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When you see news in the making, contact News Director Eric Moore at (828) 586-2221 or by email.
Teachers Of The Year Named, Honored By Board of Education
07/28/2010
Jackson County's teachers of the year have been named and honored by the Board of the Jackson County Public Schools. They are: Vyanne Fisher, of Fairview Elementary, who has been honored as the entire county's teacher of the year.
The eight other teachers of the year, by school, are:
Linda S. Haggard, from Smoky Mountain High School
Martha Burrell, from Blue Ridge Early College
Lisa Hickman, from Blue Ridge School
Cindy Ellis, from Jackson County Early College
Angie Sims, from the Jackson County School of Alternatives
Vincen Bradley, from Scott's Creek Elementary
Frances Willover, from Smoky Mountain Elementary School
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
County Leaders Debate Level of Responsibility For Bullfrog Cove
07/27/2010
A failing sewer line at Bullfrog Cove continues to garner lively exchanges at the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. The failing line was installed by a developer, who has sold off his interest in the properties to the individual homeowners. There are ten homes in the neighborhood, and now the county is being asked to foot two-thirds of the bill to fix the line, after the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Director told the County Manager that it would likely accept no financial liability on advice of legal counsel. County Manager Ken Westmoreland explained that "Mr. Cline (the TWSA Director) has indicated that TWSA, on advise of their legal counsel, would not be able to participate financially in the repair and replacement of that failing line." TWSA reportedly did not want to set a precedent.
The apparrent low bidder is Parker Excavating of Cullowhee and they have priced the job at $46,831. Add to that $6,130 in "soft costs" to prep the project to begin, and that will push to $52,961 the estimated final cost.
"The Bullfrog Home Owners' Association has indicated their willingness to pay one third of the cost. That would be $16,903, and if the board agrees with that... arrangement, the county's participation would be $33,807." But not all of the board agreed with that formula.
Commissioner Tom Massie said: "I'm sure the reason that TWSA would not accept a six inch line is that the minimum state standard for sewer lines is an eight inch line now, so they would have a substandard line if they agreed to replace the existing with a six inch line." Massie went on to suggest a 50-50 compromise and said "I don't understand why those ten homeowners think that the county should pay two-thirds of the cost of fixing their line."
Chairman Brian McMahan cited environmental concerns, making the case that timely action should be a priority. "It is located in a stream bank that has been exposed. If it were to burst, it would be a significant impact to that stream and to the general health of the stream and the community. I know we have talked about that in the past. That's why this has been a project that we've felt we needed to move forward with it and try to at least bring some kind of resolution to it. We're out here in the middle of hurricane season. We have been very fortunate so far that we have not had a major hurricane hit this coast and come forward. If we were to have a storm of the magnitude that we have seen in the past, it wouldn't take very much at all for that line to collapse."
The TWSA board could still go against its' director and legal counsel and agree to contribute one-third anyway, but that seems unlikely. The Home Owners' Association will be asked about joining the county and paying half of the repair cost. By consensus, the County Commission decided to wait until their Monday, August 2 meeting to decide upon a course of action.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Lacking A Quorum, Airport Leaders Hold Informal Discussion
07/28/2010
Lacking a quorum Tuesday night, the Jackson County Airport Authority held a brief informal discussion, but lacked the ability to call a vote due to state law that mandates a quorum must be present to hold a vote. A quorum is defined as half the membership, plus one.
Only two of five members of the Jackson County Airport Authority were on hand. In addition to Airport Manager Ken Westmoreland, Brian McMahan and Mark Jones were present.
The brief discussion focused for the most part on the Mission Hospital Med-Evac facility, the North Carolina State Highway Patol's VIPIR communications plan, which Manager Ken Westmoreland said was progressing quickly, and looking into the cost of new gutters for a building and roof repairs. The VIPIR communications system has four proposed Jackson County towers: One near Balsam, another at Cowee, one at the Jackson County Airport, and a fourth proximate to Lake Toxaway near the Jackson-Transylvania border.
