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Monday Deals

2012-01-02T19:49:00.000-05:00

Char * $0.35 wings, $3 any Draft, STUDENT SPECIAL: Your choice of $4 Hamburger, Turkey & Brie or Tomato & Mozzarella until 4pm

Makoto's * $3 Corona & Corona Light, $6 Skinny Girl Margaritas

Frogurt * 10% off for students, 15% off for ASU faculty and 20% off for hospital employees. Over 100 delicious toppings!

Hot Diggidy Dog * "Meat Dog Monday" 2 for $5 Meat Dogs from 5pm to close.

Mellow Mushroom Boone * Come check out Mellow Mushroom's Home Grown Harvest Menu for the chance to win cool prizes! Like free pizza, $1,000, and tickets to Jam Cruise.

Galileo's * Live Team Trivia with AWESOME PRIZES at 8:30pm, $10 pitchers of Blue Moon

The TApp Room * Microbrew Monday! $3 All Microbrews, $2 off All Microbrew pitchers, $4 Shot Specials, $10 Bud Light Buckets, $4.75 Chicken Quesadillas

The Peddler: 1/2 price bottles of wine, $18.95 Beef-Kabob Dinner

Paolucci's * Open at 7 pm for Monday Night Football! Serving exclusively the bar menu! $2 PBR pints, $5 Jack and Cokes, $10 5-Bottle Domestic buckets

craVe * Live music, $4 Mojitos, $5 Fish tacos

Town Tavern * $0.35 wings, $2 Budweiser pints, $7 Bud pitchers, $4 American Honey, Buzztime Trivia

Bandana's * 8oz Char-grilled Burger Platters w/ 2 side items, $1.00 off regular menu price, $1.50 off Classic BBQ platters and combos from 11-4pm

Klondike Cafe * $2.50 seasonal pint drafts, All Wraps $4.99

Crossroads Pub * $1.50 PBR bottles, $2 Sloppy Joe's, $3 Microbrew drafts, $4 well drinks, Cornhole tournament starting at 7 with great prizes!

Sassy & Co Salon * First 5 people of the day get $5 off any service

La Buca Lounge at Casa Rustica * Spicy Calamari $7.50, House Liquor Drinks (Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo, Beefeaters, Bacardi, Smirnoff) $5

Pepper's * $2.75 Pale Ale bottles, $4.50 well Vodka & Gin, Buy 1 Get 1 free apps (@bar 5pm-7pm), $14.95 Herb Roasted Salmon (dinner)

Dominos Pizza * $4.99 Big Deal Large Pizza (ready-to-go carryout), 2 Medium 2-tops for $5.99 each, Beat the Clock

Primo's * closed on Monday

Friday Boone Deals

2011-12-30T09:09:00.000-05:00

Char * College Night on Friday! (18-20 $5 cover), $5 Chewbacca Bombs, $2 Corona, DJ and Dancing at 11 pm, STUDENT SPECIAL: Your choice of $4 Hamburger,
Turkey & Brie or Tomato & Mozzarella until 4pm

Makoto's * $3 Kirin & Kirin Light. Try the sushi!
Frogurt * 10% off for students, 15% off for ASU faculty and 20% off for hospital employees. Over 100 delicious toppings!

Hot Diggidy Dog * Try our Deep Fried Oreos! Open late til 3am.

Mellow Mushroom Boone * What kind of party would you have if you had $5,000. Mellow Mushroom in Boone wants to find out. You can help Boone Mellow WIN a $5,000 customer appreciation party. Bands? Free food? Free beer? Let us know what YOU want and we'll let YOU know how you can help.

Paolucci's * 1-2-3 Night! DJ spinning today's hits to video, lights & effects, $1 12 oz PBR Drafts, $2 Miller Lites, $3 Well Shots (no mixers), $4 Well Mixed drinks or Shooters

Galileo's * Karaoke Night! $1 Jello shots, $2 Yuengling, $3.50 Jager Bombs, $4 Jack

The TApp Room * $2.75 NC Drafts, $2.75 Beer Poker, $3 House Whiskey/Bourbon, $4 Royal Flushes, $5 Pork BBQ Sandwich

craVe * $5 Fridays - 2 Signature drinks for only $5 each

The Revolution: Opened extra late Tuesday-Saturday until 3 am - come chill with us!

The Peddler: Manager's Choice Drink Special, Early Bird Special! (til 6 pm) $18.95 for your choice of Marinated Chicken, Beef or Shrimp-Kabob, Shrimp Dinner (grilled or fried), Peddler Chop Steak & 4 Shrimp (grilled or fried), all dinners include soup, salad bar & potato

Town Tavern * Karaoke Night! $2 Rolling Rocks, $3 Vodka Cranberries, $3 24oz Keystone cans with tallboy coozie (limited time), $5 Jager Bombs, Buzztime Trivia
Bandana's * BBQ Pork or Down South Sandwich w/ 2 sides, $5.99, 1/2 Price Apps All Day, $1.50 off Classic BBQ platters and combos from 11-4pm

Klondike Cafe * $1.50 Budweiser cans, $1.50 Natty Light, $4 Soco Lime

Crossroads Pub * Fish Fry Fridays: hand-breaded haddock with slaw, fries and hushpuppies. Just like the beach! Lunch $6.95 Dinner $9.95, $1.50 Bud pints, $3 Sam Adams pints, $4 LITs, Live bands from 10 til 2

Sassy & Co Salon * FREE gift bag with any color service, now offering Brazilian Blowout and Big Sexy hair products, first 5 people of the day get $5 off any service

Primo's * $5 You-call-its, $5 Martinis, $6 Yuengling pitchers, Name-your-pasta, salad, garlic knots all only $7.95 (lunch)

La Buca Lounge at Casa Rustica * Five O-Clock Fridays: Meatball Sliders $5.95, Budweiser Bottles $1.75, Patron Shots $5, Blue Margarita (served in a tall glass) $7

Pepper's * $2.75 N.C. bottles, $3 pints, $4 Bacardi and Coke, $17.50 Ribeye Steak (dinner)

Dominos Pizza * $4.99 Big Deal Large Pizza (ready-to-go carryout), 2 Medium 2-tops for $5.99 each, Beat the Clock

Thursday Boone Deals

2011-12-30T09:08:00.001-05:00

Char * College Night: 18 and OVER admitted ($5 cover for unders) with DJ C-Ray spinnin beats, $1.50 Draft special, $3 Kamikazes, $4 Well drinks, Tapas Night: small prices and tasty portions,
STUDENT SPECIAL: your choice of $4 Hamburger, Turkey & Brie or Tomato & Mozzarella until 4pm

Makoto's * $2 Bud Light & Bud Light Lime, $2 Bud & Bud Select

Frogurt * 10% off for students, 15% off for ASU faculty and 20% off for hospital employees. Over 100 delicious toppings!

Mellow Mushroom Boone * Mellow Mushrooms Facebook Photo Contest! Win a $50 gift card just by posting on Facebook. Ask you server how you can win!

Hot Diggidy Dog * Try our Hawaiian Dog! Open late til 3am.

Paolucci's * The hottest party on Thursday nights just found a new home inside The Nightclub at Paolucci's! DJ Jamie Overcash shows up with the sickest club video mixes and creates the best party in town!
$6 Bombs (Jager, Irish, Vodka, etc), $2 Mr Paolucci's Bottled Beer pick, $3 PBR Tallboys, $4 Rotating shots (Bartender's choice), $5 Chewbacca Bombs (our favorite spirit + RedBull), $5 LITs

The Revolution: Opened extra late Tuesday-Saturday until 3 am - come chill with us
Galileo's * $4 Burger-and-a-Beer Combo, LIVE MUSIC at 9pm, $10 Blue Moon pitchers

The TApp Room * $2 Miller Lite bottles, $2.75 Blue Moon, $3 House Vodka, $5 Grape/Cherry Bombs, $5 Tic Tacs, $6 All Burgers

craVe * $2 drafts (ALL drafts), $3 Quesadillas at the bar after 8 pm

The Peddler: $7 Long Island Iced Teas, $20.95 10 oz. Prime Rib, $22.95 12 oz. Prime Rib

Mountaineer Medical Services * Walk-in office visits just $75 for new patients.

Town Tavern * "Beer-B-Q" $4 BBQ Sandwiches with fries, $1.75 PBR, $2 Coors Light, $3 Rum n Cokes, $4 Washington Apples, $5 Chewbacca Bombs, Buzztime Trivia
Bandana's * Rib and Rib Combo w/ 2 sides and Texas toast, $13.59 (samplings of St Louis and baby back ribs, all smoked in house), 1/2 Price Appetizers All Day, $1.50 off Classic BBQ platters and combos from 11-4pm

Klondike Cafe * $1 Busch Light bottles, $5 Jager Bombs, $4.99 Boone Cheese Steak Sandwiches

Crossroads Pub * Taco Day: soft tacos with beef, chicken, or veggies for only $2, $2 Coronas, $4 Margaritas, $4 Sangrias, Dart Tournament starting at 8 - throw the night away!

Sassy & Co Salon * FREE eyebrow wax with full foil, now offering Brazilian Blowout and Big Sexy hair products, first 5 people of the day get $5 off any service

Primo's * New Belgium Night: $2.50 all New Belgium beer, $5 16oz LIT's and Italian Margaritas, $5 You-call-its, $6 Yuengling pitchers, Name-your-pasta, salad, garlic knots all only $7.95 (lunch)

La Buca Lounge at Casa Rustica * Chicken Parmesan Pesto Sandwich $5.95, All Draft Beers $2.50

Pepper's * $2 off Flatbread Pizzas (@ bar), $2.75 Stella Artois, $2 off all Martinis, $14.95 Shrimp n' Grits (dinner)

Dominos Pizza * $4.99 Big Deal Large Pizza (ready-to-go carryout), 2 Medium 2-tops for $5.99 each, Beat the Cloc

Wednesday Deals

2011-12-30T09:05:00.001-05:00

Char * Live Trivia w/ Prizes @ 9:30pm, Half-price wine bottles (w/ entree ), $2.50 Blue Moon, $5.50 PBR pitchers, $3 Kamis, $5 bottomless bowls of soup (lunch),
STUDENT SPECIAL: Your choice of $4 Hamburger, Turkey & Brie or Tomato & Mozzarella until 4pm

Makoto's * 1/2 price wine bottles, best sushi in town

Frogurt * 10% off for students, 15% off for ASU faculty and 20% off for hospital employees. Over 100 delicious toppings!

Hot Diggidy Dog * $1 Hot Dogs, $2 Veggie Dogs (5pm to close)

Mellow Mushroom Boone * $3 Turbodogs all day, everyday at Mellow Mushroom!
Galileo's * half-price bottles of wine, $10 Blue Moon pitchers

The TApp Room * $2 Corona, $10 Corona Buckets, $4 Margaritas, $1 off Tequila, $2 Chicken/BBQ Soft Tacos

craVe * 1/2 price bottles of wine (select menu)

The Peddler: $6 Margaritas, $18.95 Charcoal Shrimp-Kabob Dinner

The Revolution Hookah Bar: Bubbles Night! Bubbles, bubbles, and more BUBBLES! We only offer bubbles once a week and the best part is all the bubbles are FREE!

Mountaineer Medical Services * Half-off new Medically-supervised Weight Loss program for new patients

Town Tavern * $1 Hot Dogs, $1 Budweiser drafts, $2 Yuengling, $3 House liquor, $4 Royal Flushes, Buzztime Trivia
Bandana's * Baby Back Ribs w/ 2 sides and Texas toast, $11.99/half order, $15.59/lg, Smoked Chicken Wings .39 cents All Day, $1.50 off Classic BBQ platters and combos from 11-4

Klondike Cafe * $2 Quesadillas (3 new flavors - 7 total) and $2 Yuengling, $3.50 Rum n Coke

Crossroads Pub * Ladies Night! 1/2 off entrees from 5-9 for the Ladies! $1.50 Rolling Rock, $3 Cosmos, $4 house wines

Sassy & Co Salon * 25% off full foil and haircut, now offering Brazilian Blowout and Big Sexy products, first 5 people of the day get $5 off any service

Primo's * Natty Greene Night: $2.50 all Natty Greene beer, $0.35 wings (after 4pm), $2 Killians, $5 You-call-its, $6 Yuengling pitchers, Name-your-pasta, salad, garlic knots all only $7.95 (lunch)

La Buca Lounge at Casa Rustica * Unlimited Soup and Salad $8, All Glasses of House Wine $4

Pepper's * Wing Night! $0.35 wings, $2 off all Whiskey highballs, $1.75 Yuengling, $12.95 Teriyaki Grilled Chicken (dinner)

Paolucci's * $2.50 Coronas & Corona Lights, $2.50 Dos Equis, $3 Margaritas, $10 Margarita Carafes

Dominos Pizza * $4.99 Big Deal Large Pizza (ready-to-go carryout), 2 Medium 2-tops for $5.99 each, Beat the Clock

Tuesday Deals 12/27/2011

2011-12-27T16:53:00.002-05:00

Char * Every other Tues is INTERNATIONAL NIGHT! 18+ with the best club music, Pizza & Pint $6, Pizza & Pitcher $10, $6 domestic pitchers, 1/2-price Martinis, $6 sandwiches with fries or side de jour (11am-2pm),
STUDENT SPECIAL: Your choice of $4 Hamburger, Turkey & Brie or Tomato & Mozzarella until 4pm

Makoto's * 1/2 price Sake, best sushi in town

Frogurt * 10% off for students, 15% off for ASU faculty and 20% off for hospital employees. Over 100 delicious toppings!

