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Burnop Sworn in as Avery County Board of Education Member

March 15, 2023 Michelle Krege Burnop was sworn in as the newest Avery County Board of Education member during the Board’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, March 12 at the School System’s Central Office in Newland. Besides Burnop, all other Board members were present at the meeting–Chairman John Greene, Vice-Chairwoman Kathey Aldridge, Pat Edwards, and Randy Singleton—as well as Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Brigman.  By Tim Gardner

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2024 Avery Primary Election Results… Burnop, Webb, and Wright Claim School Board Seats; Incumbents Aldridge and Phillips Join Benfield in Winning County Commission Republican Primary

March 6, 2024 Three first-time candidates for county offices and two incumbents won in their respective races to highlight Tuesday’s Primary Election in Avery County. In the Republican County Commissioners race, incumbent Dennis Aldridge received the highest number of votes with 1,860.  His fellow-incumbent, Tim Phillips, finished second with 1,841 votes. Junior Benfield finished third with 1,661 votes. Jason Grindstaff was fourth with 1,396 votes. Former county commissioner Bill Beuttell finished fifth with 1,387 votes and Josh Aldridge was sixth with 792 votes. By Tim Gardner

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Avery Board of Commissioners Approve Paying for Architectural Plans for Proposed Parks and Recreation Center 


March 6, 2024 For the highlight of their regular monthly meeting on March 4, the Avery County Commissioners approved paying an estimated $101,350.00 to an architectural company to develop plans for a new Parks and Recreation Center for the County. All commissioners—Chairman Tim Phillips, Vice-Chairman Dennis Aldridge, Martha Hicks, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr., and Robert Burleson—were present for the meeting. County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr., Assistant County Manager and Clerk to the Board Cindy Turbyfill, County Finance Officer Caleb Hogan, and County Attorney Michaelle Poore were also in attendance. The commissioners adopted a resolution in favor of paying the CPL Architecture-Engineering-Planning Company of Charlotte, North Carolina —for its architectural services for the proposed parks and recreation center by a 3 to 2 vote. By Tim Gardner

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Superior Civil Court Lawsuit By Former Director of 911 Emergency Communications Against County of Avery Scheduled for March 25

March 6, 2024 A trail for a lawsuit filed by a former employee against the County of Avery is set to begin on March 25 in Avery County Superior Civil Court. James (Jamey) Johnson, a former Avery County Communications Department-911 Emergency Call Center Director filed the lawsuit, claiming Wrongful Discharge and a State of North Carolina Constitution Violation after being fired from the post by county officials. By Tim Gardner

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Avery County Resident Tommy Burleson’s 1974 National Collegiate Championship Basketball Team Honored by North Carolina State University

February 29, 2024 North Carolina State University’s 1974 National Collegiate Basketball Championship team on which High Country and Avery County native Tommy Burleson starred was honored during a 50th Anniversary reunion ceremony hosted by the school last weekend. The official highlight of that reunion was when the university celebrated that historic team throughout its game versus Atlantic Coast Conference rival Boston College last Saturday, February 24 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, particularly when the 1974 team members still living were introduced to the crowd of 14,642 at halftime. By Tim Gardner

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Avery Compiles Runner-Up Finish at 2024 1-A Individual/Over-All State Team Wrestling Championship; Crowns Four Individual Champions 


February 21, 2024 Avery County High added major team and individual accomplishments this season to further solidify its standing as one of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s most consistently dominant wrestling programs on all levels of classification.  And Avery has been its top 1-A dynasty since championships have been held in each of its four classifications for its Individual/Over-All Team State Tournament the past fifteen years (starting in 2010). From 1931 until 1987, one over-all state championship team from all levels of competition was crowned from the Individual/Over-All Team Tournament.  Then, from 1987 until 2010, 4-A, 3-A, and 2-A/1-A championship Individual/Over-All Team State Tournaments were held. By Tim Gardner

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On Feb, 18th Avery County Sheriff’s Office Responded to Residence with Female Critically Injured and Male Subject Deceased Outside

February 19, 2024 On Sunday 18 February 2024, Avery County 911 Center received a call in reference to a 58 year old female unconscious and breathing at 128 Peregrine Lane, Newland NC. Avery County Medics responded to the residence and located a female critically injured inside the residence and a male subject deceased outside the residence. Avery County Sheriff’s Office was notified and responded to the scene. The investigation is in the preliminary stages and is ongoing. This incident is believed to be isolated and poses no threat to the community. When the investigation is completed, we will provide an update of our findings. 

