Chapman Named
As Interim Superintendent
12/31/2004
The Yancey County School Board has named former Superintendent Vernon Chapman
to serve as interim Superintendent until June 30, 2005. Chapman, a
superintendent from 1987-1999 will begin his duties January 1st. He was hired
after the retirement of Superintendent Ivan Randolph. The board, at a meeting
Thursday, December 23rd, voted 4-1 to hire Chapman, with member Van Thomas
voting no to the motion. Randolph announced his retirement plans at the December
School Board meeting, citing differences in educational philosophy with the
newly elected board. Randolph negotiated with the board to buy out his contract
for $100 thousand, $50 thousand to be paid December 30, 2004, and $50 thousand
to be paid July 1, 2005.
New Child Passenger Safety Law
12/31/2004
If you have a child who just turned five and you've tossed their car safety
seat, get ready to buy a new one. State law changes January 1st, requiring kids
to use booster seats for three years longer. The current law allows parents get
rid of child safety seats at age five or when children weigh more than 40
pounds. In the New Year however, kids will have to use safety or booster seats
until they turn eight, or weigh 80 pounds. The new law is designed to protect
kids who are older, but still too short to properly wear belts. If you break the
new law, it'll cost you; a $125 fine and two points on your license.
Bakersville Man Charged
12/28/2004
Mitchell Deputies have arrested a Bakersville man on felony drug charges.
On December 16th, Travis Lee Blevins, age 28, of Rebels Creek Road, was
charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession with intent to sell and
deliver marijuana, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, and
felony possession of stolen property. The arrest came after Mitchell and
Yancey Deputies executed a search warrant of the Blevins residence
attempting to locate a 4-wheeler stolen from Yancey County. The ATV was
located near the Blevins residence. During the search, Deputies found a
larg4e quantity of marijuana. A Search warrant for a controlled substance
was issued and deputies found over 5 pounds of marijuana stored throughout
the residence and 2 vehicles on the property. Blevins received a $10
thousand bond. Chris Gillespie was the charging officer.
Grant for
Construction Trades Job Training
12/24/2004
Yancey Commissioners have received a Golden Leaf grant of $100 thousand
for the Construction Trades Job Training Collaborative. The grant is to
help fund a new facility on the campus of Mountain Heritage High School in
which students from Mountain Heritage and Mitchell High Schools and
Mayland Community College will be trained in construction trades such as
carpentry, masonry, electrical installation and plumbing. Students will
use these skills to help construct 2 modular homes per year with
Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity, which will oversee the project and
materials management. Students will be equipped with marketable skills
while helping provide housing for those who otherwise may not be able to
afford it.
A
Christmas Gift to Yancey
12/23/2004
The Courtroom of the Yancey County Courthouse was filled to capacity
Wednesday as the final pieces were put into place to bring an industry to
the former OMC building and property, now owned by Yancey County.
According to the agreement, Altec will lease the OMC Building and property
(almost 62 acres) the rent payment will $1 per year for seven years. The
agreement also provides a bargain sale of the building to the company at
the end of the lease agreement. In return, the company will, over a period
of time, create over 300 plus jobs. Altec VP of Operations Charlie Culp
said the company will set out to address various site improvements and
hopefully will be ready for business next summer. Altec, based in
Birmingham Alabama, makes equipment for utility industries. Yancey County
beat out some 300 communities in 10 or 11 states in landing Altec
Industries!!
