Archived
Sports update: WHS girls' basketball game moved up
The WHS girls' basketball game against McDowell has been moved up to 5:15 p.m. today (Friday), rather than the previous start time of 6:30 p.m.
Crimestoppers: Break-in attempted at Todd home
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime: An attempt was made to break into a house located at the 5000 block of Castle Ford Road in the Todd community during the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 18. An alarm scared the suspects away. 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.
AT&T employee charged with embezzlement
A former employee of the AT&T store at the Boone Mall has been charged with felony embezzlement as a result of an investigation by the Boone Police Department.
Sports update: Wofford survives ASU rally
When Appalachian State was good Thursday night, it was very good. When the Mountaineers were bad, they were just bad enough to cost them a victory against Wofford.
High Country United Way to raise awareness at ASU game
The High Country United Way (HCUW) and Appalachian State University athletics have partnered to host United Way Day in the Holmes Center during basketball games this Saturday against Furman.
Watauga sheriff’s reports:
Jan. 17 — Randall Scott Carswell, 27, of 4070 Smokey Creek Road, Lenoir, was served with a warrant for arrest on a charge of felony larceny.
February blooms with agricultural events
With winter reaching its midpoint, growers and farmers are turning their thoughts to spring planting.
Turning the page on a book sale for a cause
It’s that time of year again, when the subzero temperatures freeze people off the streets into their houses, freeing up plenty of time to settle down and crack open a new book.
Hospitality with a Heart
The combined campaign of the Hospitality House of Boone was a long time in the making.
Initiative targets childhood obesity
Watauga’s teachers will be among those dancing to the tune of “Let’s Get Physical” next month.
Hammer defense files motion to declare death sentence unconstitutional
The Capital Defense Team representing Frederick P. Hammer filed three motions during a short pre-trial meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Grayson County Courthouse in Independence, Va. It was the second pre-trial meeting that has been held for the case in 2009, but no date has been set for the trial. Hammer has been charged in the Jan. 24, 2008, murders of Ronald F. Hudler, Frederick D. Hudler and John S. Miller.
Celebrities set to serve again
Local notables will be rolling up their sleeves, tying on their aprons, and providing service with a smile for a good cause. This year’s Celebrity Serve is in the planning phase, with the annual fund-raising event scheduled for Apr. 7. Last year’s Celebrity Serve raised more than $50,000 for the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex and organizers hope to top that amount this year.
Pate released from hospital, charged in connection to wreck
A Boone man who was injured in a vehicle collision after allegedly eluding police in the early morning hours of Jan. 15 has been returned to Watauga County to face charges.
Shooting victim remains in critical condition
The victim of the attempted murder-suicide on Jan. 8 remains in critical condition more than two weeks after the shooting.
January 28, 2009
Silver Alert cancelled for Watauga man
A Silver Alert was issued Tuesday night for Boone resident Edward Critcher, 82. A Silver Alert is a missing persons announcement for people believed to be suffering from dementia/Alzheimer's disease. That alert has been cancelled as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, when Critcher was found by Spotsylvania, Va., sheriff's officers. The officers ran the license plate of the 2002 Red Silverado extended cab truck Critcher was driving and discovered the Silver Alert. Spotsylvania is an estimated five and one half hour drive from Boone. Critcher is reported to have left his farm on Parsonsville Road in the Purlear community of Wilkes County at 4 p.m. Tuesday. He lives at 499 North Pine Run Road on Boone. He was believed to have simply become disoriented and lost. According to Watauga County Emergency Management, Critcher was found without injury. — Melanie Davis
Boone woman arrested on felony charges
An arrest has been made in connection to three checks passed at AF Bank in late 2008.
DOT: State cuts will likely delay Watauga projects like 421 four-lane
With the recession affecting road development, current projects are as sluggish as January asphalt while new four-lanes are still gathering dust on the drawing board.
Crimestoppers: Vehicle damaged on N.C. 194 north
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime: On Saturday, Jan. 24, between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m., someone damaged a residence and vehicle near the 1800 block of N.C. 194 north. 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.
Green business blossoms locally
Watauga County’s “green businesses” are sprouting up, with certification underway for a number of entities that are reviewing and promoting their environmentally friendly business practices.
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Boot snatcher
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for the following crime: On Jan. 15, an unknown suspect stole a size 13 pair of brown leather cowboy-style “1883 by Lucchese” boots retailed at $300 from Watsonatta Western World. An employee remembers the suspect had been in the store the day before trying on several pairs of boots, including the ones stolen. The day of the larceny the employee was busy assisting customers and realized after the suspect had left, the boots were missing and the box was left empty. Surveillance photos were taken of the suspect (pictured). He is 20 to 25 years of age with brown hair. He is about 6 feet tall, weighing about 220 pounds. Anyone with information on this crime, or any other crime, is asked to call Crimestoppers at
828-268-6959.
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January 26, 2009
Flipping out for WinterFest
A few Chetola employees flip their way into the chilly waters of Chetola Lake during the annual Polar Plunge Saturday in Blowing Rock. The plunge was a part of WinterFest being celebrated in Blowing Rock. Look for more photos in the Wednesday edition of the Watauga Democrat or visit the Watauga Democrat's Web gallery. Photo by Mark Mitchell
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Creating our resilient area
The local organization MountainKeepers and about 85 people put their heads together Saturday to share ideas on "How to create a resilient community?"
Watauga sheriff's reports:
Jan. 15 - Susan T. Fabbri, 39, of 166 Quail Ridge Lane, Apt. B, Boone, was served with a criminal summons on a school attendance law violation. She is scheduled to appear in district court on Feb. 17.
County considers sign ordinance amendment
The Watauga County Planning Board is considering a recommendation to freeze new billboards and create local regulation of digital billboards, though the public will get several opportunities to weigh in on the issue.
N.C. legislators receive committee assignments
North Carolina's representatives in the 111th Congress will wield influence on both the way the legislative debates are framed and how veteransa' affairs and the military are shaped.
SUV crashes into building
At 2 p.m. on Friday, a Ford Explorer traveling on Hodges Gap Road went over an embankment into the back of units at Boone Self-Storage and Moving Center.
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.
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.
