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Archived
App escapes Cullowhee with close victory
It’s always good to win a basketball game, especially in on the road in a hostile arena.
So, Appalachian State will gladly take its 69-64 victory over rival Western Carolina in front of 2,487 at the Ramsey Center Saturday night. Read more
Click here to view Photos from Readers
Ice storm incapacitates area
An overnight ice storm downed power lines and left most roads impassable throughout Watauga, Alleghany, Avery and Ashe counties this morning.
Accumulations of about one-quarter of an inch hit the area, closing schools, Appalachian State and several businesses.
In addition to icy conditions, fallen trees effectively closed some roads. By 11:14 a.m. Blue Ridge Electric Membership Cooperative reported more than 3,900 outages in its seven-county service area -- 2,190 in Watauga, 903 in Ashe, 670 in Alleghany, and 178 in Wilkes. Click here for an updated outage map.
Freezing rain is expected to turn into rain by noon and the weekend is expected to be much milder.
Leaving the news nest
Why are we featuring a summer photo of bickering birds in the middle of winter? Good question. We’re celebrating the talented career of one of our own who is flying the Watauga Democrat coop after 15 years as our chief photographer. The staff of the Watauga Democrat wants to wish a hearty but bittersweet yet fond farewell to our photo editor Marie Freeman. Marie has taken a well-earned position as an official photographer for Appalachian State University. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Three guns used in tree farmer shooting
Court documents filed in the triple homicide of Ashe County tree farmers last week in Grayson County, Va. revealed three different caliber weapons were used in the murders. Read more.
T.J. Maxx is in, Sims is out
T.J. Maxx is coming to Boone Mall. According to Barry Nicholson, spokesman for H.L. Libby Corp., which bought the mall about two years ago, the off-price retailer has signed a lease and should be open by fall. The store will open on the west side of the mall, where Sims Furniture is currently located. Read more.
Comments open up new ideas for downtown post office
The U.S. Postal Service is advancing to the second stage in the sale of the downtown Boone post office. The public comment period ended Monday, with Realty Asset Management in Colorado receiving 113 written statements and 11 phone calls. Read more.
Downtown church sells to App State
The congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Boone has voted to sell their current property on East Howard Street to Appalachian State University and relocate to a new facility, which will be constructed on Deerfield Road. Read more.
Home damaged by storage building fire
Members of the Boone Fire Department had an early morning call Tuesday with a structure fire reported just after 3 a.m. According to Capt. Jimmy Isaacs, a storage building located at 110 Winter Drive in Boone was well involved when firefighters arrived. The fire also extended to a mobile home. Read more.
Warrants lead to arrest in Virginia
A Tennessee man is in custody in Watauga County related to charges stemming from a June 2007 incident Police allege Scotty Joe Johnson, 27, of Mountain City, Tenn., made purchases over the summer at Lowe's Home Improvement Store on Blowing Rock Road using a former employer's credit. Read more.
Information sought on vehicle
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Officials in Grayson County, Va., are seeking information regarding the above pictured truck. Police are specifically asking for information on activity of this vehicle on Jan. 24, such as when and where the truck was seen and if there were passengers. Anyone with information is urged to call the Grayson County Sheriff's Office at (276) 773-3241 or (276) 236-9988. The vehicle belongs to Frederick P. Hammer, 48, of Crumpler, N.C., the man charged with the Jan. 24 murders of Ronald Hudler, 73, Frederick Hudler, 45, and John Steven Miller, 25, at a Christmas tree farm near the Virginia-North Carolina border in Independence, Va. The truck is being held by Grayson County officials. Hammer remains in custody without bond in the New River Valley Regional Jail. U.S. marshals arrested Hammer in Punta Gorda, Fla., in connection to the triple homicide and he was transported to the New River Valley Regional Jail on Jan. 28. He was arraigned on three capital murder charges Tuesday morning in district court. By Melanie Davis, staff writer
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January 30, 2008
Court cuteness
Members of the 4- to 6-year-old team from the High Country Dance Studio perform for the crowd during halftime of the Appalachian State University women’s basketball team Monday evening at the Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman |
Legislators mix and mingle with Chamber
Local business leaders asked elected officials for transportation, economic development, and education improvements Monday. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual legislative reception at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, offering elected officials a chance to share their views with chamber members and the public. Read more.
