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Caleb Kimbro juggles a few fiery clubs Saturday at Hickory Ridge Homestead during the annual Apple Festival in Boone. Photo courtesy of Shelby Reagan

Pioneers edge McDowell in double OT

After two thrilling overtimes, the Watauga High Pioneers overcame McDowell on the road in a 30-29 squeaker. With two minutes in regulation, the Titans tied up the game, 14-14, with an 82-yard drive culminating in a 14-yard touchdown pass. Despite a Watauga touchdown and two-point conversion in overtime, McDowell matched the Pioneers to end the first overtime, 22-22. In the second OT, WHS back Baine Martin ran in for a touchdown after the Titans scored first. Devan Corum ran in another two-point conversion to slam the door on McDowell 30-29. The Pioneers are now 5-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play as they prepare for homecoming next week against East Burke.

News update: Sugar Grove man arrested on federal drug charges
Matthew Wayne Rayfield, of 206 Bryant Combs Road, Sugar Grove, was arrested Oct. 2 on federal charges stemming from the Feb. 8, 2008, discovery of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Sugar Grove.

Cyclist injured on Blowing Rock Road
A cyclist was injured Thursday afternoon following a collision with a passenger car on Blowing Rock Road. Victoria Pugh, 20, of Raleigh, was traveling southbound on Blowing Rock Road at 3:35 p.m. in front of the Bojangle’s restaurant. A 1989 Oldsmobile car, driven by David C. Michael, 61, of Boone, was attempting a right turn from a Blowing Rock Road northbound lane onto Winklers Creek Road. The investigation into the accident in ongoing by the Boone Police Department due to conflicting statements concerning the events that ensued. The bicycle came into contact with the front of the vehicle. Pugh was transported to Watauga Medical Center by Watauga Medics, where she was treated and released. Michael did not require treatment. Boone Fire Department also responded to the scene.

— Melanie Davis, staff writer

Sen. Steve Goss pushes gas price probe
N.C. Sen. Steve Goss (D-45) announced Monday that he is asking North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper to launch an investigation into the lingering gas shortage in Northwestern North Carolina.

Do you know the pumpkin man? This summer, Sugar Grove resident Steve Combs grew what he considers to be his best crop of pumpkins ever. An estimated 300 to 400 pumpkins were harvested from his field near Cove Creek in western Watauga County. Combs grew two varieties this year, the large “prize winner” variety developed by the University of Illinois and the smaller “pick-a-pie” pumpkins. Combs, known for giving away pumpkins to church, school and day care groups, has donated many from this year’s crop to be sold at Mabel Elementary School’s Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 11, from noon to 5 p.m. Photo by Jeff Eason

Boone planners get ready for charrettes
Smart growth does not happen overnight, though Boone officials hope to accomplish years of planning within a matter of weeks.

Watauga District court reports
Sept. 22 — Daniel Patricio, 19, of 127 Summit Acres, Boone, pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.

Watauga sheriff’s reports:
Sept. 28 —Christopher William Garland, 24, of 70 Price Road, Limestone, Tenn., was arrested on view on charges of driving without an operator's license and failure to display a license plate.

WHS looks at new scheduling on the block
The curriculum committee at Watauga High School is nearing a decision regarding the structure of student schedules for the 2009-10 academic term, ending a debate that has lasted for well over a year.

Apple Festival blossoms at Horn Saturday
One of Boone’s sweetest festivals is returning for its 28th year. The Southern Appalachian Historical Association’s (SAHA) Apple Festival is coming Oct. 11, and according to special events coordinator Freda Greene, organizers are excited to the core.

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October 8, 2008

Flames damage North Street house A fire damaged a house on North Street in Boone Tuesday morning. A cyclist traveling past the home discovered flames venting from a window near the rear of the house and called 911 at 9 a.m. The Boone Fire Department responded, conducted a search of the home and extinguished the blaze within 15 minutes. The home is an occupied dwelling, though the residents were not present at the time of the fire. There were four dogs in the house. Firefighters were able to rescue three of the pets, but one died of smoke inhalation. The majority of fire damage was confined to the kitchen area, with some extension into the attic area and living room. The owner information and exact damage figures were not available as of press time. Watauga Medics were called to the scene on standby. No injuries were reported. Story by Melanie Davis, photo by Mark Mitchell

Skater steps up to watch park
The wheels are not yet coming off the county-operated skateboard park, and the county is giving skaters one more chance to police themselves.

