Yancey County Schools will host a Title II meeting for parents and other interested people on Wednesday, May 23, at 10:30 am and at 5:00 pm, in the Board Room, 100 School Drive. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input for the Title II Plan for the 2012 – 2013 school year. For further information call 682-6101, Ext. 304. Any non-public schools, that have not been contacted and that need information on Title II funding, please call 682-6101, Ext. 304.
Graduation commencement ceremonies at Avery High School will be tonight at 7 p.m. at MacDonald Stadium in Newland. Avery School Superintendent David Burleson will address the 162 seniors receiving diplomas at Avery High this year. Mountain Heritage High School Graduation exercises are scheduled for tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. in the school gymnasium. Heritage will hand out diplomas to around 205 seniors. Sarah Dewitt-Feldman is the Valedictorian and Katherine Roth-Skinner is the 2012 Salutatorian, while newly elected Yancey County School Board member Norb McKinney will give the key note address.
Graduation at Mitchell High is set for 10 a.m. Saturday May 26 in the school gymnasium. Other details of Mitchell’s graduation are still in the works.
The Alexander County Board of Education announced Tuesday that Dr. Brock Womble has accepted the position of Superintendent of Alexander County Schools effective July 1st. Dr. Womble served as Superintendent of Mitchell County Schools since 2006 and during his tenure saw growth in the graduation rate as well as many of the testing bench marks. Under Dr. Womble’s leadership Mitchell County was the only school system in North Carolina to make AYP as a district for the 2010-2011 school year. Womble said “I am very humbled to be honored as the next Superintendent of Alexander County Schools and I look forward to working with the Board of Education, administration, staff, students, parents and the community. My wife and I look forward to raising and educating our children in Alexander County as well as being a part of the community.” A native of Winston Salem, Dr. Womble and his wife Dawn have two children, Bryce and Melinda. Rick Spurling, Assistant Superintendent in Mitchell County said that he is very excited for Dr. Womble and his family and their new opportunity. He also expressed his enthusiasm for the future of Mitchell County Schools and the positive effect that new leadership will have on the list of things that the school system wants to accomplish in the future.
In an effort to save local money, Mayland Community College will be going to a four-day workweek with extended daily hours. The college business hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The college, including the satellite campuses, will be closed on Fridays only, May 18 through the fist week of August. Mayland saw a significant savings in operating costs last summer by utilizing the four-day workweek. The college does not expect to move to this schedule for the fall and spring semesters. Mayland Community College receives operating funds from Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties that are earmarked to pay for utilities, building and grounds, general maintenance, security, and housekeeping services. Closing on Fridays helps reduce expenses in some of these areas. For more information call 1-800-4-MAYLAND.
This Saturday through Friday of next week is designated as North American Safe Boating Week, (May 19–25, 2012). As Families and friends gather together to enjoy the outdoors, travel on vacation and spend time on the water – boating, fishing, sailing, and more it’s important to remember the safety precautions to take during all of these recreational water activities. Approximately 500 people drown each year from recreational boating accidents. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2010, and that 88 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets. The old-fashioned, bulky orange life jacket most people are used to have been replaced with innovative new options. Life jackets are now lighter, less obtrusive and more attractive than ever before. The new inflatable life jackets allow the mobility and flexibility for activities like boating, fishing, paddling or hunting and are much cooler in the warmer weather. There are many different varieties of inflatable jackets ranging from those that inflate instantly when submerged in the water to those that are manually inflated. All are designed to be more comfortable and wearable than the traditional life jacket to encourage those enjoying water activities to keep their life jackets on.
Mars Hill College held graduation ceremonies for 136 graduates on Saturday, including 113 who were traditional age and 23 who were students in MHC’s adult program. Among the graduates, the most popular majors were business; education and social work. 86 of the graduates were from North Carolina, while 36 were from out-of-state in the U.S. and 14 were international students. Local students receiving their degrees Saturday were: Jourdan Allen, Taylor Dawn Banks, and Michael Steven Wright of Burnsville, Kristina Marie Blackford of Bakersville and Joseph Anthony Bomar and Annie Rebecca Sutton of Spruce Pine.
Mitchell County Deputies arrested Perry Rex Jones Jr., age 59, of 426 Owens Chapel Road, Union Mills, N.C. on numerous drug charges.
