Archived
Breaking news:
18 arrested in undercover drug operation
A large scale undercover operation has nabbed 18 King Street suspected drug dealers. The operation took three months and the Boone narcotics unit received assistance from the Ashe County Sheriff's Office, Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, North Wilkesboro Police Department and the Watauga County Sheriff's Office.The operation culminated in 79 charges against 18 defendants on Thursday, Sept. 20. To read more, please click here.
Photo submitted (Posted Friday, Sept. 21) |
Breaking news: Triplett pleads guilty
Sentenced to a minimum of 40 years in prison without parole
It was an emotional day in the Watauga County courthouse. Kyle Quentin Triplett, 23, entered a plea agreement with the District Attorney's Office in the 2005 murder of Stephen Harrington. Triplett was facing the death penalty for the capital offense of first degree murder, in addition to first degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon and burning of personal property. To read more, please click here. Photo by Melanie Davis (Posted Thursday, Sept. 20, at 3 p.m.)
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Fertile ground
After months of planning and preparatory work, Watauga County Schools broke ground for the new Watauga High School Wednesday afternoon. The new school is slated to be completed in the spring of 2010 and to open that fall. To read more, please click here.
Photo by Marie Freeman |
Complaint against Shook dismissed in federal court
The civil suits brought by Paula Townsend, former chief deputy of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, against former sheriff Mark Shook and the county have been dismissed. The counterclaim made by Shook was also dismissed. Read more.
Vehicle crash causes gasoline spill in Pigeon Roost Creek
The Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department used booms to dam Pigeon Roost Creek just before noon on Wednesday to prevent gasoline from entering the Watauga River. Read more.
Chemical spill causes the closure of 421
A tractor-trailer accident at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday caused the closure of U.S. 421 in Wilkes County. Read more.
Jury selection continues in Triplett trial
The tedious task of jury selection is continuing in the trial of Kyle Quentin Triplett. The charges against Triplett, 23, of Boone, include first degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony burning of personal property and first degree murder. Read more.
Chamber forum: Candidates tackle finance questions
The following is part three in a series on the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Meet the Candidates” forum held Thursday, Sept. 13, for candidates of the Boone municipal election. It was the question all the present candidates anticipated. When mediator Ron Hester asked if candidates attending the Sept. 13 Boone Area Chamber of Commerce “Meet the Candidates” forum accepted any contributions from special interest groups or political action committees, each candidate was ready to answer. Read more.
County explores use of Brookshire property
Watauga County’s first affordable-housing project moved one step closer to hammer and nails Tuesday night. Read more.
Watauga receives fresh Riverkeeper status
A Riverkeeper will run through it. On Tuesday, Harvard Ayers announced the Waterkeeper Alliance approved Appalachian Voices’ application for an Upper Watauga Riverkeeper. Read more.
Chamber’s ASU Appreciation Week kicks off Sept. 24
Though the eyes of the Blue Ridge community have recently focused on the Appalachian State University football team, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce would like to turn the attention to the staff, faculty and students of the university to say “thank you” for supporting the local business community. Read more.
CCC&TI sets enrollment record
The Watauga campus of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute showed a record enrollment for the fall semester, just in time for a planned expansion set to break ground in November. Read more.
September 19, 2007
Jury selection set for college student murder trial
Kyle Quentin Triplett, 23, dressed in khakis and a dress shirt, entered the near empty courtroom on Monday morning to begin the proceedings of a murder trial. Triplett carried a Bible as he sat down next to his defense counsel. His mother, father, sister and two of his former teachers sat behind him in support. To read more, please click here. File photo
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Watauga County District Criminal Court:
Aug. 24 — An order for arrest was issued for Cameron T. Bowers, 21, of 7305 Villanow Drive, Sanford for failure to appear on charges of driving left of center and failure to report an accident.
Read more.
Graves removal revives family historical efforts
The graves in the Hartley Cemetery are now quietly laid to rest in Mountlawn Memorial Park and Gardens, but the recovery of family history has been sparked in the aftermath. Read more.
Vandals roast AppalCART shelter
The AppalCART shelter on Stadium Drive near Trivette Hall was intentionally set on fire at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday. Read more.
