Where's Steve Rondinaro going? Plus, Shooting Stars audition results

Archived
Brandon Bowles charged with more car break-ins and thefts
A Sugar Grove man arrested last summer in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins at a popular Boone area swimming hole, has been arrested and accused of carrying out similar burglaries after being released on bail. Brandon Lee Bowles, 23, has been charged with five felony counts of breaking or entering a motor vehicle, one count of misdemeanor larceny, and one felony count of financial card theft. Read more.


Watauga revenue could outpace estimate
The county got good financial news during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners. Sales tax and property tax revenues could be higher than anticipated in the current fiscal year, based on projections from the county finance office. The county could get $180,000 more than estimated in sales tax revenue, and up to $1 million more in property tax collections. Read more.

Students wield books in epic battle
On Monday, sixth, seventh and eighth graders from across Watauga County for the annual Battle of the Books. The N.C. School Library and Media Association facilitates competitions across the state that will eventually lead to a statewide competition in May. Read more.


County officials want trash tariff plan thrown out
Watauga County residents may end up paying $130,000 a year to clean up landfills in other counties.

Read more.

Spelling soiree
The following story may require a dictionary or thesarus...that is, er....thesaurus
One would have to see it to bee-lieve it. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its Sixth Annual Grown-Up Spelling Bee Tuesday night, pitting 31 High Country organizations against each other in an operose battle of wits and words. Read more.

March 21, 2007
Several protest war in Iraq
As U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq rolls into its fourth year, dozens of local war protestors parked themselves in front of U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx’s Boone office Monday, promising to make the event a regular happening until the conflict ends. The demonstration was organized by a small group, but others joined the public display by holding signs, walking along the sidewalk on N.C. 105 and writing messages in chalk, including a large peace sign in the parking lot leading to Foxx’s office. Foxx (R-5th) was in Washington, D.C. on legislative business and some of the protestors felt Foxx should have spoken with them. Read more.

Town council OKs water zone expansion
The Boone Town Council pushed water and sewer service into the secondary pressure zone at its regular meeting March 15. The town’s secondary pressure zone is located 3,400 and 3,620 feet above sea level, and the recent water ordinance (05-01) prohibited service extensions into such zones, unless there is an existing water main in the zone, which must be located within town limits. Read more.

Veggies: Just eat more
It’s the same healthy message but less “by the numbers,” as health officials promote the consumption of more vegetables in the average diet. A new campaign called “Fruits and Veggies: More Matters” is designed to get people eating more of the natural produce and expand variety in the diet. Read more.

Boone Town Council creates new historical commission
The Boone Town Council has made history. The council created the Historic Preservation Commission of Boone at last Thursday’s regular meeting to safeguard the heritage of Boone by determining steps to preserve and regulate historic landmarks and districts. Read more.

Dogged determination
Jim and Sue Taylor are doggone proud of their work. The local couple serves as puppy trainers and board members for New Life Mobility Assistance Dogs, an organization that pairs people with disabilities with assistance dogs trained specifically for their needs. Read more.

Construction builds up inWatauga
A regional report on growth suggests Watauga County will continue to be one of the targets of new construction and second-home owners. Read more.

March 19, 2007

Steve Rondinaro’s signing off
The MTN Television anchorman announced Saturday that he’ll be trading the mountains for the beach, as he accepted the position of main anchor and managing editor for Wilmington’s ABC affiliate, WWAY-TV3. Rondinaro’s final broadcast as MTN anchor will air Tuesday, March 20, and his duties at WWAY will commence March 26. Read more.

Boone council cancels hearing on zoning
The Boone Town Council reconsidered its stance on conditional zoning districts, canceling two meetings on the matter scheduled for Monday, March 19. Read more.

Assessing Watauga’s health
The local health department wants to know what the community needs to have better health. Read more.

Tarleton co-sponsors health care bill
A state bill has been introduced that would create a health insurance pool for “high-risk” people, those classified as chronically ill people who either don’t have insurance or have difficulty finding health coverage. Read more.

Local man’s motel could go down the drain
The following is part two of a two-part series about the Elk Motel and its owner, Floyd “Dipper” Garrison. Floyd “Dipper” Garrison runs the Elk Motel to help those with problems, be it homelessness or poverty. However, the motel, located on the outskirts of Boone, has its own set of problems. Recently, Garrison received a call from the county health department, informing him the motel’s septic system was leaking. Officials met Garrison at the site and confirmed the tank was overloaded. Read more.

Sheriff’s reports:
March 5 — A 28-year-old Miami, Fla., woman said an acquaintance is putting her personal information on the Internet. Read more.

What’s in a (road) name?
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners will consider a slate of new road names at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting. Read more.

District Court records:
March 5 — Daniel Dickens was convicted of misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury. Judge Pope gave him a 30-day suspended sentence along with 18 months of supervised probation. He was also ordered to complete 50 hours of community service within 120 days. He’ll be required to complete an anger management program as well. He’ll also pay a $500 fine, plus court costs, and $170 restitution to his victim. Read more.