High Country Press

July 2, 2020 When it comes to COVID-19, there are two different types of test for the virus. The first is the viral RNA tests, which were the first type developed for COVID-19 and immediately used by the WHO and CDC to detect the presence of viral genetic material. According to the CDC, viral tests identify the virus in samples from an individual’s respiratory system, such as a swab from the inside of their nose. A positive result indicates an active COVID-19 infection; however, the tests do not rule out other bacterial infections or co-infections with other viruses like a cold or flu and can be inaccurate. The other type of test is called an antibody test, which can identify individuals who have developed an immune response to COVID-19.  By Harley Nefe / Read more…

July 2, 2020 Despite several 4th of July events being canceled due to the coronavirus, there are still some fun events taking place throughout the HIgh Country for folks to enjoy this weekend. On Friday evening, the Blowing Rock Country Club will be holding a fireworks display at dusk. Parking at the club will be for members only, however, the fireworks will be able to be seen from other places in the town. There will be a drive-in fireworks show near the parking lot of Minneapolis Baptist Church in Avery County around 9:30 p.m. on Friday night Onlookers are asked to stay in their vehicles to watch the show. Sugar Mountain Resort will host its fourth annual Summit Crawl that will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. That kicks off a day of events at the mountain where families can enjoy chair lift rides to the top of the mountain, food and refreshments, live music, mountain biking and more. / Read more…

July 2, 2020 Avery County was the last of North Carolina’s 100 counties to have a case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). But in recent weeks the county has had a surge in the number of those afflicted with the disease. The Toe River Health District (TRHD) and Avery County Health Department confirmed on July 1 that the county had another case of COVID-19. Avery currently has 18 positive cases with 12 still remaining active. Six of those who tested positive in Avery have recovered from the virus. The TRHD governs health departments in Avery, Mitchell and Yancey, NC Counties and also announced on July 1 that Mitchell County currently has 40 positive cases (21 recovered; 19 active) and Yancey County currently has 44 positive cases (35 recovered; 9 active). Mitchell County had three more confirmed COVID-19 cases on July 1. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

July 2, 2020 Appalachian Summer Festival 2020 has started its month-long list of virtual events to give folks some entertainment throughout the summer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The online festival features numerous live-streamed and specially pre-recorded concerts, live chats with artists, film screenings, and virtual tours. All events are free and will be streamed via the website as well as the festival’s YouTube and Facebook channels. Film screenings require pre-registration, as registration capacity is limited. Some events will be archived for later viewing; others are only available for the scheduled date and time. Full descriptions about each event and how to access them are available at www.appsummeronline.org. / Read more…

July 2, 2020 At least four Watauga County businesses have announced their temporary closures following positive COVID-19 tests for an employee. While it is just another in the long list of tough blows dealt to small businesses during this unprecedented pandemic, businesses are taking the right steps to keep the virus from spreading. “We have heard a lot of chatter from businesses wondering what the protocol looks like if they have a member of their staff come forward and find out that they have COVID-like symptoms, what is the next step not only for the employee but for the business at that time, and how do you communicate that effectively to the community,” said David Jackson, Boone Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. Jackson says that the chamber has received a lot of questions from not just businesses but also the general public about how these businesses are handling these situations. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

July 2, 2020 Two student residence halls on campus will have new names before the fall semester starts, according to Appalachian State University Chancellor Dr. Sheri Everts. The news was first shared with Appalachian’s Board of Trustees on Friday. Statement from Chancellor Everts: “One important change that will be in place before classes begin in August will be new names on our residence halls. Appalachian’s faculty, staff and students have worked diligently to research, assess and make recommendations regarding iconography on our campus. We recognize the names of our buildings are a reflection of Appalachian’s values and priorities. We are re-naming Lovill and Hoey halls so they may echo our commitment to creating an environment that is welcoming, safe and respectful to our Mountaineers and to all those who visit our campus. Additionally, because many of our students choose Appalachian, in part, because of our stunning location, we welcome the opportunity for our students to build a stronger connection with the local geography, geology and biology.  / Read more…

