LETTER: Response to Davenport from the Watauga Voting Rights Task Force
May 3, 2026. – May 3, 2026 – Mr. Davenport has ignored key FACTS that served as the basis of the lawsuit he claims was partisan.
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County Schools Host Inaugural Trades Signing Day
April 30, 2026 Boone, NC – April 30, 2026 – Ceremony speakers included Boone Area Chamber Summit members Jay Harrill of Foscoe Realty and Development and Talia Freeman of Beech Mountain Resort, both Watauga High School alumni who returned to speak to students about career pathways in the region. Dr. Tierra Stark, Director of Student Services and CTE for Watauga County Schools, and Dr. Scott Strickler, Principal of Watauga High School, also addressed attendees and presented students with a certificate and graduation cord.
Watauga County Farmers’ Market Kicks Off Main Season with Full Vendor Lineup and Expanded Weekly Programming
April 30, 2026 Boone, NC – April 30, 2026 – After a steady start to the spring season, the market now welcomes back its full vendor community, offering a wide range of locally produced goods—from fresh flowers, garden starts, and seasonal produce to pasture-raised meats, eggs, and cheeses, artisan treats, small-batch pantry staples, handmade crafts, and original artwork.
Moses, The Musical Splashes into Banner Elk Presbyterian Church
April 30, 2026 Boone, NC – April 30, 2026 – “Summer Theater is excited to present an updated version of Moses,” says Writer and Director Janet Speer. “From palace halls to parted seas, this entertaining musical transforms an epic journey into a joyful, high‑energy adventure that the whole family can cheer for.”
Watauga, Avery Obituaries – April 28th, 2026
April 28, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland
MOVIE REVIEW: Michael
By Bob Garver The big problem with “Michael,” the new Michael Jackson biopic, is that it has the approval of the Jackson family. As such, we are going to get a very flattering portrait of possibly the single most controversial personality in the history of the music industry. The scandals that plagued his later years are an unignorable part of his legacy, no matter how much this movie tries to ignore them. Simply put: a movie with this much love for Michael Jackson, made by people who unconditionally love and want to protect Michael Jackson, is not going to be an interesting portrait of Michael Jackson. The film follows Michael from his youth until 1988 – basically the first 30 years of his life. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, young Michael (Juliano Valdi) was essentially robbed of his childhood by his father Joe (Colman Domingo), who demanded that his musician children pursue fame at the expense of their happiness, and some would argue, sanity. The real Jackson family – so protective of Michael’s image – apparently has no problem with Joe being portrayed as a monster. Valdi does an excellent job singing, dancing, emoting, and overall playing a …
Grandfather by Night Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain for 2026
April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 – “Grandfather by Night events provide a great variety of programming, from unbeatable views to unique educational material from our naturalists,” said Lauren Farrell, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Getting to be in the park outside of operating hours is so rare and special, and we look forward to sharing these moments with guests every year.”
More Artists Added, Official ABC Partners Revealed for FloydFest 26~Daydream (July 22-26, 2026)
April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 -Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. and Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. announce even more artists, as well as official its ABC partners, added for FloydFest 26~Daydream, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 22 to 26, 2026, at its home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va.
Blowing Rock Chamber Announces Thursday Market
April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 -“We’re thrilled to host this market experience,” said Robin Miller, CEO of the Blowing Rock Chamber. “It’s a great way to support local businesses while creating a fun and welcoming gathering space each week.”
