MARTINSVILLE WOMAN DIES AFTER FALLING OFF A MOUNTAIN LEDGE. As of April 2020, admission to Grandfather Mountain State Park was raised slightly for adults (ages 13 to 59) from $20 to $22. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), ALSO READ: Woman killed after van hits runners at Grandfather Mountain, officials say, NCSHP arrest driver accused of nearly hitting 2 students at bus stop in Statesville, Rock band Kiss reveals Charlotte connection to hit song, Winner of $754M Powerball jackpot identified as Boeing employee in Washington, Mooresville orders removal of memorial at park after teens death, I know the pain: Community holds vigil for murdered 17-year-old, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. 6. Market data provided by Factset. Especially here around Grandfather Mountain, slippery trails and a lot of rock ledges, Buttram said. State Troopers came to the . You would hear them all the way on Georgetown Drive, Hoover laughed. A runner, later identified as 72-year-old Julie Holderness, of Winston-Salem, died, troopers said. Deputies said that around 10 a.m. Sunday, Todd Buckman, of New Hampshire, was reported missing after being seen on the mountain. All proceeds from sales of tickets and souvenirs go toward preserving Grandfather Mountain and sharing its wonders in ways that deepen visitors' appreciation of nature and inspire good stewardship of the Earth. Morton inherited the mountain from his grandfather and developed the tourist attractions. An incident involving a vehicle striking pedestrians, killing one, near the beginning of the 2022 race prompted its cancellation just minutes before . deaths at grandfather mountaincapricorn and virgo flirting. Grandfather Mountain and its surrounding communities were served by the narrow gauge East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (The ET&WNC, nicknamed "Tweetsie") until the flood of 1940. The trail is not advised for the novice hiker. A North Carolina mom plummeted to her death Saturday while snapping photos on a family hike. After search efforts, his body was located at the base of a cliff. Here are his plans. A man seen admiring the view from atop a cliff at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, was later found dead at the bottom of it, according to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship. Visitor Jose Morales and his family were at Grandfather Mountain Monday and said they are careful on hikes. Grandfather Mountain is about 110 miles northwest of Charlotte. The missing person had last been seen at one of the parks overlooks. So the trails are dangerous if youre not watching what youre doing.. Related: Burke County crews rescue hiker after 45-foot fall, on-site blood transfusion. Copyright 2022 WBTV. The Grandfather Mountain games have been called "the best" such event in the United States because of the spectacular highland setting (reminiscent of Scotland) and the great percentage of people who attend in kilts and other Scottish regalia. Legal Statement. On the Fourth of July weekend, this brood was joined by Dave and his kidsDanny, 9; Chris, 7; and Matt, 4at Don's new vacation home in Linville, N.C. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Not to mention, the weather can change frequently and in an instant. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Crews began a search for the missing person and found the mans body at the bottom of a cliff. The fall appears to have been accidental, but the investigation is ongoing, Henley said. Death Mountain's Secret. Deputies said that around 10 a.m. Sunday, Todd Buckman, of New. Rough Ridge Lookout at Grandfather Mountain. Actor Tom Sizemore, known for his work in films such as "Saving Private Ryan," "True Romance" and "Black Hawk Down," has died at 61 after a brain aneurysm . You will receive your first newsletter soon. Now two NC men face prison. A man died at Grandfather Mountain, seemingly after he fell off an overlook. You navigate through dense spruce-fir forest, to the edge of a cliff that leaves you simply dangling off Grandfather. A man died at Grandfather Mountain, seemingly after he fell off an overlook. The sheriffs office said Buckman was on a hiking trail and went to one of the parks overlooks toward the top of the mountain with his sister when he fell more than 100 feet. Todd A. Buckman, 53, formerly of Troy, N.H., was at one. Frank Kehren. Many lesser streams originate on the slopes of Grandfather, including: Upper Boone Fork, Little Wilson Creek, Wilson Creek (North Carolina), Stack Rock Creek, and others. This Infamous Ghost In North Carolina Might Try And Hitch A Ride On A Dark Night, The Haunted Hike In North Carolina That Will Send You Running For The Hills, Youve Never Experienced Anything Like This Epic Abandoned Railroad Hike In North Carolina, The Horseback Riding Trail In North Carolina Thats Pure Magic, The Unrivaled Canyon Hike In North Carolina Everyone Should Take At Least Once, 15 Magnificent Trails You Have To Hike In North Carolina Before You Die, Hiking To This Aboveground Cave In North Carolina Will Give You A Surreal Experience, The Stories Behind This Haunted Mountain In North Carolina Will Give You Chills. At 5,946. The primary massif (ridge) of the mountain is oriented roughly north to south, and features four named peaks: Calloway Peak (5,964ft.), Attic Window Peak (5,949ft.), MacRae Peak (5,844ft.), and Linville Peak (5,295ft.). A lightning strike hit seven hikers on a trail in North Carolina . A Martinsville, Va., woman died Sunday when she fell about 100 feet from a ledge of