High Country Press

September 29, 2020  The last week has been a rough one in terms of hoping to see a drop in positive COVID-19 cases in Watauga County. The statistics show that cases are increasing and a total of 159 Appalachian State students are currently dealing with active cases of the virus. The largest increase has been in the age group associated with college students, ages 18-24, according to AppHealthCare. “Each fall and winter we typically see an increase in viruses that circulate in the community including flu and other respiratory infections. This year we will also have COVID-19 circulating so we all need to be vigilant and take actions to protect each other. The actions we have been taking to slow the spread of COVID-19 will likely also protect us from other respiratory viruses like the flu. Continue practicing the 3Ws, avoid large gatherings, maintain good hygiene and cleaning practices, stay home when sick, and get a flu vaccine,” stated Jennifer Greene, Health Director at AppHealthCare.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

September 29, 2020  World champion taxidermist Ken Walker has embarked on his defining project: either find a Bigfoot… or make one. The quirky film Big Fur, which documents Walker’s quest, will be presented in a special online screening by the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. The film’s producer and director, Dan Wayne, will present a pre-recorded discussion following the screening. The public is invited to view these events online at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2020. Big Fur is the second event presented by BOONE DOCS, the newly-launched year-round film series at the App Theatre featuring documentary films that spark community conversation by presenting an independent lens to view our world. Showcasing emerging and award-winning filmmakers and distinct perspectives from across the globe, BOONE DOCS celebrates the creative power of independent film. / Read more…

September 29, 2020 Appalachian State University sophomore exercise science major Chad Dorrill died of COVID-19. Dorrill was a 19-year-old basketball player and graduate of Ledford High School in Thomasville. “This awful disease has taken this young man from everyone far too soon,” read a statement from the Piedmont Pacers in which Dorrill was an original member of. “We first met him in 2013 after he and his family moved to North Carolina from Wisconsin. We quickly realized what a talented basketball player he was.” By Harley Nefe / Read more…

September 27, 2020  Playing with a skeleton crew due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantines, Appalachian State roared back from a second-quarter hole to rout winless Campbell University 52-21 Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone. It was Appalachian State’s last non-conference game. The Mountaineers had 18 players quarantined for the game, along with three assistant coaches and a graduate assistant. “We had three positions wiped out,” Appalachian State head coach Shawn Clark said. Clark had to resort to changing player positions during a team meeting on Wednesday in order to have enough depth at the depleted positions.  By Tim Gardner / Read more…

September 25, 2020  The Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk would like to recognize this month’s group of Terrific Kids from Banner Elk Elementary School. “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child, and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk is composed of service-minded individuals from throughout Avery County.  We are dedicated to our local children and fostering the growth of their future,” said club member Talia Freeman. “All Avery County Elementary Schools will be taking part in the Terrific Kid program. Terrific Kids is a student-recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem, and perseverance.  We are excited to expand this through all the schools in Avery County.”  / Read more…

September 24, 2020  Appalachian State University Biology professor Howard Neufeld, who is better known as the “Fall Color Guy” on Facebook and Sugar Mountain Village Tourism have provided updates to the fall peak leaf color forecasts and guides for this season. In his fall color report for this week that he posted on Sept. 20, Neufeld said the latest low temperatures are the perfect conditions for jump-starting the fall foliage season. Neufeld currently rated the forests as 99% green, even at high elevations like the summit of Grandfather Mountain. However, he said this period of cool, sunny weather is going to get the color changes going, so each week now we should see more and more leaves start to color up on the hillsides. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

September 24, 2020  Appalachian State will try to bounce back from its first loss of the season on Saturday when the Mountaineers host Campbell University at Kidd Brewer Stadium. One change for this home game will be a small increase in the number of fans allowed inside the stadium. Last week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services notified universities that up to 350 family members (a maximum of two per student-athlete) can attend college sporting events. For this Saturday’s game against Campbell at Kidd Brewer Stadium, App State is inviting up to 300 family members of App State student-athletes and up to 50 Campbell student-athlete family members. All family members must follow the 3Ws of Wash, Wear and Wait, ensure social distancing between groups of families, and wear face coverings. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

