Mitchell Pair Charged in String of Break Ins
06/17/13 02:55 PM
Mitchell County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a couple on multiple breaking and entering of homes in the Altapass and Spruce Pine communities. Ashley Nicole Cooke, age 23, of 167 Charlie Woody Mountain Road, Spruce Pine, N.C. Jacob A. Atkins, age 24, of 5872 North 226 Highway, Bakersville, N.C. Both subjects are facing numerous felony charges. These two arrests solved four break ins and (more)
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More Drug Arrests, Meth Lab Discovered
06/17/13 02:38 PM
The Yancey County Sheriff’s office and Burnsville Police Department have netted two more individuals as part of its on going joint drug effort. Stergiel Lee Hensley, 64 of 538 Bald Mountain Road Burnsville was arrested on June 3rd for trafficking in Opium, Possession with intent to manufacture sale and deliver, maintaining a dwelling, and possession of a schedule III drug. Hensley was (more)
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Yancey Sheriff's Dept. Locates Two Indoor Marijuana Grows
06/17/13 12:29 PM
Sheriff Gary Banks reports that Yancey County deputies located an indoor marijuana grow on June 4th, after receiving a tip. Banks said deputies responded to the home of Thomas Duvall located at 2061 Banks Creek Road. After making contact with the owner, deputies discovered 14 marijuana plants growing inside and outside the property. Indoor grow items were seized including grow lights, timers, (more)
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Rhododendron Queens Crowned
06/17/13 10:04 AM
The crowning of the queen for the 67th annual Rhododendron Festival was held Saturday evening in Bakersville. Lindsey Robinson of Marion was crowned 2014 Queen with Savannah Spencer of Hickory garnering the Junior crown. First runner up in the Queen pageant was Kelly Pittman of Bakersviille. She also won the interview and swimsuit divisions. Second runner up was Taylor Thomas of Bakersville. Congeniality was won by Tiffany Ledford of Spruce Pine and the talent winner was 2014 Queen Lindsay Robinson. Junior Queen Savannah Spencer also won congeniality and talent. First runner up in the Junior Queen division was Maggie Buchanan of Bakersville. She also was the interview winner. (more)
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Meadows Holds Meeting in Mitchell
06/17/13 07:05 AM
Congressman Mark Meadows will host a field hearing this Friday at 9:30 am at the Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville. This field hearing is being conducted through the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's Subcommittee on Government Operations and is entitled “Building a Better Partnership: Exploring the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s Regulation of Southern Appalachian Mining.” Along with Representative Mark Meadows, Subcommittee Chairman John Mica of Florida, Rep. Morgan Griffith of Virginia, Rep. Phil Roe of Tennessee, industry and trade association representatives and a Mine Safety and Health Administration official.
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Storm Damage
06/14/13 07:06 AM
It doesn’t happen very often but there was a tornado warning for remote Buncombe County and parts of Western North Carolina yesterday. The National Weather Service issued thunderstorm warnings for all of WNC and later sent out a tornado warning about 4 p.m. for parts of Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties after meteorologists spotted a severe thunderstorm on Doppler radar near Gatlinburg, Tenn., capable of producing a tornado. The National Weather Service said no tornadoes formed in those areas, but strong winds knocked down trees and caused power outages as severe thunderstorms passed through the region. When the strong rain and thunderstorms rolled through Burnsville around 3pm yesterday the wind peeled the roofing back at the Little Smokey Restaurant on East Main Street. Customers in the restaurant were suddenly covered with water pouring in and ceiling tiles falling. With water running through light fixtures the power was shut off and the restaurant closed for safety. Repairs and damage assessments are being made today at the Little Smokey Restaurant. Hail stones were reported in Mitchell County and Volunteer Fire Departments all across Yancey and Mitchell Counties were called out for dozens of trees that were down on roads. Several areas had over an inch of rain in a short amount of time during the storm.
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Click It or Ticket Numbers
06/14/13 07:04 AM
The North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Highway Safety Program announced that nearly 11,000 drivers and passengers were cited for seat belt and child passenger safety violations during the 20th Anniversary campaign of “Click It or Ticket” over the Memorial Day holiday, which was held May 20-June 2. Nighttime enforcement was stepped up across the state and in Guilford County during one nighttime operation, they issued 109 occupant restraint violations over a four-hour period. “Click It or Ticket” is administered by the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program.