Hot Diggidy Dog * Specialty Burgers 2 for $10, mix-n-match, open late til 3am

Mellow Mushroom Boone * Throw yourself a party! Mellow Mushroom is giving away a $250 pizza party. Stop by and ask how you can win.

Galileo's * $6 ALL YOU CAN EAT BAKED ZITI, $4 Crown drinks, $4.50 Margaritas

The TApp Room * $2.75 Sierra Nevada Celebration pints, $10 pitchers, $2 Bud bottles, $4 Tuaca Shots, $4 Soco and Lime shots, $6 Fish N' Chips

craVe * $1 off all handcrafted Martinis, $5 Martini specials

The Peddler: 1/2 price bottles of wine, $37.95 Steak for Two Dinner

The Revolution: Open Mic Night! Come out and show us what you got!

Town Tavern * Live Trivia with Jerry Parker at 9:30pm, $2.95 Philly Cheesesteak Sliders, $1.50 Fatty Nattys (12oz. Natural Lights), $3 Kamikaze, $4 Vodka/Redbull

Bandana's * All You Can Eat BBQ Pork w/ 2 sides and Texas toast, $8.99ea, $1.50 off Classic BBQ platters and combos from 11-4pm

Klondike Cafe * Karaoke Night, $2 Coronas, $3.50 Cheeseburgers, $3.50 Washington Apples

Crossroads Pub * Wings and more wings! $0.35 wings all day long (minimum of ten wings) with one of our signature sauces. The best wings south of Buffalo! $2 Domestic pints, $4 Shots of our favorite spirit, $4 House martinis

Sassy & Co Salon * $5 Scalp massage with any haircut, now offering Brazilian Blowout and Big Sexy products, first 5 people of the day get $5 off any service

Primo's * "Blue Tuesday" $2.50 Blue Moon, 1/2 off wine, $5 You-call-its, $6 Yuengling pitchers, Name-your-pasta, salad, garlic knots all only $7.95 (lunch)

La Buca Lounge at Casa Rustica * Grilled Chicken Bruschetta Salad $7.95, Lemon Drop Martini $7

Thursday Deals 12/22/2011

2011-12-22T02:28:00.000-05:00

Makoto's * $2 Bud Light & Bud Light Lime, $2 Bud & Bud Select

Frogurt * 10% off for students, 15% off for ASU faculty and 20% off for hospital employees. Over 100 delicious toppings!

Mellow Mushroom Boone * Mellow Mushrooms Facebook Photo Contest! Win a $50 gift card just by posting on Facebook. Ask you server how you can win!

Hot Diggidy Dog * Try our Hawaiian Dog! Open late til 3am.

Paolucci's * The hottest party on Thursday nights just found a new home inside The Nightclub at Paolucci's! DJ Jamie Overcash shows up with the sickest club video mixes and creates the best party in town!
$6 Bombs (Jager, Irish, Vodka, etc), $2 Mr Paolucci's Bottled Beer pick, $3 PBR Tallboys, $4 Rotating shots (Bartender's choice), $5 Chewbacca Bombs (our favorite spirit + RedBull), $5 LITs

The Revolution: Opened extra late Tuesday-Saturday until 3 am - come chill with us

Galileo's * $4 Burger-and-a-Beer Combo, LIVE MUSIC at 9pm, $10 Blue Moon pitchers

The TApp Room * $2 Miller Lite bottles, $2.75 Blue Moon, $3 House Vodka, $5 Grape/Cherry Bombs, $5 Tic Tacs, $6 All Burgers

craVe * $2 drafts (ALL drafts), $3 Quesadillas at the bar after 8 pm

The Peddler: $7 Long Island Iced Teas, $20.95 10 oz. Prime Rib, $22.95 12 oz. Prime Rib

Mountaineer Medical Services * Walk-in office visits just $75 for new patients.

Town Tavern * "Beer-B-Q" $4 BBQ Sandwiches with fries, $1.75 PBR, $2 Coors Light, $3 Rum n Cokes, $4 Washington Apples, $5 Chewbacca Bombs, Buzztime Trivia

Bandana's * Rib and Rib Combo w/ 2 sides and Texas toast, $13.59 (samplings of St Louis and baby back ribs, all smoked in house), 1/2 Price Appetizers All Day, $1.50 off Classic BBQ platters and combos from 11-4pm

Klondike Cafe * $1 Busch Light bottles, $5 Jager Bombs, $4.99 Boone Cheese Steak Sandwiches

Crossroads Pub * Taco Day: soft tacos with beef, chicken, or veggies for only $2, $2 Coronas, $4 Margaritas, $4 Sangrias, Dart Tournament starting at 8 - throw the night away!

Sassy & Co Salon * FREE eyebrow wax with full foil, now offering Brazilian Blowout and Big Sexy hair products, first 5 people of the day get $5 off any service

Primo's * New Belgium Night: $2.50 all New Belgium beer, $5 16oz LIT's and Italian Margaritas, $5 You-call-its, $6 Yuengling pitchers, Name-your-pasta, salad, garlic knots all only $7.95 (lunch)

La Buca Lounge at Casa Rustica * Chicken Parmesan Pesto Sandwich $5.95, All Draft Beers $2.50

Pepper's * $2 off Flatbread Pizzas (@ bar), $2.75 Stella Artois, $2 off all Martinis, $14.95 Shrimp n' Grits (dinner)

Dominos Pizza * $4.99 Big Deal Large Pizza (ready-to-go carryout), 2 Medium 2-tops for $5.99 each, Beat the Clock

Bank Robbery in Boone

2009-09-11T11:39:00.000-04:00

Search Continues for Family of Local Legend

2009-09-08T08:53:00.003-04:00

The search continues for next of kin for well-known street poet and peddler, Joshua Watauga. In an attempt to locate family, photos Joshua carried were released by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System police. Those photos were posted online Thursday.

It has been determined the photos of the young girl were actually a local family who knew Joshua, but were not related in any way.

Watauga collapsed behind the Mountain House Restaurant in Boone on Aug. 10 at approximately 4 p.m. He was transferred to Wake Forest University's Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem later the same day.

According to a spokesperson at Baptist, Watauga is in stable condition and was admitted as a patient under the name Joshua "Doe."

Many possible names have surfaced since hospital officials began searching for next of kin - Joshua Ted Watauga, Joshua Beau Daniels, Joshua Theodore Watauga, Joshua Ted Kurylo, J.T. Kurylo, Teddy King and Walter Curillo (Cariello).

In a profile of Joshua by Leigh Ann Henion, published in the July 25, 2002 edition of The Mountain Times, Joshua said he first came to Watauga County in 1978. Henion's story also mentioned Joshua's previous career as a professional musician who once performed on KPFA public radio in San Francisco.

Community members are continuing to come forward with information and several have stated Joshua spoke of a daughter.

Anyone with information regarding Joshua's true identity or possible family is asked to contact the Watauga Medical Center police department at (828) 262-4100 or Melanie Marshall at the Watauga Democrat at (828) 264-6397.

Read full aricle here at WataugaDemocrat.com

App State Alumnus Designed Electric Motorcycle

2009-09-08T08:37:00.002-04:00

An Appalachian State alumnus recently showed off his new ION electric motorcycle at the Southern Energy and Environment Expo.

Internet bloggers were so impressed in Tom Miceli’s creation that he was featured in AutoBlog.

Domenick Yoney of AutoBlog reports Miceli earned a Bachelor’s Degree in industrial design at ASU.

The ION motorcycle was reportedly conceived, designed, modeled, and constructed in one semester using a minimal budget.

An 84-volt lithium battery powers the bike. It can reach a top speed of about 80 miles per hour and can run about 60 miles between recharging sessions. The battery can be recharged using a typical household plug in about six hours.

More pictures and a video about Miceli’s bike can be found at http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/02/tom-micelis-ion-an-eye-catching-electric-motorcycle-indeed-w-v/.

Read full article here at goblueridge.net

ASU Comeback Falls Short at East Carolina

2009-09-08T08:30:00.002-04:00

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Behind sophomore quarterback Travaris Cadet, Appalachian State University football rallied from a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit with 17 points in the final period, but the comeback came up just short in a 29-24 season-opening loss to East Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Appalachian fell into a 24-0 hole less than 17 minutes into the contest and trailed 29-7 going into the fourth quarter. Three plays into the final period, ASU running back Devon Moore trimmed the deficit to 29-14 when he capped a 12-play, 55-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge.

On East Carolina's ensuing possession, the ASU defense posted an impressive three-and-out and Cadet gave the Apps their best field position of the day when he returned a punt by former Mountaineer Matt Dodge 19 yards to the ECU 38. Seven plays later, Cadet made it a one-possession ballgame when he scored from a yard out to cut ECU's advantage to 29-21.

The volume from the thousands of Black and Gold-clad faithful in attendance at sold-out Dowdy-Ficklen reached a fever pitch when Cortez Gilbert intercepted ECU's Patrick Pinkney at the ASU 33 yard line and returned it 16 yards to the 49.

Cadet marched the Mountaineers all the way to the 22 yard line but had to settle for a 43-yard field goal by Jason Vitaris with 3:24 to go after a misplayed snap exchange on second-and-seven stalled the potential game-tying drive.

Once again, the Mountaineer defense came up with a huge three-and-out and ASU got the ball back on its own 24 yard line with 1:28 left to play. The Apps moved to midfield with three-straight completions but Cadet was sacked on first-and-10 from the ASU 48 with less than a minute remaining. After killing the clock with a spike, Cadet found Blake Elder for an eight-yard gain but a pass to CoCo Hillary on fourth-and-10 was just out of his reach and the Appalachian comeback and upset bid ended with 16 seconds to go.

Read full story here at goasu.com.

Appalachian State visits East Carolina

2009-09-04T10:49:00.003-04:00

To kick some serious ass. Go App!

High Country Beerfest This Weekend

2009-09-01T08:42:00.002-04:00

Thirsty High Country residents will welcome the coming of this weekend's 2nd annual High Country Beerfest. The event is slated to take place on Saturday, September 5, at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center. Tickets are $20 in advance and can be purchased at the Broyhill, as well as at Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants and online visiting http://www.hcbeerfest.com/.

The High Country Beer Fest is the annual celebration of quality craft beer from around the region and the world. The event will feature dozens of brews and delicious food, as well as educational seminars covering all aspects of beer, brewing and pairing food and beer.

According to event organizer Brett Taubman, this year’s event will be comparable to last year’s inaugural festivities, which featured beers from more than 50 different breweries.

Breweries already committed to this year’s festival include Boone Brewing Co., Foothills Brewing, Kind Beers, French Broad Brewing Co., Lonerider Brewing Company, Olde Hickory Brewer, Thomas Creek Brewing Co., Sweetwater Brewing and Oskar Blues Brewery.

“This year we’re hoping to be even bigger and better,” said Taubman.

The event will also feature live music from Lisa Baldwin & Dave Haney, the Henhouse Thieves, Rivers Street, the Worthless Son-in-Laws and BPL.

All proceeds will benefit the Hospitality House in Boone and the first non-profit, educational brewpub in the country on the campus of Appalachian State University, The Ivory Tower Brewery. The brewery will be run and managed by ASU faculty and students. The program will include beer and brewing course offerings and a research component comprising renewable energy production (e.g. capturing clean carbon dioxide for biodiesel production) and the use of alternative energy to power the brewery.

Taubman encourages attendees to plan accordingly for the event including safe and sober transportation. Designated drivers get in free to the High Country Beer Festival.

For more information on the High Country Beer Fest, visit http://www.hcbeerfest.com/, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/hcbeerfest, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51669668850.

Man Paints Face to Rob Store, Dies From Fumes

2009-08-26T09:18:00.002-04:00

Deputies in Richland County say they've arrested the final suspect who they say robbed a cell phone store on Sparkleberry Lane.

One of the suspects, however, died shortly after the crime took place.

Investigators with the Richland County Sheriff's Department say 24-year-old Thomas James spray-painted his face to conceal his identity during the crime.

Deputies say the man began having trouble breathing shortly after the crime, then died. The exact cause of his death has not been released.

Deputies say James, with the help of 23-year-old Michael Gregory Thomas, robbed the Spring PCS store at 1131-B Sparkleberry Lane.

According to authorities, the suspects stole wallets, purses and credit cards from five employees of the store, after demanding money from them at gunpoint.

Investigators say James and Thomas ordered that the employees stay inside a bathroom while the suspects left the store.

Employees were able to identify Thomas as a suspect in the incident.

Source: wltx.com

NC Senator Shoots Intruder

2009-08-24T07:55:00.001-04:00

TABOR CITY - TABOR CITY -- A sheriff says North Carolina's longest serving lawmaker has shot an intruder at his Tabor City home.

Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten said that 74-year-old state Sen. R.C. Soles shot one of two people who kicked in the front door Sunday.

Batten says the intruder was taken to a hospital, though he did not know the extent of his injuries.

The sheriff's office referred a call from The Associated Press to the State Bureau of Investigation.

The SBI is investigating a claim by a man that the senator tried to fondle him more than a decade ago.
The accuser later said he made up the claim. Soles has not been charged and denies the accusation.

A call to an SBI spokeswoman was not immediately returned. Two calls to a number listed for Soles' Tabor City home went unanswered.

Source: journalnow.com

Longer School Day for Wilkes Students

2009-08-24T07:52:00.001-04:00

WILKESBORO - Like so many students heading back to school, Ashley Rankin says she can't believe how short the summer seemed.

But Ashley, a 16-year-old rising senior at West Wilkes High School, along with 10,000 fellow Wilkes County Schools students who will start back to school today, will have a shorter school year than any of the other more than 1.4 million public-school students in North Carolina.

Wilkes County Schools is trying a pilot program that allows the system to have school for 162 days instead of 180 days by making the school days longer. In Wilkes, school will start 15 minutes earlier in the mornings and last 30 minutes longer in the afternoon.