Grandfather Mountain in the second accidental death at the private park in about 13 months. Formed more than 750 million years ago, Grandfather Mountain . (WATCH BELOW: Nurses trek fresh blood into woods to rescue 18-year-old hiker who fell from NC mountain), Nurses trek fresh blood into woods to rescue 18-year-old hiker who fell from NC mountain. The championship course is consistently ranked as the finest mountain course in the Carolinas. In years previous when the whole mountain was privately owned, hikers and campers were required to pay fees. The following state parks and state forests are within 30 miles (48km) of Grandfather Mountain State Park: The following are about 110 miles (177km) miles from Grandfather Mountain State Park: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Buster not only made an appearance on the witness stand, but he is mentioned several times in the Netflix documentary, "Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal," which charts his father's fall from grace as the scion of a multi-generational South Carolina legal dynasty to a man facing nearly 100 criminal charges. Visitor Sandra Buttram said she has backpacked more than 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail and even experienced hikers can quickly get in trouble in the mountains. James McKay Morton, chairman of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation board of directors, conservationist, trailblazer, photographer and visionary, passed away at the age of 65 after. This references the Profile trail, which climbs steadily for 3.1 miles before intersecting the Grandfather trail at a point 0.4 miles south of Calloway Peak, and 0.8 miles north of Attic Window Peak. Like "The Chute" where you'll find yourself, at points, possibly on hands and knees navigating the skinny rock face. A man seen admiring the view from atop a cliff, 7-year-old killed when tree crashes onto familys tent in Great Smoky Mountains, Bear attacks and kills deer in grisly video captured by anglers along Tennessee lake, Lightning strike at mountain along Blue Ridge Parkway puts hiker in Virginia hospital, Bear dies from heat after accidentally locking itself in car, Tennessee officials say, Lost man tried using phone to guide Florida rescuers. Just saying you've conquered Grandfather Trail is an accomplishment. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. One of North America's largest Highland Games, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, are held here each year, drawing in visitors from all over the world. The 5,300-foot tall mountains primary allure is the exhilarating feeling of being on top of the world while looking out across views of mountain ridge after mountain ridge cascading to the horizon, the foundation reports. The only thing that we were able to determine so far is that he fell from this rock cliff about 100, 150 feet, and it resulted in his death.". Should Universities Be Responsible For Student-Athlete Crimes? An emergency call reporting a missing person was dispatched from the mountain around 10 a.m. Oct. 23, according. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. They found him shortly after. The remains of a fatal 1978 plane crash can be found near the top of Grandfather Mountain, close to Calloway Peak along Daniel Boone Scout Trail. Park regulations are enforced by patrolling state park rangers. By DJ SIMMONS, The Charlotte Observer The Grandfather trail traverses the 2.4 miles of ridgeline between Calloway Peak and the Swinging Bridge (Linville Peak), attaining Attic Window and MacRae Peaks along the way. On top of Grandfather Mountain, like many mountain peaks above 5000' in North Carolina, grows an "island" of Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest. Especially here around Grandfather Mountain, slippery trails and a lot of rock ledges, Buttram said. The east side trails can be accessed at Boone Fork parking area, at milepost 300 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. WIFE RECALLS FINAL MOMENTS OF NC OFFICER KILLED BY 15-YEAR-OLD WITH SHOTGUN. The 2.4-mile stretch can be reached from multiple access points. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Why fans love it. 8.2. More recently, Grandfather Mountain has upgraded their wind equipment in order to help resolve controversy over these high wind recordings. Seven hikers were struck by lightning on Grandfather Mountain's MacRae Peak in North Carolina on Aug. 13, 2021. Grandfather Mountain has long been a popular North Carolina destination. After a search, rescue crews located a deceased adult male at the base of a cliff and recovered the body, a news release from the foundation says. March 3, 2023 8:13 PM PT. When the parkway is closed in winter, this trailhead can still be accessed via the Asutsi trail, beginning at Serenity Farm on highway 221. A 2-acre habitat for Mildred was added in 1973. Johnson, an avid hiker, first visited Grandfather Mountain as a college student. It was and still is best known for its mile-high swinging bridge, the highest in America, built in 1952 by Hugh Morton. On September 29, 2008, North Carolina Governor Mike Easley announced that the state had agreed to purchase 2,600 acres (11km2) of the undeveloped portions of Grandfather Mountain from the Morton family for $12 million. Grandfather Mountain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in North Carolina and is an invaluable part of the state's natural heritage. Tieto voby mete zmeni kedykovek, ato po kliknut na odkaz Tabua ochrany osobnch dajov na naich lokalitch