Archived:

April 28, 2006

News update:

‘Nub’ Taylor pleads guilty; former Avery court clerk removed from Avery sheriff’s primary

Former Avery County clerk of court Robert “Nub” Taylor pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony charge and two misdemeanors and was removed from the Avery County sheriff’s race in Tuesday’s Republican primary. Read More...

Watauga Democrat to launch new literacy program

The Watauga Democrat announced Thursday a new literacy program that will not only help to improve students’ tests scores in all subject areas, but will offer students an opportunity to learn about their community through their local newspaper.

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Public responds to steep slopes

Members of the Boone community spoke their minds at the Boone Steep Slope and Multi-Family Development Task Force’s public input session, praising the town for its efforts to preserve the area’s scenic beauty but expressing dismay in the chosen method to do so.

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News briefs:  Man assaulted on King Street

A night that began with a friendly gesture and a free meal ended in a vicious attack that sent a Beaufort man to the hospital with serious injuries Monday night.

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No relief in sight for ramped-up fuel prices

It’s gas, but it’s certainly not a gas for anyone who owns an automobile.

Unlike most retailers, filling stations broadly display their prices, and, despite the cost, customers grudgingly fill their tanks.

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Boone water supply budget shows slight increase

This time last year, the town of Boone’s water allocation budget was steadily on the decline, with the Boone Town Council granting service to address a backlog of tabled requests.

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Local primary: Sheriff’s race

Comments are shared by the candidates in the primary race for Watauga County sheriff.

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Local primary: School board

Comments are shared by the candidates in the primary race for Watauga County Board of Education.

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Local primary: N.C. Senate

Comments are shared by the candidates in the primary race for state Senate.

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Local primary: N.C. House

Comments are shared by the candidates in the primary race for state House.

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Local primary: County commissioner

Comments are shared by candidates for district 1 in the Watauga County Board of Commissioners race.

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Local primary: U.S. Congress

Comments are shared by candidates for district 5 in the U.S. Congress. 

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Be sure to vote in the primary election May 2.

April 26, 2006

On top of things Brock Hollars and Jake Gragg peek from the top of a slide at the Tot Lot park in Boone. For more on efforts to upgrade the park, please link with the article below. Photo by Scott Nicholson

County capital plan may fall short of needs

Watauga County has about $62 million worth of desired capital needs over the next six years, but the working amount will probably be about two-thirds of that, according to the county’s new capital improvement plan.

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Town council wades through heavy agenda

Before a hefty slew of requested appearances, the Boone Town Council made short work of numerous items at its regular meeting last Thursday.  Mayor Loretta Clawson called the meeting to order, and recognized the award-winning work of two town of Boone employees. Brenda Henson and Marlene Crosby, both of the Boone Development Services Department, were recognized by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce with two Amazing Customer Service awards at an April 14 luncheon, and Clawson and the council offered the two a second set of kudos.

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A new lot for tots

A group led by the Boone Service League is seeking to upgrade the “Tot Lot,” a park at the Watauga County Recreational Complex in Boone.

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News briefs:  Prescription dispute leads to arrest

Boone police have arrested a 63-year-old Boone man on a charge of common law robbery following an  incident at a CVS Pharmacy, Friday.

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Elk Knob ready for summer traffic

The Elk Knob State Natural Area, one of the newest additions to the state park system, is getting warmed up for summer as work continues on the development of trails through the mountain that bridges Watauga and Ashe counties.

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April 24, 2006

Stalking trash From left, Randy Knotts and Terry Barbour walked along U.S. 421 in Boone Saturday and picked up seven garbage bags of trash. The duo covered both sides of the roadway from a Hess store to Brookshire Road. “I was surprised to see how many beer and alcohol bottles we picked up,” Barbour said. “The best thing found was a five dollar bill,” Knotts said. Saturday, April 22, was declared Boone Clean-up Day and organizers said 99 volunteers gathered more than two tons of garbage. Photo by Marie Freeman

Survey: Farming is an aging business

A survey of local farmers reinforced U.S. Census data that shows agriculture is an increasingly aging business, and changes in tobacco pricing have led many to discontinue the crop.

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Truck strikes ASU student

An Appalachian State University student was struck by a pickup truck Friday on Rivers Street.  According to witness reports, Justin Shuffler, a junior industrial technology major from Valdez, was crossing the street at the designated crosswalk across from the ASU parking deck, when he was hit by a 2003 Toyota pickup truck driven by Darold Lee Hedrick, 77, of Boone.

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Sheriff’s reports:

April 9 — A red, 1992 Mitsubishi Eclipse was stolen out of a Zionville parking lot.  April 10 — Thomas Raleigh Combs, 44, of 1517 Laurel Creek Rd., Sugar Grove, was arrested and charged with one felony count each of manufacturing meth and possession of precursor chemicals. He was placed under a $20,000 secured bond and scheduled for District Court May 10.

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WHS: A teacher’s view

A lot has changed at Watauga High School during Shelton Wilder’s 31 years of teaching there, but then again, a lot hasn’t.  Wilder was one of several speakers at an April 11 public meeting hosted by Citizens for Children, a recently formed group that supports construction of a new WHS building and not renovating the existing building.

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Town, county, ASU to talk about master plan

In its continuing discussion on regional growth, the Boone Area Planning Commission opted to meet with its Watauga County and Appalachian State University counterparts to work on a master development plan.

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