Altec
Industries Coming To Yancey
12/22/2004
It was a full house this morning as Yancey citizens gathered in the
courthouse for a public hearing on a proposed incentive package the county
was proposing to a prospective industry to locate in Yancey County, in the
former OMC Building, now owned by the county. After hearing comments, the
board voted to enter into an agreement with Altec Industries. According to
the agreement, Altec will lease the OMC Building and property (almost 62
acres) the rent payment will $1 per year for seven years. The agreement
also provides a bargain sale of the building to the company at the end of
the lease agreement. In return, the company will agree to create a certain
level of employment, currently estimated at 300 plus jobs. The proposed
appropriations and expenditures to be made by the county include site
improvements which will cost about $200 thousand. The County expects grant
funds to cover these costs. Commissioners and many citizens said this is
the greatest Christmas Gift this area could receive. Altec VP of
Operations Charlie Culp said the company will set out to address various
site improvements and hopefully will be ready for business next summer. As
he said at the close of the Commissioners meeting, "we’re happy to be
coming to Yancey County, let’s build things." Altec, based out of
Birmingham Alabama, supplies equipment related to utility Industries, such
as French Broad Electric.
Yancey Public Hearing Wednesday
12/17/2004
A public hearing has been set for this
Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at 10:00 am, in the courtroom, of the Yancey
County Courthouse to receive comment on proposed appropriations and expenditures
for economic development. This meeting was originally scheduled for November 30,
2004, but was cancelled at the request of the prospective industry because
certain state incentives were not in place. The original notice indicated the
county is ready to enter into a 7 year lease agreement with a metalworking
business to locate at the former OMC building which is owned by the county. The
rent payment will be $1 per year. The agreement may also provide a bargain sale
of the building to the company at the end of the lease agreement. In return, the
company will agree to create a certain level of employment, currently estimated
at 300 plus jobs. The proposed appropriations and expenditures to be made by the
county include site improvements which will cost about $200 thousand. The County
expects grant funds to cover these costs. All Yancey County citizens are
encouraged to attend this very important meeting, in the Yancey County
Courthouse, that’s Wednesday, at 10:00 am. The Commissioners will meet in
special session following the hearing to take whatever action is needed to move
forward with economic development issues.
Power
Outage in Mitchell
12/17/2004
Some 12-hundred Progress Energy customers in the Altapass end of the
Halltown Road area of Mitchell County were without power Thursday. Nancy
Thompson, of Progress Energy, said the outage occurred when a bulldozer
apparently hit a guide wire. Service was restored just after 1:00 pm
New Jail Contract with Rutherford County
12/16/2004
Mitchell Commissioners have approved a new
contract with Rutherford County to house non-violent inmates at the Rutherford
County Detention Center. The cost will be $45 per day, per inmate & Mitchell
County will reimburse Rutherford County for any medical expenses incurred by
inmates while housed in the Rutherford facility. Mitchell will also be
responsible for transporting inmates to and from Rutherford County. The contact
will run until July 2006. Mitchell County Manager Ryan Whitson says Rutherford
County is housing Mitchell's inmates cheaper than Mitchell can, even if the
county had a new jail built and paid for. He said it's costing Mitchell about
half what it would cost the county to operate a jail.
Wind Blows Roof off South Toe Elementary
12/16/2004
News from Yancey County Schools, Niles Howell,
Director of Facility Services for Yancey County Schools, reports strong wind,
December 1st ripped a 12 thousand square foot section of single-ply
rubber roofing membrane off the roof of South Toe Elementary School.
Superintendent Ivan Randolph, maintenance staff, and officials from French Broad
Electric determined the building and classrooms were safe to hold class.
Students were moved from classes that had windows covered with debris while
cleanup efforts were in progress. Maintenance and custodial staff from
throughout the school system worked to remove the debris from the parking area.
Randolph thanked the maintenance employees and custodians for their assistance
in the cleanup effort. Howell says all damage costs except the $5 thousand
deductible will be covered by insurance.
Looking
at Goals
12/15/2004
Mitchell Commissioners talked about goals Monday, short term and long
term. Commissioner Mike Hensley said he would love to see the county look
into vocational training of our workforce. He says we have to adaptable
and train workers for areas such as plumbing, welding, masonry and
machinist. Whatever a company wants, we should have training set up at the
high school level and Mayland Community College. He said computers are
very important, but skilled workers who can use their hands and minds are
the most important. Commissioners are scheduled to get an update on
economic development at their January 3rd meeting from Van Phillips, the
County’s Economic Development Director.