In an undercover operation, Captain R.V. Wiseman had purchased Oxycodone on two previous occasions from Jones in the parking lot at the BP Station in Estatoe. Captain Wiseman had obtained arrest warrants for Jones in his possession for the past several months, but had been unable to locate Jones.
Captain Wiseman was on NC 226 in Ledger, when he met Jones traveling NC 226 towards Bakersville. Captain Wiseman turned and pursued Jones. Captain Wiseman activated his blue lights and siren, but Jones continued to travel towards Bakersville. Captain Wiseman advised Mitchell Communications he was pursuing Jones and that Jones was refusing to stop. Jones speed never exceeded 40 mile per hour during the pursuit.
Mitchell County School Resource Officer Randy Sparks attempted to block the road on Jones near Saylor’s Lake Road. SRO Sparks had to move to keep Jones from ramming his patrol car. SRO Sparks then joined the pursuit.
Sheriff Street, Chief Deputy J.A. Sparks, Detective J.D. Holmes, Lt. J.D. English, and Deputy C.M. Garland was able to assist Captain Wiseman in boxing Jones in and getting him stopped near Lee’s Restaurant just outside of Bakersville.
Jones was taken into custody and transported to the Sheriff’s Office to be processed.
Jones advised the officers he didn’t know he was being pursued. Captain Wiseman asked Jones way he attempted to ram SRO Sparks’s vehicle. Jones made no comment.
Captain Wiseman served arrest warrants on Jones for sell and delivery Schedule II (Oxycodone) 2counts, possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II controlled substance 2 counts, maintaining a vehicle for selling controlled substance, and drug paraphernalia.
Jones is held in McDowell County Jail on a $45,000.00 secured bond. He is schedule to appear in Mitchell County Court on May 30, 2012.
Captain Wiseman advised numerous traffic charges will be forth coming against Jones.
Captain Wiseman said it was by the grace of God; Jones didn’t strike SRO Sparks or any other vehicles. Captain Wiseman also thanked the Lord that traffic was extremely light that day.
The Yancey County Sheriff’s Office and the Burnsville Police Department have arrested the following individuals as a part of the continuing drug operation between the two departments. For photos and a complete list of names and charges click on headline.
Asheville Police are asking for the public's help finding a missing woman. The parents of 22 yr. old Jasmin Nicole Melton, of Burnsville, contacted police Tuesday after they hadn't heard from their daughter. The parents said they were notified by UNCA police that their daughter's car had been found abandoned on W.T. Weaver Blvd., and that they found her keys and locks of hair in the car. Melton is described as a white female at about 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighing about 100 pounds. She has dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. Police say she also usually wears open heel shoes and has a nose piercing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 252-1110.
Family and friends who are unable to be present for the upcoming Spring 2012 Mars Hill College graduation, can see the event streaming live on the Mars Hill College website. The graduation ceremony, to be held in combination with the college’s baccalaureate service, will take place Saturday, May 12, beginning at 9:30 am in Moore Auditorium. To watch the graduation live, go to http://mhclions.com/fbfull.asp.
Mitchell County Deputies arrested Robert Wayne Triplett, age 47, of 1571 Beaver Creek Road, Spruce Pine, N.C. Triplett was charged with sell and delivery of Schedule II (Morphine), possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II, trafficking in opium, and maintain a vehicle to sell controlled substance.
Captain R.V. Wiseman stated on Tuesday he received information from a concerned citizen that Triplett was selling his wife’s Morphine pills. Triplett’s wife has terminal cancer is prescribed Morphine for pain along with other pain medication.
Captain Wiseman had an undercover officer make contact with Triplett. Triplett agreed to sell the undercover officer 3-100 milligram Morphine pills for $180.00. Triplett told the undercover officer to meet him at Froggy’s Car Wash on US19E in Spruce Pine. Captain Wiseman, Spruce Pine Police Narcotic Detective S.B. Hughes, Deputy C.C. Hobson, Spruce Pine Officers Captain Mike Briggs, and Casey Cook set up at Froggy’s to take Triplett down after the sell.
Triplett met the undercover officer and made the exchange. The undercover officer gave Captain Wiseman a prearranged signal that the sell was complete. The officers moved in and arrested Triplett without incident. Triplett had the photocopied money Captain Wiseman had provided the undercover officer to make the purchase in his hand when the officers arrested him.