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Avery County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Dan Brigman, Contract Is Renewed


February 15, 2024 The Avery County Board of Education renewed the contract of Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Brigman during its regular monthly meeting on Monday night, February 12. All Board members were present at the meeting–Chairman John Greene, Vice-Chairwoman Kathey Aldridge, Pat Edwards, and Randy Singleton.  The contract renewal was approved by a 3 to 1 vote. Greene, Aldridge, and Edwards vote in favor of renewing the contract. Singleton voted against. Dr. Brigman became Avery County’s superintendent during the 2019-2020 school year. His contract renewal will be for four additional years, and more precisely, approximately three years and five months since it is retroactive back to July 1, 2023

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Avery Board of Commissioners Approve Six-Cents Room Occupancy Tax to Highlight its February Meeting

February 7, 2024 During its regular monthly meeting on February 5, the Avery Board of Commissioners approved levying a Room Occupancy Tax of up to six cents.All commissioners—Chairman Tim Phillips, Vice-Chairman Dennis Aldridge, Martha Hicks, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr., and Robert Burleson—were present for the meeting. County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr., Assistant County Manager and Clerk to the Board Cindy Turbyfill, County Finance Officer Caleb Hogan, and County Attorney Michaelle Poore were also in attendance.

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Avery Falls to Uwharrie Charter in 2024 North Carolina High School Dual Team Wrestling State Championship; Will Still Compete for Individual, Over-All State Team Title

February 7, 2024 The North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s (NCHSAA) Dual Team Wrestling Playoffs were held January 26 through February 3 at various sites and concluded on Saturday in the Novant Health Field House at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.Uwharrie Charter claimed its second consecutive Dual Team State Championship with a 36-33 win against Avery County.  The schools have met in the last four dual team finals.  Avery won the first two (2020 and 2022) during that span. No tournament was held in 2021 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

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Conversation with Avery County Business Personal Property Tax Manager Shelia Thomas


February 6, 2024 Those who know Shelia Thomas and others with whom she comes in contact are impressed with her kindness, compassion for others, and easy-going demeanor.  And as one of the Avery County’s longest-tenured public servants in a local government role, Thomas is noted for her dedication, professionalism, and expertise in the various functions in her job without desire for any special recognition or commendation of such. However, with her pending retirement this year, Thomas is featured in the below questions and answers segment, followed by comments from several of her fellow-tax office employees about her. Those personify that among the highest tributes anyone can receive are those given by peers.

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Lees-McRae Wins Inaugural Developmental Women’s Basketball Championship

February 6, 2024  The inaugural Conference Carolinas Developmental Women’s Basketball Championship was held on Monday, Feb. 5 in Belmont, North Carolina inside the Wheeler Center on the campus of Belmont Abbey. Lees-McRae went 2-0 on the day to claim the title. The Bobcats began the afternoon with a 54-50 victory over the host Crusaders. Barton then defeated Erskine 96-38 and the Crusaders took third with a consolation game win over Erksine, 53-23.

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Banner Elk Presbyterian Church Invites All to Lent & Easter Services

February 5, 2024  Worship services throughout this year’s season of Lent and Easter Sunday at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church will include special community gatherings for Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The season of Lent is a time of prayer and self-examination in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord at Easter. “Lent is a time to re-connect with our faith,” says Rev. Whit Malone, Pastor. “Some people give up damaging behaviors to draw closer to God. Others add new practices including service in the community.”

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Benefit Meal and Concert for Heart Disease Patient Mercy Benfield to be held Saturday, February 3

January 30, 2024 A benefit to support and help Avery County Baby Mercy Benfield win her battle against congenital heart disease will be held Saturday, February 3 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Crossnore First Baptist Church Family Center, located at 220 East Crossnore Drive (just a half mile off U.S. Highway 221) in the Crossnore Township of Avery County.  Everyone is welcome to attend. By Tim Gardner

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High Country Real Estate: 2023 Stats

January 25, 2024 The final word on 2023. Today we’re looking at the final numbers for 2023 for High Country Real Estate (Allegheny, Ashe, Avery & Watauga counties). All data, as usual, comes from the High Country Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service. There were a total of 2051 residential sales in 2023. That’s an average of 170.9 sales per month. Of course, if you’ve been following Real Estate in the High Country, you know some months it was well into the 200s and some months well below the 170 mark.   By Andrew Plyler, REALTOR

