NBHS Homecoming tonight

Winter homecoming is tonight at North Buncombe High School. If you arrive early, you'll have a chance to catch the undefeated Junior Varsity Boys' basketball team. The BlackHawks are 19-0 after beating T.C. Roberson on Tuesday night. Darien Bodenhorst had five steals in that game and Christian Bridges had 20 points.

Leftover Weaverville Town Council notes

A bunch of stuff in last night's town council meeting in Weaverville. Here's a few notes:

* The town is beginning to map out dates to plan its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. At Weaverville Public Works Director Larry Sprinkle's suggestion, the town moved its first budget workshop from March 24 to March 12 to give department heads more time to prepare their budgets. Another workshop will be held May 7. Approval of the budget is expected to be made at the June 15 council meeting.

* Wayne Ingle and Penny Weaver were named to the Weaverville Planning and Zoning Board.

* The Weaverville Police Department has seen an uptick in drug-related crimes in the area within the past year, but they have not been major busts for the most part, according to Weaverville Police Chief Greg Stephens.

* The council tabled discussion on a subdivision request from the First Baptist Church of Weaverville. The council and town staff members are looking into other scenarios for the lot that is zoned commercial.

Mars Hill speaker

Here's a release from Mars Hill College that missed this week's edition:

"Rev. Michael Carter will be the speaker for Opening Convocation at Mars Hill College, January 27 at 11 am. The public is invited to attend.

Carter is scheduled to present an address titled “Diversity: Beyond Race and Gender.” His address is part of Mars Hill College’s celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Carter is a nondenominational minister and currently serves as the Diversity Officer for Mission Hospitals. He has recently completed facilitator training for Building Bridges, an organization that deals with race relations between African Americans and European Americans in Asheville. He has served as a staff chaplain at Mission Hospitals in Asheville and at Lenox Hill Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital and Cancer Center, Methodist Hospital, and New York Hospital Queens in New York."

Snow showers persist

Asheville was clearing this morning, but snow showers were lingering in Weaverville as of 9:30 am. While the main roads are relatively clear, side roads are partially or completely covered this morning.

Snow starting to pile up in places

The snow is starting to steadily fall in North Buncombe this afternoon. Roads are currently clear, but icy spots are being reported. Expect conditions to deteriorate as the night progresses and into tomorrow morning.

Reader suggestion

A email was sent to the Tribune offices this week about reader-submitted "pet peeves." Should that be an added feature to the our print or online coverage? What do you think?

Frigid Friday

Single-digit temperatures invaded North Buncombe this morning. The same is expected for tonight. Here are a few pictures from the Bull Gap area this morning on the Blue Ridge Parkway

False alarm

A emergency response call this morning on Benfield Road in the Ox Creek community turned out to be a faulty smoke detector, officials on the scene said. The Reems Creek, Reems Creek/Beaverdam and Weaverville fire departments responded to the call shortly after 10 am.

Perfection

The North Bucombe High School Junior Varsity Boys' Basketball team is 15-0 with a 5-0 Mountain Athletic Conference mark. Coach Clint Loftin's team will look to continue its perfect start to the season tomorrow night versus Veritas at home. Games start following the JV girls' game. Look for a feature on the boys' team in a future edition of The Weaverville Tribune.

Helping out

According to emergency dispatchers, area departments assisted on the Madison County house fire this morning, including the Jupiter Fire Department.

Rockslide cleared

A small rockslide on U.S. Hwy. 251 near the intersection of Monitcello Road in the Alexander area was cleared earlier this morning.

Backup bump-up

A Weaverville brush fire truck back into one of the station's bay doors, damaging several panels on the door. The truck was not damaged in the incident. The panels are in the midst of being repaired and/or replaced.

Happy 2009!

The staff at the Weaverville Tribune returned this morning with batteries fully charged thanks to a much-needed vacation. Our printing schedule will resume to its normal Thursday delivery date beginning this week on the 8th.