Burnsville Man Killed in Wreck
12/14/2004
A Burnsville man was killed Monday morning when the car he was driving was
hit by a tractor trailer on Highway 19E, West of Burnsville. The victim is
identified as Clyde Garland Cordell, age 91, of Riverside trailer park.
According to Trooper R.M. Lancaster, Mr. Cordell failed to yield
right-of-way, when he pulled out from Comet Ave in front of the truck. No
other details are available.
Mitchell Adds $1.1 Million to General Fund
12/14/2004
The
Buncombe, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey Corporation, formed primarily to take care
of money & property owned by the old Blue Ridge Mental Health Authority has been
dissolved. Mitchell County Manager Ryan Whitson, says what that means to
Mitchell County is the county owns the mental health facility, behind Spruce
Pine Hospital, the value on the building is $590 thousand, the County owns a
building in Bakersville that houses the Mountain Opportunity Center, the value
on that building is about $190 thousand. The County will also receive some $360
thousand in cash. These assets are unrestricted, the money will go into the
general fund and use of the buildings will be decided at a later date. Whitson
said the disillusion of the corporation will no affect mental health services in
the county. He said the county is required to spend maintenance of effort
amount. Whitson said part of the amount will go to Mountain Opportunity Center
and the County Home for Disabled Adults.
Drive by
Shooting in Avery
12/14/2004
Avery Deputies were called to what was described as a
“drive by shooting,” of Friday, December 10th, at about 3:00 pm. Dwayne
Mitchell Webb, age 43, of Roaring Creek Road, is charged with assault with
a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, possession of a weapon of mass
destruction, discharging a weapon into occupied property and assault by
pointing a gun. The victim, Jerry Shad Helton, of Jerry’s Creek road, in
the Roaring Creek Community, was shot in the face with a 22 caliber
weapon. He was treated and released from Cannon Memorial Hospital. The
incident is the result of an ongoing argument between the two. Webb was
released under a $55 hundred secured bond. Meanwhile, the victim, Jerry
Shad Helton, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, namely his car
and with communicating threats against Webb. Helton was arrested Saturday,
December 11th, and released under a $5 thousand secured. Both men have
January 31st court dates.
Public
Hearing Rescheduled
12/13/2004
That public hearing recently postponed by Yancey County Officials that was
to be a discussion of a possible industry coming to the former OMC
property, now owned by the County, has been rescheduled. The new date and
time for the meeting is Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at 10:00 am, in the
courtroom of the Yancey County Courthouse. The company, whose name is not
being released, requested the postponement of the earlier public hearing
because all of the important details, such as state incentives, had not
been finalized. Apparently, those details have been worked out. It’s hoped
this economic initiative will bring 300 plus jobs to Yancey County.
Yancey Commissioners Fill Public Works and
Planner Positions
12/10/2004
Yancey Commissioners met in emergency
session this morning to discuss the resignation of Public Works Director Tom
Tipton and his assistant David Thomas. Commissioner Nathan Bennett said Nick
Rosseter has been hire as interim director. The board also hired Larry Howell as
County Planner. Commissioner Dean Hicks addresses the rumors going around about
wholesale firings, he says that not going to happen and he says the appointment
of Howell as County Planner is needed. Hicks also addressed disturbing incidents
of harassing phone calls received at the Courthouse. Commissioners say they will
ask the Sheriff’s Department to look into these calls and do what is necessary
to put a stop to it!!
Whitson’s Reserve Unit Has Been Mobilized
12/10/2004
Mitchell’s Manager Mitchell County Manager Ryan Whitson has received notice that
his reserve unit will be mobilized effective January 3rd and he will be at Ft
Jackson for about a year. Whitson said he should have more definite orders by
the next week, hopefully in time to brief commissioners at a special meeting
which has been scheduled for Monday at 6:00 pm. By the way, Commissioners have
changed their regular meeting time, the day stays the same, the first Monday of
each month, but the time has been changed, commissioners will now meet at 6:00
pm. It’s hoped the new time will make it easier for citizens to attend meetings.