Triplett also had a prescription bottle in his truck with his wife’s name on it for 40-100 milligram Morphine pills. The prescription had been filled on the same day and only had 21 pills left in the bottle.Triplett told the officers he had already delivered some of the Morphine pills to other individuals. Captain Wiseman contacted DSS Adult Protective Services, and advised them of the situation in case Triplett’s wife was home alone. Captain Wiseman obtained arrest warrants on Triplett for sell and delivery of Schedule II, possession with intent to sell and deliver Schedule II, trafficking in opium, and maintaining a vehicle for selling controlled substance.
Triplett is being held in McDowell County Jail on a $40,000.00 secured bond. Triplett is schedule to appear in Mitchell County Court on May 30, 2012. DSS advised Captain Wiseman that Triplett’s wife is under the care of Hospice and had an In Home Aid staying with her.
The first election since congressional boundaries were redrawn failed to produce a candidate with a majority. The 11th District Republican race will have a run-off between Mark Meadows and Vance Patterson. A candidate needs 40 percent of the vote to win, and Meadows missed it by finishing with 38 percent. Patterson had just 23-percent, but qualifies for the run-off. The run-off winner will face Democrat and former Heath Shuler Chief of Staff Hayden Rogers.
Three men are suspected of breaking into a McDowell County home and stealing guns. The sheriff's office says Shane Webb and Robert Patton are charged with breaking into a home off Meadow Ridge Drive and stealing 9 guns. Investigators are looking for a third man, CJ Revis. Detectives say all but one of the stolen guns has been recovered. If you have any information on Revis' whereabouts, call McDowell County Crimestoppers at 65-Crime.
The US Department of Education has awarded Yancey County Schools an $838,000 grant to support on going efforts to approve student achievement in the County. The seven year grant will help put in place a Gear Up program that will address dropout prevention and help improve student access to colleges. The grant will be awarded through the North Carolina university system. Since the program was started in 2000, around ninety percent of the middle school students where the Gear Up program has been implemented plan to attend college, while 95 percent of the high school students where the program is in place are currently registered for a college prep course of study.
Yancey and Mitchell Counties supported the North Carolina Constitutional amendment. 76% of Yancey County voters voted for the amendment. In Mitchell County 83% voted for the amendment. Overall, across the state the Amendment passed 61% to 39%. Mitchell County voted for 3 Board of Commissioners last night. Jim Garofalo was the top vote getter with 2,211 votes. Ken Hollifield had 2,116 and Keith Holtsclaw had 2,106. Lee Roy Ledford 1,863 and Wesley Vaughn 1,578. In the Register of Deeds race Kathy Laws won with 3,452 votes. Patty Young had 1,130 votes. Yancey County Voters were choosing 3 of 5 candidates for the Board of Education. Norb McKinney was the top vote getter with 3,353 votes. Bill Whiteside was 2nd with 3,239. Angie Weatherman won the third seat in a close race over Judy F. Presnell. Weatherman receiver 2,563 votes, Presnell had 2,469. Tamara Jean Ledford King had 2,020. In the US House of Representatives District 11 Race, Democrat Hayden Rogers will face Republican Mark Meadows in the fall. Yancey County native Michele Presnell was the winner by a big margin in the NC House of Representatives District 118 race. Presnell received 4,098 votes, Ben Keilman had 1,617 and Jesse Sigmon received 1,586 votes. Presnell will face Ray Rapp in the fall. Overall, there was a high voter turnout in the election. Yancey County was 44%, Mitchell County was 51% and for North Carolina the turnout was 34%.
At the Yancey County Board of Education meeting on Monday night the board accepted and approved various personnel items including the retirement of Susan Mills and Kimberly Griffith. The board hired – Kevin Huskins as Mountain Heritage Principal, Cynthia Deyton - CTE Director, Heather Babb – Mountain Heritage Band and Choral Director, Austin Reece – Mountain Heritage Science Teacher. A number of other positions were listed as positions to fill. For a complete listing go to our website at wkyk.com or wtoe.com, click on Schools then go to Yancey County Public Schools. Complete Details Here
Voters across the state are heading to the polls today to vote on local races as well as the vote for the Constitutional amendment. This is a vote for or against amending the NC Constitution to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state. Polls are open now and will close at 7:30pm. Continuous election return coverage can be heard here on the radio from 8pm to 10pm tonight. Election return information is also available on our web site. (Returns)
NC Troopers and Local SUBWAY Restaurants are Recognizing Mitchell High School Students today with a free meal for a Commitment to Drive Safely. Mitchell High School was Named Winner in W8 2 TXT High School Pledge Competition. More than 12,000 students in the Carolinas, including 71 percent of the students at Mitchell High School, pledged to wait until they are not behind the wheel to send text messages. Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading killer of young people. In large part, this is due to two factors: inexperience and distraction. Local troopers and SUBWAY restaurants kicked off the W8 2 TXT (Wait to Text) campaign in January. High school students were encouraged to take the W8 2 TXT pledge. The school with the highest percentage of pledges was awarded a free lunch courtesy of SUBWAY restaurants.
