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State Election Officials Seek Vendor Proposals for Modernization of Election-Management Systems

December 14, 2025 Boone, NC – December 14, 2025 -“I am excited to launch this RFP for the modernization of our aging election management system. This represents the next step toward delivering a more resilient and user-friendly platform for North Carolina,” said State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes. “It has been a priority of mine since day one, and I am pleased to deliver on this critical need for the citizens of our state.”

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE: Blue Ridge Energy is proposing to install telecommunications antennas & equipment on multiple poles in a geographic cluster in Blowing Rock, Watauga County, NC 28605. The deployment includes 2 replacement poles at heights ranging from 35.5 to 41-ft at the following individual locations: NE SIDE OF SHOPPES ON THE PKWY (36° 08′ 32.25″ N, 81° 40′ 11.86″  W), W SIDE OF CHESTNUT DR 560′ SW OF CONE VISTA CIR (36° 07′ 40.49″ N, 81° 40′ 37.64″ W). Public comments regarding potential effects from this project on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to: J. Simme, Terracon, 930 Harvest DR, Ste 460, Blue Bell, PA 19422, (267) 512-7039, or josef.simme@terracon.com.

Watauga County Public Library to close for Staff Training and Christmas Holiday

Provided by: The Watauga County Public Library All Watauga County Public Library locations will open at 1 PM on Thursday, December 18 to allow for morning staff training. All Watauga County Public Libraries will be closed for the Christmas holiday on the following dates: Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Friday, December 26 Thursday, January 1 All Watauga County Public Libraries will close at 5 pm on: Wednesday, December 31

CFWNC Awards Educational Grants totaling $11,894 to Avery County Schools

December 14, 2025 Boone, NC – December 14, 2025 -Six Learning Links grants will support projects at Avery County High School, Avery Middle School, Cranberry Middle School, and Freedom Trail Elementary School. The grants will fund the purchase of student pianos, percussion equipment, a Music Lab system, books, and 3D pens. They will also fund the purchase of supplies to build an outdoor classroom and a field trip to the Outer Banks for students in the fifth grade. Additionally, a $3,000 grant to Crossnore Communities for Children will provide funds for materials for capstone research projects for students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade at Williams Academy.

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Crossnore Communities for Children Invites the Community to a Weaving Demonstration and Holiday Pop-Up Shop in Avery County

December 14, 2025 Boone, NC – December 14, 2025 -“We believe every child deserves the chance to feel safe, supported, and hopeful about the future,” said Angela Bollo-Higgins, regional director of community engagement for Crossnore, who added that Crossnore is working to serve more children and families in Western North Carolina’s rural mountain counties where gaps exist in child welfare and behavioral health services.

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Blowing Rock Women’s Club Officer Installation 2026

December 14, 2025 Boone, NC – December 14, 2025 -“I am very excited to serve again as Co-President of the Club,” remarked Marilyn.  “I want to thank our Past Co-President Daryl Mathias for her amazing efforts and for leading us to the Club’s best year ever in fundraising for local student scholarships.”

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Experience Winter Wonder at Grandfather Mountain

December 8, 2025 Boone, NC – December 8, 2025 – It is important to plan ahead to make the most of your winter visit to the park – whether you choose to adventure through the brisk temperatures or would rather spend time connecting with the natural world from the comfort of Grandfather’s indoor spaces.

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 The WYN Festival of Trees is a win for all

December 7, 2025 Boone, NC – December 7, 2025 -“Our community is so special. It is because of the generosity of our local businesses and individuals that WYN is able to help so many children achieve their potential, no matter their circumstances,” Warren said.

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“A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas” Returns December 5–7, 2025

December 4, 2025 Boone, NC – December 4, 2025 -Performances are scheduled to “kick off” (pun intended) the 2025 holiday season at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, beginning with an 8 p.m. curtain on Friday, December 5, continuing with two Saturday shows at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. on December 6, and two Sunday shows at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. on December 7.

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US Attorney discovers NCDMV registered ineligible voters 

December 4, 2025 Boone, NC – December 4, 2025 – The December request also referenced concerns raised earlier this year by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, regarding instances in which NCDMV examiners inadvertently processed voter registrations for non-citizens.

