High Country Press

April 1, 2020 Town, county, and state governments have to work together during this scary time, as all three are responsible for their citizens taking the most precautions to limit and hopefully eliminate the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Here in Watauga County, there is a daily conference call between AppHealthCare, Watauga County Manager Deron Geouque, Boone Town Manager John Ward, Blowing Rock Town Manage Shane Fox and Seven Devils Town Manager Debbie Powers to discuss changes and additional news in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. Decisions for each town are left up to the mayor or town manager during the state of emergency. Town councils can weigh in on the issues, but there is no official vote taken on any town measures. “We are trying our best to follow the proper protocol and not make decisions that would adversely affect citizens and business owners,” said Blowing Rock Mayor Charlie Sellers. “We’re just trying to make decisions that are best suited for everyone’s health, safety, and awareness.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

April 1, 2020 An additional Watauga County resident has tested positive for COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) which brings the total positive cases of COVID-19 in Watauga County to 7 among residents of the County. This case had travel history and is recovering. The local health department staff have identified close contacts, who have been quarantined. People should stay home to the greatest extent possible, practice social distancing and prevention measures like washing your hands, covering your cough and sneeze, and staying home if you are sick. In general, following Governor Cooper’s Executive Order and the Watauga County State of Emergency is critically important during this time of limiting the spread of the virus.. / Read more…

April 1, 2020 Sen. Rick Gunn (R-Alamance) and the North Carolina Association of ABC Boards today pushed for bars and restaurants to be permitted to sell their alcohol back to ABC stores. Sen. Gunn said, “This program would help struggling bar and restaurant owners raise needed cash to withstand the economic shutdown. This is the hardest hit sector in our economy, and this is a simple step we can take now to help deliver some relief.” Miles Davis, President of the NC Association of ABC Boards, said, “During this time of crisis all North Carolinians must do what we can to help our friends and neighbors in need. As a vital part of communities across North Carolina, the North Carolina Association of ABC Boards’ Board of Directors unanimously voted today to ask all local ABC Boards implement a mixed beverage permittee buyback policy due to the hardship that mixed beverage permittees are experiencing due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the Governor’s subsequent Executive Order #118.” / Read more…

April 1, 2020 CURRENT STATS (as of 4/1 at 2:00 p.m.) 1,600+ cases / 26,000+ tests completed / 200+ hospitalizations / 10 deaths / NC has roughly 2,800 ventilators (more on the way) with 2,100 currently available. The bend at the top may be encouraging, but it’s based on only half the day’s worth of new cases. “HOW BAD WILL THIS BE IN NC?” That’s the big question. There’s a new estimate of how this is likely to go in NC and I want to share it with you – not because I’m certain it’s completely accurate, but because it’s the best effort that’s been made public and it gives us at least a sense of what we’re in for. / Read more…

April 1, 2020 It’s hard to imagine having children at home with not much to do and nowhere to go. The High Country Teddy Bear Hunt is working steadily on changing that. A group of creative moms has come together to reach out to homeowners and business owners to see if they have any interest in putting a teddy bear at their front door, in the windows or somewhere around the house for children to spot from the safety of their parent’s vehicle. Ashoff, who has three sons of her own, says that her own children were part of her inspiration to start this bear hunt in the High Country. “We have heard of this happening in other places. My sister’s town did it so I thought it would be a fun thing to do in the High Country,” Ashoff said. “I talked to some mom friends and everybody got on board, so we started a Facebook page and I’m hoping it will catch on and more people will get involved.” Several homeowners have already gotten their teddy bears out and two local businesses, Krispy Kreme and Arby’s, both had their teddy bears up in the window on Wednesday. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 31, 2020 The Census happens once every decade with the mission of counting every person living in the United States once, only once and in the right place. The 2020 Census is a huge opportunity for North Carolina, especially because North Carolina’s population has increased by 10 percent since 2010. North Carolina is now the ninth most populated state, the fifth fastest growing state by numeric growth and the 10th fastest growing state by percent. To add to the already existing challenges of counting communities, the 2020 Census operation started for North Carolina amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Coronavirus is disrupting most of NC Counts Coalition’s education and outreach program for the Census,” said Stacey Carless, Executive Director of NC Counts Coalition. “Our programs are based on data, touches and relationships. It is about using data to determine where to target outreach, and then going into the communities highlighted by the data to build relationships with community members and educate and engage them for 2020 Census participation. Our organization and our partners are having to pivot and utilize other tactics, such as online and digital outreach and phone banks.” / Read more…

