Archived

Six-figure grant targets childhood-obesity fight

The Appalachian District Health Department has landed a $475,000 state grant to help reduce childhood obesity in the region.

Pioneers ride Greyhounds to nail-biting win

MOUNT AIRY — Watauga, which trailed North Surry for most of Friday’s showdown, rallied for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and overtook the Greyhounds 26-22 in a shocking finish to a game that North Surry had under control — until the final 12 minutes.

Customers wait their turn to fill their tanks Friday morning after news broke that Hurricane Ike could cause shortages. AAA, however, warns that consumers may cause greater price hikes by unnecessarily filling up. Photo by Jason Reagan For the full story, please click here.

Brake failure causes accident
A Valle Crucis man suffered injuries Thursday afternoon when brake failure caused him to collide with a tree on Dewitt Barnett Road.

Boone Police seeking help to identify theft suspect The Boone Police Department is requesting the public's help in identifying a man believed to be responsible for thefts at two Boone Kangaroo Express convenience stores.

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Sepember 11, 2008
One Moore reason to ‘Wake Up’
It’s more than a game — or Moore than a game. On Thursday morning, Appalachian State University football coach Jerry Moore was the guest speaker at “Wake Up Watauga,”’ a breakfast lecture series hosted by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce at the Dan’l Boone Inn.

Around the region: Murder case dismissed day before trial
A second-degree murder charge against Derrick Palmer was dismissed Friday — more than two years after his initial arrest in the death of Dana Keith Blankenship, whom police say he fatally shot Aug. 20, 2006.

Chetola downtown project stalled
In the classic comic strip Peanuts, football season is celebrated by Lucy holding a football for Charlie Brown, only to pull it away at the last second before he can kick it through the goalposts.

Boone officials discuss Todd water plan
Boone officials gave a Tuesday night presentation on a proposed raw-water intake plant near the community where the plant would stand, hearing concerns about recreation impact, land-use restrictions and river flows.

Translation: Hutchins is tops in his field
Local writer Bill Hutchins has found his name among the ranks of the world’s top writers, drawing on his knowledge of Middle Eastern languages to bring important works to the English-reading public.

United Way climbs toward $625,000 goal
Around 30 non-profit agency staff members, volunteers and committee members met Thursday at Wachovia Bank in Boone to kick off the High Country United Way’s annual fundraising drive to benefit 26 local groups covering Watauga and Avery counties.

Seven years later An outcropping of flags dots the landscape on Sanford Mall at Appalachian State University following a ceremony at 6 a.m. on Thursday to commemorate those who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Photo by Mark Mitchell

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Sepember 10, 2008

Cyclist injured A cyclist was struck by a truck on Stadium Drive Tuesday morning near the Appalachian State campus. An eyewitness told the Watauga Democrat a gold pickup truck was attempting to pull into the Justice Hall parking area when the incident occurred. ASU police chief Gunther Doerr said ASU student Seth Andrew Myers, 21, was turning left across Stadium Drive in a Ford F150 when the accident occurred. The cyclist was unable to stop and struck the side of the truck as it turned across the lanes of traffic. The 33-year-old male student on the bicycle, whose identity is being withheld by ASU police pending hospital reports, was thrown from the bike across the truck. Doerr said he is believed to have suffered leg and potential head injuries. He was wearing a helmet. The cyclist was transported to the Watauga Medical Center by Watauga Medics. His condition is unknown at this time Myers was cited by university police for failure to yield, as the bicyclist was traveling legally on the roadway. Boone Fire Department and Boone and ASU police departments responded to the scene. Photo by Jared Grant

Downtown Post Office: Still no clear word on building’s future
Residents may have noticed the renovations under way at the downtown Boone post office.

New WHS: Times may change, names stay the same
The Watauga County Board of Education assured local residents the current names of all facilities at Watauga High School would transfer to the new building through a motion approved Monday night.

Watauga sheriff’s reports:
August 26 —Luis Enrique Garcia, 41, of 179 Harrison Road, Boone, was served with a warrant for arrest on charges of domestic criminal trespass, stalking and breaking and entering.

New coalition hopes to increase Blue Ridge land trusts
A coalition of local conservation agencies are targeting specific tracts for protection in the mountains in the wake of expanding development.

Hunger and Health Coalition launches food recovery concept
Anyone who has ever worked in the food and beverage industry knows that there are times when pre-ordered and pre-prepared food is not used, and most often makes its way to a trash bin without ever making it to a customer’s plate.

Power of the Purse opens up
The High Country Women’s Fund is putting the final touches on the preparations for the third annual Power of the Purse Luncheon scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12.

Parkway Day includes two-wheeled event
Two local cultural treasures are teaming up to benefit efforts to promote and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Gunshot incident under investigation
A Saturday shooting remains under investigation by the Watauga County Sheriff's Office. The office received a 911 call alleging gunfire at a residence located at 2109 Silverstone Road in Zionville at 12:41 a.m. Sept. 6. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a white male lying on the floor with apparent gunshot wounds. The man was transported via WINGS helicopter to Johnson City (Tenn.) Medical Center. The identity of the victim is being withheld by the sheriff's office due to the ongoing investigation. Few details are available at this time.

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September 8, 2008

Pages of laughs Author Michael Finklea shares a laugh with Hardin Park Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders during his visit to the school on Friday. Finklea is the author of “Tardy Marty,” “Good-Natured Nina the Nervous Gnat,” “Fester the Pester,” “Who Are You Calling Junior?,” “Creepers I,” “Creepers II,” “Scared Stiff!” and “Laugh It Up.” Photo by Mark Mitchell

Strong cell phone signal helps in hiker’s rescue
After searching for nearly three hours rescue workers found a lost hiker near the Blue Ridge Parkway Thursday night.

Updated: Scavenged CRV found in Sampson community
A vehicle — possibly stolen — was found smoldering off Pendley Road in the Sampson community early Sunday afternoon.

State reviews Boone water intake plan
While most of the attention for a proposed Boone water intake on the New River has focused on cost and environmental impact, approval of the plant could trigger state watershed restrictions on land use.

Watauga District Court reports:
August 19 — A charge of second degree trespassing was dismissed against Tammy Blevins, 38, of 215 Mountain View Church Road, Deep Gap, due to successful mediation.

State to train Boone license holders following referendum
Local acoholic-beverage license holders will be able to get a shot of information this week that should help serve up legally satisfied customers.

Azalee Simandle retires from ESC after 25 years
After 25 years of helping people find jobs, Azalee Simandle is ready to give up her own.

‘Glass Castle’ author shatters ‘po’ stereotypes
Jeanette Walls visited the High Country Thursday and Friday during the culmination of the Watauga Reads and Appalachian State University Summer Reads joint program.

New facilities ready for Elk Knob Community Day
Interim visitor facilities at Elk Knob State Park in Watauga County are in place in time for the park’s Annual Elk Knob Headwaters Community Day, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

4-H saddles up equestrian show
The annual Blue Ridge Equestrian Fun Show is galloping into Blowing Rock, and this year Blue Ridge Equestrian 4-H is riding in tandem.

Schools to release early Wednesday
On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Watauga County schools will dismiss at noon for students in prekindergarten through eighth-grade and at 1 p.m. for students at Watauga High School. Lunch will be served before students are dismissed, and school buses will run their usual routes. Early release days are also scheduled next month on Oct. 16 and 17. The Extended Learning Center after school program opens at noon instead of 2:30 p.m. on scheduled early release days. Schools will be closed Friday, Oct. 10, for a teacher workday. The holiday/snow day program at Hardin Park School will be open on Oct. 10 for students registered to attend the program that day.