Spruce Pine Main Street has relieved its Executive Director Bryan Freeborn from his position. In a closed session meeting of the Spruce Pine Main Street Board on May 3, Freeborn was asked to step down, according to Main Street President David Niven. “We just decided to go in a different direction for the betterment of the organization and the Town of Spruce Pine,” Niven said on Monday. He added that the group would be publishing a public notice soon announcing the search for a new director. Spruce Pine Main Street was established in 1991 as a part of the North Carolina Main Street Program. The Main Street board consists of 13 leaders in the community. The Main Street approach is based on organization, promotion, design and Economic restructuring.
Several family members of a local Yancey County artist were murdered last week in Gilbert Arizona. A daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter of Rolf and Diane Holmquist and the boyfriend of the granddaughter were all gunned down by Arizona vigilante J.T. Ready last Wednesday. Ready, who was former marine and a candidate for the Pinal County Sheriff’s office, went on a shooting rampage, killing four people, before taking his own life. The Holmquist’s daughter Lisa, along with her daughter Amber, Amber's 15-month-old baby daughter Lilly and Amber's boyfriend were all murdered. The only survivor of the incident was the Holmquist’s 19-year-old granddaughter, Brittany, who was not injured in the killing spree. Authorities believe the tragedy was an incident of domestic violence rather than a political act. The 39-year-old ready was the founder of an organization call the US Border Guard which advocates the use of violence to stop smugglers and immigrants from entering the United States illegally. (Press Statement from the Family)
Mitchell County Deputies arrested Luis Alberto Garcia, age 34, of 382 Franklintown Road, Spruce Pine, N.C. Garcia was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Captain R.V. Wiseman said on Wednesday, May 2nd, Mitchell County Deputies received a request from Avery County Sheriff’s Office for assistance on Franklintown Road with a domestic violence call involving shots fired. Avery Communications received a call from Melissa Pendley that Garcia and she were involved in a fight. Pendley then told the Avery Communication Center Garcia was shooting at her. Pendley advised the telecommunicator she had the fled the residence and was standing by at the intersection of US19E and Franklintown Road. Captain Wiseman arrived and an Avery County Sheriff Unit was already talking with Pendley. Captain Wiseman asked Pendley where the residence was located. When Pendley told Captain Wiseman where the residence was, Captain Wiseman knew the address was actually in Mitchell County. Pendley told Captain Wiseman that Garcia and she lived together. They had gotten into an argument. Garcia had slammed Pendley’s head into the computer screen. Garcia then struck Pendley numerous times with his fist and open hand. Pendley ran out of the house trying to get away Garcia. Garcia fired numerous shots at Pendley as she and her son ran out the driveway to a car. Pendley also advised Garcia was drunk and that Garcia’s four year son was still in the house also. Captain Wiseman had Pendley to call Garcia. Captain Wiseman got on the phone and talked with Garcia. Captain Wiseman asked Garcia if he had been shooting at Pendley. Garcia advised he had shot at Pendley, he wanted her to leave. Captain Wiseman asked Garcia if the child was alright. Garcia said the child was fine. Captain Wiseman asked Garcia to walk out to end of the driveway and talk with the officers. Captain Wiseman, Mitchell Deputy C.H. McClintick, A.D. Beam, and an Avery County Deputy went to the residence. Garcia was standing at the road with his hands up when the officers drove up. Garcia was taken into custody. The child was asleep in the house and was unharmed. Detective J.D. Holmes located numerous 9mm shell casings near the back door of the residence. There was a bucket of paint on the carport which had been shot. There were numerous bullet holes in the driveway were Pendley was running. Detective Holmes recovered sixteen 9mm shell casings lying around the backdoor. Deputies also recovered two 9mm semiautomatic pistols, a 40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, 38 caliber revolver, and 7 high powered rifles. There was also a large amount of ammunition in the residence. Detective Holmes obtained an arrest warrant on Garcia for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Garcia is being held in Rutherford County Jail under a $75,000.00 secured bond. Immigrations also put a detainer on Garcia because of him being an illegal alien. Ismaleh Garcia the brother of Luis Garcia came to the Magistrate’s Office to check on him. Deputies arrested Ismaleh Garcia for outstanding Child Support warrants. Ismaleh Garcia posted bond and was released. Captain Wiseman said by the grace of God, no one was injured or killed. Sheriff Street praised the officer’s efforts in the way the incident was handled. Street further said he was thankful for the assistance of the Avery County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Street said it was a blessing to have such great cooperation between the surrounding Sheriff’s Offices.