Officials retreat into local history
It’s tough to plan history, but town of Boone officials hope to preserve it. The Boone Town Council, Boone Area Planning Commission and town staff discussed the matter at the town’s annual planning retreat last Friday, Jan. 26. Read more.
Watauga County sheriff’s reports
Jan. 10 — Impersonation of a law enforcement officer was reported at a business on the 300 block of Critcher Road in Boone. A person called the business claiming to be a Watauga sheriff’s deputy.
Read more.
Agricultural agents set priorities for food safety
The local cooperative extension office wants developing safe and nutritious food systems to be its top priority. Read more.
Former candidate hopes to pair Bible with modern politics
A former congressional candidate has decided to take his political activism literally, mounting a statewide effort to educate voters about biblical scriptures that he says relate to political and social responsibility. Read more.
Wall collapses at Speckled Trout Café
The catch of the day Sunday at the Speckled Trout Cafe in Blowing Rock was a full-size 1995 Ford Bronco. Chih Jen, 70, of Boone, was attempting to park beside the building off U.S. 221 when the vehicle struck the building causing the wall to collapse. Read more.
January 28, 2008
Taking the plunge
What's winter without ice and cold? Well, both came in to play Saturday during the 10th annual Winterfest Polar Plunge. Volunteer jumpers dressed in various costumes and gear gathered at Chetola Lake at 10 a.m. and one by one, or in pairs or more, got to take a quick dip. Photo by Jerry Burns, The Blowing Rocket
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Tree farm murders
Ashe man charged in triple homicide
 U.S. marshals have arrested an Ashe County man in Florida in connection with the Thursday slaying of a prominent Christmas tree farmer, his son and an employee. Read more.
More help for the homeless: Deed is done for the House
The Hospitality House of Boone moved one step closer to a new home when Watauga County transferred nearly two acres of property to the homeless shelter. Read more.
The ups and downs of Boone crime
The Boone Police Department has released its 2007 annual report for crimes occurring within the city limits. There were some substantial increases in a few areas — the most notable being burglary of a business. This category saw an 82 percent increase, with 20 reported in 2007. Robberies doubled, with four reported over the last year. Read more.
Phone calls are not legitimate, bank says
The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office has received reports from people who received a telephone call from someone identifying himself or herself as an employee of High Country Bank. Read more.
State, merchants disagree on how street widening timetable will unfold
The $33 million widening of East King Street is already leading to some shaky ground even before the first bulldozers hit the pavement. The N.C. Department of Transportation has been paying visits to business owners along the expected route of the widened highway, making them aware of the coming relocation. However, none of the properties have been appraised and even the property owners have had little contact with the state, so business owners fear the uncertainty may damage their livelihood.
Read more.
The writer and the rink
Ice, at its simplest definition, is nothing but hard water. I experienced the hardness on a personal level during a Saturday trip to the skating rink at Appalachian Ski Mountain near Boone. I experienced it over and over. Read more.
Man charged in weekend brush fire
The Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Department received assistance from a Wilkes County department to control a brush fire on Phillips Drive Saturday afternoon. Read more.
Banner Elk man arrested twice in one week
A report of trespassing yielded the arrest of a Banner Elk man for the second time in one week. Officers responded to a call on Devils Den Road in the Foscoe area on Jan. 23. The caller had reported Freddie Len Shook, 46, of 244 Devils Den Road, Banner Elk, was on the premises. Read more.
Vehicle crimes alert police
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests your help in identifying those responsible for several area crimes involving vehicles. Read more.
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