[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6578054,"mediaKeyId","3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9","parentId",3078799,"title","Votes at a glance: proclamations adopted, budget public hearing scheduled, trailer purchase and litigation motion approved","audioSeconds",5437,"startMs",69000,"endMs",5506000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9&start=69&end=5506","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9/thumbnail_69000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6578054/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-proclamations-adopted-budget-public-hearing-scheduled-trailer-purchase-and-litigation-motion-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578054-9aaca8a8f6dca35ea43b2f243878e5bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178920&Signature=B~pvjrqzreLsLJ6pIAo6qW96-QZK-0y005vzcu7Api6YzGxYkL1R16yCfR3r3hO-xQHlhOHBpfAdV8GbgcR-khisjgdaTO85kvd1WRGgqPKLrS1TDu0lHVyr0L7yx9Wmw3qf2zsxP2kbZ3zZDQD6i5amhiZ6wd66ErwtxwmR8jE-Gtds3hXpk86Nd6Xnemg9~ssIxZcSRpepOTBEmnhhWSivADyD2T~~69LPEXjd1UOAxJgI8W08URXHJYsrsj5wfNgUAPxsYx83zjPb9~psgbwc-T97ue9UF5gc0yhd5sh~qVyljkoRi5GV2s4bv9GwKp5Z1Wqh1dmx~nR0MHrxnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ashe County","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Ash County Board of Commissioners recorded the following formal actions April 20 during its regular meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved by voice vote (no roll-call tally provided in the transcript).

- Adoption of agenda: Approved with removal of a presentation (item 25-53) before adoption; motion and voice vote recorded.

- National Foster Care Month proclamation: The board adopted a proclamation designating May 2025 as Foster Care Awareness Month and May 31, 2025, as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day in Ash County. Motion and second recorded; adopted by voice vote.

- Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Month proclamation: The board adopted a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Guardian ad Litem volunteer month in Ash County. Motion and second recorded; adopted by voice vote.

- Cemetery trailer purchase: The board authorized a purchase order up to $4,000 for an enclosed trailer for the Cemetery Committee to transport ground-penetrating radar equipment and supplies; trailer to be housed on county property and appropriated from the public-buildings line in the current budget. Motion and second recorded; approved by voice vote.

- Budget process and public hearing: The board scheduled the FY budget work sessions and agreed to advertise and hold a public hearing on the budget on Monday, June 2, before beginning the budget work session. Motion and second recorded; schedule agreed.

- Litigation motion (Appalachian Materials): The board authorized withdrawing and dismissing the county’s appeal of a water permit and requested counsel to move the superior court to issue the asphalt plant permit if the other party does not act, consistent with a North Carolina Supreme Court order. Motion and second recorded; board called for votes (voice vote recorded; roll-call tally not recorded in transcript).

Each of these items was moved and seconded as recorded in the meeting transcript. Where the transcript shows only a voice vote, no roll-call tally is included in the record provided.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ashe County - County Commission on 2025-04-21 9:00 AM - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 20 meeting the board approved proclamations recognizing National Foster Care Month and Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Month, authorized a trailer purchase for the cemetery committee, scheduled a pre‑workshop budget public hearing for June 2, and approved a motion related to Appalachian Materials permit litigation.","taxTitle","Ashe County, North Carolina","taxId",45072,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578057,"Cemetery committee finds hundreds of unmarked graves; commissioners approve trailer purchase for ground-penetrating radar work",229,4089000,4318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9&start=4089&end=4318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9/thumbnail_4089000.jpg","/articles/6578057/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Cemetery-committee-finds-hundreds-of-unmarked-graves-commissioners-approve-trailer-purchase-for-ground-penetrating-radar-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578057-5ae62c20638669008538db8597703f6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178920&Signature=MsQm1HTLTONC14-vuQ0RfzH2u7r-NT-AnD~IIpmlzXn3xj~z8QvPRGkCAmRhBwAjv5AxqJW0XOzlgt-~9iu6CnMjO6pKcpoAf6wBtug5Q1sU0h5fa3e1dOk1OBgY~Jf6aoleMJavEsp8LWvvW56fAx0xtIZT7t8gPoE4x05OXcTNLrT0PFGw1Q7mtKObICVp4QIeNx8Ev8Fl9W5k5ivpohEG3wxhl~3x4fSebyFhx3sQPxaZ4DPZkqHk2ZyG3PvTXXwBaugKI-G5APsmFXWkJp4fjxAj4YRl6SHJAAn1nWmIWdijCxyy3GeznOBfVMh3TKETdjgCVvLiAmd5DdikIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ash County Cemetery Committee told the Board of Commissioners April 20 that its recently acquired ground-penetrating radar has identified hundreds of previously unmarked graves across multiple historic cemeteries, and the board approved buying an enclosed trailer to support the program.