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Town of Burnsville Budget
06/13/13 06:58 AM
A hearing to receive public comment on the Town of Burnsville's 2013-14 budget is set for Monday June 24th at 4 pm preceding the town council's regularly scheduled meeting. The proposed budget shows an increase in sales tax revenue for the town reflecting the point-of-sales formulation put in place by the council last year. If adopted as is, the budget will leave the tax rate at 50 cents per $100 in property value while implementing a two percent water/sewer rate increase for customers in Burnsville as well as provide a 2.5 percent pay increase for town employees. Copies of the budget message and budget estimates can be inspected at Town Hall up until the time that the budget ordinance is adopted.
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Rhododendron Festival Starts Friday in Bakersville
06/13/13 06:55 AM
The 67th annual Rhododendron Festival gets underway tomorrow at 7pm at Bowman Middle School Auditorium in Bakersville. The first round of competition is Friday evening with the pageant concluding on Saturday evening. Along with the pageant, there is a 10K run on Saturday, Golf Tournament Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Street Dance Friday and Saturday Nights. The Ducky Derby and the Rhododendron Street and Rhododendron Car Show are all on Saturday. For more information on any of these events go to our website and click on the button on the right hand side of the Home Page.
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Yancey County Public Hearing
06/13/13 06:54 AM
A public hearing is scheduled by the Yancey County Board of Commissioners for Tuesday June 18th at 6 pm in the courthouse to receive comments before the adopting the budget for the new fiscal year. Commissioners are set to adopt a balanced budget totaling $21,280,634 with the largest new item in the budget being the addition of another full time ambulance to serve the county. Yancey County has seen the number of emergency calls for ambulances double since 2006 but the county has maintained the same level of service over that time which has contributed to some serious delays in response times as callers wait for ambulances from Mitchell and Madison County. A $100,000 allocation for school safety measures is another large expense in the budget that can be seen by the public at the Yancey County Manager's office.
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Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments Continue
06/13/13 06:52 AM
The marketing assistance loan and loan deficiency payment provisions authorized by the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 have been extended for the 2013 crop year with the recent passage of the taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. The programs provide financing and marketing assistance for farmers of wheat, rice, feed grains, soy beans and other oil seeds as well as peanuts, cotton, honey and wool. Assistance is available for eligible producers beginning with harvest or shearing season and extending through the program year. Market assistance loans provide producers interim financing at or after harvest to help them meet case flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at harvest-time lows. For questions regarding marketing assistance loans or loan deficiency payments contact the Mitchell-Yancey Farm Service Agency Offices at 765-5409 or 682-0774.
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Deadly Carbon Monoxide Fumes
06/12/13 05:26 AM
The local health agency in Boone said that Inspectors checked a motel where three people were presumed killed by carbon monoxide fumes six weeks before anyone died, but their review didn't include investigating for the poisonous gas. The Appalachian District Health Department said it inspected the swimming pool at the Best Western Blue Ridge Plaza in Boone six weeks before a Longview, Wash., couple was found dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in their motel room. Boone Police Sgt. Shane Robbins said the room is near the indoor pool, which is warmed by a natural gas heater. Eleven year old Jeffrey Williams, of Rock Hill, S.C., died Saturday in the same room where the Washington couple, 73-year-old Daryl Dean Jenkins and 72-year-old Shirley Mae Jenkins, died April 16. The Best Western Plus Blue Ridge Plaza, said company executives were referring questions to the Boone police. The motel has been closed by police until at least Wednesday, when inspectors from the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors are due to arrive.
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Suspicious Death at Best Western in Boone
06/11/13 05:19 AM
Boone authorities are continuing to investigate the death of an 11-year-old boy in a Boone hotel room. 49 year old Jeannie Williams, from Rock Hill and her son Jeffrey, stayed at the Best Western on East King Street on Friday night June 7th. An employee went to check on them early Saturday and found them unresponsive. First responders declared Jeffrey dead and rushed his mother to a local hospital. They were staying in the hotel overnight before picking up the boy’s sister from camp on Saturday. Investigators said an elderly couple died in the same room in April, but they do not know if the deaths are connected. Boone police have requested the toxicology and autopsy results from the earlier deaths. The Best Western evacuated its hotel and moved occupants to nearby hotels as a precaution Saturday. The hotel remains closed and under the control of investigators. Members of the N.C. State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors will be in Boone on Wednesday to help investigators.
