Archived

Sports update: Mountaineers bash N.C. Central 17-0
Appalachian State’s baseball team struck quickly and often at North Carolina Central and cruised to a 17-0 victory over the Eagles at Smith Stadium Wednesday.

Foxx criticized for gay 'hoax' comment
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is again taking media heat for a comment made on the Congressional floor.

Editor’s view: ‘Little Dealer’ leaves huge shoes to fill

They say you can tell a lot about a person by their telephone demeanor. In fact, marketing companies tell their employees to smile when they talk because people seem to know when they do. Norman Cheek always smiled when he phoned me — of this I have no doubt. I couldn’t see it but I knew a grin was there. Not long after I arrived in the editor’s seat here in 2003, I could count on Norman to call me every few months about an upcoming community project.

Hendley as a Hero
A Boone man will be featured on this week’s edition of CNN’s Heroes. Doc Hendley, founder and president of Wine to Water was nominated and has been selected to appear as a Community Crusader.

Blowing Rock goes to D.C. to discuss water
The next time you wash your car, water your garden or take a bath, you might want to think about where that water comes from.

Watauga sheriff’s reports
April 21 — David Wade Andrews, 45, of 266 Buckshot Circle, Boone, was served with an order for arrest on a charge of a court violation.

Hickory Ridge engineer returns to lend a hand
Hickory Ridge Homestead has been promoting “living history” over the years, but now it is getting new life at the hands of one of its founders.

Midnight at the OASIS to be held Saturday
It is almost midnight, at least Midnight at the OASIS. It is time once again for the OASIS (Opposing Abuse with Services, Information and Shelter) annual fundraiser. Now it its 7th years, Midnight at the OASIS serves not only has a fundraiser and a means to raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault, the event also serves as a celebration of the services provided by OASIS.

Peterson happy to be back in Boone
It took almost a month, but Appalachian State finally got their man when it comes to hiring a men’s basketball coach.

‘Little Dealer,’ philanthropist dies at 70
The High Country is mourning the loss of “The Little Dealer with the Big Heart.” Former auto dealer and philanthropist Norman Cheek, who was known for his efforts to fund Project Graduation and provide supplies for active duty troops overseas, died Wednesday morning at the age of 70.

Watauga Special Olympics Spring Games Thursday
The Watauga County Special Olympics Spring Games are to be held at Watauga High School on Thursday, April 30. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. with a parade of athletes, several special speakers and the lighting of the cauldron. The competition begins at 10:30 a.m. Track and field events. as well as bocce, powerlifting and aquatic events, will be taking place at the school and other venues in Boone. “Everyone is invited to attend and cheer on our Watauga County athletes as they ‘Go for Gold’ during this year's spring games,” said a spokesperson for the event.

April 29, 2009

Watauga clinches share of NWC championship
Winning a conference championship is not supposed to be easy. Alexander Central made sure that Watauga had to put in a little extra effort into clinching at least a share of the Northwestern 4-A Conference title Tuesday night.

Pay cut coming for state employees
State employees will get a pay cut in May and June following a budget-tightening executive order signed by N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday.

Local health officials ready for swine flu
The swine flu is dominating headlines but it's still a long way from the Boone area.

Buzz Peterson returning as coach at ASU
Sometimes, a coach can have two tours of duty at one school.

More 421 work
According to the N.C. transportation department, a utility contractor will begin installing power poles this week, on the north side of U.S. 421, starting as early as Tuesday or Wednesday. Crews may be in the road from time to time, which will affect traffic. Check WataugaDemocrat.com for more traffic information as it becomes available.

MerleFest pickin’ Away from the stage, local musicians had a chance to play folk and bluegrass music in the “Pickers’ Circle” at MerleFest in Wilkesboro. About 70,000 were estimated to attend the annual festival, named in memory of the deceased son of Watauga County resident and Grammy winner Doc Watson. Photo by Rob Moore

Updated: Alcohol overdose kills ASU student
A 19-year-old Appalachian State University freshman died in the early morning hours of Saturday due to an alcohol overdose, police say.

More at Four program faces possible cuts
With the North Carolina Senate’s adopted budget cutting $40 million from the “More at Four” program, the local school system could lose staff, or even a number of slots, for the preschool program.