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Mountainfilm on Tour Returns to Lees-McRae for High Country Film and Speaker Series 2025–26 on Feb. 21 – Discounted Tickets Available Now

December 4, 2025 One of the country’s longest-running film festivals, Mountainfilm on Tour, returns for another season of the Lees-McRae High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series, this year featuring a live music performance before the screening of the latest lineup of documentary short films. This year’s Mountainfilm on Tour event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Hayes Auditorium on the college’s North Campus. Live music will begin at 6:15 p.m. and the film screening will begin at 7 p.m. Advance online tickets are $10 for Lees-McRae students and $15 for community members. 

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Boone Junior Appalachian Musicians Announce Recital at the Appalachian Theatre

December 3, 2025 Boone, NC – December 3, 2025 -This semester’s recital features over 100 students from Boone JAM group classes, sharing the region’s deep musical traditions on guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele. The community is invited to enjoy an evening of lively, heartfelt music from the next generation of old-time and bluegrass musicians.

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New Mercy Urgent Care location in Boone now open

December 3, 2025 Boone, NC – December 3, 2025 – “With 125 years of history in Western North Carolina, Mercy’s mission has always centered around providing compassionate, affordable care,” said Rachel Sossoman, president and CEO of Mercy Urgent Care. “We’re thrilled to soon join the Boone community and do our part to eliminate barriers to care so people can get the help they need, when they need it.”

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2025 Winter Market Opening December 6!

Just in time for your holiday shopping, the King Street Market is opening for the Winter Market December 6th! Join us for our first winter market of the season, with new and returning vendors ranging from produce and meats to beautiful jewelry and crafts, unique drinks, baked goods, and more! The market will start at 10AM and be open until 1PM, but arrive early to be one of the first 20 customers to receive a free Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture produce bag! There will also be a community banner that we invite people of all ages to decorate that will be hung in the warehouse during the market season! Customers can enter at the door to the right of the Food Hub entrance, as well as through the main doors of the Agricultural Conference building. We will have live music from the lively Jones House JAM! throughout the market, featuring folk sounds. “We’re so excited to have our first market back in the indoor space this season! I’m looking forward to our different special events throughout the season,” says Blythe Ransdell, the Farmer’s Market Assistant Manager. The market is hosting several special events throughout the winter season, including a …

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Ribbon Cutting for Green Park Inn Exhibit on December 11 at Edgewood Cottage

December 3, 2025 Boone, NC – December 3, 2025 -This special exhibit tells the story of the Green Park Inn through words and photographs, tracing its journey from its grand opening in 1891—just two years after Blowing Rock became a town—through the present day. Visitors will enjoy historic photos of events and amenities, original shadow boxes from the Inn, and images of notable guests who stayed there.

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Santa Paws is Coming to Town

December 3, 2025 Boone, NC – December 3, 2025 – Admission is simple: bring a new, unopened bag or case of wet pet food, treats, or a monetary donation to the WHS Enrichment Fund. That’s your ticket to a photo with Santa.

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Lessons and Carols at St. Mary of the Hills

December 2, 2025 Boone, NC – December 2, 2025 -Unlike the secular world – in which we are surrounded by holiday music and exhortations to spend ever more money in an endless cycle of consumption beginning in mid-October – in the early church, the month before Christmas was a season of deep introspection, reflection, and patience in preparation to receive the miracle of God’s love as expressed by the birth of the Christ child.

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Appalachian State and High Country Humanities bring world languages to young learners through the “International Story Time” series in partnership with Watauga Public Library, sponsored by Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

December 2, 2025 Boone, NC – December 2, 2025 -Appalachian State University’s Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, the AppELS English Language Institute, and High Country Humanities, in collaboration with the Watauga County Public Library, is pleased to present “International Story Time,” a series of storytelling events by Appalachian State University faculty members and students during the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters, sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success.

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Brandon Walker says thank you in a tangible way for Thanksgiving

December 2, 2025 Boone, NC – December 2, 2025 -“I do this at Thanksgiving and Christmas as a show of appreciation to the town employees for their hard work and devotion,” Walker said. “Every year there are numerous examples of the employees going above and beyond, which makes our town the special place that it is.”

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Winter Weather Advisory for Watauga County until noon today

December 2, 2025 Boone, NC – December 2, 2025 -Expect freezing rain and ice accumulation around two tenths of an inch. The advisory is for portions of north central and northwest North Carolina, central, south central, southwest and west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia.

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