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Blowing Rock Police Department Weekly Brief Sheet

July 24, 2013. Courtesy of  the Blowing Rock Police Department, here is the weekly “Brief Sheet,” compiled by Capt. Aaron Miller on Tuesday, July 23.

In Blowing Rock traffic congestion and delays caused by the Hwy 321 construction project became an issue this past week. The rainy weather has caused delays in the project and has postponed many of the planned closures up till now. On 321, in the area of Cliff Dwellers, all traffic must be stopped when workers are blasting and removing large sections of rock on the cliff. For safety, traffic also must be stopped intermittently on Main Street at the 321 intersection. These stoppages are causing major backups on 321 as well as on Main Street through Town.

Please know that Blowing Rock Police Officers are monitoring traffic and working to keep things moving during closures.  Here are some suggestions to keep you out of traffic during times of heavy congestion:

  • Know when closures are planned and avoid traveling during these times. 
  • Coordinate with vendors to avoid deliveries during closure times.
  • Plan work schedules around closure times.
  • If you must travel during closures, plan on using alternate routes to avoid Main Street and 321.

Closures will normally be on Tuesdays and Thursdays (weather permitting) from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. Real time information from the Department of Transportation about closures can be found on Twitter at #us321 or by calling the Hwy 321 project information line at 828-964-3260. DOT also post information at www.ncdot.gov/projects/blowingrock321. Other information may also be found on the Watauga County Road conditions page on Facebook. Please note that this Facebook page is maintained by an individual and not the DOT.   

 Two arrests were made last week. Christin Katherine Wicklum, 41, of Blowing Rock was arrested July 19. Wicklum was charged with driving while license revoked and probation violation. Wicklum was held at the Watauga County Jail on a $2,000 secured bond.

Larry Dean Huskins, 45, of Newland was arrested on July 20. Huskins was charged with driving while impaired. Huskins was released by the magistrate on a written promise to appear.

Twelve citations were issued last week. Charges include speeding, driving while license revoked, expired registration, no insurance, no operator’s license and failure to stop for a red light.