February 2009 Archives

No Saturday School, Less Spring Break

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By Lindsay Ward

 

ON THE ISSUE OF SATURDAY SCHOOL...ACCORDING TO WATAUGA COUNTY SCHOOLS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT BILLIE HICKLIN, STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ONE DAY OF SATURDAY SCHOOL FOR EVERY SCHOOL DAY MISSED AFTER 10 SNOW DAYS. IF STUDENTS MISS 14 DAYS AND DO NOT MAKE UP THE DAYS WITH SATURDAY SCHOOL, THEN STUDENTS MUST ATTEND SCHOOL DURING SOME OF THE DAYS OF SPRING BREAK, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FROM APRIL FIFTH TO THE NINETH. CURRENTLY, STUDENTS HAVE MISSED 14 DAYS BUT MADE UP ONE OF THOSE DAYS ON A SATURDAY. THAT MEANS WATAUGA COUNTY SCHOOLS STUDENTS SHOULD GO TO SATURDAY SCHOOL THIS WEEKEND TO GUARD AGAINST LOSING SPRING BREAK VACATION TIME, BUT BECAUSE THE WEATHER FORECAST CALLS FOR SNOW LATER ON THURSDAY AND TONIGHT, A COLD DAY FRIDAY MAY MEAN SOME ROADS MAY STILL BE ICY ON SATURDAY MORNING, AND WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF SNOW ON SATURDAY, WATAUGA SCHOOLS WILL NOT OPEN SCHOOLS THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST. A SCHOOL SPOKESPERSON SAID THEY HOPE THAT MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT A COUPLE DAYS AHEAD WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO BETTER PLAN THEIR WEEKEND ACTIVITIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 828-264-7190.

New Transit Center Could Come True

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By Lindsay Ward

 

APPALCART'S PLAN FOR A NEW TRANSIT CENTER MAY BE A REALITY WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT. GO BLUE RIDGE DOT NET REPORTS THAT IF APPROVED, WATAUGA COUNTY'S ONLY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WOULD RECEIVE UP TO SEVEN MILLION. THE NEW TRANSIT CENTER IS LISTED AS A PRIORITY ONE ON THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S FEDERAL STIMULUS PROJECT. APPALCART CURRENTLY OPERATES AT 274 WINKLERS CREEK ROAD. THE NEW TRANSIT CENTER WILL BE ON NC HIGHWAY 105 BYPASS. THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE CURRENT STUCTURE AND INCLUDE A LARGER MAINTAINENCE SHOP. APPALCART'S FACILITY WILL ALSO CONTAIN SOME GREEN FEATURES INCLUDING A SYSTEM TO RECYCLE WASH BAY WATER AND A SYSTEM TO CATCH RAINFALL IN ORDER TO DECREASE WATER CONSUMPTION AND POLLUTION, AS WELL AS, THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY TO HEAT WATER. IN 2008, APPALCART REACHED A RECORD ONE POINT ONE MILLION RIDERS INCLUDING PARATRANSIT, HUMAN SERVICE, AND GENERAL PUBLIC.

Org. Come Together Help those in Need

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By Lindsay Ward

 

A PROGRAM OF RAINBOW CENTER HIGH COUNTRY FIRST IN FAMILIES RECENTLY COLLABORATED WITH SEVERAL GROUPS IN AVERY COUNTY TO PROVIDE AN EXTRA ROOM FOR A FAMILY IN NEED. THE FAMILY'S NEWBORN SON HAS EXTENSIVE HEALTH PROBLEMS, AND HIS BEDROOM WAS ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THEIR HOME. THEY NEEDED AN EXTRA ROOM BUILT OFF OF THEIR BEDROOM TO ENSURE THE INFANT'S SAFETY. THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER THIS FALL AND THE FAMILY NOW HAS A NEW ROOM FOR THEIR SON. FROM THE CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY MARGARET TROSPER HELPED THE FAMILY BY RECOMMENDING THE PROGRAM, AND HIGH COUNTRY FIRST IN FAMILIES GAVE TOWARDS THE BUILDING SUPPLIES. ADDITIONALLY THERE WAS ALSO CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROOFING, INSULATION AND BANNER ELK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BUILT THE NEW ADDITION. THE FIRST IN FAMILIES PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO CONNECT A CLIENT'S NEEDS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SERVING ALLEGHANY, ASHE, AVERY, WATAUGA AND WILKES COUNTIES, THE PROGRAM HELPED 124 FAMILIES IN 2008. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL KOREN HUSKINS AT 336-667-3333 OR EMAIL KHUSKINS@ RCCFS.COM.

Grant Money May Go To Yadkin River

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By Lindsay Ward

 

GOVERNOR BEV PERDUE HAS RECENTLY SAID SHE WILL SEEK GRANT MONEY IN THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE TO HELP REPLACE THE YADKIN RIVER BRIDGE ON INTERSTATE 85 IN DAVIDSON AND ROWAN COUNTIES. THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $300 MILLION. THE STIMULUS INCLUDED ONE POINT FIVE BILLION IN DISCRETIONARY GRANTS TO BE AWARDED TO STATES FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. THE GRANTS WILL BE AWARDED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS AND CAN RANGE FROM $20 MILLION TO $300 MILLION, WITH NOT MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL MONEY ALLOCATED TO ANY ONE STATE. ANY GRANT MONEY RECEIVED WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE $838 MILLION THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE THROUGH THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN, INCLUDING $735 MILLION FOR HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE PROJECTS AND $103 MILLION FOR PROJECTS IN OTHER THINGS, INCLUDING AVIATION, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN, FERRY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND RAIL.