A billboard in Yancey County urging people to vote for the marriage amendment was vandalized on Friday night. Pastor Rick Woody of the Double Island Baptist Church says his congregation donated money to the political group, Return America, to put up the sign on Highway 19 E. Pastor Woody also says that hundreds of road side signs urging people to vote for the marriage amendment have disappeared. The Yancey County Sheriff's Office is investigating the sign vandalism.
The Police Benevolent Foundation and the NC Division of the Southern States PBA are banding together to help the family of fallen Correctional Officer William Wright. Wright, 31, died after sustaining a head injury in a fall at the Mountain View Correctional Institute in Spruce Pine on April 9. He is survived by his fiancée, parents, sister and grandmother. The Police Benevolent Foundation has set up a “William Wright Fund” at Wells Fargo Bank. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank or through the Police Benevolent Foundation website at www.pbfi.org. A $10 donation can also be made by texting “Cops Wright” to 85944. The $10 donation will be made to the Wrights through your cell phone bill to help the Wright family in their time of need.
French Broad Electric Membership Corporation will hold its annual meeting tomorrow at Madison High School. Registration and a Health Fair begin at 3 pm. Magician Bill Grimsley will be providing entertainment and the Whisnants gospel singing group will perform at 5:30 pm. There will be a brief business meeting and drawings for prizes. Food will be available from the Mars Hill Shrine Club.
Though the primary election will be held on Tuesday, Yancey and MitchellCounty residents still have the opportunity to vote early at a One-Stop location through Saturday. Those who wish to vote in YanceyCounty can do so at the Board of Elections office located at 225 West Main Street in Burnsville while MitchellCounty voters can cast their votes at to the Board of Elections office in the courthouse in Bakersville or in the Town Hall in Spruce Pine. Election officials expect that the marriage amendment on the ballot will probably contribute to an increase in voter turnout. One-Stop voting will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Jeremy Allen Christopher Surrendered to Yancey County Authorities yesterday. He is accused of abducting his son. 19 month old Gage was placed in DSS custody. The mother of the child says Jeremy took the boy Tuesday night. Friends of the father say he was trying to protect the boy from his mother. Deputies say he did not have parental authority to take him.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jeremy Allen Christopher this morning. The warrant is for Abduction of Children. The child is Gage Allen Christopher 19 months old. At this time the Burnsville Police Department is following up on leads and have no reason to believe the child is in immediate danger. The suspect may be traveling in a maroon colored Toyota Corolla. No direction of travel is known at this time. According to officials with the NC Amber Alert system this case does not meet their criteria to issue an Amber Alert at this time.
Unemployment rates fell in 98 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in March, increased in the remaining two counties. Unemployment rates declined in 85 counties, increased in 14 and, remained the same in one when compared to the same month last year. North Carolina had 35 counties that were at or below the state’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate of 9.6 percent. Unemployment rates decreased in all 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Locally rates were down as well. In Yancey County the unemployment rate fell from 13.4 in February to 12.7 in March, while neighboring Mitchell and Madison Counties also saw gains in the employment picture. Mitchell’s rate fell from 13.2 in February to 11.9 in March while Madison’s numbers dipped from 10.4 in February to 9.6 in March. Likewise rates fell in Avery County, from 13.1 to 12.3, Buncombe, from 8.3 to 7.7 and McDowell, which saw its unemployment rate drop from 12.7 to 12.0 percent. North Carolina’s statewide unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) was 9.6 percent in March. This was a 0.5 of a percentage point decrease from February’s revised rate of 10.1 percent, and a 0.8 percentage-point decrease over the year.
