In July, McDowell News readers were all about breaking news. The most-read story online that month was headlined “2 sent to hospital in officer-involved wreck.” It received 19,923 page views. According to the NC State Highway Patrol, a Marion Police cruiser was traveling southbound on the five lane when a black Chevy Silverado pickup truck turning into the parking lot of Tate’s Insurance struck the officer’s vehicle, spun and hit the curb. The collision also sent debris flying into the back window of a white Nissan Rouge sitting in the parking lot. A story headlined “UPDATE: Electrical fire destroys Old Fort home” took in 13,946 views, while the third most-read story in July was headlined “Marion woman found with 4 ¾ lbs of meth, $42.5K in cash,” with 10,466 views.
2019: The McDowell News Year in Review in Stories & Photos; Part 3 of 4, July – September
On the night of Monday, Aug. 26, an activity bus from a Rutherford County charter school was traveling home when the vehicle plunged over an embankment on Coxes Creek. Multiple people were taken to the hospital, including one person who was airlifted. McDowell emergency officials said they were called out at 8:50 p.m. on Monday to N.C. 226 N. near the McDowell and Mitchell county line where an activity bus from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy had gone down a 30-foot embankment. According to Master Trooper Rico Stephens of the N.C. State Highway Patrol, the activity bus – occupied by players and coaches from the charter school’s volleyball team – was traveling south on NC 226 when it travelled off the road to the right and struck several large rocks and a tree. The bus then travelled down an embankment and came to a stop. A total of 14 patients – including multiple players, two coaches and the bus driver – were extricated from the bus and transported to three area hospitals, officials said. One of the patients was airlifted by MAMA to Mission Hospital Trauma Center in Asheville. All patients were classified as stable upon departure from the scene, officials said. Emergency crews from McDowell and Mitchell responded to the crash
In July, the Larry D. Miller Business Complex, located in the former Rock-Tenn plant building along Logan, West Henderson and Burgin streets, started taking shape as a future indoor mall and events center. Chad Marsh, vice president of both GEM Construction and Miller Realty, stands in the front entrance to the Larry D. Miller Business Complex. He is surrounded by metal framework which will become the walls for the entrance hall and the new businesses planning to move in there. The front entrance will be totally redone and a kiosk will be placed at the entranceway. It will direct the public towards either the shops or businesses on the left or towards the Municipal Events Center (MEC) on the right. The Miller Complex was already the home of Chance of Sprinkles Bakeshop, McDowell Fitness Center, Inside Out Boxing & Fitness Club and FAB Physique when this picture was taken. Since then, Pressley Made, the Hair Boutique and Above the Barre dance studio have moved in and more businesses are lined up as new tenants. The MEC is hosting a variety of special events and conventions.
In July, two young men with roots in McDowell County were preparing themselves to become cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Devin Freeman, son of McDowell native Macio Freeman, went through cadet basic training so he can join the “long gray line” at the USMA. In this photo at left, he is shown at his graduation party with his awards from high school. Likewise, Tristen Laney was also attending basic training and getting ready to become a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. He is the son of McDowell native Jeremy Laney and Alida Laney. In this photo at right, Tristen stands with his father Jeremy at West Point with the Hudson River in the background.
In July, two young men with roots in McDowell County were preparing themselves to become cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Devin Freeman, son of McDowell native Macio Freeman, went through cadet basic training so he can join the “long gray line” at the USMA. In this photo at left, he is shown at his graduation party with his awards from high school. Likewise, Tristen Laney was also attending basic training and getting ready to become a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. He is the son of McDowell native Jeremy Laney and Alida Laney. In this photo at right, Tristen stands with his father Jeremy at West Point with the Hudson River in the background.
In September, McDowell County officials, trail enthusiasts and other local leaders cut the ribbon for the newest greenway park along the Catawba River. The ceremony to formally open the new Fonta Flora State Trail at Greenlee Park was held at 1200 Old Greenlee Road. This new phase of the greenway is part of the Fonta Flora State Trail, which will connect Morganton with Asheville and include McDowell County. This phase consists of approximately 2,000 feet of paved greenway trail, a renovated canoe launch, horseshoe pits and a picnic shelter. Baker Grading and Landscaping was the contractor and McGill Associates was the engineer, according to county officials. Commission Vice Chairman Tony Brown, Commissioner Brenda Vaughn, Steve Pierce and Frank Dean with the McDowell Trails Association and other local leaders took part in inaugurating the newest greenway park for the county.
In a field behind his house, Bill Hendley of Marion inspects the hemp plants growing in the hot sun. When they are ready for harvesting, he will take them inside his house and begin the process of making CBD oil. He received his license to be a hemp farmer from the N.C. Department of Agriculture a year ago in September 2018 and is McDowell’s first certified hemp farmer. The first thing he did after getting his license was to purchase 20 cannabis plants for $200. He and his partner Chris Allison have 1,500 plants in a field near Old Fort as well. Industrial hemp (scientific name Cannabis sativa) has been used for centuries as a source of fiber and oilseed. It has been used all over the world to make a variety of industrial and consumer products. Both industrial hemp and marijuana belong to the cannabis family of plants. But the hemp grown by Hendley and others cannot give you a high.
