Archived

News updates:

Wildfire damages 25 acres on Stone Mountain

Fire crews were busy Thursday night, working to contain a wildfire than claimed 25 acres in the Vilas area.

Fire crews from Caldwell and Wilkes counties assisted Triplett’s Stewart Simmons Volunteer Fire Department in containing a structure fire that began to spread into the nearby woods Thursday morning.

Burning ban reinstated

Continued dry conditions have led to the reinstatement of the statewide burning ban, effective as of noon on Thursday March 27, by N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials.

Information sought on meat salesmen
The Watauga County Sheriff's Office is seeking information on two white males who have been seen selling meat products out of a small red pickup truck. The men are reportedly selling the meat products out of cooler in the bed of the truck. They have been stopping at homes in various areas of the county.
A statement from the sheriff's office says once a commitment is made to purchase some of the meat products, the two males have been reported as then filling a person's freezer with unwanted products. The men were then said to pressure the person into paying for the unwanted products. Anyone with information concerning these two individuals is urged to contact the Watauga County Sheriff's Office at (828) 264-3761. — Melanie Davis, staff writer

Runaway teen missing for four months

The search is continuing for a runaway teen. Brittini Paige Benner, now 17, left her family's home in the Sampson community of Watauga County on Dec. 21, 2007. Her father reported her missing on Jan. 14, 2008.

Howard Street: Acquisition of easements, rights of way slowing improvements to downtown
The Boone Town Council knows the price of progress, at least as far as improvements to Howard Street in downtown Boone are concerned.

Traffic stop leads to five ounces of cocaine
A routine traffic stop led to the discovery of more than five ounces of cocaine and the arrest of two men Tuesday night, March 18.

Police continue search for robbery suspects

Boone police officers are still searching for three suspects in connection to an armed robbery late Tuesday night.

March 26, 2008

Mixed drink measure could

be on September ballot
The Boone Town Council was neither stirred nor shaken by discussion of a liquor-by-the-drink referendum, and a vote to initiate it could take place in May.

County creates newest precinct
Watauga County has a new voting precinct, but no voters have been moved from their current precincts.

Watauga sheriff’s reports:
March 11—Nicole Jamie Bowers, 27, of 724 Heg Greene Road, Deep Gap, was arrested on view as a fugitive from another state, Florida.

Boone Police reports:
March 14 — Larceny was reported at 12:55 p.m. at a business on the 1700 block of Blocking Rock Road.

Ken Cham named as top tourism booster
Ken Cham thought he would settle into retirement after a long sales career, but instead found himself as an award-winner in the travel industry. Cham, an employee in the Blowing Rock Visitor Center, recently received the North Carolina Travel Industry Association Silver Service Award for Exceptional Visitor Service.

March 24, 2008

Weekend brush fire called a ‘close call’
Firefighters responded to an out-of-control brush fire on Wildcat Road just after noon on Saturday.

Chamber Lunch & Listen: ‘Everything is discussable’
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce served up a helping of its newest community feedback program, the Lunch & Listen.

The March 20 meeting allowed members of the business community the opportunity to express concerns and ask questions to members of the Boone Town Council and staff, with sandwiches on the side.

New maps could help conservation efforts
A state project to map and identify potential conservation areas should help land trusts, conservation groups and landowners select priority areas.

Seed swap sprouts garden traditions
A new crop of growers are emerging locally, thanks in part to an annual seed swap and rising grocery prices.