Rabid cat found in UNCA area

Health officials at the Buncombe County Department of Health announced Friday (Jan. 14) that a cat in the UNCA area was confirmed to have rabies. The cat, a short-haired, dark gray, very small female, with green eyes was taken in by someone in the community and was discovered to have rabies a few days later.

Staff with the Department of Health are working to identify people and animals in the affected area who may have been exposed to the rabid cat. Flyers are being distributed to homes of those who are most at risk of exposure.

Sue Ellen Morrison, Disease Control Manager for the Buncombe County Department of Health states, “Any person who may have come in contact with this cat between December 30th and January 6th should call their doctor immediately. They may also call the Disease Control Division of the Department of Health at 250-5109 for an exposure evaluation.” People living in this area should also be aware of exposure to any other animal that may have been behaving unusually. The rabies virus is usually transmitted through a bite from the animal or from contact with saliva that enters the eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin.

According to Morrison, “Rabies is a serious and preventable disease. It is important to prevent exposure to the rabies virus whenever possible. Once an exposure has occurred prompt treatment is essential. Rabies is fatal without this treatment.”

Residents with a concern about their pet’s exposure to this cat or exposure to other rabid animals in the area, should call their veterinarian immediately or REACH of Asheville, animal emergency facility at 665-4399.

Buncombe County Department of Health makes the following recommendations to the general public:

• Vaccinate your pets regularly according to North Carolina Law.
• Keep children and pets away from wild and strange animals.
• Don’t allow pets to run at large.
• If your pet comes in contact with a wild or strange animal, avoid contact with both animals. For City of Asheville residents call the Asheville Police Department at 252-110. Residents in Buncombe County should call the Buncombe County Sheriff’s office at 250-6670.
• Make sure trash can lids are on tightly and pet food is not left outside.
• For any animal bite the wound should be cleaned thoroughly (for at least 10 minutes) and then contact your doctor or Buncombe County Health Center at 250.5109.

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. When contracted by humans, rabies is fatal unless early treatment is sought. There is no cure once symptoms develop, so immediate treatment is important to prevent the disease. In North Carolina rabies is most common in raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but has also been found in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, bats and other animals.

Event honoring Ricky Boone

From the Magic Beyond Belief theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Duane Laflin and Company will be presenting a two-hour, family-friendly illusion show at the Carol Belk Theater at UNCA on Jan. 21 at 7:30 pm. The illusionist is honoring the release of The Four-foot Giant and the Vanishing Wheelchair, the biography of magician, magic shop owner, and inspirational speaker, Ricky D. Boone. Boone's shop is located in Woodfin. He battles a rare illness.

Find out more about the book about Boone's life at here

NBHS basketball rescheduled

UPDATE: 1/14/11: North Buncombe will play at Asheville on Friday (Jan. 14). The Erwin game will be next Wednesday or Thursday. Also, swimming will take place Saturday (Jan. 15) in the Buncombe County meet and wrestling will re-schedule its match against Erwin for Thursday (Jan. 20).

UPDATE 1/13/11: The game will either be played Friday (Jan. 14) or some time next week depending on Asheville City Schools' schedule Friday.

Tonight's showdown between North Buncombe and Erwin has been canceled.
The earliest it might be played is now Thursday (Jan. 13), although an official announcement has not been made.
The BlackHawks are scheduled to meet Asheville on the hardwood on Friday (Jan. 14).

Mars Hill cancels classes for Tuesday, Jan. 11

Given the number of both commuter and residential students who are going to be affected by the weather, Mars Hill College will be canceling all classes tomorrow, Tuesday, January 11. Evening classes for Monday, January 10, in Mars Hill's ACCESS program are also canceled. Students not already on campus should be advised not to attempt the roads today and to pay careful attention to local forecasts before making any travel plans for tomorrow.

NBHS swim team falls to Reynolds

From a Jan. 4 meet

Team score
1. A C Reynolds 186
2. North Buncombe High School 127

Women Team Rankings
1. A C Reynolds 94
2. North Buncombe High School 74

Men Team Rankings
1. A C Reynolds 92
2. North Buncombe High School 53

NBHS will host Hendersonville, McDowell, Thomas Jefferson and Carolina Day on Tues. Jan. 11. 7:15 pm warm-up, 7:50 pm start at Mars Hill College Harrell Pool.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball @ T.C. Roberson High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball @ T.C. Roberson High School
7 pm - Varsity wrestling vs. T.C. Roberson High School
7:15 pm - Coed varsity swimming vs. T.C. Roberson High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball @ T.C. Roberson High School

Wednesday
4 pm - Girls' junior varsity basketball vs. Charles D Owen High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball vs. Charles D Owen High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball vs. Charles D Owen High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball vs. Charles D Owen High School

News from Big Ivy

Here's a few notes about ways to get involved in the Big Ivy/Barnardsville area...

* Early Head Start is a free program for low-income pregnant women and families with children under three. The home-based program serves families throughout Buncombe County with weekly visits convenient to your schedule. You are your child’s most important teacher! Our in-home educators bring tools, ideas, information and activities to support parents in that role. For women, we offer information and support for pregnancy, labor & delivery, and the postpartum period. For all families, we also provide assistance in accessing community resources, and regular Play & Learn events where you can connect with other families and see your child interact and learn with peers. Transportation is provided for the Play & Learn groups! Call Laurian at 828-298-0808 to apply. Se habla español.

* Would you like to become a blogger for the Big Ivy Community? To learn more contact Bob at 626-3438 or bicc@barnardsville.com