Archived
Former student resource officer convicted in sex crime investigation
A former Beech Mountain police officer, who also served as an Avery County School Resource Officer, Michael Bruce Darcy, 45, of Boone, was convicted Tuesday in federal court in Asheville on charges of transporting an individual across state lines with the intent of engaging in sexual activity.
Former deputy files second civil suit
Former Watauga County sheriff’s chief deputy Paula Townsend filed a suit in district civil court on Tuesday against former sheriff Mark Shook and Western Surety Company.
Updated: Boone driver’s license office to briefly close
The drivers’ license office in Boone will be closing briefly next week, part of a changeover designed to increase identity security.
Sweeting appointed to health commission
After more than three decades of helping folks in the High Country with their health issues, family nurse practitioner Sue Sweeting will be taking her job to the state level.
Boone Police arrest burglary suspect
The Boone Police Department has arrested a man on burglary and felony larceny charges in connection to a break-in at an apartment in Daniel Boone Condos. Joshua Brett Bridges, 22, of Granite Falls, was served with an arrest warrant on July 16. He is alleged to have broken into an apartment, which was occupied by one person at the time, and a laptop computer was reported stolen. The date and time of the burglary was not released. Bridges is scheduled to appear in district court on Sept. 15 in lieu of an$18,000 bond. — By Melanie Marshall
Swine flu virus confirmed at Valle Crucis camp
Several students at an Appalachian State camp in Valle Crucis have tested positive for H1N1 flu virus.
July 15, 2009
Democrats sponsor health-care event
Watauga citizens will have an opportunity to tell their personal stories about insurance affordability, access, choice, and fairness and to know that those details will be relayed directly to their representatives in Congress, senators Richard Burr and Kay Hagan, 5th Dist. Rep. Virginia A. Foxx, and President Obama. The “Share Your Health-Care Story Drop-in” will be held in the Commissioners Conference Room in the county’s Administration Bldg. at the corner of W. King and Water streets in Boone from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. Participants will be able to tell their stories about access to affordable health-care on videotape, or they may write out the details of their individual cases. All stories, whether written or taped, will be bundled and delivered to senators Burr and Hagan, to Rep. Foxx, and to the President. All three Congresspersons have also been invited to send representatives to the live session to hear people’s stories first-hand. The event is being sponsored by the Watauga County Democratic Party but everyone is invited to participate in the non-partisan event.
DMV license office to close temporarily
The drivers' license office in Boone will be closing briefly next week, part of a changeover designed to increase identity security.
The Watauga County office, located at 4469 Bamboo Road, will close at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 23 and reopen at 1 p.m. Watauga County's is one of 16 offices that will be temporarily closed next week to change over to a new system of issuing licenses.
The new process is called "central issuance," which is designed to protect against identity theft and address fraud. It's the latest measure undertaken by the state to protect against identity theft and the illegal reproduction of drivers' licenses.
Under the new process, customers renewing their licenses or applying for new licenses will still visit the Boone office to take required tests and have identification photographs made.
More information is at www.ncdot.gov/dmv
Motorcycle wreck claims two Mountain City youths
A collision at the intersection of Slabtown Road and Tennessee 67 in Mountain City, Tenn., claimed the life of two youths Sunday afternoon.
Share your lunar memories
Thursday marks the 40th anniversary of the first manned mission to the moon on July 16, 1969. Where were you and what were you doing on that day? Send your memories (and any photos you may have) from that memorable day to reagan@wataugademocrat.com. We'll include your story in an upcoming news article.
Graduation rate rises to 75.5 percent
The Watauga County Board of Education received mixed news Monday night during its meeting in Boone, with an increase in after-school fees but a better graduation picture.
Two men injured in King Street fight
An early morning fight on Saturday sent two men to Watauga Medical Center with knife wounds.
Watauga Medics garners county contract renewal
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners gave the go-ahead for an ambulance contract renewal and supported wind-energy development.
Boone Police reports
July 7 — Arrests: James Aaron Davis, 20, of 181 Jessies Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, was arrested at 9:30 a.m. on two counts of larceny from a motor vehicle, three counts of breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, one count of larceny and two counts of financial card theft.
New River Committee takes to the water to raise awareness
The National Committee for the New River is sponsoring a kayak trip, but you might want to carry your sleeping bag along with your paddle and life jacket.
State plan could tax attractions
Next year, summer camp will cost more than just a few tubes of sunscreen.
Young professionals launch mixer
Social networking has come to mean online chatting and posting photos. However, there is no substitute for face-to-face networking, especially for professional development.
What’s blooming in local farming?
In the heart of the growing season, local agriculture activities offer growers the chance to learn more about crops and markets.
July 13, 2009
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Highland Games
highlights
The Charleston Police Pipes & Drum members entertain onlookers as they take the field during the Highland Games this past weekend at Grandfather Mountain. For more photos, please see our online gallery. Photo by
Mark Mitchell
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State may take Medicaid cost burden off N.C. counties
With all the grim state budget news floating around, there has been one long-anticipated case of local tax relief that has been lost in the face of mounting budget deficits.
Watauga sheriff’s reports
June 30 — Fraud was reported at a residence on the 600 block of John Shell Road in Sugar Grove. The victim reported a person attempted to deceive him/her.
School bus routes will be cut
The Watauga County school system is dropping three buses and eliminating hundreds of miles of bus routes in response to state budget cuts.
Hickory man arrested on 26 charges in string of break-ins
The Boone Police Department has arrested the man they believe is responsible for a string of business break-ins over the span of four weeks.
New amusement tax?
Next year, summer camp will cost more than just a few tubes of sunscreen.
Lobbyists for the tourism industry in Raleigh have advised businesses that there is a recreation and entertainment tax increase being proposed to help raise at least $1 billion in revenues to help offset a state budget that is poised to shrink nearly $5 billion. According to Connie Wilson, a lobbyist with the N.C. Travel Industry Association, the "amusement tax" increase would raise an estimated $31.5 million with a new sales tax on "golf , charter boat, white water rafting, nonstate museum and attractions and summer camps—basically any entertainment or recreation activity that requires an admission or a fee to be charged." Tourism, recreation and outdoor adventure businesses are rallying to contact their legislators and oppose the tax.
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