September 23, 2020  The Boone Police Department is asking for the public’s help in eliminating the traffic congestion on Blowing Rock Road. Several popular eating and coffee establishments have a tendency to attract several patrons. Therefore, this causes traffic to come to a stand-still on Blowing Rock Road as customers are attempting to enter the parking area and/or the drive through locations. This can cause traffic crashes and lead to road rage incidents. If you see that traffic is beginning to back up into the roadway, consider your fellow traveler and either continue on to another location or park elsewhere and walk to the establishment of your choice. / Read more…

September 23, 2020 Letters to the Editor. BY MARJORY HOLDER / Dear Editor, I have seen a lot of ridiculous political mailers over the years, but I think 2020 takes the cake. Take, for example, the blitz of mailers from groups nobody has ever heard of against State Rep. Ray Russell. After the first half-dozen or so, the one in my mailbox today claims Russell “signed a pledge (to): defund police (and) disarm police of life-saving equipment” in the middle of a spike in NC murders. That doesn’t sound like the mild-mannered Ray Russell I’ve met, so I followed the sources the mailer cited. The pledge was suggested by a group called “Future Now” (futurenow.org/pledge – you can check it out yourself) and, lo and behold, it says NOTHING about the police. Zip. Nada. Nothing. Read more…

September 23, 2020 President Donald Trump (R) and former vice president Joe Biden (D) are in a dead heat, according to the most recent Civitas Poll of likely North Carolina voters. When asked, “If the presidential election were held today, which of the following candidates would you vote for,” 45% of respondents said they intend to vote for President Trump, while 44% said Biden. Jo Jorgensen, candidate for the Libertarian Party, garnered 2% support among respondents. Eight percent remain undecided.This survey was conducted on September 17-20, during which the news of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s passing was announced. “The presidential race continues, and will continue, to be a nail-biter until November 3,” said Civitas Institute President Donald Bryson. “There is a reason the Trump campaign has camped out in the Old North State in the last month, and now the Biden campaign is making an appearance – we are the state to watch for the White House.” / Read more…

September 23, 2020. Well, just when you think you’ve heard it all, a new phrase has arisen from the 50-yard line. It seems that “homegating” is the new tailgating, since most football stadiums are not allowing the ever-popular gatherings before the big game that countless fans have come to love. Well, let’s back it up and put it all in perspective. The fans aren’t even allowed at the games, so no need to set up the party in the parking lot, right? But, its seems that “homegating” is the next best thing, and something you can easily do in the comfort of your own backyard or patio — while you’re waiting for the game to appear on the big screen in your living room. I’m not even a huge football fan, but it feels strange for me to even be suggesting same. Anyway, a semblance of football season like we’ve never known it before has arrived and the parties can begin. Just as before, it’s personal preference whether to plan for something as simple as sandwiches and chips, or something as elaborate and time-consuming as you want it to be. Simple is good and you really don’t have to worry about competition this time around, so whatever works for you is all that matters. You can still fire up the grills for the chops, steaks, ribs, wings, burgers and dogs. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

September 23, 2020  The Boone Greenway Skatepark received a major funding boost this week with a matching grant from North Carolina Parks and Recreation. The grant, which totals $72,500, matches the amount of money raised by the community, according to Recess Skate and Snow owner JP Pardy. “We are just really excited. Getting this grant is huge. We got a setback with the whole COVID-19 situation as far as spring fundraising and summer fundraising. We had a bunch of stuff in the works,” Pardy said. “We still had a good amount of support and getting this grant has just been awesome.” It is anticipated that the three-phase project will get underway in the spring of 2021. “The goal right now is to break ground and get started on the park in the spring and hopefully we’ll be skateboarding shortly after that,” said Pardy. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

September 22, 2020. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

September 22, 2020 On Monday, Sept. 21, the Watauga County Board of Education voted unanimously to implement a plan that will reopen in-person learning in Watauga County Schools in grades K-3. Beginning Oct. 5, Kindergarten through third-grade students will be able to return to school in-person on the 2×3 Plan B Flex Schedule. Under the plan, half of the students will attend school on Monday and Tuesday, while the other half attend on Thursday and Friday. Wednesday would be reserved as a remote learning day for all students. In total, students would have three days of remote learning at home each week. The plan that the board adopted Monday night will reopen in-person learning to students in grades 4-12 on Oct. 19 under the same 2×3 Plan B Flex Schedule and social distancing measures. / Read more…

