NEWS
Wednesday , April 21, 2010
Warne resident reaches 100
Mildred West of Warne celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, April 14. The celebration started on Easter Sunday when close family members gathered to honor her, followed by an open house for cousins and friends on the following Sunday, April 11. She had more visitors and celebrated her actual birthday on April 14. She is pictured here with daughter Ramona Nichols, son Ronald West, and daughter Wanda Hoffmann . Her grandchildren are Gil and Dave West, Maureen McClure, Rhea Galati, Ellen Roberts, Nancy Coppenbarger, and Ryan Nichols. She has 13 great grandchildren.
EDITOR’S INBOX
Farmland preservation
Hats off to the Clay County Commissioners for trying to do something to preserve farmlands. Just remember that one of the biggest concerns for many farmers is the fear of being forcibly annexed into cities. For years, annexation victims have been telling Senator Joe Sam Queen that many irresponsible City Councils are using forced annexation to balance their budgets. Unfortunately the facts have been falling on deaf ears. Winter Park, a small neighborhood surrounded by Raleigh, is on
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Smoky Mountain Sentinel
tap to be annexed this summer. According to a recent report on WRAL-TV, the city of Raleigh will charge each of these homeowners a total of $17,738 for water and sewer service, despite the fact that a main sewer line already runs through the neighborhood. Of course, there is a time payment plan available, with interest. Yet, according to a recent Raleigh City Councilman, those fees are "money makers" for the city. This reinforces the fact that if you are annexed against your will, you should not face these outrageous fees. A Legislature which allows example after example of abuse like this should be turned on their head.
Revival
7 pm nightly
Sunday May 2nd Wednesday May 5th Hayesville native, Jonathan Foster is scheduled to begin revival at Truett Memorial First Baptist Church on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 7pm. Jonathan has not only followed in his father’s footsteps in vocation, but also in coming back to the church where he himself spent much of his childhood while his dad, Pastor Johnny Foster served and presently serves as pastor.
Rev. Jonathan Foster, Pastor of Cornerstone Church in Maiden, NC
News when it happens. Not a week later.
They need to listen to the citizens of this state or face the consequences. I mean, $17,738 dollars? Last month, a superior court judge's ruling overturned Greensboro’s 2009 annexation of 286 properties in the area of Mount Hope Church Road in McLeansville. Annexed property owners have paid $314,902 in taxes. And they also paid $15,000 in motor vehicle taxes. City Manager Rashad Young said the city does not plan to refund the taxes, and will appeal the court's ruling. Its time for all those elected to represent the citizens of North Carolina, including the NCACC board, to go home! They’re not doing their job. We need more candidates who will set their own "term limits", since those in power will not. Reducing the size and scope of the federal government, slashing spending, and lowering taxes are key components for stimulating the economy and helping foster job growth. With our national 'income" covering only medicare/medicaid and social security, everything else is being paid for with borrowed money or included in things like the $3.9 billion tax increase on middle class Americans. It's obvious we need to cut the borrowing for all the pet stimulus projects and much more. I would add one word. True representatives of the cities of this state and country, whether they be Republicans or Democrats, do not spend money they don’t have. And that's an intentional arrow being slung at irresponsible City Council who forcibly annex to balance their budgets. The Tea Party folks and the 9-12 group are not alone in dissatisfaction with the way things are going, nationally and statewide. The failure of the NC legislature to lower business taxes at a time when it seems extremely needful doesn't surprise me either. The thinking of legislative "leadership" in Raleigh is focused on taking, not helping. The business community is constantly being attacked by high taxes, eminent domain, ETJs, and forced annexation. But the legislature continues to do our bookkeeping by the “don’t have it? take it from the taxpayers” method that is still being used in forced annexation. Marie Howell, Rowan County, NC 28147 704-636-2228