Mitchell County collected 25,443 pills and Yancey County collected 30,825 pills for a total of 56,268 pills during the Pharmaceutical Drug Take Back exercise this past weekend. People were able to turn in their old prescriptions, over the counter medicines and medical supplies anonymously at several participating locations in both counties on Saturday. Burnsville Police Chief Brian Buchanan and Yancey County Sheriff Gary Banks as well as Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street and their officers worked hard making it possible to participate in this DEA sponsored event. Turning these items in helps keep pharmaceutical and control substance drugs off the streets and also out of our rivers. Operation medicine cabinet was a part of the pharmaceutical drug take-back project.
A mother in Yancey County says her 19-month son was kidnapped by his father. Gage Christopher was last seen at 10 p.m. Tuesday night at a home on Evans Street. The child’s mother, Leeann Hammonds told police that around 10 p.m. last night the father of the child, Jeremy Christopher, came to her residence and asked if he could see the little boy before he turned himself in to authorities for non payment of child support in another unrelated relationship. Hammonds agreed and gave the boy to Christopher. She said that as they walked with their son down the street and turned a corner, a car was waiting and two people jumped out and held her back as Jeremy Christopher got into the car with the boy and then sped away, leaving Hammonds alone on the sidewalk. Hammonds told authorities that she has information that Mr. Christopher is heading out of state to either, Tennessee, Florida or possibly Indiana. If you see this little boy or know anything about the whereabouts of his father please call 911 or contact the Burnsville Police Department at 828-682-4683.BREAKING NEWS: Mother Says Child Missing In Yancey County
Based on recent notification from US Department of Labor, North Carolina is no longer eligible for the Extended Benefits program. The last payable week of extended benefits will be the week ending May 12, 2012. Workers who file their claim through the extended benefits program will no longer be eligible to receive extended benefits once the period ends. Roughly 199,000 people are receiving benefits in North Carolina. Of those, 17,000 people are currently receiving benefits in the extended benefits program. Claimants currently in the extended benefits program will be notified by mail. Though Congress reauthorized federal funding for Extended Benefits the program is operated by the state and is subject to labor market conditions in each state.
Unemployment rates fell in 98 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in March, increased in the remaining two counties. Unemployment rates declined in 85 counties, increased in 14 and, remained the same in one when compared to the same month last year. North Carolina had 35 counties that were at or below the state’s seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate of 9.6 percent. Unemployment rates decreased in all 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Locally rates were down as well. In Yancey County the unemployment rate fell from 13.4 in February to 12.7 in March, while neighboring Mitchell and Madison Counties also saw gains in the employment picture. Mitchell’s rate fell from 13.2 in February to 11.9 in March while Madison’s numbers dipped from 10.4 in February to 9.6 in March. Likewise rates fell in Avery County, from 13.1 to 12.3, Buncombe, from 8.3 to 7.7 and McDowell, which saw its unemployment rate drop from 12.7 to 12.0 percent. North Carolina’s statewide unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) was 9.6 percent in March. This was a 0.5 of a percentage point decrease from February’s revised rate of 10.1 percent, and a 0.8 percentage-point decrease over the year.
The 5-Day Urban Search and Rescue exercise, dubbed “Quake on the Blue Ridge” which simulates an earthquake event which triggered a landslide in a mock community, located in Spruce Pine, has ran smoothly so far. Over 400 fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel from across the Southeast have participated in drills that simulate different life and property threatening scenarios that might occur with a real earthquake event in the area. Participants in the exercise have dealt with the destruction of roadways, a washed out bridge, a tunnel collapse as well as buildings and homes that have collapsed giving emergency personnel valuable hands on experience in dealing with such events. The scenario includes live victims of the disaster, played by local citizens who went through a makeover that made them look the part. Exercise activities have included incident management with a command post where action plans are formulated, Medical Triage / Treatment / Transport and Search Operations and Law Enforcement Scene Control. The exercise, which will run through today, is funded by a Homeland Security Grant awarded to Mitchell County to provide training & exercise for Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement agencies to sharpen their skills, and sponsored by Mitchell, Yancey, Avery and McDowell counties: with assistance from the NC State Emergency Management.
Yancey County Schools will host a Title I meeting for parents and other interested people on Wednesday, May 9, at 9:00 a.m. and again at 5:00 p.m, in the Board Room at 100 School Drive. The purpose of the meeting is to receive public input for the Title I Plan for the 2012 – 2013 school year. For further information call 682-6101, Ext. 316. Any non-public schools, that have not been contacted and that need information on Title I funding, can call 682-6101, Ext. 316.
