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Boonerang Kick-Off Event to Feature “Boone’s Got Talent” Show at Appalachian Theatre June 13

March 13, 2024 “There is something in the water.” This phrase has been recycled many times to describe the unusual amount of talented individuals who live in the High Country. Another tongue-in-cheek comment frequently heard boasts, “You can’t throw a rock without hitting a banjo player.” Whether musical, athletic, theatrical, artistic, or simply astonishing, the Boone area abounds with talent, and this year Boonerang Music & Arts Festival kicks off the 2024 festival with an event to showcase some of the area’s best. In collaboration with the Appalachian Theatre and Mountain Home Music, the official Thursday night kick-off event for the 2024 festival will feature the inaugural Boone’s Got Talent showcase at the Appalachian Theatre on June 13.

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Downtown Boone Hellbender Call for Submissions for Mural Project Slated for Downtown Boone

March 13, 2024 The Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), in partnership with the Centers for Biological Diversity and the Watauga Arts Council is excited to announce a very important mural project slated for downtown Boone. A call is being put out to local and regional artists who have an interest in joining in the celebration of the Hellbender Salamander, a local endangered species. Artist are being asked to collaborate with representatives from the Center for Biological Diversity, as well as the DBDA to illustrate the hellbender and its habitat in our region. The mural will be installed at 140 S. Depot Street.

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N.S.G.: Celebrating Black music by Black artists in Boone

March 8, 2024 “A Night of Black Music: Iconic Black Artists Covered by Local Black Musicians” are the words I saw on a digital flyer my girlfriend sent me, and instantly, I knew I desired to be there. In the year and a half that I have lived in Boone, I’ve never seen a Black band or live music being played. So, as a Black woman, to have the opportunity of hearing live Black music being played, and more moving, to capture it, was something I could not allow my soul to pass up!  By Shantaja Brown

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Watauga Parks and Recreation Center Hosting Health Fair Friday, March 1 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m

February 26, 2024 It’s all about health and fitness every day at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Center in Boone, but the folks there are taking it all one step further on Friday, March 1. Partnering with about three dozen area agencies and healthcare organizations, the Rec Center is hosting the High Country Health Fair from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on location at 231 Complex Drive in Boone. According to Laura Hawley and Janie Prewitt, volunteer coordinators who have been working closely on this project with Parks and Rec Director, Keron Poteat, the fair promises to be “a unique healthcare event.” By Sherrie Norris

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Community Support Needed For Boone Woman Volunteering in African Children’s Home

February 26, 2024 McKenna Gragg of Boone is known for her love for children and making sure they receive the best of care in any situation. Since a child herself, Gragg has had a heart for serving others and at no time has that been more evident than in her recent decision to leave Boone for an ultimate childcare experience. “I am planning to go to Johannesburg, South Africa in July to spend a few months volunteering at Door of Hope children’s home,” Gragg shared recently with High Country Press. Door of Hope, she explained, is a Christian nonprofit organization that has been open for nearly a quarter of a century and has saved over 1500 infants from abandonment. By Sherrie Norris

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Town of Boone Notification of Discharge of Untreated Wastewater on February 16, 2024

February 19, 2024 North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1C requires that the owner or operator of any wastewater collection or treatment works to issue a press release when an untreated wastewater discharge of 1,000 gallons or more reaches surface waters. In accordance with that regulation. The following news release has been prepared and issued to media in the affected county. The Town of Boone had a discharge of untreated wastewater on February 16, 2024 of an estimated 7,000 gallons located in the area of 346 Howard Street. The discharge started at 2:00 p.m. and continued until 9 p.m.. The untreated wastewater was discharged into the Boone Creek in the New River River Basin.