September 22, 2020 Good news: The Northwest North Carolina High Country counties that encompass the Toe River Health District (TRHD) are experiencing a significant rise in COVID-19 patient recoveries, according to data supplied by the district health organization. Those three counties—Avery, Mitchell and Yancey- have had 576 total cases as of this morning, (September 21), but with a whopping 543 recoveries, equaling a colossal 94 percent. Counts of those afflicted/recovered with the disease have been tabulated and publicly released since early March 2020 when COVID-19 officially became a pandemic in the United States. Avery’s tabulations of non-prisoners are released separately as community afflicted/recoveries/deaths. The TRHD and Avery County Health Department also releases the number of COVID-19 prison cases at the Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution. But those figures are not included in this over-all tabulation listing. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

September 22, 2020  As the air crisps and Boone moves into autumn, the Hunger and Health Coalition is usually gearing up for our largest fundraisers of the year. In October, our Masquerade Ball and booth at the Valle Country Fair raise more than $60,000, funding we use to keep our shelves stocked with food all through the colder seasons. Our client visits increase as seasonal summer employment dips, and we rely on this money to make sure we have enough for everyone who will come to us for help. COVID-19 promises to make this winter our busiest yet. Since March, we have taken on more than 600 new clients and that number continues to grow. Simultaneously, we are making up for a shortfall of more than $100,000 from cancelled fundraisers over the last few months. We have not stopped providing for our community through the pandemic, but need the support of the community more than ever at this time. These shifts have forced us to be more creative than ever this year. In October, we are excited to announce two new events for the community that will help fill the financial void COVID-19 has created. / Read more…

September 22, 2020  The 2020-21 season of “The Schaefer Center Presents…” performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, announces its fall series, which will be presented in an all-virtual format Oct 9-Dec. 4. The series traditionally offers students, faculty, staff and the community a diverse array of music, theatre and dance designed to enrich the cultural landscape of the campus and surrounding area, showcasing some of the finest artists around the globe, the nation, and the region. The virtual experience will be no exception, featuring a varied lineup that includes livestreamed and pre-recorded theatre, music, and other events — from American Shakespeare Center and Watkins Family Hour to the university’s own Hayes School of Music and a special event with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall. / Read more…

September 21, 2020 A special Watauga County Board of Education Meeting is scheduled or 5 p.m. this evening at the Margaret E. Gragg Educational Center to discuss the possible reopening of school buildings to elementary school students in Watauga County. The board will take a vote tonight to determine if Watauga County will allow elementary school children to return to the classroom. Governor Roy Cooper announced that students in grades K-5 could return to schools for daily, in-person instruction in the classroom starting on October 5. “We’re able to open this option because most North Carolinians have doubled down on our safety and prevention measures and stabilized our numbers. The science of lower viral spread among younger children also backs up this decision,” Gov. Cooper said during a media briefing on Thursday. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

September 21, 2020  Appalachian Ski Mtn. announces that the annual Preseason Sale and Swap at the Alpine Ski Shop is coming up October 16th – 25th. And beginning September 21 the ski shop is inviting everyone to bring in any used equipment (skis, snowboards, boots, poles, bindings, (no helmets)) weekdays from Sept. 21- Oct. 9 from 9 am – 4 pm. for their annual SWAP event where any used equipment brought in that sells gives the owner of that equipment a SWAP CREDIT to use in the ALPINE SKI SHOP / Read more…

September 21, 2020 The fall equinox officially arrives at 9:31 a.m. on Tuesday morning, but if you have been in the High Country over the past three days, cooler fall temperatures have already arrived in perfect timing with the change of the season. Low temperatures dropped into the 30s across major portions of the High Country, including a chilly 35 degrees on Sunday morning in Boone. Frost was visible throughout the area as well. According to Ray’s Weather Center, this is one of the earliest cooldowns in the last decade and the other times that temperatures dropped this low were from rainy storm fronts that moved through. Blowing Rock dropped to 38 degrees on Sunday morning and 40 degrees Monday morning. Zionville recorded a low temperature of 36 degrees on Sunday and West Jefferson had a low of 35 degrees on Sunday and 38 degrees on Monday. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

