January 6, 2006
The ABCs of child care crisis
Sage Little explores her surroundings in the toddler room of Lynhill Day Care development center, while Debbie Farthing, director of the center, looks on. Some of the center’s clients could suffer from state budget cuts that will limit subsidized child care aid. For more on the story, please link with the article below. Photo by Marie Freeman |
January schedule changes for Watauga schools
Schools will be closed to students for a teacher work day on Monday, Jan. 9. Monday, Jan. 16, will now be a regular school day. Jan. 16, which is also the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, was originally scheduled as a teacher work day. The holiday/snow day/work day program at Hardin Park School will be open for registered participants on Jan. 9. Any student registered to attend on any teacher work days may attend on Jan. 9. Extra fees may apply in cases where the student was not enrolled for the previously scheduled Jan. 3 or Jan. 16 work days.
New high school plan shrinks
The Watauga County commissioners received an update on a new high school facility and approved funding for design work during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
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$766,000 sheared from child care programs
State cuts to the subsidized child care program could keep more parents out of the work force.
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Roundup moseys on out — for now
High Country Roundup has closed, and there will be no more “foot-stompin’ family fun” off Bamboo Road.
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News briefs: Names of crash victims released
The N.C. Highway Patrol has released the names of several victims injured in a Christmas Eve crash involving six vehicles.
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Parks director recommends increases
Many parks and recreation fees will increase under a plan approved Tuesday by the Watauga County commissioners.
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County commissioners approve voting machines
The Watauga County board of commissioners have approved the board of election’s choice for new voting machines for the county, and voters are expected to be using the machines in May.
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Watauga receives thousands in federal grants
Three Watauga County nonprofit agencies were the recipients of nearly $300,000 in federal grants.
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January 4, 2006
Hometown photos
“My 13-year-old terrier mix, Henry, is looking good for an older fellow, Joanna Wilcox said. “Whenever anyone asks, ‘What kind of dog is that?’ I reply, ‘A Watauga Humane Society special.’” “He was adopted in 1995 and then-president Dee Dundon handled the paperwork. We’ve been good friends ever since.” “Your Hometown Photos” is a regular feature in which the Watauga Democrat showcases the talent of High Country photographers. If you would like to submit a Hometown Photo for consideration (a landscape, wildlife, favorite pet, or people picture), e-mail it to reagan@wataugademocrat.com. Make sure the photo is high resolution and is in the JPG/JPEG format. Photo courtesy of Joanna Wilcox
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Child abuse cases decline
Cases of child abuse and neglect declined in Watauga County in the last fiscal year, mirroring a statewide trend.
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Lottery moves forward amid disputes
Despite continuing controversy, it appears the games must go on.
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Watauga Sheriff’s Office reports:
Watauga County sheriff’s deputies arrested and charged two Meat Camp residents in connection with the discovery of the county’s 16th methamphetamine lab of 2005 on Dec. 28.
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Plans and personnel dominate school news in 2005
Plans for a new Watauga High School, personnel changes and achievements dominated the Watauga County Board of Education’s agenda during 2005.
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January 2, 2006
Rolling through
A land dispute threatened to derail popular tourist attraction Tweetsie Railroad. In August, its management reached an agreement on a short-term lease that would keep the park open through the 2007 season. For more on the stories that made the news in Watauga in 2005, please link with the article below. File photo
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Watauga 2005: A look back
The year 2005 began and ended with Watauga County in the national spotlight— for polar opposite reasons. National news networks descended on the sheriff’s office after two suspects and accused methamphetamine dealers allegedly kidnapped their two children, sparking an Amber Alert. Eleven months later, the Appalachian State University Mountaineers closed the year as national champions in Division I-AA football. In between, we saw a changing of the guard on the Boone Town Council; plenty of land-use controversies and the retirement of Boone’s First Lady. Here’s a sampling of the top news stories of the year from July to December.
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Ross donates van
Ross may have the trucks, but now he’s down one van. And it’s for a good cause.
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High Country news briefs:
Watauga County schools: Classes will resume one day early
The Watauga County Schools will re-open following the holidays on Tuesday, Jan. 3, a day earlier than originally scheduled. This will make up one of the days schools were closed due to snow and ice during December.
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Capping it off for Bottles
Peace on Earth and goodwill to men… and bottles. When the rumor mill churned word that Bottles, a locally owned beer and wine store in Banner Elk, was likely to close, other local businesses decided to lend a hand.
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