July 2, 2020 Summer holidays are a great time to get out for a day of paddling on the river or to pay a visit to a favorite swimming hole. But doing so safely this year requires a little more forethought and vigilance. MountainTrue, the Broad Riverkeeper, the French Broad Riverkeeper, the Green Riverkeeper and the Watauga Riverkeeper are encouraging people to both practice good social distancing etiquette as well as checking the rivers’ E. coli levels on the swim guide website or smartphone app. “Western North Carolina has so many wonderful rivers to swim and play in,” explains Gray Jernigan, Green Riverkeeper and Southern Regional Director for MountainTrue. “Getting out on the water is a great way to beat the summer heat, but now more than ever we want to make sure that people stay healthy and safe.” MountainTrue is encouraging people to continue practicing social distancing, especially in crowded parking areas and popular swimming holes. “If you’re going to be in proximity of other people, especially for an extended period of time, you really should be both staying 6 feet away from other people and wearing a mask.” / Read more…

July 2, 2020 Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music welcomes friends and fans to join in a virtual celebration of traditional music, song, and dance with a series of greetings from members and artist friends. The first batch of the “Mountain Home Music Virtual Greeting Cards” will premier this Friday, July 3rd on Independence Day weekend. In lieu of our traditional July 4th Bluegrass and Brass Concert – an idea Joe Shannon conceived many years ago to combine bluegrass musicians with a patriotic brass band – the first series will feature photographs from Lonnie Webster set to an audio recording from a Bluegrass and Brass performance from years ago / Read more…

July 2, 2020 A new survey by the Elon University Poll has found broad support for the statewide mandate that masks be worn in public spaces to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus 2019, with 74 percent of the state’s residents supporting the measure recently imposed by Gov. Roy Cooper. However, the survey found that less than half of North Carolinians — 46 percent — say they always wear a mask in public spaces, with another 19 percent said they wear a mask in public “most of the time.” The survey, conducted June 24-25, also found shifting opinions about the impact of COVID-19 in recent months.  / Read more…

July 2, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges for any employer seeking to provide a healthy working environment for its staff and its customers. Due to the fact that many COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, Scott Lutgert, owner of Linville Ridge and Chairman of the Board at the Naples Community Hospital, decided to contract Ballad Health to test Linville Ridge staff members and any club members who wished to be tested. Alan Levine, Ballad Health’s president and CEO, said caution is especially warranted now, since it’s vacation season. Over 200 people were tested on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.  / Read more…

July 2, 2020 A sweeping plume of dust — traveling 5,000 miles from the Sahara Desert to the U.S. — will offer an unexpected bright spot for the High Country, along with an opportunity for university researchers at Appalachian Atmospheric Interdisciplinary Research (AppalAIR), this weekend and into early next week. According to CNN, though it is common for dust from the African desert to move across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S., this storm is the largest of its kind in more than five decades — and with it comes stunning sunscapes and potential health risks. / Read more…

July 1, 2020 CVS Pharmacy in Boone is getting the word out to those that may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms that drive-thru testing is available. According to an employee who did not want to be named, CVS gets about 25 phone calls a day asking about setting up an appointment. “The way that it works is you go to cvs.com and it has to be coordinated with a MinuteClinic online. All we really do is pass them the test kit through the window, we talk them through it in the drive-thru and then they will place the test in the LabCorp box,” the employee said. “We do not get the results, we are just the facilitators.” Patients fill out a questionnaire to make sure they are eligible, and then they are assigned a specific time slot on when to show up at CVS. These tests are not the rapid test kits that are available at some CVS locations. It will still take on average two to four days to get results back, sometimes longer. Results will be available online in your MyChart that can be accessed with the same ID and password that you used to sign up for the MinuteClinic questionnaire. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

July 1, 2020. Looking to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your neighborhood? Want to keep an eye on criminal activity in your area? Take a look at these recent incident and arrest reports from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department. Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