For most students, that means classes will start about 7:45 a.m. (It will vary a bit at some schools.) Buses will continue to run on their usual morning schedules, officials say, because the routes were already set up to get students to school that early.

Educational leaders across the state will be watching the program to see if it offers what supporters hope: education that's just as good as it has been, if not better, while reducing costs and saving jobs.

But powerful voices such as Bill Harrison, the chairman of the N.C. Board of Education, say it's a bad idea both practically and symbolically to cut the number of school days in the year.

"I have real concerns about it," Harrison said. "I think it has potential to be a huge step backwards for public education in the state of North Carolina."

He added, "I suspect the kids are happy. I wonder about the parents who are going to have to pay for 18 more days of day care."

Source: journalnow.com

Kingsport Student Dies During Football Season Opener

2009-08-24T07:50:00.001-04:00

Students in east Tennessee held a candlelight vigil yesterday evening after a high school football player from Kingsport collapsed and died on the field during his school’s season opener Friday night.

According to the Times News, of Kingsport, 17-year-old Jake Logue, a senior all-conference defensive tackle and offensive lineman from Sullivan South High School, died Friday night at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

The Sullivan South Rebels were beating the West High School Rebels 21-0 in Knoxville Friday night when Logue collapsed while chasing the ball.

Logue’s heart reportedly stopped and a trainer immediately started performing CPR. A portable defibrillator was used twice to try and revive him.

Officials said Logue was under cardiac arrest when he was taken to UT Medical Center. He was pronounced dead an hour later at the hospital.

Logue didn’t have any known medical problems before Friday night.

Source: goblueridge.net

Hospitality House to break ground at new facility on Sept. 18

2009-08-20T15:52:00.003-04:00

The Hospitality House of Boone will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility on Bamboo Road on Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. The old facility (pictured) is located on King Street in downtown Boone.

The organization began a combined fundraising campaign just over one year ago with a goal of raising $3 million over of a three-year period. They have already raised 82 percent of that total amount and are ready to begin construction. The money raised with go toward the construction and the operation of Hospitality House's three current facilities during the transition.

The facility will be 18,500 square feet with nearly double the current capacity of 40 people. The total cost of the project is estimated at $4.7 million.

Executive director Lynne Mason said the current Hospitality House shelters have been operating at full capacity for two and a half years, with some people having been turned away due to the lack of space. Hospitality House is the only homeless shelter in a seven-county area.

The new shelter will have separate living quarters for families, men and women - a separation that is not possible at the current shelters. A main feature of the facility will be a commercial kitchen and large dining room. Mason explained the kitchen will be used for the preparation of meals as well as job training for clients of Hospitality House.

Hospitality House operates the Bread of Life program, the community soup kitchen, in the current shelter on King Street. The shelter is a residential space with a small kitchen in which volunteers prepared 83,863 meals last year.

Other services offered by the organization include referrals to assistance programs and individual service plans to address the physical, mental and emotion needs of each client.

"The Hospitality House is about a hand up, not a handout," said John Cooper, member of the board of directors.

Source: wataugademocrat.com

Accident at 421/Bamboo Intersection

2009-08-20T09:18:00.001-04:00

A two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Bamboo Road and U.S 421 occurred just before 7 a.m. on Friday. A gray Jeep Cherokee and commercial model Ford truck were involved in the crash but no details were available.

Source: wataugademocrat.com

Boone and App State Featured in New York Times Crossword Puzzle

2009-08-17T18:17:00.002-04:00

Boone and Appalachian State University were featured in Sunday’s crossword in the New York Times.

The hint on the crossword was “North Carolina town that’s home to Appalachian State University,” with the answer obviously being Boone.

Boone is the answer for 27 across.

The New York Times was founded in 1851 and is the largest metropolitan newspaper in the United States.

Source: goblueridge.net

Chef Shot and Killed in Cabarrus County Robbery

2009-08-17T08:31:00.003-04:00

Early Saturday, two intruders entered the back door of Capriccio Pizza & Italian Restaurant near Harrisburg, where Reyes was a chef, and unveiled an assault rifle as they demanded money from the cash register and pockets of employees, authorities said.

Reyes, who friends say always wore a smile, tried to wrestle the rifle away from one of the suspects, but was shot during the scuffle, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The intruders, in their late 20s and wearing hooded sweatshirts, fled through the same door they entered. Sunday, Capriccio was closed, as Cabarrus County Sheriff's deputies continued to hunt for the suspects.

Authorities still weren't identifying the victim late Sunday afternoon, but workers at a Subway restaurant next door confirmed him as Reyes.

He was flown by helicopter to Carolinas Medical Center but died shortly after arriving.

"He was a very good man," said Subway employee Sedgwick Mance. "Everybody liked Lalo. He was a happy guy and loved being at Capriccio. He'd say 'hey' to everyone who walked in. ... We're all sad about what happened to him."

Mance said Reyes had worked at the restaurant about three years.

He never saw him without a smile.

He and a co-worker said Reyes was engaged to a woman who picked him up every night.

They said he'd moved to Charlotte from Acapulco, Mexico, about three or four years ago.

The co-worker, who asked not to be named, said she'd go into Capriccio and Reyes would make funny faces at her from the kitchen. If Reyes saw her emptying the garbage out back, he'd come running to help.

"Lalo was just a good guy," she said. "It doesn't surprise me that he would try to protect his friends at Capriccio.

"That's just the kind of person he was. We need more people like Lalo."

Source: journalnow.com

Earthquake near Bristol

2009-08-16T20:47:00.001-04:00

At 9:48 Friday morning a 2.9 magnitude earthquake registered near the Tennessee/Virginia state line according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter of the quake was located 15 miles northwest of Bristol, Tennessee and 20 miles northeast of Kingsport, Tennessee. Even with no damage reports the local 911 office was kept busy as residents called about a loud boom along with structures and windows shaking, according to reports from the area.

With Friday's earthquake to the northwest of the High Country, back on August 1^st residents to the southwest felt a 3.2 magnitude earthquake about 15 miles west of Murphy, NC. That quake was felt in southwestern North Carolina, southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia.

Source: goblueridge.net

Store Owner, 72, Shoots and Kills Would-be Robbers

2009-08-15T21:07:00.002-04:00

HARLEM (WABC) -- Charles Agosto showed up for work today in Harlem, but with a heavy heart.

The 72-year old owner of a restaurant supply store shot four armed robbers, killing two of them, and he is torn up over it.

The drama unfolded Thursday afternoon. The man known as Gus throughout the neighborhood heard a commotion and saw men with guns demanding money. Agosto tried to reason with one of the suspects.

Instead, he says they began pistol whipping an employee. Agosto, who has owned Blue Flame for 50 years, grabbed a shotgun he had bought 20 years ago after a robbery. Left with little choice he says, Agosto took the weapon out of a box in a corner.

"I'm sad. I'm sad I couldn't talk them out of it. I'm sad for a mother and father who lost a son," said Agosto.

He began shooting at the suspects, trying to protect himself and his employees.

"I haven't used it in 20 years, I didn't know if it would work..I fired three rounds, and that was the end of it," says Agosto.

All four suspects were hit. Two men identified as Raylin Footmon and James Morgan were killed.

Police found the other two suspects nearby. They were arrested and taken to the hospital. Charges against them were pending.

But for Agosto, whose son shot himself to death a dozen years ago, there is no sense of relief.

The sidewalk outside the Harlem store still was smeared with blood Friday, and the glass on the door still was blown out.

Reactions to the shooting were mixed. Above the entrance, someone had scribbled the words, "Abandon hope all ye who enter here" -- an inscription taken from Dante's "Inferno."

Frida Rodriguez called it "a sad day" for the neighborhood.

Augusto "was defending his work, his business, so you could perceive that as being heroic," she said. "But on the other hand, these kids died."

Source: abclocal.go.com

Murder for ratings? Brazil cops suspect TV host

2009-08-14T18:53:00.004-04:00

SAO PAULO, Brazil — In one murder after another, the "Canal Livre" crime TV show had an uncanny knack for being first on the scene, gathering graphic footage of the victim.

Too uncanny, say police, who are investigating the show's host, state legislator Wallace Souza (pictured), on suspicion of commissioning at least five of the murders to boost his ratings and prove his claim that Brazil's Amazon region is awash in violent crime. Police also have accused Souza of drug trafficking.

"The order to execute always came from the legislator and his son, who then alerted the TV crews to get to the scene before the police," state police intelligence chief Thomaz Vasconcelos charged in an interview with The Associated Press.

The killings of competing drug traffickers, he said, "appear to have been committed to get rid of his rivals and increase the audience of the TV show." Souza denied all the criminal allegations and called them absurd, insisting that he and his son are being set up by political enemies and drug dealers sick of his two decades of relentless crime coverage on TV and crusading legislative probes.

Vasconcelos said the accusations, which have made headlines in Brazil, stem from the testimony of several former employees and security guards who worked with the Souzas, allegedly as part of a gang of former police officers involved in drug trafficking.

Souza's son, Rafael, has been jailed on charges of homicide, drug trafficking and illegal gun possession.

Police said Wallace Souza faces charges of drug trafficking, gang formation and weapons possession, but has not been charged with any killings.

Souza remains free because of legislative immunity that prevents him from being arrested as long as he is a lawmaker. He is being investigated by a special task force, and state judicial authorities will decide whether the case goes forward.

Vasconcelos said the crimes appear to have served the Souzas in two ways: They eliminated drug-trafficking rivals, and they boosted ratings.

"We believe that they organized a kind of death squad to execute rivals who disputed with them the drug trafficking business," he said. Souza, he charged, "would eliminate his rival and use the killing as a news story for his program."

Source: AP

Fatal Accident on 321 Near Watauga River Bridge

2009-08-10T18:17:00.003-04:00

A fatal wreck occurred on Highway 321 North in the Cove Creek area early Saturday morning.

A family member of the victim contacted High Country Radio and said 23-year-old Matthew Curtis Main of Sugar Grove passed away in the wreck.

Interim Boone Chief of Police, Curtis Main, is the victim’s father.

According to Trooper David Searcy of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Main was driving a 2002 Ford Escape on Highway 321 North between 3:00 and 4:00 early Saturday morning.

Main is believed to have lost control of his vehicle, causing him to drive off the right side of the road. Main then struck a culvert. The vehicle overturned, ejecting the driver.

Trooper Searcy said Main was pronounced dead at the scene.

Searcy said speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash.

Main’s funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 Wednesday morning at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Austin and Barnes is handing the funeral service.

Source: goblueridge.net

Ashe County Murderer Demands Reward Money from Victim's Family

2009-08-09T08:51:00.002-04:00

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. The body was found late Tuesday afternoon and was sent to Chapel Hill for identification, where dental records proved that it was Blevins.

Authorities found Blevins, who disappeared in February of 2007, after convicted murderer Frederick P. Hammer confessed to the murder. Although authorities had a confession, Hammer was reluctant to tell them where the body was buried.

"When he confessed to the murder, he told us what happened, told us the story and confessed to killing him, but when it came to giving us the location of the body he would not tell us where the body was," said Williams. He wanted the $15,000 that the Blevins family had offered as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Blevins' killer put in a trust account for his step-granddaughter.

"As sickening and as despicable as that is, we had no choice but to come back and tell the family 'he's confessed to killing your son but he wants [the $15,000] before he'll give up where the body is,'" said Williams. "The Blevins family -- they didn't hesitate much, they said 'We want our boy.' [Blevins'] mother wants a grave to go to and know where her son is."

The money wasn't Hammer's only demand. Williams said that he "wanted to be moved to a prison that is closer to home" and that "he was going to be transferred anyway."

Hammer will soon be transferred to Wallens Ridge Correction Center in Big Stone Gap, Va., which is approximately a three-hour drive from Ashe County (as opposed to the five-hour drive to Powhatan Correctional Facility in Richmond).

Authorities will also continue to investigate Hammer's claim to have killed Tim Shatley on Nov. 19, 2005, in Grassy Creek.

Source: wataugademocrat.com

Charlotte man catches a record 1,062-pound fish

2009-08-07T12:48:00.002-04:00

Robert Farris will have an honest big-fish story to tell.

The Charlotte, N.C., resident broke a 20-year-old Maryland record at the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, snagging a blue marlin that weighed 1,062 pounds.

That exceeds the previous record by more than 100 pounds.

It took Farris more than three hours Wednesday to reel the fish in. The blue marlin is worth about $550,000.

The White Marlin Open is dubbed the largest billfish tournament in the world, with nearly 300 registered boats and cash prizes exceeding $2.1 million.

Farris was aboard the No Problem out of Fenwick Island, Del.

Source: journalnow.com

Armanti Edwards Injured in Accident

2009-08-07T07:41:00.002-04:00

Appalachian State University All-America quarterback Armanti Edwards will be sidelined for 2-4 weeks of practice after sustaining a foot injury in an accident at his off-campus residence on Wednesday afternoon.

Edwards was mowing the lawn at his residence when his right foot was injured by the lawnmower. Roommate and teammate Brian Quick transported the 2008 Walter Payton Award winner to Watauga Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

At this time, Edwards is expected to be behind center when Appalachian opens the 2009 campaign on Sept. 5 at in-state rival East Carolina.

“First of all, we’re all fortunate and grateful that Armanti wasn’t more seriously injured in this accident,” head coach Jerry Moore said. “It’s unfortunate for him because he has put a lot of energy into being a great leader on and off the field this summer. He has been instrumental in orchestrating voluntary workouts with his teammates while also putting in the academic work — with classes and an internship — that will allow him to graduate in three-and-a-half years this December. But, as he’s demonstrated many times, his toughness is second-to-none, so I’m confident that he’ll be back on the field with his teammates as soon as possible.”

