High Country Press

Feb. 22, 2020. A look at the recent deed transfers in Watauga County. The information comes courtesy of the Watauga County Register of Deeds. / Read more…

February 21, 2020 On Thursday, February 20, 2020, the Town of Boone filed legal action in Watauga County Superior Court in an effort to stop Watauga County from continuing to utilize a sales tax distribution scheme that is not allowed under state law. Multiple requests by the Town of Boone to the Watauga County Commission to return to a more equitable basis for dividing sales tax receipts have resulted in no changes by Watauga County. Due to this refusal, the Boone Town Council has authorized the town attorney, Allison Meade, to proceed with legal action. Without specific permission from the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina law prescribes only two ways that sales taxes can be divided, and county commissions are given the authority to choose between these on an annual basis. The per capita distribution divides the sales tax based on the population of the county and its municipalities, which the ad valorem method divides it based on the taxed property values. In April of 2013, in a split vote of 3-2, the Watauga County Commission voted to change the sales tax distribution method from per capita to ad valorem.  / Read more…

February 21, 2020 President’s Day Weekend was yet another great turnout for visitors at the area ski resorts with some reports of the most skiers they’ve seen in a long time. “We had a very good weekend, it was probably our best weekend certainly this year and maybe throughout Sugar Mountain’s history this past President’s Day Weekend,” said Kim Jochl, Vice-President of Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. Over at Beech Mountain, director of marketing Talia Freeman says that with the good weather that seems to keep showing up on weekends, they have big crowds throughout winter. “Every weekend has been busy, the busiest I have seen it in years. The customers have been happy so we’re pleased, Freeman said. Last weekend was also extremely busy at Appalachian Ski Mtn. Co-owner Brad Moretz said that they were having to turn cars away by 1 p.m. due to the packed slopes and parking lot. He encourages anyone heading out to Appalachian Ski Mtn. to purchase their tickets in advance online. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 21, 2020 The development of a 15-year plan for the management of more than 1 million acres of National Forest land will now incorporate public feedback. Until May 14th, the NFNC (National Forests in North Carolina) will maintain an open forum on their website for public comments. Now is the time to weigh in on the issues at stake in the new plan. With the recent release of the U.S. Forest Service’s draft for a revision of the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan, a formal 90-day public review and comment period began last Friday. “We heard from a wide range of people and groups who use, depend on, and appreciate the forests as we developed the plan,” said Allen Nicholas, Forest Supervisor of the National Forests in North Carolina. “We’re sharing this proposed plan so the public can review it and provide additional information before the plan is finalized.”  By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

February 21, 2020 As of Friday, Feb. 21, visitor restrictions remain effective in the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System hospitals–Watauga Medical Center in Boone and Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville –to help limit the spread of the flu as the number of flu cases has dramatically increased in recent weeks. “Flu cases have shown a steady increase as we enter the height of flu season,” said Dr. Danielle Mahaffey, Chief Physician Executive for Appalachian Regional Healthcare System in a press release a few weeks ago. “The flu virus spreads mainly person to person through coughing and sneezing. For the health and safety of our patients, we are asking the community to refrain from visiting to help protect the patients in our facilities.” Community members may visit if they: Are 18 years or older; Are healthy and do not have the flu or influenza-like illness, and do not live with anyone who has been diagnosed with the flu or influenza-like illness. The medical teams at Watauga Medical Center and Cannon Memorial Hospital may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for siblings of newborn babies and families of hospice or end of life patients.  By Tim Gardner / Read more…

February 21, 2020. The galleries at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University change throughout the year and feature compelling original art that is accessible to all members of the community. On March 6 from 6-10 pm, the public is invited to explore the galleries of the Turchin Center during the Spring Exhibition Celebration with the opening of five new exhibitions. This event is held in conjunction with the downtown Boone Art Crawl. Numerous exhibiting artists will be on-hand to meet visitors and provide insight into their intriguing work. The musical group Belleville Rendezvous will perform. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available and there will be creative art-making activities in the Moskowitz Gallery. This event is free and open to the public. / Read more…