The Med-Evac facility would bring some revenue to the airport, but require compliance with the future master plan so that it does not impinge on tie-down spaces, hangars, and possible other expansions. The Mission Med-Evac base is considering relocation from Macon County due to weather, specifically fog. "They would set up living quarters and have a flight crew and paramedics stationed here at all times. It would be an ambulance base. What they have requested is a 3000 sqare foot facility which would serve as the residence or living quarters and maintenance area to do basic helicopter maintenance periodically. They use jet fuel, so they would have to have their own fuel farm," said Airport Manager Ken Westmoreland.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Lightning Strikes Same Place Three Times in Last Six Weeks
07/28/2010
They say that lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice. Well, if you're at one of Jackson County's highest points, it turns out that it's struck the same point three times-- all in the last six weeks.
Airport Manager Ken Westmoreland on the recent lightning strikes and resulting damage there: "We have had the third lightning strike within six weeks, and it has knocked out the PAPI again for the third time. Following that, I asked if we could meet with some Duke [Energy] engineers and see if they could make some recommendations regarding lightning supression. They brought a crowd up here and they immediately saw the problem. This little telephone pole out here," he said, pointing out the window, "that has an electric transformer on it, they said, is the highest point around, and from there, the lightning just eminates to the hangar, to the terminal building, to the pump house, to the runway lights, and to the PAPI."
The county is not at a direct loss unless there is a deductible on the insurance policy, as the strikes are covered by insurance. But they'll try to come up with a solution to prevent recurrance. PAPI stands for Precision Approach Path Indicator. It's a system that helps pilots navigate to the runway with accuracy, so it is an essential system for an airport to have in place, especially for nighttime landings.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Arrests In Copper Thefts; May Be Related To Dillsboro Break-Ins
07/27/2010
Three have been arrested and two more are sought in the copper thefts that WRGC reported on some time ago. Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe tells us that the theft of copper from Cherokee electric-- which happened on two occassions-- may have been committed by the same people who engaged in a series of break-ins and attempted break-ins in Dillsboro last week. "We haven't made an arrest in the Dillsboro break-ins, but we have on the copper thefts, which we thought we related, and we're still not sure that it's not. We arrested some people on Friday."
Arrested are William Jarret Wilnoty, 28 years of age, listing a Cherokee address, on three counts of Felony Possession of Stolen Property, three counts of Felony Larceny, one count of Felony Conspiracy to Commit Larceny and one count of Injury to Personal Property. He is currently being detained at the Jackson County Detention Center under a $14,500 bond. Thirty-two year old Robert John Ayen, listing a Cherokee address, was arrested and charged with two counts of Felony Larceny, one count of Felony Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, and one count of Injury to Personal Property. He has been released on bond. Also released on bond after arrest is 23-year old Charity Colleen Littlejohn of Cherokee. She's facing one count each of Injury to Real Property and Felony Possession of Stolen Property. She is charged with two counts of Felony Conspiracy to Commit Larceny.
What have those who were taken into custody said about the Dillsboro break-ins? "They're denying it," says Sheriff Jimmy Ashe. "We haven't got the evidence to show that it's them, yet. We're trying to put those pieces of the puzzle together."
Two more persons are sought in the copper thefts. The last known location of 20 year old Adrian Aguilera and Joshua Levi West was in the Cherokee area. Both are wanted on felony charges. Captain Steve Lillard of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office confirmed this morning that the office is offering a reward for information that leads to the apprehension and arrest of these two individuals through the Crimestoppers Program, at 828-631-1125.
Sheriff Ashe on the broader effort to put an end to property crimes in Jackson County: "Across the county, from Shoal Creek to Big Ridge and all the way around from Balsam up to Savannah, we're seeing increases of breaking and entering, especially for precious metals and things that can be sold and salvaged. They're virtually untraceable but we have been able to do so, and we're trying to extend our efforts to all areas of the county, including Dillsboro and Webster and the Village of Forest Hills. We're very well aware of that and we are diligently seeking to be able to stop the break-ins before they occur, and if they do occur, we're very fortunate to be able to make the arrests, like we did this past week."
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Franklin Woman Arrested For Assault In Jackson County
07/27/2010
Tracy Lynn Hood, listing an Olive Hill Road, Franklin, address, has been arrested in Jackson County after allegedly assaulting her boyfriend with a pair of pliers. The responding officer found the victim bleeding from the head. The victim was treated by emergency medical technicians. Although she had insisted that her boyfriend had assaulted her, the investigating officer found no probable cause to support that allegation, and Ms. Hood was taken into custody. Reports list "no bond".
