Seven Devils rejects Hawksnest expansion request
A board of adjustment ruling could add even more uncertainty to the future of a private golf course in the resort town of Seven Devils. On Monday, the town’s board of adjustment denied a request for a special use permit that would have expanded Hawksnest Ski Resort’s slope operations.
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Boone Chamber honors local community members
Outgoing Boone Area Chamber of Commerce chairman Dick Jones aptly compared a successful chamber or a local community with a balancing act reminiscent of the old vaudeville plate-spinners. During the Chamber’s 58th annual meeting, Jones compared the varied activities of the group and its members with the traditional showmanship of keeping many plates spinning in the air simultaneously — an appropriate metaphor when applied to the many community-service award winners of the night, as well.
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State rates local bridges structurally sound but narrow
Watauga County’s bridges are in good shape, even though many of them are old and narrow, according to inspections by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. A DOT list of substandard bridges shows 49 of them in Watauga, many with daily traffic counts of less than 100 vehicles per day.
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Tourism study suggests conservation concerns
A tourism study suggested local residents are concerned about the environment, traffic and rate of growth.
The study, “An Examination of Resident Perceptions of Community and Tourism Development,” was presented to the Watauga County commissioners Monday. Read more
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Lunch on the Fly
A fritillary butterfly is one of the many butterflies flocking to the current milkweed blossoms. The butterfly may be confused with the monarch if seen from a distance, but the hind wings are different — dark above and covered with large off-white spots below. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Medicaid change could shift county tax burden
While Watauga County could save up to $1.5 million in Medicaid payments in the coming year, taxpayers may pay the price on real estate sales and at the cash register.
As part of the state budget adopted last week, the state ended the county’s 15-percent portion of Medicaid payments, taking away some of the shared sales-tax revenue to cover the bill. Read more
State budget yields new building for ASU
One could say Appalachian State University finds the North Carolina state budget most educational.
In fact, ASU chief of staff Lorin Baumhover called the $20.7 billion budget “extraordinary,” as it includes a $34 million earmark for ASU’s new college of education building. Read more
Elk Knob may emerge as newest state park
A state park designation could be a natural fit for Elk Knob State Natural Area, and it may happen sooner than later. In fact, park superintendent Larry Trivette is sure of it. A state park designation would allow for more recreational use of the grounds, including camping. Read more
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State bar deals Deal attorney's service award
Watauga County commission chairman Jim Deal was among 25 attorneys recently honored for their service work by the North Carolina Bar Association. Read more
Getting ready
Mike and Barbara Hardy of Canton, Miss. get a tour from volunteer guide and Appalachian State student Harry Skeen as they visit the Goodnight Brothers/ASU Sustainable Development gardens in Valle Crucis during the annual county Farm Stewardship tour on Saturday. Photo by Marie Freeman
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Mariam Cannon Hayes: Community loses beloved benefactor
The entire western North Carolina region lost a friend and champion with the death of Mariam Cannon Hayes. Hayes, a longtime supporter of higher education and arts throughout the state, died Saturday night at her Blowing Rock home. Read more.
Tennessee duo arrested in Friday traffic stop
A routine traffic stop led to two drug arrests on Friday. A vehicle was stopped in reference to suspicious activity near the intersection of Wilson Ridge Road and Bamboo Road. Upon investigation officers located straws that had white powder on them and four individually wrapped baggies containing white powder, suspected to be cocaine.
The driver Paul J. Glasgow, 37, of 9858 Hwy. 67, Butler, Tenn., was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a vehicle for purposes related to a controlled substance, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to sell/deliver. Bond was set at $10,000.
The passenger, Angela L. Dutton, 27, of 516 Furnace Creek, Mountain City, Tenn. was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to sell/deliver. Bond was set at $6,000.
Story by Melanie Davis, melanie@highcountrymedia.net
Court Reports
Judge James L. Baker Jr. presiding and Charles L. Byrd prosecuting on behalf of the state.