Committee members described GPR work in multiple locations — Solomon Jones in Wall Springs, Burgess family site, Zion in Fleetwood, Three Top, Baloo in Grassy Creek, Farrington in Laurel Springs and Chestnut Hill — and said they have located roughly 6 or 700 unmarked graves so far on the county’s cemetery map. The committee reported one site that was previously estimated to contain 30–40 graves actually yielded 83 graves between two adjacent cemetery parcels.

Committee members said the hospital has agreed to adopt and fence one cemetery on its property, and towns and volunteers have cooperated in other preservation efforts. They asked the board to authorize purchasing a trailer to transport the GPR unit and related supplies; a commissioner moved to authorize a purchase order up to $4,000 for an enclosed trailer, to be housed on county property with funds from the public‑buildings line in the current budget. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Committee members and commissioners discussed operational details: training, recent use by the sheriff’s office and the town of Jefferson, GPR performance in wet conditions, the need for signage at identified sites, and fencing and maintenance responsibilities for landowners. Commissioners encouraged work with county offices to tag and insure the trailer and ensure secure storage.

The committee emphasized volunteer support and donations as the primary resources enabling the work. Members said they will continue GPR surveys and meet with the landowner of a recently identified site that currently lacks a fence and is exposed to livestock.","The Cemetery Committee reported finding hundreds of unmarked graves using ground-penetrating radar (GPR). The board authorized an up-to-$4,000 purchase order for an enclosed trailer to transport the GPR and supplies, to be housed on county property.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578062,"Ash County Airport: revenue-neutral operations and million-dollar annual grants, board hears",1193,802000,1995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9&start=802&end=1995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9/thumbnail_802000.jpg","/articles/6578062/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ash-County-Airport-revenue-neutral-operations-and-million-dollar-annual-grants-board-hears","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578062-2a16e39d7b206fecda5a3b6873c9da05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178920&Signature=FIF3hg~DPCAJEHsHgKTjBiGntDeG7bclXarVGF-yVtZ36TyCbpUaFlAqBaY-GZnszk4geNxAzHgoBJmgKRcdvKMMIPHizHCH9TTjMlFPUTmZ6zkBcsK5JCDNv24rhvQNsfUb1IiL5PkDrR-3kM38-nNAAc7D5sMW1Mr1H7DMt1eugue9elURRe3f-b4uf06PCv-jrGwBqVm1VfRm-cRY6hq3PaHut2lY8Y~jnrKdCLQ9MTQQvtwoIzQRMA7X95wXwLHABWSgmjN1j3pEyHFqrCYMNabM6vS4BRolZj8VSL1O6ZWIarct91MSHWuV~eb~n0NIVTW1M85IKn2jVDax-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Airport representatives presented the annual review to the Ash County Board April 20, saying local operations produce modest positive cash flow while project-specific grants bring significant capital to the county.

Aviation representatives summarized income sources: local operating income (hangar rent, fuel, tie-downs), non-primary entitlement grants (federal/state aviation repurposed tax dollars), and property taxes. The presenter said fourteen years of data show the airport is “cash positive by about $15,000–$17,000 a year,” and that project grants for runway, taxiway and ramp projects average roughly $1 million a year.

Presenters said that while grants are not profit for the county, the construction activity supports local contractors, hotels and restaurants. They outlined foreseeable infrastructure projects — land acquisition for small-plane parking, completion of the full-length taxiway, terminal replacement and perimeter fence completion — and noted cost estimates vary widely, from affordable midfield taxiway work to multimillion-dollar full-length taxiway projects.