Avery Spelling Bee

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By Lindsay Ward

 

The bee has been buzzing all over the high country. yesterday...we reported the Watauga County spelling bee and announced the winner as valle crucis fifth grader cameron hastings. Now Avery County just had their 31st annual spelling bee event on wednesday, February 11th. eight students from avery county elementary and middle schools participated in this event and they were: fourth grader at banner elk Jordan Lecka, fourth grader at beech mountain Eddie Storey, seventh grader at cranberry Jake Pritchard, fifth grader at crossnore Eddie Staton, fifth grader at freedom trail Jessica Tufts, fifth grader at newland Sarah Mullins, fifth grader at riverside Tyler Smith...and the winner of the bee who spelled algebra correctly went to eighth grader at avery Serena Ramos. She earned a fifty dollar prize and will represent avery county in winston-salem on march 22nd. Bob Tatum was the pronouncer and meg julian was the judge for the event. m-t-n would like to congratulate serena on her win and wishes her the best of luck in winston salem.

Budget Shortfalls For Commissioners

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By Lindsay Ward

 

Many are being dealt with bad news due to the economy...and the Watauga county commissioners just got theirs at Thursday's annual planning retreat. the county is facing a shortfall of 60 to 80 thousand dollars this budget year, and if the economy gets worse, the county may have to trim jobs or hours. County manager rocky nelson said sales tax revenue was running about three percent behind last year's totals, with the revenue contributing about $12 million per year. With permitting and deeds fees also down, the county went into its general fund balance this year. Nelson said if the budget deficit got down to five percent, it would be hard to balance without job cuts. County departments have already begun trimming expenses in the face of the shortfall.

ASU and Community Come Together

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By Lindsay Ward

 

The university and the high country residents may be coming together to better the community. The public service research program at a-s-u is seeking input from high country residents. the honors class is titled parkway research seminar and is geared toward community-based research techniques. The class is funded through a three-year learn and serve America grant and led by dr. Norman Clark. Clark said community-based research works to research specific areas by creating partnerships and answering questions posed by the community. The grant will be spent in a partnership with the Blue Ridge parkway. For the current school year, the class is focusing on the Hebron falls in Boone. The students are addressing several concerns including illegal camping in the area, parking and littering. Members of the class will be interviewing the public from six to 7:30 p-.m on Monday through Wednesday. Each participating individual will be asked about personal experiences, recommendations and how each uses the area. Those interested in providing input for the study are asked to register for a time through the web site at p s r p dot appstate dot edu, or by calling (828) 773-7056. Dinner will also be provided.

Change in Billboards causes Disputes

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By Lindsay Ward

 

Watauga county planning board recently met to debate proposed amendments to the existing sign ordinance. After several months of considering the impact of more changeable electronic variable message signs, the board recommended that messages last for a minimum of 15 seconds- nearly double the current message length of eight seconds. Lamar outdoor advertising vice president and general manager Jamie Machut argued that the proposed change would drastically alter the company's ability to earn income from the electronic billboards. He argued that the new guidelines, would represent a taking action by a government depriving a person of private, real or personal without the payment of just compensation. medical director for emergency services at Watauga medical center Tara Connelly said that motorists are more likely to take their eyes off the road to look at electronic billboards whether they want to or not. Following the discussion, the board voted to present the proposed amendments to the Watauga county commissioners in March, who will schedule their own public hearing regarding the issue.

Who will be the area's "Top Chef"

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By Lindsay Ward on February

 

Area chefs get your knives and pans ready for a cooking showdown. During the last three years, the fire on the rock chef's challenge has become one of the Blue Ridge wine festival's most popular events...So popular that this year's chef's challenge will feature a series of preliminary rounds in March to determine the final eight contestants to compete in April. This competition is to take place at Crippen's country inn and restaurant each Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 p-m during the month of March. Two chefs from area restaurants will go head to head or knife to board to battle it out for six rounds of culinary clashing...and what's even more exciting is that members of the public will judge each competition. Guests will be given a scoring sheet with the same guidelines used by professional food critics. They will not know which chef prepared their dish. Challenges have been randomly drawn and will be judged equally, regardless of their home restaurant's style. Chefs will be limited to only the ingredients provided, which are all raw products. The winner of each battle will advance and compete in the 2009 fire on the rock chef's challenge during the Blue Ridge food and wine festival, which will be held from Thursday to Sunday, April 16th to the 19th. Call Crippen's at 828-295-3487 or email reservations @ Crippens dot com to secure a reservation. For challenge guidelines, go to Crippens dot com.

Green Job Training in CC

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By Lindsay Ward

 

North Carolina's community colleges have decided to incorporate training for green-collar jobs into their curriculum. A green-jobs initiative will be the topic for discussion when the state board of community colleges met in Raleigh recently. Community college system president Scott Ralls will explain the new code green initiative, which also incorporates sustainable practices and building methods into how the campuses operate. The board will decide whether to approve several continuing education courses, including sustainable development, green consumerism and alternative fuels technology. The community colleges board meeting also will recognize three small-business centers from community colleges across the state for excellence in service.

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