July 1, 2020 Parents, students and teachers were expecting an announcement to come on Wednesday afternoon about how North Carolina public schools would plan to reopen in August. That announcement has been delayed, according to a press release provided by Gov. Cooper’s office. The news was first reported Tuesday night by WRAL TV. No additional info has been provided yet as to when the announcement might be made in the future. A press briefing at 3 p.m. today from the Coronavirus Taskforce will still take place as scheduled. In June, each school district in North Carolina was told to be prepared for three different scenarios for reopening schools in the fall. Plan A would include minimal social distancing and students returning to the classrooms. Plan B would include social distancing measures with schools operating at 50 percent capacity. Plan C would be schools providing all education through online learning and school buildings remaining closed. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 30, 2020. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

June 30, 2020 Avery County Public Health officials announced on June 29 that three more of the county’s residents have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  This brings the number of cases recorded in the county to 14.  The individuals are currently in isolation, according to Toe River Health District (TRHD) spokespeople. Avery County Health Department and TRHD staff members have completed the investigation of these latest COVID-19 cases and they have contacted close contacts to those afflicted with the virus to try to contain the spread of disease. To protect individual privacy and for legal purposes, no further information about the cases will be released. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

June 30, 2020 The Southern Appalachian Historical Association is celebrating the Fourth of July in a revolutionary way at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can begin the celebration with a tour of Hickory Ridge’s historic 18th and 19th century cabins and see how life was back then in the High Country. In order to follow social distancing guidelines, Marrena Greer, who is the operational manager said Hickory Ridge aims to break the event up into two separate groups, putting about 25 people together in the first group and another 25 in a second group around 2 p.m. Individuals have the opportunity to be welcomed to a continental army encampment, see a black powder rifle demonstration and colonial magic show and participate in a tomahawk throw and tavern activities. Actors from the Horn in the West Outdoor Drama will give the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and 13 toasts will be made to represent the thirteen colonies. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

June 30, 2020 A spokesperson from Blowing Rock Country Club confirmed the country club will be holding a fireworks display on its own on July 3 beginning at dusk. However, there will be no parking available on the Blowing Rock Country Club properties, as the parking is reserved for members. As one of the favorite places people have watched fireworks in the past, Blowing Rock Country Club typically has prepared fireworks in conjunction with the Town of Blowing Rock. However, this year, the Town of Blowing Rock canceled its Fourth of July festival and parade. The Blowing Rock Country Club has also never set off fireworks on the Fourth of July, as the country club usually prepares them for the weekend after Independence Day. However, as July 4 falls on the weekend this year, the Blowing Rock Country Club decided and committed to holding its fireworks on July 3. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

June 29, 2020 AppHealthCare has awarded Blue Ridge Conservancy $10,000 to support the development of the Middle Fork Greenway project. The Middle Fork Greenway project will improve the accessibility and connection between the Town of Boone and Town of Blowing Rock for cyclists and pedestrians. Funding for this project is received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHS) and is overseen by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The funding for this project is meant to support improved access to Payne Branch Park in Blowing Rock which will eventually connect to the Middle Fork Greenway. “AppHealthCare is thrilled to continue to support the Middle Fork Greenway and knows that the Middle Fork Greenway project will have lasting health impacts on the citizens of Watauga County and beyond,” says Jennifer Greene, Health Director, AppHealthCare. / Read more…

June 29, 2020 Both Watauga and Ashe counties have seen a recent bump in positive tests for COVID-19. Ashe County had nine positive tests reported since last week and Watauga County has now reached 65 total positive tests with 27 active cases in the county, according to the most recent data provided by AppHealthCare. Ashe County now has a total of 51 positive tests with nine active cases and Alleghany County has 31 positive tests with one active case. Watauga County also has 76 people being actively monitored while Ashe County has 25 people being monitored for COVID-19. Hospitalizations have been on the rise across the state. Currently, there are six residents in the three-county district that are in the hospital due to COVID-19 complications. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 29, 2020 Sugar Mountain Resort’s July 4 activities are set for this upcoming weekend. It’s a vast outdoor setting that families can enjoy including chair lift rides to the top of the mountain, food and refreshments, live music, mountain biking and more. “The safety of Sugar Mountain Resort guests and employees has always been our top priority. We continue this commitment during the public health crisis by following guidance from the CDC and state public health officials to promote a clean, healthy and fun environment. And we encourage people to go our website at http://www.skisugar.com/ to see what is required before visiting and to follow the guidelines and procedures while they are here in order for everyone to have a fun time,” said Kimberley Jochl, who is the vice-president and director of marketing for Sugar Mountain Resort. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

