High Country Press

July 27, 2017. The Carolina Climbers Coalition recently announced some big news. The nonprofit has entered a contract to purchase the 55-acre Buckeye Knob property and obtained a permanent easement for accessing the lower Barn Boulders in Western Watauga. By Jesse Wood • Photos by Adam Johnson / Read more…

July 27, 2017. The Blowing Rock Tour of Homes has been around for over half a century, offering the community in the High Country the chance to explore and admire the beautiful architecture that contributes to the inspiring aesthetic and environment of Blowing Rock. Tickets are still on sale for this year’s Tour of Homes, which will take place on Friday, July 28. / Read more…

#breaking One person is dead in this house fire near Newland. pic.twitter.com/pQHkKqbUvq

— Steve Ohnesorge WBTV (@WBTVSteveO) July 27, 2017

July 27, 2017. One person is dead after a house fire near Newland on Thursday morning. A passerby called for help after seeing the house in flames. Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye said that Michele Warren, 49, died in the fire. The fire started at about 5 a.m., while her husband was at work.  By Jesse Wood / Read more…

July 27, 2017. High Country Crime Stoppers and Boone Police seek the public’s assistance in solving the following crime: On July 21, 2017, Boone Police received a report of a larceny at Belk, 1180 Blowing Rock Road. A white male entered the store on July 14 at approximately 2 p.m. and proceeded to fill two bookbags/backpacks with clothing. He then exits the store and leaves the area on foot. This happened again on July 15. / Read more…

July 27, 2017. Pisgah National Forest staff have reported several recent instances of bear encounters in the Table Rock Picnic Area on the Grandfather Ranger District. Please exercise caution in this area, and always be aware of your surroundings. / Read more…

July 27, 2017. On August 5-6 the Ashe County Arts Council will sponsor the Ashe County Studio Tour, a two-day, self-guided, free event in which Ashe County artists open their studios to the public. Most of the studios are not usually open to the public, so this is a rare opportunity for people to see where these artists work and at select locations, to watch them as they create their art. All art on the Ashe County Studio Tour is handmade, original work designed and produced by the artists in Ashe County. / Read more…

July. 27, 2017. Dr. Peter Petschauer, retired Appalachian State University Professor Emeritus, will be the featured presenter at the Thursday, August 10th meeting of the High Country Writers at the Watauga County Public Library in Boone. – Photo Courtesy of Noyes Capehart Long / Read more…

July. 27, 2017. Matt and Laura Parker, 2000 graduates of Appalachian State University, run The Exodus Road, a nonprofit that helps find and free slaves. – Photo Courtesy of Ariel Oliver / Read more…

July. 27, 2017. Members of the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University have partnerships and community outreach events happening for the next month across the area. – Photo Courtesy of NASA / Read more…

July 27, 2017. It isn’t hard to see that the High Country has grown significantly over the last few decades. New businesses open, buildings are constructed and visitors from around the country make the trip up the mountain each year, but few have seen the High Country evolve quite like “Lil” Jack Anderson and his family at Banner Elk’s Resort Real Estate & Rentals, which just reached its 35th anniversary this May. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

July 27, 2017. The 16th Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium on  Remembering the Holocaust will be held from August 5-10 at the Marriott Hotel at 1050 Highway 105 near the Appalachian State University campus. This  year’s symposium  explores the significance of gender in this genocide. The event is organized by ASU’s Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies. / Read more…

July 27, 2017. A look at the recent deed transfers in Watauga County. The information comes courtesy of the Watauga County Register of Deeds. Compiled by Debbie Carter / Read more…

July 27, 2017. Legacy Art Farm (LAF) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that will greatly enhance Banner Elk as a creative, nature and art education-based community for residents and visitors. LAF will be located at the South entrance to Banner Elk, NC, and is an art-centric, non-profit, activity & education park where families and individuals can spend the entire day participating in amazing activities for all ages. The event will be held on Saturday, July 29th at the Banner Elk Winery, starting at 7:00 pm until 10:00 pm. / Read more…

July 27, 2017. On August 2, at Grandfather Mountain, Animal Enrichment Day will be taking place in order to highlight animals and the importance in caring for the animals that call Grandfather their home. Enrichment is a treat, new toy or unfamiliar scent that keeps animals active and intellectually stimulated. Guests will see special enrichments in each habitat and even get to participate in some interactive games and activities related to caring for the animals. / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

Paint Night at Avery County Humane Society, 8/12

Cannon Charitable Trust gifts $500,000 to update Lees-McRae College Bowman Building Laboratories

Blue Ridge Parkway Evening Program, 8/5

Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger Programs, 7/30-8/4

S’Mores and Stuff with a Ranger, 8/5

The Community Advisory Board of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies Presents Game Day FUNraiser, 8/7

Read more…
Compiled by Katie Benfield

July 26, 2017. The High Country is filled with staple restaurants that keep visitors and locals coming back year after year. One of those High Country-famous restaurants is Banner Elk’s Stonewalls, which is about to reach its one-year anniversary since Scott Garland and Tim Heschke took over operations last year. Garland, like many who grew up in the area, decided to return to the High Country after 20 years of traveling the country and working in some of the most well-respected positions in the food industry. By Bailey Faulkner – Photos by Ken Ketchie / Read more…

