Archived

News update: State to purchase Grandfather Mountain

It’s been announced by the state that North Carolina will be purchasing Grandfather Mountain and about 2,600 acres for a  price of some $12 million.The purchase will include the area containing the Mile High Swinging Bridge, nature museum and animal habitat. The state acquisition is to be announced today, and Gov. Mike Easley will be in the area to attend the ceremony. More information will be posted.

News update: Three arrested in connection with robbery

Three suspects have been apprehended in the robbery of a convenience store in Zionville Friday evening. Law enforcement was on the scene shortly after the robbery, and the three were arrested after their vehicle wrecked near the entrance to Mabel Elementary School. More information is forthcoming.

---

Running on empty? Gas shortage sends many hurrying to fill up their tanks Reported gasoline shortages are creating another run on gas stations similar to those that occurred two weeks ago in response to Hurricane Ike. Photo by Mark Mitchell

Gasoline to be shipped into Western North Carolina

Gov. Mike Easley today issued the following update and statement concerning gasoline shipments to North Carolina:  “Officials with Colonel Pipeline have advised us that a major shipment of fuel is now arriving in Spartanburg, with a large amount of the product destined for hard hit areas in western North Carolina. An even larger shipment is expected to arrive in Charlotte tomorrow afternoon. Pipeline officials tell us that the gasoline supply in terminals serving Charlotte and western North Carolina should be close to normal when those shipments are complete. Additional shipments in the pipeline destined for the Triad and Triangle area and eastern North Carolina, including the Selma terminal, are also expected to arrive today and tomorrow. Until these terminals are filled, I have requested, and several oil companies have agreed, to release additional supplies from Tennessee and Wilmington to provide a bridge until the pipeline supplies are normalized. I also want to thank Congressman Heath Shuler for his help in getting additional fuel from east Tennessee sent to western North Carolina.”

Caldwell shooting suspect found dead;
local school locked down as police searched area
The search for a man suspected of killing a Caldwell County sheriff’s deputy led to a lockdown at Valle Crucis Elementary Wednesday, mere hours before the suspect was found dead on his own property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

‘Fall Color Guy’ predicts splendor
A local professor has become the official leaf prognosticator for the High Country.Howard S. Neufeld, a professor of plant physiology at Appalachian State University, has been selected as the “N.C. Fall Color Guy.”

Watauga sheriff’s reports:
Sept. 9 – Damage to property was reported at the Valley Grocery on U.S. 421 north in Zionville. A person broke the gas nozzle from the pump, causing an estimated $250 in damage.

---

September 24, 2008

Caldwell shooting suspect found dead

Caldwell County law-enforcement officials confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the body of the man believed to have killed a sheriff's deputy was found dead on his property on Fox Winkler Road of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police had been searching for suspect Skip Brinkley since the Friday night shooting of Caldwell County Sheriff's Office Deputy Adam Klutz. Brinkley was also suspected of wounding Lt. Chris Martin. Posted at 7:49 p.m.

News Update: Valle Crucis Elementary locked down as precaution

Valle Crucis Elementary was placed on “lockdown” Wednesday as a precaution by the Watauga County Sheriff's Office. At approximately 9 a.m., the sheriff's office received information from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation that Skip Brinkley, the suspect in the shooting death of Caldwell County sheriff's deputy Adam Klutz, was in Watauga County.

Man killed in golf cart accident
A Cove Creek man was killed Monday evening as a result of a golf cart accident. The 75-year-old man was driving across land on Walls Road when the accident happened. The exact details of the accident are unclear, however, the report from Watauga Medics indicates the golf cart rolled over him. Upon arrival, first responders with the Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department noted the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Rescue workers immediately began administering CPR. He was transported to the Watauga Medical Center by Watauga Medics. However, the man did not survive his injuries. The man's identity was not released by Watauga Medics. — Melanie Davis, staff writer

Trial date set for final defendant in Harrington murder trial
A trial date has been set for the third and final defendant in the 2005 suffocation death of Appalachian State University student Stephen William Harrington, 19.

Man threatens to jump from balcony Boone Police officers were busy Tuesday morning when a man in his early to mid-20s attempted to jump from a third-story balcony. Investigating officer Sgt. William Byrd said when police arrived at 10 a.m., officers discovered the man, whose identity has not been released, on the edge of the balcony of Woodwinds Apartments on Coffey Street. The man was holding onto the railing and gutters of the building, threatening to jump. Traffic on Coffey and King streets was temporarily disrupted as officers coerced the man down. The man was transported to Watauga Medical Center by Watauga Medics for treatment. Officers have not released information regarding drug or alcohol involvement, though a source at the scene indicated the person had been drinking alcohol the night before. He is a resident of Woodwinds Apartments. — By Melanie Davis, staff writer; photo by Sherrie Norris CLICK HERE FOR 911 CALL AUDIO:

Water issues flow at regional retreat
Representatives from Appalachian State University and four local governments gathered for an intergovernmental retreat Monday in Boone, tackling water and growth issues.

