Bristol Herald Courier (Bristol, VA) articles from March 2007, page 2

Bristol Herald Courier (Bristol, VA) archives from March 2007

Sullivan board tours Blountville Middle School.
March 22, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Wig Mar. 22--BLOUNTVILLE -- Despite its structural problems, officials said they probably won't demolish Blountville Middle School. Sullivan County School Board members did not make a formal decision after touring the...

EDITORIAL: Best plan for Blountville Middle School.(Editorial)
March 22, 2007... Mar. 22--Replace the school. That's the most prudent long-term solution to the serious structural defects at Blountville Middle School. Repair work would come in at about a fourth of the cost of new construction, but school leaders...

Taylor pursues fish and fast cars.
March 22, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 22--Jeff Taylor has pursued a lifelong love affair with fast cars and elusive fish. The former New Jersey resident found the best of both worlds in Bristol. "I moved to this area in 1985 and haven't...

Blaney has struggled as Toyota driver.
March 22, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 22--Dave Blaney is a veteran of the racing game. The Hartford, Ohio, native owns a couple of sprint car championships, operates a speedway, and has competed at the elite level of NASCAR since 1992. ...

Another kind of Beer run.
March 22, 2007... Byline: Khristopher J. Brooks Mar. 22--BRISTOL, Va. -- Mike Beard started his Wednesday at 4 a.m. Shortly after, the beer delivery truck driver had double-checked the day's order and was headed out on his route. He's been busy...

Toyota's boom sounding like a thud.
March 22, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 22--Just one month ago, the arrival of Toyota into the Nextel Cup Series was greeted with a mixture of optimism, dread and doom. Multicar Ford team owner Jack Roush even issued a personal challenge, saying...

Early advisory for Wednesday, March 21, 2007.
March 21, 2007... --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070320 CAPITOL VISITORS, Posted 3 col x 7.5 in / 146x191 mm / 497x648 pixels Diagram describes the underground visitors center being built at the U.S. Capitol. It is over budget and two years behind schedule....

Earnhardt, Jr. not sure what to expect Sunday.
March 21, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 21--BY ALLEN GREGORY BRISTOL HERALD COURIER There are good reasons why Dale Earnhardt, Jr. enjoys coming to Bristol Motor Speedway. Earnhardt was the first driver to record a weekend sweep at...

VHS, Abingdon favored in Highlands baseball.
March 21, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 21--BY ALLEN GREGORY BRISTOL HERALD COURIER It was a good news and bad news story for the two Highlands District baseball powers last season. Once again, Abingdon and Virginia High posted sterling...

Weather ... or not.
March 21, 2007... Byline: Debra McCown Mar. 21--Memories of last year's snow angel on the start-finish line and snowmen on pit road are expected to melt away with more spring-like temperatures in the 70s this weekend. After 2006, Bristol Motor...

Former Haysi stars contributing at Pikeville.
March 21, 2007... Byline: Tim Hayes Mar. 21--BY TIM HAYES Bristol Herald Courier Two former Haysi High School stars are contributing for the Pikeville (Ky.) College baseball team. Junior left-hander Jordan Compton is 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA in...

Bristol officer nominated as AMW All-Star.
March 21, 2007... Mar. 21--BRISTOL, Va. -- Lt. Darryl E. Milligan is humbled to be nominated as an America's Most Wanted All-Star, but he thinks all employees of the police department should receive the award. "I'm don't know if I'm any more deserving than...

MCT Graphics final advisory for Wednesday, March 21, 2007.
March 21, 2007... final advisory for Wednesday, March 21, 2007 MCT Graphics --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070321 USATTORNEYS poll, By 5pm 2 col x 4 in / 96x102 mm / 327x346 pixels Size may change. Check advisory for update. Results of a recent...

MCT Graphics update advisory for Wednesday, March 21, 2007.
March 21, 2007... update advisory for Wednesday, March 21, 2007 MCT Graphics 20070321 USATTORNEYS email, 3 col x 6.5 in / 146x165 mm / 497x562 pixels, By 7pm Graphic size may change; please check later advisories. Timeline of a series of...

