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The dirt embankment that had been developed at the Ashe County Airport was partially washed away after the Jan. 30 flood.
County working to recover from flood damage
From the first trickle of rain on Jan. 30 until the final drop, heavy flooding impacted the construction of Ashe County’s airport, the county’s infrastructure, and local businesses; the county is still repairing these damages. One of the most noticeable damages were to the expansion efforts taking place at Ashe County’s airport, where the flood literally washed away months of work. In order to extend the airport’s runway, contractors have...
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Bevin South (left), Cameron Keziah (middle) and Melissa Deskins (right) met with each other to discuss the changing guidelines for PCS funding, as well as House Bill 5.
Some seniors scramble to understand Medicaid’s red tape
A new bill unanimously approved by the N.C. House of Representatives will provide approximately $40 million to adult care facilities’ Alzheimer’s units, but local adult care administrators say this bill does not compensate for the state’s changes in Medicaid eligibility. The new Medicaid eligibility, which became effective Jan. 1, mandates that recipients who are reimbursed by personal care services require assistance with at least three of...
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The dark green portion in the bottom right-hand corner of the watershed map is the .5 miles of critical area, and the lighter gray section is the protected area of the watershed map.
Changes made to county’s watershed map
During the board of commissioners’ planning meet held on Monday, March 4, it was revealed the county will reclassify Brownwood Road to be included into the county’s watershed map, though the changes won’t heavily impact the community. “The reclassification to include the area was prompted by the Boone water intake project,” said Ashe County Planner Adam Stumb. The Boone water intake project was terminated by the Federal Emergency Manageme...
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(From left to right) Stephen Shoemaker, Lester Mullis, Brett Summey, Mayor Dale Baldwin, Tom Hartman and Calvin Green listened as supporters of the Main Street site for the fair discuss their position during their meeting.
W.J. Aldermen delay sign ordinance, address other issues
In addition to not deciding on establishing a firm site for the second annual antique fair, the West Jefferson Aldermen also moved the final decision to April on updating the town’s proposed new sign ordinance and addressed several other issues during its regular monthly meeting last week. At the urging of West Jefferson Mayor Dale Baldwin, the aldermen agreed to wait until April to make a final decision on proposed changes to the town’s si...
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Dylan Lightfoot | Jefferson Post Craig Hart, proprietor of Blue Ridge Wild Timbers in Smethport, loads the hoppers which automatically fuel his wood-fired kiln. Hart, who hails from Florida, cuts, splits and dries roughly 1,500 tons of firewood per year, and considers his work "a public service."
Keeping warm with wood
Dylan Lightfoot | Jefferson Post Craig Hart, proprietor of Blue Ridge Wild Timbers in Smethport, loads the hoppers which automatically fuel his wood-fired kiln. Hart cuts, splits and dries roughly 1,500 tons of firewood per year, and considers his work “a public service.”
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ACSO crime report
Feb. 28 Terri Lynn Chapman, 42, of West Jefferson was charged with misdemeanor larceny. March 2 Travis Layden Bare, 36, of West Jefferson was charged with possession of methamphetamine. Brian Anthony Mullis, 27, of Shelby was charged with larceny of a firearm and simple worthless check writing. March 3 George Carson Shumate, 67, of Lansing was charged with being intoxicated and disruptive.
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Coffee House Live! returns this Saturday
The Ashe County Arts Council will sponsor “Coffee House Live!” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, in the Hensley Hall of the West Jefferson Methodist Church. The featured performers include the Steel Magnolias, musician Scot Pope, Katy Taylor and Cindy Brooks Baucom. David Van Hoy will be the host for the evening. The Steel Magnolias, Ashe County’s favorite female quartet, will make a return stop at the Coffee House. The lovely foursome w...
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The Narcotics Division of the ACSO made three arrests in connection with a meth lab discovered on Nov. 20, on Nikanor Road in the West Jefferson community. This lab bust was one of two busts in Ashe County in 2012.
New bill assists in fight against meth
The N.C. House of Representatives passed a new bill that will add two years to the sentence of anyone convicted of cooking methamphetamine in the presence of children, elderly, and disabled adults. “Unfortunately, our SBI agents do find children, seniors and disabled people living in homes where meth is being made,” said Noelle Talley, the Public Information Officer at the N.C. Department of Justice. “House Bill 29 has passed the House an...
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Dylan Lightfoot | Jefferson Post David Blackburn (left) of Mountain View Elementary received Ashe County School's Principal of the Year Award from Superintendent Donnie Johnson (right) Monday night at the Board of Education's March meeting at Ashe County High School.
BOE approves DPS probation officer agreement
The Ashe County Board of Education approved an agreement with the N.C. Department of Public Safety (DPS) enabling probation officers to visit the high school, and discussed implementation of accountability standards at their regular March meeting Monday night. Under N.C. law, local boards of education must develop policies for coordinating student visits with probation officers. An agreement between Ashe County Schools and the DPS Section o...