Boone mayor calls for open dialogue with ASU trustees
The Appalachian State University Board of Trustees met Friday to discuss the status and necessary actions for the future of the university.

Rocks of the ages Reporter Jeff Smith, second from left, from UNC TV, interviewed Andy Heckert for a feature on the Fred Webb Jr. Outdoor Geology Laboratory at Appalachian State University. The program will air on “North Carolina Now” Thursday, Sept. 25. Heckert is an assistant professor in Appalachian’s Department of Geology. The lab, named for the retired geology professor and first chairman of the geology department, contains more than 32 rock specimens dating between 1.2 billion and 300 million years old. ASU photo courtesy of Cynthia Liutkus

Preservation commission shares town plan
More than a year ago, the Boone Historic Preservation Commission was established. The rest is history.

Horn finishes with top ratings

The Horn in the West has wrapped up a successful season, but though the stage lights are down, the show goes on.

---

September 22, 2008

SOLD for $1.25 million Town of Boone buys downtown post office The downtown Boone post office has been sold. The building was purchased for $1.25 million by the town of Boone. The recent renovations at the facility were a part of the agreement to ensure postal services would continue at the location. Photo by Melanie Davis

Man suffers minor injuries in motorcycle wreck
A Pennsylvania man suffered minor injuries in a motorcycle wreck on the Blue Ridge Parkway. John Williams, 65, of Scottrun, Pa., was traveling southbound near milepost 280 on a 1996 Honda Gold Wing, the leader of a group of four, when a deer jumped into his path.

Boone Town Council OKs highway priority list
The Boone Town Council hit the road with unanimous approval of a highway project prioritization list. The town’s priorities for the 2011-17 N.C. Transportation Improvement Plan include safety enhancements to N.C. 105 and the U.S. 421 Bypass, more familiarly known as the Daniel Boone Parkway.

State updates roadwork status
Some local road projects have recently been completed, but a couple of major highway improvements are moving along on the drawing board. Contractors last week finished highway improvements on N.C. 105 that had been delaying motorists for several weeks, and work is winding down on another project affecting traffic flow on N.C. 105 west of Boone.

62 years of law enforcement Boone Police retirees Top photo: Sgt. Jim Harrison (left), administrative sergeant with the Boone Police Department, is presented his service weapon from Chief Bill Post at last Thursday's Boone Town Council meeting. Harrison is retiring after 18 years on the force. Previously, he had served 16 years with the Lenoir Police Department. Second photo: Capt. William Greene, captain of investigations with the Boone Police Department, center,  was also recognized at the council meeting. Greene is retiring after 28 years of service to the Boone Police Department. His wife, Audrey, was in attendance when Post presented Greene his service weapon. Photos by Frank Ruggiero

AAA tackles problem of distracted driving
Hang up and drive. That’s the message of a gas-station campaign to warn motorists about the dangers of not paying attention at the wheel, particularly because of cell-phone use.

Hiker recovering from Glen Burney accident
The hiker injured last Sunday at Glen Burney Falls is recovering well. Taylor “Boomer” Sassmann, 23, of Banner Elk, was hiking with his roommate, two friends, and four dogs when the accident happened.

Watauga sheriff’s reports:
Sept. 4 — Damage to rental property was reported on the 500 block of Archie Carroll Road. The victim reported five interior doors, the exterior door, garage door, carpet, ceramic tiles were broken, and graffiti painted on the walls.

Town rescinds decision to deny ASU zoning request
Due to a procedural oversight, the Boone Town Council rescinded its decision to deny an Appalachian State University zoning request. At the council’s regular meeting Thursday, Sept. 18, town attorney Sam Furgiuele informed council members that a valid protest petition was filed prior to the public hearing in which the university’s case was introduced.

Giving peace a chance About 150 people gathered in downtown Boone Sunday afternoon for a parade to commemorate the International Day of Peace. The parade was sponsored by Gol Illuminado, an organization that promotes sports as a way to enrich children. The International Day of Peace was designated by the United Nations in 1982 as an annual event each year on Sept. 21. Photo by Scott Nicholson