Trading places: Site offers rental alternative.
March 21, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 21--BRISTOL, Va. -- Julie Buchanan was always reluctant to rent her home to strangers on Bristol race weekends. Now the Twin City native operates an Internet business designed to fill a unique niche in the...

Early advisory for Tuesday, March 20, 2007.
March 20, 2007... --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070319 Corn ethanol, Posted 2 col x 3.75 in / 96x95 mm / 327x324 pixels Chart showing the price of corn recently has mirrored the boom in production of ethanol, a gasoline substitute derived from the grain....

Peace vigil held at King College.
March 20, 2007... Byline: Khristopher Brooks Mar. 20--It's been four months since Will Brimer spoke to his cousin, who is now fighting in the war in Iraq. But Brimer said his cousin, Wesley Brimer, and his safety are always on his mind. "I think of...

Green property on Volunteer Parkway granted tax exemption.
March 20, 2007... Byline: Joe Geraghty Mar. 20--A plan to redevelop an old industrial site in the heart of Bristol will move forward with the help of a tax increment financing deal from Sullivan County. The County Commission voted 19-2 Monday in favor...

First King Mill Pike project approved.
March 20, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 20--The city's Planning Commission on Monday gave a green light to one proposed project on King Mill Pike, but delayed action on another. The commission voted unanimously to send a rezoning request for...

Planning Commission OKs residential developments.
March 20, 2007... Byline: Joe Geraghty Mar. 20--Over the objections of more than a dozen residents, the city's Planning Commission approved two separate, controversial residential developments Monday night. The first involved 18 acres of land between...

Recall worries pet owners.
March 20, 2007... Byline: Khristopher Brooks Mar. 20--You might want to double-check what you're feeding Fido or Fluffy. The Monday after a major pet food recall, area residents were asking local experts for guidance. "We've got a ton of phone...

Battle High baseball coach resigns.
March 20, 2007... Byline: Debra McCown Mar. 20--As his team played its season opener, John Battle High School's head baseball coach resigned Monday night. The resignation of Danny Cullop, effective March 15, was accepted by the Washington County...

MCT Graphics final advisory for Tuesday, March 20, 2007.
March 20, 2007... final advisory for Tuesday, March 20, 2007 MCT Graphics --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070320 CAPITOL VISITORS, By 5:30pm 3 col x 7 in / 146x178 mm / 497x605 pixels Size may change. Check advisory for update. Diagram describes the...

Early advisory for Monday, March 19, 2007.
March 19, 2007... --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070319 Corn ethanol, Posted 2 col x 3.75 in / 96x95 mm / 327x324 pixels Chart showing the price of corn recently has mirrored the boom in production of ethanol, a gasoline substitute derived from the grain....

Nurse, mother, 101, reflects on service.
March 19, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 19--BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Edith Knoll celebrates her 101st birthday today and many of her favorite memories involve babies -- her own and the hundreds she cared for as a pediatric nurse. A native of Buncombe...

Monday morning answers.
March 19, 2007... Byline: Lee Davenport Mar. 19--I love the Geico [insurance] commercials with the cavemen. It got me to wondering if we (humans) ever lived at the same time as cavemen. Did we, and if we did, how long ago was it? -- A.B., Bristol Virginia...

Students offer support to Battle coach.
March 19, 2007... Byline: D.S. TYSON Mar. 19--BY D.S. TYSON BRISTOL HERALD COURIER BRISTOL, Va. -- Marlee Ingle believes life is about second chances. After all, John S. Battle High School coach Danny Cullop gave her a second chance, which led...

Scoring the job of a lifetime.
March 19, 2007... Byline: Joe Geraghty Mar. 19--BY JOE GERAGHTY BRISTOL HERALD COURIER LEBANON, Va. -- Judy Honaker makes a living doing something she never imagined getting paid to do. Scoring NASCAR races was a side job for years, a hobby...