April 1, 2020. A look at the recent deed transfers in Watauga County. The information comes courtesy of the Watauga County Register of Deeds. / Read more…

April 1, 2020 Beech Mountain residents were greeted with a nice wintry landscape to open the month of April. Snow fell across Beech Mountain overnight as temperatures dropped below freezing and yesterday’s rainfall quickly turned to snow. According to Fred Pfohl, owner of Fred’s General Mercantile, Beech Mountain got about an inch of snow overnight and saw some snowflakes falling yesterday as well. “The town started using salt on paved streets within the town. The roads seem fine,” Pfohl said. Those driving to or from Beech Mountain should be cautious just in case there are some slick spots left on the roads as temperatures will not warm up until later this afternoon. If you are out and about, drop in at Fred’s General Mercantile and say hello as they are staying open and trying to make it through the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

April 1, 2020. April 1 has long been considered April Fool’s Day, a fun day to play innocent tricks on family and friends. I feel quite sure, and hope it’s the case, anyway, that these shenanigans will still take place today — probably on overload! We have to do our best to try to maintain a normalcy (or even better!) within our homes, as difficult as it might seem. April 1 also signals the beginning of a special month to celebrate children, and that’s also something we need to do as much as possible — every day! Those precious “littles’ can’t help what’s happening all around them. They rely on us adults for the reassurance and security they need to get through these uncertain times. We need to try hard not to feed into their fears. While being as honest and open as we can be with them, let’s try to alleviate added stress in their little lives. Sadly, those special events and observances that are usually scheduled in April for “Month of the Young Child” are on hold, as most everything is for all of us. But, let’s not miss the opportunity to make this as pleasant for our children and grandchildren as we can. As part of the month-long focus, April is also Child Abuse Prevention Month. Try to keep the disagreements at a minimum, overlook some of those pesky habits of your family members that usually drive you up a wall. Look for the good in each other. We can usually discover that for which we are searching! By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

April 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

April 1, 2020 The third Friday of each March is known as Match Day in the medical school community. Match Day culminates a long process which “matches” soon to be medical school graduates with programs offering residency training. This year, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) was a part of Match Day as they prepare to welcome the inaugural class of medical residents to the new Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program that begins in June. Molly Benedum, M.D., Director of the Boone Rural Family Medicine Residency Program commented: “We are enormously excited to welcome the first class of residents whom we are especially pleased are all from North Carolina. Their interest in our program indicates their strong commitment to spending their careers meeting the primary healthcare needs of communities across the state. We look forward to what they will accomplish in the years to come and to welcoming them to the High Country this summer.” / Read more…

April 1, 2020 Effective April 1, the Hospitality House Food Pantry hours will shift to 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. daily. This change temporarily eliminates the morning hours and adds an additional hour to the afternoon. The Hospitality House Food Pantry will continue to operate as the only local food pantry providing food boxes seven days a week. Hospitality House executive director Tina B. Krause states,” As we continue to balance the needs of High Country families, students and individuals facing homelessness and food insecurity with the reality of operating a 24-hour-a-day agency during a pandemic, we needed to make these adjustments.” Regarding COVID-19, Krause remains in consistent communication with AppHealthCare and the agency continues to follow the county-wide protocols put in place by them. Hospitality House continues to follow the lead and directives of AppHealthCare and Governor Roy Cooper as they come. It is important to note that no one staying at Hospitality House has tested positive for COVID-19. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 Additional positive cases of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) have been identified for Watauga County.  A Watauga County resident has tested positive for COVID-19 which brings the total positive cases of COVID-19 in Watauga County to 6. This case had travel history and contact investigation is underway. In addition to the sixth Watauga resident, there is an additional case of a person whose primary residence is outside the area that has been identified, which is currently in isolation in Watauga County. Public health staff have identified the close contacts, who have been in quarantine. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market, powered by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, returns to Boone this Saturday, April 4th after several weeks due to COVID-19. Operating from 9-12 PM, Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market offers fresh, healthy food for the High Country community. “Farmers’ markets are essential ways for our community to access local food. After several weeks of working with our partners across our region, the Town of Boone, and the Watauga County Farmers’ Market, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture developed new protocols that will ensure that farmers, consumers, and our community are supported during this pandemic,” says Dave Walker, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture’s Development Director. Boone’s Winter Farmers’ Market — in an outdoor setting — will look different from the typical Winter Farmers’ Market, but it will still have flavorful and nutrient-dense local foods available. / Read more…