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Man Arrested After Disrupting the Avery County Board of Commissioners Meeting on January 16


January 19, 2024 A male was arrested after disrupting the Avery County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, January 16, at the start of its public comment segment. The male, William Barthel, age 30, of Spruce Pine, had a banner with him at the back of the Commissioner’s Board Room in the County Administration Building in Newland that contained a vulgarity. As moderator of the meeting, Board Chairman Tim Phillips asked Barthel to remove the banner.  He refused and Phillips then asked the two Avery County sheriff’s deputies present to remove Barthel from the meeting for disruption of it. After a brief scuffle with sheriff’s deputies in the Board room, Barthel was removed by them to the adjoining hallway.

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Avery Fire Commission Secures Grant to Purchase Smoke Alarms for County Citizens

January 18, 2024 The Avery County Fire Commission recently received grant funding from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina in the amount of $7,000.00. The Fire Commission used the funding to purchase 270 sealed battery ionization smoke alarms for distribution to homes throughout Avery County that needed them. The smoke alarm units were provided to volunteer fire departments in the County and made available at its various fire stations. Firefighters from these fire departments helped install the units when requested and are still available to provide future installations.

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County Manager Declares Total Numbers Exemplify Superlative Service Provided to Avery’s Citizens and Visitors


January 112, 2024 Avery County Government’s “By The Numbers” service from the most recent yearly reporting period have been released.  They are the total numbers from county agencies of their respective services provided during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Avery County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr. said the numbers aptly and accurately reflect the county’s “commitment to its citizens to ensure continued excellent service and a high quality of life to them as well as provide quality, needed services to our visitors.”

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Region’s Oldest Known Resident, Joda Ollis, Dies at the Age of 108

December 28, 2023 The area’s oldest known resident and native of Avery County, Joda Ollis, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the age of 108. According to her family, she was actually 108 years, 8 months, and 8 days of age when she took her final breath, leaving a legacy that will long be remembered. By Sherrie Norris

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Missing Avery County Man Found Dead in Vehicle Submerged in Elk River

December 27, 2023 The body of an Avery County man missing since last Saturday has been found. On Tuesday at approximately 9:30 a.m. a call was received by the Avery County 911 Emergency Communications Center in reference to a vehicle in Elk River, off North Carolina Highway 194 near Sam Eller Road between the Heaton Community and the Town of Banner Elk. Avery County Sheriff Mike Henley stated that deputies arrived on the scene along with fire, rescue, and ambulance personnel and observed a silver passenger car in the river that was partially submerged in water. They also discovered one white male occupant inside the vehicle and that he was unresponsive.  By Tim Gardner

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Final MANNA FoodBank Community Market to be held in Newland on Thursday, December 14

December 13, 2023 After five years of operation, the MANNA FoodBank will host its last Community Market in Avery County on Thursday, December 14 at the Old Rock School Gymnasium in Newland.  The gymnasium is located at 185 Shady Street and is adjacent to Newland Elementary School. Anyone or any family struggling financially to afford groceries is not only welcome, but encouraged to go there then to receive a variety of free grocery staples, fresh produce, and perishable items from the MANNA FoodBank.The Community Market will open at 11:30 a.m. and will remain so until its food items run out.  It has touch free and drive-through pick up service. By Tim Gardner

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WYN Festival of Trees raises $112,000 and spreads holiday cheer

December 12, 2023 BOONE — The ninth annual WYN Festival of Trees lit up the High Country beginning in mid-November, with brightly decorated Christmas trees and wreaths displayed in retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, dealerships and businesses across Watauga, Avery and Ashe Counties.   By Jan Todd

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Tim Phillips Elected as Avery County Board of Commissioners Chairman

December 5, 2023 The Avery County Commissioners elected Tim Phillips as the Board’s Chairman during their December 4 regular monthly meeting.Phillips and three of his fellow-commissioners–Dennis Aldridge, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr., and Robert Burleson–were present for the meeting.  Commissioner Martha Hicks was absent due to illness.  County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr., Assistant County Manager and Clerk to the Board Cindy Turbyfill, County Finance Officer Caleb Hogan, and County Attorney Michaelle Poore were also in attendance. Aldridge nominated Phillips to serve as Board Chairman. Young, Jr., Aldridge, and Burleson voted for Phillips to fill the post.  Phillips also voted for himself, making it a unanimous approval (4-0 of members present). There were no other nominations for the position. By Tim Gardner

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