D-B, Science Hill favored in Big Nine baseball.
March 19, 2007... Byline: Seth Bartee Mar. 19--BY SETH BARTEE BRISTOL HERALD COURIER Not much has changed atop Big 9 Conference baseball. Dobyns-Bennett and Science Hill are still the favorites for another postseason romp, but the...

Firefighters make bald statement to back cancer fight.
March 19, 2007... Byline: D.S. TYSON Mar. 19--BY D.S. TYSON BRISTOL HERALD COURIER BRISTOL, Va -- Be sure to wear sunglasses if walking near the fire station on Lee Street. On Saturday, 10 Bristol firefighters shaved their heads to raise funds...

Experts: Parents, kids need to talk.
March 19, 2007... Byline: D.S. TYSON Mar. 19--BY D.S. TYSON BRISTOL HERALD COURIER On the heels of recent reports of attempted abductions in Southwest Virginia and a Bristol Tennessee teen leaving with a man she met on the Internet, authorities...

Montoya develops taste for NASCAR culture.
March 19, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 19--BY ALLEN GREGORY BRISTOL HERALD COURIER Juan Pablo Montoya is accustomed to the glamour and glitz of Formula One racing. It didn't take long for the Colombian native to develop a taste for a...

Bristol Herald Courier, Va., Bucky Dent column: Cox a gentleman, gentle man.(Column)
March 19, 2007... Byline: Bucky Dent Mar. 19--A gentleman and a gentle man. It seems like the perfect epitaph to put on Boyce Cox's grave. The man who saved pro baseball in Bristol passed away on Saturday. As word spread throughout town and the...

MCT Graphics final advisory for Monday, March 19, 2007.
March 19, 2007... final advisory for Monday, March 19, 2007 MCT Graphics --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070319 Corn ethanol, Posted 2 col x 3.75 in / 96x95 mm / 327x324 pixels Chart showing the price of corn recently has mirrored the boom in...

EDITORIAL: Kestners: Thanks for preserving mountain.(Editorial)
March 18, 2007... Mar. 18--The announcement on Wednesday by local legislators that the state has agreed to $1.6 million to help fund the purchase of the 5,000 acre tract along Brumley Mountain is cause for celebration. This intact forest running along the...

EDITORIAL: Move ahead on ombudsman.(Editorial)
March 18, 2007... Mar. 18--In Tennessee, government officials deny access to public records about a third of the time. The only recourse available to journalists or private citizens is litigation -- a time-consuming and costly battle. The creation of an...

OPINION: State lawmakers pursue serious and silly matters in Nashville.
March 18, 2007... Byline: Andrea Hopkins Mar. 18--Tennessee's lawmakers are a busy bunch. They've got a record 4,600 bills to sort through before the session ends. The law-making frenzy runs the gamut from the mundane to the silly and everything in...

Race fans stake claims.
March 18, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 18--BRISTOL, Tenn. -- For Joe Howell, the Bristol Motor Speedway experience is about more than speed and competition. "The friends you make is half of it," Howell said. "I see the same people every year and...

BHC journalists receive company's highest honor.
March 18, 2007... Mar. 18--Two Bristol Herald Courier journalists are among the recipients of their corporation's highest award for journalism excellence. Media General Inc. will honor winners of its D. Tennant Bryan Award -- named for the company's founder...

Walkers to show support for coach.
March 18, 2007... Byline: D. L. Tyson Mar. 18--A walk in support John S. Battle High School's suspended baseball coach is slated for 6 tonight at High Point Elementary School, 14091 Sinking Creek Road. Members of the high school baseball and softball...

One racing region.
March 18, 2007... Byline: Joe Geraghty Mar. 18--If the Mountain Empire were its own separate state, it would rank third for producing NASCAR Nextel Cup racing team members. Experts, racers and crew members themselves aren't quite sure why Southwest...

NASCAR profiles from the region.
March 18, 2007... Mar. 18--JAY HACKNEY As a high school football and baseball star, Haysi native Jay Hackney thought he might have a future in professional sports. He didn't think the sport would be NASCAR, though. Hackney pursued baseball in...

