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Archived: June 2 , 2006
Hugh Morton, photographer, environmentalist and N.C. icon, dies
Hugh Morton, whose camera lens captured some of North Carolina's enduring images and whose passion for environmental causes preserved Grandfather Mountain, died Thursday. He was 85. Morton died at around 6 p.m. from esophageal cancer, said his daughter, Catherine. He was at his home in Linville, at the base of Grandfather Mountain.
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Mike Vannoy accepts state award
For 10 years now, Mike Vannoy has been quietly, effectively guiding hundreds of people out of the criminal justice system and back onto their feet. Now he’s got an award to show for it. Vannoy was presented May 25 with a Program of Excellence award from the state’s Department of Community Corrections last Thursday.
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Dan’l Boone Inn: Renovations may take time
Just as the legend of Daniel Boone is synonymous with frontier history, the Dan’l Boone Inn is synonymous with family-style meals in Boone — even if it’s closed for renovation.
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Watauga again records low jobless rate
Watauga County shared the third lowest unemployment rate in April with three other counties in the state.
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A force for the local workforce
May was designated “Workforce Development Professionals Month” by a resolution of the Watauga County commissioners, and the field has taken on new importance with the changing job market.
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County board discusses fire tax
The Watauga County commissioners met with representatives of local fire departments Wednesday afternoon to discuss budget issues.
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Project Graduation launches today
Hundreds of Watauga High School seniors will spend graduation night safely this weekend thanks to the community’s generosity.
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Commentary: And you can quote me on this…
In the annals of journalism, it’s traditional for an editor to pen a profound, inspirational column to send high school graduates into a bright, shining future.
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May 31, 2006
Mall expects to fill vacancies amid renovation
Renovation is in full swing at the Boone Mall, but it’s still business as usual for its occupants. When H.L. Libby Corp. of Warrendale, Pa., purchased the mall in June 2005, the company promised new stores and a new look for the 25-year-old shopping center. H.L. Libby is now making good on its promise.
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Now monthly: All About Women embraces change
All About Women, the magazine dedicated to women of the High Country, has turned another corner at the end of its first year.
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Family of murdered student asks for car returned
A judge returned the car of a slain Appalachian State student to his family last week. The family of Sleepy Hollow murder victim Stephen William Harrington, Jr., sat quietly in a Watauga County courtroom Friday morning as the three men accused of killing the 19-year-old Appalachian State University student were brought before the judge.
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No motive clear in mutilation case
A Zionville man accused of mutilating the genitals of a disabled man under his care at a Deep Gap group care home remained jailed as of Tuesday and law-enforcement officials maintained their silence on any possible motive for the attack.
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Man pleads guilty to probation violation
Stephen Ned Allen, convicted May 10 of threatening to kill his neighbor with a baseball bat, pleaded guilty last week to violating his probation and chose to serve out his sentence rather than challenge the allegations in court.
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Relay for Life banquet celebrates cancer survivors
Only .5 percent of those diagnosed with stage four cancer live for another five years. Dr. Phyllis Crain has just five months to go before she joins that .5 percent.
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May 29, 2006
Mother who abducted her children from foster care must relinquish parental rights
Alisha Ann Chambers, the 20-year-old mother who helped her lover abduct their two children from a Valle Crucis foster home, pleaded guilty to all charges Friday but will spend no more time in jail. Superior Court Judge James Baker sentenced Chambers to time served, 36 months probation, and drug abuse treatment instead.
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Zionville man accused of castration, mutilation
The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a bizarre assault on a patient at a local residential care home, according to Sheriff Mark Shook.
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Laurelmor representative speaks about resort
A Ginn Company representative gave local business leaders an update on the largest development in county history during the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Wake Up Watauga” Friday and heard some criticism from a few audience members.
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Service positions push county jobless rate down
North Carolina’s April unemployment rate dropped from March, keeping the state’s rate less than the national rate for four consecutive months.
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Boone Police reports:
May 18 — Hardin Park School personnel called in a report that they’d received threats from someone.
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Callie Birdsell is new farm agent
Watauga County’s new N.C. Cooperative Extension Service agent may be a fresh face, but she already has a long lineage in working with animals and agriculture.
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Boone skatepark wheels closer to being a reality
The phrase building from the ground up took on new meaning on Tuesday as 100 tons of asphalt were smoothed into place on what will be the ground floor of the new Appalachian Skatepark.
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Commentary: Just what is a blog?
Finally. After a week of tweaking, some cursing and lots of experimentation, our very own blog, Beyond Page One, is now officially “public” — that is we are now linked to our main Web site at (here comes a gratuitous plug) www.wataugademocrat.com.
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