February 20, 2020 The Avery County Board of Elections is still reminding its residents that 2020 Primary Election Early Voting is underway in the county. And according to election officials, the county has witnessed a large voter turnout so far. Avery County Board of Elections Director Shelia Ollis said that a huge volume have taken advantage of Primary Election Early Voting to cast their ballots, which numbered 344 as of 12:00 Noon on Thursday, February 20.  That’s an average of approximately 63 per day. Primary Election Early Voting in Avery County began Thursday, February 13 and runs through Friday, February 28, excluding Saturdays and Sundays except for Saturday, February 29 when Early Voting will also be open. All Early Voting in the county must be done at the Avery Board of Elections Office, located in the Avery Court House Annex at 200 Montezuma Street in Newland.   By Tim Gardner / Read more…

February 20, 2020 North Carolina’s voter identification law took another step back on Tuesday after a North Carolina appeals court put a temporary stop to the law, siding with those that feel like the law discriminates against African American voters. Voters could already vote in the upcoming March 3 primary in North Carolina without photo identification. With this court ruling, the same may be true for November’s general election, depending on how long the court case is drawn out. In the ruling, the opinion of the court stated that the law “speaks more of an intention to target African American voters rather than a desire to comply with the newly created Amendment in a fair and balanced manner” and that the defendants have been unable to show that the law “would have been enacted in its current form irrespective of any alleged underlying discriminatory intent.”   By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 20, 2020 Resident mascot, Sugar Bear and long-time, Snowsports School director, Len Bauer, visited the Banner Elk Elementary School to teach fourth graders about slope safety. The students then spent a day on the slopes which kicked off a three week fieldtrip program. Following their time skiing and snowboarding, the children participated in the National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) Kid’s National Safety Poster Contest. Each student created a poster based on one or more of the seven elements of the “Your Responsibility Code” or one of the three elements of the “Smart Style” Freestyle Terrain Safety Program. Last week, winners were chosen and awarded prizes donated by Alpine Ski Center, Ski Country Sports, EDGE of the WORLD, and Sugar Mountain Ski Resort / Read more…

February 20, 2020 Watauga County Schools were proactive with their decision to close school on Thursday as the National Weather Service expects snow to hit the High Country late this morning and continue through the afternoon. This is the eighth day of school missed in 2019-20 for Watauga County Schools. “Due to forecasted incoming inclement weather and out of an abundance of caution for staff, student, bus and parent drivers there will be no school on Thursday, February 20. Schools in Watauga County will be closed for students, teachers and all 10-month employees. It will be an Annual Leave Day. All 11 and 12-month employees may report on a two-hour delay to ensure safe travels to work,” the school system announced. The NWS issued a Winter Weather Advisory on Wednesday evening in preparation for this brief winter storm. The advisory will remain in place until 10 p.m. Thursday evening.   By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 20, 2020. After a second marathon session of the Blowing Rock Board of Adjustments, the Town of Blowing Rock has again slammed the door on short-term rentals in the R-15 residential zones.   The decision came in the case of property owned by Chad Frazier, the 163 Wilmot Circle apartment building that has been the center of the growing conflict for the over three years Frazier has owned the property. The second session of the appeal began at 5:30pm with BOA Interim Chair E.B. Springs joking that there was a very important basketball game on at 9 that he wanted to be home in time to see. But like the marathon session that began this hearing late on the afternoon of January 15th and was recessed at 11pm, this one wouldn’t be decided until after midnight on 2/20/2020. / Read more…

February 20, 2020 It’s that time of year again!  Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs presents the Appalachian Adventure Achievement Award (A4).  Through the A4, our goal is to positively inspire more youth to adopt a healthy, supportive, and active outdoor lifestyle.  This will in turn support their current and future well-being. We also want to acknowledge young people and their passion and pursuits so that our community can celebrate them.  These individuals can inspire others to join them in living active, healthy, and adventurous lives. The A4/Appalachian Adventure Achievement Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the outdoor lifestyle. / Read more…

February 20, 2020 Letters to the Editor. BY COLIN WILLIAMS / At the Rural Center, we’ve had the privilege to work in communities all across rural North Carolina, and we’ve seen firsthand that it’s not the size or location of a town that makes it a great place to live and raise a family, it’s the people who make it a community. However, people are only one essential ingredient for thriving rural communities. The other part? Well, that’s a more complicated question, but it boils down to a combination of resources and representation. The 2020 Census will be a defining moment for our state, but especially for the people who call the 80 rural counties in North Carolina home. Why? Read more…