September 21, 2020  When Appalachian State University students returned for fall semester Aug. 17, they encountered any number of changes to the expected routines. In response to the novel coronavirus, the university has assessed and adjusted every aspect of the Appalachian Experience to keep health and safety at the forefront, including implementing physical distancing recommendations, requiring face coverings and enhancing sanitation protocols. Read on for a glimpse into key areas of daily life, from dining to academics. / Read more…

September 21, 2020  As the High Country community works to decrease the spread of COVID-19, collaboration between local organizations is taking the spotlight as an important and local part of the new normal. The Appalachian State University and Boone Police departments, along with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), are increasing collaboration and communication to work together to support safety measures. The Appalachian Police Department (APD) is assisting both the Boone Police Department (BPD) and WCSO with monitoring, responding to and addressing off-campus gatherings that violate COVID-19 guidelines established by the state. Part of the enhanced communication channels between these agencies includes a formal jurisdictional agreement that is being drafted between the university and the town of Boone. / Read more…

September 21, 2020 I watched the first two “Bill & Ted” movies to prepare for new installment “Face the Music,” and I have to say, they didn’t do much for me. I didn’t think they were painful or anything, but having grown up with similar dimwitted duos (Wayne and Garth, Beavis and Butthead, etc.), I didn’t think the title pair brought much to the table. Their manner of speaking, which is basically slacker talk with one out of every ten words inexplicably higher than their apparent vocabulary level, gets old fast and the time travel jokes never rise above “lazy.” I liked that George Carlin was in the movies, but that’s mostly because his appearances triggered happy memories of his standup. The point is that I’m maybe not the target audience for “Face the Music,” since I wasn’t coming in as a fan. By Bob Garver / Read more…

September 20, 2020  In a battle of old Southern Conference rivals now playing on the Major College Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, Marshall beat Appalachian State 17-7 Saturday in Huntington, WV. App State’s impressive winning streak against Group of Five programs from outside the league ended as Marshall pulled out a home win in front of 12,050 fans. Marshall got strong performances on both sides of the ball. Offensively, running back Brenden Knox rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Grant Wells came up with back-to-back big plays when Marshall needed them badly. Defensively, the Thundering Herd limited the Mountaineers to only 96 yards and stopped them from scoring on their final 10 drives. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

September 18, 2020 Two additional COVID-19 clusters on App State’s campus were announced this afternoon, bringing the total to three active “clusters” over the last 24 hours. A cluster is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period. Currently, there are nine students associated with the Kappa Delta sorority who have tested positive within the past 14 days. Four are recovering in active isolation and five are past the isolation stage. Additionally, there are 10 students associated with the Chi Omega sorority who have tested positive within the past 14 days. Three are recovering in active isolation and seven are past the isolation stage. On Thursday, the university announced seven student residents at the Thunder Hill residence hall had tested positive within the past 14 days. Two are recovering in active isolation, and five are past the isolation stage. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

September 18, 2020 Over the last seven days in Watauga County, 134 new COVID-19 cases have been identified, a 17-percent increase over the span of one week, according to the data provided and updated by AppHealthcare. Last week, Watauga County reported 660 total cases since the pandemic started. Today, AppHealthCare has reported 794 total cases. AppHealthCare is also monitoring 220 people for symptoms. The death count in Watauga County also increased from three to five this week according to the data. The five Watauga County residents that died were all residents at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation. They were all in their 70s and 80s and had underlying medical issues. While case counts have picked up in Watauga County, cases have started to decline in the two other area counties served by AppHealthCare. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

September 18, 2020 Avery, Mitchell and Yancey- have had 567 total cases as of this morning, (September 18). Counts of those afflicted with the disease have been tabulated and publicly released since early March 2020 when COVID-19 became a pandemic in the United States. Avery County also releases number of COVID-19 prison cases. Those figures are not included in this over-all tabulation listing. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

September 18, 2020. When an MIT researcher discovered that most facial recognition systems are less accurate with the faces of women and people of color, it brought to the forefront the issue of bias in technology that increasingly runs our society. Described by Variety as a ‘”thought-provoking wake-up call,” Coded Bias, a documentary film on the issue, will be presented in a special online screening by the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 20 and will be followed by an online taped discussion with the film’s director, Shalini Kantayya. Please note the change in start time from the previous announcement about the documentary film series. / Read more…

