Proctors needed

North Buncombe High School needs proctors for exams Wednesday (Jan. 26) and Thursday (Jan. 27).

Morning exam proctors would need to be at the high school by 7:45 am. Afternoon proctors would need to be there by 11:45 am.

Anyone interested should call Vickie Smith, NBHS counseling secretary at 645-4332.

This week at NBHS

Monday
4 pm - Girls' junior varsity basketball @ McDowell High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball @ McDowell High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball @ McDowell High School
7 pm - Varsity wrestling vs. McDowell High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball @ McDowell High School

Thursday
7:15 pm - Coed varsity swimming vs. Clyde A Erwin High School

Friday
4 pm - Girls' junior varsity basketball vs. T C Roberson High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball vs. T C Roberson High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball vs. T C Roberson High School
7 pm - Varsity wrestling @ Asheville High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball vs. T C Roberson High School

Saturday
10 am - Varsity wrestling @ Enka JV Tournament (JV ONLY)

Perdue issues serious concerns over ABC privatization

Gov. Bev Perdue announced Thursday (Jan. 19) her desire to not privatize the stat's ABC system. Several local ABC officials have been outspoken critics of the possibility of privatization including Weaverville ABC Chairman Lou Accornero.

Here is a portion of the governor's release...

Gov. Bev Perdue announced her desire to keep North Carolina’s current Alcohol Beverage Control system while speaking at the North Carolina Association of County Commissioner’s Legislative Goals Conference on Thursday (Jan. 20) in Durham.

The decision comes after an independent review of the potential profitability of selling North Carolina’s control system, as well as the potential affects such a sale would have on the health and safety of North Carolina residents.

In her remarks, she said that because of state budget challenges, she has considered revenue options never on the table before, including the potential sale of ABC.

In the past year, a consultant company studied the ABC system and looked at the state’s options.

Following their initial report, Gov. Perdue decided to only consider options that would protect local and state tax revenue, and keep North Carolina as a “control state”. Additionally, the value of the sale would have to significantly offset the risk involved to the state’s health and safety.

Independent revenue estimates for a one-time sale have been valued at about $300 million.

The only way to raise enough money to make the sale practical for the state – one billion plus dollars – would be to open North Carolina up to liquor sales to a much broader range of stores, from neighborhood drug stores to large retailers.

“I don’t want to be the governor who has to hold my granddaughter’s hand as we walk past the liquor bottles on our way to the toy aisle in WalMart, or towards the cereal in Food Lion. That isn’t North Carolina. That isn’t who we are or what we want to become,” said Perdue.

Right now, North Carolina is tied for 44th in per capita liquor consumption, one of the lowest in the nation. And last year the state made a profit to the general fund of $200 million and local governments a profit of $51 million.

Town's public works receives praise

Woodfin Town Administrator Jason Young had several words of praise for the town's public works department at Tuesday's (Jan. 18) monthly aldermen meeting.

During the Jan. 10 snow storm and the aftermath, the department missed just one garbage cycle and kept the streets freshly plowed as the snow lingered in the area for much of the week.

"I would put them up against anybody," Young said of the department's performance.

Hero of the Week nominations

Just a reminder ...

Anyone who would like to nominate a North Buncombe individual or group for the Tribune's Hero of the Week program may contact the office at 252-5804 or send an email to wteditor@weavervilletribune.com.

Polar plunge to benefit Meals on Wheels

Release from Meals on Wheels

The Asheville Racquet Club will hold the 3rd Annual Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Meals On Wheels of Asheville-Buncombe County on Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 PM. Despite an already harsh winter and forecasted temperatures in the mid-thirties on Saturday, more than 20 individuals will brave the icy waters to help raise money to feed Buncombe County’s homebound seniors.

