Watauga out of drought
It's no surprise to gardeners who have been battling mud, but for the first time in more than two years, Watauga County is officially out of its drought. Today’s federal drought map shows that widespread rainfall in recent weeks brought improvements throughout North Carolina, most notably in 14 mountain counties that had been the state’s only area experiencing drought. Watauga County remains among the 53 counties on opposite ends of the state that remain abnormally dry, which means an area could return to drought without adequate rainfall. Officials still urged caution and encouraged water conservation, since drought could return, and water tables still remain low in many areas. The drought of 2007-08 was the worst in North Carolina since recordkeeping began on the subject in 1895. The drought was first designated on Feb. 13, 2007, creeping from the mountains to the coast as a lack of rainfall depleted streamflows and reservoirs to record low levels.

This is only a test More than 100 emergency personnel gathered on the campus of Appalachian State University on Wednesday for a full-scale drill. The situation consisted of a shooter/hostage situation within a residence hall. Photo by Melanie Marshall

Tourism revenue lags behind 2008 increase so far in 2009
While state tourist and visitor spending grew slightly last year, this year will likely see some downturn.

Home Show comes to Holmes Center May 15-16
The High Country Home Show takes place this weekend, with offerings on display from some of the top companies and builders.

A place for portraits
Watauga County had a closetful of strangers on its hands during courthouse renovations of the last two years, but now the dust is settling on their new homes.

Trailway Cleaners will leave King Street The Boone area is losing a couple of centuries’ worth of dry cleaning experience. Trailway Laundry & Cleaners, which has operated on King Street since the early 1960s, will be pulling the plug on its presses and folding for the last time in June. Photo by Mark Mitchell

Sports update: South Caldwell trips Pioneers in NWC final
South Caldwell beat Watauga 5-0 behind a four-hit shutout pitched by the Spartans' Cody Poarch at Watauga's field Tuesday night. Poarch limited Watauga to four hits, including doubles by Cal Hardee and Jake Wallace. Watauga opens the state 4-A playoffs Friday at home against Weddington.
Watauga's softball team beat South Caldwell 2-1 in Taylorsville in the quarterfinals of the NWC Tournament and plays Freedom Wednesday at 7 p.m. Kara Tester drove in Chandler Butler with an RBI double and scored on a Breanna Steinke fielder's choice. Watauga's boys' tennis team was eliminated from the state 4-A dual tournament 5-1 by Ardrey Kell. Davis Roberts picked up Watauga's lone victory, winning 6-4, 6-4

May 13, 2009
Howell pleads to brother’s stabbing death
Two years after an altercation left one brother dead and another charged with first degree murder, the case has come to an end.

May 11, 2009

Higher school lunches
School meals will increase next year under a plan approved by the Watauga County Board of Education Monday night.

Fundraisers to benefit Bradley Swift A community meeting was held on April 30 by the friends, family and co-workers of Bradley Swift to organize fundraisers to benefit the 24-year-old Boone Police officer diagnosed with leukemia.

Chetola picked as top biz
From a boarding house to a lakefront condominiums. Chetola Resort has long been an escape for visitors and travelers and now it’s been recognized by the business community.

Habitat looks for a local lot
The Watauga Habitat for Humanity has received a hefty donation. The Perkinsville Baptist Church donated a three-bedroom, brick home that currently sits on the church property.

Police arrest two in separate cases
On Thursday, officers of the Boone Police Department were called at JBH Imports on West King Street in reference to a breaking and entering. A large amount of jewelry was reported stolen.

Town of Boone announces poster contest winners
The town of Boone announced the winners of fourth annual poster contest for second graders on Tuesday.

Sports update: NWC title game moved to Tuesday
Watauga’s Northwestern 4-A Conference championship baseball game with South Caldwell scheduled for Monday night at M.S. Deal Stadium in Granite Falls was postponed again. The teams will play Tuesday at Watauga’s field at 6:30 p.m. Watauga’s softball game with South Caldwell Monday night was also postponed and will be made up Tuesday at 6 p.m. at South Caldwell High.