March 4, 2005:

Paddling through Having left a broom in his car overnight, Grand Boulevard resident Jean Pierre Courbois uses a canoe paddle to clear the snow from his car Tuesday. Photo by Marie Freeman

 

ASU buys Quality: Hotel will become dormitories for space-starved university

Appalachian State University Chancellor Ken Peacock announced the university will purchase the Quality Inn hotel in Boone for student housing, bringing a new meaning to Peacock’s often-quoted motto, “Students first, quality in all.”

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Christopher Eakins pleads guilty to murder

The nearly three-year odyssey that began with the discovery of an unidentified body in a burnt out Sampson house, ended Wednesday when Christopher Vernon Eakins plead guilty to murdering his roommate and then torching the home to cover the crime.

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Farm stewardship group blossoms

A foot of snow and zero-degree wind chill evoke thoughts of spring, and a local farm stewardship group is expanding its efforts this year across the growing season.

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Boone Board of Adjustment: Developer denied ability to construct housing in phases

The Boone Board of Adjustment denied a special use permit modification request for the Village at Meadowview of Boone at its regular meeting Thursday.

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Boone Town Council talks about multi-family housing

With a recently imposed moratorium on multi-family developments of 24 units or more, the Boone Town Council discussed the matter of multi-family zoning at its annual retreat last Friday.

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March 2, 2005:

An artist's touch Boone resident and artist Wes Waugh (left) built a unique snowman with his three-year-old daughter Andie and wife, Lynne, on Monday which eventually became “Vincent Vangohman,” complete with artist palette and one ear. When asked if his daughter was happy with the snowman that Wes had embellished, he replied, “She would be happier if it had a carrot nose.” Photo by Marie Freeman

 

Boone bypass options will narrow

The proposed Boone traffic bypass may soon be narrowed down to a handful of alternatives, but it’s unlikely there will be any more citizen workshops on the final route selections.

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Snow blast helps out local slopes

The late-season snow has revived hopes for a strong finish to the ski season.

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Town manager warns of likely SAHA site conflict

At its annual retreat last Friday, the Boone Town Council tackled an array of issues, as well as some not originally included on the agenda.

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Bill would give ETJ residents some voting rights

A bill introduced in the N.C. House of Representatives could give residents of extraterritorial zoning jurisdictions (ETJ’s) the ability to vote in municipal elections.

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Descendant works to restore family homestead

The historic Blair Farm in Boone hopes to formally add “Historic” to its name.

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Ashe County man gets ‘One Tree’ thrill

It could be said that Mark Pierce moonlights, though he hardly keeps it secret from his daytime co-workers.

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High Country Briefs:

The former assistant Watauga High School cross-country coach charged last month with using the Internet to lure a person police say he believed to be 13-year-old girl into a late-night sexual encounter was scheduled to face arraignment Wednesday morning in Watauga District Court.

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Watauga schools closed

On Wednesday, March 2, Watauga County schools will be closed for students, with an optional annual leave day for teachers.

The holiday/snowday program at Hardin Park Elementary School will open at 7:30 a.m.

 

 

Feb. 28, 2005

 

Wintry blast blankets High Country Junior Gragg blazes a trail through the snow for his customers at Trailway Cleaners in Boone Monday after winter paid the High Country a visit with a substantial snowfall. For more on the winter blast, please link with the story below. Photo by Marie Freeman