Archived
Breaking: Deep Gap man injured in tractor wreck
A Deep Gap man was airlifted to Johnson City Area Medical Center following a tractor
accident Thursday afternoon.
 Council orders up mixed-drink referendum
A resolution for a mixed-beverage referendum went down smoothly with the Boone Town Council, garnering unanimous support from council members at Thursday’s regular meeting.
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Home search unearths pot cache
An undercover operation lead to the execution of a search warrant at a home on Huffman Road in Vilas on June 6. Detectives of the Special Operations Division and the Special Tactics and Response Team of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office seized about nine ounces of marijuana and 80 cultivated marijuana plants from the property.
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 Relay for Life kicks off Friday night
One of the High Country’s most celebrated events takes place this weekend at Watauga High School. Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, with money going toward research for cures. Add your comment here
WATAUGA COUNTY SHERIFF'S REPORT, JUNE 19
State cites local stores with underage tobacco sales
During the month of May, agents of the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement office randomly visited 32 tobacco retailers in Watauga County to investigate tobacco sales. Six clerks were cited for sale to minor.
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COURT REPORTS: Watauga County District Court
Banner Elk man buys MTN TV station
 Steve and Tammy Rondinaro announced they are in the process of selling Mountain Television Network to Terry Smith of Banner Elk. “Absentee ownership has been very difficult for us,” Steve Rondinaro said.
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Boone Council will ponder mixed-drink resolution
The Boone Town Council will consider a resolution on Thursday that requests a mixed-drink referendum from the Watauga County Board of Elections within the legal time frame.
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Wine tasting will uncork funds for health
The Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation will uncork a wine tasting for their cancer patient emergency fund this Friday in the Inn at Crestwood from 6:30 until 9 p.m. Add your comment here
 Seeds of Support: ASU alum plants to honor fallen soldiers
Shannon Young is helping lead the troops into action at the local National Guard Armory – at least in front of the building where a 2,500-square foot memorial garden she designed is being established to honor the sacrifices of two soldiers.
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Electric Cooperative switches on annual meeting
On Saturday, nearly 1,000 member-owners of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation gathered at Ashe County High School for the 2008 annual meeting.
COURT REPORTS: Driving While Impaired District Court
Judge Thomas G. Foster Jr. presiding and Gail Fannon prosecuting on behalf of the state.
Emergency Clowning
Randy Sexton, aka Sparkles the Clown, of the Eden Fire Department gives Faith Dollars, 2, a gift during during the Emergency Fest on Saturday on the Appalachian State University campus. Mark MItchell/Watauga Democrat
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TOP STORY
Like a bridge over troubled Todd
Residents debate terms of construction of New River span
 The new Todd bridge may not be over troubled waters, but it’s troubling some members of the community who say unnecessary delays are driving up construction costs and hampering traffic in the area. Write your comment here
Watauga resident picked as Democratic delegate
Zack Wynne, vice chairman of the New River 3 precinct, will be representing Watauga County and the 5th District at the National Democratic Convention in Denver the last week of August.
Wynne was elected a delegate to Denver at the 5th District convention in Statesville on May 17.
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 BREMCO sparks money flow: Foundation turns on funds
The Blue Ridge Electric Members Foundation presented grants to four area nonprofits: the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, Children’s Playhouse, Cove Creek Farm and the Watauga Chapter of the American Red Cross. The foundation is the nonprofit arm of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation.
Cornerstones: Regional report touts wind power
 A regional environmental group has released a plan for the state’s energy future that includes the promotion of wind power in the mountains.
The report, “Cornerstones: Building a Secure Foundation for North Carolina’s Energy Future,” offers the organization’s blueprint to develop the state’s clean-energy resources and reduce its global-warming impact by 60 percent.
 Mast General Store and Parkway Foundation team up
Mast General Store and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation are collaborating to preserve and protect the Blue Ridge Parkway, a ribbon of national park that unites the spirit of the past with the present, allows travelers to sample the pleasures of simple mountain living, and participate in an unforgettable and inspiring journey.
Animal ER expands services with new staff and equipment
 The Animal Emergency Clinic of the High Country has expanded the services offered. New equipment and additional staff have been added. The clinic was established in 2005 by Dr. David W. Linzey and his wife, Debi.
Southern Fried Jazz Band cooks up music at BRSC
 Don Edwards, veteran trumpet player of the Southern Fried Jazz Band, says that “Jazz is especially reflective of our nation’s personality and spirit.” That sentiment is exactly why the Big Band veteran organized this eight-piece ensemble, which performs a concert of authentic Dixieland jazz for one night only, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mariam & Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock.
Crimestoppers looks into break-ins, vandalism
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public's help in solving the following crimes.
•Sometime between Sunday, May 25 and Tuesday morning, June 10 appliances and windows stored in a shed located at the top of Howard Harmon Road, Sugar Grove were taken.
•Sometime during the last six weeks someone took food from a freezer located in an out building at the 2000 block of Broadstone Road in Valle Crucis. There were also some plants and shrubbery taken out of the ground in this area during the same time.
