McCrory will cut GOP HQ ribbon
The Republican candidate for N.C. governor will highlight the grand opening ceremony of the Watauga County Republican Party’s campaign headquarters on Aug. 1.

Academy rolls up a mountain
Ten students plus three chaperones plus Gus the Bus plus 12 days of unknown wonder equals Rolling Academy 2008.

Wind debate powers student video
Three local students have produced a documentary video that chronicles the current debate over wind energy in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Ginn credit rating slips
Watauga County development Laurelmor is one of four Ginn Company properties reportedly under a loan-agreement deadline after missing payments last month on $675 million in debt.

ASU picked to finish first
GREENVILLE, S.C. — To nobody’s surprise, Appalachian State was the overwhelming choice by both the coaches and the league’s media to repeat as Southern Conference champions.

12 ASU players placed on presason All-SoCon teams
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Appalachian State placed a league-high 12 players on the Southern Conference’s preseason All-SoCon teams.

ATF offers reward in Wal-Mart bomb scare
A substantial reward is being offered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for placing an explosive device at Boone Wal-Mart on Sunday.

Lenoir woman killed at construction site
An equipment failure caused the death of a Lenoir woman Tuesday on the site of the U.S. 321 widening project south of Blowing Rock.

Town to appeal Superior Court decision in Templeton case
The town of Boone will begin an appeal process this week on the Superior Court's decision in favor of local developer Phil Templeton.

July 23, 2008

Getting to the point A yellowjacket enjoys a snack as it visits a group of daisies in Watauga County.  Photo by Mark Mitchell

Drought bill will broaden government powers
A drought bill adopted by the General Assembly broadens powers to give North Carolina governors more authority to reduce water consumption and promote interconnected public water supplies.

Community, ASU partners join to save Boone stream
An effort to restore a well-known stream in downtown Boone has brought together a diverse group of community partners in what organizers hope will continue to flow into the future.

Watauga sheriff’s reports:
July 8 — Larceny was reported at a business on the 200 block of Dale Adams Road in Sugar Grove. A canopy tent, valued at $100, was removed from the rear area of the business.

Boone Police reports:
July 14 —Larceny was reported at 7:51 a.m. at a construction site on N.C. 105 Extension. Romex wire was reported stolen.

Watauga District Court reports:
July 10 — Kimberly S. Baker, 32, of 310 Meadowhill Drive Apt. A, Boone, pleaded guilty to filing a false police report. A prayer for judgment continued was granted and Baker was assessed court costs.

Insurance candidate visits Watauga County
The Democratic candidate for N.C. Commissioner of Insurance visited Boone this week to discuss coastal insurance policies and their effect on the state.

July 21, 2008

Watauga court reports:
July 7 — Thomas Michael Dowling, 21, of 4010 Ballard Farm Road, Colfax, pleaded guilty to driving while impaired. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail, suspended, three years unsupervised probation, 24 hours of community service to be completed within 30 days, and assessed $515 in court costs and fines.

Town kicks in sewer access for soccer complex
The Boone Town Council helped score a goal — as far as sewer service is concerned — for the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.

Watauga sheriff’s reports:
July 1 — Damage to property was reported on the 100 block of Hill Road in Zionville. A mailbox, valued at $62, was reported damaged.

Tractor-trailer driver cited for DWI in Foscoe accident
The driver of the tractor trailer that overturned on N.C. 105 in Foscoe Friday afternoon has been cited for driving while impaired.

Committee garners $63,000 for communication upgrades
A communications committee gathered to review Watauga County's emergency systems is recommending a few upgrades to merge existing and current technologies.

Community colleges discuss economic effects
The North Carolina Community College Board of Directors met in Boone this week, getting a tour of the Watauga campus of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute.

WHS principal reflects on beginning tenure
After a few days on the job, Michael Wyant has confirmed that being an administrator does not mean a guaranteed exemption from learning.

Residents could find new thrill on Strawberry Hill
Residents may soon be singing “Strawberry Hill forever.” Though not quite the strawberry fields of Beatle lore, Daniel Boone Hill – facing Horn in the West and the Jaycee Park on Oak Street in Boone – will find some new fame.