February 20, 2020 On Thursday, February 27th, 2020, from 11:00am – 12:00pm, the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum will present a talk by local luthier Chris Capozzoli. Chris will describe the processes behind building his unique boutiqe guitars that are currently featured in the Museum’s exhibition Sound Machines: Stringed Instruments by the Capozzoli Guitar Company. Participants will learn about the creative and construction process behind Capozzoli’s guitar construction, focusing on his electric archtop and acoustic archtop designs. He will also present a brief history of the guitar and how to select the best woods for optimal sound. Chris Capozzoli is a musician, woodworker, and luthier based out of Sugar Grove, North Carolina. / Read more…

February 20, 2020 Watauga County citizens will benefit from 10 grants worth $39,144 awarded recently to local helping agencies from Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation for the 2019 grant cycle. The grants are examples of why the cooperative established the Members Foundation in 2007 to support the work of community organizations providing services that improve the quality of life for the cooperative’s members. Since 2007, the Foundation has awarded over $1.3 million in community grants. Projects in the areas of health, wellness, education, youth, and economic and community development are the Foundation’s priorities for support. A grand total of $173,000 was awarded to 30 different organizations across the Blue Ridge service area.. / Read more…

February 19, 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

February 19, 2020 You’ll never confuse Banner Elk with New Orleans, but that still doesn’t mean that there won’t be a fun Mardi Gras celebration in the High Country. The Bayou Smokehouse located in downtown Banner Elk will be celebrating in style with some Cajun cuisine, tasty beer specials, live music and fun Mardi Gras giveaways. Winston Ammann, co-owner of the Bayou Smokehouse, said her love for Mardi Gras and the New Orleans area started a long time ago. “My husband grew up on the other side of the river from New Orleans and we lived down there until we opened our first restaurant in Charlotte in 1988. He grew up in the culture,” says Winston. “I learned the culture because I was fascinated with the whole thing and fascinated with the carnival season. It’s something everybody should experience at least once.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 19, 2020 Carol Smith was recently named director of nursing at Life Care Center of Banner Elk. Smith comes to the skilled nursing and rehab center from Medi Home Health and Hospice, where she served as administrator for five years. She has been an RN for 33 years, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a career spanning operating room, pediatric in-home care, inpatient hospice and the VA. “I enjoy being able to serve,” said Smith. “That is our purpose here on earth. It is a blessing to be working in the community where I live and serving the people of Avery County and the surrounding area.” Originally from Avery County, Smith currently lives in Banner Elk. Smith and her husband, Garrick, have a daughter (Tyne), son (Tyler) and four beautiful grandchildren. / Read more…

February 19, 2020 Following an unprecedented 25-year run toward a cure for cancer, it was recently announced that Relay for Life in Watauga County observed its final community event with its 2019 silver anniversary last June. It’s a bittersweet time for those who have given their time, energy and money toward the local Relay for Life event through the years, said chair, Brian Barker, who along with his family has been involved with the fundraiser since its early days. What once drew national attention for several years as the largest fundraising event in its population group, Watauga County Relay for Life has gradually seen a decrease in interest overall, not only in money raised, but also in team and spectator participation. The 2019 event, with the least attendance ever, was a sad and stark reminder that it was time to reconsider its future. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

February 19, 2020 Rarely will folks in their golden years find life any more exciting than do those who frequent the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center in Boone. Weekdays are always filled with opportunities for the young at heart who realize the value of sharing good times together. Such was the case, especially, on Friday, Feb. 14, during the annual Valentines’ Day Party, co-sponsored by the Watauga County Project on Aging.One of the highlight’s of the year — every year — for center participants is this event, which includes refreshments, dancing, games (Valentine’s Day trivia is always a hit!) door prizes and the main event: The crowning of the center’s king and queen of hearts. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

February 19, 2020. February has long been considered Heart Month, and according to The American Heart Association, there’s no better time than the present to begin eating “heart-smart.” Many of us tend to think of “Heart Month” only from a romantic point of view, but the best way to show your love is to prepare and/or share healthy and nutritious meals that will help keep those life-sustaining vessels pumping for a long time to come. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, there’s a lot we can do to prevent heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is suggested that we begin by working together with our friends, family, neighbors or colleagues to meet heart health goals. Move more, work on our weight and salt intake, quit smoking. It’s all easier, they tell us (and as I have proved in the past!) when you have good social support. Let’s do it together! By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

February 18, 2020. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / 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.