June 29, 2020 Avery County Schools Superintendent Dan Brigman spoke at a meeting on June 25 discussing what the education system could look like in the upcoming school year, which begins August 17. On July 1, the North Carolina Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction are prepared to release operational plans for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. The DPI has released three plans ranging from normal class schedules with increased health monitoring and building cleaning to entirely at-home remote learning. The three different scenarios of levels of operation to reopen that could be implemented for schools include Plan A: Minimal Social Distancing, Plan B: Moderate Social Distancing or Plan C: Remote Learning. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

June 29, 2020 The 42nd Annual Valle Country Fair, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 17 in Valle Crucis, NC, will proceed as a virtual fundraising event in 2020.  “COVID-19 cases are on the rise in North Carolina,” stated Valle Fair Co-chair Bob Gates.  “The safety of the parishioners, volunteers, exhibitors, vendors, and community are our most important consideration as we make decisions for the 2020 Fair.”  Since it was founded in 1978 by Holy Cross Episcopal Church to raise funds for community outreach, the Valle County Fair has collected over $1 million dollars to help High Country families in need. / Read more…

June 29, 2020 Watauga Parks and Recreation is offering a fun and safe environment for kids ages 5 through 12 to have some fun this summer. Registration for the Summer Shine program gives children nine different days with different activities to get out and enjoy a beautiful summer in the High Country. Each participant and all staff members will complete health screening questions each day. The same staff members will be on hand throughout the duration of the program and things will be cleaned and disinfected between each activity and each morning and afternoon session. Social distancing rules will be followed during all activities as well as frequent hand sanitizing and hand washing. Facemasks will be available for all staff and participants. The first Summer Shine session will be on July 2 with a special Independence Day celebration. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 26, 2020 For several years, residents in Banner Elk have been hoping to have an urgent care clinic in the town to make it easier and quicker to receive medical attention if needed. They will soon have that option available as Ballad Health Medical Associates will be opening an urgent care clinic at 108 Park Avenue in Banner Elk next to the Banner Elk Pharmacy on July 13. According to Banner Elk resident Jim Swinkola, this has been in the works for a couple of years and will finally be a much-needed addition to the community. This will be Ballad Health’s first health service location in North Carolina. All of their other locations are in Tennessee and Virginia. The urgent care will be able to treat cold and flu viruses, ear and eye infections, headaches, insect and animal bites, minor burns, cuts and rashes, sinus infections and strep throat, sprains, strains, and minor fractures and urinary tract infections. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 26, 2020 The Robbins Swimming Complex located in Blowing Rock will be open only to Blowing Rock residents on June 27 and non-residents on June 29. 
This opening comes with new restrictions and guidelines for COVID-19 safety measures. For example, patrons need to pre-register and pay ahead of time or risk losing the reservation for a spot at the pool. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

June 26, 2020 Due to implications of COVID-19 and uncertainties regarding spreading the virus, issues surrounding proper social-distancing measures and precautions for large events, many Fourth of July celebrations throughout the High Country have been canceled. However, some still remain scheduled. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

June 26, 2020 In February, the U.S. Forest Service released the draft of their land management plan, which will provide a framework for how the 1.1 million acres of Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests and their resources will be managed for the next twenty years. As the June 29 deadline for public input on the plan approaches, the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership (NPFP) is asking the public to voice their support for an increase in overall forest restoration through an increase in recreation resources, conservation, and sustainable timber management. Representing a diverse cross-section of public lands interests—including recreation, forest products, conservation, wildlife, hunting, angling, and other public lands stakeholders—NPFP seeks to find win-win forest management solutions. For over half a decade, the Partnership has been active in the drafting of the U.S. Forest Services’ land management plan. / Read more…