A group of concerned agencies (AMY Regional Library, Designing Women Group, Graham Children’s Health Services, MANNA Food Bank, Reconciliation House, Yancey County Cooperative Extension Office & Yancey County Schools) have been meeting and would like to offer a FREE bag of food for families that may need some extra support during the months of June and July to be delivered by the Bookmobile once a month. Families can also get books from the Bookmobile to encourage reading throughout the summer! Many children rely on the schools to provide them with two solid meals each day and almost 400 children also take food home on the weekends through the Operation Feed a Child program that runs during the school year. Monetary donations are needed to help make this program possible. Tax deductible donations can be made to Graham Children’s Health Services, 202 Medical Campus Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714. All donations received will be used to purchase food for this summer program. For more information or to make a donation, please call 682-7899
More than 500 firefighters, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers, staff from area hospitals and health departments and other emergency workers are registered to participate in five days of urban search and rescue training in Mitchell County starting today. The “Quake on the Blue Ridge” training runs through Tuesday at the drill site on N.C. 226 near Spruce Pine. The event will take place on 40 acres of land where crews have built a mock community complete with homes and a school for use in the drills. A washed-out bridge, a collapsed tunnel and destroyed homes are among the training scenarios that will play out. Two years in the planning, the event simulates emergency needs in an urban environment following an earthquake-triggered landslide, though the training also could apply to other emergencies, according to Robert Michaleski, Mitchell County emergency management coordinator. The drill is being sponsored by Mitchell, Yancey, Avery and McDowell counties with assistance from state emergency management officials along with the federal Department of Homeland Security. Training is open to agencies from the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia.
One of downtown Spruce Pine’s largest festivals of the year, Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival is set for Saturday where the ole time tradition of blacksmithing will be celebrated. Master Blacksmiths will be holding demonstrations, and exhibitions of world renowned metal art and tools will be on display at the event that will honor the deep roots of blacksmithing in Western North Carolina. The festival is a great event for families, kids, artists, and metal workers who can shop for tools, demonstrate their techniques and much more. The event is sponsored by Spruce Pine Main Street, Penland School of Crafts and the Toe River Arts Council.
Pharmaceutical drug take back day is tomorrow in Yancey and Mitchell Counties. You can turn in your old prescriptions, over the counter medicines and medical supplies anonymously from 10 am to 2 pm at the following locations: CVS parking lot in spruce pine, Baskerville pharmacy, Tipton Hill School and the Prescription Pad in Burnsville. If possible leave medicine in original bottle for identification purposes, mark out personal information. Turning these items in helps keep pharmaceutical and control substance drugs off the streets and also out of our rivers. Operation medicine cabinet is a part of the pharmaceutical drug take-back project.
The Mitchell County School Board voted unanimously this week to limit the time that individual speakers will be allowed to voice their opinions at regular scheduled board meetings to three minutes. The Board also reached agreement that if a speaker needs additional time, and the board agrees to grant it, the individual could receive more time to get their point across. In the past there was no time limit on members of the public who sign up to speak at regular board meetings.
The Bakersville Post Office received minimal damage Monday morning when a motorist drove through the front portion of the building before coming to a stop in the lobby. According to Postmaster Ricky Whitson, no one was injured in the accident that occurred when the car, driven by 80 year old James Lee Yelton, of Bakersville, crashed through a section of the brick façade near the entrance to the building. The NC Highway Patrol report states that Yelton’s foot slipped off the brake pedal and mistakenly hit the gas as he was attempting to park, causing the vehicle to lunge forward. Yelton was cited for unsafe movement, according to the report.
Due to a scheduling conflict, Yancey County Schools elementary end of grade testing has been re-scheduled to begin next Tuesday, May 1st, 2012. The Middle School and High School testing are not affected and will continue as previously scheduled – Middle school will begin on April 30th and High School EOCs will begin on May 9th. This delay will provide elementary students an additional week to prepare for this year’s testing.
North Carolina’s job market continued to show improvement in March, with the unemployment rate dipping for the third month in row. The state Commerce Department said that North Carolina’s unemployment rate was 9.7 percent last month. That’s down from 9.9 percent in February. But the state’s jobless rate still remains higher than the national average of 8.2 percent. The U.S. Labor Department said the average number of people seeking unemployment benefits over the past month is at a three-month high. Locally, initial claims for unemployment insurance in Yancey County saw 142 people file for benefits in March while the number was a bit higher in Mitchell County where 179 people filed for UI benefits. The total initial claims for Avery County was 156 while 136 of Madison County’s citizens filed first time claims last month.