The Children’s Council Recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month
[Boone, NC] – Children’s Council of Watauga County joins Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina, the State affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse America, in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month 2026. This April, organizations and community members across North Carolina, including nonprofits, government agencies, educators, policymakers, health care providers, faith groups, and businesses, are coming together to highlight the role we all play in supporting families from the start. “This year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month theme, ‘Positive Childhoods Start With Us,’ reminds us that everyone has a role in creating the conditions children and families need to thrive,” said Sharon Hirsch, President and CEO of Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina. “When we all work together to strengthen communities and support all families, we build a stronger future for us all.” Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity for community members to learn more about what it means to create communities where families have what they need so their children can reach their full potential. The Children’s Council offers a wide range of resources to support families with young children. Parent education programs like the Incredible Years series strengthen relationships between parents and children and provide caregivers with tools to manage challenging behaviors appropriately, rather than using harsh discipline. Classes are available for parents …
MOVIE REVIEW: Lee Cronin’s The Mummy
By Bob Garver Prior to what I will generously call his “new take” on “The Mummy,” director Lee Cronin was best known for 2023’s “Evil Dead Rise.” Original “Evil Dead” director Sam Raimi had a new movie out earlier this year with “Send Help,” and he didn’t put his name in that film’s title. And his name carries real weight, he directed the Tobey Maguire “Spider-Man” trilogy back in the 2000’s. But the guy who directed the fifth “Evil Dead” movie thinks his name belongs in the very title of his next project. At least this way I know who to blame for this movie, so points for “owning it,” I guess. The film follows the Cannon family: father Charlie (Jack Reynor), mother Larissa (Laia Costa), son Sebastian (initially Dean Allen Williams, later Shylo Molina), and daughter Katie (initially Emily Mitchell, later Natalie Grace). They’re an American family living in Cairo next door to a mean matriarch known as The Magician (Hayat Kamille), who we know from the film’s prologue is the protector and caregiver of a malevolent Egyptian entity. Katie goes missing, and the local police, including young detective Dalia (May Calamawy) are no help. Eight …
LETTER: Confronting the Democrats Who Are Blaming Watauga County Commissioners For The Lawsuit
April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 -We attended a County Commissioners meeting and were surprised at the level of opposition (and vitriol) from a small group about our new districts. Here are the FACTS
Jones House Announces 2026 Summer Concert Series Lineup
April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 – “We love being able to bring free live music to the community each summer,” says Brandon Holder, Cultural Resources Coordinator for the Town of Boone. “It’s a great way to support local artists and create a welcoming space for folks to gather and enjoy downtown Boone.”
High Country Host Regional Welcome Center Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week with Open House
April 22, 2026 Boone, NC – April 22, 2026 – The regional welcome center will be holding an open house all week and invites the public to stop by and learn more about local tourism. Locals can pick up goodies from the tourism community, up- to-date Blue Ridge Parkway detour maps, updated hiking maps, coupons to local attractions and enter a drawing to win tickets to local attractions.
Watauga, Avery Obituaries – April 21st, 2026
April 21, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland
Grandfather Mountain opens Yonni’s Clubhouse
LINVILLE, N.C. — Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that the new hands-on science and conservation education center, Yonni’s Clubhouse, opened to the public on April 4. Admission is included with an entrance ticket to the park. Yonni’s is a part of the expanding Conservation Campus at Grandfather Mountain that includes the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, the Williams Outdoor Learning Space, Cobey Botanical Garden and more. Yonni’s Clubhouse, located next to the Wilson Center, is geared toward children ages 5 to 12, though all are welcome. The space is currently open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will be closed for most of the afternoon on April 18 for a private event. April 20 and beyond, the facility will be open daily. “Our entire Conservation Campus aims to provide our visitors, and particularly young folks, with deeper experiences to provide a fuller understanding of nature and the interconnectedness of all species and natural systems,” said Jesse Pope, president and CEO of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “A large part of our mission is to help educate a new generation of dedicated environmental stewards and by providing …
MOVIE REVIEW: The Drama
By Bob Garver Good news, grown-ups, even though most of the screens at your local theater are probably still devoted to “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” there’s a decent option for adults in one of the other houses. I’m convinced that “The Drama” has stayed in the top three at the domestic box office for the past two weekends by reeling in parents who don’t want to watch Mario with their kids, but don’t want to leave the theater. Or it could be good advertising, good word-of-mouth, good reviews, or other non-cynical reasons. The film follows Charlie (Robert Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya), a nauseatingly-cute Boston-area couple a week away from their wedding. He’s a bit of a creep and she doesn’t talk much about her military-family upbringing, but they’re sure they can learn to live with each other’s foibles, after all, they’re in love. Hopefully it’s not much of a spoiler to say that their love will be tested over the course of the film as they deal with, well, drama. That drama first rears its head at a couples’ dinner with friends Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim). Rachel has the bright idea to have …
Getting Wild at Boone’s Art Crawl: Footsloggers Hosts an Earth Day Celebration on April 17
BOONE, NC – On Friday, April 17, Footsloggers is teaming up with Friends of the Blue Ridge and Rock Dimensions to bring the April Art Crawl’s Earth Day Celebration to a higher level. Held in the Footsloggers Courtyard at 139 Depot Street, this free community event blends outdoor adventure, local art, and environmental stewardship. The courtyard will be packed with interactive experiences, including: Event Details:● What: Earth Day & Art Crawl Celebration● When: April 17, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM● Where: The Courtyard between Footsloggers and Rock Dimensions, 139 Depot Street, Boone, NC● Cost: Free and open to the public More Information: Footsloggers Earth Day Celebration (https://tinyurl.com/booneearthday) or call at 828-355-9984.