Airport staff described mission-critical roles the airport filled after Hurricane Helene, including medical airlift, law-enforcement operations, fire-bomber refilling using a new hydrant on-site and nearly 2,500 emergency operations during a peak month. Staff recounted the airport serving as a staging and supply hub during the storm response.

The presentation also highlighted likely but uncertain future developments affecting the airport: autonomous aircraft and autonomous air cargo, electrification of aviation and battery charging infrastructure, and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air-taxi models. Presenters said regulations and technical standards for these technologies are still evolving and that the airport is monitoring developments rather than requesting immediate county assistance.

Commissioners asked operational questions about debris cleanup, taxiway visibility and aircraft size capacity. Airport staff said the airport can handle Gulfstream-class corporate aircraft and estimated current safe passenger capacity at about 30–40 seats for ad hoc operations, with the caveat that terminal and emergency-response upgrades would be needed for scheduled commercial service.","Airport officials reported that the Ash County Airport is roughly revenue-neutral (small net positive) from local operations, brings about $1 million a year in project grants to the county, and outlined foreseeable infrastructure and technology issues including taxiway completion, perimeter fence, and emerging aviation technologies.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578067,"NCDOT reports progress, $33.1 million spent so far on Hurricane Helene repairs in Ash County",777,2565000,3342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9&start=2565&end=3342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9/thumbnail_2565000.jpg","/articles/6578067/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/NCDOT-reports-progress-331-million-spent-so-far-on-Hurricane-Helene-repairs-in-Ash-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578067-313d75c7ab623c8bdf5f8fd36f95a660/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178920&Signature=TAqNk0b6IQRzUh8xaZV2lEgAt1F2~nFDYBQQHO9GbwM9CpXeZyyyPY7WlJB-lTEiTyiBpiYRjACykLOQQGIjlJBAKY7BHy8ixXiMqX68ux~3-ks7ZYQ0X-a-DGL0RZ5z46n--IRRGtuuS98zWbzlnrNEpesCIel92AOcrki2yDj3l9rGwz99wPQW1o0a5ebG7XeJk2VD6-f597eCj-GDGNDi3Zpu9ABBphQsSXkMekT-oe08uyiZfxZAvHG5nbaQvNsv1Ayiu26nc7xMza3CsAktrLSVcUn8WtCllb4eIGuMYfbjwbTj5Bz36NkhrupHs5OK0f3DMYGm7eZ9NAudtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","North Carolina Department of Transportation district engineers gave the Ash County Board an update April 20 on recovery work after Hurricane Helene, reporting 1,140 site-specific items identified countywide and about $33.1 million spent so far on road and infrastructure repairs.

District engineer David Wayne told the board that, as of the April 11 report he cited, 418 sites in Ash County (about 37 percent) were listed as fully repaired. Wayne said the county-wide total of site-specific and stabilization items is roughly 1,150, and the pace of completed repairs averages “almost 2.5 sites a day” since work began.

Wayne said the $33.1 million figure breaks down into about $21.9 million paid to contractors, roughly $3.25 million for labor, about $1.25 million in equipment costs and nearly $7 million for materials, the majority of which were concrete and rock to date. He cautioned the board that asphalt repairs will increase future costs.

DOT described recent construction work: specialized soil-nail and gravity walls completed or under way (including multiple jobs on Highway 88 and Big Laurel), temporary traffic control for safety, and ongoing bridge and culvert replacement. Wayne said 70 damaged bridges in the county have been repaired or reset in the recovery effort and three remain closed; of 50 larger (bridge-scale) pipes damaged, 21 have been replaced.

Wayne and board members discussed remaining work prioritized for the division, upcoming paving at specific locations and that many remaining repairs are drainage and pipe replacements. He said some low-water bridges that washed out have been temporarily repaired and are programmed for replacement within three to four years through the RAISE grant process.

Commissioners asked several operational questions. One commissioner raised safety concerns about two-lane roads reduced to one lane and school-bus routes; Wayne said he would follow up with a list of sites with lane reductions and timing for repairs. The board also discussed roadside debris removal and volunteer coordination for recovery support. Wayne credited county maintenance coordination led by Lance Burda and other crews for progress.