avnaich aplikcich. She was named by Ralph Smith, a cast member of The Arthur Smith Show, which filmed Mildred for one of their songs. Neuse and Governor Caswell Memorial, North Carolina-Tennessee-Virginia Corners, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grandfather_Mountain&oldid=1127579273, Protected areas of Avery County, North Carolina, Protected areas of Caldwell County, North Carolina, Protected areas of Watauga County, North Carolina, Mountains of Avery County, North Carolina, Mountains of Caldwell County, North Carolina, Mountains of Watauga County, North Carolina, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from January 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2011, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Source 2: The Western Regional Climate Center (snow), Rich Mountain, near Boone, Watauga County - 1), This page was last edited on 15 December 2022, at 14:29. So the trails are dangerous if youre not watching what youre doing.. The sheriffs office said Buckman was on a hiking trail and went to one of the parks overlooks toward the top of the mountain with his sister when he fell more than 100 feet. Oct 24, 2022 0 The Avery County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the man who fell to his death Sunday at Grandfather Mountain. The mountain is famous for its rugged character, and is home to many hidden caves and significant cliffs. The mountain's warmest December on record was in 2015 . Part or all of the attraction is sometimes closed due to frequently inclement weather in the late fall, winter, and spring. At this time, the mans name has not been released. Avery County Sheriffs Office detectives classified the incident as an accidental fall that resulted in a fatality, the park said. All rights reserved. Gerry, 31, was humanely euthanized Saturday following a long history of debilitating arthritis. Grandfather Mountain was operated as a private tourist attraction for many years until 2011, when it was purchased by the State of North Carolina and is now a publicly-owned nature preserve. [4] The "backcountry" portion of the mountain that comprises the state park is now regularly (in favorable weather) patrolled by state park rangers and other state law enforcement personnel. He took a corrective action after the vehicle in front of him stopped suddenly, which caused the motorcycle to cross the center line, collided with a pickup truck. Ak nechcete, aby sme my anai partneri pouvali sbory cookie aosobn daje na tieto alie ely, kliknite na tlaidlo Odmietnu vetko. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Perhaps the most extreme, challenging trail in North Carolina is right here on Grandfather Mountain the Grandfather Mountain Trail. Send tips to coehrli@citizentimes.com. Blowing Rock (30 minutes away): Blowing Rock is another excellent base to prep for these great things to do at Grandfather Mountain. It includes the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge that connects two peaks at one mile above sea level. (The other parts of the mountain are operated as a North Carolina state park.). LINVILLE, N.C. (WJHL) A man has been found dead after an apparent accidental fall at Grandfather Mountain Park on Sunday, police say. NC medical examiner: Franklin firefighter drowned at Nantahala National Forest waterfall, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Thank you! Hotel in Sugar Mountain (2.6 miles from Grandfather Mountain) Misty Woods 09 is located in Sugar Mountain, within 2.6 miles of Sugar Mountain and 10 miles of Grandfather Mountain. Please subscribe to keep reading. Officials said the person had last been seen at one of the park's overlooks. Downtown Blowing Rock is full of adorable shops and restaurants and access to the fantastic Glen Burney Trail (home to 3 waterfalls ). A grandfather died saving his 13-year-old grandson when he used his body to cushion the blow as they plummeted 150 feet down a mountain in a soft-top Jeep. A missing person report was made around 10 a.m. Sunday for a man who was last seen at an. Authorities said it took crews about 45 minutes to recover the mans body from the bottom of the cliff after a brief search. The trail offers so much variety, even sections of the trail have their own nicknames. Grandfather Mountain has long been a popular North Carolina destination. They entered their dogs in fights and watched them die. Authorities said it took crews about 45 minutes to recover the mans body from the bottom of the cliff after a brief search. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. photo by Luke Weir "I hike up here to remind myself to slow down," reads fading writing on a piece of plane wreckage dating back to 1978. The Stewardship Foundation is managed by a seven-member Board of Directors, which in turn employs the leadership and staff of the Grandfather Mountain attraction. According to the park, emergency personnel was dispatched around 10 a.m. for a report of a missing person. The site is on the far side of the mountain's mile-high swinging bridge and about 15 yards from the spot where Anita Harmon, 34, of Lenoir fell last year. Before June 1997, a fatal fall hadn't been reported at the park since it opened in 1952.Patsy Garmon Ashby, 47, and her husband, Lloyd, were there for the day hiking the mountain's trails, Avery Sheriff Edward Gwyn said. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Officers responded just after 5 a.m. Wednesday to an area near the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Carolyn Coleman Way and found . The unique and gorgeous natural environment around Grandfather has long been a draw for visitors to the North Carolina mountains. For the past 64 years, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has served as the grandest of tartan reunions and one of the largest single gatherings of Scottish clans in America. Ak chcete svoje voby prispsobi, kliknite na monos Spravova nastavenia ochrany osobnch dajov. [3] The area has been added to the North Carolina State Park system, becoming the 34th North Carolina state park. After a search, rescue crew located a deceased adult male at the base of a cliff and recovered the body.. linn cove viaduct blue ridge parkway in autumn - grandfather mountain stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images . Grandfather Mountain State Park was officially established in 2009. By JEFFREY COLLINS and JAMES POLLARD, Associated Press. It was also thought that there were entrances to the Underworld on Grandfather Mountain, that were marked by a spring head and guarded by the little people as well as a black panther. "When we're conducting our investigation, we look at all potential possibilities. The average high temperature for December 2021 was 50.7, with an average low of 35.2, for a mean of 43. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. As part of the purchase agreement, the state acquired part of the mountain commonly referred to as the "backcountry" in fee simple, and it also acquired a conservation easement and right of first refusal over the remaining "attraction side" of the mountain. Fox News Flash top headlines for October 21. After a search, crews found a man dead at the base of a cliff and recovered his body, officials said. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation said it is deeply saddened by the incidents and extends its thoughts and prayers to all those affected. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Buckman was visiting his sister and went to Grandfather Mountain. The park said Sundays deadly fall was an isolated incident, and the park continued to operate under its normal hours. Mildred the Bear came to Grandfather Mountain in 1968 at age 2 from the Atlanta Zoo. The trail starts as a relatively flat hike through a mature hardwood forest with some scrambling over roots and rocks. State Troopers came to the. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. Morton inherited the mountain from his grandfather and developed the tourist attractions. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. However, the investigation is ongoing, according to officials. An emergency call reporting a missing person was dispatched from the mountain. One person was killed and three seriously injured . Watch this live view of Grandfather Mountain from Grandfather Vineyard in Banner Elk, North Carolina.The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 305.It is one of the highest peaks with an elevation of 5,946 ft . Notably however, the new equipment is located on the Swinging Bridge of the attraction. Fire is prohibited at many of the higher elevation campsites, due to high winds. Deputies said that around 10 a.m. Sunday,. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. ALSO READ: Woman killed after van hits runners at Grandfather Mountain, officials say. It is located at the meeting point of Avery, Caldwell (highest point), and Watauga (highest point) counties. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of December was -21 on Dec. 25, 1983. LINVILLE, N.C. (WGHP) One woman has died and additional four people were injured after a fatal collision before a race at Grandfather Mountain on Thursday night. Starting around 5 p.m Thursday, runners and spectators began filling the area around U.S. 221 and N.C. 105 in Linville for "The Bear," a 5-mile footrace that leads up to the top of Grandfather . The additions come as KFC recently removed some menu items, including wings, popcorn chicken and cookies, to make room for new additions. Visitor Sandra Buttram said she has backpacked more than 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail and even experienced hikers can quickly get in trouble in the mountains. It's easily reachable from Banner Elk (25 minutes), Linville (10 minutes), or Boone (35 minutes). This 2.4 miles is normally covered at below half of normal hiking pace. Ke vyuvate nae lokality aaplikcie, pouvame, Spravova nastavenia ochrany osobnch dajov. A missing person report was made around 10 a.m. Sunday for a man who was last seen at an overlook at the park about 110 miles northwest of Charlotte, the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation said in a news release. Mom Slams Biden For Laughing While Talking About Sons' Fentanyl Deaths, Gospel Singer Josiah Russell Sings For Rising's Viewers And Talks About Viral Moment, Charlotte Couple Opens First Black-Owned Soul Food Restaurant At Walmart, Deadly Accident Involving Motorcycle in South Charlotte, Charges Filed After 3-Year-Old Killed in Fort Mill Car Accident, Nominate Your Favorite Educator For Teacher Of The Month, Lasting Legacy: CMPD Officers Clark & Shelton, Music For Meals: Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, EEO Reports and Outreach Initiatives Reports. COVID caution urged while cruising the . In favorable weather conditions this trail is considered advanced. "I think. About 250,000 people are. aby sme vm mohli zobrazova personalizovan reklamy aobsah na zklade profilov zujmov, aby sme mohli mera innos personalizovanch reklm aobsahu a. aby sme mohli vyvja azlepova nae produkty asluby. The child's father, Jason Kruk, of Taylorsville, was driving. 