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Archived

BREAKING NEWS: Body identified

The man discovered in Kraut Creek Friday morning has been identified as Steven Randall Grubb, 58, of Todd. Preliminary examination by the Watauga County Medical Examiner indicates the cause of death to be drowning. Alcohol was involved, however no signs of trauma or foul play were discovered. A blood alcohol level was not released.

The body was found early Friday morning along Greenway Road near the Leona Street Community Garden in Boone, police stated.
Boone Police said the body was found around 8:45 a.m. Friday in Kraut Creek behind Kmart when a passerby noticed and called police.

Investigators with BPD and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office (pictured above) were on the scene and investigated the body before moving it to the medical examiner's office. The scene drew a number of spectators and media from Charlotte, including a news chopper as well as members of the State Bureau of Investigation forensics unit.

Look for complete coverage in the Monday edition of the Watauga Democrat as well as online updates at wataugademocrat.com.

Photo and information provided by Melanie Davis, staff writer

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U.S. 321 widening project is staying between the lines
The second phase of U.S. 321 widening is now about halfway complete, but it may end up a few months behind schedule. However, another major project of local interest, the widening of King Street in Boone, appears to be headed toward the fast track due to legislative pressure. Read more.

Undercover officer makes drug arrest
A search warrant executed by the Watuaga County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division led to two arrests on July 17. The residence of Andrew Carey Hewat, 19, and Mac Barton Greer II, 19, located at 125 Windy Drive Apt. 1, Boone was searched after an investigation involving the sale and delivery of marijuana and prescription medication to an undercover officer. Read more.

Boone downtown group gets ready for a busy, artful week
It’ll be a busy week for the Downtown Boone Development Association, but it’s all in the name of art.

Read more.

Boone Police reports:
July 20 — At 1:53 a.m., police responded to a report of larceny on Blowing Rock Rd. Read more.

Watauga sheriff reports:
July 17 — Bertha Jean Hodges, 31, of 481 Annette Hollow Road, Vilas was served with a warrant for arrest for simple assault. She was placed on a 48 hour hold at the Watauga County Detention Center. Hodges is scheduled to appear in district court on Aug. 16. Read more.

Facility plans sits well with parkway boosters
Bass Lake near Blowing Rock has long been a place for relaxation and recreation, but now it will be a little more weighted on the “rest” portion. Read more.

Crimestoppers
Watauga County Crimestoppers and the Boone Police Department request the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for the following crimes:
Sometime between Friday, July 13 and Thursday, July 19 a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 truck was taken from Boone Ford. The vehicle is green in color and is bearing N.C. license plate NSH-2271.
On Friday, July 20 a Hilti hammer drill and a Hilti 14.4 volt cordless drill were taken from the bed of a 1997 Chevrolet truck which was parked at Lowes Hardware.
Sometime during the night of Saturday, July 21 an unknown person or persons entered High Country Cleaners at 396 East King Street. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the business.
Crimestoppers pays rewards for information which leads to arrests, recovery of stolen property, seizure of drugs and the location of wanted persons. Anyone with information is asked to call the Boone Police Department at (828)262-4500 or Watauga County Crimestoppers at (828)262-4555.
—Submitted by Watauga County Crimestoppers

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July 25, 2007

A touch of grey A group of Civil War re-enactors named the “Iron Greys” practice marching formations near the Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone this weekend. The group is comprised of different units, but is led by Tudd Dean and George Hatcher as commanding officers. They will all be headed to Gettysburg to participate in a related event in August. Photo by Rob Moore

Emergency officials urge use of new wireless code
A wireless phone can be a lifeline. Nearly everyone has one and it serves as the link between loved ones and friends. For paramedics, however, a cell phone poses a conundrum. Which number in the electronic address book should be called in an emergency situation? Read more.

Members plan to meet with App State officials over zoning
The Boone Town Council took a U-turn on U-1 zoning, at least until council members can meet with Appalachian State University officials to discuss the matter at length. Read more.

Flaming brakes halt traffic on N.C. 105
A blazing truck closed N.C. 105 Tuesday morning. At approximately 3 a.m. the brakes on a tractor-trailer owned by Swift Transit caught fire while traveling northbound. Read more.

Boone water use increases slightly
Condition: wet. The Boone Town Council received its monthly water use status report, indicating there are 16,222 gallons per day remaining for allotment in 2007. Read more.

Clark joins local conservation group
The Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust has welcomed Walter Clark, winner of North Carolina’s prestigious Old North State Award, as deputy director. Read more.

Chiropractor backs World War I film
If you want to find your way to Hollywood stardom, you may want to start with a backache. Local chiropractor Brad Batchelor’s passion for both flying and movies has found a match made in heaven in his new project. Batchelor is in the midst of filming his new movie, “Against The Wind,” under his Flying Scotsman Productions shingle. Read more.

Burn helps BFD train; makes way for development
Practice makes perfect. To the developers of Boone Point, it also makes sense. Read more.

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July 23, 2007

Potter Power Dressed as Luna “Loony” Lovegood, Evelyn Webb, 11, of Boone, won the children’s division costume contest at Black Bear Books Friday night during the release of the “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the final book in the seven-volume series by British author J.K. Rowling. Webb’s prize? The privilege of purchasing the first copy in the area at 12:01 a.m. Saturday/Sunday from Black Bear Books clerk Brad Haley. Photo by Melanie Davis

Wilson will face Clawson in Boone mayoral race
Up to the final day of filing for the 2007 Watauga County municipal elections, it looked as though Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson would run unopposed. Enter Tim Wilson, who filed his candidacy for mayor on the last day of filing, July 20. Read more.

Assembly bill may save regional visitor center
A General Assembly action all but assures the current visitor center in Boone will remain at its present location for the long haul. Read more.

Watauga County sheriff’s reports:
July 10 — Kimberly Renee Greene, 39, of 763 Doe Creek Road, Butler, Tenn. was served with an order for arrest and a warrant for arrest for financial identity fraud, failure to appear for misdemeanor larceny, 19 counts of misdemeanor larceny, 19 counts of unauthorized opening of letters and telegrams. Read more.

Police reports:
July 8 — At 11:50 p.m. police responded to a report of criminal damage to property on Hardin Street.

Read more.

Hawksnest submits new plan to upgrade Seven Devils resort
The owners of Hawksnest Ski Resort in Seven Devils have submitted another application to expand ski operations onto a portion of the property that formerly housed a golf course. Read more.

Deep Gap VFD sparks GED interest
Community members are receiving a boost at the hands of the Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. Read more.

Fighting for the children
Shirlee Gaines Edwards has been in the business of community service all her life, and continues to be a fervent child advocate in her ‘70s. Read more.

Ruritan fish fry: Still cooking after 20 years
For more than 20 years, the Mountaineer Ruritan hasn’t needed any special bait other than a good recipe for flounder and fellowship to lure in customers to its monthly fish fry. Read more.