Appalachian opens practices in preparation for the 2009 season on Friday.

Source: goasu.com

Hearing for Raleigh Man Accused of Terrorism, Caught with 24 Guns

2009-08-05T17:02:00.005-04:00

RALEIGH - A North Carolina terrorism suspect who preached the virtues of jihad and fighting for Allah had access to more than two dozen guns and more than 27,000 rounds of ammunition, federal authorities said yesterday.

During the detention hearing for Daniel Patrick Boyd (pictured) and six other men accused of plotting terrorism abroad, the courtroom was packed with supporters, with some derisively laughing when federal agents said they didn't know certain Arabic translations or details about the men. The shackled suspects nodded, smiled and tried to wave at family and friends while greeting the audience in Arabic with the common phrase "May peace be upon you."
"May peace be upon you, also," many in the audience responded.

Prosecutors played audiotapes of Boyd's manifestos about the struggle of Muslims, the honor of martyrdom, and his disgust of the U.S. military. Other tapes rattled with gunfire that an FBI agent said came from military-style training in rural North Carolina.

Special Agent Michael Sutton testified that Boyd, 39, recruited followers to engage in violent jihad, train with firearms, and gather the financial resources to travel overseas. The agent said that Boyd repeatedly spoke of armor-piercing ammunition, and a year ago told someone that authorities called a witness about his dislike of the U.S. military's presence in the Middle East.

Boyd's two sons -- Zakariya, 20, and Dylan, 22, -- have also been indicted. The other suspected group members are Anes Subasic, 33; Mohammad Omar Aly Hassan, 22; Ziyad Yaghi, 21; and Hysen Sherifi, 24. An eighth man, Jude Kenan Mohammad, is still at large, and Sutton said yesterday that authorities last heard that he was in Pakistan.

Federal officials said they seized from Boyd's home and cars more than 27,400 rounds of ammunition, 26 weapons, gas masks, a handbook on how authorities respond to acts of terrorism, and the text of a fatwa urging jihad against Americans. Sutton said that there was a trench dug under the Boyd's deck that a witness described as a hiding place for weapons.

Source: journalnow.com

Missing Deep Gap Girl Found in South Carolina

2009-08-05T12:36:00.000-04:00

The runaway teenager from Deep Gap is being housed at the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s juvenile facility after she was found in South Carolina over the weekend.

According to Captain Dee Dee Rominger with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, 14-year-old Sydney Elizabeth Combs was found in Myrtle Beach on Friday.

Captain Rominger said a family member picked the girl up at her home in Deep Gap and took her to Taylorsville on July 21. Family members also had made arrangements to take Combs to Myrtle Beach to meet her father, Sydney Everett Combs, Jr.

The girl was found near her father’s residence in Myrtle Beach on Friday and was taken to the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s juvenile facility where she is being housed because the Alexander County District Court has issued a secure custody order for Sydney Combs.

Captain Rominger said the investigation is continuing and criminal charges are expected to be filed.

Source: goblueridge.net

$1.2 Million Still Top Bid for Green Park Inn, Auction will End Friday

2009-08-04T09:06:00.001-04:00

The $1.2 million bid from last week is still the top bid for Blowing Rock’s Green Park Inn.

According to Bracky Rogers of Rogers Realty & Auction Company, the winning bidder will have to pay an additional 10 percent buyer’s premium that will cover marketing costs.

Rogers said the online auction for the Green Park Inn will close at 3:00 Friday afternoon.

Source: goblueridge.net

Search Continues for Missing Deep Gap Girl

2009-08-02T12:36:00.002-04:00

Watauga County authorities continue to search for the 14-year-old Deep Gap girl who is believed to have run away last week.

According to Captain Dee Dee Rominger with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, they still believe Sydney Elizabeth Combs is in the Myrtle Beach area.

The initial report issued from the sheriff’s office last Wednesday stated the girl was believed to have left her home on Hawk Ridge Road with family members around 12:00 a.m. on July 22 to see her father, Sidney Everett Combs, Jr. at Myrtle Beach.

The girl’s father has a criminal record that includes several breaking and entering and larceny convictions, carrying a concealed weapon, selling a controlled substance, and attempting to escape from prison.

Anyone who has seen Sydney Combs should all the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 264-3761.

Source: goblueridge.net

Robberies Make Forsyth Restaurants Reconsider Delivery

2009-07-23T18:35:00.003-04:00

A string of robberies has prompted restaurants to consider whether to stop delivering to one northern Winston-Salem street.

Three robberies have occurred at the Vista Court Apartments (pictured) on Vista Circle in the past two weeks, most recently Tuesday night, when a deliveryman for the Wing Zone restaurant was robbed.

Tom McCarthy, a manager for Wing Zone on Reynolda Road, said that a decision has not yet been made about whether they will continue to deliver there.

"The safety of our drivers, obviously, is the first thing," McCarthy said.

But McCarthy said it is not likely that the robbers live in the apartments where the crimes have been happening. The apartments are off Shattalon Drive.

Tuesday night about 10:30 a deliveryman for Wing Zone went to an address that turned out to be a vacant apartment on Vista Court.

No one answered the door. As he started to leave, two men, one armed with a shotgun, approached him and demanded money. The driver gave the men his money and the food.
The two robbers fled behind the apartment building toward Hutchins Street, police said.
The deliveryman was not injured.

The robbers were described as black males, 6 feet to 6 feet 3 inches tall, with slim builds, wearing dark clothing and dark bandanas.

Two other robberies have occurred on Vista Circle this month.

"We obviously have a pattern there," said police Capt. David Clayton.

NC Franchisee Refuses Raunchy Hardees Ad

2009-07-22T15:44:00.003-04:00

The Rocky Mount company that is Hardee's largest franchisee is angry about TV ads for the fast-food chain's new Biscuit Holes.

Boddie-Noell Enterprises, which owns nearly 350 Hardee's, is refusing to run the ads, which also are drawing fire from the Parents Television Council.

The ads ask customers to help name the sweet treats, and offer suggestions such as "iced B-holes." In one ad, customers doing taste tests are asked to choose between the "A-holes" and the "B-holes."
In a letter to the council, Boddie-Noell chairman Ben Mayo Boddie wrote that he won't allow the ads to run in any markets that it controls, and that he has asked Hardee's parent, CKE Restaurants of California, to drop the ads everywhere.

Hardee's has drawn criticism for its ads before, including ones that featured socialite Paris Hilton in a bathing suit eating a massive burger.

Boddie-Noell has "opted not to air CKE ads in the past that they felt were in bad taste," said Rick Rountree, an outside spokesman. "The largest franchisee has say-so over its market, which covers most of North Carolina."

When there are "differences of opinion" like this, CKE provides alternative ads for Boddie-Noell to run in this market, Rountree added.

CKE is running the ads in select markets only after 9 p.m. and has no plans to drop the ads, said spokeswoman Jenna Petroff.

The ads are aimed at Hardee's "target audience of Young, Hungry Guys," she said in a prepared statement. "We do not aim to exclude or offend any other group with our efforts, but merely to appeal and amuse a very specific audience."

Source: charlotte.com

Peeping Tom Arrested at Parthenon Cafe

2009-07-21T18:06:00.003-04:00

According to Boone police reports, officers were called to The Parthenon Cafe at 9:32pm for a report of injury to real property and secret peeping.

According to witnesses, the suspect climbed through the ceiling of the men's restroom in order to gain access to the ceiling of the women's restroom where he proceeded to watch at least four victims.

Witnesses report that one of the victims heard noise coming from the ceiling and reported it to the owner of the restaurant. The owner discovered a man hiding in the ceiling and restrained him until police arrived.

When police arrived, the suspect, Gabriel Enriquez Tomas, 30, of 180 Bluebird Lane, Boone, attempted to flee but was recaptured.

Undercover Sting Nets $10,000 Worth of LSD in Boone

2009-07-21T17:55:00.002-04:00

Undercover detectives with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office made two arrests today after they bought LSD from two dealers.

Captain Dee Dee Rominger said 26-year-old Joseph Brandon Michael (pictured), of Asheville, and 22-year-old Patricia Elizabeth Diaz-Verson, of Boone, were both charged with three counts of trafficking LSD and one count of conspiracy to traffic LSD. They are being held under a $60,000 bond.

Detectives also confiscated an estimated $10,000 worth of LSD during the bust.
The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Source: goblueridge.net

Record Low at Grandfather Mountain

2009-07-21T17:51:00.002-04:00

This week’s cold front has seen two daily low temperature records fall atop Grandfather Mountain.

According to Grandfather’s public relation’s director, Landis Wofford, Monday’s 49-degree low broke the previous record for July 20 of 52 degrees, which was set in 1971.

Sunday’s low of 47 degrees also broke July 19th’s previous record low of 49 degrees, which was set in 1958.

Saturday’s 47-degree low also tied the daily low temperature for July 18.

Source: goblueridge.net

Police arrest 14, seize cocaine and guns in Boone drug bust

2009-07-16T20:40:00.004-04:00

A nine-month investigation led to the arrest of 14 people this week and the seizure of nine ounces of cocaine, two and half ounces of crack cocaine and three illegal firearms.

In a synchronized sweep operation last Thursday, officers from WCSO, Boone Police Department (BPD) and Lenoir Police Department put a stop to the largest cocaine distribution ring in the area.The investigation began in the fall of last year, led by an agent of the WCSO. Through months of undercover work, the ongoing operation culminated in obtaining search warrants and arrest warrants for those involved.

On July 9, those warrants were served in a single sweep by tactical teams from WCSO and BPD at multiple locations at Hampton Trailer Park, Bradford Trailer Park and Watauga River Road.

The suspects arrested include Fernando Aranda Nunez, 28, Nunez’s brother, Emmanuel Aranda Nunez, 25, Alejandro Cruz Trejo (pictured), 27, Sergio Ivan Mendoza (also known as Sergio Gonzalez Mendoza), 32, Gabriel Enrique Tomas, 30, Heather April Hayes (also known as Heather Simpson Hayes), 33, Jennifer Dawn Proffitt, 33, Luis Alberto Espinoza, 28, and Victor Manuel Espinoza, 25,

The investigation netted a total of 80 felony drug charges. The special operations unit of WCSO said additional charges are pending and the investigation is ongoing.

The seized narcotics have an estimated street value of $31,730 based on the calculation of $100 per gram. The sheriff’s office will continue to work with federal agencies on this investigation.

“Many of the folks involved in this illegal activity were non-taxpaying and non-county residents, and I fear this is only the tip of the iceberg,” Hagaman said.

Source: wataugademocrat.com

Father Works to Free App State Student Imprisoned on Child Pornography Charges

2009-07-15T20:11:00.001-04:00

A recent graduate from Watauga High School is serving an eight-year sentence in federal prison in White Deer, Pennsylvania. 22-year-old Josh Shields was charged with possession of child pornography when he was 18-years-old. His father, Douglas Shields, believes Josh was wrongly prosecuted and is working to set him free.

Douglas Shields said his son began looking at Internet pornography when he was 10-years-old. Shields explained his son was looking at adolescents his own age and in doing so, he “was sucked into the cesspool of what is to mature adults, child pornography.”

Shields admits he and Josh’s mother failed in preventing their son from accessing such pornography, but points out that federal law enforcement agencies also failed to protect him from illegal pornographic material.

Douglas Shields said Josh graduated with honors from Watauga High School in June 2005 and the same week, federal and state law enforcement agents arrived at the Shields’ home to execute a search warrant related to child pornography. Douglas Shields says the warrant was based on an event that occurred while Josh was a juvenile, but agents waited until he had turned 18 to act on the warrant.

The Shields family didn’t know if charges would be filed until about a year-and-a-half later, when Josh was enrolled at Appalachian State.

Douglas Shields said his son finally appeared in court about three-and-a-half years after the original search warrant was served. Shields said after the judge heard the defense’s witnesses, which included a clinical psychologist, his son was sentenced to serve eight years in federal prison. Josh began serving his sentence on July 1.

One venue Douglas Shields has been utilizing to raise awareness of what he believes is an injustice to his son is a group on the popular social networking website, Facebook. The group can be found at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=102549365377.

Douglas Shields said he not only hopes to have his son freed, but also wants to raise awareness about the dangers of Internet pornography to young people. Shields said he doesn’t want another family to go through what his family has dealt with over the past few years.

Source: goblueridge.net

Knife fight outside Boone Saloon

2009-07-14T19:14:00.002-04:00

An early morning fight on Saturday sent two men to Watauga Medical Center with knife wounds.
An altercation between three men occurred at approximately 2 a.m. at an area bar and the men were asked to leave the establishment. Although reports by the Watauga Democrat do not state the bar at which the altercation occurred, sources familiar to BooneDeals have identified the establishment as the Boone Saloon, located on King Street near the Turchin Center.

According to Capt. Jim Wilson of the Boone Police Department, one man walked down King Street toward the Turchin Center and the other two men followed. A second altercation occurred in which two men suffered cuts. They were transported to WMC for treatment and released the same day.

Wilson said the incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed as of 4 p.m. Monday.

The names of those involved have not been released.

Bernie Madoff Is Moved to A Prison in Butner, N.C.

2009-07-13T20:30:00.002-04:00

Convicted swindler Bernard Madoff was transferred Monday to a federal prison in Butner, N.C., where he will serve his 150-year sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons sent the 71-year-old Mr. Madoff to the Butner Federal Correctional Complex, about 30 miles north of Raleigh, and an eight-hour drive from New York City.

It isn't where Mr. Madoff's lawyer, Ira Sorkin, had asked that his client be housed. He had requested the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, N.Y. U.S. District Judge Denny Chin, who handled Mr. Madoff's criminal case in Manhattan, indicated he would recommend that the Ponzi-scheme operator serve his time in the Northeast.