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
County Announces Construction of Disc Golf Course
07/27/2010
In a discussion of diversifying recreation offerings, after the county commission had heard from skateboarders and their parents last week, it was announced that a disc golf course would be constructed. County Commission Chairman Brian McMahan said that the disc golf course "provides just a little bit more unique opportunity for people who may not want to play softball or football or some of the other recreation and sports. It gives them something to be able to do, so I'm proud that this year, we're going to be able to put in a disc golf course up at Cullowhee Rec Center in conjunction with Cullowhee Valley School."
The object of the game is to complete a hole with as few throws of a disc--typically weighing 150 to 190 grams, and about eight inches in diameter-- as possible. The Professional Disc Golf Association's website says there are now over 40,000 people registered with that organization. Most courses in the United States are free. The sport, invented in the 1960's, is growing in popularity.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Leadership Changes At WCU School Of Business
07/27/2010
Louis E. Buck Jr., the Wesley Elingburg Distinguished Professor of Business Innovation and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Western Carolina University, will serve as interim dean of WCU’s College of Business.
Buck will be leading the College of Business while a national search is conducted for a permanent dean to fill a vacancy created by the departure of Ronald A. Johnson, who stepped down from the post June 30 to become WCU’s first BB&T Distinguished Professor of Capitalism.
The appointment of Buck as interim dean is effective Aug. 1. He will lead the college as it seeks reaccreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The Appalachian Homestead Farm will provide a youth summer camp August 2-6. Anyone aged 8-14 is eligible to participate. Vera Guise is the President and Founder of the Appalachian Homestead Farm, which is the 52 remaining unspoiled acres of a tract that was once 225 acres in size, acquired for $130 between 1835 and 1856. Catch the Spirit of Appalachia's website (spiritofappalachia.org) states that the land was originally granted to direct decendants of the Young family, the earliest known white settlers in the region, of whom Ms. Guise is a great-great grandaughter of the original landholders.
The first week in August, she's using the land to put on a youth camp. She tells WRGC Radio News about the experience being offered: "The cost is $150.00. It's a five day camp, and it's a combination of rugged outdoor hiking, trail building, tent-pad building, and fun. Good ol' mountain fun."
The homestead, farm, and preserve is operated by Ms. Guise and non-profit agency Catch The Spirit of Appalachia is an operating partner thereof. For more information on the camp, or to register your child, call Vera Guise at 293-1013.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Cowan: No Progress Between Evergreen, SM Center; Another Meeting Scheduled
07/26/2010
County Commissioner Joe Cowan has been the commission's point-man on health issues, and of late, mental health issues have come to the forefront. With the restructuring of the state's mental health to include larger Local Management Entities, the Evergreen Foundation, which holds title to property, and the Smoky Mountain Center, are not seeing eye to eye on a number of matters. The Evergreen Foundation was created back when state laws prohibited an entity such as the Smoky Mountain Center owning property. That's no longer the case. Because of the change in state law, one viewpoint is that Evergreen Foundation-- and similar entities left over from a time when laws called for a different structure-- is obsolete.
Several county commissioners expressed some time ago that money intended for mental health could get tied up paying attorneys and never benefit those it was intended to help. The stalemate between the two bodies, which for years enjoyed a cordial partnership, continues. Joe Cowan on the latest: "There was another meeting between the... center, and the Evergreen Foundation. No progress was reported at that meeting, and I understand one more has been scheduled for this month. If there is no progress made in that one, I think that there will probably be a lawsuit filed. That's not much of an update, but that's all I can tell you right now," he said.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Glenville Resident Calls For Re-Naming of Cashiers Recreation Center
07/26/2010
A Glenville resident appears before the county commission saying that his township feels slighted. "I'm from the Glenville Community," said Bob Stafford at last Monday's meeting. "Just below us is Cashiers. Cashiers has alot of money donated to build alot of different things down there, but they have also had alot of money from the county. Glenville hasn't received one dollar. We haven't asked for it."