Paid Volunteer Opportunity For Seniors in Elementary Classrooms

Governor Appoints New Chair to Head North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities 

The Alliance for Appalachia Needs Your Support

Lees-McRae to Hold Theatre Arts Audition Day for Program Scholarships Feb. 22

Boone Town Council and Watauga County Commissioners to Hold Joint Meeting on February 24

Special Watauga Water Intake Work Session of Beech Mountain Town Council is February 25

Annual Catawba Valley Pottery & Antiques Festival Slated for Spring 2020

Valle Crucis Conference Center Wants Your Recipes

Area Realtors Awarding Four College Scholarships

Dining Out for Life Happening April 30

Mountain Acoustics Luthier Invitational Coming Up May 22-24

Wit Tuttell, Executive Director of Visit NC, Announces the 22nd Annual Cycle North “Mountains to Coast” Route

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

February 18, 2020 The Town of Beech Mountain and Beech Mountain Resort are coming together for the eighth year in a row to host an ‘80s-themed retro celebration throughout this upcoming weekend. From Thursday to Sunday, there will be various activities to participate in while donning your favorite neon ‘80s gear on the mountaintop; each day of the ‘80s celebration features “Retro Skiing” throughout the day to encourage attendees to get in the 1980s mood! This year’s lineup of events includes various things for the whole family to enjoy; each event takes place at different locations throughout Beech Mountain, as specified in the schedule with story. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

Feb. 18, 2020. A look at the recent deed transfers in Watauga County. The information comes courtesy of the Watauga County Register of Deeds. / Read more…

February 18, 2020 There is only one week left in the Sugar Mountain Adult Racing League (SMARL) and it will all come down to next week’s race to decide who takes home first place in the ski standings. Right now, Team Sugar and Ski Country A are tied with 99 points. Good Ole Boys and Banner Elk Cafe are tied for third with 76 points. In the snowboard standings, Edge of the World holds a slim 86-84 lead over Schooch Legs with The Tavern in third with 73 points. Andrew Jochl once again had the fastest skiing time of 30.13 seconds in his first run. Duncan Neilander had the best snowboarding time, crossing the finish line in 36.92 seconds. “We had a big turnout last night. Ski conditions were really good and the snow was awesome,” said Bill Leonard, owner of Ski Country Sports in Banner Elk. “A lot of people stayed out and made extra runs because the conditions were so good.”  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 17, 2020 The High Country Energy Justice Summit will bring together young people, local elected leaders and electric ratepayers from across the region to develop a community vision for local energy systems that support an equitable economy and protect our planet. This participatory event will feature local clean energy experts and youth leaders from local youth-led groups affiliated with the Global Climate Strike movement. Live music will be provided by the Kraut Creek Ramblers. Complimentary snacks, lunch and childcare will also be provided. The summit will feature updates from local youth-led groups affiliated with the Global Climate Strike movement, which has brought millions of young people into the streets across the world to demand an end to the fossil fuel era. Youth leaders from Sunrise Boone and the Climate Action Collaborative will provide an update on their plans to escalate Climate Strikes in the year ahead and offer ideas on how older folks can support their movement. / Read more…

February 17, 2020 There are several primary battles for races in North Carolina, but locally, the only race where an incumbent is being challenged inside the same party is the race for the District 93 seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Democratic incumbent Ray Russell will have to fend off Democratic challenger Turner Doolittle. Doolittle, 21, doesn’t have a lot of candidate info readily available. A quick Google search reveals no campaign website or Twitter account. Based on info from his personal Facebook page, he says he’s a student at Appalachian State University majoring in computer science and is originally from Winston-Salem. Rep. Russell defeated then-incumbent Jonathan Jordan in 2018 and has been busy at work in Raleigh. Some of Russell’s biggest issues to address include healthcare and Medicaid expansion, protecting natural resources, improving education and gerrymandering problems within the state.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 17, 2020 Registration is now open for the annual conference of the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative, scheduled for Saturday, May 16 at Watauga High School. Beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting until around 3:15 p.m., the event is expected to draw 500- 600 community leaders — educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement personnel, parents and others — coming together to help individuals and families learn how to work through the pain of trauma to reach a state of resiliency. This year’s conference, “Community is the Solution” will include an opening session, three workshop sessions with 40-plus breakout opportunities, lunch, an information fair and a closing keynote address. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