A Yancey County man is being held in jail under a $100,000 bond after a shooting incident early Friday evening, in the Little Creek community off Hwy 19-W. Investigators with the Yancey Sheriff’s Office said 34 year old Michael Ward Woody, of Copperhead Road, threatened to kill his neighbor then shot him in the thigh just above the knee with a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun. After being shot, Jason McDaniel Crain was driven to Burnsville by a family member. They called 911 and met law enforcement and EMS at the parking lot below the courthouse. Crain was then transported to the hospital. Woody was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury and communicating threats. He made his first court appearance Monday morning where bond was set. According to the Clerk of Court, Woody refused a court appointed attorney.
A man escaped serious injury after being struck by an out of control motorcycle Friday afternoon in Burnsville. According to Burnsville Police Chief Brian Buchanan, a rider of a motorcycle lost control of his bike while exiting West Main Street and entering Hwy. 19E, near the Subway Restaurant. The bike crossed the highway and struck a man who was walking on the shoulder of the road. No serious injuries were reported due to the accident, according to Chief Buchanan who said that the EMS was not called to respond to the incident and no citations were issued.
The Burnsville Police Department and the Yancey County Sheriffs’ Office have arrested four individuals as a part of their continuing drug operation: Amy Marie Burleson, John Harold Ramey, James Jason Robinson and Kelly Miller......(click on headline for pictures and details)
BRP will be accepting applications through the NC Employment Security Commission office in Spruce Pine for certain skill sets such as CNC machinist, maintenance, and quality specialist. These jobs will be listed on the NCESC website (www.ncjobconnector.com/Forms/JCHome.aspx. All other floor positions will be acquired through Manpower. Those interested in the floor positions will need to register with manpower at www.manpowerjobs.com. 48 hours after registering the applicants should contact Manpower at 828-652-8865. The 70 positions will be introduced over a three year period, according to Phillip Young at the Spruce Pine NCESC office. For links to those sites go to News on our website.
The Yancey County Certified Entrepreneurial Community Committee (CEC) has gotten Yancey County certified through Advantage West as a Certified Entrepreneurial Community. This program lays the foundation for a broad and innovative economic development strategy. Working with existing business owners and entrepreneurs to support and help grow their business is the main focus. Entrepreneurs should network to build relationships with customers, investors, partners, service providers and potential mentors. The CEC Program invites Yancey County business owners and entrepreneurs to the Burnsville Town Center Tuesday evening April 24th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm to make contacts, learn about financing opportunities and talk with regional experts. Call 682-7722 to RSVP.
Eddie Ball, a resident of Mars Hill and an Information Technology Systems Technician with Mars Hill College, has received the I. Ruth Martin Award for Christian Service. The award was presented at the Mars Hill College Community Service Convocation April 10. Ball was nominated for the award by Mars Hill College Public Services Coordinator Kristie Hollified, who praised Ball’s willingness to use his technical skills to help others. Hollifield’s nomination called attention to the fact that Ball often works after hours and goes beyond what is required of his job because of his concern for students and others on and off the Mars Hill College campus. The award was established by I. Ruth Martin, Class of 1938, to be given to a Christian individual who has served faithfully without any spotlight recognition.
Mitchell High School was a winner in the North Carolina Association of Scholastic Activities NC Glee Club District Competition. Schools submitted videos of their glee clubs during a performance, for the district competition. These videos were viewed by judges who then determined overall scores for the competition. Mitchell now moves on to participate live the State Final hosted by Atkins A&T High School in Winston Salem on May 5. Congratulations Mitchell High Glee Club.
Two 16-year-old Yancey County boys were charged with felony breaking and entering, larceny and damage to property after being arrested following an incident at the Sav-Mor Grocery in Burnsville on April 14. The Burnsville Police and the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department responded to suspicious movement inside the store that was first spotted by an officer on patrol. Law enforcement observed Charles Davidson of Green Mountain and Joshua Chevy Boucher of Reservoir Road as they exited the store with stolen merchandise. The two juveniles gained entry to the store by smashing two glass doors, and reportedly stole cigarettes, soft drinks, candy, beer and lottery tickets, among other items. They are being held in the Yancey County Jail under $10,000 bond.