County board faces diverse agenda
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners addressed services for the elderly, recreation-fee increases, and several other issues on Monday.

Watauga County District Court
Sept. 22 — A charge of defacing a public building was dismissed against Gabriel Taft Bradshaw, 19, of 410 Bowie Hall, ASU, Boone.

Watauga sheriff’s report
Sept. 23 —Robert Jerome Cobb, 24, of 8507 Treetop Road, Todd, was served with an order for arrest for failure to appear at a scheduled court date.

Water conservation will be on tap for Fun in the Park Day
The town of Boone is recycling last year’s Fun in the Park Day for an all new event this Saturday.

Volunteers blaze new trails at Elk Knob
It’s an opportunity to get a little exercise in the great outdoors and contribute to a public park.

Wednesday Road closure: Don Hayes Road

Don Hayes Road, SR1509, in Watauga County will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The roadway will be closed so the North Carolina Department of Transportation can make repairs to the roadway surface inside the tunnel at the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information, call 828-265-5378.

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October 6, 2008

Memories of the fallen A new monument honoring the memory of two fallen soldiers killed in Iraq last April was unveiled Saturday at the Boone National Guard Armory. The monument also honors all soldiers who have died in wartime. During its last mission in Iraq on April 14, 2007, the 1451st suffered its first and only fatalities during its 15-month tour of duty. Sgt. Joshua Schmit, 26, of Willmar, Minn., and Sgt. Brandon Wallace, 27, of St. Louis, Mo., were killed when a roadside bomb detonated near their vehicle. Both soldiers were attached to the 1451st during training at Camp Atterbury, Ind., before leaving the U.S. and quickly became part of the close-knit unit. Please visit the Watauga Democrat Web gallery for more photos from the ceremony. Photo by Rob Moore

Unaffiliated voters flood election rolls
There’s a new “party” in town, and it’s represented by neither the elephant nor the donkey. Unaffiliated voters are the fastest-growing group among new registrants in Watauga County, and the number of total voters is now on par with the county’s population, thanks to a surge among Appalachian State University students.

Bailout offers boost for alternative energy programs
A $700 billion bailout plan may have calmed racing pulses on Wall Street, but it also excited those who are rolling down Green Avenue. The bailout legislation adds or extends tax breaks that boost renewable energy and the development of new sustainable technologies.

Family day held for burn survivors
The Watauga County Firefighters Association sponsored a day at Tweetsie Railroad theme park for children burn survivors from eastern North Carolina. A cooperative effort between Tweetsie, the firefighters association and N.C. Jaycee Burn Center in Chapel Hill resulted in more than 50 youth burn survivors with family members admitted to the park free of charge last Saturday.

New ASU education building continues with utility work
As anyone who has driven down King or Rivers streets is most likely aware, construction projects at Appalachian State University are progressing steadily as the school expands to meet the needs of its growing population of students.

Oct. 10: Schools closed for teacher work day

Watauga County schools will be closed for students on Friday, Oct. 10, for a teacher work day. The holiday/snow day program at Hardin Park will open at 7:30 a.m. for students enrolled in the program for Oct. 10. In addition,Watauga County schools will dismiss early on Thursday and Friday, Oct.16-17. Students in prekindergarten through eighth-grade will be dismissed at noon, and students at the high school will be dismissed at 1 p.m. Lunch will be served at all schools and buses will run their usual routes on these dates. Parent-teacher conferences will be scheduled for the afternoons of Oct. 16-17. The Extended Learning Center after school program opens at noon instead of 2:30 p.m. on scheduled early release days. The complete calendar for the 2008-09 school year may be viewed online at www.watauga.k12.nc.us.