Butner includes two medium-security prisons, a low-security prison, medical facility and satellite prison camp for minimum-security male inmates.

Inmates at Butner include Adelphia Communications founder John Rigas and his son Timothy, both found guilty in 2004 of securities fraud. The Rigases are being held in the low-security prison, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. John Rigas, 84, is scheduled to be released in 2018, and Timothy Regas, 53, in 2022.

Former Rite Aid Corp. Vice Chairman Franklin C. Brown is serving his 10-year sentence in a medium-security facility at Butner. Mr. Madoff also could be imprisoned with Al Parish, a former economist at Charleston Southern University who pleaded guilty in 2007 to running what prosecutors alleged was a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of $66 million. Jonathan Pollard, a former Navy officer, entered a plea deal in 1987 after admitting to spying for Israel. He was eventually transferred to Butner's medium-security facility. He is eligible for release in 2015.

Source: wallstreetjournal.com

Taylorsville couple charged in murder case

2009-07-12T16:34:00.002-04:00

A sheriff's deputy who pulled over a Taylorsville couple in southern Virginia early Thursday for speeding instead found himself investigating a murder case.

Police in Taylorsville have charged Jerry Wayne Damron, 42, and his wife Lisa, 31, with murder after the body of a woman was found in the back of their van in Wythe County, Va., southeast of Wytheville.

Police say they believe the couple shot the woman, whose identity has not been released, at their Taylorsville home before getting in their Ford minivan and heading north on Interstate 77.

Jerry Damron already was facing felony death by vehicle and DWI charges for a case from last October near Hickory, when he crashed into a tree, killing his 8-year-old son and critically injuring four other children.

In Thursday's case, a deputy pulled over the Damrons a few miles south of the Interstate 77/Interstate 81 interchange for speeding. He then arrested Lisa Damron for DWI and her husband, who was the passenger, for public drunkenness.

When police prepared to tow the van away, they found the woman's body in the back, covered with a sheet. Virginia authorities said the woman had been shot several times.

At that point, authorities charged Jerry Damron with felony transporting a body with intent to prevent detection of an unlawful act, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and three counts of carrying a concealed weapon. Police said they found three firearms in the vehicle.

Damron also was charged with felony assault on a police officer, which authorities said happened when he was being put in jail.

Source: charlotte.com

App State football players named pre-season All-Americans

2009-07-12T16:27:00.003-04:00

The Sports Network has named six Appalachian State football players pre-season All-America.

Leading the way is quarterback Armanti Edwards, who was last year’s Walter Payton Award winner, and defensive back Mark LeGree (pictured), who led the nation with ten interceptions last season. Both Edwards and LeGree were first-team selections.

Senior linebacker Jacque Roman, who along with LeGree are initial candidates for the Buck Buchanan Award that goes to the best defensive player in the FCS (Football Championship Series) NCAA Division I player, senior offensive lineman Mario Acitelli and senior defensive back Cortez Gilbert were named second-team selections.

Roman had 130 tackles last season, three quarterback sacks, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions last fall; Gilbert had the team’s only blocked kick last season and led ASU defensive backs with 72 stops; Actielli is the leader of the offensive line, which backboned ASU to top-10 national rankings in scoring, rushing, passing efficiency and total offense last season. A left guard last fall, Actielli will move back to his natural postion, left tackle this season.

Junior linebacker D.J. Smith was a third-team selection. Smith was second on the team with 123 tackles and he also had 7.5 tackles for loss. He also broke up seven passes.

The Apps will open the season at East Carolina on September 5. The game will be televisied on MASN beginning at noon. Air time on WATA Radio is 10 AM. The home opener will be against McNeese State at 3:30 pm on September 12.

Some season ticket packages still remain, and single-game tickets ($27 for adults, $17 for children) go on sale August 5. For more information, please call the ticket office at 262-2079. And remember, you can hear all ASU games on the Voice of the Mountaineers in the High Country on WATA 1450 AM Radio.

Source: goblueridge.net

Charlotte biker killed doing "wheelie" on I-85

2009-07-09T16:49:00.002-04:00

A motorcyclist who reportedly was stopped by police a few hours earlier died late Wednesday night when his vehicle wrecked on southbound Interstate 85.

The wreck happened about 11:45 p.m. in the University City area of north Charlotte.
According to an N.C. Highway Patrol report, several motorcyclists were riding together on I-85, when one driver lost control of his vehicle after "popping a wheelie" -- that is, standing the motorcycle on the rear wheel.

The motorcycle slammed into a power pole near University City Boulevard, and the driver was killed instantly. Traffic on both sides of I-85 was affected for several hours.

Two Charlotte TV stations are reported this morning that the victim had been stopped earlier Wednesday night by Concord police and ticketed for not having proper certification to drive a motorcycle. That certification is earned by completing a course on safe driving practices.

The name of the victim has not been released.

Source: charlotteobserver.com

Boone P.D. Makes Arrest in Connection with Business Break-ins

2009-07-09T15:16:00.001-04:00

The Investigation Division of the Boone Police Department arrested a man who is believed to have broken into several area business over the past four weeks.

Investigator Glen Kornhauser said 32-year-old Mitchell Franklin Damron, of Hickory, was arrested yesterday in connection with the July 8 break-in at Denton Insurance on Highway 105 extension, the June 26 break-ins at two businesses at the Shops at Shadowline, the June 19 break-ins at five businesses on Realty Row, and the June 11 break-ins at four businesses at Heritage Court on Highway 105.

Kornhauser said an officer at Carriage Square came upon the break-in at Denton Insurance early yesterday morning. The officer was unable to arrest Dameron, but was able to identify the man. Warrants were issued and investigators traveled to Catawba County to arrest Dameron. Kornhauser said the Longview Police Department helped with the arrest.

Source: goblueridge.net

Lenoior man arrested after Myrtle Beach police officer dragged

2009-07-06T20:39:00.002-04:00

A Lenoir, N.C., man has been arrested after police say he dragged a Myrtle Beach police officer for two blocks during a traffic stop.

Clark Howard Tuttle, 25, has been charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and having an open container. Additional charges are pending, said Myrtle Beach Police Capt. David Knipes.

An officer pulled over Tuttle's vehicle Wednesday night near 11th Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard for an alcohol violation, Knipes said.

But the driver left the scene while the officer held onto his window. Tuttle hit "three or four cars" before stopping in front of Ripley's Believe it Or Not museum (pictured), at 901 N. Ocean Blvd., where he was arrested, Knipes said.

The officer suffered minor injuries from the incident and was treated and released from Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Wilkes man killed in boating accident

2009-07-02T08:17:00.001-04:00

A fisherman from Traphill in Wilkes County was killed in a boating incident early Friday morning.

According to the Wilkes Journal-Patriot, 53-year-old Jones Bower Bare was with his son and brother on their 20-foot Alumacraft boat when it was struck by a barge on Watts Bar Reservoir in East Tennessee around 2:30 a.m. Friday.

Upon impact, the three men were thrown from the boat. While Bare’s son and brother were able to swim to shore, Bare never surfaced.

The Journal-Patriot reports crews from the Loudon County Fire and Rescue, Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Squad and other agencies responded to the scene.

Emergency personnel found Bare’s body about 100 yards from the site of the collision around 3:10 Friday morning.

Investigators say the barge was being towed by a tugboat and the Bare family was asleep on their vessel at the time of the collision.

Bare worked in the maintenance department at the Tyson Foods plant in Wilkesboro.

Source: goblueridge.net

Arson investigation leads to high-speed chase and gunshot victim in Wilkes County

2009-07-02T08:14:00.002-04:00

State Bureau of Investigation agents and the Wilkes Fire Marshal’s office were looking into a possible arson case on Taylor Lane in Wilkes County on Monday afternoon.

According to Wilkes News, the house fire occurred last Friday.

Authorities were looking at the arson case in McGrady, when a person of interest in the case drove by the house, so authorities attempted to pull her over.

52-year-old Shelia Jean Griffin, of McGrady, refused to pull over for authorities. Griffin led law enforcement officers on a chase on Highway 18.

According to 3WC, Griffin’s vehicle swerved into the left lane before going up an embankment and landing on its side.

When first responders removed Griffin from the vehicle to begin administering CPR, they saw she had suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest area.

Griffin was then taken to Wilkes Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Wilkes County Sheriff Dane Mastin told High Country Radio he believes the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Investigators said the arson investigation was leading to a probably arrest of Griffin.

Sheriff Mastin said the S.B.I. has taken over the investigation.

Source: goblueridge.net

Remains of Catawba teen found, suspect arrested

2009-06-25T16:47:00.003-04:00

NEWTON - The remains found near a hay field in Catawba have been identified as Travis Baker.

During a press conference with Baker's families and friends present, Chief Deputy Coy Reid, of the Catawba County Sheriff's Office, announced that the skeletal remains discovered Wednesday morning were those of the teen who disappeared more than two years ago.

A tip received by the sheriff's department focused the investigation on John Lee Mitchell Jr. (pictured), who was arrested in Orange County, Fla., Wednesday night. Mitchell is to go in front of a judge Thursday and, if he waives his extradition, may be bought back to Catawba County Friday.

A search warrant states that the missing teenager, Travis Baker, went to a house that belonged to John Mitchell Jr. to deliver drugs.

Source: hickoryrecord.com

UPDATE: Death at Trashcan Falls

2009-06-23T19:33:00.003-04:00

The Watauga Democrat is reporting new information about the tragic accident last week at Trashcan Falls:

According to Lt. Chad Cole of the Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department (CCVFD), the 47-year-old man dove off the top the waterfall known as Trashcan Falls, or Laurel Creek Falls, in Vilas at 3:45 p.m. Friday.

The man dove from the top of the waterfall, went through the rapids below and the water carried him an estimated 60 to 70 feet downstream into another pool.

Cole said the death is believed to be from traumatic injury and not drowning.

The water at the base of the waterfall is estimated to be 6 feet in depth, according to Cole.
“The waterfall is not safe to jump off of and many people bring alcohol,” Cole said. “Water and drinking do not mix. We [CCVFD] respond to a lot of injuries at the waterfall.”

Cole said it is unknown if the victim had consumed any alcohol.

27-year-old NC man wins $88 million Powerball jackpot

2009-06-23T19:20:00.002-04:00

The $88 million Powerball winner is 27-year-old Jeffrey Wilson of Kings Mountain.

He and his family spoke Tuesday afternoon at the state lottery's headquarters in Raleigh.

Wilson said his father purchased the ticket at a gas station in Kings Mountain. His father buys tickets every week and gives them to his children.

"My dad picked the numbers. It's numbers that he's picked, he's played them before. He went and bought some tickets and laid them out for us to pick from and I just happened to pick the right one," Wilson said.

Wilson was presented a check for $88.1 million. He elected to take the one-time payout. After taxes, he'll receive about $29 million.

As for what he plans to do with the money, Wilson said he's not sure yet.

"I'm going to go on vacation. ... I'll share it with my family," Wilson said.

He also said he was planning to make a donation to a children's hospital.

Wilson said he used to be a real estate broker and was recently accepted into grad school. He still plans to attend in August.

Wilson's father, Bill, said he bought the tickets Saturday night just before the deadline. Bill Wilson called himself a "lottery freak," saying he played Powerball ball every week.

"I told everybody for years that I was going to hit it," Wilson said. "Nobody believed it. And it worked out."

Source: charlotte.com

Death at Trashcan Falls

2009-06-20T09:22:00.006-04:00

A 48-year-old man drowned yesterday afternoon after falling at Trashcan Falls (pictured). Lieutenant Chad Cole with the Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department said the man was with a group of at least ten friends when he fell about 15 feet.

Cole said the man may have been knocked unconscious when he fell. The incident happened around 3:30 this afternoon. The Cove Creek Fire Department, Watauga Medics, Watauga Rescue, and Watauga County First Responders responded to the scene.

Cole said WINGS Air Rescue airlifted the man to Johnson City Medical Center, where he passed away. Although Trashcan Falls is a popular place for residents to cool off, Cole is urging swimmers not to go because it can be very dangerous.

The victim’s name has not been released. Cole said the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident.

Source: goblueridge.net

Primo's brings pizza, pasta to Boone Mall

2009-06-18T09:31:00.002-04:00

Boone Mall just became more aromatic.

Primo’s Italian eatery has opened, bringing with it an assortment of pizza, pasta, subs and that pleasant smell that can only mean fresh-made dough.

It’s a sensation owners David and Lorna Nobrega simply couldn’t leave behind. The couple saw Primo’s as an opportunity they couldn’t pass up, after accepting an offer they couldn’t refuse. They had owned Brickstone Pizza in West Jefferson for three years, before selling the restaurant and setting their sights on Boone.

Though similar, Primo’s is not a duplicate of Brickstone. Its recipes are a conglomeration of favorites from the Nobregas’ experience in the restaurant business, David Nobrega having attended school in the subject, worked in an Atlantic City casino for 10 years, and then at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. for another 10. While in Florida, he also managed a couple pizzerias.

“Finally, I just decided to go into my own business,” he said.

Eight years ago, the Nobregas found West Jefferson and moved to Ashe County. Now working in Boone, they strive to make Primo’s a casual kind of place, complete with a covered patio and a full bar, but with an air of family-friendliness. The restaurant is located in the space formerly occupied by Mangia Buona.

Opened for nearly 6 weeks, Primo’s has received a favorable customer response, Nobrega said, including the familiar faces of customers from their Brickstone days, making the trip from West Jefferson for a slice or two.

