on these results, Yancey County School’s rank 10th in the
state (not including charter schools) with a total score of 1054. The
number of students tested was 66, the percent tested was 41%. The Verbal
scores for Yancey County averaged 530, an increase of 19 points from 2003,
and math scores averaged 524, an increase of 1 point from 2003. Our scores
are among the top ten school systems in the state, which include schools and
systems like the NC School of Math and Science, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City,
NC School of the Arts, Transylvania, Buncombe, Elkin City, Wake, Henderson,
and Watauga. We are 48 points above the state average of 1006, and 28
points above the national average of 1026.
The SAT is one of the major college entrance
requirements for high school students.
Mitchell
SAT Scores Improve
09/02/2004
Mitchell High School SAT scores improve.
Ginger McKinney, Technology Director & Testing Coordinator for the Mitchell
County School System says Mitchell High has been making excellent progress over
the past three years. The total of 1009 is above the state average. 75 students
took the SAT, the percent tested was 48.7%, with math scores of 499 and verbal 510. Mitchell has increased from
992, two years ago, to 998 last year and 1009 this year.
The SAT is one of the major college entrance
requirements for high school students.
Fire
Destroys Buladean Home
09/01/2004
Fire destroyed a house on Putman Road Monday afternoon.
Buladean Fire Chief L.G. Sheets says the cause of the fire is not known at
this time. He said when units arrived on the scene; flames were already
coming through the roof. The house, off 226N, near Marshall Street Sawmill,
was the home of Charles & Anna Parker and their two children. There were no
injuries. Chief Sheets thanked volunteers from the Buladean Fire Department
and especially volunteers from the Fork Mountain Fire Department who came to
help.
Rural
Center Awards Communities Water & Sewer Funds
09/01/2004
The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center
has awarded $10.7 million to 46 rural communities for water and wastewater
improvements. Burnsville has received $96 hundred for water and sewer
mapping study. The digital maps will inventory and locate all water and
wastewater lines, valves, meter locations, manholes, hydrants and any other
component deemed necessary. Bakersville has received $35,600 for phase 2 of
their wastewater system study. The project will develop an inflow and
infiltration study of the wastewater system and update the 20 year capitol
improvement plan. Spruce Pine has received $400 thousand for their Beaver
Creek Reservoir Dredging and Spillway Repairs Project to clean dredge and
clean the town’s raw water reservoir.
New
Assistant Superintendent in Yancey Schools
09/01/2004
Yancey Schools has a new assistant
Superintendent. She’s Dr Cherie Boone. She has worked in Yancey Schools some 17 years, with
experience at elementary, middle and high school levels. Dr Ivan Randolph,
Yancey Superintendent, said he is very happy she’s on board.
P.O. Box 744