Candidates agree: UDO needs upgrades
The following is part two in a series on the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Meet the Candidates” forum, held Thursday, Sept. 13. Boone municipal candidates offered their opinions on the Unified Development Ordinance and other topics at last Thursday’s Boone Area Chamber of Commerce “Meet the Candidates” forum. Read more.
State programs could pitch in to help hay crisis
Hay is in short supply this year, but a couple of programs could help farmers feed their livestock.
Read more.
September 17, 2007
Saturday on the runway
While the Appalachian State Mountaineers prepared to beat Northern Arizona Saturday, some local models put on their game faces and scored style points at the Back-to-School Fall Fashion Show at the Boone Mall. All About Women magazine sponsored the show. Among the runway models were Kloie Greene and a canine friend, Molly, a shepherd-huskie mix. Elizabeth Hempfling of Events by Elizabeth Ashley coordinated the event.
Photo by Jason Reagan |
Town of Boone candidates face questions
Ten of the 11 candidates for Boone Town Council went to court last Thursday.
At least, they attended a round robin forum hosted by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce at the Watauga County Courthouse on Thursday. Read more.
Tourism officials look for vivid fall
Though some biologists have cast potentially gloomy predictions for a dampened leaf season, tourism officials remain upbeat about the months ahead. Read more.
Watauga County court reports:
Aug. 22 —Jason Carl Buckner, 23, of 412 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock pleaded guilty to simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance. Read more.
Boone Police reports:
Sept. 1 — At 7:02 p.m., criminal damage to property was reported at a business on Blowing Rock Road. Read more.
Candidate hopes to Spann communication gaps
Editor’s Note: The following is part seven in a multi-part series featuring candidates in the upcoming Boone municipal election. Bunk Spann considers listening as a major part of his job. This is particularly obvious when one sees the Boone Town Council member around town, holding a large sign that reads “listening post.” Read more.
Watauga County sheriff’s reports:
Aug. 20 —Assault was reported at a residence on Westside Drive, Vilas. The victim stated a suspect injured their arm. Read more.
ASU responds to Helm civil suit allegations
Following the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a former employee, Appalachian State University released a statement in refutation of several items found in the court document. Read more.
Grapes climb as fast growing state crop
The ripening of the regional wine scene is part of a statewide trend in which grapes are taking root as one of the fastest-growing commercial fruit crops. Read more.
State kicks flaming butts with law
The N.C. General Assembly recently addressed the leading cause of fire deaths in North Carolina. In the last five years there were 2,916 cigarette-related fires in North Carolina. Read more.
Oct. 5: Uphill run will benefit Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
The first “Howard’s Knob Twilight Run, Walk, and Crawl” will kick off what organizers hope will be an annual test of endurance that grades out as a successful fundraiser. Read more.
Burn ban is still in place
Local fire officials have issued reminders that the state is still under a burning ban that prevents any outdoor burning except in gas grills or other enclosed cook stoves. Read more.
Town of Boone election
The town of Boone will hold a town election on Oct. 9 to fill three council posts and the mayor's seat. The last day to register to vote was Sept. 14.
This was also the last day to do address changes. 
One-stop absentee voting will begin Thursday, Sept. 20, and will continue from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays through Friday, Oct. 5, and from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6. Oct. 6 will be the only Saturday for one-stop voting. The location for one-stop voting is the Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone. For more information, call the Board of Elections office at 828-265-8061.
The Watauga Democrat is also featuring a series on the candidates for this year's town election. For previously published stories, please link with the profile articles below:
Sept. 3: Jeremy Blocker wants to see Boone succeed
Sept. 5: Ethan Dodson brings student's perspective
Sept. 7: Liz Aycock — Planning to make a council move
Sept. 10: Lynne Mason wants a 'vital downtown area'
Sept. 12: Stephen Phillips hopes to follow family tradition
Sept. 14: Dempsey Wilcox seeks ways to enhance communication
Sept. 17: Candidate hopes to Spann communication gaps
Meet the candidates
The following is a series on the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Meet the Candidates” forum held Sept. 13. Boone municipal candidates offered their opinions on the Unified Development Ordinance and other topics. For the articles, please link below:
Sept. 17: Town of Boone forum: Candidates face questions
Sept. 19: Candidates agree: UDO needs upgrades
Sept. 21: Candidates tackle finance questions |
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