Debbie Ann Keller, 33, of 700 Benjamin Drive, Boone was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and/or deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling/vehicle for purposes related to a controlled substance, carrying a concealed .... Read more.
Boone-based director plans to remain
Gary Wheeler’s path to Hollywood went through Boone and then back to Boone, and now Hollywood may be coming to Wheeler. The Boone movie director and producer held a premiere for his first domestic feature film last week in Charlotte, with a media screening and then a VIP showing of the film “The List.”
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Local legislators tout new budget
Local General Assembly members hailed the state’s $20.7 billion budget that was signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley Tuesday. Read more.
Returning students get taste of new cafeteria system
When Watauga County’s students return to school on Aug. 9, they can expect to see improvements for the better in most of the schools’ cafeterias. The Meals Plus computer program has been installed in Bethel, Cove Creek, Mabel, Valley Crucis, Green Valley and Parkway schools. Read more.
Watauga jobless rate follows state trend
As employment in North Carolina rose for the fifth consecutive month in June, so did that of Watauga County. Read more.
Watauga County projects get a boost
Two major Watauga County projects will be getting a push in the coming weeks. The Appalachian Enterprise Center, which was formerly a business incubator and later leased as an economic development project, will undergo renovations to house more small businesses. Watauga County planning director Joe Furman, who is also acting head of economic development for the county, said bids for renovation of the building came in higher than expected and the county hopes to negotiate with the bidders to lower the cost. Read more.
Robby Norris’ music featured in new movie
Robby Norris received his first motion picture credit, though he’ll remain faceless to moviegoers for now. Read more.
August 1, 2007
Sweet downhill at Sugar
Levi Marland of Boone won the children’s short-track race at the “Showdown at Sugar” on Sunday. Cyclists from around the world gathered at Sugar Mountain last weekend to compete in the NORBA National Mountain Bike competition. For complete results, log on to skisugar.com. Photo by Rob Moore |
Ohio fugitives found in Avery
Two teen murder suspects were apprehended in a motel parking lot on Monday morning in Linville Falls. Tabitha Messina, 18, and Carlos Christopher, 19, reportedly fled Cleveland, Ohio Sunday afternoon, after allegedly killing Tabitha's father Richard Messina, 50, and his girlfriend, Sandra Cover, 43.
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Blue Ridge Parkway gets $1 million
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area will receive more than $1 million with some funding to promote the western North Carolina’s culture and scenic assets.
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Watauga sheriff’s reports:
July 23 —Trespassing and larceny were reported at a residence on Dameron Drive, Blowing Rock. A lap top computer and two sets of keys were reported stolen.
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Boone Police reports:
July 27 —At 3:40 p.m. police responded to a residence on Candy Lane to investigate harassing phone calls.
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ASU student assaulted in Raley Hall parking lot
A female student at Appalachian State University reported a physical assault on Thursday, July 26. The victim was walking alone at approximately 9:20 p.m. when a man ran up behind her in the Raley Hall parking lot near Howard Street. The suspect pulled on her clothing and fled the scene.
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Farm and Garden Tour blossoms Aug. 2-4
The annual High Country Farm & Garden Tour is coming this weekend, with 14 bountiful stops that will raise awareness of the local agricultural scene.
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Tot Lot grand opening slides into Watauga on Saturday
The swings are in full swing and the world is a sandbox, albeit a little damp. The grand opening for the Boone Tot Lot will be held this Saturday at 10 a.m., though the county still has some work remaining to address drainage at the park.
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Local group host abuse prevention luncheon
Watauga County Democratic Women hosted a panel on abuse response and prevention efforts at their monthly meeting on July 25 at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.
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July 30, 2007
Final Fest
Country music singer Wynonna Judd performs the final concert of an Appalachian Summer Festival Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The outdoor concert concluded with fireworks.
ASU photo by university photographer Mike Rominger |
Boone director debuts newest film, ‘The List’
The latest project of a Boone-based movie producer and director is getting the red-carpet treatment in Charlotte next week. To read more, please click here. |
Body found near creek
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