Archived
News update: Arrest made in Boone Drug break-ins
The investigation has ended in the Dec. 3 Boone Drug break-ins. Chance R. Hampton, 29, of Deep Gap, has been charged with one count of breaking and entering, two counts of felony larceny and two counts of misdemeanor injury to real property.
News update: Assault reported on campus
Appalachian State University Police received a report of an assault and possible abduction attempt on campus Thursday. A female student told officers she was walking toward the Doughton Hall parking access behind Legends at 11 Monday night when the assault took place. She reported a white male, heavy set, grabbed her and attempted to pull her down the hill. The victim told police she heard a vehicle engine running, though she could not see the car. During the struggle, the victim was reportedly punched in the face. The female was able to escape the man and run safely to the residence hall. ASU police investigators have posted fliers with the information in the residence halls to warn students and seeking information on any suspicious activity. Anyone with information regarding a crime is encouraged to call the ASU Police Department at 262-2150, as soon as possible, or you may also report crimes anonymously at http://www.busaf.appstate.edu/police/reportcrime.html. — Melanie Davis
11 Watauga teachers
achieve National Board certification
Eleven more teachers in the Watauga County schools have earned National Board certification, the highest professional credential available in the teaching profession.
Intentional fire set at Boone law firm
A fire was reported at the rear entrance to Miller and Johnson Law Firm Thursday at 8:15 p.m. The firm is located at 766 West King St.
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Junior Johnson rolls into town
More than a 100 were packed in and out of the Boone ABC store Friday afternoon when NASCAR and moonshining legend Junior Johnson paid a special visit to the area. He was meeting with fans and autographing bottles of his legal moonshine, “Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon.”
Photo by Rob Moore |
Wilkes suspects apprehended by Watauga deputies
The Watauga County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) apprehended individuals with outstanding warrants from Wilkes County Wednesday afternoon.
Crimestoppers: Breaking and entering, and track hoe stolen
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime(s): On Saturday, Nov. 29, between 7 and 8:15 p.m., a suspect broke into a residence on Bolder Gardens Road. Nothing was taken during the breaking and entering, but the suspect disturbed multiple items in the house. On Sunday, Dec. 7, a 2005 Komatsu track hoe was taken from Sugar Mountain. The 2005 Komatsu track hoe was possibly seen being driven on N.C. 105 through Watauga County from 9:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, by a white truck with a trailer.
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.
911 call leads to arrest of Deep Gap man
On Wednesday officers responded to a report of a breaking and entering in progress.
Purse snatching at New Market Centre
A woman was the victim of a strong-armed robbery Tuesday evening in the parking lot of New Market Centre.
AppalCART plans changes amid budget constraints
AppalCART, the local public-transit authority, is gearing up for possible changes in the next fiscal year.
Operation Christmas Child
Franklin Graham speaks to those gathered for a celebration of the 2008 Operation Christmas Child season at the Samaritan's Purse Boone Processing Center on Thursday. Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international relief organization, starts with an empty shoe box that is packed with simple items - toothpaste, small toys and school supplies - then wrapped and hand-delivered to children in more than 100 countries. This year, 8 million children will receive shoe box gifts that are processed at centers throughout the nation. For some of these children it will be the first gift they ever receive. Photo by Mark Mitchell |
Region jobless rate still lagging reality
While Watauga County’s unemployment rate remains at or near the lowest in the state, regional job losses are climbing as the recession lingers.
Condo developer withdraws plans
A proposed Boone condominium project went back to the drawing board Monday.
Holiday CD benefits Hunger Coalition
Another holiday season means finding the perfect present for loved ones. Although wide-eyed children may not always agree, giving a gift that makes a smile and warmth appear on a friend or relatives face is often the best part of the season.
Boone Police reports:
Dec. 6 — Larceny was reported at 5:29 p.m. on the 1800 block of Old U.S. 421. The Food Lion grocery store reported a case of Budweiser and a case of Busch Ice beer stolen.
