Archived
Grandfather is state's newest park
Grandfather Mountain is officially a state park now, with Friday's passage of a legislative bill, one of the last steps of a year-long process that secures the long-term future of the biological treasure.
Trial April 6 regarding DWI accident that claimed life of 22-year-old
Juan Manuel Juarez Reyes, 26, was in Superior Court Friday to face multiple charges in the November 2007 vehicle collision that claimed the life of Andrew “Drew” Newell, a 22-year-old Watauga High School graduate.
Crimestoppers: Couple poses as utility workers to gain entry to home
Watauga County Crimestoppers and Boone Police seek the public’s assistance in solving the following crime: At 5:15 p.m. on Thursday March 27, a Boone resident was tricked, and a large larceny occurred. A Hispanic male and Hispanic female knocked on the door of the Deerfield Road residence and explained that they were doing utility work in the area. The female lured the resident outside to discuss utility lines, while the male entered the home and stole a large amount of money and jewelry. The suspects were traveling in a newer model white four-door Chevrolet pickup truck with a dump bed. 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.
Portion of parkway to be closed due to landslide
A landslide on the Blue Ridge Parkway will close a two-mile section of the road for at least the rest of the year.
Watauga County remains in moderate drought despite recent rain
Though Western North Carolina has moved out of the most severe drought category, the extended dry spell continues as the traditional growing season begins.
ASU study may uncork data on wine and weight
Appalachian State University professors Lisa McAnulty, Steve McAnulty and Tim Radak are looking for volunteers to participate in a study focusing on chronic and acute effects of daily red-wine consumption and its effect on weight loss and body fat reduction.
Watauga sheriff’s reports
March 17 — Rita L. Zaby, 34, of 1171 Bamboo Road, Boone, was served with an order for arrest on charges of simply physical assault, probation violation and two counts of communicating threats.
Town council OKs water, sewer for soccer complex
Although the town of Boone, Appalachian State and Watauga County don’t always agree on every issue, the idea of more affordable housing and enhanced recreation brought the trio together during last week’s town council meeting.
Ideas blossom at Food Summit
The distance between the garden and the dinner table narrowed a little in the wake of a local food summit held in Valle Crucis last week.
Girl Scouts' Dessert Tasting fundraiser tonight
The second annual High Country Girl Scout Dessert Tasting will held Friday, March 27. Chefs from 10 area restaurants have donated their time and expertise to create recipes using Girl Scout cookies.
Bomb threat called in at courthouse Thursday
At 3 p.m. Thursday, an anonymous call was made to the Watauga County Courthouse alleging an explosive device had been placed in the building. The building was immediately evacuated by Watauga County sheriff's officers and members of the Boone Fire Department. Boone Police officers were deployed to secure the perimeter around the building and assist in re-directing traffic around the building. Watauga Medics was staged in the area as a part of bomb threat protocol. The sheriff’s K-9 unit swept the building and determined no explosives were inside. Employees and the public were cleared to re-enter at 3:45 p.m. No further information regarding the call has been released.
— By Melanie Davis Marshall .
Sports update: WHS baseball time changed
Watauga’s baseball team will play at Alexander Central at 4:30 p.m., Friday, instead of the usual 6:30 p.m. The game was moved up to avoid any possible bad weather that is predicted to hit the area. The jayvees, who normally play at 4:30, will play following the varsity.
Sexual assault reported on ASU campus
A female student at Appalachian State University reported a sexual assault to campus police Wednesday night. The victim said she was assaulted by a male acquaintance at approximately 4 p.m. on March 21 in a residence hall on the east side of campus. The incident remains under investigation and no further information has been released. In a statement, ASU police offered tips for safety. They warn students to be careful when inviting someone into his/her room or apartment and to use caution when entering another's. This is where most sexual assaults occur, according to the police. People should always be aware of their surroundings and trust their instincts, the police added. If a student feels uncomfortable, they should call ASU police at (828) 262-2150. — By Melanie Davis Marshall
 
Arrests made in motor vehicle breaking, entering
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The Boone Police Department has arrested two men in connection to a March 1 motor vehicle breaking and entering. The investigation lead to charges against Ryan Kale Hood (right-hand photo), 18, of Waxhaw, and Logan Rhett Blair (left-hand photo), 20 of Weddington. Both were charged with felony breaking and entering of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor larceny after breaking and entering. The break-in occurred on Ivy Drive in Boone. Hood and Blair are both scheduled to appear in district court on May 1 in lieu of $2,000 bonds.
— By Melanie Davis Marshall |
Two Rivers Charter School completing four years
Two Rivers Community School, the first charter school in Watauga County, is finishing up its fourth year with a slow but steady growth in enrollment and plans to build a permanent campus.
Regional jobless rates top 10 percent
Although still one of the lowest in the state, Watauga County’s jobless rate jumped to 8.1 percent in January.
Hardin Park battles books best
Six Hardin Park Elementary School students battled books to victory Friday.
March 23, 2009
Battle plan
From left, Cove Creek Elementary School students Amber Massengill, Vanessa Greene, Courtney Latham and Brandon Pearce talk strategy during a break in the Watauga County Middle School Battle of Books competition on Friday at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, According to battleofthebooks.org: “Students read books and come together to demonstrate their abilities and test their knowledge of the books they have read. The competitions are similar in style to the TV series ‘Family Feud.’” Photo by Mark Mitchell |
WHS senior Will Barbour chosen for Morehead-Cain scholarship
Watauga High School senior Will Barbour has achieved one of the state’s and the nation’s highest academic honors — selection as a Morehead-Cain scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Efforts at ASU yield energy savings, raise conservation awareness
By lowering thermostats, installing energy efficient lighting and turning lights off in empty rooms, Appalachian State University has netted more than $275,000 in energy savings since mid-December.
Banff Film Festival returns to Boone
The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Boone March 27-28. The world’s best films highlighting mountain adventure, culture and the environment will be shown beginning at 7:30 p.m. in ASU’s Farthing Auditorium.
Replacement named for retiring clerk of court
District trial-court coordinator Wanda Howell will serve out the remainder of retiring Watauga County court clerk Glenn Hodges’ tenure.
Four arrested on multiple drug charges
An ongoing narcotics investigation has led to the arrest of four Boone residents.
31-year-old charged with soliciting gang activity
An ongoing investigation involving an assault has led to the arrest of a Boone resident.
