Couple finds new hope amid aminal cruelty case
Data Picard and Pepper Angelina are preparing for their first Christmas celebration, although they have already survived a cold winter in Boone. Photo by Cara Kelly

Monday fire injures Boone homeowners

Fire damaged a home on Heritage Ridge Drive in Boone Monday afternoon. The homeowners, Dr. Dwayne Daggett and his wife, Ruth, were at home at the time of the blaze and called 911. The fire started in the top level of the three-story home. The fire was reported at 1:19 p.m. and was fully under control by 1:50 p.m. The third story suffered extensive damage, however, exact figures are not yet available. A spokesperson for the Boone Fire Department said the cause is believed to be accidental, but the exact cause has not been released. The fire remains under investigation. Boone firefighters were assisted by Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue and the Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department. Both Dr. and Mrs. Daggett were transported to Watauga Medical Center. Ruth Daggett was treated and released. A spokesperson at WMC said Dwayne Daggett was stabilized and transferred to Wake Forrest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, however, Daggett is not listed as a patient as of Tuesday afternoon. The freezing temperatures did not hamper firefighters, however, salt was placed on the roadway to prevent ice forming from the water runoff. Firemen are shown throwing fire-damaged debris off the third story. Photo by Melanie Davis

Wind Damage
Wind peeled the roof off a home on Old Anderson Quarry Road at 6:30 Sunday evening. Libby Trivette was home alone when she says the entire house shook and she heard a pop. “It felt like an earthquake,” she said. “I was so scared I ran outside to get in a vehicle.” The roof from the front section of the home landed on the rear of the home, damaging the back porch. Trivette called the Boone Fire Department because the top part of the chimney was blown away. Firefighters responded and determined the wood-burning stove safe to continue to use. The metal roofing had been installed over the old roof this past summer due to leaky shingles. James Trivette said he will be placing tarps over the exposed old roof, as soon as the wind dies down, as a temporary fix until he can replace the metal roofing. Photo by Melanie Davis

Christmas shopping: Wrapping it up

Anu Green of the Boone Service League folds the wrapping on a gift Saturday during the organization’s fundraiser at the Boone Mall.  Members of the Boone Service League will be at a table located in front of Bath & Body Works and South’s at the Boone Mall during the following hours: Monday, Dec. 22, through Wednesday, Dec. 24, from noon-9 p.m.

Photo by Mark Mitchell