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Lumber truck rolls on 321
A tractor-trailer truck overturned at approximately 11:34 Tuesday morning on U.S. 321 just south of Blowing Rock. The truck, driven by Caleb Nixon of Woodall Investments in Mississippi, was carrying a load of pine lumber. The truck crossed the center line after a sharp curve. Nixon lost control of the vehicle and turned over on the northbound shoulder. Blowing Rock Fire Department and Rescue Squad and the N.C. Highway Patrol responded to the scene. According to Jerry Burns, a volunteer with the Blowing Rock Fire Department, upon arrival firefighters extinguished flames from the brakes on the truck. No injuries were reported, which Nixon attributed to wearing a seatbelt.
Blowing Rock firefighter Rob Slack is shown extinguishing a fire on the overturned tractor-trailer truck on Tuesday. — Story by Melanie Davis; photo by Jerry Burns |
News update: Johnson County fugitives apprehended
Watauga and Ashe county sheriff's deputies assisted in the capture of two fugitives from Johnson County, Tenn., on Tuesday. Read more.
Boone Visitor Center may be closed by state officials
The future of the current Visitor Information Center in Boone could be up in the air as the state finalizes plans for a new center in Wilkes County. Read more.
Davis joins news staff as crime reporter
As Sammy Davis Jr. once crooned, “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.” However, he failed to note that the crime would likely end up in a newspaper of record. To ensure the Watauga Democrat won’t miss a beat in county crime and emergency services, Melanie Davis has joined the writing staff as crime reporter. Read more.
Watauga County Sheriff’s report:
June 1 — Johnathan Grant Stephens, 18, of 462 Oscar Road, Zionville was arrested on two counts possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, two counts sell/deliver cocaine, one count felony possession of cocaine and one count conspiracy to sell/deliver cocaine. Stephens was detained at the Watauga County Jail with a $15,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in District Court on July 17. Read more.
Good news blooms at ag council summit
The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service’s advisory council cultivated a local spirit of agricultural success during its Monday meeting in Boone. Read more.
County school board OKs new fees
The Watauga County Board of Education met for their monthly meeting Monday, June 11. At the meeting members discussed and approved several new fees and facility improvements. Read more.
State universities may get cut of LEAF settlements
Rural public universities could be turning over a new leaf. Valeria Lynch Lee, president of the Golden LEAF Foundation, spoke at the Appalachian Regional Development Institute Leadership Summit, offering insight on rural economic development. Read more.
June 13, 2007
Couple dead in murder-suicide
The peaceful setting of a Watauga County farm was shattered on Sunday morning with the death of a husband and wife, the apparent result of a murder and suicide.
To read more, please click here. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Seven Devils residents sound off on Hawksnest course plan
A standing-room-only crowd packed the Seven Devils Town Hall Monday for a public hearing to determine the fate of an unused private golf course. Leonard Cottom, one of the three owners of Hawksnest Ski & Snow Tubing, presented a petition opposing the action, saying it was signed by 104 people. Read more.
Watauga caught in moderate drought zone
Watauga County is now ranked as being in “moderate drought” by the North Carolina Drought Advisory Council. The drought designation stretches from Watauga and Ashe counties in the mountains across a swathe south and southeastward through the Piedmont to the coast. The mountain areas around Asheville, including Avery County, are rated as being in “severe drought” and the westernmost mountain regions are ranked as “extreme drought.” Read more.
Watauga County Sheriff’s report:
May 30 —Crystal Dawn Burgess, 26, of 939 Black Valley Road, Cleveland, Va. was arrested on charges of trafficking opium/heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and fictitious tags. Burgess was detained at the Watauga County Jail with a $25,000 secured bond. She is scheduled to appear in District Court on July 17. Read more.
ARDI summit examines roles of rural universities in N.C.
Rural public universities did their part at the Appalachian Regional Development Institute Leadership Summit. The summit, titled “Doing Our Part: The Role of North Carolina’s Rural Public Universities in Economic Transformation,” saw chancellors from Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Elizabeth City State University convene Monday in Boone. Read more.
June 11, 2007
News update: Two found dead in possible murder-suicide
The following was released by the Watauga County Sheriff's Office after press deadline on Monday at noon. See the Wednesday edition of the Watauga Democrat for more information.
On Sunday, June 10, at 9:23 a.m., officers from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and Watauga Medics were dispatched to 519 Appaloosa Trail, Boone, in reference to a 911 call.
Upon arrival at the location, officers discovered two bodies, who were later identified as those of Susan Pearce Hayes and Dale Steven Hayes.
At 10:45 a.m., Dr. Brent Hall, Watauga County medical examiner, arrived at the scene.
Preliminary investigation at the scene revealed that Susan Pearce Hayes died of gunshot wounds to the chest area and Dale Steven Hayes died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the neck area.
Emergency Fest
Aiden Miller, 3, is thrilled to be in the driver's seat of the Mountain State Alliance's medical helicopter while the pilot, Trente Massie, looks on. The helicopter was on display at the Davant Ballfield in Blowing Rock as a part of Emergency Fest on Saturday.
Photo by Marie Freeman |
Seven Devils could take Hawksnest course
The town of Seven Devils may take over a private golf course and has scheduled a public hearing today to discuss it. Seven Devils town manager Brad Lambert said the town has made no decision on any course of action, but said enough residents had expressed interest in the issue to bring it into public debate.
Read more.
Roadblock leads to U.S. 321 chase
An allegedly intoxicated driver reportedly attempted to flee a Boone Police Department traffic check on Blowing Rock Road in the early Saturday morning. Police said Theodore Richardson, 19, of 132 Old Highway 321 in Blowing Rock pulled over near the Chik-Fil-A. Read more.
New WHS plan may be altered
An intergovernmental retreat revealed a potential change in plans for the new Watauga High School. At the Thursday, June 7, meeting, members of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners confirmed the proposed changes, which involve the relocation of tennis courts and their replacement with additional parking. Read more.
Police complete weapons training
Local law enforcement completed a continuing education course on judgmental use of force June 6-8. The Shoot – Don’t Shoot course is designed to minimize the risk in armed confrontations. The training consisted of simulated scenarios in which the officers respond with voice commands and weapon use. The weapons are standard issue guns and tasers that have been modified. The barrels are equipped with lasers that respond to the simulator screen. Read more.
Blowing Rock museum climbs halfway to funding goal
Dreams are becoming reality for the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM). The museum recently announced that they have reached the halfway mark and the end of the private phase for their capital campaign, entitled “Art and History in the Making.” Read more.
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