Archived: June 30, 2006

County attorney responds to harassment claims

Watauga County Attorney Andrea Capua said two former sheriff’s office employees never complained to county officials before reporting allegations of sexual harassment to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Read More...

Doc will kick off App Fest

Fans of the arts know that Boone is the place to be during the month of July when Appalachian State University hosts its famous An Appalachian Summer Festival. This year’s festival features some of the best live music, dance performances, drama, and visual arts opportunities that the Southeast has to offer.

Read More...

Revealing Watauga’s past

Sarah Spencer and Flavel Eggers have dug down deep into Historic Boone's collection and pulled out a few gems to share with the public via the Watauga County Library.

Read More...

AppalCART board rides several issues

During its Monday meeting, the AppalCART board of directors discussed a tobacco-free building or establishing a designated smoking area outdoors for the countywide transit authority.

Read More...

County approves $39.5 million

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2006-07 budget Tuesday night, lowering the tax rate to a revenue-neutral rate.

Read More...

School board directs movie policy; amends budget

Wellness, budget amendments and video resources were all topics of discussion at the Watauga County Board of Education’s June meeting.

Read More...

High Country celebrating Independence Day

The good thing about the Fourth of July falling in the middle of the week this year is that you can basically celebrate the holiday for an entire week.  Of course, the bad thing is trying to keep up with all of the festivities. Who’s going to have their parade on the weekend and who’s going to have fireworks on Tuesday evening?  Here’s a look at what’s going on this week:

Read More...

In Her Majesty’s Service

In my decade of newspaper work, stereotypes have — like for many of us — driven my expectations when entering every new job.

Read More...

June 28, 2006

Museum backers learn of options

Supporters of the Appalachian Cultural Museum will not let the issue sleep.  They want the museum back and in a new location, and have even brought in a special guest from Morehead City to help them figure out how.

Read More...

U.S. 321 project slightly behind

The widening of U.S. 321 is a little behind schedule, and the third segment of the four-lane project could be pushed back by funding concerns.

Read More...

Sheriff’s report:

June 20 — A Boone woman complained to the Sheriff’s Office that another driver had been following her too closely and in a reckless manner at 3 p.m. on U.S. 421 South.

Read More...

ASU cultivates wine conference

Appalachian State University is uncorking its Second Annual N.C. Western Wine Conference this July.

Read More...

Planners question ASU official about parking

As part of an effort to strengthen relations between the town of Boone and Appalachian State University, the Boone Area Planning Commission met with university officials to hear an update on ASU’s capital projects.

Read More...

AppalCART plans discussed

Architects presented plans for the new AppalCART facility during Monday’s meeting of the transit authority’s board of directors.

Read More...

June 26, 2006

Sheriff faces second Title VII lawsuit

Another former employee of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office filed a federal sexual harassment lawsuit against the county and Sheriff Mark Shook over the weekend — the second such suit within a month.

Read More...

SUV chase ends in Boone

A high-speed chase Saturday led to multiple charges for a Kannapolis man. According to the Blowing Rock Police Department, David Lane Hammonds, 37, was driving a red and white 1981 Ford Bronco that police believed to be stolen. Police attempted to stop Hammonds near the Green Park Inn but he continued on U.S. 321.

Read More...

Sheriff’s reports:

June 15 — Brandy Nichole Johnson, 21, of 336 Bluebird Lane, Boone, was served with a warrant alleging she drove without a valid license. She was released on her written promise and scheduled to appear July 13 in District Court.

Read More...

Chambers surrenders to police

Authorities say Alisha Ann Chambers is back in the Watauga County Jail after turning herself in last week. The 20-year-old Zionville woman went AWOL from a drug treatment program near Asheville earlier this month.

Read More...

Watauga drives in Net fast lane

Watauga County ranks slightly ahead of the rest of the state in high-speed Internet accessibility, according to an annual report by e-NC.

Read More...

Hearing set in tag office investigation

A Deep Gap woman accused of embezzling in excess of $6,000 from the Division of Motor Vehicles’ Watauga County tag office last September will have a hearing July 18 on the charge.

Read More...

Committee seeks more WHS bidders

The Watauga County commissioners and school board met in a joint session Thursday afternoon to discuss the future of the current high school property and took no action.

Read More...

Banner Elk Winery takes root 

Dr. Dick Wolfe not only bottles wine. The local entrepreneur is hoping to bottle success. With the opening of Banner Elk Winery this past weekend, Wolfe and his wife, Dede Walton, are certain their venture will be smooth and appealing to the palate.

Read More...

Barter Theatre director sets optimistic stage

There’s no business like show business, like no business the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce knows.

Read More...

Graphic artists earn NCPA awards trifecta

Continuing a tradition of excellence on the big stage, The High Country Media graphic arts department captured three awards at the North Carolina Press Association’s 2006 Best Ad Contest on June 16.

Read More...

ASU water plant expected to be 10 times better

The Boone Area Planning Commission learned about Appalachian State’s plans for a new water treatment plant during its regular meeting last week.

Read More...