2023 Cox Media Group. The park entrance fee is a little high, about $15 dollars per vehicle, but they do offer AAA discounts. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The Associated Press. Market data provided by Factset. Some people turn away due to a fear of heights, others navigate the trail as means to conquer that fear. View of Linville Peak from Top Shop upper parking lot. You feel like you can and thats why you respect the distance.. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the Morton family in 2009[7] to operate the scenic travel attraction Grandfather Mountain in Linville, N.C. deaths at grandfather mountain old restaurants in lawrence, ma After search efforts, his body was located at the base of a cliff. This includes two large fixed ladders that traverse rock faces. It's best not to look down. Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the shooting deaths of his wife and son in a case that . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Sept. 6. Show more. Deputies said that around 10 a.m. Sunday, Todd Buckman, of New Hampshire, was reported missing after being seen on the mountain. A 53-year-old man died after falling off Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, according to the Avery County Sheriff's Office. Mildred died in 1993 at age 26.[10]. Responders found a backpack, giving an idea of where Buckman might be, Henley said. You have permission to edit this article. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Rescue crews were called to the nature park at 10 a.m., Sunday on a report of a missing person who was. The Avery County Sheriff's Office said Todd A. Buckman, of Tr Grandfather Mountain rises 5,964 feet above sea level, and due to the considerable elevation gain the mountain boasts 16 distinct ecological communities. On comment threads about the hike, some even mention it wasn't as difficult as expected, but to each their own. After Morton's death, he donated all of his photographs, including many of Grandfather Mountain, Mildred the Bear, and many other aspects of life on the Mountain to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The man was identified as 53-year-old Todd A. Buckman, whose last known address was in Troy, New Hampshire. The trail consists of 16 ladders, some shorter, others stretching 15 rungs scaling rocky peaks. Browse 395 grandfather mountain stock photos and images available, or search for grandfather mountain nc or grandfather mountain north carolina to find more great stock photos and pictures. This story was originally published October 24, 2022, 8:15 AM. Access is via the Grandfather Trail, where the Underwood Trail separates from this trail approximately 0.5 miles from the start. Investigators did not reveal the name of the overlook, which is inside a part of the mountain operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, Inc. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes by the south side of the mountain and also passes over the nearby Grandmother Gap. A Martinsville, Va., woman died Sunday when she fell about 100 feet from a ledge of Grandfather Mountain in the second accidental death at the private park in about 13 months. While people mainly focus on the daring rock faces, ladders, and cables - the hike itself offers breathtaking landscape variety. or redistributed. Abby Mittower. The bridge links two of the mountain's rocky peaks, and is known as the "swinging" bridge due to its tendency to sway in high winds. Grandfather Mountain is a prominent and famous mountain located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Blowing Rock and Boone NC. It is named for the famous "Profile View" it passes, which is a rock feature resembling a human facial profile. 1 woman killed, 4 people injured, van driver charged in accident at Grandfather Mountain parking lot After an investigation overnight, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol has determined. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. It has two 18-hole golf courses, one championship and one executive, each designed by Ellis Maples. The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. The 53-year-old man who died was Todd Buckman from Troy, New Hampshire, Avery County Sheriff Mike Henley said. Although not as high as the adjacent Calloway and Attic Window Peaks, MacRae is much more difficult to reach due to difficult and exposed approaches from both the north and south. LINVILLE, N.C. (WBTV) - A man was killed at Grandfather Mountain on Sunday morning when he fell from a cliff, park officials said. (WATCH BELOW: Nurses trek fresh blood into woods to rescue 18-year-old hiker who fell from NC mountain). Hes still missing 3 days later, Charlotte educator leaves a legacy beyond the classroom. He was last seen on one of the overlooks at Grandfather Mountain State Park. Oct. 24, 2022, at 8:50 p.m. NH Man Dies After Fall at NC's Grandfather Mountain. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Police identify victim who died Wednesday in Greensboro's 11th homicide of 2023, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, William Sturkey: Chapel Hill trustees 'hellbent' on winning campus culture wars, Rob Schofield: North Carolinas chronic public employee shortage wasnt an accident, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus. He died on June 1, 2006 at the age of 85. The Highland Games celebrate the Scottish ancestry of many of the pioneers who settled around the mountain and feature traditional Scottish games and music.