Boone Sunrise Rotary Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Boone, NC – April 21, 2026 – The Boone Sunrise Rotary Club is proudly celebrating 40 years of service to the High Country community this April. Founded on April 21, 1986, by a group of local business leaders committed to community service, the club has spent four decades living out Rotary’s guiding principle of “Service Above Self.” A founding Boone Sunrise Rotary Club Member, John Cooper, stated, “The Boone Rotary Club, at that time, had a very long tradition of service and strong membership consisting of the business leaders in Boone and surrounding areas. Because meetings were held during evening hours, tearing members away from their families, many wanted a morning club. The Boone Sunrise Rotary Club was established with a morning breakfast meeting, and quickly set about making Boone a better place, through service and contributions to many of the local non-profits that met the needs of our community. It has continued that good work for over 40 years.” Today, the club has about 60 active members, both working and retired, who represent a wide range of local businesses and industry including education and nonprofit. To mark this milestone, Boone Sunrise Rotary members have joined Mark Norris, with …
Two Mexican Nationals Sentenced To Prison For Methamphetamine Trafficking in Catawba, Caldwell, and Watauga Counties
April 14, 2026 Boone, NC – April 14, 2026 – According to court records, from February 2024 to February 2025, Lemus-Orozco and Gutierrez- Lopez conspired to distribute kilogram quantities of methamphetamine in Catawba, Caldwell, and Watauga Counties and elsewhere. Lemus-Orozco was the leader of the local drug trafficking organization. Investigators conducted at least five controlled purchases of methamphetamine from the defendants.
Blowing Rock Chamber Announces New Chapter for Symphony by Chetola Lake
April 14, 2026 Boone, NC – April 14, 2026 -“This event simply would not be what it is today without Chetola,” said Ellen Harrell Board Chair for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. “We are incredibly grateful for the history we’ve built together, and the memories created since 1987. We also look forward to our future and building new memories for our community as we work to enhance our attendee experience for the future.
Watauga, Avery Obituaries – April 14th, 2026
April 14, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland
Elk Knob Trails, Past and Future: Join Ranger-Led Hike on May 7
TODD, NC – Friends of the Blue Ridge invites outdoor enthusiasts to a unique hiking adventure, “Elk Knob Trails Past and Future,” at Elk Knob State Park on Wednesday, May 7th. This guided excursion will be led by NC State Park Ranger Marissa Mabe. As participants trek to the summit, Ranger Mabe will share the rich history of the park and the surrounding mountains. Hikers will also learn to identify the flora and fauna that call the Elk Knob area home, highlighting the ecological significance of this high-elevation landscape.In addition to exploring existing paths, the event will feature an educational discussion regarding the future of the park’s trail system. Highlights include an introduction to the Northern Peaks Trail, an ambitious project that will eventually connect downtown Boone to West Jefferson by crossing the Amphibolite Mountains. Event Details:
Boone Sunrise Rotary Invites the Public to a Free Viewing of the Film Colossus: The Forbin Project at the Appalachian Theater
Boone, NC, — Part One of a Two-Part series will examine a growing public curiosity and concern about artificial intelligence and offer the community an opportunity to use examples from science fiction and modern technology to explore how imagined ideas often become reality. Every day, the acronym AI can be found in media publications, on television and in private conversations. Most people know it refers to Artificial Intelligence and generally only deal with it in the context of how they use it, many commonly using platforms like Chat GPT or Claude to help with day-to-day tasks, writing projects or research. We also hear stories about how AI has entered everyday life events or how AI helps medical diagnostics and worry about whether AI may or may not take over certain jobs now held by human workers. We also recognize that AI can very convincingly dispense information or advice that is untrue or even illegal. Even so, how many of us really understand what AI is, how it works, and what dangers may accompany the benefits that can exist? The complexities and possibilities of AI are both fascinating and alarming. Sometimes the best way to motivate ourselves to think about complex …
“Sounds of Nature – Kids’ Music Day” returns to Grandfather Mountain
April 9, 2026 Boone, NC – April 9, 2026 -Returning after a successful debut in 2025, the fun-filled, nature-themed afternoon of music will take place in the Williams Outdoor Learning Space, and it is included with park admission. Families can groove to the sounds in nature through an interactive concert celebration, featuring lively performances from the band Acoustic Folklore, eco-themed songs and hands-on activities.