Archived
How sweet it is
Young skiers at Sugar Mountain line up to get a chance to ski to Sugar Bear, Sugar Mountain's mascot, during a ski class. Recent cold temperatures and today's natural snowfall are welcome additions to area ski slopes. Colder temperatures, high winds and more snow are predicted for the region today and into early Friday. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Watauga politicos respond to Bush
President Bush’s State of the Union speech drew partisan response, but some see the new proposals as offering the potential for bipartisan efforts. Denny Norris, chairman of the Watauga County Republican Party, said, “I believe it’s politics as usual.” Read more.
Chamber touts local legislative agenda
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce presented its legislative goals to local officials during a Tuesday reception in Blowing Rock. Organized by the chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, the reception is held after fall elections to allow newly elected officials to meet the chamber and hear its goals. Read more.
March for March gets town’s OK
A month usually reserved for Irish heritage and hoops madness will take on a new meaning for a local charity group. The Third Annual March for March, described by organizers as “A Celebration of the Unique” and “The Parade for the Common Man” will proceed this March, thanks in part to the Boone Town Council. Read more.
Sheriff’s reports
Jan. 16 — Eddie Paul Stansberry, 41, of 116 Meat Camp Rd., was arrested and charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and simple assault. The charges stemmed from an incident just after 7 p.m. at his home where he allegedly punched David Allen Devile, of 4465 N.C. 194, in the nose and threatened him with a pistol. Devile’s injuries were described as minor. Stansberry was given a $20,000 secured bond and scheduled to appear Feb. 22 at a District Court hearing. Read more.
Library checks out financial wellness program
Watauga County Library is partnering with local agencies to form the Blue Ridge Asset-Building Coalition to promote communication and community among the High Country’s many non-profits. Read more.
JANUARY 24, 2007
Watauga Democrat has ticket for winter blahs
The Watauga Democrat is encouraging readers to catch the spirit of Appalachian State University basketball. In conjunction with the university, Watauga County’s newspaper of record is hosting Reader Appreciation Night with a salute to Newspapers in Education at ASU’s home game Monday, Jan. 29, against College of Charleston. Read more. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Google search: Lenoir + jobs + How does a new plant affect Watauga?
Lenoir is going high-tech and Watauga County may share the ride. Search engine giant Google Inc. announced last week it will expand its high-tech infrastructure to Lenoir, creating up to 210 jobs and investing as much as $600 million. Read more
Local National Guard unit will remain in Iraq up to another 125 days
Members of the local National Guard unit will likely have their active-duty stay in Iraq extended. The 1451st Transportation Company received verbal orders from the First Army that the tour of duty scheduled to end in April will last up to an additional 125 days. The unit shipped out for its second tour of duty last spring, anticipating a 15-month stay. Read more
Sheriff’s report
Jan. 8 — A car was broken into on the 900 block of Old Bristol Road. A radar detector and two CDs were reported stolen. Read more
State cracks down on tax refund loans
“Why wait for Uncle Sam when you can have money in your pocket right now?” So goes the jingle for a type of high-interest, short-term loan that’s grown in popularity among people recovering from the annual glut of Christmas spending. As people begin to collect their receipts and forms to file 2006 income taxes, state officials are moving to put the lid on short-term loans to those awaiting tax refunds. Read more
JANUARY 22, 2007
Pot of snow
Frigid weather was the pot of gold at the end of this man-made rainbow at Sugar Mountain and other area slopes this weekend, as colder temperatures helped fill up ski resorts around the High Country. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Howell arrested in stabbing incident
The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Boone man Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his brother at a Hilltop Drive home Tuesday night. The victim, 29-year-old Gale Dean Howell III, died after suffering multiple stab wounds, authorities said. Read more
Boone Town Council postpones action on affordable housing project
A proposed affordable housing project in Boone may be unfeasible, town officials said, due to water-supply issues. The Boone Town Council tabled action on a water-sewer request at its regular meeting Thursday night, due to the project’s location in a secondary water-pressure zone off N.C. 105. Read more
Courthouse renovations ahead of schedule
Changes to renovations at the Watauga County Courthouse in Boone continue to add up, but the project should be finished ahead of schedule by late summer. Read more
CCC&TI: Watauga campus getting new building
The Watauga campus of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute will get a building for its introductory health programs as part of a second construction phase planned for the spring. Read more
In regional land, more conservationists trust
Land trusts saw growth in conservation easements and other preservation efforts in 2006, according to figures compiling the work of 13 regional land conservation organizations, but say they are in a race against time and limited resources as development pressures mount. Read more
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