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Shelia Kay Adams of Madison County Named National Heritage Fellow
06/10/13 05:15 AM
Sheila Kay Adams, a seventh-generation ballad singer, musician and storyteller from Madison County, was recognized recently as a National Heritage Fellow, the nation's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts, by the National Endowment for the Arts. One of the best-known living ballad singers in North Carolina, as well as a fine old time banjo player, Adams becomes the 12th traditional artists from North Carolina to be named a National Heritage Fellow. A new travel guidebook, Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, features a profile of Adams, as well as other traditional musicians in the mountains and foothills of North Carolina. She joined nine other artists from across the country as a winner of the National honor. Each fellow winner receives a $25,000 award.
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NC-226 Near Red Hill Closed
06/10/13 05:13 AM
NC-226 from NC -197 in Red Hill to Harrell Hill in Mitchell County is closed to replace a bridge over Big Rock Creek. Construction will force many residents to use this route to travel to Tennessee which will mean extra travel time for some. The car traffic detour on NC-226 from Bakersville has drivers to turn left on NC-197 and then travel two miles to a stop sign at Harrell Hill Road. At the intersection turn right onto Harrell Hill Road and travel 3.2 miles to the intersection with NC-226. Truck Traffic on NC-226 in Bakersville will need to turn right on to NC-261, go 3.7 miles and then turn left on to Fork Mountain Road. Travel 4.1 miles on Fork Mountain Road to the intersection with NC-226. The road will be closed through September 20.
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Van Driver Charged
06/07/13 07:06 PM
A Yancey County Transportation van driver has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of second-degree murder and felony death by vehicle for the fiery crash on Hwy 19E at Newdale in February that claimed the life of adult rider Billy Grindstaff. A passerby rescued three pre-school age children from the burning van. Indictments state that Nora Christine Boyer, 36, was impaired on two substances while driving the van and the impaired driving was the “proximate cause of the death.” The indictment was based on evidence presented by the District Attorney’s Office. She was charged with driving while impaired and reckless driving by the Highway Patrol.
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Area Continues to See Gains in Unemployment Numbers
06/07/13 07:02 AM
The unemployment rate across Western North Carolina fell for the second straight month according to recent figures released by the Department of Commerce. The unemployment rate in Yancey County dipped to 10.4 percent in April, down a full percentage point from the previous month while Mitchell County saw even better gains with its unemployment rate falling 1.4 percent to 12.3 percent. Avery County’s rate decreased 1.1 percent in April to 11.1 percent while McDowell County also saw improvement in their unemployment rate, dropping from 10.5 percent to 9.8 percent. Madison County continued to beat the state average of 8.5 percent unemployment, with a low 6.9 percent unemployment rate.
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Western Highlands Transition Plan
06/07/13 05:45 AM
Smoky Mountain Center will manage the delivery of services to local individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health, and substance abuse issues rather than Western Highlands Local Management Entity that currently manages services. The transition plan of grouping several smaller organizations into the 23 county group, under Smoky Mountain Center, has been approved by NC Dept. of Health and Human services.
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BRP Supports New MCC Manufacturing School
06/07/13 05:43 AM
BRP of Spruce Pine has made a $100,000 commitment over five years to support the construction of Mayland Community College’s new Anspach Advanced Manufacturing School. In recognition of this investment the college is honoring BRP with the naming of the BRP Advanced Machining Lab. The high technology training will prepare people in the local communities for well-paid local manufacturing jobs. The Anspach Advanced Manufacturing School is a 12,000 square-foot facility being built at Mayland’s Yancey Learning Center that will offer a degree program in Applied Engineering with skill tracks in CNC programming, machining, robotics, mechatronics and design. The Anspach Advanced Manufacturing School is expected to be complete and serving students by Fall 2014.
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Jacks Creek Flooding Emergency Sign Ups Begin
06/07/13 05:43 AM
Farms that suffered severe damage from the May 19 flooding in the Jacks Creek area may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program administered by the Mitchell-Yancey Farm Service Agency Office. Producers who have suffered a loss have until July 26 to request assistance. Call 682-0774 for more information.
