Archived

Crimestoppers: Thief apparently likes to golf
Watauga County Crimestoppers requests the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for the following crime: Sometime between Wednesday evening on April 29 and Friday morning on May 1, 2009 someone took a set of golf clubs from the golf cart shed at the Boone Golf Club. The clubs are described as set of Calloways and are in a black-and-red Adams brand bag. Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crimestoppers at 828-268-6959 or the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900. All information will be kept confidential. Crimestoppers pays rewards for information, which leads to arrests; recovery of stolen property; seizure of drugs; and the location of wanted persons.

Lighting the way Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman assists athlete Clyde Parsons in the lighting of the cauldron as the Special Olympics begin on Thursday at Watauga High School. Photo by Mark Mitchell

News update: Chetola is chamber's Business of the Year

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. The Blowing Rock resort has been selected as the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce "2009 Business of the Year." The boarding house developed by Lot Estes in the late 1800s helped build the area's reputation for leisure and vacation. The family estate was expanded into a lodge and retreat in 1982, with a construction of condominums. Now there are 250 condominiums on the 87-acre property, as well as the Bob Timberlake Inn, The Manor House Restaurant and Pub and a new spa. "It was thrilling," said Chetola Resort co-owner and manager Kent Tarbutton upon hearing the news Wednesday. "It's a pretty big honor because there are a lot of good businesses in our area and it's a great community we live in."

German cyclist visits Watauga cousin along cross-country trek Vilas resident Marion Warren didn’t have to travel far for a family reunion with a German cousin. In fact, the reunion came to him on two wheels. Photo by Jason Reagan

DOT gets ready for major 421 construction
Motorists in Boone can expect some intermittent delays as crews prepare for road improvements, while a section of Old U.S. 421 will be closed until mid-autumn.

Boone man wanted in I-77 shooting case

One man is in custody and another remains at large in connection to three shooting incidents on I-77 in April.

Watauga sheriff’s reports
April 28 — Helen Bledsoe Cobb, 56, of 8507 Three Top Road, Todd, was served with a warrant for arrest on two counts of possession of a schedule IV controlled substance.

Watauga Public Library celebrates new book releases
The Watauga County Public Library is hosting several upcoming programs in anticipation of summer fun between the pages, as well as new book releases.

Town seeks board and committee volunteers
The town of Boone is seeking volunteers to fill several vacant positions on town committees, boards and commissions.

A pillow fight against leukemia
A Boone woman is preparing to go toe-to-toe with leukemia – in running shoes.

March of Dimes event raises almost $40,000
Success has been tallied from the April 26 March for Babies event. Organizers raised nearly $40,000 to benefit the March of Dimes.

Boone woman arrested on fraud charges

Investigators with the Boone Police Department have arrested Haley Nicole Price, 22, of Boone on multiple counts of forgery and uttering (using a forged instrument).

Graffiti arrests continue by Boone PD

Investigators with the Boone Police Department continue to crack down on graffiti.

Sports update: WHS announces time changes
Watauga’s softball team has moved its game at home against South Caldwell to Thursday at 4:30 p.m. Watauga’s Northwestern 4-A Conference Tournament baseball game will be played at 4:30 p.m. Friday at M.S. Deal Stadium in Granite Falls because the Pioneers’ future opponent, East Burke or Alexander Central, has moved their game to Thursday because of rain. A.C. Reynolds beat McDowell 5-3 in their first-round game Tuesday night. South Caldwell plays A.C. Reynolds Friday at 7 p.m. The finals are Saturday at M.S. Deal Stadium, also at 7 p.m.

May 5, 2009

All aboard Tweetsie Railroad opened for its 52nd season last Friday. The Wild West amusement park, located between Boone and Blowing Rock, offers several annual events, including A Day Out with Thomas, LetterLand, the Ghost Train and several other events. See tweetsie.com for more information. Photo by Mark Mitchell

County skate park gets one-month reprieve
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners debated the future of the skate park during Monday’s meeting, deciding to spend another month trying to make the park work.

County looks for budget cuts
The county government is tightening its collective belt for the year ahead. Watauga County manager Rocky Nelson presented the staff’s recommended budget to the county commissioners Monday, featuring a 10 percent reduction in the county’s 2009-2010 budget and a bottom-line General Fund of $40.4 million.

Mom’s Nite Out comes to Boone
Boone area mothers are getting royal treatment as an advance on Mother’s Day. A local event is planned for May 7 as part of a national celebration of motherhood, part of numerous Web sites, broadcasts, and activities in both the virtual and the real worlds to share the joys of motherhood.

Program offers free cell phones
Nearly 4,000 Watauga County residents may be eligible for a free cellular phone and free minutes of air time in a “lifeline” effort to help provide emergency services.

WHS event changes
Because of rain that has fallen and is expected to fall Tuesday afternoon, Watauga’s first-round state 4-A tennis match against Northwest Guilford was moved to the Yonahlossee Resort Club in Boone. The match will start at 4 p.m. The Watauga’s girls’ soccer game with South Caldwell was moved to the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex. The jayvees begin at 5 p.m. and the varsity play at 6;30 p.m. Watauga’s softball game with South Caldwell was moved to Wednesday, and Watauga’s baseball game against T.C. Roberson was canceled.

10 percent county budget cut
The county government is tightening its collective belt for the year ahead. Watauga County manager Rocky Nelson presented the staff’s recommended budget to the county commissioners Monday, featuring a 10 percent reduction in the county’s 2009-10 budget and a bottom line General Fund of $40.4 million. “We’ve cut over $4 million on the budget. This is a very lean and subsistence budget,” Nelson said. Even with the budget finalized through work sessions, Nelson said staff would monitor revenues and possibly adjust the budget throughout the fiscal year. He said revenue projections were constantly changing as state projections are revised. The commissioners have scheduled two work sessions this month, and Nelson predicted the May 19 public hearing on the budget would be well attended. The budget is available at the county Web site at HYPERLINK http://www.wataugacounty.org,www.wataugacounty.org, in the county libraries and in the county manager’s office in Boone.

Road closure
The N.C. Department of Transportation will be closing Old U.S. Highway 421 (S.R.1233) on Monday, May 11, and it will remain closed through Oct. 15. There will be a detour from Old U.S. Highway 421 (S.R. 1233) to Sherwood Road (S.R. 1309) to Shoemaker Road (S.R. 1308) to Silverstone Road (S.R. 1306) to U.S. Highway 421 North. The road will be closed due to culvert being installed on the road.

May 4, 2009

Survey reveals land use concerns
A Mars Hill College survey claims most Watauga County residents are concerned about the effect of development and growth on natural areas on water resources.

As prices flare up, smokers look to kick butts
Increases in the cost of cigarettes, as well as restrictions on public smoking, have created a sprint to help lines and other methods for helping kick the habit.

Boone Police reports
April 23 — Criminal damage to property by graffiti was reported at 7:12 a.m. on Poplar Grove Road between the Poplar Grove Connector Road and Russell Drive.