March 31, 2020. The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 Thank you for your service and support of the Bread of Life Community Kitchen at Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina. We care deeply about your safety, always, but most especially during these unprecedented times. Executive Director Tina B. Krause is in consistent communication with AppHealthCare and we are following the county-wide protocols put in place by them. We continue to follow the lead and directives of AppHealthCare and Governor Roy Cooper as they come. It is important to note that no one here has tested positive for COVID-19. As you know, we operate 24 hours a day, serving three meals a day, and do not have the luxury of closing. We rely on you and still need your help. We still need food.. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 Letters to the Editor. By Phillip Barrier, Jr. – Avery County Manager / To our valuable Avery County Resort Communities: Avery County Government takes great pride in providing the best governmental services to all its citizens. However, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a threat to the Health and Safety of our citizens. This week we watched North Carolina’s infected numbers go from 123 to 636 and all bordering counties now report cases. At this time, Avery County Government, Emergency Management, the Avery County Health Department, and Cannon Hospital suggest that it may be in the best interest of our part-time residents to stay at their current permanent residence so that the resources in the County are not strained. It is not required, but we hope that the part-time residents who need to come to their homes self-quarantine for a period of fourteen (14) days. Read more…

March 31, 2020 Watauga County, along with the Towns of Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, and Seven Devils are continuing to urge protection of public health through all practical means possible. Effective March 31, 2020, at 5:00p.m., all residents and non residents of Watauga County arriving for overnight stays are ordered, while present in the County, to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days or until 7 days after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer, if arrival was preceded by overnights outside the County.  The only exceptions to this provision are the commuting “essential” workforce and emergent response as coordinated through the Watauga County Emergency Services Director, AppHealthCare Director, and/or Sheriff and their designees. Short term rentals have been suspended with some limited exceptions for specifically reducing the spread of the virus. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 Letters to the Editor. BY JOSEPHINE BEALL / Dear Editor, I was at Food Lion in Blowing Rock on Sunday March 29 and parked beside a car, where  three young people, in their twenties, were talking.  As I got out of my car I heard them laughing and mocking people that are so scared of a cough or a sneeze. They were having a good time mimicking them and were very dramatic about it, with much hilarity. I said to them “when you get to be my age, that is not funny anymore.” I should have said, that is not funny at ANY age. They gave quick apologies and we all proceeded to go into the store.  Read more…

March 31, 2020 The Watauga Center of Daymark Recovery Services is open for business. Daymark is using Doxy.me, a confidential video conferencing platform, to provide telehealth services. This is available for anyone with a smart phone or laptop computer and internet access. The doctor or therapist will send a text message or email with a link to click on to connect. There is no need to download anything onto the client’s computer or phone. Current clients are being contacted by staff about moving in-person therapy appointments to Doxy.me. Clients needing injections or urine drug screens can come into the office as scheduled. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 As North Carolinians work to stay healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers are looking to take advantage of their fears. Our office has received information from federal partners about robocalls and text message scams offering bogus miracle cures, free at-home test kits, updates from government authorities, and home cleaning that scammers claim will reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. Some robocallers may also be offering help obtaining stimulus checks from the federal government. Scammers are working to take advantage of people’s fears to steal their money and personal information. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to pose a looming threat to the health and safety of the people of Avery County. Avery County Government continues to be proactive. In order to provide accurate information to Avery County Citizens who have questions about Avery County’s and the State of North Carolina’s response to COVID-19 including the Executive Stay at Home Order, the Short-Term Rental Suspension, and Avery County State of Emergency, a county call-center has been set up Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The call center number is 828-373-0091. / Read more…