OPINION: Open-government apathy provokes concern for the future.
March 18, 2007... Byline: J. Todd Foster Mar. 18--I'll bet if we had asked our readers about Britney Spears shaving her head or about the latest "American Idol" episode, scores would have taken the poll. Instead, we asked readers how important was it...

Man charged with attempted murder after "ramming" estranged wife's house.
March 17, 2007... Byline: D.S. TYSON Mar. 17--After crashing into his estranged wife's house several times Friday morning, a Bristol Virginia man is charged with attempted murder, Washington County Sheriff's officials said. Stephen Lane McMurray, 45,...

Battle baseball coach suspended after arrest.
March 17, 2007... Mar. 17--BRISTOL, Va. -- John S. Battle High School baseball coach Danny James Cullop has been suspended with pay following a March 5 arrest on marijuana charges, the Bristol Herald Courier has learned. The Washington County school's...

EDITORIAL: Loss and legacy.(Editorial)
March 17, 2007... Mar. 17--Jack C. Smith built a business empire that touches every corner of the region. The Buchanan County native opened his first supermarket, a Piggly Wiggly, in Grundy in 1955. From that humble beginning, he nurtured a 95-store...

EDITORIAL: On land and wine.(Editorial)
March 17, 2007... Mar. 17--Editor's note: This week's edition of Thumbs up, thumbs down was abbreviated to allow space for the preceding editorial on the passing of Jack C. Smith. THUMBS UP TO: Wild places, preserved Locals celebrated a victory in the...

Ob Knob Park set to reopen ? as a park.
March 17, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Wig Mar. 17--BRISTOL, Tenn. -- They took the trailer out of the trailer park. Observation Knob park reopens to visitors Monday after a five-month overhaul, during which more than 200 semi-permanent residents were...

Kids Making A Difference.
March 17, 2007... Byline: Debra McCown Mar. 17--ABINGDON -- Heaven Crick loves animals. It's why she helped organize her fellow students at Damascus Middle School to donate pet food and other items to the local animal shelter. "I told them it was...

Georgia man charged after downtown fight.
March 17, 2007... Byline: D.S. TYSON Mar. 17--BRISTOL, Va. -- A Georgia man who police say stabbed two Bristol residents along State Street Thursday night was released from jail on Friday after posting $10,000 bond. Elijah Sommerville, 33, of Stone...

Battle highlights Hogoheegee softball scene.
March 17, 2007... Byline: Tim Hayes Mar. 17--BY TIM HAYES Bristol Herald Courier A school that had its best season in school history highlighted the 2006 Hogoheegee District softball scene. John Battle went 23-5, won the Hogo regular-season...

Early advisory for Friday, March 16, 2007.
March 16, 2007... --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070316 Green laws, Posted 1 col x 7 in / 47x178 mm / 160x605 pixels Maps of the U.S. showing how the country has a patchwork of climate change laws; includes greenhouse gas emission standards, renewable...

MCT Graphics final advisory for Friday, March 16, 2007.
March 16, 2007... final advisory for Friday, March 16, 2007 MCT Graphics --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070316 USIRAQ cost, By 6pm 1 col x 3.5 in / 47x89 mm / 160x302 pixels Size may change. Check advisory for update. Chart showing annual U.S....

What's coming next week in travel.
March 16, 2007... To help you with your planning, here are the top stories planned for next week's travel package. Stories will move Monday, March 19. For more information, call (202) 383-6083. U.S. DESTINATIONS UST-PETERSBURG:MCT_Virginia's...

BCMA reorganizes, looks to begin fundraiser.
March 16, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 16--BRISTOL, Va. -- The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance has reorganized its leadership and expects to start a $12 million fundraising campaign later this year. The Bristol-based nonprofit organization...

Battle baseball coach suspended after arrest.
March 16, 2007... Mar. 16--BRISTOL, Va. -- John S. Battle High School baseball coach Danny James Cullop has been suspended with pay following a March 5 arrest on marijuana charges, the Bristol Herald Courier has learned. The Washington County school's...