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No Property Tax Hike in Mitchell Budget
06/07/13 05:42 AM
Mitchell County Commissioners have unanimously passed a budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year without increasing property taxes. The purposed budget will take nearly $1.5 million from the county’s fund balance in order to do so. A few items included in the budget are the cost of a new deputy and two new cars for the Mitchell County Sherriff’s Department, work to be done on the new county courthouse and money for the senior center in Ledger.
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Madison County Flooding
06/07/13 05:41 AM
Late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning most areas around WNC received some rain but it was too much and too quick in the Hot Springs area of Madison County. Emergency Management Officials declared a state of emergency as 4 1/2 inches of rain fell in less than 2 hours. Bridges and roads were washed out. Some of the residents in the flooded areas said the flooding was the worst in decades. Flood waters receded some yesterday but conditions are expected to worsen today with more heavy rain in the forecast.
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Relay for Life Events
06/06/13 06:58 AM
The Yancey County Relay for Life event gets underway tomorrow night at the Mountain Heritage High School Football Field. It starts at 6pm with the survivors lap around the track. Community Groups and individuals have been raising money for months for the event that benefits the American Cancer Society. The symbolism behind the walking event is that the fight for a cancer cure continues around the clock. The Yancey County Relay Goal is $43,000. Fund Raising games and events will be conducted throughout the evening tomorrow night. The Relay goes on rain or shine. The Mitchell County Relay for Life event is set for July 12th at Mitchell High School.
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A Guilty Plea in a Village of Penland Case
06/04/13 06:56 AM
A key figure in one of the largest fraud cases in North Carolina history has pleaded guilty in connection with the $100 million real estate scam. Randy Carpenter, of Spruce Pine, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Charlotte last week to two counts of making false statements on tax returns in 2005 and 2007. The 55-year-old former appraiser and attorney will face a maximum of six years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing date is pending. Carpenter is the sixth person to plead guilty in connection with the bogus development called the Village of Penland. The scam came to light in 2007 when state Attorney General Roy Cooper shuttered the project, citing fraudulent business practices. Investigators say the Village of Penland scam was a classic Ponzi scheme — in which money from new investors is used to pay high returns to earlier investors. Carpenter was the engineer and surveyor of the project. The indictment said he had closed more than 300 residential real estate loans to individuals secured by Penland lots. Over the course of the scam, Carpenter received $2 million in fees related to Penland transactions, but he didn’t report all of the earnings on his tax returns.
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Mitchell Deputies Seize Moonshine Operation
06/03/13 10:08 AM
Mitchell County Deputies bust “Moonshine Operation” in Bandana Community. Edd M. Silver, age 47, of 4585 NC80, Bakersville, N.C. was charged with manufacturing nontaxpaid liquor and possession of nontaxpaid liquor. Both charges are misdemeanors for first offense. Captain R.V. Wiseman advised, Sheriff Street had received complaints concerning Silver making and selling nontaxpaid (more)
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Marion Police Arrest Four After Motel Assault
06/03/13 07:07 AM
The Marion Police Department received a call on May 16th to the Sportsman Inn on 221 Business, in reference to an assault. Upon officers arrival officers spoke with the victim, Frederick “Darryl” Ray Borrell. Borrell advised the officers that he received a text from Shelby Maxine Grover and lured him to the motel. When Borrell entered the room with his belongings, he spoke with Grover for a few minutes and shut the door. Borrell stated that after a few minutes Grover went into the bathroom and someone else came out the bathroom and wrestled him to the ground and strangled him until he was unconscious. Borrell said when he regained consciousness he noticed his belonging were missing. Borrell was not able to identify his attackers. Among the stolen property was a Samsung Galaxy III cell phone which was located and recovered. Further investigation by the police led to the identity of all the subjects involved. 21 year old Dustin Steve Martin of Yancey Rd., 23 year old Dustin Lee Flynn of Yancey Rd., 22 year old Shane Allen Parker of Austin Dr and 20 year old Shelby Maxine Grover of Lewis Dr. Interviews revealed that all four subjects conspired on luring Borrell to the room, assaulting him by applying a “choke hold” and robbing him. They all were charged with assault by strangulation, common law robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. Martin, Flynn and Grover all a received $15,000 bond and Parker received a $55,000 bond.