March 31, 2020 On March 31, 2020, during a special meeting of the Board of Governors, UNC System President Bill Roper announced that UNC System institutions will continue to be online through summer 2020. This means we will continue our online and alternative course delivery methods through the remainder of this semester and for both Summer I and Summer II sessions. Deans have already begun working with department chairs and faculty to determine which classes will be offered this summer. We are working to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, students will have access to classes they need to stay on track for their planned graduation dates. / Read more…

March 30, 2020 Effective March 31, 2020, at 5:00p.m., all residents and non-residents of Watauga County arriving for overnight stays are ordered, while present in the County, to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days or 7 days after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer, if arrival was preceded by overnights outside the County. The only exceptions to this provision are the commuting “essential” workforce and emergent response as coordinated through the Watauga County Emergency Services Director, AppHealthCare Director, and/or Sheriff and their designees / Read more…

March 30, 2020 The next time you venture out to the grocery store, you will likely notice a little more space between you and the cashier. That’s because some local grocery stores are working to install sneeze guards to protect their workers. The transparent plexiglass partitions are designed to create more distance between cashiers and the multitude of customers coming through their lines these days. Locally, Food Lion and Harris Teeter have already installed their new plexiglass partitions. The Salisbury, NC-based grocery chain Food Lion announced on Friday afternoon that all stores install plexiglass safety guards at customer checkout areas as a social distancing measure to protect store employees and customers from the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. According to a press release from Food Lion, all stores should have the plexiglass in place this week. Stores in Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Jefferson have already had theirs installed.  / Read more…

March 30, 2020 At 5 p.m. today, Governor Roy Cooper’s stay at home order will go into effect as another measure being used to combat the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The order will close non-essential businesses and limit social gatherings to 10 people or less. This order will remain in effect for 30 days. Gov. Cooper’s order does not change how people can travel. According to information provided from the governor’s office, while people are asked to keep driving to a minimum and stay home, vehicles will not be stopped by law enforcement for just being on the road. People can still drive to work without any special notes or paperwork. People can still go to grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, doctor’s offices or anywhere that will remain open as being deemed an “essential business.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 30, 2020 You might not know Floyd “Dipper” Garrison personally, but almost everybody in Boone knows who he is. For the last 25 years, Dipper has been standing on the corner of Highway 321 and Highway 105 at the busiest intersection in Boone with his “Jesus Loves You” sign each Saturday. Dipper says he has gotten a lot of reactions over the years, both positive and negative. However, with the current COVID-19 virus impacting travel and local, state and federal governments imploring people to stay home, even he is a little surprised at the major decrease in traffic in Boone. “I was just thinking I haven’t seen it this slow since a blizzard we had one time,” Dipper says. Less traffic was not the only thing Dipper noticed from his sidewalk pulpit. “I never thought I would look over there at that gas station and see gas at $1.91. That tells you something right here,” Dipper said as he looked across the intersection to the Exxon gas station on Saturday afternoon. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 30, 2020 This past weekend brought lots of sunshine and warm temperatures to the High Country, including new record highs and near-record highs. Boone had the warmest March 28 on record with a high of 80.5 degrees at 4:57 p.m. That record also tied the all-time record for the month, set previously on March 25, 1929, according to data provided by Ray’s Weather Center. Beech Mountain broke its record high for the month of March by five degrees. The previous record of 71 degrees was set on March 31, 1998. On Saturday, Beech Mountain recorded a high temperature of 76.8 degrees at 3:55 p.m. In Newland, they just missed a record high temperature by about three degrees. Saturday’s high was 82.2 degrees at 1:53 p.m. The record for Newland is 85 degrees. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