Seeking Grants for Riverside and Brad Ragan
Parks
12/09/2004
Spruce Pine will be submitting applications
to the NC Parks & Recreation Trust Fund, for grant monies to support projects at
Riverside and Brad Ragan Parks. Richard Canipe, Town Manager, says grant funds
for Riverside Park would be used in conjunction with the Spruce Pine Rotary Club
in the installation of a playground area. Also, funds would be used to repair
areas affected by recent storms not covered by insurance or FEMA. At Brad Ragan,
funds would be used to complete a ball field, install 2 horse shoe areas and
possibly an area for volleyball. A public hearing on these projects will be held
January 10, 2004, at 5:35 pm, in the council meeting room, at Town Hall.
Time is Running Out
12/09/2004
If you’ve been affected by tropical Storm
Frances and Hurricane Ivan, and have not registered for federal assistance, time
is running out. Friday, December 17th, is the last date to file for
most programs. Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from
the storms are encouraged to apply. Call FEMA toll free, 1-800-621-3362, to
register. Representatives are available 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
New Emergency Services Contract
12/08/2004
Mitchell Commissioners have approved a new 4
year contract with Mission Hospital for emergency medical services. County
Manager Ryan Whitson said the cost increase is about 14% over the 4 year period,
but when the cost of diesel fuel, salary increases, medical supplies and
inflation are factored in, this a good agreement.
A New Trial for Nebo Woman
12/08/2004
It’s a new trial for Eva Barlowe, age 21, of
Nebo. In 2001, she was sentenced to life for the beating death of her mother.
Now an appellate court has ruled that she did not have adequate time to find a
forensic expert who could counter the states interpretation of blood splatters
on her clothes. And because the trial received a lot of media attention, her new
trial will be held in Henderson County, and will begin January 24th
in Hendersonville.
Hunting Age Proposal
12/08/2004
A national group wants North Carolina to impose a minimum age for hunting.
"The Fund for Animals" wants the state to require hunters to be at least
16 to carry a gun. The call comes after a hunting accident in Vance County
where an 11-year-old shot his father. Local sportsmen say they don't agree
with the proposal. They say as long as an adult is along to supervise,
youngsters should be allowed to hunt. Any change in state hunting laws
would have to go through the General Assembly.
Limited Flu Shots Available
12/07/2004
Area health departments have received a limited supply of flu vaccine.
About 300 flu shots will be given in Mitchell County beginning at 8:30 am
Wednesday morning. The shots will be given on a first come, first served
basis to those who meet the CDC guidelines. Flu shots are also available
in Yancey County, no flu shots will be given 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Monday
through Friday or Tuesday and Friday from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. For more
information, call 682-6118.
Yancey’s New Commission
12/07/2004
Yancey County’s new commission took office Monday as Danny Hensley was
sworn in as Board Chairman, Nathan Bennett and Dean Hicks as board
members. Commissioner Hicks says their plans are to complete the projects
that are still on going, such as water and sewer and the comprehensive
recreational grounds.
Mitchell’s New Commission
12/07/2004
Mitchell County’s New Commission took office Monday. The
new board is made up of Ken Hollifield, Jim Saylor, Phil Byrd, Mike
Hensley and new chairman Keith Masters. Masters says their top priority
over the next 2 years will be economic development, hopefully bringing in
some manufacturing jobs. He said developing tourism is a large part of
their economic development goals. Others projects include addressing the
county’s jail needs and ambulance service.