Santa’s Toy Box enters its 22nd year
Spreading holiday cheer is as simple as putting a smile on a young face. Santa’s Toy Box brightened the holidays for 818 children last year, touching 403 families.
Solar-powered tree lights up a frigid Friday
Perhaps “Dreaming of a Bright Christmas” would have been an appropriate faux-Christmas carol for the more than 150 people who filled the Jones House front lawn on a frigid Friday to watch the lighting of the town’s solar-powered Christmas tree.
Blowing Rock Stage Company receives NCTC award
The 2008 North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) George A. Parides Professional Theatre Award was presented to Blowing Rock Stage Company (BRSC) on Dec. 5, the opening night of the world premiere of “A High Country Christmas Carol.”
Dec. 19 changed to School Day for Watauga County Schools
Friday, Dec. 19, will be an early release school day for the Watauga County Schools. The date was originally scheduled as a teacher work day on which schools are closed for students. Students in pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade will be released at noon and the high school will be dismissed at 1 on Dec. 19. Lunch will be served and buses will run their usual routes. The after-school program will open at noon. The after-school program does not operate if schools are closed or dismissed early due to snow. This schedule change will make up for one of the five days schools have been closed for snow this year. An updated 2008-09 schoolcalendar is posted online at the “Calendar” link on the Watauga County Schools Web site at www.watauga.k12.nc.us.
December 10, 2008
School board OKs out-of-county tuition policy
The Watauga County Board of Education has adopted a new out-of-county tuition policy and a calendar for the next school year.
A visit from Santa Paws
From left, Jaclyn Dillard and Austin Boggs prepare for a photo with Santa of their kitten, Ella Boggs, and their rabbit, Bunny Boggs, at the Little Red Schoolhouse at Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. Dillard and Boggs plan to send the picture to their parents in a holiday greeting card. Santa posed with nearly 60 animals and countless humans this weekend at the Little Red Schoolhouse. Santa Paws is an annual fundraiser for the Watauga County Humane Society. This year’s event, held Friday and Saturday, raised $635 for the organization, and saw the first rabbit to ever pose with Santa. Rachel Jolly served as the photographer for the event. Photo by Melanie Davis
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ASU breaks ground on education building
The rain and wind could not stop Appalachian State University officials from breaking ground Thursday for a new education building that had previously caused an ample amount of controversy within the town of Boone.
Sheriff’s reports:
Nov. 25 — Alfred Edward Fogel, 55, of 108 Stamper Drive, Ashe, was served with a warrant for arrest on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender.
Boone Police reports:
Dec. 4 — Fraud by worthless checks was reported at 2:41 p.m. at the Ingles grocery store on N.C. 105.
Eddy Labus joins extension office as new agent
The Watauga County Cooperative Extension Service has hired a new agriculture agent.
December 8, 2008
Ushering in the holidays
The Watauga Cabbage Queens have a smile and a wave for onlookers as they head down King Street during the Boone Christmas Parade on Saturday. For more on this year's parade, view a special video by clicking below. Photo by Mark Mitchell
 CLICK HERE FOR RELATED VIDEO
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Property transactions down a third
The conventional wisdom that says High Country real estate is immune to the effects of a national recession might now be unconventional, if not totally wrong.
ASU trustees OK tuition, fee hike
Appalachian State University students face more than $500 in tuition and fee increases next year after the ASU Board of Trustees approved increases during Friday’s meeting.
A dynasty ends
Appalachian State senior receiver T.J. Courman reacts to the Mountaineers’ loss to Richmond on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The 33-13 loss ended ASU’s season and the team’s quest for a fourth national championship. Please see sports for details.
Photo by Mark Mitchell
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State suggests ways to conserve during holidays
Elvis Presley sang “Blue Christmas,” but environmental officials and advocates are asking everyone to join in a chorus of “Green Christmas.”