March 30, 2020 Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye announced on Wednesday, March 18, that the Sheriff’s Department will assist with delivering groceries, prescriptions and other items in the county during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Their positive effort for the community led to WBTV putting together a story on what Sheriff Frye and his department are doing to help those in need throughout Avery County. In a previous High Country Press story, Sheriff Frye announced that the service began on March 19 and has helped the elderly and those with immune system problems be able to get food and medication without having to get out of the house. / Read more…

March 30, 2020 “All state and local law enforcement agencies are tasked with enforcing Governor Cooper’s executive order which is reflected in the Watauga County State of Emergency declaration that limits mass gatherings to 10 or fewer people effective Monday, March 30. In the meantime, we know that the current order bans gatherings of 50 people or more, and we expect the community to comply with that and the new order reducing gatherings even further along with the stay at home order effective March 30th.While our goal is to have voluntary compliance as we encourage more people to stay at home and practice social distancing, we want to make certain that people are aware that violating this order may result in a Class 2 misdemeanor. / Read more…

March 30, 2020 With the first week after our “return” from extended Spring Break behind us, I would like to provide you an update from campus. Yesterday, I met with Appalachian’s Board of Trustees via teleconference and shared with them how the Appalachian Community is responding to COVID-19. You can read my full remarks here. I shared with them that we are simultaneously planning for every conceivable scenario, responding to each new circumstance, and learning to anticipate every eventuality as the ground continues to shift beneath our feet. We saw our first confirmed case of COVID-19 in an off-campus, App State student, which we shared with campus earlier today. I am pleased to share that the student who was diagnosed with the virus is now symptom-free. We shared with campus that the student has not been on campus since March 4, and has been self-quarantined since returning to the United States from overseas travel. Students who are concerned about symptoms should call Student Health Services at 828-262-3100 and ask to speak with a nurse / Read more…

March 30, 2020 By order of Governor Roy Cooper, Watauga County Schools will remain closed for students until at least May 15. Gov. Cooper’s announcement of a 30 day stay at home order means that the already limited operations of the school system will continue during this time. “We are focusing on three priorities right now,” Watauga County Schools Superintendent Scott Elliott stated. “We are working to protect the health and safety of our employees, continuing to provide educational resources and remote learning for our students, and continuing to provide free meals to all children in the community.” Elliott stated that after consultation with AppHealthCare director Jennifer Greene and Watauga County Director of Emergency Management Will Holt, the school system will continue to operate with limited staff members and will remain closed to the public. / Read more…

March 30, 2020 Watauga County, in conjunction with the Towns of Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone and Seven Devils, will be closing all playgrounds, courts, and picnic shelters, effective Monday, March 30th at 12:00pm until further notice. This is a preventive measure to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and lessen its impact on our community. As this situation evolves rapidly, Watauga County and partner municipalities will continue monitoring usage of recreation facilities to determine if further action is warranted for social distancing. The County is taking precautions to ensure the health and safety of its residents during this rapidly changing situation. This closure also applies to school playgrounds. Childcare facilities will still operate as they are exempt from this closure. / Read more…

March 29, 2020 In North Carolina the number of people who are confirmed to have coronavirus was reported by NC DHHS this morning at 935; however, additional cases have been reported this afternoon to push the total over 1000. Currently, 87 people are hospitalized with coronavirus. Sadly, 4 North Carolinians have died from coronavirus. Four North Carolinians have died from coronavirus. Five Watauga County residents have tested positive for coronavirus. Today, Appalachian State announced that the fifth individual was an App State student who is a resident of Watauga County. To date, all individuals who tested positive had a travel history or contracted the virus from a person known to have the virus. Ashe County has no reported cases of coronavirus. / Read more…

March 28, 2020 This morning, Appalachian District Health Department (AppHealthCare) informed Appalachian State University leadership that the 5th positive case of case of COVID-19 they announced to the community yesterday was an App State student who is a resident of Watauga County and lives off campus. The student who was diagnosed with the virus is symptom-free, has not been on campus since March 4, and has been self-quarantined since returning to the United States from overseas travel, per guidelines established by the State of North Carolina and the Centers for Disease Control. While yesterday’s notification was not in accordance with our standard notification process regarding communicable disease, which is to coordinate on one, joint notification to campus and community, there is no immediate public health risk to the university community related to this case.. / Read more…