The NC Board of Transportation has approved the naming of a section of Hwy 19E in honor of the late Sheriff Donald Banks. The section to be renamed is on Hwy 19 between Cane River School Road and the West Yancey Fire Department. It will be named Sheriff Donald Banks Highway. The application was submitted by the Yancey County Commissioners. Donald Banks began serving as sheriff of Yancey County in 1938 when he was 22 years old. He served four years then again from 1958 to 1962 and from 1966 until his death September 19, 1969. He also served one term in the North Carolina Senate from 1950 to 1952 representing District 30 which covered Avery, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties. NCDOT officials and the Banks family will install signs and hold a dedication ceremony next year.