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Don't Drink and Drive Totals
06/01/13 02:23 PM
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol along with the Division of Law Enforcement Wildlife Resources Commission and the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division have released the totals for “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign for the period of Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 26. (more)
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NC Unemployment Rate Decreases Again
06/01/13 02:15 PM
According to recently released figures from the NC Department of Commerce the state’s seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate decreased to 8.9 percent from March’s revised rate of 9.2 percent. The national rate fell to 7.5 percent from March’s 7.6 percent. North Carolina’s April 2013 unemployment rate was 0.5 of a percentage point lower than a year ago and the number of unemployed fell 15,259 over the month to 419,287, and declined 21,843 over the year. Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment increased 6,100 to 4,054,600 in April. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was Leisure & Hospitality Services, followed by Financial Activities, Government, Professional & Business Services, Trade, Transportation & Utilities, and Construction. Major industries to experience decreases were Education & Health Services Other Services and Manufacturing.
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Name Correction on News Story
05/30/13 01:52 PM
In a recent news story from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Department of a breaking and entering at the Cane River storage units, Christopher Buttke was incorrectly identified as Butch Buttke. When arrested Christopher identified himself to officers using his brother’s name, Butch. Upon further investigation it was found that he was actually Christopher Buttke. Christopher was charged with breaking and entering, larceny and various drug violations.
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Moonshine in Mitchell County
05/30/13 07:00 AM
On Monday Mitchell County Deputies raided a Mitchell County farmhouse and found a moonshine still in the basement. Police arrested Edd Silver and charged him with misdemeanor possession and sale of non-tax paid alcohol and making liquor without a permit. Deputies say Silver allowed them to search his home. The sheriff’s Department had received a tip that Silver was making and selling “unbonded spirits” at his farm on Highway 80 near Bakersville. They found jars filled with what deputies say is high-quality corn liquor, about 150 gallons in quarts and half-gallons. They say he was selling it for about $20 a quart. Deputies seized all the items in the recipe including corn, sugar and yeast. Police say Silver was running the still for some time. Silver is free on $2,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 6th.
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Crews Running Fiber Lines in Mitchell and Yancey Counties
05/29/13 04:38 PM
Yancey and Mitchell County residents should be aware that Country Cablevision now has crews running fiber lines for the upcoming broadband service. The crews will be working in different areas each day putting the lines along State and Utility right-of-ways. This is a part of the $25 million USDA Rural Utilities Service project to bring broadband internet service to rural areas that are not being served. We remind you to use caution when driving through these construction areas.
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Yancey County Sheriff's Deputies Locate Amber Alert Juvenile
05/29/13 02:51 PM
On Sunday May 12th, 2013 Deputies from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office located a 15 year old juvenile who had been entered as an Amber Alert missing person. The juvenile had gone missing from Martin County Florida on May 10th and had traveled to Yancey County with an adult male. Upon locating the juvenile, the family as well as Martin County Florida authorities were notified. The juvenile was then interviewed by Yancey County Deputies in regards to being taken from Florida by the adult male. Yancey County Sheriff’s Office Deputies have worked extensively with Martin County Florida Investigators in the investigation concerning the juvenile being transported across state lines without the consent of parents. The juvenile was turned over to the custody of a step-father later the same night after being located. Yancey County Sheriff’s Office Deputies are continuing to assist Martin County Investigators in this case.
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More Felony Arrests in Burnsville
05/28/13 09:27 AM
On May the 15th the Yancey County Sheriff’s office received a call of two suspicious individuals around Cane River storage units. Upon arrival Sheriff’s deputies found Christopher Buttke and Paul Goldman breaking in to and attempting to steal items from two separate storage units. The two were arrested and charged with two counts breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering (more)
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Three More Arrested in Joint Drug Operation
05/28/13 09:17 AM
According to Sheriff Gary Banks three more individuals have been arrested as part of the joint drug effort between the Yancey County Sheriff’s office and Burnsville Police Department. Michael Silvers age 56 of Hunter Run Apartments was arrested and charged with one count each of possession with intent to manufacture sell or deliver schedule II controlled substance, simple possession (more)
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Two Magazines for Mitchell County
05/27/13 06:59 AM
Mitchell County is featured in the June/July issue of Smoky Mountain Living Magazine. The Mitchell County Chamber worked with writer Paul Clark as he prepared a seven page article for the magazine on the history and importance of mining in Mitchell County. Also the June issue of Our State Magazine mentions Bakersville, Roan Mountain and the NC Rhododendron Festival and comments from Mitchell County Chamber President Bob Hensley in the "Mountaintop Royalty" article. The June issue is on stands now.