Rockslide project turns mountain into Grand Central Station With the rockslide project entering the homestretch, the rural mountain is beginning to look like Grand Central Station as crews engage in a flurry of activities: Two teams of workers were on the ground: t 0OF DSFX mOJTIFE DIFXJOH VQ the old asphalt (a process called milling) on the road in front of the rockslide and the nearby site of the Jan. 23 rockslide. Paving should begin later this week. t "OPUIFS HSPVQ BTTFNCMFE SPDL bolts they plan to install with a helicopter tomorrow, weather permitting. They have installed 389 rock bolts, so far. Four different crews worked on the mountain: t 0OF HSPVQ ESJMMFE PO UIF WFStical edge of the lower slope. They have drilled 540 of the 590 holes needed to stabilize the mountain. t "OPUIFS UFBN QSFQBSFE IPMFT UP receive those bolts. They measured each hole to make sure it was the correct depth and cleaned it out with compressed air. t :FU BOPUIFS HSPVQ UFTUFE UIF “tensioned” rock bolts. They have tested about 121 of the 140 “tensioned” bolts placed in the mountain. The other rock bolts use a “passive” system in which the mountain itself creates the downward pull that stabilizes it. t 'JOBMMZ POF DSFX DPOUJOVFE UP remove loose boulders, rocks and debris from Site #4, which is next to the rockslide. “It’s plenty busy and we’re feeling good,” said North Carolina Department of Transportation project inspector Mike Patton. “As long as the weather holds, we’ll be in good shape.” The National Weather Service forecast for the area calls for a mix of sun and clouds through April 20. A video detailing the challenges of drilling on the vertical edge has been posted on NCDOT’s YouTube Channel at http://www. youtube.com/NCDOTcommunications. Click on, “Drilling the Mountain Face.” This section of Interstate 40 near
the Tennessee border has been closed in both directions since the rockslide occurred Oct. 25. NCDOT estimates that it will reopen I-40 by late April when work at the October rockslide site should be completed. About one mile of the westbound lane closest to the mountain will be closed until this summer to allow crews to complete the work – including the installation of rock bolts and anchor mesh – at five additional sites. Travelers still can reach Western North Carolina via I-40 from the east and I-26 to the north and south. Exits 20 and 27 on I-40 provide access to popular destinations west of Asheville. In Tennessee, exits 432 through 451 provide access to popular destinations in southeastern Tennessee. The detour route is 53 miles longer and is an additional 45 minutes to an hour driving time. Motorists traveling on I-40 West should take Exit 53B (I-240 West) in Asheville and follow I-240 West to Exit 4A (I-26 West). Follow I-26 West (a North Carolina Scenic Highway) to I-81 South in Tennessee. Take I-81 South and follow it back to I-40 at mile marker 421. Eastbound motorists should use the reverse directions. NCDOT reminds motorists to stay alert, follow instructions on the message boards on the highways, obey the posted speed limit, leave early and travel at non-peak times when possible. Plan ahead before driving by visiting the NCDOT Traveler Information Management System Web site at www.ncdot. gov/traffictravel/ or calling 511, the state’s free travel information line, for current travel conditions. NCDOT also provides alerts about traffic congestion and construction work on Twitter. To access them, go to www.ncdot.gov/travel/ twitter/. For daily rockslide updates, please visit the NCDOT Web site at www.ncdot.gov and click on the I-40 rockslide daily news and information section or follow work on the rockslide project on Twitter at http://twitter.com/i40_rockslide.
Regional library offers new online book club By: Dorothy Ethridge Guest Writer Get hooked on a book at our Online Book Clubs. Select the type of books you like to read and each week you can sample a new book in your email. The email arrives every morning and there's always something fun going on: new books, giveaways, and lots of recipes. To join visit our home page: www.youseemore.com/ nantahala The following are just a few of the books available: "Evil At Heart" by Chelsea Cain features Portland detective Archie Sheridan and serial killer Gretchen Lowell. "The Riesling Retribution" by Ellen Crosby is a California wine country mystery involving a mysterious skeleton, a Civil War battle, and dark family secrets. "The Grift" by Debra Ginsberg: A psychic falls apart when her powers become too real. "The Last Ember" by Daniel Levin-- A gripping thriller spanning archaeology, politics, and terrorism.