Farmers Market opens May 2
The Watauga County Farmers Market is kicking off its 35th anniversary season on Saturday, with local greens, handmade crafts and starter plants for those who are bringing the local-foods movement into their kitchens and gardens.

Hardin Park School hosts conservation day
About 70 percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water. Students of Hardin Park Elementary spent Earth Day learning how to conserve and protect this natural resource.

ASU athletics victim of Varsity Gym break-in
The Appalachian State University police department is seeking information regarding a break-in at Varsity Gym that occurred at or around midnight on Monday, April 27.

Local lottery winner
Someone in the Boone area may have $10,000 hiding in their pocket, under the mattress, or in the washing machine.

April 27, 2009

Some Shooting Stars wizardry Eli King, otherwise known as the Tin Man, takes the mike as brothers Zeke, the Scarecrow, and Caleb, the Lion, wait their turn during their  performance at Shooting Stars on Friday at Farthing Auditorium. For more photos, see the Web site's photo gallery. Photo by Mark Mitchell

E-911 staffers help save a life
Telecommunicators proved 911 to be a lifeline, literally, in the early morning hours of April 15.

‘Legends’ help open ball park
The gloves were a little stiff and the bats a little dusty, but Watauga’s all-time all-stars added sparkle to the county’s newest diamonds Thursday.

‘Dancing for Paws’ steps out for Humane Society
As a start to the celebration of its 40th anniversary year, the Watauga Humane Society is hosting a dance featuring local DJ Keith Richardson, spinning a mix of hits from across the musical landscape.

Boone Police reports
April 16 — Larceny from a motor vehicle was reported at 9:51 a.m. on the 500 block of Queen Street. A checkbook, an iPod and prescription medications were reported stolen.

ASU student dies from alcohol overdose
A 19-year-old Appalachian State University student died in the early morning hours of Saturday due to an alcohol overdose. Officers with the Boone Police Department and Watauga Medics were called at 4:30 a.m. to an apartment at 103 Oak Grove Road in Boone to a report of an unresponsive female who had consumed a large quantity of alcohol. Medics transported Raisa Sheikh of Charlotte to the Watauga Medical Center for emergency care. She was later pronounced dead. Police Detective David Osborne said Sheikh had been a party and returned to the apartment with friends. He also said alcohol is believed to be the only substance involved. — By Melanie Marshall

Monday brush fire escapes on Eastridge Acres Court
A brush fire escaped containment and damaged one half acre of wooden area on Eastridge Acres Court off of Old U.S. 421 in Boone. Rudy Johnson, ranger with the N.C. Forest Service, was on scene. The fire was reported at 10:55 a.m. Monday. Boone Fire Department responded with three trucks and nearly a dozen firefighters to extinguish the blaze. Johnson said Dwight Thomas Snyder, 54, of 452 Liberty Landing Drive in Fleetwood was burning a small brush pile after gathering winter debris. The fire spread into the wooded area almost instantly after ignition, according to Johnson. Snyder was cited for allowing the fire to escape. “We are currently in the worst fire conditions we have seen this spring,” Johnson said. Without the forest canopy of leaves and vegetation, the sun and wind dry the ground and dead vegetation very quickly. “It would be a lot safer if residents wait until after June 1, when the hardwood forest canopy has fully grown in, to burn brush,” Johnson said. There were no injuries reported at the fire. — By Melanie Marshall

Unemployment rates drop
Watauga County's unemployment rate declined in March as the job season is heating up across the state.

Bridge on Baird's Creek to be closed

The bridge located on Baird’s Creek Road (SR-1113) will be closed at the Willow Valley Golf Course Clubhouse. The bridge will be closed during the following dates: Monday April 27, 2009 through Wednesday, April 29, 2009. There will be detours on Liberty Hill Road (SR 1167), Arnett Hollow Road (SR1140) and Laurel Fork Road (SR1109).

Blowing Rock restaurants among state finalists
Blowing Rock has served up three of the 20 finalists in a statewide "fine-dining" competition for Best Dish.

ASU’s Reich College of Education

highlighted in U.S. News & World Report
The Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University is included in U.S. News & World Report’s recent focus on graduate programs.