March 4, 2006
Weekend Update
Mocs end ASU's SoCon run
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — When it came down to it, Chattanooga’s big lead was just a little harder for Appalachian State to overcome than the Mountaineers’ advantage over the Mocs.
Chattanooga overcame an early 11-point deficit, built a 16-point lead and then held off a furious Mountaineers rally in its 78-75 victory in the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament at North Charleston Arena.
The Mocs (19-12), who are the defending tournament.....Click here
March 3, 2006
Two SoCon tourney wins
A Mountaineer fan waves his colors during the first-round game of the Southern Conference Tournament at North Charleston, S.C., Thursday afternoon. Appalachian State beat Wofford 66-65, with a dramatic last-minute save. On Friday, the Mountaineers went on to beat Georgia Southern 74- 61. For more on the latest game, and coverage of this year's tournament, visit the Watauga Democrat's Web's sports section, or for the lastest story, click SoCon. Photo by Bill Sheffield
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Garage precinct
From left, Scotty and his father, Edgar Eller, open one of the doors to the building where members of the North Fork community come to vote each election. For more on the polling place, please link with the stories below. Photo by Marie Freeman
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Land values spike in wake of revaluation
Thousands of Wataugans found out last week the ground they stand upon may be worth a lot more than they thought — for better or for worse.
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Three wildfires strike county in same week
When the National Weather Service issues a red flag warning to the N.C. Forest Service, chances of wildfire are very likely.
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New jail almost ready to relieve old
Sheriff Mark Shook could be excused for beaming just a little as he led a cadre of reporters through the new $6 million Watauga County Law Enforcement Center Tuesday afternoon.
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Election 2006: Slate finalized for May primary
One candidate joined the roster as the filing period wound down, ensuring Watauga voters will have several choices to make on their May 2 primary ballots.
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North Fork precinct’s future still on table
The Watauga Board of Elections’ March meeting was so long that its members slept through part of it.
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North Fork voters hope polling place can remain
The North Fork community, which lies somewhere between Pottertown and Meat Camp, was once one of the most populous areas of the county, back when hunters roamed the Buffalo Trail and walked over mountains to reach Todd and East Tennessee.
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Quality Inn closes out
The Quality Inn Appalachian Conference Center bid farewell to its last guest Wednesday, March 1.
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Museum closing on schedule without a new site
The Appalachian Cultural Museum will soon join the ranks of the very memories it exhibits, when it closes its doors Saturday, March 11.
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Officials aboard ‘Appalachian Choo-Choo’
A local ski slope gave Appalachian State’s football program a public lift last week — no lift ticket required. Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock hosted a breakfast event titled “Tribute to a Championship Season” to honor the Mountaineers’ NCAA Div. I-AA football championship over Northern Illinois in December.
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U.S. 421 section will get asphalt facelift
Nearly seven miles of U.S. 421 west of Boone will be resurfaced this year, according to road improvement lists released by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
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No WHS boost from schedule company
The Watauga High School Booster Club is asking would-be donors to check before they write a check.
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March 1, 2006
Udderly hungry
Enjoying some midafternoon munchies, a pair of cows on Del Coffey Road in eastern Watauga County pause to stare at a few passersby. The bovines had no comment and refused to return repeated phone calls. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Transit board discusses ways to conserve energy
Green is a prominent color in the logo for AppalCART, the local transit authority, but the hue may become a little more radiant in the future.
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Boone water count higher
Every drop counts, and the Boone Town Council gushed with delight to hear that nearly 17,000 gallons per day (gpd) was added to the town’s 2006 water allotment.
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Sheriff’s reports:
Feb. 14 — Someone reported suspicious vehicles and people at around 1:30 a.m. near Henson’s Chapel United Methodist Church, in Vilas.
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Brush fires burn out of control over the weekend
A forest fire burned about half an acre in the Stewart Simmons community Saturday. Rudy Johnson, forest ranger with the N.C. Forest Service, said he and the Stewart Simmons Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.
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School board looks at reading books
Watauga County Board of Education members enjoyed a visit from the High Country’s version of “The Cat in the Hat” at its most recent meeting.
U.S. Rep. Foxx represents conservative view on state ‘Face’ panel
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-Watauga, participated in a panel Thursday night addressing “The Changing Face of North Carolina."
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February 27, 2006
Best come to Boone
From left, behind rail, Garrett Grantham, Bradley Lucas and Tristin Grantham look on as Marial David Dhal — at 7 feet, 1 inch — of Our Savior signs an autograph during the Champions Prep Basketball Classic on Saturday evening at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone. The annual tournament attracts some of the top high school teams — like Oak Hill Academy at left — in the U.S. For more on the Classic, please link with sports in the side menu. Photo by Marie Freeman
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Quality Inn checks out
This past weekend was a swan song for the Quality Inn Appalachian Conference Center. The Gold Award-winning hotel, which opened as a Sheraton in 1986, will say farewell to its final guest on Tuesday, Feb. 28, before closing and making room for its next generation of guests.
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Rambling around the world
Darren and Nicky Rousseau love to travel, but the Zionville couple had to put the brakes on for awhile as they were busy raising their two young daughters.
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Vilas suspect sentenced in federal meth case
A Vilas man has been sentenced by a federal court to 11 months confinement after pleading guilty to involvement in a methamphetamine manufacturing conspiracy. Jeremy Hodges was sentenced to five months in prison and six months of home detention, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
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Sheriff’s reports:
Feb. 7 — Audio and video equipment valued at $1,100 was stolen from a pickup truck on Hickory Lane sometime during the night.
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New ER now open for pets
Ask a dog how he feels, and chances are he’ll say, “Ruff.” There’s certainly no need for alarm, but if there is, dogs and pets of the High Country now have their very own emergency room.
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Two vie for David Blust’s commission seat
The District 4 commissioners’ race will put at least one new face in county government as incumbent David Blust has filed to run for state senate and vacate the seat.
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Democrats file to replace Foxx
Two Democrats have filed to challenge U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx for the Fifth District Congressional seat.
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Commissioners discuss eminent domain
The Watauga County commissioners addressed two regulatory issues during Tuesday’s meeting, one for a proposed local ordinance and another addressing a national debate.
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