Yancey School Superintendent Randolph Retiring
12/07/2004
Yancey County School Superintendent Dr. Ivan Randolph is retiring at the
end of this year. Citing significant differences in education philosophies
with the current school board, and the fact he has enough time in the
state school system to retire, Randolph and the school board have agreed
on a buyout of his contract (which is scheduled for renewal in 2008). The
agreement calls for Randolph to receive $50 thousand by December 30, 2004
(his retirement date) and $50 thousand by July 30, 2005. The board voted
3-2, Monday night, to accept Randolph’s contract buyout proposal. School
Board Chairman Gary Grindstaff said an interim Superintendent will be
named in the next few weeks and a search committee will be named to look
for a new Superintendent, possibly in early January. Board Members Gary
Grindstaff, Dr. Iva Nell Buckner and Elaine Boone voted to accept
Randolph’s proposal, board members Van Thomas and Randy Banks voted
against his proposal. To see a copy of Randolph's letter, click
here.
Creating Homegrown Jobs
12/06/2004
Spruce Pine is the “Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree!!”
That designation comes through an agreement with Gloria Houston, author of
the best selling children’s book, “The Home of the Perfect Christmas
Tree.” The agreement allows Spruce Pine to market & promote the town with
products which creates jobs and that boosts the region’s economy. Last
week, a reception was held highlighting some the products that are being
considered for licensing. Houston said she hopes jobs and homegrown
businesses can be created here, using the talents of the crafters and
artisans of the region.
Yancey E911 on Line
12/03/2004
It’s been a long time in coming; Yancey County’s E911 System is now on
line. Yancey E911 Director Bill Davis says this new system will reduce
response time and hopefully saves lives.
Gillespie Named to Select Committee
12/03/2004
State Representative Mitch Gillespie has been appointed to
the state’s newly created Joint Select Committee on Hurricane Relief. This
past year was an active hurricane year in the Tar Heel State, and the
Western counties were hit especially hard. Gillespie represents McDowell
and parts of Burke and Caldwell Counties. Gillespie said progress has been
made in cleaning up from the storms, but there are still some unresolved
issues and he looks forward to addressing them in this committee.
A Perfect Christmas Tree Day
12/02/2004
It was the day of the “Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree,”
in Spruce Pine Wednesday. That was the theme of the Town’s Christmas
Parade and it was a day to spotlight potential licensed products of the
“Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree.” Van Phillips, Executive Director of
the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission, said it’s good to see
the “perfect” project getting off the ground and it’s hoped this is the
start of “home grown” businesses in Spruce Pine & Mitchell County!!
Micaville Man Arrested in Mitchell
12/02/2004
Mitchell Deputies have charged Adam Ray Mathis, age 20,
Double Island Road, in Micaville, with 10 counts of breaking and entering
of a motor vehicle, 9 counts felony larceny, 9 counts misdemeanor larceny
plus 6 counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a
schedule 2 drug. Mathis remains in jail under a $94 thousand bond. He is
scheduled to appear in court December 13th.
Hearing Postponed
12/01/2004
Yancey County postponed a public hearing Tuesday night that
was supposed to be a discussion of a possible industry coming to the
former OMC building, now owned by the county. Does this mean the company
is no coming to Yancey? Michele Lawhern, Yancey County Manager, says the
postponement should not be interpreted as the deal is off. She said the
company, whose name is not being released, requested the public hearing be
postponed because all of the important details, such as state incentives,
have not been finalized. It’s hoped that when all the details can be
worked out, this economic initiative will bring 300 plus jobs for Yancey
County.
Meth Arrests in Mitchell
12/01/2004
Mitchell Deputies have charged three men with possession of
chemicals with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. James
Robert Lee Hughes, age 21, & James Bordette Hughes, age 23, both of a
Crawley Dale Road address, in Morganton, were released after posting bond.
And, charged with similar offenses, but a different case, Randall Homer
Ballard, age 45, of Highway 221, in Marion remains in jail. He was also
charged with being a habitual felon.
P.O. Box 744