Primo’s menu boasts a hearty appetizer section, featuring garlic knots, fried mozzarella, eggplant, Buffalo shrimp, shrimp cocktails, calamari, homemade potato chips, peston skins and chicken fingers, along with a variety of Buffalo wings.

Daily lunch specials include soups of the day, which are also available alongside a garden of salads.

For lunch, folks can dive into a submarine sandwich, cold items including the Italian, combination or veggie, along with classics like ham and provolone, salami and provolone, turkey and Swiss, and roast beef and American.

Hot subs run the gamut of parmigiana options, like meatball, chicken, eggplant or veal, and sandwiches also come in cheese-steak, pizza steak, buffalo chicken, sausage and peppers, and cordon bleu.

Primo’s strombolis and calzones are sizable feats to be accomplished, packed with three toppings and served on a pizza pan. And the Nobregas pride themselves on their pizza, offering pies at 14, 16 and 18 inches, available with one’s choice of 20 regular toppings and three premiums.

Pastas and baked dinners abound, as do parmigiana entrees and specialty dinners, such as cannelloni, veal saltimbocca, shrimp marinara, penne vodka and David’s particular favorite, penne oscar, served with lump crab meat, roasted red peppers and garlic in a rose sauce.

Eventually, Primo’s hopes to serve its meals with sides of live music, Nobrega said. “We want something for everybody; that’s what we’re looking at,” he said.

Primo’s, located at 1180 Blowing Rock Road, Suite D-1, in the Boone Mall, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. For more information or call-in orders, call (828) 355-9800.

Source: mountaintimes.com

NC House committee to discuss medical marijuana

2009-06-18T09:21:00.003-04:00

Proponents of legalizing marijuana use to relieve pain and suffering in some patients are getting a day at the North Carolina Legislature to speak out.

The House Health Committee scheduled a committee meeting Thursday to discuss a bill that would allow people with debilitating medical conditions to possess an adequate supply of the drug and not be prosecuted.

The measure also would create a licensing process for qualified patients and those entities that distribute marijuana.

The Marijuana Policy Project says 13 states have laws designed to allow patients to use marijuana to treat illness without threat of state punishment, despite federal law still barring its possession.

Opponents argue marijuana is a dangerous drug linked to health risk and can lead abusers to try other hard-core addictive drugs.

Source: charlotte.com

NC State student creates street art, faces charges

2009-06-17T11:05:00.005-04:00

RALEIGH When Joseph Carnevale chopped up three stolen orange and white traffic barrels from a construction site to create a massive sculpture of a roadside monster thumbing a ride, the N.C. State University student saw it as a form of street art. Raleigh police saw vandalism.

They dismantled the 10-foot “barrel monster” and arrested Carnevale. But hundreds of online supporters want the charges dropped, and the publicity has turned the history major and part-time construction worker into a local celebrity.

Even the construction company has become a fan and wants the 21-year-old to create a replica of the figure that led to his arrest on June 10.

“It's surprising how many people have called attention to it,” Carnevale said.

The college junior hadn't spent much time planning when he set out the night of May 31 and snatched the barrels from the site near the N.C. State campus.

"I had the idea in class that morning, and it kind of grew in my head, until it was something I had to do,” he said. He went back to his Raleigh apartment and in an hour and a half returned to the site to assemble the freshly painted pieces before driving away.

Hamlin Associates, the construction company whose barrels were turned into a monster, doesn't want to press charges.

“We've had a fair amount of vandalism, but never anyone turn it into art,” Steven Hussey, the company's president, said. “I actually thought it was pretty neat.”

Hussey said the value of the publicity his company has received is well above the $365 cost of the traffic barrels that Carnevale used.

“It's been positive publicity for us,” he said. “If we'd known he'd do that good of a work, we'd have given him the barrels.”

Source: charlotte.com

App State radio station helps break world record

2009-06-16T13:45:00.001-04:00

Communications experts, T.J. Walker and Jess Todtfeld broke a world record by talking for nine straight hours and completing 112 interviews in 24 hours. One of those interviews was with Appalachian State’s campus radio station’s station manager, Jon Wood.

According to ASU’s College of Fine and Applied Arts, Walker and Todtfeld conducted the interviews as part of a promotion for their new book, “T.J. Walker’s Secret to Foolproof Presentations.”

Wood was Walker’s 81st interview. Wood said Walker and Todtfeld talked to him about how young people can eliminate crutch words like “um” and “like” when speaking in public.

Wood said, “They knew exactly how to avoid all the likely mistakes of ‘ums,’ ‘uhs,’ ‘likes,’ and all of the favorites especially among college students and younger people.”

According to the university, all the interviews had to be at least five minutes long. Wood said entire event was broadcast on FoxNews.com, which streamed the live video feed from their Strategy Room studios in New York.

Wood is also a part-time employee at High Country Radio.

Source: goblueridge.net

Mountaineers to MLB

2009-06-15T11:10:00.005-04:00

The Appalachian State baseball team had four players selected in the Major League Amateur Baseball Draft.

Relief pitcher Zack Quate was the highest choice, going to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 14th round. He was 3-1 during his senior year with 11 saves, 55 strike outs in 41 1/3 innings of work, with a 1.09 earned-run-average.

Outfielder Rand Smith goes to the Florida Marlin the 20th round. Smith batted .365 with four home runs and 35 runs-batted-in and 17 stolen bases.

Second baseman Isaac Harrow (pictured) goes to the New York Yankees in the 24th round. Harrow, a Hickory native, had one heck of a year with 92 hits, 23 doubles, six triples, 12 home runs and 75 RBI; He batted .422 with a .748 slugging percentage; He was also ranked in the nation’s top 35 in nine different categories: batting average, hits, doubles, triples, RBI, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, total bases and sacrifice flies.

Right-handed pitcher Josh Dowdy goes to the Baltimore Orioles in the 38th round. Dowdy was 6-3 with a 5.07 ERA and two shutouts this past year. He also had 123 strikeouts in his career.
The Mountaineers were 33-21 this past season.

Source: goblueridge.net

Wings To Go closes, owner arrested for bad checks

2009-06-12T10:15:00.001-04:00

The owner of Wings To Go, which closed last week, was arrested on the felony charge of writing worthless checks.

According to Detective Glen Kornhauser of the Boone Police Department, 52-year-old Paul Raymond Tatum, of Boone, was arrested after authorities investigated checks he had written to the Winkler Organization for rent for his Wings To Go business in April of this year.

Wings To Go closed last Tuesday. A note on the door sited personal and financial issues as the reason for closure. The restaurant on Boone Heights Drive opened about two years ago.

Kornhauser said Tatum was released on a $2,000 bond and will appear in court on July 10.

Source: goblueridge.net

Tuition hikes likely for UNC system

2009-06-09T09:35:00.002-04:00

Students at state universities in North Carolina would see tuition bills jump by 8 percent or $200, whichever is lower, under a proposal Tuesday by House education budget writers.

Lawmakers, who are trying to patch a budget gap of more than $4billion, plan to take the unusual step of overriding tuition rates set by the UNC system's Board of Governors in February. The board authorized an average tuition hike of 2.8 percent at the UNC campuses.

The bump in the price of higher learning also would surpass the 6.5 percent cap in increases that UNC system President Erskine Bowles put in place when he took office in 2006.

The proposal would bump up tuition for the school year beginning in the fall at N.C. State to $4,060 for in-state students, to $2,396 at N.C. Central, to $3,905 at UNC Chapel Hill and $2,716 at UNC Charlotte. Out-of-state students all will see a $200 increase, but they already pay substantially higher tuition, such as $20,803 at UNC Chapel Hill.

Source: charlotteobserver.com

Low-level felons clog NC prisons, drug addicts get rape-like sentences

2009-06-09T09:26:00.009-04:00

RALEIGH: North Carolina's habitual-felon law is powerful: A three-time criminal who breaks into a parking meter or has a crack pipe with cocaine residue can be sentenced as if he were a rapist. Since the law was passed in 1994, the prison population has grown steadily, from 27,052 in June 1995 to more than 41,000 this year.

Jerry Adams (pictured) was a longtime drug addict from Fayetteville with a history of larceny, drug possession, and breaking and entering.

In 2000, police found two plastic bags in a truck Adams was driving. Tests by the State Bureau of Investigation indicated the presence of cocaine, but the amount was so small the SBI couldn't weigh it. Prosecutors described Adams as a nonviolent drug user.

Superior Court Judge Gary Locklear asked the jury to stay in the courtroom to witness the sentence the habitual-felon law demanded: 11 to 14 years.

“They keep building more prisons, and what do we have?” Locklear said as he sentenced Adams. “We've got more drug addicts.”

Adams admitted that he shoplifted or stole lawn mowers from sheds to get money for drugs and alcohol. “I'm an addict,” he said. “I ain't never hardly been in a fight in my life.”

Click here for full story.

Source: charlotteobserver.com

The way you hold your drink may say alot about you

2009-06-05T12:41:00.005-04:00

A new study by psychologist Glenn Wilson for Australian bar chain Walkabout Bars says the way you hold your drink reveals much about your personality. He studied the body language of 500 partyers and divided them into eight personality types.

According to Wilson, the eight types are:

The Flirt: Usually a woman, who holds her glass with dainty, splayed fingers and uses it in a provocative way. She may position it over her cleavage so as to draw attention to her attributes or peer over the rim to make eye contact when taking a sip. She may "tease" the rim of the glass with her finger, perhaps dipping it into the drink and sucking it dry.

The Gossip: This (mainly female) drinker tends to cluster in all-female groups talking about other people, and can be critical. She holds a wine glass by the bowl and uses it to gesticulate and make points in conversation. She is inclined to lean over her drink, in towards others so as to speak confidentially.

The Fun-lover: This type of drinker may be a man or a woman, who drinks to be sociable and values togetherness. A convivial individual, he/she enjoys being with their friends, and likes a laugh. Swigs taken from bottled drinks are short, so they don't miss out on chipping in with the conversation. The bottle is held loosely at its shoulder for ease.

The Wallflower: This is a shy individual who holds the glass protectively, not letting go, as though afraid somebody will take it away. Palms are kept hidden and the glass is used as a social crutch – the drink is never quite finished, with a mouthful left in case of emergency. It may be drunk through a straw, which is fidgeted with, and used to stir the drink between sips.

The Ice-queen: This is a mainly female type whose natural style is cold and defensive. She drinks from a wine glass, or a short glass, which is held firmly in a barrier position across the body so as to deter intimate approaches.

The Playboy: This man is the active, self-confident, Don Juan-type seducer. He uses his (usually long) glass or bottle as a phallic prop, playing with it suggestively.

The Jack the Lad: This "peacock" is conscious of his image and will drink a bottled beer, or cider. Inclined to be confident and arrogant, he can be territorial in his gestures, spreading himself over as much space as possible, for example, pushing the glass well away from himself and leaning back in his chair.

The Browbeater: This pugnacious type is again mostly male. He prefers large glasses, or bottles, which he uses as symbolic weapons, firmly grasped, and gesticulating in a threatening, "in the face" kind of way. Something of a know-it-all, he comes across as slightly hostile, even if only through verbal argument, or jokes targeted at others.

Source: charlotte.com

Last Titanic survivor dies at 97

2009-05-31T20:36:00.002-04:00

Millvina Dean, who as a baby was wrapped in a sack and lowered into a lifeboat in the frigid North Atlantic, died Sunday, having been the last survivor of 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic.

She was 97 years old, and she died where she had lived - in Southampton, England, the city her family had tried to leave behind when it took the ship's ill-fated maiden voyage, bound for America.

Dean just over 2 months old when the Titanic hit an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912. The ship sank in less than three hours.

She was one of 706 people - mostly women and children - who survived. Her father was among the 1,517 who died.

Source: charlotte.com

321 to close Monday nights for blasting

2009-05-30T11:31:00.000-04:00

Remember, the Department of Transportation will begin closing Highway 321 south of Blowing Rock on Monday nights beginning next week.

The DOT already closes the highway on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 2:00 to blast, but officials hope adding the extra closure will allow the progress to pick up.

Highway 321 will be closed from 8:00 Monday nights until 5:00 Tuesday mornings until blasting is completed. DOT officials expect to be finished blasting in about three months.

Source: goblueridge.net

Investigators: Gunman who shot deputies, child, father found dead

2009-05-28T10:16:00.002-04:00

KINGS CREEK, N.C. -- Investigators in Caldwell County said a man who shot two deputies, an 8-year-old girl and her father has been found dead.The shootings happened early Thursday morning in the Kings Creek community. Investigators said the entire incident was sparked by a dispute over a dog.

Andra Tolbert, a neighbor, told Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty that the gunman’s dog attacked two children two years ago.

The suspected gunman was found at about 6:30 a.m. in an area near Kings Creek Elementary School. Classes there were delayed until 11 a.m. as crews wrap up their investigation.

Source: wsoctv.com

Heavy rains wash out part of U.S. 421

2009-05-27T11:50:00.003-04:00

A portion of U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro collapsed early this morning after torrential tropical rains caused Moravian Creek to flood and wash out earth beside the highway.

A retaining wall collapsed, along with a concrete barrier and road asphalt from the exit 268B off ramp. The exit leads to Wilkesboro and Wilkes Community College. Traffic was down to one lane in the southbound direction, heading from Wilkesboro toward Winston-Salem.

Detour signs were being set up in case authorities have to close the road completely. Motorists wishing to avoid the area may take the detour. Traveling in the southbound direction from Wilkesboro's commercial district, turn left at the stoplight onto U.S. 421 Business. Turn right onto Curtis Bridge Road, left at Glenn's Tastee Freeze and the Tyson Foods complex, and right onto Cherry Street to U.S. 421.

