Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 4, 2007 issue
Year in Review – June 2006
REQUIEM: Hugh McRae Morton, owner of Grandfather Mountain, died at age 85.
WAR: After months of training in Indiana, the members of the 1451st transportation unit arrived in Iraq. Military Appreciation Day held in Boone on June 24.
SHE SAID, HE SAID: Former Watauga County Chief Deputy Paula Townsend filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Sheriff Mark Shook and Watauga County. Shook denied the discrimination allegations.
OPENINGS: Watauga County Dog Park opened June 24.
OPENINGS: Disc golf course opened at Ashe County Park.
SHE SAID/HE SAID: Former communications chief Patricia Shook filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court alleging that Sheriff Mark Shook wrongfully fired her after she gave a male subordinate an unfavorable performance review. In the complaint, Shook also alleged a hostile work environment for female employees at the Law Enforcement Center.
TRADITION: Horn in the West opened for its 55th season.
GENESIS: First Watauga County Summit on Youth held June 19 to identify and discuss the needs of area youth.
GENESIS: Watauga County submitted an application to the DMV for a county-operated tag office.
CULMINATION: Relay for Life took over the Watauga High stadium on June 16 and 17, a change in location from previous years at Valle Crucis Park, and ending the 2006 fundraising campaign.
NEW BEGINNINGS: Ray’s Weather launched a new Website.
RESTORED: The rebuilding of Boone’s Greenway bridge, washed out in 2004, was completed.
BOOTS: The Boone Town Council passed a town code amendment requiring parking lot enforcement personnel to remain in plain view.
‘BOARDING: The skatepark opened at the site of the old tennis courts at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation complex off Hunting Hills Lane.
MONEY: Watauga Commissioners passed the $39.4 million general fund FY 2006-07 budget with a vote of 3 to 1. Commissioner Keith Honeycutt was not present at the meeting, and Commissioner David Blust voted nay.