April 7, 2006

120 firefighters battle blaze A Boone firefighter is surrounded by flames and smoke as he helps build a break line at a  forest fire that threatened several Watauga homes Wednesday. For more on the story, please link with the article below. Photo by Marie Freeman

Blaze threatens Watauga homes

Firefighters from three counties battled a forest fire Wednesday afternoon just south of Blowing Rock on the Watauga-Caldwell county line that led to a highway closing.

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$10 million gap between renovation and new WHS

A school design firm presented an estimate on possible renovation of Watauga High School that put the figure near the cost of a new school.

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N.C. wildlife officials euthanize farmer’s elk

The state’s effort to curtail a wildlife disease within wild deer and elk herds has brought it into conflict with a Watauga County elk rancher.

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WMC looks to streamline its billing process

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System is prescribing a bright future for the High Country.

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Watauga jobless rate remains low

Watauga County had the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the state for February, tying with three other counties.

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April 5, 2006

Firefight under way Tim Robinson of the Blowing Rock Fire Department fights a forest fire on Pine Ridge Lane. For more on the story, please link with the article below. Photo by Marie Freeman

Firefight under way

Firefighters continued to battle a growing forest fire Wednesday afternoon just south of Blowing Rock on the Watauga-Caldwell county line.

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Springing onto the stage Glenn Snellgrose, right, offers Tamara Randolph (Eve) an apple in his role of Snake during a  dress rehearsal of Blue Ridge Community Theatre’s (BRCT) production of   “Children of Eden.”  “Children of Eden” will perform its 28th major musical, the “Children of Eden,” Thursday through Sunday, April 6-9, at Appalachian State University’s Farthing Auditorium. Show times are 8 p.m. for April 6-8 and 2 p.m. for April 9.  Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for students and children. They are available in advance at the Farthing Auditorium box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 262-4046 or (800) 841-ARTS. Photo by Marie Freeman

County opposes forest land sales

The official title of a budget bill to sell park lands calls it a “conveyance” rather than a sale, but the language hasn’t fooled opponents of the proposal.

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A new site for WHS?

Watauga County officials may begin searching for sites for a possible new school facility, according to remarks made by several county commissioners at Monday’s meeting.

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Sheriff’s reports:

The following incident or arrest reports were obtained from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office: March 17 — A Taylor Road mailbox was damaged by a vehicle. One or more people walked into a Penley Road residence and unlawfully removed a $1,300 monitor heater.

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CEO shares future role of  Medical Center

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System hosted a press conference  March 30 to reveal some of its plans for the future of Watauga Medical Center and Cannon Memorial Hospital.

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Steep-slope map draws criticism

A shadow of doubt passed over the town’s Steep Slope and Multi-Family Development Task Force at its meeting Monday.

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April 3, 2006

Horse-drawn therapy From left, Barney Mahala and Ted Norris guide a plow drawn by a team of Belgian horses in a field on Ridge Road in the northeast part of Watauga County Saturday. Mahala and Norris were joined by Kent Coffey, Jean Norris and Marlene Coffey, Coffey’s sister, Jane Campbell, and husband, Mike, as well as Coffey's niece, Ivy. When asked why the group chooses to plow the hard way, Kent said with a grin, “We’re foolish and it’s a lot more fun than a horse-powered tractor. Besides, it is like therapy for us and lots of people pay good money for this feeling.” Photo by Marie Freeman

Democrats stress pride

Watauga County Democrats displayed a newfound sense of optimism at Saturday’s county convention, with party delegates and candidates repeatedly echoing the phrase, “I’m proud to be a Democrat.”

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ASU board gets top kudos

The Appalachian State University Board of Trustees earned praise from University of North Carolina system Board of Governors member John Davis at the trustees’ meeting Friday, March 31.

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Weather experts study Grandfather winds

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN — Questions about a reported gust of at least 200 mph atop Grandfather Mountain have led to a cooperative effort between weather experts and officials there to measure fierce winds at the peak.

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Separate cases both involve former officers

A former Appalachian State University police officer was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty in Superior Court last week to a charge of felony larceny.

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Snead portrays ASU historical heritage

Bob Snead returned to wake Watauga at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Wake Up, Watauga” event last Friday. Snead, vice chancellor for development emeritus of Appalachian State University, spoke at a “Wake Up, Watauga” breakfast in 2005, and his presentation was so popular among the attendees that the chamber asked him to return for round two.

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State proposal could slash Medicaid costs

A Medicaid plan under consideration in Raleigh could save Watauga County more than $100,000 in the coming fiscal year.

Residents seek answers in composting complaint

People who live near Jay Carter’s compost pile on Hardin Road in Deep Gap want some answers about the operation.

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