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Florence Thomas Art School hearing continued
The hearing of the Paul and Florence Thomas Memorial Art School’s complaint against attorneys and trustees of the Thomas estate and Helton United Methodist Church was continued until Aug. 12, 2013, by the Ashe Superior Court Monday, March 4. Citing the peremptorily scheduled hearing of a medical malpractice suit, Judge Edward. P Gregory said there would likely not be time to hear the case. Jeffrey D. Patton, attorney for the art school, e...
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ACSO crime report
Feb. 25 Kelly Scott Church, 40, of Millers Creek was charged with simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor larceny and driving with a revoked license. Dennis Lee Lyalls, 31, of West Jefferson was charged with assault on a female. Feb. 26 Randall Glenn Stout, 51, of Lenoir was charged with four counts of probation violation. Feb. 27 Richard Eugene Bates, 33, of Gas...
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Photo courtesy of New River Winery | Jefferson Post New River Winery's patio bar serves as a hang-out for tourists and locals, and as a local music venue.
New River Winery for sale
After seven years of producing and serving hand-crafted wines from locally-grown grapes and fruit, New River Winery of Lansing is for sale. “We have appreciated the support of our customers, and hate to lose this gathering place for friends in Lansing,” said General Manager Darlene Massey. Located on the campus of the Old Lansing School, NRW was established by a group of investors with ties to Ashe County interested in promoting tourism a...
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Dylan Lightfoot | Jefferson Post Jennifer Johnson (left), a kindergarten teacher at Mountain View Elementary, was recognized for her National Board certification by Superintendent Donnie Johnson (right) at the March meeting of the Board of Education Monday night.
ACS’s Johnson earns National Board certification
Jennifer Johnson, Ashe County Schools kindergarten teacher, recently joined the ranks of accomplished teachers nationwide who achieved national certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Johnson was recognized at Ashe County Schools monthly Board meeting for her attainment of this certification. Mrs. Johnson completed and earned the certification through an intensive, multi-year process of standards...
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High Country Seed Swap March 16
On Saturday, March 16, 2013, all aspiring and practicing area gardeners are invited to Ashe Family Central to the High Country Seed Swap and Growers School. The event features a day-long open exchange of seeds, plus workshops on vegetable growing and grafting apple trees taught by area experts. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., gardeners will be able to display their own surplus seeds and view the offerings of others on tables set up in the cafeteria...
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Winter storm warning in effect through Thursday morning
A National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Ashe and Watauga Counties in effect from 7 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m. EST Thursday. Rain will change to snow late this evening. Heavy, wet snow accumulation of 4 to 7 inches is expected through Wednesday, with additional upslope snow showers continuing into Wednesday night. Winds will be northwest from 15-25 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. Travel will be hazardous due to sn...
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Byron Jordan, the owner of Smokey Mountain Barbecue, measures the temperature of his pork before preparing food for his customers.
Smoky Mountain’s Byron Jordan makes the ‘Wall’
Byron Jordan, the owner of Smokey Mountain Barbecue, has earned a place on the N.C. Barbecue Association’s Wall of Fame for his excellent barbecue sauce. “I am tremendously honored they would even consider us,” said Jordan. “Those are names (on the Wall of Fame) I’ve heard over the years as the barbecue place to go. Those are generations old, and more established with what they do,” said Jordan. “To be included on the Wall of Fame, the ...
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A new sign ordinance has been drafted for West Jefferson for remove some of the clutter created by current signage.
Business owners plan to visit WJ Aldermen meeting
The West Jefferson Town Aldermen meeting this Monday will address two issues that have generated interest in the community: the location of the “Olde Time Antiques Fair” and a new proposed sign ordinance. During a January meeting, the West Jefferson Town Aldermen decided to rescind the town’s approval to hold the fair on West Jefferson’s Main Street (from Jefferson Avenue to Badger Funeral Home). In response to the aldermen’s decision, seve...
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The Todd Volunteer Fire Department carefully maintained its fire house to secure a better ISO rating.
Todd VFD earns a better ISO rating
After an intense state insurance inspection, the Todd Volunteer Fire Department earned a better ISO rating, and in the process, now has two paid staff positions. “I am very happy with our new rating,” said Todd VFD Chief Chris Welch. The new rating will save money on insurance premiums for property owners in the district. An official release from the North Carolina Department of Insurance acknowledged and congratulated the Todd VFD for ...
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Danny Cole Lawrence
ACSO crime report
Feb. 21 Jeffery Turner Davis, 45, of Ronda was charged with larceny after breaking/entering. Ricky Lee Ellison, 48, of Lansing was charged with criminal trespassing and making harassing phone calls. Thomas Larry Greer, 54, of Creston was charged with assaulting a female. Danny Cole Lawrence, 41, of Grassy Creek was charged with possession with the intention to sell/distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and car...
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