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Mitchell Sheriff's Department - Hostage Press Release
05/24/13 05:36 PM
On May 23, 2013 at 10:52am Captain Rick Wiseman with the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office ran a tag number into our communication center and the tag on the vehicle came back to a stolen vehicle out of Erwin Tennessee. (more)
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Local Hero Larry Silver Honored
05/24/13 07:06 AM
A Yancey County man was recently honored for his heroic efforts that saved three pre-school aged children from a fiery accident on February 12. Larry Silvers rescued the children from a Yancey County transportation van that had plunged down an embankment and exploded into flames. The driver of the van was able to get out before the explosion and Silvers was trying to free a special needs man from the vehicle but was unable to do so because his foot was trapped in the wreckage. Silver was recognized for his bravery by the Yancey County Commissioners and will also be honored during Hero Day on Town Square in Burnsville this Saturday.
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Bleachers at Mitchell Stadium Need Replacing
05/24/13 07:05 AM
If the state engineer’s recent structural analysis of the sliding concrete bleachers at the Mitchell High School football stadium is correct the Mitchell County School Board might have to find room in its budget to make some costly repairs. It was discovered that the concrete bleachers at the 30-year-old stadium are gradually sliding down toward the field. The cost of the repairs to replace the bleachers could be as high as $500,000. Although there is no immediate danger, it is thought that the stadium seating may have to be replaced within the next five years.
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Suspect Shot in Hostage Standoff
05/24/13 05:24 AM
A hostage situation occurred Thursday afternoon in Spruce Pine. It was on Biggerstaff Road at Wagon Master Trailer Park. Mitchell County Sheriff Donald Street said 32-year-old suspect John Daniel Hamilton held a 23-year-old woman at gunpoint for more than three and a half hours as deputies and SBI Agents tried to negotiate with Hamilton to put down the gun. Hamilton was apparently running from warrants in both his home state of Tennessee and Virginia where he's wanted for embezzlement. Mitchell County deputies found him with a stolen car with Tennessee plates on Wagon Master road in Spruce Pine just after 11am. With escalating threats a Mitchell Deputy shot Hamilton in the face. He was transported to Mission Hospital by helicopter. Authorities reported that it appeared he will survive the gunshot wound.
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Law Enforcement Steps Up Patrols for Holiday Weekend
05/23/13 07:07 AM
The State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. The holiday officially kicks off the summer vacation season in North Carolina. This means more people will be on our highways, increasing the chance of traffic crashes. Troopers will increase patrols on all interstates and major four lane highways during the holiday weekend. Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state. ”The Highway Patrol will also join other law enforcement agencies at “Click-It or Ticket” seatbelt checkpoints across the state throughout the week, and Troopers will be participating in the nationwide “Operation C.A.R.E.” (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). “Operation C.A.R.E.” is a coordinated education and enforcement effort involving all Highway Patrol and state police agencies across the nation. These high visibility patrols during national holiday periods are designed to prevent crashes and ensure voluntary compliance with the motor vehicle laws. The holiday weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 24, and ends at midnight, Monday, May 27. Last year the Highway Patrol investigated 5 fatal collisions and over 360 injury related collisions during the Memorial Day weekend.