This year’s list of local celebrities for the Polar Bear Plunge includes Buncombe County Commissioner, David Gantt; Buncombe County Sheriff, Van Duncan; Meals On Wheels Board Chair, Brock Himan and Executive Director, Dianne Trammel; a team of radio personalities from Clear Channel Radio and Dennis Hulsing, owner of the Asheville Racquet Club. Hulsing has graciously donated the use of the Asheville Racquet Club’s swimming pool and club house facilities for the event and is currently the top fundraiser.

This is the 3rd year for the annual fundraiser to benefit Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County. Each polar bear raises money by collecting sponsorships contributed by friends, family and coworkers as they vie for the title of “Top Polar Bear”. Donations are taken online at: http://www.firstgiving.com/MOWABC/Event/2011PolarBearPlunge. A hot chili lunch will be served in the ARC clubhouse afterwards at a cost of $7 per person. The public is invited to attend and cheer on their favorite jumper. This year’s Polar Bear Plunge is sponsored by Ocean’s Flavor Foods and The Green Sage Cafe. The goal is $20,000 with 100 percent of proceeds going to help Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County.

For more information, please contact the Asheville Racquet & Fitness Club at (828) 274-3361 or Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County at 253-5286. Sponsorship information for individual jumpers is also available at www.mowabc.org.

Meals On Wheels of Asheville-Buncombe County currently serves nearly 500 homebound seniors a hot nutritious lunch 5 days a week. In addition to weekday meal delivery, Meals On Wheels offers a Pet Food Program, Ensure Program, Volunteer Connections and several other vital services designed to allow seniors to remain in their own homes, among familiar surroundings and age with dignity. For more information, please contact Terri Bowman, development director, at 253-5286.

Follow up on rabid cat in UNCA area

A release from the Buncombe County Health Department

Recently someone living in a neighborhood near UNC-A found a cat that appeared to be lost. They took the cat in from the cold; a simple, compassionate gesture that many animal lovers may relate to. Unfortunately, the cat later became ill and had to be euthanized. Last week test results revealed that the cat had been infected with rabies. Here is what we know:

The cat received an injury from an unknown animal about a week before becoming ill. Many well-intentioned individuals leave food outdoors for cats. Because they roam outdoors, these cats can easily come into contact with other wild animals which can transmit rabies to the cat and potentially be further spread to other cats or pets.

As a result of this one cat being taken in, six people are receiving post-exposure rabies vaccines to prevent infection, including five employees of the pet clinic where the sick cat was taken. This is done as a precaution because if contracted, rabies is fatal for humans.

“The Buncombe County Department of Health is working closely with the Asheville Police Department (APD) and Animal Control to increase surveillance and possibly capture feral cats in the immediate area where the rabid cat was recently discovered," said Marc Fowler, Environmental Health Director with the Department of Health. “Concerns about feral cats in the city limits may be referred to the APD at 252-1110.

Several animals are responsible for transmitting rabies in Western North Carolina including coyotes, foxes, skunks, groundhogs and bats. In a majority of cases rabies is carried by raccoons. All these animals are known to live throughout the state and Buncombe County, including the city limits of Asheville. They live on food found around trash cans and dumpsters everywhere, and also on pet food left outdoors for domesticated animals including cats.

This has been a difficult situation, but one we can all learn from.
• It is extremely important that pet owners have their dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated for rabies and for those vaccines to be kept up to date.
• If an unvaccinated pet is exposed to any other animal whose rabies status cannot be verified, that pet must be quarantined by a veterinarian for 6 months at the owner’s expense; or the pet must be euthanized.
• It is also important that food not be left outdoors to feed wild animals or feral cats. Kevin Calhoun with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department says, “Don’t feed wild animals. Feeding feral cats or wild animals brings the two together, increasing the potential for the spread of rabies.”
• Contact authorities if an animal is seen behaving unusually. This may mean that a wild animal is not afraid of humans; a nocturnal animal is seen wandering around during the day; a pet is uncharacteristically aggressive; or any animal is behaving in a drunken state or lethargic.

If someone is aware of unknown cats in their neighborhood, they should not feed them, and call Animal Control. In the Asheville city limits they should call 252-1110. In Buncombe County call 250-6670.