Source: journalnow.com

App State ranked high by Kiplinger's

2009-05-26T07:17:00.005-04:00

Business magazine and website Kiplinger's Personal Finance has just named Appalachian State University as one of the country's 100 best values in public colleges and universities. A poll on the magazine's website currently ranks Appalachian 9th out of the 100.

Click here to vote for App and read the full article.

Green Park Inn closed after 127 years

2009-05-24T19:00:00.002-04:00

The Green Park Inn closed its doors on Thursday. General manager Cassandra Reed said she is working on distributing final paychecks, turning off utilities, cleaning out the property, and working to help reschedule events that were to be held at the inn.

Reed said Ronnie Wrenn, who has owned the Green Park Inn since 2001, put all the money he could into the business and simply ran out of capital.

She said last year’s $4 per gallon gas spike really hurt the inn and the following economic downturn has had a negative affect on business.

Reed said around 25 full-time employees worked at the inn including management, cooks, front desk employees, bartenders, and others.

In its 127-year history, the 87-room inn has hosted the likes of Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller, and other famous guests.

Reed explained she expects the inn to be up for auction in June.

The Green Park Inn is listed in the national Register of Historic Places and Reed said it is likely that whoever purchases the inn will keep the Green Park Inn name.

Source: goblueridge.net

Five killed in I-77 crash over Memorial weekend

2009-05-24T18:53:00.003-04:00

A couple and two of their five children died Friday in the crash on Interstate 77 in Surry County, NC near the Virginia state line. Wayne Hicks, 44, his 38-year-old wife Natalie Hicks, and two of their children: Wayne Hicks Jr., 9, and 2-year-old Natalya Hicks, were killed. The couple's three other children -- Elijah Hicks, 9; John Hicks, 6; and Josiah Hicks, 4 -- were injured in the crash and remain at Baptist Hospital. Their conditions are unknown.

Another passenger, Bryan Mowry, 59, of Hickory, was pronounced dead Saturday morning at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was one of two people in a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was hit head-on by a Toyota Sienna minivan driven by Wayne Hicks that crossed the median around 9 a.m. Friday. The other person, 57-year-old Sandra Mowry, remained in critical condition Saturday evening at Baptist Hospital.

Capt. Everett Clendenin, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol, said troopers believe Wayne Hicks fell asleep while driving the minivan.

Sources: wxii12.com, myfox8.com

Winston teen commits armed robbery using banana

2009-05-17T11:02:00.005-04:00

Authorities say a North Carolina teen who was thwarted as he tried to rob a store with a banana ate it before they could arrive.

Winston-Salem authorities say 17-year-old John Szwalla held the banana under his shirt when he entered the store Thursday, saying he had a gun and demanded money.

Owner Bobby Ray Mabe says he and a customer jumped Szwalla, holding him until deputies arrived. While they waited, Mabe says the teen ate the banana.

Mabe says deputies took pictures of the banana peel. Forsyth County Sheriff's office spokesman Maj. Brad Stanley says deputies joked about charging Szwalla with destroying evidence.

Szwalla faces a charge of attempted armed robbery. The story has garnered world-wide coverage. A Google News search for the article indicates that it appears in over 450 media outlets online.

Source: journalnow.com

Smoking ban headed to NC governor

2009-05-15T11:03:00.002-04:00

RALEIGH — Smoking will soon be prohibited in bars and restaurants across North Carolina, a state where tobacco was once revered for the money it generated for farmers, universities and community institutions.

The state House on Wednesday narrowly approved a compromise with the Senate on a smoking ban. The legislation moves to Gov. Bev Perdue, who said she will sign the bill into law. The ban would take effect Jan. 2.

Perdue, a Democrat, called it "an important and historic day for North Carolina."

Source: newsobserver.com

2009-05-11T17:27:00.002-04:00

An Idaho man was arrested on Thursday after was suspected of breaking into an area business.

Detective Bobby Creed of the Boone P.D. said 30-year-old Jason Charles Prindle was arrested and charged with one count of felony breaking and entering after authorities believe he broke into JBH Imports on King Street and stole a large amount of jewelry.

Creed said the stolen items were found at a nearby campsite in Boone.

Prindle was given a $30,000 bond and will appear in court on June 12.

Source: goblueridge.net

Boone Police arrest sexual battery suspect

2009-05-11T17:25:00.002-04:00

Boone Police officers arrested 46-year-old Michael Thomas Powell on Friday, charging him with one count of sexual battery.

Detective Bobby Creed with the Boone Police Department said Powell is form Robeson County and the charges stemmed from an incident that was reported on April 30.

Powell was given a $5,000 bond and will appear in court on June 12.

Source: goblueridge.net

A Cheap Boone Date for Every Day of the Week

2009-04-29T18:23:00.003-04:00

By Tia Wirbelauer
BooneDeals.com Columnist

Not only are we in the midst of an economic meltdown, we’re also a town made up mostly of college students. Minimum-wage jobs, demanding social circles and the seemingly un-ending school and book fees keep our bank accounts down to a minimum balance…but that shouldn’t stop us from going out on dates! There are quite a few restaurants in Boone that cater to the budgeted, so there’s no excuse not to grab a date or your best friend and tear up the town every night of the week!

Monday: ½ Price Hindenburgs @ Macado’s after 4PM
(can be split 2-4 ways, served with chips)
With 2 mugs of Bud/Bud Light
TOTAL: (split 2 ways) $5.73/each
With 4 mugs of Bud/Bud Light
TOTAL: (split 4 ways) $3.49/each

Tuesday: “Taco Tuesday” at Boone Saloon 6 Tacos (3 each)
& 2 Miller High Life’s
TOTAL: $5 each

Wednesday: 2 for $5 small deep dishes @ Flipside (one is enough to fill you up!) & 2 PBR’s
TOTAL: $3.50 each
*If you haven’t tried the deep dish smalls at Flip, it’s a MUST!! 2 Toppings!!

Thursday: Wing Night @ Parthenon! 38¢ wings (minimum 10/flavor)
Split 10 Wings & Greek fries + (2) $1 PBR Bottles/Busch Light Bottles
TOTAL: $4.78 each
Both get 10 Wings + (2) $1 PBR Bottles/$1 Busch Light Bottles
TOTAL: $4.80 each
**Try the “Rugby” wings @ Parthenon! (Mix of honey-garlic & mild hot sauce…not on the menu, special request only! BOONETOWN CLASSIC!!)

Friday: Make it a double date! 30 regular wings, a large order of loaded buffalo chips and either 4 drinks OR a pitcher of beer, at Wings to Go, for UNDER $25!
TOTAL: (Divided by 4) $6.24 each

Saturday: Great day to have a “lunch date.” Get lunch specials @
Port Christopher's and still have money to go out at night!
$5 Lunch Specials (Choose from 10 options!) + 2 Miller High Life ($1.50)
TOTAL: $6.50/each

Sunday: After recovering from the night before, invite that special someone over to have a relaxing movie day…pick up a pizza and a $1 RedBox movie (@ Lowes Foods, Ingles or Harris Teeter…FIRST TIME USERS: use Promo Code: BREAKROOM for a free rental!!)
Large Cheese Pizza & 2 liter from Little Caesar’s + RedBox Rental
TOTAL: $4 each

**Prices do not include tax & gratuity.

Peterson accepts ASU job after all

2009-04-29T09:07:00.002-04:00

Sources said yesterday that Buzz Peterson, the director of player personnel for the Charlotte Bobcats who was coach at ASU in the late 1990s, has accepted the head coaching job for the men's basketball team. An announcement by ASU is scheduled for today.

Peterson was the top candidate to replace Houston Fancher, who was fired March 16 after nine seasons as coach of the Mountaineers. Fancher was Peterson's top assistant when Peterson coached at ASU for four seasons from 1996-97 through 1999-2000.

According to a source, Peterson will have a five-year deal and get an annual base salary of $177,500 plus incentives of an undisclosed amount based on performance including championships and postseason appearances and the academic performance of the team.

The base salary is close to that Jerry Moore, ASU's football coach, who makes $180,000 a year and has incentive bonuses.

Source: journalnow.com

Kannapolis shooting leaves one dead

2009-04-28T20:15:00.001-04:00

Donyell Devein Simmons of Kannapolis died after being found with a gunshot wound to the head Monday evening.

At 10:59 p.m. Kannapolis Police responded to the area of 1001 Venus St. following a report of gunshots being fired, according to Sergeant Chris Nesbitt.

They found Simmons, 23, lying on Venus Street, and transported him to CMC- NorthEast Medical Center for emergency treatment, and he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Simmons had been staying with a relative at 1001 Venus St., where investigators on the scene discovered a break in had occurred at the home, Kannapolis police reported.

There were witnesses who reported seeing two suspects fleeing the scene in a dark colored SUV, according to Nesbitt.

Anyone with any information about this is requested to contact the Kannapolis Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division at 704-920-4001 or call the Kannapolis Area Crime Stoppers at 704-93-CRIME.

Charlotte man accused of murdering brother on basketball court

2009-04-28T16:29:00.003-04:00

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say Kairaba Martin (pictured), 28, killed his younger brother Amico Martin, 26, near the Boulevard Homes complex basketball court in west Charlotte. Their sister insists she saw the incident and that another man fired the fatal shot.

Injured was 16-year-old Kadarus Donell Cunningham, who was in serious condition after surgery on Sunday. A relative told the Observer that Cunningham was shot in the back as he ran away from the gunfire.

Police said in a news release they captured Kairaba Monday morning at 3429 Byrnes St. Police, who surrounded the house, said Kairaba tried to run. They wouldn't provide a motive for the killing.

Click here for full story at charlotte.com

Tragic death of ASU student

2009-04-27T23:03:00.000-04:00

On April 25, 2009 aroun 4:30am officers with the Boone Police Department responded to a 911 call at Whispering Ridge Apartments on an unresponsive person.

The caller told telecommunicators that the person consumed a large quantity of alcohol.

Watauga Medics transported the victim, who was identified as Raisa Sheikh, 20, of Charlotte, North Carolina to the Watauga Medical Center for emergency medical care.

She was later pronounced dead with the cause of death suspected as an overdose of alcohol.

Lock your doors at Hebron, etc

2009-04-25T02:51:00.002-04:00

With a beautiful weekend on tap in the High Country, a detective with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office wants to urge residents to be careful while venturing outdoors.

The detective told High Country Radio there have been several vehicular larcenies at area swimming holes. He explained that many residents leave valuables in their cars and don’t lock the doors while they are swimming.

Authorities are urging residents to lock their car doors and not to leave purses, cameras, wallets, cell phones, or other valuables in their vehicle.

Many of the break-ins have been reported at area hotspots like Hebron Rock Colony, Trash Can Falls, and others.

Source: goblueridge.net

Curry to enter NBA draft

2009-04-23T19:58:00.002-04:00

After weeks struggling to decide, Stephen Curry, the nation's leading scorer, announced today that he'll enter the NBA Draft, where he could be a lottery pick.

With his father, former NBA sharpshooter Dell Curry, and Coach Bob McKillop of Davidson nearby, Curry said at an on-campus news conference that his goal has always been to play in the NBA.
Curry burst onto the national scene a year ago in helping Davidson nearly get to the Final Four.

Curry, 6-3, moved to point guard this season and averaged 28.6 points. He had 15 games of 30 or more points and three of 40 or more.

Source: journalnow.com

Investigation Continues for Missing Caldwell County Man

2009-04-23T11:19:00.004-04:00

William Lynn Turner (pictured) has been missing for over two weeks, and his sister told the Hickory Daily Record she believes foul play is involved.

35-year-old Turner lives in Lenoir and drives a truck for a company in Lincoln County called Short Trucking Company.

According to the Hickory Daily Record, Turner’s boss was the last to hear from him because Turner called his boss on April 8 from South Carolina as he was on his way back from a run to Florida.

Turner reportedly had planned to spend Easter weekend with his 2-year-old son, but didn’t make it. The Record also reports the18-wheeler Turner was driving and his personal vehicle were both found at Short Trucking Company. Authorities estimate Turner dropped the tractor-trailer off between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m. on April 9.

Turner’s belongings were found in both vehicles and he didn’t pick up his last paycheck. Authorities told the Record it was too early in the investigation to say if Turner may have been killed or kidnapped.

Anyone with information about Turner or his whereabouts should contact the Lenoir Police Department at (828) 757-2100.

Source: goblueridge.net

Happy Earth Day from BooneDeals!

2009-04-22T15:41:00.002-04:00

Student films censored at UNCSA, protest ensues

2009-04-21T16:30:00.004-04:00

More than 130 students of filmmaking at UNC School of the Arts were fighting mad yesterday as they complained that they were being forced to accept the "notes" or critiques of their films by mentors before the films could be screened in Los Angeles for professional filmmakers.

"We don't feel we're being allowed to fail first and then learn from that," said Cameron Strittmatter, another student. "The notes that were given are enforced, rather than recommended. It's a situation where (they say), ‘Follow these notes or you won't go.'"

UNCSA Dean of Filmmaking Jordan Kerner said that the students don't have to follow the notes. "Whether they will then be selected or not is a different question," he said. "They have the freedom to fail anytime and on every thing. It (their film) may not be selected to go and represent the school's best work."

Source: journalnow.com

Miss North Carolina crowned Miss USA

2009-04-20T21:02:00.002-04:00

Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA 2009 on Saturday, beating out 50 other beauty queens in the live pageant televised from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The 21-year-old aspiring motivational speaker from Wilmington edged out first runner-up Miss California USA Carrie Prejean, of San Diego, and second runner-up Miss Arizona USA Alicia-Monique Blanco, of Phoenix.

Dalton's title comes with a year's use of a New York apartment, a public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary.

She also will go to the Bahamas in August to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, where American beauties haven't been lucky in recent years. Both Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart and her predecessor, Rachel Smith, wiped out on stage during the evening gown competition, becoming accidental YouTube stars.