June 26, 2020 Based on Governor Cooper’s announcement on Wednesday, and with the safety of our volunteers, artists, and audiences in mind, we have made the decision to further alter our 2020 summer season.  Our four professional summer productions have been postponed to our 2021 summer season and we have cancelled our 2020 Kids Summer Theatre Camp. Also, to help keep you entertained we’ve created an Ensemble Stage YouTube channel with audio/video recordings of some of our past staged radio plays and holiday shows and will be adding more selections periodically. / Read more…

June 26, 2020 The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation released its final copy of the master plan for public review on June 23. The planning process was completed by E2 Landscape Architecture and is available for public comment through July 10. Goals of the Planning Process: Expand the park to further conserve important surrounding landscapes. This includes sensitive and priority habitats and lands that support the Division’s goals. Connect the park to the surrounding communities. Create a connection between the park and the surrounding mountain communities, both physically and through outreach and collaboration. Bring the community into the park by providing gathering spaces, event programming, and celebration of the local people and heritage. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

June 26, 2020 Avery, the last county in the State of North Carolina to have a Novel Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) case had its eleventh case confirmed Thursday, June 25, by the Toe River Health District (TRHD). Avery County now has 11 positive cases, 5 of which have recovered with 6 remaining active. Mitchell (Spruce Pine and Bakersville) and Yancey (Burnsville) counties, also part of the TRHD like Avery, were notified June 25, that one more resident has tested positive for COVID-19 in each county. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

June 25, 2020 This is the last weekend for free scenic lift rides for Watauga and Avery Residents at Beech Mountain Resort. The popular round-trip scenic lift rides to Beech Mountain Resort’s mountaintop will be available for all other guests for $12 per person. As a special thanks to locals from Watauga and Avery Counties, the resort has been offering free scenic lift rides for the month of June. / Read more…

June 25, 2020 The first virtual event ever broadcast live from the Doc Watson Stage at the Appalachian Theatre in Boone proved to be a success as $13,621 was raised to benefit the Re-Energize Watauga Fund. The collaboration between Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and the App Theatre on Saturday, June 20 featured live performances by four prominent regional artists with livestreaming available via social media and local access cable channels / Read more…

June 24, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen today announced that North Carolina will remain in Safer at Home Phase 2 for three more weeks. Cooper also announced that face coverings must be worn when people are in public places as officials seek to stabilize concerning trends of increasing viral spread.  Cooper and Cohen were joined by Dennis Taylor, President of the North Carolina Nurses Association and Eugene A. Woods, President and CEO of Atrium Health. “North Carolina is relying on the data and the science to lift restrictions responsibly, and right now our increasing numbers show we need to hit the pause button while we work to stabilize our trends,” said Governor Cooper. “We need to all work together so we can protect our families and neighbors, restore our economy, and get people back to work and our children back to school.”  / Read more…

June 24, 2020 This afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper made the decision to require everyone in North Carolina to wear masks indoors and outdoors when six feet of social distancing is not possible. The announcement included a decision to keep the state in Phase 2 of reopening. Both of these regulations will continue through July 17. “The numbers we see are a stark warning and we must pay attention. Since the beginning of this pandemic, I have said that data and science will lead the way. Our numbers keep us from moving forward. The order continues the safer at home Phase 2 for another three weeks,” said Gov. Cooper. “This is not where we planned to be or wanted to be. We are adding (the mask) requirement so that we don’t have to go backward. We have to stop the spread of this virus.” Exceptions will be made for anyone under the age of 11, anyone with health problems, and anyone who is exercising with six feet of social distancing. The data released today by the Coronavirus Taskforce paints a dreary picture for COVID-19 spread in the state. By Nathan Ham / Read more…