June 2009 Archives

Will four million gallons of water be removed from the New River for the Town of Boone? Well, it's still up for debate. Many had something to say when it comes to Boone's proposed water intake facility. The Boone Town Council and the Ashe County Commissioners met last week at the Westwood Elementary School in West Jefferson to talk about removing the water, and replacing it with Boone's treated waste water. Majority of those who showed up at the meeting didn't like the idea of the plant. They were concerned about the historic nature of the river, the economic impact, and the increase of chemicals in the river over time. The Boone Town Council strongly supports the plan, but the Ashe County Commissioners are not sure until they review all of the environmental documents.

 

                              

Are your kids afraid of science? Do they think it's a boring subject? Well kids at Camp Invention, boring is not even associated with science. Last week, kids all over came to Watauga High School to do problem solving, inventions and science projects. Director of Camp Invention, Bryan Wood says as a science teacher he sees kids know less about science every year, and wants for them to see it as a fun subject.

 

The kids were also learning to be more eco-friendly. For their inventions, they were asked to bring in things that most would normally throw away... like cardboard boxes.

 

Bryan says he hopes this camp will help kids be more excited about science in school next year.

 

                                        

Winkler's Creek will be getting a face lift thanks to the North Carolina Rural Center. Senator Steve Goss and Representative Cullie Tarleton say that the center is giving a $500,000 grant to remove sedimentation near a water intake site on the creek. The intake is the town's primary intake site because of the drought. But due to the heavy rains this year, sedimentation accumulated and reduced the amount of water that can be withdrawn from the intake pool. With the restoration, the dam will provide access to about 12 million gallons on Winkler's Creek. Watauga County has also been granted over $30,000 dollars from the Water Capital Improvement program. This will examine the infrastructure of the area's water and sewer systems to improve efficiency.

Do you know a young woman who can't afford to go to college? What about a woman who is living in poverty? If you answered yes, you are not alone. Millions of women are in these types of situations and many of them are in the high country. That is when the Appalachian Women's Fund steps in, to help those after a crisis. In order to help these women, the organization holds events to raise money. On Thursday, a luncheon and silent auction took place at the Blowing Rock Country Club. To top off the luncheon, a Woman of Vision Award was given to Faye Cooper for her continued dedication to many organizations in the high country. If you would to know more, log onto their website at appalachianwomensfund.org.

A new education building on the ASU campus is on its way in becoming a reality. Construction of the building is to begin in a few weeks and is estimated to cost around 34 million. But it's not just the education building that is changing on the campus. The ASU board of trustees agreed recently on improving Cone Residence Hall. This is to cost around 12 million, and be completed for next year. They also decided to demolish the amphitheater to make more room for the Plemmons Student Union building. In addition, the trustees agreed to invest millions of dollars into energy efficiency throughout campus.

 

                                         

Senator Steve Goss is recently awarded the Charles Dick Medal of Merit from the National Guard Association. This award is given to those who are a state or local official and have made contributions to the National Guard. During his service in the North Carolina Senate, Goss has been a major supporter of expanding family assistance centers that provide aid to family members of North Carolina service men and women across the state. In his press release, Goss claims that he is surprised and greatly honored by this recognition from the National Guard. He has also come to have the greatest respect for the sacrifices members of the guard and their families are making.

 

                                          

ASU completed a big step in being more energy efficient. The wind turbine on the campus is finally up. The 100-kilowat turbine will soon begin generating electricity by new river light and power. Installation of the turbine began on June 15^th at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, by Alteris Renewables from Connecticut. The project cost over $500,000 dollars, and was funded by Appalachian students through a five dollar renewable energy fee collected each semester. The wind turbine has the potential to generate enough electricity for about 10-15 households in the south per year.

 

                                        

Do you enjoy eating pre-packaged cookie-dough? Well before you decide to dig in, officials are saying Nestle Toll House cookie dough could be contaminated. The company said it is recalling an estimated $300,000 cases of the dough as a precaution after reports of food-borne illness in 28 states. There are concerns that the pre-made dough may be contaminated with E. Coli, which can cause abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea. Since March, the Center for Disease control says, 66 people have become sick after eating the raw cookie dough. Twenty-five people were hospitalized, but no one has died. So if you know you have this cookie dough in your fridge, you are advised to throw it away immediately.

 

                         

Local high school seniors are receiving a scholarship from the ASU foundation through the late Norman Cheek and his family. The scholarships were awarded to Kendra Powers of Ashe County, Jacqueline Leigh Smith of Caldwell County and Amanda Nichole Kato of Watauga County. All three recipients of the Norman Cheek Memorial Scholarship were involved in Project Graduation at their local high school. Each will receive a $3,000 dollar scholarship a year for four years as long as they remain enrolled at Appalachian. Cheek was owner of the Toyota franchise in Boone for nearly 30 years. He was known as "the little dealer with the big heart. He began sponsoring Project Graduation 21 years ago. Recipients of the scholarship will be asked to volunteer with Project Graduation while they are in college. For information on ways to contribute to the Norman Cheek Memorial Scholarship, call 828-262-4023.

 

                                   

 

Have you ever known someone who has cancer? Well, most of us can say yes either through a friend, family member, loved one or just by being at a Relay for Life. Hundreds came together on June 19^th and 20^th for Watauga County's Relay for Life to raise funds and awareness to fight cancer. Several teams joined the fight by walking around the track and having their tents decorated. Watauga County's Relay for Life also had music by Southern Accent, food and raffles. Lit torches and a Luminaria Service took place after dark during a walk of remembrance for those who lost their battle with cancer.