Source: journalnow.com

ASU student charged for graffiti

2009-04-20T20:55:00.001-04:00

An Appalachian State student was arrested Saturday and charged with seven counts of injury to personal and real property after he was suspected of painting graffiti in the bathroom of an area restaurant.

Sergeant Matt Stevens of the Boone Police Department said 20-year-old Jameson Leslie Pulsifer was confronted by a manager at the Hardee’s restaurant at the New Market Shopping Center after the manager saw Pulsifer painting graffiti in the bathroom.

Stevens said Pulsifer then ran from the restaurant, but was apprehended nearby by the Boone Police.

Graffiti vandalism continues to be a problem in Boone’s downtown area and Stevens explained that after an initial investigation, the police believe Pulsifer is likely responsible for other acts of graffiti in town that include the words “Burst,” “Tride,” and others.

Pulsifer was booked into the Watauga County Detention Center under a $2,800 total bond and will appear in court on May 15.

Stevens said Pulsifer will probably face additional charges.

Source: goblueridge.net

NC Senate bans novelty lighters

2009-04-20T09:54:00.003-04:00

The state Senate wants cigarette lighters shaped like cell phones, cartoon characters and toy rifles to be snuffed out in North Carolina.

Senators voted overwhelmingly Thursday to ban the retail sale and distribution of novelty lighters.

The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Austin Allran of Catawba County, said young people have been burned by playing with lighters that look like toys. A state task force looking to reduce child deaths wants the change.

Task force chairman Tom Vitaglione says four states have banned such lighter sales and 16 other states are considering bans.

Sen. David Hoyle of Gaston County voted against the bill, which now goes to the House. Hoyle questioned if the bill was necessary and whether adults should bear some responsibility.

Source: charlotteobserver.com

Catawba Domino's Pizza prank gets nationwide attention, employees fired

2009-04-16T09:04:00.003-04:00

It's a PR nightmare scenario: A national fast-food chain has to respond to a video, spreading rapidly online, that shows one of its employees picking his nose and placing the result in the food he's making.

That's exactly what Domino's (DPZ), the nation's largest pizza delivery chain, has spent the past several days doing.
Two employees from Cornelius, NC— fired and facing charges — posted a video on YouTube on Monday that shows one of them doing gross things to a Domino's sub sandwich he is making.

Among them: sticking cheese pieces up his nose and passing gas on the salami.
The video had been viewed more than 550,000 times by Wednesday.

Click the link below to watch the video.

http://consumerist.com/5210648/dominos-rogue-employees-do-disgusting-things-to-the-food-put-it-on-youtube

Source: usatoday.com

Pedestrian killed on 421

2009-04-15T19:00:00.001-04:00

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle Friday evening on U.S. 421.Tammy Sue Wagner, 46, of 2710 U.S. 421, Boone, was standing in the westbound lane of traffic near the intersection of George Wilson Road.

This section of roadway is directly in front of her residence.Wagner was struck at 8:42 p.m. by a 2001 Audi passenger car, driven by Sharon Anderson Carlton of Sugar Grove. Trooper G.A. Johnson of the N.C. Highway Patrol said bystanders told him Wagner had been standing in the road for several minutes and one person had tried to physical remove her from the roadway.

In the eastbound lane, an AppalCART bus had come to a stop and the driver was sounding the horn and flashing the headlights in an attempt to warn oncoming motorists of Wagner’s presence. Other motorists had swerved to miss her prior to the accident, according to witnesses.Johnson said heavy rain and low visibility were contributing factors. Carlton was not cited in the accident.

The NCHP said Wagner had been drinking alcohol and that intoxication was a likely factor in the accident. Watauga Medics responded to the scene. CPR was performed on Wagner prior to transport to the Watauga Medical Center. She was pronounced dead at the emergency room.

Source: wataugademocrat.com

Bermudez leads High Country team in win over Hansbrough and co.

2009-04-12T18:33:00.004-04:00

The High Country All-Stars took down Tyler Hansbrough, Danny Green, and the rest of the Carolina Barnstorming Tour on Thursday evening at the Holmes Convocation Center with a score of 117-112.

Hansbrough punished the under-sized all-stars from the High Country. Green also had a solid game as he added a few amazing dunks and showed off his perimeter game with some long-distance jumpers. Bobby Frasor brought his typical blue-collared approach as he hustled after every loose ball and was the definitive team player for the Carolina Barnstormers.

Duke’s senior forward, David McClure, also added quite a bit of athleticism to the team with his high-flying dunks.

The High Country All-Stars featured seniors from ASU, Lees McRae, Mars Hill, Montreat, UNC-Asheville, and other area schools. The team was lead by Bermudez (pictured), who was slow getting started but carried the team late in the second half, and senior guard from Mars Hill, P.J. Gore. The High Country All-Stars also received a 12-point boost from a manager from Appalachian State’s men’s basketball team, Ryan Goodson.

Source: goblueridge.net

Peterson turns down ASU coaching job

2009-04-12T18:29:00.002-04:00

Former Appalachian State men's basketball coach Buzz Peterson has decided not to return to his old job.

Peterson, currently the director of player personal for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, notified ASU officials of his decision on Thursday, more than a week-and-a-half since both sides first began talking.

Peterson, 45, was the Mountaineers' head coach from 1996 to 2000 leading ASU to the Southern Conference tournament championship and NCAA bid during the 1999-2000 season. He also coached at Tulsa, Tennessee and Coastal Carolina before taking the job with the Bobcats.

Source: charlotteobserver.com

Hunter shot and killed in Wilkes County

2009-04-12T18:12:00.003-04:00

Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a hunter yesterday by a state game warden in Wilkes County Saturday around 7:30 am. Mark Minton, a 12-year veteran law enforcement officer with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, was the warden involved in the shooting, agency dispatchers said. It was the first day of turkey season.

They also said the incident is being investigated by agents with the State Bureau of Investigation, which is standard practice after a shooting involving a law enforcement officer. Details about the shooting weren't available last night. Dispatchers declined further comment and SBI officials could not be reached for comment.

Source: journalnow.com

King Street closing next week

2009-04-07T23:29:00.003-04:00

The N.C. Dept. of Transportation will temporarily close East King Street (U.S. 421) to thru traffic from Hardin Street at the intersection of U.S. 321 to U.S. 221/NC 105 from April 13 to 16.

Local traffic will still be able to access East King Street by using U.S. 221/NC 105 and Hardin Street, as well as Oak Street, Hillside Drive and Horn in the West Drive.Work crews will complete clearing for the relocation of utilities for the planned widening of East King Street from Hardin Street to east of Jefferson Road (N.C. 194).

The contract for the project is scheduled to be awarded in June.To lessen the impact on traffic, the DOT has scheduled the clearing work for the week that Watauga County schools are on spring break and Appalachian State University is on holiday for the first two days.For more travel information, visit the DOT's website or call 511, the state's toll-free travel information line.

Source: journalnow.com

Guilty plea in DWI accident that killed 22-year old Boone man

2009-04-07T21:53:00.003-04:00

The man accused in the 2007 drunk-driving death of Andrew "Drew" Newell agreed to a plea bargain that will send him to prison for more than 15 years. Juan Manuel Juarez Reyes (pictured), 26, pleaded guilty to second degree murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon [vehicle] inflicting serious injury and misdemeanor driving while impaired.

His combined sentence totals a minimum of 15 years, four months, to a maximum of 20 years, nine months. The deadly wreck took place at 11 p.m. on Nov. 23 on N.C. 105. A Lexus, driven by Sallie Newell, was stopped on N.C. 105 waiting to turn left onto Poplar Hill Drive. Brian Newell was riding in the passenger seat, and two of the couple’s children, Andrew “Drew” Newell and Jacqueline “Jackie” Newell, were in the back seat.

Police said Reyes had been driving while intoxicated and speeding when the Ford Explorer he was driving slammed into the rear of the Newell vehicle. Reports state that Reyes's BAC was 0.16 — twice the legal limit.

Source:wataugademocrat.com

Tarheels win!

2009-04-07T09:01:00.003-04:00

It was a calculated march, and behind the unrelenting play of Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson, the Tar Heels stomped out Michigan State's inspirational run Monday night with an 89-72 blowout that wasn't that close. "I felt like it was fitting for us to do what this group just accomplished," coach Roy Williams said. Hansbrough scored 18 points, Ellington had 19 and Lawson led all scorers with 21 and also had a record eight steals. Now, they and Danny Green can all head to the NBA feeling good about their decision to return to school. They're bringing home Carolina's fifth championship, and the second for Williams.

Texas celebrates Jerry Moore day

2009-04-02T15:14:00.004-04:00

The Texas Senate adopted a resolution today declaring "Jerry Moore Day" in that state.

Moore is from Bonham, Texas, attended Baylor University in Waco and spent 19 years of his 46-year career in the Lone Star State as a high school and college coach.

Source:newsobserver.com

Former ASU basketball coach may take his old job back

2009-04-01T23:48:00.004-04:00

Buzz Peterson (pictured with former college roommate and teammate Michael Jordan) said that he has been offered the chance to return to his former job as basketball coach at Appalachian State, and that he is leaning toward accepting.

"I'll try to have a decision made tonight or tomorrow," Peterson said.

Peterson, the director of player personnel for the Charlotte Bobcats the past two years, was coach at ASU for four seasons from 1996-97 through 1999-2000.

"If you're a basketball junkie, I have the best job there is but I've always loved being on the court," Peterson said. "I love coaching, and I loved my time at Appalachian."

ASU is looking to replace Houston Fancher, who was fired March 16 after nine seasons as coach of the Mountaineers.

Source: journalnow.com

Cigarette prices on the rise, again

2009-03-30T23:13:00.004-04:00

Smokers will be paying more for a pack of cigarettes starting Wednesday, as the federal government will begin its single largest tobacco tax increase ever.

The federal government’s tobacco tax will increase from 39 cents to $1.01 this week. CNN reports the taxes will go to fund a major expansion of children’s health care.

The state of North Carolina has one of the lowest state tobacco taxes in the country at 35 cents per pack. Earlier this month, Governor Bev Perdue proposed a one-dollar tobacco tax increase to help address the state’s financial shortfall as part of her 2009 budget proposal.

Source: goblueridge.net

Liquor on Sunday?

2009-03-30T09:10:00.003-04:00

North Carolina officials and interest groups are talking about eliminating laws that prohibit hunting and liquor sales at Alcoholic Beverage Control stores on Sundays, especially with the bad economy and budget shortfalls. Repeal bills have been filed this year at the General Assembly.

"Sunday is not the Sabbath for everyone and we don't think the government should decide what day is the Sabbath," said Ben Jenkins with the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, which is pushing legislation to end the liquor store ban. The group estimates the state could gain up to $9.9 million annually in extra taxes and profits with the repeal.

Alcoholic Beverage Control stores have been closed on Sundays since the 1930s. The Sunday firearm hunting ban on state-regulated land has been in place since 1869.

Source: newsobserver.com

Man Arrested After Posing as ASU Student

2009-03-30T09:06:00.002-04:00

The Appalachian State Police Department arrested a man after he was living on campus, posing as an ASU student.

According to an alert released by the ASU Police, Daniel Jesus Garcia was arrested Thursday afternoon after he reportedly threatened a current ASU student.

While working to find Garcia, University Police found out from numerous faculty members, staff and students that Garcia was posing as a current ASU student and had possibly been living in campus dorms.

University Police confirmed that Garcia has never been enrolled as a student at Appalachian.

Garcia has been banned from entering any property owned or operated by Appalachian State University.

If you see Daniel Garcia on campus, you should contact the ASU Police Department at (828) 262-2150.

Source: goblueridge.net

Bomb threat at downtown courthouse

2009-03-26T23:21:00.003-04:00

Part of King Street and Queen Street in Downtown Boone were closed for about an hour today due to a bomb threat at the Watauga County Courthouse.

Watauga County Sheriff, Len Hagaman, said an anonymous call was received at the Watauga County Courthouse about an alleged explosive device around 3:00 Thursday afternoon.

The courthouse was immediately evacuated and deputies with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, Boone firefighters, Boone Police officers, and Watauga County Medics all reported to the scene within minutes.

After the sheriff’s office used a bomb-sniffing dog from its K9 unit, employees at the courthouse were allowed to go back inside the building around 3:45. No injuries were reported.

No official word on who made the threat or why.

Source: goblueridge.net, wataugademocrat.com

Postal Service may cut weekend deliveries

2009-03-26T01:21:00.003-04:00

Officials within the U.S. Postal Service say they will run out of money this year without help.

According to the Associated Press, Postmaster General John Potter told a House subcommittee of the money issues facing the postal service on Wednesday.

Potter did say salaries will be paid, but other bills may have to take a back seat until the economy turns around.

As a way to cut costs, Potter is seeking permission to reduce mail delivery to five days a week.

According to the A.P., the post office was just shy of $3 billion in debt last year and is facing even larger losses this year because of a decline in mail in this weak economy.

Source: goblueridge.net

Boone police resume bicycle patrols

2009-03-24T14:47:00.004-04:00

With warmer weather here in the High Country, Boone Police Officers are making plans to return to bicycle patrol. According to Officer Andy LeBeau of the Boone P.D., officers will have an increased presence around town and especially on the Greenway Trail.

In order to cut down citations, LeBeau said, “We would like to remind everyone to keep their dogs on a leash and to wear a bicycle helmet while riding a bike. City ordinances regulating these issues will be enforced for the safety of all of Boone’s residents and visitors.”

LeBeau said Greenway visitors should also remember to lock your car doors and not to leave valuables in an unattended vehicle.

Source: goblueridge.net