Archived
Barnstorming
The Carolina Barnstorming Tour made its way into the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone Thursday night. This marks the 31st year for the event, which benefits The Ronald McDonald House. Tyler Hansbrough was on hand along with ACC and WNC all-stars. The event even brought out some ASU football players. They are shown here reacting to a huge dunk and razzing the basketball players on the court. All in good fun, of course. For more photos from the game, please visit the photo galleries.
Photo by Rob Moore |
Sports update: Pioneers take first place
If Watauga’s baseball team was going to put some distance between itself and McDowell, both in their game Thursday night and in the Northwestern 4-A Conference standings, the Pioneers needed to have a big fifth inning.
Sports update: Peterson says ‘no’ to ASU
Former Appalachian State Buzz Peterson said he would not return to coach the Mountaineers Thursday after being offered the job last week, the Charlotte Observer reported on its web site. Peterson, 45, was offered the job after former coach Houston Fancher was relieved of his duties after nine years as head coach. Fancher was also a former assistant to Peterson, who left Appalachian State to coach at Tulsa. Peterson coached at Tennessee one year later and also coached at Coastal Carolina before becoming the director of player personnel with the Charlotte Bobcats.
Dancing to the beat of a different drum
Visitors to the Summit Trail Solarium on the Appalachian State University campus Tuesday are treated to native dance and song by Dry Creek Medicine Drum during the eighth annual Diversity Celebration and 13th annual Unity Festival. The celebration featured free food, entertainment and events, and since 2002, it has hosted performers and presenters from across the Southeast and locally who share aspects of their cultures.
Photo by Mark Mitchell |
Visitors give Blue Ridge Parkway a ‘thumbs up’
More than 96 percent of Blue Ridge Parkway visitors value the views and scenic drive above all other aspects of the national park.
Boone Drug is in search of those born above the store
Boone Drug is looking for special deliveries made more than 50 years ago.
Watauga County sheriff’s reports
March 29 — Brian Douglas Whittington, 19, of 7235 Gingercake Road, Jonas Ridge, was arrested on view on charges of driving while impaired, driving after consuming alcohol while underage and driving left of center.
East King Street to close Monday through Thursday
The beginning stages of utility work on the U.S. 421 and King Street widening project in Boone will begin on Monday with the closure of a section of East King Street.
April 8, 2009
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Unseasonable
Eric Woolridge of the Watauga County Tourism and Development Authority makes a snowy walk to work on Tuesday morning as he passes First Baptist Church on King Street in Boone. About 1 to 3 inches of snow fell across the region, closing Watauga County schools.
Photo by Mark Mitchell
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Updated: Reyes pleas in DWI death case
The man accused in the 2007 drunk-driving death of a Boone man agreed to a plea bargain that will send him to prison for more than 15 years.
School board passes $13.7 million budget
The Watauga County Board of Education approved a recommended local budget of $13.7 million for the next fiscal year, a slight decrease from the previous year.
County stops all new billboards for six months
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners put all new billboards on hold for six months to give the county more time to review possible changes to the county sign ordinance.
Commissioners move to beef up law enforcement resources
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners fielded law-enforcement requests and an environmental resolution during their Monday morning meeting in Boone.
General Assembly looks at ‘green bill’
The North Carolina General Assembly is considering a bill that would force electricity users to pay for investments in “green energy.”
State free clinic officials discuss future in Boone
Officials from North Carolina’s 77 free clinics gathered in Boone last week for a three-day conference to address community health-care challenges.
Foxx takes some heat after ‘tar baby’ quote
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5) raised controversy by using the phrase “tar baby” in a speech made on the U.S. House of Representatives floor.
Deal named to UNC system trustees board
Watauga County Board of Commissioners chairman Jim Deal has been elected to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.
Fire destroys new home in Vilas
A new home was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning in Vilas.
Sports update: Schedule changes
Watauga’s baseball softball and soccer games against Freedom that were postponed Tuesday have been moved to Wednesday. The varsity baseball team will host Freedom beginning at 4:30 p.m. The jayvee game will follow. Watauga’s softball team will play its game at Freedom beginning at 4:30 p.m., with the jayvee game to be played afterward. Watauga will host Freedom on May 8. Watauga’s girls’ soccer game was moved to Freedom and will begin at 5 p.m. The jayvee game will follow. Freedom will play at Watauga on May 8. Watauga’s boys’ tennis match at A.C. Reynolds was postponed. There is no make-up date as of yet.
No school Saturday
Regardless of school closings this week, there will be no school on Saturday, April 11. That date will be the first Saturday of spring break. Any days that are missed this week will be added on to the end of the year.
April 6, 2009
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A time
to build
As the weather grows more springlike (OK, Monday and Tuesday may not count), local volunteers get a chance to help build local affordable houses for the needy through Habitat for Humanity. For example, Ronnie Marsh, fire marshal for the town of Boone, drills holes for sprinkler piping for a new Habitat for Humanity home along Rustic Lane in Boone. For more information, visit www.wataugahabitat.org. Photo by Mark Mitchell |
Reyes sentenced to more than 15 years in prison
Juan Manuel Juarez Reyes, 26, appeared Monday in Superior court and entered into a plea agreement regarding multiple charges resulting from a November 2007 collision that claimed one life and seriously injured two others.
Skaters respond to potential county park closing
Local skateboarders have mixed feelings about a recommendation to close the county-operated skate park, believing the sport has been misunderstood.
Sheriff’s reports
March 23 — Dylan Tyler Cook, 23, of 471 Love Knob Road, Sugar Grove, was served with a warrant for arrest on a charge of felony possession of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to appear in district court on April 17.
Signs, march and speak-out on sexual assault awareness
Community members and Appalachian State University students and faculty are joining together to Take Back the Night on Wednesday, April 8.
Food stamp usage keeps rising
With unemployment rising and the economy still sluggish, the Watauga County Department of Social Services is handling record numbers of food-stamp applications.
Local Celebrity Serve benefits Hospitality House
Local elected officials, law enforcement officers and Appalachian State University athletes will be taking orders on April 7.