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Information to Help Oklahoma Victims
05/21/13 03:06 PM
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The Altapass Foundation Receives Grant
05/21/13 03:00 PM
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership has announced an award of $6,560 to the Altapass Foundation to enhance the presentation of music and dance at the Historic Orchard at Altapass. The Orchard at Altapass offers free live music programs to the public as well as low cost educational programs, which include traditional song and dance, to local school children. This (more)
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Two New Principals Hired in Yancey
05/21/13 02:14 PM
At a meeting on Monday, May 20th, the Yancey County Board of Education approved the employment of two new principals for Yancey County Schools. Miranda Elkins, current Assistant Principal at Cane River Middle School, has been selected as Principal for South Toe Elementary School replacing Principal Doris Deyton, who is retiring at the end of this school term. Mrs. Elkins has served as math (more)
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Yancey County Deputies Capture Texas Fugitive
05/21/13 10:38 AM
According to Sheriff Gary Banks, on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the late evening hours, deputies from the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported domestic situation at a residence located in the South Toe Community. Upon arrival at the residence, deputies met with a female victim who reported that she had been assaulted by her boyfriend who had fled the scene prior to (more)
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Heavy Rains Create Flash Flooding
05/20/13 07:06 AM
Grounds were already saturated from rain on Saturday so when a strong thunderstorm passed through on Sunday afternoon it was too much for some creeks in Yancey County to handle. Several inches of rain fell in a short amount of time. Some street flooding occurred on West Main Street in Burnsville and several roads and property was flooded in the Jacks Creek area. Schools in Yancey County are on a 2 hour delay today. (Pictures)
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Scam in Marion Area
05/20/13 07:04 AM
The Marion Police Department is reporting that there is a new scam going on in the area and they want the public to be aware of it. Residents are receiving a call telling them that the caller is the Deputy Chief of the Narcotic Unit Division of the DEA and that they have a search warrant for your property and also a warrant for your arrest. When you speak to these individuals they will request for you to send $1800 to make the matters disappear and if you do not send the money you will be arrested and could be facing 5-7 years in jail. You should not send any money or give any information out to these people. If you receive a call of this type, contact Sgt. Rick Gutierrez of the Marion Police Department.
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Toe River Arts District Project Seeks to Revitalize Local Economy
05/17/13 03:27 PM
The Toe River Arts Council’s latest project, titled the Toe River Arts District, held a reception Thursday evening at the Burnsville Town Center to discuss the potential for grant funding under NEA’s Our Town Program and the Citizen’s Institute for Rural Design. A group of twenty people representing the arts community and area businesses and local government have been developing the project which is designed to bring attention to Mitchell and Yancey counties by highlighting their strengths in the cultural arts in the two areas. TRAC is seeking input on the design, and scope of the project and got lots of feedback on how businesses, organizations, and government agencies might participate and benefit from the project. The group has identified some 80 arts, history and outdoor recreation venues in the area that can be promoted to bring more people to Mitchell and Yancey Counties and help revitalize the local economies.
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Fire Destroys Mobile Home
05/17/13 10:39 AM
A mobile home on Lost Hollow Road in the Little Creek section of Yancey County was totally destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon. Fire fighters from Egypt-Ramseytown , West Yancey and Burnsville Fire Departments responded to the emergency call at around 12:15 and crews found the structure totally engulfed in flames when the they arrived. The blaze, which is still under investigation, sparked a small brush fire and the NC Forrest Service was called in to help. Firefighters were on the scene for around three hours. No injuries were reported in the incident.
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Mitchell Commissioners Present Budget Draft
05/17/13 06:50 AM
Mitchell County Commissioners approved the initial draft of their 2013-2014 budget last week, one that would see few increases in spending, no tax increase for county tax payers and require a dip into the county’s fund balance of $739,000. The $17.9 million budget is one percent higher than the current amended budget for 2012-2013 and it will keep most county departments at their current level of funding and the tax rate at current levels of 40 cents per $100 of valuation, according to County Manager Chuck Vines. The School Board, Mitchell County Historic Courthouse Foundation, Mitchell County Historical Society and community groups in Tipton Hill and Buladean all requested funding from the county. Because of flat revenues and the uncertainty as to cost of implementation of the Affordable Care Act none of the five requests were approved.
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Fire on Chalk Mountain
05/16/13 04:07 PM
Several Fire departments from Yancey and Mitchell Counties were scrambling to get fire trucks and firefighters to the scene of a fast moving brush fire early Thursday afternoon on Chalk Mountain near the Terminix building. Traffic was routed through Penland Road off of Hwy 19E for about an hour while fire departments responded. There were at least 3 separate brush fires several hundred yards apart in the same area. It’s believed a car exhaust system sparked the fires. A small storage building and a home were threatened by the flames before the fire departments extinguished the blaze.
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