Archived
Blowing Rock Community Day Tournament set for Aug. 22
The golf carts and tennis courts of the Blowing Rock Country Club will be filled with people doing their part to help worthy organizations during the 20th Community Service Day Golf and Tennis Tournament, to be held on Saturday, Aug. 22.
New measure bans certain items from local trash centers
Watauga County expects to collect more recyclable materials as new statewide bans will soon come into effect.
For sale: Local high school, slightly used
Watauga County is setting a new course for the sale of the existing high school, putting the 71-acre property on the open market.
Probe ongoing in Zionville fire
The Watauga County Fire Marshal’s Office, with assistance from the State Bureau of Investigations, is continuing their investigation of a destructive fire from early August.
Travel spending dips locally
Watauga County experienced a slight dip in travel and tourism expenditures in 2008, according to preliminary data from N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.
Weight loss program closes with clear winners
The biggest winner of the “Boone’s Biggest Loser” program is now a little smaller, along with the other participants in a local health initiative.
Suit up! to fight homelessness
About 75 people gathered on the patio at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock Saturday for the first-ever Seersucker-and-Sundress cocktail party sponsored by the NC Mountain Boys (and Girls) social group.
One man injured in assault at Boone Mall
One man was transported to Watauga Medical Center and a second to Watauga County Detention Center after an altercation Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Boone Mall.
Three men arrested on burglary charges
The Boone Police Department has arrested three Boone men as a result of an investigation in an April burglary.
National pet detective leads search
A renowned "pet detective" has come to Boone to crack a tough case. Karin Karin Tarqwyn, who has been featured on a number of television shows such as "Animal Planet,' was summoned to Boone by Linda Plaster, who lost a collie while vacationing in the PowderHorn Mountain development. Her collie Jilly ran away on Aug. 5, and after several recent sightings near the Elk Motel in Boone, the search is continuing along the Middle Fork of the New River. Tarqwyn's team of six specially trained search dogs are trying to track Jilly, a 12-year-old smooth short-haired collie with yellow and white features. The dog is deaf, according to Plaster, and is companion to a three-legged pet therapy dog. Tarqwyn said there were several sightings in Boone Wednesday and it's rare for a dog to travel more than nine miles from where it was lost. Anyone with information on the collie can call (828) 265-4075. A $1,000 reward is offered.
Raleigh man charged in minors/alcohol investigation
A follow-up investigation led to charges against a Raleigh man for providing alcohol to two 19-year-old individuals. The Boone Police Department arrested Gregory Stephen Taylor, 22, on Monday. He is scheduled to appear in district court on Sept. 29 in lieu of an unsecured $2,000 bond.
Lane closed on N.C. 105 bridge soon
One lane of traffic will be closed on the bridge on N.C. 105 just north of Broadstone Road near Valle Crucis for about two weeks beginning Aug. 18, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
August 12, 2009
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Colonial style
Cast members of the Boone-based historical drama “Horn in the West” traveled to Hickory Monday evening to deliver the national anthem at the minor league Crawdads game. The Horn’s last production of the season will be Saturday, Aug. 15. Watauga Nights will run at the Horn from Aug. 13 to 15. All citizens of Watauga County get in at a discounted price of $6 each with valid ID. Photo by Steve Behr |
Coupon packet comes to hometown newspapers
Local consumers looking for substantial retail discounts in a sluggish economy no longer have to wait for a Sunday newspaper.
Local schools score high on state ABCs standards
Seven Watauga County schools were distinctly commemorated and county students exceeded the statewide average under 2008-2009 ABCs of Education testing.
What the new state budget means for Watauga County
With Gov. Beverly Perdue signing a $19 billion budget into law, concerns remain over the effects of tax hikes and education cuts.
Former Boone-based priest charged with obstruction
The former priest of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Boone is scheduled to appear Friday in Buncombe County district court on a felony obstruction charge in an Asheville child pornography investigation.
Watauga sheriff’s reports
Aug. 3 —Burglary with forced entry, larceny and criminal damage to property were reported on the 1100 block of Fire Tower Road in Boone. The victim reported a person damaged a door lock to gain entry to a building on the property and stole a portable television and a fire extinguisher.
Rominger accepted to FBI program
Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Dee Dee Rominger has been accepted to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (FBINA) in January of next year.
Safety project affects Deep Gap portion of 421
With the widening of King Street in Boone soon to get underway, a connecting route will also see some safety improvements.
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Football
flip-out
Appalachian State University defensive lineman Lanston Tanyi takes backup quarterback DeAndre Presley for a ride during a break in the Mountaineers’ media day on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Photo by Mark Mitchell |
Seven earn ‘School of Distinction’ status
Seven of eight Watauga County schools earned "School of Distinction" status in the 2009 ABCs of Education testing. Watauga students fared better than the statewide average in math, science and reading under the end-of-year testing program. Bethel, Blowing Rock, Cove Creek, Green Valley, Hardin Park, Parkway, and Valle Crucis were rated “Schools of Distinction," with at at least 80% of test results are at or above grade level proficiency and where academic growth has met or exceeded state standards. Mabel Elementary missed the mark by two-tenths of one percent on its performance composite score. Watauga High School achieved the proficiency results needed for a School of Distinction but fell short of the standard for expected growth. Tables summarizing state test results for the Watauga County Schools will be available on the news and data page of the school system website at www.watauga.k12.nc.us. Additional information about the state’s ABC’s testing system and detailed results for each school in North Carolina can be found online at http://abcs.ncpublicschools.org/abcs/.
Three killed in two accidents over the weekend
Three people were killed in two vehicle accidents over the weekend.
Fire plan will clear 7-mile border in Pisgah
Woodlands around Blowing Rock will see some fire-suppression work as part of a national-forest management plan.
Watauga Crimestoppers
Sometime between late Wednesday night and the early morning hours of Thursday, Hardee’s on Blowing Rock Road, Alray’s Tire on Realty Row, Hair Creations on the N.C. 105 Extension and Home Antiques and Interiors on Blowing Rock Road were entered by a person(s) forcing open an exterior door.
Watauga County sheriff's reports: July 29-Aug. 3
Hammer paid $15K for location of body
Ashe County Sheriff James Williams officially announced that the remains found buried in the Clifton community on Tuesday, Aug. 4, have been positively identified as Jimmy Lee Blevins.
 Ashe: Blevins' remains found
Sheriff's officials believe they have solved a two-and-a-half year missing person's case with the discovery of a body near the Clifton community.
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