Home at last
National Guard member Angela Reagan gets a tearful hug from her daughter, Kayla, after returnign home from a year in Iraq. For more on our returning troops, please link to the story below. Photo by Marie Freeman |
April 8, 2005
Guard members return from Iraq duty
Hundreds of people gathered to greet National Guard troops returning to the area on Wednesday afternoon, with 48 members of the Ashe County-based 1450th Transportation Company finally about to return home after more than a year serving in Kuwait and Iraq.
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Study places high value on community colleges
A statewide study on the economic benefits of community colleges suggests they return money to their communities and improve overall quality of life.
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Hospital's ethics committee fields end-of-life issues
End-of-life decisions at Watauga Medical Center are often made by family members, but the hospital also has an ethics committee to help with any disputes or controversies.
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Former ASU professor convicted
Retired Appalachian State University education professor Richard Layne Stahl has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after being convicted of money laundering.
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Avery County hazing suit filed in Watauga
The owner of a local television station has filed a lawsuit in Watauga County Superior Court seeking in excess of $230,000 from the Avery County Board of Education, North Carolina State University head basketball coach Herb Sendek, and a number of coaches and players from the Avery County High School basketball team.
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Meadowview development receives modification
The Boone Board of Adjustment approved the Village of Meadowview’s request for a special use permit (SUP) modification to complete and occupy the multi-family development project in phases at the board’s Thursday’s regular meeting.
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Randy Feimster joins High Country Media
High Country Media recently welcomed Randy Feimster as the company’s new circulation manager.
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April 6, 2005
Rockin' robin
Although it might be spring, this robin endures some chilly high winds and ruffled feathers while perched on a tree near the Greenway Trail in Boone. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Former coach gets probation for sex-act charges
Latina Davis, whose brief tenure as a Watauga High School girls’ basketball coach ended with her arrest on charges of sexually assaulting a female student, pled guilty to a reduced charge on Monday.
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Town says ASU violated tree removal rules
The town of Boone has issued two notices of violation to Appalachian State University for the removal of two historic trees from a development site on Hardin Street. According to the town's tree ordinance, historic trees are trees with a diameter of 24 inches or more.
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Commissioners oppose state tax bill
The Watauga County commissioners dealt with miscellaneous administrative matters Monday, including adoption of a resolution opposing a state tax bill. The bill, which has been submitted in both the N.C. Senate and the House of Representatives, would exempt unsold lots in subdivisions from higher values based on improvements to the entire subdivision. Instead, the lots would retain the lower value the land had before becoming part of a subdivision.
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Senior center earns top excellence award
The Lois E. Harrill Senior Center was recently recognized as a “Senior Center of Excellence,” the highest rating given by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
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Report: Watauga tax burden is high
An economist’s analysis of local tax burdens places Watauga County residents in the “high burden” category, despite the county traditionally have one of the lowest property tax rates in the state.
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April 4, 2005
Out for trout
Hundreds of anglers found their favorite fishing holes for the opening of trout season this past weekend. The town of Blowing Rock held its annual Trout Derby with fishing lovers of all ages competing for prizes totalling more than $5,000. See Thursday’s edition of The Blowing Rocket for derby results or log on to www.blowingrocket.com after Thursday. Photo by Marie Freeman
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Troops will come home Wednesday
Local National Guard troops are scheduled to return to the area Wednesday, with a formal ceremony taking place Friday.
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Banning ‘dangerous’ animals
N.C. Sen. John Garwood (R-Wilkes) has introduced a bill to regulate “inherently dangerous animals” in the state, possibly trumping an ordinance already adopted by the county.
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Where justice begins: Magistrates wear many hats
The most interesting parts of Kim Eggers' days almost always begin with a simple knock at the door. Eggers is a Watauga County magistrate and, with very few exceptions, her office is the gateway to the county's legal system.
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