Will to win
Visiting South Caldwell baseball players congratulate Watauga High pitcher Will Dicus as the Pioneers celebrate Senior Night on Tuesday on their way to a victory over the Spartans 12-6. Dicus, whose battle with cancer has been followed and supported by the wider community for the past four years, was honored by both his teammates and the Spartans —the South Caldwell team even raised $200 for Dicus’ family.
Please see SPORTS for details. Photo by Rob Moore |
Area business starts show promise
While the economy remains mired in a recession, self-starters are finding a welcome platform for launching new businesses in a local program.
‘Cancer doesn’t care about the economy’
Watauga County held its annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life kick off at 6 p.m. on Monday at Watauga Medical Center. As the group celebrated its accomplishments for 2008, the preparations began for this year’s walk to combat cancer. The date is set for Friday, June 19 until Saturday, June 20, at Watauga High School.
Merchants complain as parkway delay extends
Spring travelers along the Blue Ridge Parkway will face continued detours around Boone and Blowing Rock.
Watauga sheriff’s reports
March 3 — An incident involving intimidating a witness, habitual misdemeanor assault and carrying a concealed weapon were reported at a home on Rhymer Branch Road in Deep Gap. The victim reported being held at gunpoint against his/her will.
Pioneers blast Freedom 18-3
The biggest concern Watauga coach Pete Hardee had Wednesday going into the Pioneers’ game with Freedom was a letdown.
Crimestoppers: $6,000 worth of items stolen
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime: On Sunday March 8, sometime between 5 p.m. and 6:20 p.m., nearly $6,000 worth of property was taken from a residence on Friendship Church Road in Boone. The property consisted of a Glock firearm, ammunition, firearm accessories/case, a Bearcat scanner, a weather radio, an Imac laptop computer, an Ibook computer, a Bose radio and a Swiss Army titanium watch. 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.
No. 2 Tar Heels rally past Mountaineers
CHAPEL HILL - Just seven outs away from its first win over a nationally ranked opponent in 27 years, Appalachian State saw No. 2 North Carolina score five runs in the final two innings and fell, 9-8, on Tuesday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.
Watauga celebrates Senior Night with big win
Senior Night in most prep sports is similar to a homecoming game in football. Everybody wants to win so they can send their seniors out with a memory of a victory.
March 11, 2009
Boone’s free medical clinic given a boost with grant
The local free medical clinic is getting new equipment and expanding its services, even as its patient load increases.
Trio joins Boone Police Department
The Boone Police Department recently hired three new officers to the force.
Parents can still apply for free or reduced price lunch program
Watauga County Schools issued a statement Monday reminding parents of the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program.
Teachers recognized for national certification;
students honored for placing third in state
The Watauga County Board of Education reviewed Internet and summer-school policies Monday in addition to receiving an update on the new high school.
15 Watauga teachers awarded Price-Deverick scholarships
Teachers will get some more book learning of their own with the latest round of Price-Deverick scholarships.
Beginner runners need to set a goal and step up to it
As the weather turns warm and snow melts — well sometimes melts — in Boone, some are frantically racing to devise a plan to drop a few pounds before summer brings the heat.
Crimestoppers: Briefcase stolen from car
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime: Sometime between 8 p.m. on Wednesday March 4, and 12:30 on Friday, March 7, a briefcase was taken from the back passenger area of a vehicle. The vehicle had been parked at Cove Creek and Blowing Rock schools from the time it was last seen until the time it was noticed missing. 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.
March 9, 2009
Sunday night fire damages 800 Christmas trees
A fire in the Meat Camp area destroyed a barn and damaged three acres of land. The fire was reported at 7:30 p.m. Sunday off of Big Hill Road near the Green Valley Elementary School entrance. Upon arrival, firefighters with the Meat Camp Volunteer Fire Department discovered a barn that was fully engulfed with fire. The flames had also spread to nearby grassland and a section of Christmas trees. The firefighters received assistance from the N.C. Forest Service in controlling the wildfire. Paul Buchannon, technician with the Watauga County Fire Marshal's Office, investigated the fire. He said the barn was in the process of being torn down. The building sustained too much damage to determine the origin of the fire within the barn, Buchannon said, though the barn was found to be the start of the blaze. High winds Sunday evening caused the fire to spread uphill, taking over an estimated two acres of grassland and one acre of Christmas trees. The trees ranged from seedlings to two-year growth, with approximately 800 trees damaged by the fire. The land is owned by Mary McGoogan of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and leased to Christmas tree farmer Wendell Townsend. Buchannon said the amount of damage had not yet been determined and he is continuing to work with Townsend in estimating the value of the trees. — By Melanie Davis |
Lees-McRae College president to step down
BANNER ELK - Dr. David W. Bushman announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as the 13th president of Lees-McRae College effective May 31.
One person injured in N.C. 105 accident
A collision involving three vehicles on N.C. 105 sent one person to Watauga Medical Center Monday.
Boone PD arrests two in connection to Howard Street graffiti
Investigators with the Boone Police Department have arrested two individuals in connection to graffiti in the Howard Street area.
Wade Edward Brown dies at age 101
Wade Edward Brown died Monday, March 9, at the age of 101 leaving a legacy connected to the growth and development of the region.
Humane Society looks to proposed building for relief
As the Watauga Humane Society takes the next steps on its mission to care for local animals, many challenges remain — including raising funds in a sour economy.
State rules snag trout stream for area
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has approved some fishing, hunting and trapping regulations that affect local waterways.
Hunters Helping Kids plans banquet
The Watauga chapter of Hunters Helping Kids will be holding a banquet on March 13 to raise money for local youth. Hunters Helping Kids is a national nonprofit organization that began in North Carolina with a mission of making it possible for every child interested in outdoor sports to have the opportunity to participate.
Tree farmers gear up for battle with artificial market
The state's Christmas tree growers gathered at a trade show in Boone Friday and Saturday, sharing product news and plotting strategies to keep the business green.
'Suddenly poor' are adding to numbers turning to agencies for help
While many local service agencies are seeing a decline in donations and recessions, one of the most critical basic needs is touching broader segments of society.
Hydroponic marijuana operation shut down
The Watauga County Sheriff's Office Narcotics and Special Operations Unit have arrested Michael James McNamara, 36, following an investigation
into the manufacturing of marijuana.
Updated: Meth lab located in Deep Gap
On March 4, a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory was located in a residence at 722 Rhymer's Branch Road in Deep Gap.
Updated: Three students arrested in burglary case
Criminal warrants were served by the Watauga County Sheriff's Office on three individuals listed as Appalachian State University students on March 4.
