Archived
E. Coli cases confirmed in Watauga
Appalachian District Health Department reported on Friday six recent cases of food-borne illness in Watauga County, and three cases of E. coli have been confirmed this month. Updated at 3 p.m.
PE teachers will get a new educational workout
A state training initiative will reach 60 physical education teachers in a four-county region, providing Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) curriculum training.
Catamount match is tantamount for ASU
There are plenty of reasons why Appalachian State's 5 p.m. showdown with Western Carolina Saturday is a bit bigger than any usual Southern Conference game.
House passes Foxx resolution to stop bailout
A resolution aimed at stopping the release of $350 billion in federal bank bailout money passed the House today but is expected to die in the Senate.
The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5), would stop the Obama administration from disbursing the second half of the $700 billion government bailout of beleaguered financial institutions.
Foxx said the resolution, which passed in a 270-155 vote, is meant to ignite a provision in the 2008 bailout measure that permits Congress to block the remainder of the fund. “Since October, when Congress granted the previous administration unfettered access to a taxpayer-funded blank check, we have seen a steady stream of reports outlining the mismanagement, waste, and lack of oversight that was all too predictable during initial consideration of the [Troubled Assets Relief Program] Megabank bailout,” Foxx said. The resolution must next passed the Senate; however, an identical bill was killed last week.
— posted Thursday at 4:15 p.m. by Jason Reagan
Blue Ridge Parkway turns 75 in 2010
The Blue Ridge Parkway is going to heat up with 75 candles on its birthday cake, and local tourism agencies and businesses are hoping to add some icing and decoration.
Boone Police reports:
Jan. 15 — Larceny was reported at 8:20 a.m. on the 1600 block of Blowing Rock Road. A Compac CPU computer tower was reported stolen.
Crimestoppers: Coins, tools, four-wheeler stolen from residences, business
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime(s):
• Sometime between Dec. 24 and Jan. 15, someone entered a residence around the 1400 block of Tater Hill Road. The suspect(s) left the residence taking an unknown amount of coins.
• Sometime between Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 15 at 5:45 a.m., Three Rivers Building Supply on Mack Hampton Road in Blowing Rock was broken into. The following items were taken: T250S F16 finish nailer, IM250 II impulse Str. finish nailer, self-level laser Sabila with remote, self-leveling laser Stabila, four-beam laser Bob Stabila, IM200 F-18 Brad nailer 18 gauge, T-250A F-16 angle finish nailer, and a F28WW wire weld framing nailer.
•Sometime during the early morning hours of Jan. 16, someone stole a 1997 Yamaha four-wheeler from a residence on Seminole Trail. The four-wheeler is a yellow 350cc Warrior.
Arrest made in Library restaurant break-in
An arrest has been made in the breaking and entering of the Library Restaurant and Pub in Boone on Jan. 5.
Area teachers invited to apply for scholarships
The Watauga Education Foundation announces that applications for the Price-Deverick scholarships for professional development are now available. The scholarships are funded by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and the foundation and are made available to encourage and support teachers in their continuing education efforts. Teachers may apply for financial assistance to obtain renewal credits, to complete certifications or to participate in specialized workshops and training programs. Applications are available at www.wefnc.org and are due Jan. 31. Address questions to Melanie Bullard at executivedirector@wefnc.org or 828-268-1273.
January 21, 2009
Moore is heading to the Hall
Appalachian State head football coach Jerry Moore will be enshrined into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Creston man charged in bizarre burglary case
The Boone Police Department charged a Creston sex offender with three counts of felony first-degree burglary following several bizarre break-ins last Friday.
Tourism, recreation and mulch top commish agenda
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners discussed tourism, recreation and waste material during a regular meeting Tuesday night.
Standing up for Obama
Local supporters of President Barack Obama gather at the Dragonfly Theater in Boone on Tuesday to watch the inauguration ceremony on the big screen. Photo by Jeff Eason
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'Three Cups of Tea' selected for Summer Reading Program
A book about one man’s determination to change the lives of young school-age children by building schools in remote Afghanistan and Pakistan has been selected for the 2009 Summer Reading Program at Appalachian State University.
Bare Bones closing its door
The Watauga Humane Society is closing one door, but is planning to open many other doors this summer. The Humane Society is closing its Bare Bones Boutique, which sold donated items from the Humane Society's property on Old U.S. 421 near Brown's Chapel Road.
Town floats Kraut Creek restoration
A $5,000 commitment from the town of Boone will help float the restoration of Kraut Creek.
Annual Audubon count is for the birds
Bird and nature fans can help build a local and national database to track bird species and create a biological snapshot of winter migration habits.
TV conversion coupons slow to arrive
With the countdown to digital television conversion approaching, deliveries of coupons to help consumers purchase converter boxes are backlogged.
January 19, 2009
Diving into winter
Savannah Welborn, 9, heads headfirst down a slope as she sleds at Brookshire Park in Boone on Monday morning. Photo by Mark Mitchell |
Shooting victim in critical condition
The victim in the attempted murder-suicide took a turn for the worse over the weekend.
Sheriff’s reports:
Jan. 8 — Harassing phone calls and vandalism were reported at a residence on the 200 block of Bluebird Lane in Boone.
Boone Police reports:
Jan. 12 — Criminal damage to property by vandalism was reported at 5:46 p.m. on the 400 block of Fairway Drive.
Valentine’s Ball to benefit Hospitality House
The Hearts of Hospitality House will once again host a Hearts of Hospitality Valentine’s Ball, this year with a special feature, “Dancing with the Stars.”
Vandelay Studios opens; features recording studio, art gallery
A new studio in Boone is combining visual and audio art under one roof.
Waddling with winter
The ducks that call Appalachian State University's Duck Pond home go for a snowy walk. Snow flurries started Sunday and by midday Monday, most of the High Country had measurable snowfall. Some 6 to 7 inches of snow were reported in the Zionville area, while other areas received less by midday Monday. The National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va., was calling for an additional snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches Monday afternoon.
Snow showers are likely in the evening, then a chance of snow showers after midnight. Additional snow accumulation around an inch is forecast for Monday night, with low temperatures of 14 to 20. Photo by Mark Mitchell |
The risks and rewards of WHS-Greenway connection
The Watauga County school board and board of commissioners held a joint meeting with Boone planners and town council members on Saturday to discuss a Greenway Trail extension connected to the new high school property in the Perkinsville area.
Unemployment climbs amid economic downturn
Unemployment rose in Watauga County last fall, amid an economic downturn in western North Carolina.
$30 to fix female dogs and cats
Watauga Humane Society has a special offer for Watauga County residents: $30 to fix your female dogs or cats (regularly $55 for female dogs and $50 for female cats).