February 17, 2020 In a surprise announcement late last week, Hardee’s will be closing on Blowing Rock Road effective this Saturday, February 22. Both Boone Hardee’s locations, 610 Blowing Rock Road and 344 New Market Centre, have been operated by The Hastings Company. “For the past 30 years it has been our privilege to serve you in Boone from two locations,” the statement said. “Effective Saturday, February 22, we will be closing the Blowing Rock Road restaurant to focus our efforts and continue to proudly serve you from our New Market location.” The statement also says that the property has already been leased to another entity and will provide a “wonderful new concept who looks forward to serving the Boone area and will be open soon.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 17, 2020 The sixth annual Daniel Boone Rail Jam ski and snowboard competition will be returning to the Daniel Boone Amphitheater on Saturday, March 14, with doors opening at 5pm. The Rail Jam will directly follow the St. Patrick’s Parade being held in downtown Boone on the same day. This year’s Rail Jam is going to feature several changes in the competition’s structure, most notably, the participants in the contest must be directly invited to join one of the two teams: Appalachian Ski Mountain or Beech Mountain Resort. Riders who were not invited to join a team will still have a chance to make one of two additional rider slots on each team during the open competition that will begin the evening of the Rail Jam. Men and women riders as well as skiers and snowboarders will all be competing together on the same teams. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

February 17, 2020 The new year started with brisk sales for local Realtors, as home purchases in January were up 27 percent compared to a year ago. That’s according to the latest real estate sales report by the High Country Association of Realtors (HCAR). The transactions occurred as buyers took advantage of declining interest rates. They’ve fallen sharply every week but one so far this year. Going into February the average 30-year fixed rate is matching levels last seen in mid-2016. It was 3.45 percent as of February 6. In January, local Realtors sold 181 single-family and multi-family listings worth $63.45 million, as recorded by the High Country Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It documents sales activity by Realtors active in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. Last January Realtors sold 142 listings worth $38.4 million. The median sold price then was $213,750. The median sold price last month was $232,000, an increase of 8.5 percent year-to-year. / Read more…

February 17, 2020 Watauga Medical Center (WMC) is proud to announce it has received a 5-star rating, the highest achievement level possible, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for hospital quality. WMC is one of only 407 hospitals in the United States and one of thirteen hospitals in North Carolina – to receive a 5-star quality rating. “I am extremely proud of our hospital’s achievement,” said Kim Bianca, President of Watauga Medical Center. “The five-star rating underscores our team’s commitment to providing top quality patient care.” The ratings are based on self-reported hospital data which include more than 50 different quality measurements. Those measures include categories such as mortality, re-admission, patient experience, effectiveness of care, timeliness of care and effective use of medical imaging. / Read more…

February 17, 2020 Donations totaling $200,000 came in from 130 Watauga County businesses in 2019 during the 2nd year of the Round Up for the Middle Fork Greenway (MFG). Businesses participated by asking their customers to round up their purchase to the next dollar or give to a donation jar. Some businesses gave a percentage of their sales for the month or made a one-time donation. These funds raised by our High Country community accomplished major milestones to keep momentum on the Middle Fork Greenway.  The extraordinary response from local businesses inspired major gifts from the Wells Fargo Foundation and the BB&T now Truist Charitable Fund, both awarding $100,000 to the project and doubling the community’s impact. This $400,000 leveraged as a match for $430,000 from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund that secured the money necessary to build another section of the greenway. / Read more…

February 14, 2020 Boone continues to grow, and so has the popularity of the area that has quickly become known as “East Boone.” The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce held its Business After Hours event on Thursday at Booneshine Brewing to highlight the growth and major changes that are starting to happen. David Jackson, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, told the big crowd that had gathered about many of the upcoming plans in East Boone, including the future location of Boone’s town hall, police department and fire department. The North Carolina Department of Transportation will also be working on construction projects at intersections on Bamboo Road, Deerfield Road and Wilson Ridge Road as well as the addition of sidewalk and bicycle lanes to make travel much easier. All of these projects add up to several million dollars of investment into East Boone. “I feel like as the town begins their project and people start flowing out this way, it’s just going to give people more reason to expand in this direction,” Jackson said. By Nathan Ham / Read more…