Hospitality House feeds 87,000 in 2008
More than 87,000 people were offered a hot meal or a food box from the Hospitality House in 2008.
SPORTS: The Citadel overtakes Mountaineers in OT
Hunger Coalition needs van
The Hunger and Health Coalition of Watauga County needs a midsize van or sports-utility vehicle for daily food pick ups.
“The current vehicle is having mechanical problems, which can limit the amount of food that can be picked up from local grocery stores and businesses,” executive director Compton Fortuna said. The coalition picks up food donations from grocery stores, restaurants and businesses every day. “These donations enable the organization to feed more than 1,000 people per month, providing fresh produce and nutritious meals” Fortuna said. She added that, given the current economic climate, the number of people in need is rising every day. “The Hunger and Health Coalition must be able to bring in the food that will address the needs of the hungry in our community,” she said. Any donation, including vehicle donations, made to the Hunger and Health Coalition is tax deductible. For more information, call Fortuna at (828) 262-1628.
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A gathering of hearts
The 18th annual High Country Heart Breakfast drew a crowd today, as many gathered at Appalachian/Brian Estates in Boone for the breakfast. The fundraiser for the American Red Cross featured breakfast goodies, as well as some health screening checks. The Hastings Company was the event’s sponsor.
Photo by Scott Nicholson
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Bill for Grandfather Mountain state park submitted
Bills to formally authorize Grandfather Mountain State Park, setting the stage for creation of North Carolina’s newest state park alongside the famous attraction, have been introduced in both houses of the N.C. General Assembly, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Opinion: When it comes
to evolution, don’t monkey around
Celebrations were under way Thursday to commemorate the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the British naturalist who developed the first scientific theory of evolution and the concept of natural selection.
Inauguration: A teaching moment
When Tiffany Christian’s son was in kindergarten four years ago, students were asked to dress up as what they wanted to be when they grew up. R.J., now 9, wanted to be the president at the time, so he wore a suit and went to school in all his presidential splendor.
High wind warning issued
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning to extend through Thursday night in the High Country. Winds were expected to range from 20 to 35 mph with gusts of up to 60 mph possible.
Raising awareness
Eight same-sex couples and a number of supporters held a marriage ceremony outside the Watauga County courthouse in Boone Thursday, then asked the county for marriage licenses. The event, staged as part of a national rally to raise awareness for same-sex marriage, brought about 60 people to the sidewalk outside the courthouse to wave rainbow-colored flags, hold signs and wave to passing motorists. The couples who participated in the ceremony then went to the Watauga County Register of Deeds Office and requested licenses. Register of deeds JoAnn Townsend told them North Carolina statute recognized marriage as between a male and a female and so she couldn't issue the licenses. The National Freedom to Marry Day was launched in the wake of a California referendum that restricted marriage to heterosexual couples. Story and photo by Scott Nicholson |
Boone Police reports
Feb. 6 — Fraud by obtaining money or property by false pretenses and larceny by an employee were reported at 4:12 p.m. the Belk department store in the Boone Mall.
Watauga sheriff’s reports
Jan. 28 — Larceny was reported at a residence on the 5755 block of Howard’s Creek Road. A red Artic Cat all terrain vehicle, valued at $6,000 was reported stolen.
Map composites may help target landslide
An environmental group is combining landslide maps with county deed records to show which areas might merit additional engineering before development.
Out standing in the field
Patricia Joynes stopped while driving and snapped this photo of two horses in a foggy field. Area residents who come across interesting photos in the High Country are invited to submit them for publication by sending them to Editor Jason Reagan at reagan@mountaintimes.com |
February 11, 2009
Pioneer girls roll over Cougars
It took a while for Watauga’s girls’ basketball team to find its offense. Once the Pioneers started scoring some points, it was more than Alexander Central could handle.
Alexander Central edges past WHS
It was supposed to be a matchup of two teams featuring two of the top forwards in the Northwestern 4-A Conference.
Pup and play
Emily Pickering, far right, gives cavalier spaniel puppy Banner a kiss as the two play with Holly Stuart and Banner's brother, Tab, in Banner Elk. Photo by Mark Mitchell |
School board chooses second Greenway plan
The Watauga County Board of Education voted to support a second option for a Greenway Trail to move the project farther away from the new high school.
Farmland protection sprouts up as key issue for agriculture board
Members of the Watauga County agriculture advisory board are attending a state workshop to better learn how to protect farmland.
Woman forced into a vehicle
on Horn in the West Drive;
two male suspects sought in connection with incident
The Boone Police Department is seeking help from the public to identify two men responsible for the abduction of a 22-year-old woman Sunday evening.
February 9, 2009
Stepping up for the homeless
Robin Lane and Andy Glass perform a cha-cha in the Dancing with the Stars competition held at the Hearts of Hospitality Ball Saturday. Lane and Glass were one of seven dance teams to compete and to raise money for the Hospitality House of Boone’s capital campaign. Photo by Melanie Davis |
Crimestoppers: Soles bandit
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime: Between Jan. 24 at 8:30 P.M. and Jan. 25 at midnight, multiple pairs of shoes were taken from the Yonahlossee Club. The shoes consist of five pairs of Ballistics and Trainers, 20 pairs of Nikes, 14 pairs of Adidas, three pairs of Prince shoes, four pairs of Dia-Dora shoes, and two pairs of K-Swiss. The shoes were taken from the boxes, and sizes are not confirmed. 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.
Local governments brace for lower revenues
Local sales tax revenues have been slipping slightly, creating challenges as officials prepare to plan their budgets for the coming year.
Farmers cultivate local connections
Local growers are teaming up to share the bounty with local consumers in a broad-based community-supported agriculture program.
Watauga sheriff’s reports:
Jan. 21 — An incident involving assault on a female, communicating threats and injury to personal property was reported on the 12000 block of U.S. 421 in Zionville. The victim reported having been struck, threatened and a propane tank damaged.
Boone Police reports:
Jan. 26 — Criminal damage to property by vandalism was reported at 7:46 a.m. on the 100 block of Poplar Grove Road.
Chancellor Peacock Honored for Support of Career Day
Appalachian State University Chancellor Dr. Ken Peacock was honored last Tuesday by the Blowing Rock Rotary Club for his support of “Career Day” for eighth-grade students in the Watauga County schools.
Police say Hiddenites hit and ran
Boone police say two Hiddenite, N.C. residents were involved in a hit-and-run incident.
