0_index

November 2, 2007

Archived

News update:

Johnson County escapee captured after three weeks on the run
Johnson County, Tenn., prison escapee Robert Randall Deluca was apprehended after a cross-border high speed chase Thursday night. Read more.

Downtown treats
Austin Bonham, 6, hits the candy jackpot as Robert Baird loads his trick-or-treat sack outside the Robert Charles Salon during Downtown Boo! on Wednesday. To submit your favorite Halloween 2007 photo, e-mail reagan@wataugademocrat.com.

Photo by Marie Freeman

Updated: Sheriff’s deputies deliver pizzeria-heist suspect
Watauga County Sheriff’s officers helped serve up an end to a hot pursuit across state lines following a pizza-shop robbery in Mountain City, Tenn. by slicing off a fleeing suspect’s escape route in Vilas. Read more.

The Wade Brown Century: Former mayor turns 100 on Monday
One of Boone’s leading citizens is hitting the century mark — Wade Brown will turn 100 Monday, Nov. 5. The former mayor, state senator and member of the N.C. House of Representatives was also the supporter of a number of local civic efforts. Read more.

Watauga County court news
Oct. 22 — Zachary Paul Dixon, 20, of 231 Fletcher Creek Lane, Purlear, pleaded guilty to reckless driving to endanger. A prayer for judgment continued was granted. Read more.

School board reassignment policy sparks public debate
The Watauga County Board of Education gathered Monday, Oct. 29, to hold a work session to discuss changes to the board’s student reassignment policy. Read more.

Banner Elk scores high state fair marks
For Banner Elk Winery, it was a good year and a good fair. The local vineyard again distinguished itself at the N.C. State Fair, this time with four medals, three to wines made from grapes grown in Watauga County. Read more.

October 31, 2007

Neighborhood watch
A sinister looking jack-o-lantern glares at motorists as they drive Broadstone Road between Boone and Valle Crucis. For even more frightening Halloween event news, please see the calendar listings. Photo by Rob Moore

State places Boone in Tier I water crisis mode despite recent rain
Boone always seems to make some sort of list. Be it one of the best places to retire or one of National Geographic’s best tourist destinations. However, the town’s most recent mention is something of a drier nature. The Associated Press reported that Boone’s water system is one of 17 statewide “nearing a crisis” due to the recent drought. Read more.

Three killed in Wilkes County accident
An accident on U.S. 421 in Wilkes County claimed the lives of three Ashe county residents and left another in critical condition Saturday afternoon. Read more.

Forum ignites interest in county plan
A local conservation partnership hopes to spark discussion between Watauga County and its towns as the next county comprehensive plan begins to take shape. Read more.

Go Green on Game Days kick off
Black and gold are not the only colors on some students’ and faculty’s minds on Appalachian State’s game days. Housing and Residence Life’s Go Green on Game Days campaign has inspired many Appalachian fans to think green for home games. Read more.

Watauga County sheriff’s reports
Oct. 18 — Panfilo Ascencio, 31, of 118 Carlin Court, Boone, was served with a warrant for arrest for misdemeanor child abuse. He is scheduled to appear in district court on Nov. 13 in lieu of a $500 unsecured bond. Read more.

County uses Internet to sell off surplus property
Watauga County is turning to the Internet to get revenue from its unwanted property. The county has been using GovDeals to serve as an “online auction house” for its surplus property and has generally been seeing higher returns on the goods that are sold. Costs and the amount of staff time spent in handling the surplus, unwanted items have also decreased. Read more.

Samaritan’s Purse deploys trucks to wildfire disaster sites
A disaster relief convoy has reached San Diego County in California from Boone. For the first time in its history, Boone-based relief organization Samaritan’s Purse dispatched all four of its tractor-trailer disaster relief units. Read more.

October 29, 2007

Man killed in 421 crash

Monday morning

An early morning accident killed one man on U.S. 421 North. The accident involving two passenger vehicles and one tractor-trailer occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. near the Valley Pantry grocery store in the Cove Creek area. To read more, please click here.

Photo by Melanie Davis

Judge rules against former chief deputy in sex discrimination case
The final court documents in the dismissed lawsuit filed by former Watauga County Sheriff’s chief deputy Paula Townsend against former Sheriff Mark Shook and Watauga County have been released by the Western N.C. District Federal Court. Read more.

ASU center will help shape state climate study
Appalachian State University’s Energy Center had a hand in shaping recommendations on the economics of climate change that the state will consider in developing energy policies. Read more.

Watauga sheriff’s reports
Oct. 10 —Trespassing was reported at a residence on Meat Camp Road. The victim reported a person entered the property without authority. Read more.

Boone Police reports
Oct. 16— Simple physical assault was reported at 8:03 a.m. on Blowing Rock Road. Read more.

Watauga District Criminal Court cases
Sept. 27— An order for arrest was issued for William Joseph Carter, 56, of 3412 Hardin Road, Boone, for failure to appear on a charge of public health violation. A secured $2,000 bond was set.