Archived
News update: New postgame traffic policy
Beginning this Saturday, Nov. 10, no traffic will be allowed to access Stadium Drive from Rivers Street for 45 minutes after the conclusion of the ASU football game. This change is necessary to enhance pedestrian safety for the 27,000-plus fans exiting Kidd Brewer Stadium after the game. This policy will be in effect for all remaining home football games. — Parking and Traffic Department
News update: Electrical short causes evacuation of concert hall
A minor electrical problem caused the evacuation of the Rosen Concert Hall on the Appalachian State University Campus Thursday evening. The evacuation was a precaution as a filament light under the aisle steps shorted and emitted a small amount of smoke. Boone Fire Department responded to assist university officials in locating and addressing the issue, and preventing any further problem. The Hayes School of Music was hosting a student performance titled the “World Percussion Concert Ensemble” at the time. The electrical problem occurred during the last act of the evening, the Steel Drum Ensemble, but the concert did not resume. The transformer within the step-light is contained within a small metal box sitting on a concrete floor. There was no damage to the concert hall as a result of the short. Dr. Bill Harbinson, dean of the Hayes School of Music, said events will continue as scheduled. The step-lighting will not be used until it has been replaced. The university is in the process of replacing the carpet in Rosen Concert Hall, therefore updated lighting will become a part of that project. The house lights will be left partially on in order for the audience to see the steps during events until the replacement project is complete. — By Melanie Davis
Trucker injured in 321 flip
A truck driver who police said was intoxicated while driving was hospitalized after the tractor-trailer he was driving crashed on U.S. 321 near the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance Thursday morning. At 8:35 a.m., the Blowing Rock volunteer fire department and Blowing Rock Rescue responded to an overturned Mack truck to find the driver partially ejected through the windshield. The N.C. Highway Patrol identified the man as Gerald Linwood Hicks Jr. of Hartsville, S.C. Officials at the scene said the man’s injuries were not life threatening. Police charged him with two counts of driving under the influence and exceeding safe speed. Photo by Melanie Davis |
Frigid fall opens ski slope early
From left, Sugar Mountain Ski Patrol members Todd Bolyea, Dirk Krause and Brad Blackwell prepare to tie tower padding to risky slopeside areas. Sugar Mountain began making snow on Tuesday morning and officially opened the slopes on Wednesday — its earliest ever. Brad Moretz of Appalachian Ski Mountain said the staff would test the slope’s new double-capacity pumping system Thursday and hopes to begin making snow immediately. “We are shooting to open by Friday [Nov.] 16,” he said.
Photo by Marie Freeman |
Incumbents unseated in municipal elections
Boone Area Planning Commission member Liz Aycock defeated Town Council incumbent Dempsey Wilcox in Tuesday’s runoff election by 924 to 808 votes, with Aycock expanding the four-vote margin she’d maintained in the October race. Read more.
Watauga schools score at state peak
Watauga County Schools is continuing a tradition of academic excellence, as shown in the recently released North Carolina School Report Cards for the 2006-07 school year. Read more.
Watauga sheriff’s reports
Oct. 31 — Andrew Grant Sheppard, 28, of 196 Oak St. Apt. 2, Boone, was served with a warrant for arrest for a charge of exceeding psuedoephedrine possession limits. Read more.
Burn ban stays lit into November
There is no end in sight for the statewide burn ban. The ban was issued as a part of the governor’s drought advisory. Extremely dry conditions would lead to a fire easily getting out of control.
Read more.
Foundation grant helps keep safety effort alive at WHS
A donation made through the Watauga Education Foundation will help make Watauga High School a little bit safer for everyone on campus. Read more.
Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day
Watauga County is observing America Recycles Day by promoting the benefits of recycling.
Read more.
November 7, 2007
Aycock wins Boone runoff
Boone Area Planning Commission member Liz Aycock has unseated Town Council incumbent Dempsey Wilcox in Tuesday's runoff election by 924-808 in a race that had earlier seen margins of fewer than 20 votes between the pair.
"I want to thank Dempsey Wilcox for 12 years of hard work on behalf of the town," Aycock said. "I'm
thrilled that the people of Boone have faith in me and I look forward to the job ahead."
Aycock said she focused her runoff campaign on personal contact with voters, estimating she made 450
phone calls. Those conversations reaffirmed her views, she said.
"People want controlled growth," she said. "I didn't hear one negative comment about the sleep-slope
ordinance. People want to keep Boone a beautiful place and preserve the environment."