•At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Friday night, June 13, the mailboxes at the trailer park on Betty's Circle in Deep Gap were vandalized. The mailboxes are located at the intersection of Brown Farm Rd. and Betty's Circle in the Deep Gap community. A witness heard a loud noise then saw a red pickup truck drive away.
•Sometime between May 16 and June 13, someone broke into an out building located on Watson Drive. Watson Drive is located off Sampson Road and although it has a Lenoir address it is located in Watauga County. The suspect took a chainsaw and damaged the window on the building.
Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crimestoppers at (828) 268-6959. All information will be kept confidential.
Crimestoppers pays rewards for information, which leads to arrests; recovery of stolen property; seizure of drugs and the location of wanted persons.
D&B Mini Mart reports fourth breaking and entering of the year
One man remains in custody of the Watauga County Sheriff's Office following the third incident of theft in 2008 at the D & B Mini Mart in Zionville.
Repealing county powers: Bill would stymie tax authority
With a land-transfer tax proving unpopular with voters, the General Assembly may be removing it as a revenue option for local governments.
Newest traffic signal arrives
Watauga County will soon have one of the state’s newest types of traffic signals, designed to make left turns easier and safer. A light at the signalized intersection of U.S. 421 and Bamboo Road (SR 1514) will feature a series of left-turn signals to indicate stops, cautions and protected turns.
Watauga County sheriff’s reports
May 26 —Dominque Dore Piscopo, 26, of 469 Willard Johnson Road, Vilas, was served with a criminal summons on a charge of a school attendance violation. She is scheduled to appear in district court on June 10.
School board honors retiring Short
The Watauga County Board of Education honored retiring superintendent Bobbie Short at its monthly meeting, held Monday, June 9. The meeting was Short’s last official board meeting, ending her five-year tenure with the school system.
Emergency Fest moves to ASU campus
The Watauga County Firefighters Association, in conjunction with Appalachian State University, are gearing up for a day of serious fun this Saturday.
 Grand jury indicts woman in infant-death case
A Deep Gap woman was indicted on charges of involuntary manslaughter following the death of an infant girl. Comment on this story
Man sentenced in case of false report causing ASU lockdown
The former Appalachian State University student charged with filing a false police report that lead to the first-ever campus lockdown was sentenced Tuesday in Watauga District Court.
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June 11, 2008
 June 10: Mountaineer Day in North Carolina
Governor honors Appalachian football team
Mountaineer fans have realized for a while now that the Appalachian State football team is the most successful pigskin program in North Carolina history. If any Tarheel, Demon Deacon or Wolfpack fans doubt it, they can just ask the governor.
No injuries reported in King Street accident
The newest AppalCART purchase was damaged Tuesday afternoon when a Ford Ranger pickup truck crossed the centerline and struck the bus in a near head-on impact.
Sugar Grove man injured in motorcycle accident
A Sugar Grove man remains in the emergency room following a motorcycle accident Tuesday afternoon on U.S. 321 North near the intersection of Old Watauga River Road.
Coach: New WHS field plan should be booted
The Watauga County Board of Education’s Monday meeting turned into a turf battle over the future construction of athletic fields and the school calendar.
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Dual events push biz development
Registration is under way for two local events designed to spark business development and entrepreneurship. The Appalachian Regional Development Institute is hosting its Eighth Annual Leadership Summit on Aug. 11. This year’s theme is “Accelerating Our Economy: Tapping Creative Assets.”
Mast Store celebrated 125 years
Before lighting the birthday candles, the Mast General Store might want to get a few dozen fire extinguishers handy.
Elkland Arts group represents Todd at regional festival
A local puppet troupe is taking an environmental show on the road as part of a regional festival. Elkland Art Center in Todd has been selected to present “Jason’s Dream” at the Southeast Puppet Festival in Savannah, Ga., this weekend, and is also exhibiting in a public street fair.
Crimestoppers
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in solving the following crimes: Sometime on Friday, May 30 between 7 and 9 p.m. someone took property from the bed box of a green Dodge Dakota pickup truck parked at Brookshire Park in Boone …
June 9, 2008
A summer of agriculture
With farmers’ markets in full swing and local produce showing up in the garden and on the dinner table, agricultural officials are hosting a number of upcoming events to ensure the banquet remains lush and healthy.
 Drought stays extreme
Watauga County remains under extreme drought, according to the most recent report by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.
Cyclical economy: Gas price hike pushes more pedal power
High gas prices may have frustrated motorists, but it’s proving a boon to those who are peddling pedal power.
Watauga County sheriff’s reports
May 20 —An assault was reported on the 200 block of Saddle Hills Drive in Boone. The victim reported having been shot with a pellet gun.
Valle Crucis may get state natural area
Valle Crucis could soon have another parcel of preserved property and the state’s residents may have access to another natural area.
Well rules will mirror state regs
New well rules are helping guarantee safer water supplies, but they add an extra layer of building regulation and permitting.
ASU will add centers and wind turbines
The Appalachian State University Board of Trustees met Friday, June 6, for its regular meeting. The meeting’s early action included the swearing in of David Mofford, newly elected student body president. The board then voted to grant professor emeritus status to Harriette Buchanan, Alice Naylor, Jane Nowacek, O’Hyun Park and Joan Woodward.
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