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Nominations Being Accepted for the Second Annual Town of Boone 1872 Award

February 15, 2024 Nominations for the second annual Town of Boone 1872 Award are currently being accepted. The Town of Boone 1872 Award was created as a way to recognize people and organizations who have made significant contributions to the town in a manner different from a proclamation. The Town of 1872 Award honors living individuals and active organizations for their substantial contributions to the town. Any individual or organization that has made a significant impact on Boone is eligible to be nominated regardless of their place of residence.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Releases Its Final Economic Indicators Report for 2023

February 1, 2024  As the first month of 2024 nears its conclusion, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce released its Q4 Economic Indicators Report for 2023. This redesigned quarterly report examines five key statistics within the Watauga County & High Country Economy, featuring a summary of local impacts by Dr. Harry Davis, Appalachian State and North Carolina Bankers Association Professor and long-standing regional economist. The report also includes quick stats and commentary on local commercial real estate activity provided by James Milner, CCIM, Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and a summary of the residential real estate market supplied by Stacie Pineda, Stacie Pineda Real Estate Group.

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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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February’s Agenda Item Submission Deadline and Solicitation for Boards for the Town of Boone

January 18, 2024 If anyone wishes to have an agenda item considered by the Boone Town Council at one of their upcoming regular meetings, scheduled for Wednesday, February 14 at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., it must be submitted to the Town Clerk by Friday, February 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. The Town of Boone is also currently soliciting applications from people who would like to serve on the following boards: See Story

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Music Lineup Announced for Third Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival on June 14 & 15

January 10, 2024 The Nude Party and Melissa Reaves anchor the 2024 lineup for the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, taking place Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15. The third annual street festival and community homecoming features performances on multiple stages throughout downtown Boone. Presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners, the multi-day event features performances and activities at many downtown locations, an arts and crafts market, silent disco, international festival, dance stage, and kids’ activities

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High Country Real Estate: Permit Me to Speak to You About Permits

December 28, 2023 Well, Christmas 2023 is in the books and New Year 2024 is rolling towards us at a pretty fast pace. It’s hard to believe it’s all coming around again. Once the holiday season is completely over, you may be looking for your next project; if the project you settle on happens to be finishing an unfinished basement let’s talk about the importance of permits… Many people think that finishing unfinished space in their homes by doing everything themselves and avoiding getting permits is a faster, smarter, cheaper way to get the job done. While it might be faster, it is seldom smarter, and in the long run, often ends up costing more than taking the necessary steps to pull the permits. Not to mention it is technically illegal to finish an unfinished basement (or other space) without the proper permits from the local government.  By Michelle Hammond, REALTOR

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A Collaboration Between Blue Ridge Conservancy and the Watauga Arts Council Brings Art to the Middle Fork Greenway

December 14, 2023 Blue Ridge Conservancy and the Watauga Arts Council are working to bring public art to the Middle Fork Greenway. This week, Zach Smith-Johnson and Fred Mead’s “Home” sculpture was installed at the 321 Trailhead, joining Cindy Michaud’s mosaic posts at Sterling Creek Park. Funding for the projects came from the Conservation Fund, a grant administered by the Appalachian Regional Commission in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts.“The Middle Fork Greenway is a linear park, like a green ribbon connecting Blowing Rock and Boone, and it is so much more,” says BRC Communications Director and WAC Board Member Leila Jackson. “Weaving art into the fabric of this ribbon creates a deeper tie to our high country community, environment, and cultural resources. Greenway art creates a signature of the place while connecting people to the natural surroundings.”

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“hope & joy” – 2023 Holiday Honor Card Now Available

December 8, 2023 BOONE, N.C. December 08, 2023: Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina, the nonprofit housing agency that serves as the point of entry for all homeless services in Ashe, Avery, Wilkes, Watauga, Alleghany, Mitchell, and Yancey counties, is once again offering a Holiday Honor Card this season.Since 2009, Hospitality House of Northwest N.C. has presented a Holiday Honor Card each year as a meaningful way for individuals to recognize friends, neighbors, family members, colleagues, and loved ones while at the same time giving a meaningful gift to someone in need. In 2022, as the year came to a close, the agency found themselves moving into a new era of the Honor Card. 

