2020 plant sale begins
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension of Mitchell County office is now taking preorders for a variety of plants and fruit trees to help you get ready for the 2020 planting season.
If you or someone you know would like to order plants this year, you can do so at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Mitchell County Center during regular business hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. You must pay in full when you place your order. You may drop off or mail your form to N.C. Cooperative Extension, Mitchell County Center, at 10 S. Mitchell Ave. in Bakersville.
Make Checks payable to Mitchell County General Fund.
All preorders must be in by close of business on March 13. Pickup for plants will be 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 7-8.
Visit mitchell.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/02/2020-plant-sale-2/ for an order form or pick one up at 10 S. Mitchell Ave. in Bakersville.
BRPC’s ‘Blockfest’ coming to Burnsville
The Blue Ridge Partnership for Children’s annual “Blockfest” event will have two public sessions beginning in late March.
Children attending Blockfest can participate in five stations designed to maximize enjoyment and learning. Parents will receive a block play handbook with information about the stages of block play and tips to help children learn math and science concepts while playing at home.
Public sessions are 1:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 21, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 372 Reservoir Road in Burnsville.
Participation is free, and socks are required.
Call the Blue Ridge Partnership for Children at 828-682-0047 or 828-733-2899, email cdm@brpartnershipforchildren.org or visit blueridgechildren.org for more information.
SEARCH meeting set for March 10
Sustaining Essential and Rural Community Healthcare, or SEARCH, is hosting a dinner from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 15 Hemlock Ave. in Spruce Pine.
SEARCH will provide the main dish, and others are invited to bring a vegetable, salad, dessert or bread. RSVP to searchwnc@gmail.com.
The guest speaker is Mitchell County Transportation Director Sheila Blalock, who will talk about the recent AMY Wellness Foundation grant awarded to coordinate transportation services among Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties.
NC Judicial Branch warns of fake mailing
Officials with the North Carolina Judicial Branch are warning residents about a mass mailing purported to be sent from and approved by North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission and Judge Wanda Bryant, who serves as its chair.
The mailer makes malicious accusations against various judges that serve Mitchell and surrounding counties.
“Residents should be advised that the North Carolina Judicial Standards has had no part in this mailer and any endorsements and other allegations made on the mailer are false,” according to a statement. “If you receive one of these mailers, you should disregard it.”
Erwin Tractor Supply donates to MCAR
The Erwin Tractor Supply Company store has provided Mitchell County Animal Rescue with a $200 adoption grant to support the rescue’s animal adoption program. With these funds, the organization will be better able to purchase needed supplies and support program initiatives.
Tractor Supply Company serves as a destination for pet owners, providing food, treats, toys, crates, carriers and supplements, as well as expert advice on all things pet. With its focus on animals, the rural lifestyle retailer makes it a priority to support local animal organizations like Mitchell County Animal Rescue whenever possible.
Other community rescue groups interested in hosting in-store adoption events at the Erwin Tractor Supply should contact the store by calling 423-735-0429 for more information. Erwin Tractor Supply is located at 1258 N. Main Ave.
Second arrest made for aiming laser-pointer at medical flight
A second Mitchell County man has been arrested in connection with a laser-pointer being aimed at a helicopter crew providing medical transport.
Deputies in Unicoi County, Tennessee, arrested Austin Gill, 33, of Bakersville, Friday, Feb. 7, and charged him with an offense against the public safety, failure to appear in Madison County, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond for both counties is $30,000. He was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Roger Dean Bennett, 51, of Bakersville, was arrested Jan. 21 for the incident.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime, according to the FBI. A Florida man who pointed a laser at a police helicopter in 2017 was sentenced to two years in prison.