Wayne said DOT continues to reconcile engineering estimates, FEMA reporting requirements and contractor work. He noted that the federal FEMA deadline had passed but that a 60-day grace period applied in some cases for survivors with qualifying circumstances and that appeals processes for FEMA assistance remained available.","North Carolina DOT updated commissioners on Hurricane Helene recovery in Ash County: 1,140 site-specific items recorded, about 37% (418 sites) reported fully repaired, and roughly $33.1 million expended to date; several bridges and specialized wall repairs remain.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6578072,"Ash County moves to implement Supreme Court order in Appalachian Materials permit dispute",269,5067000,5336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9&start=5067&end=5336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3078799-20e2d741c4f284ede3219754b73684d9/thumbnail_5067000.jpg","/articles/6578072/Ashe-County/North-Carolina/Ash-County-moves-to-implement-Supreme-Court-order-in-Appalachian-Materials-permit-dispute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6578072-afbe675bde51c3d27bfa0642e32a0365/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178920&Signature=LyHbGUMLItQjIs1nhEKHQetOGc2GHCnRCfe-wnz0oJykt60cEM~yHoqOsIWS5ZPylUwkAZ417L60KubWXV3gBYGAeODf9JPjXnLZ5gZDFz7sP8jiduRmmq1lTKfThPeW-MdEB1CI9wsAZXRxoJEVYYzPi5K20bQAouuFyOh43p0qMWkELUAnNJQgYh5hCEmaW8~K9rJYQwjm5ATF~31Xuxz0aEsQ1HQfHN1CbUvrzKzN0Umqb85AVW2ig-e2jQ2ODvqQahi0CfrHDXh8RWHumTpq92ffZ9gEzKBTdKewlP15vI6Vku3NjiEfWb3hZI0TtUvjEetB3GMMspVbvdJXrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ash County Board of Commissioners voted April 20 to withdraw the county's pending appeal of a water permit and to ask county counsel to move the superior court to issue an asphalt-plant permit for Appalachian Materials if the company or other prevailing party does not do so.

County Attorney John Kilby said the action followed a North Carolina Supreme Court order that resolved earlier litigation tied to the Planning Board and Appalachian Materials. Kilby told the board the practical effect would be to coordinate the timing for issuing the water permit and the land-use (asphalt plant) permit so related deadlines run concurrently.

Kilby said counsel recommended withdrawing the county’s appeal of the water permit so the period in which the permit holder must act would not delay other administrative steps tied to the asphalt plant permit. The board’s motion combined the two steps: dismiss the county’s appeal of the water permit and instruct counsel to seek a superior-court order to issue the asphalt plant permit if the other parties do not take that step.

Board members moved and seconded the motion; the board called for a voice vote. The minute-to-minute transcript records a motion and second and a call for votes, but does not record a roll-call tally in the record provided.

Several participants and observers were referenced during the discussion. Kilby said his office would coordinate with John Cook, the firm that previously served as lead counsel in the asphalt-plant litigation, and with the private counsel engaged by the county to implement the court’s direction.

Separately, a text message from DJ Cecil, identified in the meeting as the son of the quarry owner, was read into the record expressing that family members were fearful of public reaction. Commissioners and staff urged civility in public communications.

The board’s action implements the court’s direction as described in the meeting; the transcript does not record further legal filings or precise next-step dates. The county attorney said he would coordinate with outside counsel about who would file the superior-court motion and how the filing would be handled.","Following a North Carolina Supreme Court ruling, the Ash County Board of Commissioners voted to withdraw its appeal of a water permit and asked counsel to seek a superior court order to issue an asphalt-plant permit if the prevailing party does not act.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: proclamations adopted, budget public hearing scheduled, trailer purchase and litigation motion approved

Cemetery committee finds hundreds of unmarked graves; commissioners approve trailer purchase for ground-penetrating radar work

Ash County Airport: revenue-neutral operations and million-dollar annual grants, board hears

NCDOT reports progress, $33.1 million spent so far on Hurricane Helene repairs in Ash County

Ash County moves to implement Supreme Court order in Appalachian Materials permit dispute