September 18, 2020 An attorney for a North Carolina High Country man charged with running over a Black Lives Matter supporter last weekend said his client was scared for himself and his family when he encountered marchers at a downtown Johnson City, TN intersection. Jared Benjamin Lafer, 27, of Bakersville, NC appeared in Washington County, TN General Sessions Court September 15 for arraignment on an aggravated assault charge. His attorneys, Mac Meade and Chris Rogers, asked Judge Robert Lincoln for a status hearing date to allow them time to investigate what happened last Saturday night (September 12). By Tim Gardner / Read more…

September 18, 2020  Sugar Mountain Village Tourism will be providing local fall color updates in addition to the peak color forecasts and guides from Appalachian State University Biology professor Howard Neufeld, who is better known as the “Fall Color Guy” on Facebook. Sugar Mountain is the sweet spot for the first fall colors high in the North Carolina mountains. According to the most recent update from Sept. 6 on Sugar Mountain’s website, “First overnight temperatures in the 40s are perfect to begin the color transition. Long range weather for September looks more “normal” than recent years when heat delayed and muted colors. All signs are pointing to great fall colors this year. Find very spotty color already.” By Harley Nefe / Read more…

September 18, 2020 The Lower Gorge River Access site off of Guy Ford Road in Watauga County is open to the public thanks to the collaboration of several organizations and many individual donors interested in ensuring the riverfront property become a community park. The park’s infrastructure including a parking lot, loading ramp, signage and railings were completed in August of 2020. Historically, access to the Watuaga River off of Guy Ford Road was privately owned. When a 2.3-acre riverfront property was listed for sale, enthusiastic neighbors and paddlers saw it as an opportunity. In 2016, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) purchased the property with financial support of the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and 200 individual donors. Funding for the infrastructure came from the North Carolina General Assembly, Watauga County, and the Watauga TDA. / Read more…

September 18, 2020 Appalachian State University announced Sept. 17 that it is working closely with the Appalachian District Health Department (AppHealthCare) to investigate and respond to an active cluster of confirmed COVID-19 cases associated with App State’s Thunder Hill Residence Hall. Currently, there are seven student residents of Thunder Hill who have tested positive within the past 14 days. Two are recovering in active isolation, and five are past the isolation stage. The cluster of cases was identified and confirmed by App State and AppHealthCare based on the number of cases identified within 14 days and all individuals having a common link with the residence hall. Individuals were tested at a variety of locations in the past 14 days. By Harley Nefe / Read more…

September 17, 2020 After several weeks of stable COVID-19 trends and continued low virus spread in school settings, Governor Roy Cooper today announced that beginning on October 5, North Carolina public school districts and charter schools can choose to implement Plan A for elementary schools (grades K-5). Plan A continues to include important safety measures like face coverings for all students, teachers and staff, social distancing, and symptom screening, but does not require schools to reduce the number of children in the classroom. “We are able to open this option because most North Carolinians have doubled down on our safety and prevention measures and stabilized our numbers,” said Governor Roy Cooper. / Read more…

September 17, 2020 North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced Sept. 17 that NC Public Schools would be allowed to return to in-person instruction for younger students at full capacity beginning Oct. 5. The Governor recommended that schools implement social distancing measures, but said he will not require it. Prior to the Governor’s announcement, the Watauga County Board of Education had already begun consideration of a plan that would return Watauga County students in Kindergarten through third grade to in-person instruction on the district’s Plan B 2×3 Flex Schedule beginning October 5. The school board will hold a special called meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21 to decide on a specific plan to resume in-person learning in Watauga. / Read more…

September 16, 2020. Lost Province Brewing Company, located in downtown Boone, NC, is excited to announce that they’ve teamed up with Appalachian State University. Starting Monday, September 21st, one dollar from every single pint of Bless Your Heart Blonde Ale that crosses LP’s bar will be donated to The Kathy Crutchfield Memorial Fund. These funds will then be awarded to the university in support of the Fermentation Sciences program. Lost Province’s goal is to grow and nurture this memorial fund for many years to come. In the future, students in the fermentation sciences program will be coming to Lost Province to help brew Bless Your Heart Blonde Ale, from which a portion of proceeds will be donated. / Read more…