"The Betrayal of the Blood Lily" by Lauren Willig--The latest installment in the best selling Pink Carnation series. "City of Strangers" by Ian Mackenzie--A haunting story of faith and a family fractured by its past. "Starfist" by David Shirman and Dan Cragg is set in the 25th century where the marines are still looking for a few good men. "A Skeptics Guide To Faith" by Philip Yancey "A Slave No More" by David Blight reveals how four million people moved from slavery to freedom. "Lucky Girl" by Mei-Ling Hopgood journeys into Chinese culture while disclosing the personal suffering wrought by the country's tightly held traditions. "The Lassa Ward" by Ross Donaldson, MD, MPH tells one man's fight against one of the world's deadliest diseases, Lassa fever, an illness similar to Ebola. If you're traveling check out the latest books on C.D....many new ones!
WNCSENTINEL.NET
DEED REPORT John D & Jeanne E Harrison and William Richard Boyd, JrTr sold 1.137 acres, Lolt 5A and 1.001 acres, Lot 5B in Hayesville Township to United Community Bank for $ 190,000 on April 12, 2010. Classic Living Homes LLC and William Richard Boyd, JrTR sold 1.33 acres, Lot 3B (Mtn Harbour Golf & Yacht Club) in Hiawassee TTrownship to United Community Bank for $ 317,000 on April 12, 2010. Frank C & Lynn H Wesighan sold 9.46 acres in Shooting Creek Township to Steven V & Surbrinia Baumgartner for $ 300,000 on April 12, 2010. William Richard Boyd, Jr-Tr and Anthony & April Woody sold 2.25 acres in Shooting Creek Township to Nantahala Bank & Trust Co for $ 33,000 on April 13, 2010. William Richard Boyd, Jr-TR and JD Harrison Investments LLC sold 1.002 acres, Lot 5C and 1.075 acres, Lot 5D in Hayesville Township to United Community Bank for $ 190,000 on April 13, 2010. RBC Bank sold 0.653 acres, Lot 79A (Mtn Harbour Golf & Yacht Club) in Hiawassee Township to Cassandra M & John Allen Moore-TR for $ 42,500 on April 16, 2010.
ARREST REPORT Robert Thomas Johnson, 25, of Hayesville, NC arrested for misdemeanor larceny ( 3 counts) on April 12, 2010 ad released on April 12, 2010. Brenda Bradley Phillips, 46, of Hayesville, NC arrested for simple assault on April 13, 2010 and released on April 15, 2010. Cassandra Yonne Streight, 21, of Hayesville, NC arrested for DWLR-Driving while license revoked on April 13, 2010 and released on April 13, 2010. Alisha Marie Williams, 32,. of Hayesville, NC arrested for DWLR-driving while license revoked on April 13, 2010 and released on April 13, 2010. Michael Bruce Ellis, 53, of Hayesville, NC arrested for assault on female on April 14, 2010 and released on April 15, 2010. Kristin Irene Engelskind, 20, of Hayesville, NC arrested for failure to appear on misdemeanor on April 14, 2010 and released on April 14, 2010. Andy Cole Smith, 39, of Hayesville, NC arrested for communicating threats; simple assault on April 14, 2010 and April 14, 2010. Douglas Keith White, 45, Hayesville, NC arrested for possession of stolen goods (4 counts) on April 14, 2010 and released April 15, 2010. Anton John Bernat, Jr, 43, of Hiawassee, GA arrested for driving while impaired; possess schedule IV controlled substance; simple possession schedule III controlled substance (3 counts) on April 16, 2010 and released on April 16, 2010. Daniel Lee Dyer, 24, of Hayesville, NC arrested for financial card fraud on April 16, 2010 and released on April 16, 2010. Clara Jean Martin, 57, of Hiawassee, GA arrested for possess schedule IV controlled substance; simple possession schedule III controlled substance (3 counts) on April 16, 2010 ad released on April 16, 2010 and released on April 16, 2010. Richard Biln Green, 50, of Brasstown, NC arrested for assault on female ( 2 counts) on April 17, 2010 and released on April 17, 2010. Jerri LeAnn Martin, 24, of Hayesville, NC arrested for harassing phone call on April 17, 2010 and released on April 17, 2010. Robert Curtis Parker, 17, of Hayesville, NC arrested for breaking and or entering; felony larceny on April 18, 2010.