Archived
News update:
Suspect in double shooting dies Monday morning
A domestic dispute led to gunfire Thursday evening in a Diamond Ranch Road home in Watauga County where two suffered gunshot wounds.
Mountaineers edged out by UNC-Greensboro
Appalachian State fell 85-83 to their Southern Conference, North Division rival UNC-Greensboro at home Saturday after taking a lead late in the second half.
Watauga splits games at home
Watauga’s boys' basketball team cruised to a 72-59 victory over visiting A.C. Reynolds, while Watauga’s girls’ team fell to the Rockets 62-49 Friday.
UPDATED: Names released in double-shooting case
A domestic dispute led to gunfire Thursday evening in a Diamond Ranch Road home. At 6:22 p.m. the Watauga County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call referencing a domestic dispute. While enroute, a second 911 call indicated two individuals had suffered gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, officers discovered a female victim with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and a man with a gunshot wound to the chest. Late Friday afternoon, WCSO issued an arrest warrant for John Finley Greene on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Capt. Dee Dee Rominger said the victim has been identified as Kimberly LeFever Greene. Both suspect and victim were airlifted to Johnson City Area Medical Center via WINGS Air Rescue helicopters. Their condition is unknown.
Updated at 5:15 p.m., Friday
2008 crime statistics for Boone released
The preliminary crime statistics for the town of Boone have been released by Boone Police Chief Bill Post.
Fund established for murder victim's family
A fund has been established to assist the family of Jimmy Roberts, the employee of The Gold and Closeout Connection Pawn Shop in Boone who was killed in a robbery on Dec. 22. According to a family friend, the sudden death left the family with several bills to pay, including funeral expenses. An account to assist the family has been established at the Bank of Granite in the name of victim's wife, Lisa Roberts Care Fund. The local branch of Bank of Granite can be contacted at (828) 264-4016. Donations may also be mailed to Bank of Granite, Lisa Roberts Care Fund, 230 Wilson Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607. — By Melanie Davis
WHS hosting Parent Nights for next year’s freshmen class
Watauga High School will host “Parent Information Nights” for rising freshmen (this year’s eighth-graders) and their parents in the auditorium at the high school this month.
Sports update: ASU breezes past Elon
The Holmes Center rarely looked as good to Appalachian State than it did Thursday night.
First vice president of Sudan thanks Samaritan’s Purse
One of Sudan’s top officials visited Boone Wednesday to talk about the country’s partnership with the locally based Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse.
It’s Girl Scout cookie time again
It’s that time of year again, when the young troopers turn cookies into dough. Local Girl Scouts have already begun taking orders, with shipments coming at the end of the month. However, there will be ample opportunity to stock up, as public sales will continue into March.
Boone Police reports:
Jan. 6 - Simple physical assaults against two victims were reported at 4:20 a.m. on the 100 block of Summer Drive.
Foxx backs plan to deny half of banking bailout
N.C. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5) introduced legislation to deny authorization of the second half of the $700 billion federal government bailout, saying it has not proven effective in helping the economy.
Hospitality House receives grant from Chaco USA and Mast Store
The Hospitality House is closer to its goal of a new, more efficient facility - $4,000 closer, in fact.
January 7, 2009
U.S. 321 open after rockslide
There were no injuries reported in an early morning rockslide on U.S. 321 Wednesday. The slide occurred at 4 a.m., closing one lane of travel. The road blockage occurred just south of Blowing Rock near the Cone Orchard Lane intersection. A spokesperson for the N.C. Highway Patrol said the road was cleared by 7:45 a.m. There were no vehicles involved when the slide occurred. —Melanie Davis
McDowell sweeps Watauga's basketball teams
MARION - McDowell took early leads in both of its Northwestern 4-A Conference varsity games with Watauga and carved out victories against the Pioneers' boys and girls basketball teams Tuesday night.
Three Mountaineers named first-team All-American
PHILADELPHIA - The Sports Network voted Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, linebacker Jacque Roman and safety Mark LeGree to the web site's first-team All-American squad Tuesday.
Goody’s to liquidate; Boone store’s future unclear
Knoxville, Tenn.-based retailer Goody's Family Clothing will liquidate its remaining stores, its bankruptcy attorney said.
N.C. Council of State approves Grandfather Mountain purchase
Raleigh - The North Carolina Council of State on Tuesday approved the state's pending purchase of Grandfather Mountain to become the newest state park, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
WHS broken into; electronic equipment stolen
Watauga High School was the target of a break-in sometime during the time frame of Dec. 22 through Dec. 27.
Police seek graffiti suspect
The Boone Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a man suspected of vandalism by graffiti. On Dec. 29, an employee of Trailway Cleaners witnessed a man drawing on the side of the building with a blue marker. The incident took place at 2 p.m. The witness took a photo (above) of a suspect. That photo has been released by the BPD in an attempt to identify the man. Anyone with information is urged to call Watauga County Crimestoppers at (828) 268-6959. All call information will be kept confidential.
— Melanie Davis, staff writer |
Local foreclosures doubled in ’08
Foreclosures of property more than doubled in 2008 compared to 2007 in Watauga County.
Abandoned trailers may be trashed
Watauga County may be cleaning up its abandoned manufactured homes in the wake of new statutes that encourage such programs.
Jobless claims eat away at trust fund amid weak economy
North Carolina’s unemployment claims are rising, putting a squeeze on the available funds, though so far there has been no local change in claims processing.
Boone Police reports:
Jan. 2 — An incident of embezzlement and larceny by an employee was reported at 9:22 a.m. at Lowes Hardware on Blowing Rock Road.
Mayor calls board service rewarding; seeking applicants
If “community service” made the New Year’s resolution list, the town of Boone has a few suggestions.
January 5, 2009
Baby New Year waits a day
Watauga Medical Center welcomed the first baby of the new year on Jan. 2. Austin Norris, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, was born to proud parents Brandon and Erica Norris of Boone at 8:04 p.m. Lucretia’s Fine Children’s Apparel, Gifts and Furniture of Blowing Rock donated a crib to the Norris family as a gift for the first baby of 2009. Photo submitted
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Two groups, same company, will own Laurelmor
The new owners of the Laurelmor development hold different portions of the property but are funded by the same investment group, according to Watauga County land records.
Watauga sheriff’s reports:
Dec. 21 — Larceny was reported at a business on Ski Mountain Road. The victim reported walking into a building and finding his/her snowboard stolen when they walked back outside.
Hudson man charged in Boone wreck
A Hudson man was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle Saturday, stemming from a Dec. 15 accident.
Boone mayor named to league committee
Boone mayor Loretta Clawson will have N.C. Governor-elect Beverly Perdue’s ear as part of a committee that will share national, state and local concerns.
Crimestoppers: Trailer taken, NASCAR lamp stolen, church broke into
Sometime between Nov. 1 at 3 p.m. and Dec. 21 at 3:30 p.m., an olive-colored 1991 Haulrite trailer was taken from a residence located on Watauga River Road.