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Boone Police Department Citizens Police Academy

December 6, 2023 Are you interested in learning more about law enforcement to include patrol officer functions, criminal investigations, K9 operations, community policing, or just want to become more familiar with the Boone Police Department in general?  Now is your opportunity!The Boone Police Department is now accepting applications for the Spring 2024 session of the Citizens Police Academy (CPA). Class meetings are held at the Boone Police Department each Thursday from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The CPA will begin on February 1st, 2024, and will conclude on March 21st, 2024, with a graduation from the program.

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Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to App State for the 27th year/ Tickets go on sale Dec 4th

December 4, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Appalachian State University at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts from Thursday, March 21, to Saturday, March 23, 2024, and tickets will go on sale Monday, Dec. 4.Hosted by App State University Recreation, the festival’s World Tour has been making stops in Boone for 27 years, inspiring audiences with the world’s best films that highlight mountain adventure, culture and the environment.

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“Christmas Comes to the Mountains:” Musical Celebration Offers Four Presentations at Two Locations in Boone Dec. 3

November 30, 2023 Mount Vernon Baptist Church of Boone loves to take its message outside the walls of brick and mortar — and it’s especially true during this Christmas season. Among the church’s numerous outreach programs this year is the upcoming premiere of “Christmas Comes to the Mountains,” a unique presentation celebrating the birth of Jesus.Following months of preparation and long hours of rehearsals by the church choir and orchestra, the celebration will be offered not only during three separate occasions at the church, but also during the Christmas on King Street event at the Appalachian Theatre.  By Sherrie Norris

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LETTERS: RESPONSE to NC Colleges Host Drag Shows, Funded with Student Fees

Nov. 30, 2023 Letters to the Editor. By Christina Moore / In response to Jacquie Barker’s Nov 29 letter of concern about a drag show/drag bingo performance funded in part by AppState’s APPS at Appalachian Theater, I am pleased to inform her that she, nor anyone at ASU nor the community, is required to attend events Jacquie Barker doesn’t believe are “appropriate”. Ms Barker will be pleased to know that other people may attend the events, even though Jacquie doesn’t find the events appropriate.

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$2 for Teachers!

November 21, 2023 Are you a teacher in Watauga County? As a sign of our appreciation for everything you do, Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Boone will be starting our new promotion, $2 for Teachers!

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Who are the real winners in the real estate class action lawsuits?

November 21, 2023 As the CEO of the High Country Association of Realtors® and Multiple Listing Service (MLS), representing more than 800 members and 1,100 MLS subscribers, I felt it imperative to address the current legal landscape in our industry. While there are a number of cases being litigated across the country, none of which are in North Carolina or South Carolina, the outcome of these cases will negatively impact the consumer. By Cheryl Smith, Chief Executive Officer

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Local Community Clubs Recognized at WNC Honors Awards Ceremony

November 20, 2023 Several local community clubs were among those recently recognized during the annual Western North Carolina Honors Awards ceremony, a program of  the Asheville-based WNC Communities organization. Deep Gap, Foscoe, and Mountaineer Ruritan clubs of Watauga County, along with Peak Creek and Todd Ruritan clubs of Ashe county, were among those recognized on  Saturday, November 11, in Asheville.  Representatives from these groups were among the 260-plus community leaders and volunteers from 14 WNC counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who gathered for the much-anticipated event.  By Sherrie Norris

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Daniel Boone Chapter NSDAR Honors Veterans

November 20, 2023 November is a busy month for the Daniel Boone Chapter of National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Also known as the NSDAR, or as more commonly recognized, the DAR, the Boone-based organization not only takes seriously the patriotism and sacrifices of their forefathers, but they also honor veterans from those early days right up to the most recent and current conflicts.  By Sherrie Norris

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The Town of Boone Awarded a North Carolina Attorney General’s Environmental Enhancement Grant

November 9, 2023 In March 2023, the Town of Boone applied for a North Carolina Attorney General’s Environmental Enhancement grant. On November 7th, 2023, the Town of Boone was awarded $41,400 through this program. The grant will match a $653,500 grant that New River Conservancy received to restore 1,620 linear feet of the South Fork of the New River on the Greenway Trail near Deerfield Road.

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