Wilcox could not immediately be reached for comment. Log on to wataugademocrat.com for more updates.
What do you think of the new Boone Town Council? Post your comments by clicking here.
The Board of Elections reports between 80 and 100 total provisional votes combined. With close races in Beech Mountain and Seven Devils, results will likely be based on provional ballots as determined by the official canvass next Tuesday at 11 a.m. A hand count is also possible in those close races.
Unofficial Results
Boone Town Council (two-year term)
Liz Aycock 924
Dempsey Wilcox 808
Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners
(two seats for four-year terms)
Patsy “Pat” Fountain 155
Phillip Pickett 198
Rita Wiseman 137
Albert Yount 302
Blowing Rock Mayor
J.B. Lawrence (unopposed) 317
Beech Mountain Town Council
(three seats)
Randy Corn 64
Alan Holcombe 113
Richard Owen 88
Paul Piquet 64
Seven Devils Town Council
(three seats)
Kathy Copley 82
Richard DeMott 67
Vance Brian Duggan 44
David Ehmig 48
Clyde “Butch” McLean 31
Bill Wilkinson 49
Farm-City: 52 years and counting
Approximately 250 people were on hand Thursday evening to honor 52 years of Farm-City in Watauga County and to recognize those who have gone the extra mile in volunteer efforts during the past year. To read more, please click here. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Commissioners OK ‘green’ high school construction method
Watauga County is taking the “LEED” in building a new energy-efficient school, pursuing what could be the first high school facility in the state that is certified as “green.” Read more.
Demand and supply keep pace for county senior programs
The annual Watauga County Project on Aging report shows that while the county’s elderly population continues to grow, services are generally keeping pace with the demand. Read more.
Survey: Should Meals on Wheels roll east?
Watauga County is exploring the need for a community center in the eastern part of the county while expanding its “Meals on Wheels” program in that direction. Read more.
Drought conditions hold a mixed bag for fir tree success
With wholesale fir-tree harvesting already underway, growers are reaping the benefits of a dry year, but the current crop of seedlings could be damaged if the drought continues. Read more.
AppalCART hopes to bump up numbers on selected routes
AppalCART — Watauga County’s mass transit system — is gearing up for winter and also trying to boost ridership on some of its routes. Read more.
Laurelmor will participate in Firewise program
A tiny ember of an idea built into a bonfire of planning to protect future homeowners. Laurelmor, the 6,200-acre resort development in southeastern Watauga County, has become the ninth North Carolina “Firewise Community.” Read more.
November 5, 2007
Conference champs
Members of the Watauga High School football team greet the fans after their championship title win over A.C. Reynolds on Friday evening. The Pioneers share the title with A.C. Reynolds and East Burke and will play in the first playoff game at home on Friday at 7:30 p.m. as the No. 1 seed. This is the first time since 1981 the Pioneer football team has won a conference championship. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Tuesday election will decide close town council race
After Halloween, people usually consider the next major holidays Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving. The Watauga County Board of Elections would like to issue a reminder that Election Day comes first. On Tuesday, Nov. 6, the board encourages voters to celebrate this particular holiday by visiting the polls and casting their ballots. Read more.
Winter offers little hope for regional drought relief
With more than half the state now under exceptional or extreme drought, calls for water conservation measures have increased as local governments tighten water-use restrictions. The latest advisory of the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council showed despite rain over a week ago, the state is drying up and some water supplies could be tapped out in the year ahead. Read more.
Watauga sheriff’s reports
Oct. 24— Fraud was reported at a financial institution in Boone. A suspect obtained, filled out and signed a counter check without authorization. Read more.
Boone Police reports
Oct. 24 — Fraud was reported at 12:52 a.m. at an apartment on Meadowview Drive. Read more.
State fines Big Kmart for excessive scan errors
The Big Kmart on Blowing Rock Road has paid $890 in civil penalties to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ standards division for excessive price-scanning errors.
Read more.
Watauga District Court reports
Oct. 24 — Andrew Brent Hodges, 21, of 238 Hickory Lane, Boone pleaded guilty to reckless driving to endanger. He was assessed a $25 fine and court costs. Charges of injury to personal property, reckless driving with wanton disregard and an inspection sticker violation were dismissed. Read more.
Town council launches November public hearing
The public can expect appearance standards, affordable housing, rain harvesting systems and more at this Thursday’s town of Boone quarterly public hearing. Read more.
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.
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