July 26, 2017. 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 Katie Benfield

July 26, 2017. Crafts on the Green is a fun event the entire family will enjoy with crafts, a magic show, food and live music to enjoy at Fred’s General Mercantile August 5th. By Taylor Hawkins – Photo Courtesy of Fred’s General Mercantile / Read more…

July 26, 2017. Forget this week. The new tentative date for putting down the final asphalt layer through the town section of the U.S. 321 widening project through Blowing Rock is now the week of Aug. 7. Blowing Rock Town Manager Ed Evans said that Maymead officials gave the town its latest construction update on Tuesday morning. Evans said that Maymead is currently working a punch list of repairs on concrete sidewalks and curbs, asphalt milling and leveling, etc. Jesse Wood / Read more…

July. 26, 2017. An Appalachian Summer Festival will have Bruce Hornsby, the Charlotte Ballet and the Rosen-Schaffel Competition this week at the Schaeffer Center. By Taylor Hawkins – Photo Courtesy of An Appalachian Summer Festival / Read more…

July 26, 2017. The official dedication of a life size bronze of famous NC artist Elliott Daingerfield will be happening on September 9 through the Blowing Rock Historical Society. Edgewood Cottage, Daingerfield’s first studio and home, will be gaining a significant public art piece. / Read more…

July 26, 2017. Beech Mountain Resort will be hosting the second annual AlivenFest as it returns to the High Country for another retreat featuring yoga, meditation and music. The beautiful setting atop Beech Mountain helps the goal of immersing one’s self in the awe-inspiring splendor that the Western NC Mountains can provide. / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

Watauga County Public Library Presents Genealogy Basics, 8/3

Watauga County Public Library Presents Red Cross Blood Drive, 8/4

Watauga County Public Library Presents Student Loan IQ, 8/2

2017 4th Annual Carolina Ramble and Reunion Takes Place Sept. 22-24

Meeting for Early Alzheimer’s / Dementia Patients and Partners

Read more…
Compiled by Katie Benfield

July 26, 2017. One person died from an overnight car crash on N.C. 105 near the edge of Boone. The accident occurred near the Vulcan rock quarry. State Highway Patrol told WJHL.com that the “car was traveling south when the driver hit a guard rail and over-corrected. The vehicle then overturned several times.” strong> By Jesse Wood / Read more…

July 25, 2017. High Country Crime Stoppers and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office seek the public’s assistance in solving the following crime: Between May 27 and 30, a residence on Ironweed Road was broken into. Game cameras on the property captured images of a white male and white female who were possibly driving a newer model VW or Fiat, small white hatchback. / Read more…

July 25, 2017. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. Send obituary notices to [email protected] Compiled by Jesse Wood / Read more…

July 25, 2017. Have any old home movies just lying around in the attic, basement, or garage? Think they might contain historic footage showing life in Boone, Blowing Rock, or Watauga County? Bring them on down to Digital Watauga’s Home Movie Day, sponsored by the Watauga County Historical Society (WCHS), and they’ll run them through the projector to see what you’ve got. This unusual and much anticipated event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Watauga County Library in Boone. / Read more…

July 25, 2017. Here is the latest update from the Town of Boone on its water intake project. Crews are currently working at Brownwood Road, along U.S. 421 and the greenway. / Read more…

July 25, 2017. April Verch and Joe Newberry will be featured in a special Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music concert, “Traditional Music – From Canada to the Ozarks” on Saturday, July 29th at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. / Read more…

July 12, 2016. One of two people convicted with murdering Coy Hartley in the first degree in a Greenway Trailer Park mobile home in Boone in 1994 is one step away from being exonerated by the N.C. Innocence Inquiry Commission (IIC). / Read more… By Jesse Wood

July 18, 2017. The Symphony by the Lake at Chetola Resort is returning to the High Country for its 30th year of providing beautiful, inspiring music for residents and visitors alike. On Friday, July 28, this year’s Symphony will be bringing all of us a new experience with more Celtic music incorporated into the program. By Katelyn Jenkins / Read more…

July 24, 2017. For the second consecutive season, Appalachian State is the preseason favorite in the Sun Belt Conference in a vote by the league head coaches. The Sun Belt released the preseason poll Thursday in advance of the Sun Belt’s annual media day that begins Sunday, July 23. / Read more…

July 24, 2017. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Colorado Senator Cory Gardner announced on Saturday, July 22 that the National Park Service is teaming up with partners across the nation to distribute nearly $50 million in high priority maintenance and infrastructure projects at 42 parks in 29 states. Congress provided $20 million for the projects as part of the Centennial Challenge program which will be matched by $33 million from more than 50 park partners to improve trails, restore buildings, and increase visitor access to parks. / Read more…

July 24, 2017. The Boone Town Council passed the “brunch bill” last Thursday and local establishments began serving up mimosas and bloody Marys on Sunday morning. Now, all of the municipalities in Watauga County have approved the bill. As Boone’s Town Manager John Ward said, the only reason the council didn’t address the issue earlier was because it hadn’t had the opportunity to meet since the N.C. legislature amended its laws last month.  By Jesse Wood / Read more…

July. 24, 2017. Appalachian students and faculty are working to help bee populations recover through art, technology and local hives. – Photo Courtesy of Appalachian magazine / Read more…