TVA overlook to allow people to see cleanup of site where coal ash spilled

By: JournalNow Staff | JOURNAL STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
Published: October 25, 2009

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- The TVA is building an overlook from where people can watch the cleanup of coal ash from a massive spill late last year.

Roane County Executive Mike Farmer said that the overlook will cause more traffic problems and draw more attention to -- as he put it -- "something I wish would go away."

The overlook consists of a parking lot that will handle about 20 cars and a walkway.

In an e-mail response, TVA spokeswoman Barbara Martocci said the utility is providing the overlook "to increase transparency about what's happening at the site."

On Dec. 22, a coal-ash-retention pond at the Kingston Fossil Plant ruptured, sending 5.4 million cubic yards of ash into the Emory River and onto private property. The cleanup is expected to cost $1 billion.

Tobacco representatives from China visit N.C. to learn

RALEIGH -- More than 20 people representing China's tobacco industry are visiting North Carolina to learn more about the state's homegrown product.

State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler hosted the 22-person delegation yesterday afternoon at the State Fair in Raleigh. The delegation toured the Got to Be NC Agriculture exhibit, the tobacco barn and other exhibits.

Troxler visited China on a trade mission in August. He said he's trying to expand the Chinese market for North Carolina tobacco.

Extensive training exercise Robin Sage to start Saturday

FORT BRAGG -- The U.S. Army will begin a massive training exercise in central North Carolina.

The exercise, called "Robin Sage," starts Saturday. Over 1,000 people from the area will participate.

The operation provides realistic training in guerrilla warfare. It is held eight times a year and is the final exam for prospective Green Berets.

The exercise will be conducted in or near Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Guilford, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly and Union counties.

S.C. diocese to distance itself but not split from main church

MOUNT PLEASANT -- The Diocese of South Carolina has voted to distance itself but not completely split from the national Episcopal Church because of church positions on same-sex unions and ordination of gays.

Canon Kendall Harmon says clergy members passed the resolution after a long debate during a special convention yesterday in Mount Pleasant.

Bishop Mark Lawrence has said the diocese does not want a split but a discussion with the national church on issues that have prompted some dioceses and parishes to leave.

In 2003, the national church consecrated its first openly gay bishop and last summer, at its national convention, authorized bishops to bless same-sex unions.

The Diocese of South Carolina is one of two in the state and has about 30,000 members.

Nobody filed to run for seats on village's town council

SPENCER MOUNTAIN -- Who's on the ballot in a tiny North Carolina mill village? This year, no one.

No candidates filed to run for mayor or any of the three town council seats in Spencer Mountain in Gaston County.

The incumbents say the filing deadline just sneaked up on them, but they say they have a solution: They'll all just show up at the polls and write in each other's names.

Gaston County Elections Director Frances Pinion says it's not unusual for no candidates to file in small communities like this one.

Write-ins usually solve the problem, but Pinion says Spencer Mountain's charter keeps incumbents in office until new officials are elected, so the seats won't be empty.

There are 29 registered voters in Spencer Mountain.