Stafford says he'd like to see more inclusion of the entire southern Jackson County area, and all of it's communities. One gesture, he suggests, would be to re-name the Cashiers Recreation Center. "I'd like to see that Cashiers Recreation Center change to South Jackson Recreation Center. We pay a ton of taxes. I think that's the least you could do for us."
Chairman Brian McMahan thanked Mr. Stafford for his comments.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
WCU Police Department Will Host Officers' Survival Skills Seminar
07/26/2010
The man who was shot six times in the line of duty-- and lives to tell about it-- Deputy Jeff DeGrow of the Charleston County, South Carolina, Sheriff's Office, will speak about his experience to fellow officers at a survival skills seminar hosted by the Western Carolina University Police Department. DeGrow's close call happened while responding to a burglary in progress.
The seminar takes place later this week in the Coulter Building on the campus of Western Carolina University. The seminar is not only geared for veteran officers but also new officers on the job. Survival skills strategies discussed will include stress management, critical incident care, identifying as an officer, and more.
Those interested in attending can call the WCU Police Department at 227-7301.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Governor Perdue Will Spend Week In Western North Carolina
07/26/2010
The office of Governor Beverly Perdue has announced that she will spend most of this week in western North Carolina. However, although she'll spend the entire week in western North Carolina, there are no events planned for Haywood, Swain, Macon, or Jackson Counties. Today (Monday) she will speak at the opening of the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility for Women, a part of the Department of Corrections, at 10:00 AM in Black Mountain, before visiting downtown Marshall later in the day.
Burnsville, Bakersville, Robbinsville, Murphy, Brasstown, Hayesville, and Boone are all on the agenda. Among her engagements, a business roundtable meeting, the ribbon cutting at Watagua High School, and visits to several downtown areas and courthouses.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Skateboarders Work To Overcome Stereotypes, Change Perceptions
07/23/2010
People may have the wrong idea about skateboarders. That was the message from a number of speakers that came before the Jackson County Commission. A speaker said that there are 13 million kids in this country today that skateboard, and that makes it a mainstream sport, although some people may not put skateboarding on the same level as baseball or football.
Doug Nichol is a Franklin resident who came to Jackson County to support the efforts of a local skate park headed up by Mr. Jeff Kelly. Nichol now runs a skate ministry in Franklin, and says that his views on skateboarding have evolved greatly over the last twenty years. "I'll tell you this: I was in law enforcement for twenty years, and in those twenty years I would not have been speaking before a group like you, because to me, during that period of my life, those kids were the enemy. They may be the enemy to people you know. I can tell you they are not the enemy. There is nothing wrong with them. They are just different. They are pursuing something that is perhaps outside the mainstream of what some of us would be accustomed to. I am not a bleeding heart, but I am a reformed skater-hater, who is a true believer in what Mr. Kelly is trying to accomplish with his skate park."
Jeff Kelly has operated a not-for-profit skate park on highway 441 south. His experience over the last year: "We were working with alot of kids, alot of great kids, but kids that some people may say were problem kids, derelicts, losers, but you know when these kids have something to focus on they really saw now that they have something to work for that is worth it and they really change their lives."
But the skate park is closing. Mr. Kelly explained that the overhead had become too much, and after one last event they will have to shut down after investing thousands of dollars in equipment, ramps, and the location. Kelly doesn't want those efforts to be in vain. He says he wants to start a partnership with business owners and the county, and said he is willing to donate the materials to the county if they would entertain keeping the effort going. Several parents and skaters also spoke in support.
The county commission took no direct action, but Chairman Brian McMahan said that while he was on a visit to Syracuse, New York, he observed a skate park there that was well run and he had the impression it was a positive thing for that community. What happens to the now-shuttered park on highway 441 remains to be seen. Leaders may elect to take up the issue at a later date.
(WRGC Radio News/Eric Moore)
Police Blotter
07/23/2010
Arrest reports indicate:
Nicholas Brian Longanecker, 24, listing a Sylva address, was arrested for assault on a female July 15. No bond.
Tara Renee Pheasant, 33, was arrested July 11 for defrauding an innkeeper. She was employed at the time at a local hotel.
Melanie McKenna, 49, was arrested July 6 on three felony charges: Larceny, Breaking and Entering, and Injury to Real Property. She was held on $15,000 secured bond.