EDITORIAL: A band-aid or a real solution?(Editorial)
March 16, 2007... Mar. 16--Years of benign neglect have taken their toll on Wise County's six high schools -- an all-too-common occurrence around the region. Fixing them won't be cheap. A recently unveiled plan to renovate them tops $109 million with a...

Part of heritage up in smoke.
March 16, 2007... Byline: Khristopher J. Brooks Mar. 16--BRISTOL, Va. -- Stanley Cadle Sr. lost more than storage space when his smokehouse burned on Thursday. He lost memories of his father. "It's a sad thing that you lose part of your heritage,"...

Jack Smith, founder of Food City dies.
March 16, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 16--Waiting in line at a small Grundy grocery store in 1954 prompted Jack Smith's entry into the supermarket business and spurred his emphasis on customer service. Smith, the 81-year-old founder and chairman...

Exit 14 plan undergoes public review.
March 16, 2007... Byline: Debra McCown Mar. 16--ABINGDON -- Most of the comments were positive at Thursday's public hearing on proposed improvements to Exit 14, said Steve Buston, resident engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation. ...

Even judges frustrated with furniture deficiencies.
March 16, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Wig Mar. 16--BLOUNTVILLE -- It's not so honorable when Circuit Court Judge Jerry Beck tips backward and falls out of his chair in the courtroom. It's happened more than once. "He has to push it back so it'll hit...

MCT Graphics final advisory for Thursday, March 15, 2007.
March 15, 2007... final advisory for Thursday, March 15, 2007 MCT Graphics --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070315 PRIMARIES, By 6pm 3 col x 3.5 in / 146x89 mm / 497x302 pixels Size may change. Check advisory for update. Timeline will show the...

A lifelong fight for open government ...
March 15, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 15--ROANOKE -- The personalized "Open Gov" license plate on Forrest "Frosty" Landon's Volvo station wagon is the first tip-off to his lifelong passion. For more than 50 years, Landon has worked alongside --...

Lawmaker's online petition targets power rate increase.
March 15, 2007... Mar. 15--Delegate Bill Carrico, R-Fries, has created an online petition as part of an effort to bring relief to Southwest Virginia's opposed Appalachian Power's recent rate hike. Carrico is spearheading an effort to bring relief to APCO...

Power surge.
March 15, 2007... Byline: D.S. Tyson Mar. 15--ABINGDON -- Employees at The Martha Washington Inn stood by the check-in counter after paying their Appalachian Power bill and bemoaned the double-digit rate increase. "I can tell you actually how much it...

Attorneys seek clarification on ruling.
March 15, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 15--BRISTOL, Va. -- Attorneys on both sides of the lawsuit against the Ridgecrest Town Apartments project admit they don't fully understand a judge's ruling in the case -- but both think they won. We need...

Agency blames arsonists for at least 20 wildfires.
March 15, 2007... Mar. 15--The Virginia Department of Forestry blames arsonists for at least 20 fires that have burned hundreds of acres in Southwest Virginia this year. Of 69 fires reported throughout the region in the past two weeks, three are still...

Mouse flights.
March 15, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Wig Mar. 15--BLOUNTVILLE -- Airport officials wearing Mickey Mouse-ear hats sang the Mickey Mouse theme song Wednesday and slurped mango smoothies. They're not going to Orlando, Fla., but local residents soon can...

School officials' raises at issue.
March 15, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Wig Mar. 15--* Director of Schools Glenn Arwood -- $104,295 * Assistant Director/HR manager Evelyn Rafalowski -- $76,237 Source: Sullivan County Schools BLOUNTVILLE -- Some School Board members say...

Bristol Herald Courier, Va., Seth Bartee column: Clemson's Purnell beats some of the best ETSU's offered.(Column)
March 15, 2007... Byline: Seth Bartee Mar. 15--CLEMSON, S.C. -- Whether Clemson's Oliver Purnell knows it or not, he's beaten some of the best teams ETSU has ever had to offer. Back in 2003, Purnell and the Tigers came back on the Bucs with a...

