Feb. 21 - 27, 2014
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996 • nwobserver.com •
Dan River coal ash spill Could a similar disaster occur closer to home? by SHARON NEELY
Photos by Eric Chance and Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices
The coal ash spill in Eden, N.C., dumped about 82,000 tons of coal ash and 22 million gallons of water into the Dan River. Members of the Appalachian Voices team (above) traveled to the site after the spill and immediately began taking samples from the shore.
EDEN/NW GUILFORD – Jenny Edwards of northwest Greensboro has spent many hours floating in her canoe over the last few weeks, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been for recreational purposes. As program manager for the Dan River Basin Association (DARBA), she and a colleague were some of the first to hear about the massive Duke Energy coal ash spill in Eden that emptied 82,000
Treasured mementoes lost in fire, but memories remain forever by MICHELLE HOLT Michelle Holt vividly remembers getting the phone call from her husband, who told her he had bad news – an outbuilding on their family’s property off Ellison Road in Stokesdale had caught on fire. The following is her account of the fire, the loss, and memories of a small building that stored 20 years of laughs, celebrations and time with friends and family.
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tons of coal ash into the Dan River on Feb. 2 – what is now recognized as the third largest coal ash spill in the country. Immediately after the spill, DARBA and other environmental groups began collecting samples of micro invertebrates from the Dan River in order to assess the current and long-term impact of the spill. “Our hours have been long and it doesn’t seem to stop,” says Edwards. “I’m getting pretty weary.”
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IN THIS ISSUE News in brief.......................... 2 Your Questions...................... 4 Summerfield Town Council.. 6 Business Notes...................... 8
Photo courtesy of Michelle Holt
Steve Holt surveys the ruins of his family’s treasured gathering place. Firemen tried to save the outbuilding, but much of it was destroyed in a blaze on Jan. 23.
Bits & Pieces.......................... 8 Love stories...........................10 Community Calendar.........14 Crime/Incident Report........15 Letters/Opinions .................16 Grins & Gripes......................16 Classifieds............................18 Index of Advertisers............23 NWO On The Go!................ 24