Mountain project gets state funding.
March 15, 2007... Byline: Debra McCown Mar. 15--ABINGDON -- The Nature Conservancy and local legislators formally announced the procurement of $1.6 million in state funding to help purchase a roughly 5,000-acre mountain for preservation. The...

Retail sales up in Bristol.
March 15, 2007... Byline: Joe Geraghty Mar. 15--Bristol bested both Kingsport and Johnson City in retail sales growth for 2006, breaking a long trend of dominance for the two larger cities. Adjusted for inflation, Bristol posted a 3.8 percent increase...

Invasion well underway at Camp Bristol.
March 15, 2007... Byline: Allen Gregory Mar. 15--BY ALLEN GREGORY BRISTOL HERALD COURIER BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The first wave of the NASCAR army arrived Monday in the Mountain Empire. Over the next nine days, true believers will come with...

Clemson eliminates Bucs from NIT.
March 15, 2007... Byline: Seth Bartee Mar. 15--BY SETH BARTEE BRISTOL HERALD COURIER CLEMSON, S.C. -- East Tennessee State still hasn't found the formula for overcoming Clemson. The No. 1 seeded Tigers beat the No. 8 seed Bucs 64-57 for the...

Early advisory for Wednesday, March 14, 2007.
March 14, 2007... --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070313 MORTGAGES, Posted 2 col x 3.5 in / 96x89 mm / 327x302 pixels Charts showing rising number of late mortgage payments and foreclosures for all mortgage holders and for subprime borrowers, those with poor...

MCT Graphics final advisory for Wednesday, March 14, 2007.
March 14, 2007... final advisory for Wednesday, March 14, 2007 MCT Graphics --- U.S. NEWS --- 20070314 Subprime mortgages, By 6pm 2 col x 4 in / 96x102 mm / 327x346 pixels Size may change. Check advisory for update. Description of...

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Price steps down at Lebanon.
March 14, 2007... Byline: Tim Hayes Mar. 14--Dennis Price's successful run as the Lebanon High School boys' basketball coach has come to an end. Price confirmed in an e-mail Tuesday that he had stepped down as Lebanon's coach after six seasons at the...

Bristol Virginia files suit against owners of former Kings Mountain Hospital.
March 14, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 14--BRISTOL, Va. -- Calling the former Kings Mountain Hospital a "danger to human life," city officials filed action Tuesday to try and force the owner to tear it down. The complaint, filed in Circuit Court,...

Trail trek.
March 14, 2007... Byline: Debra McCown Mar. 14--HAYTER'S GAP, Va. -- Clinch Mountain is the backbone between Washington and Russell counties, embellishing the landscape with a strong sense of place for those who experience it. A few years ago, a...

Highway 357 project off the table.
March 14, 2007... Byline: Jennifer Wig Mar. 14--BLOUNTVILLE -- Eight years of controversy ended Tuesday when Tennessee Department of Transportation officials announced they will not construct state Highway 357, which would provide airport access for...

City urged to freeze some of its spending.
March 14, 2007... Byline: David McGee Mar. 14--BRISTOL, Va. -- City leaders should temporarily freeze spending for non-essential capital projects, a financial analyst said on Tuesday. Roland Kooch of Davenport and Associates, the city's...

Bristol police charge four men with patronizing prostitution.
March 14, 2007... Mar. 14--BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The Bristol Tennessee Police announced Tuesday they had charged four men with patronizing prostitution during a three-month sting operation. Eugene W. Lane, 50, who gave an 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., Bristol,...

REGIONAL BRIEFS: Abingdon opens softball season with 15-0 victory.
March 14, 2007... Mar. 14--Bristol Herald Courier Kendra Hooker had three hits and two RBIs and ShaTara Cooper tossed a one-hitter as Abingdon opened its softball season with a 15-0 beatdown of non-district foe Chilhowie on Tuesday afternoon. Sabrina...

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: WNIT has some local participants.
March 14, 2007... Mar. 14--The 2007 Women's NIT will have a local feel. East Tennessee State University earned its first bid since 1995, Virginia Tech and Virginia were invited, while a former Southwest Virginia prep standout will participate in the...