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UPDATE: Arrest Made in Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Investigation into a Homicide

February 9, 2024 The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an investigation into a shooting incident that occurred earlier today at 5350 NC Hwy 194 North. At approximately 5:48pm, the Watauga County 911 Center received a call reporting that someone had been shot at this address.  Alexander Matthew Jackson, 25 years old and resident of 5350 NC Highway 194 North Boone, NC; was taken into custody following his contact with 911 communications shortly after the incident. Jackson reported to authorities that he had shot Michael Ross, 38, of Elk Park, NC.

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Vicious Biscuit Restaurant Announces Spirit Week with Charitable Twist


February 8, 2024 Vicious Biscuit, the beloved brunch hotspot renowned for its innovative flavors and unique twists on classic dishes, is thrilled to announce its upcoming Spirit Week, taking place from February 12th to February 18th. What makes this week even more special is the restaurant’s commitment to giving back to the community, as they will be donating a portion of all sales during this period to local humane societies. “We’re excited to infuse a burst of energy and positivity into the community with our upcoming Spirit Week,” says Amanda Parker, Director of Marketing at Vicious Biscuit. “It’s not just about serving delicious food; it’s also about fostering a sense of togetherness and contributing to the well-being of our furry friends in need.”

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Prepping for the Big GameSherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Prepping for the Big Game


February 7, 2024 I’m so happy to be back at this computer and tossing out a few ideas for your Super Bowl gathering. I’ve heard that some of you have been missing Lovin’ Spoonful in its absence and I appreciate that more than you know. This ol’ gal has been recovering from a traumatic injury — and yes, it was food related in a sense, so we can still talk about it here. I just had to make a trip across town for some of that delicious Boar’s Head cheese while it was on sale, and of course, there were a few other items I had to pick up along the way.  By Sherrie Norris

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Sugar Mountain Adult Ski League Monday Night Race Results Are Here for Week Five of SMARL

February 7, 2024 With the next to the last race in the books for SMARL’s fifth week of Monday night racing, team rankings look to be in place for the season with Team Sugar leading the skiing division and The Tavern on top for the snowboarding division. Next week’s final week of racing will now come down to individual standings for skiers and snowboarders. Matt Leonard of Ski Country Sports reports that the February 12th race will still be important for individual standings as the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are still up for grabs for both men and women.

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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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Feeding Avery Families: 2023 In Review

February 5, 2024  During 2023, Feeding Avery Families (FAF) provided $725,000 worth of free food to the hungry in Avery County, NC. Miraculously, FAF food costs averaged only 19 cents per individual meal, thanks to securing top quality groceries at no or very low expense. Dedicated, hard-working volunteers kept operation costs low.

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No Strangers to “Miracles,” Local Family Shares Story of Missing Pet Reunion

February 2, 2024 After spending a Christmas vacation in Mexico, the Doug Belden family of Boone was in the Atlanta airport waiting for their connector flight back to Greensboro when they received a call that their beloved pet, Maple, a shepherd/cattle dog mix, was missing. She was being cared for by a trustworthy family friend during their absence in a familiar loving setting. The call set off a series of events that, thankfully, the family said, ended well three weeks later, on Saturday, Jan. 27.

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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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President Donald J. Trump Endorses Virginia Foxx in 2024 Primary Election

February 1, 2024  Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States, on Wednesday endorsed Congresswoman Virginia Foxx for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.  President Trump released the following endorsement statement: “Congresswoman Virginia Foxx is doing a terrific job fighting for the people of North Carolina in Congress.”

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“Ice Swimmer” Breaks World Record in Recent Swim in the Frigid Watauga Lake Waters

January 30, 2024  A man from Butler, TN has taken his enjoyment of swimming to a whole new level recently by swimming in Watauga Lake year round. A few years ago, 66 year old Donald Winters, who is the pastor of Sugar Grover Baptist Church in Butler began swimming in the lake during the winter months after researching the health benefits of “ice swimming.” During his research he came across a group called the International Ice Swimmers Association (IISA) that was formed in 2009.

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Local Night Music Series Highlights High Country Favorites on Stage at Appalachian Theatre

January 24, 2024  The Appalachian Theatre and Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music are excited to announce the lineup for their upcoming Local Nights, a series of seven performances that highlight the diverse talent found throughout the High Country. From February through May, the series provides a steady stream of local acts gracing the Doc Watson Stage at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country.

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Sugar Mountain Adult Ski League Monday Night Race Results Are Here for Week Three of SMARL

January 23, 2024 The 2024 Sugar Mountain Adult Racing League’s third Monday of racing was held on what many have said was probably the best day of skiing of the season. With clear skies, no wind and comfortable temperatures, racers had a terrific night on the slopes. Matt Leonard of Ski Country Sports reports that spirits were high with great conditions on the slopes and good times at the bar. Matt said the the race course was more “curvey” this week making the race more challenging and competitive.

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Watauga County Communicable Disease Situation Update from Appalachian District Health Department

January 22, 2024  Cases reflected in Watauga County data are categorized by the reporting county, and have been updated to include both confirmed and probable cases. Confirmed and probable cases are classified based on case definitions for the respective disease according to the NC Communicable Disease Manual and as classified in the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System. Cases not reported include sensitive cases that may be identifiable due to low numbers and concerns for patient identity and privacy. Cases are categorized monthly based on their earliest date of their symptoms, or if unavailable or not relevant, their test date. Due to delays in reporting, data in recent months may be incomplete, and data in prior months may change as cases are reported.

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Absentee Voting Begins Friday, January 19 for the 2024 Primary Election in NC; See Ballots Here

January 19, 2024 On Friday, Jan. 19, North Carolina’s 100 county boards of elections will begin sending absentee-by-mail ballots to registered voters who requested a ballot for the 2024 primary election.This marks the start of voting for North Carolina’s March 5 primary election. Voters who have already requested absentee-by-mail ballots should receive them in the coming days. In North Carolina, any eligible voter can request, receive, and vote an absentee ballot by mail. Find more information at Vote By Mail.

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Workshop for Our Future: The Town of Boone is Planning for Its Future and Wants to Hear from You! “Boone Next” Workshop on January 18th

January 17, 2024 BOONE — The Town of Boone will host its first public workshop in the process of updating the Town’s Comprehensive Plan at Hardin Park Elementary School, 361 Jefferson Road, on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. If canceled due to weather, the workshop will be rescheduled to Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

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Sugar Mountain Adult Ski League Monday Night Race Results Are Here for Week Two of SMARL

January 16, 2024 The 2024 Sugar Mountain Adult Racing League’s second Monday of racing was held under snowy conditions with almost a foot of fresh powder snow on the Sugar Mountain slopes. Matt Leonard of Ski Country Sports reports that last night found the race course a bit challenging, “With lots of new snow on the course and the grooming that took place, the course was pretty fast. Plus the snow was still coming down with these huge snowflakes.” The turnout was off a bit for the second race with road conditions a bit challenging as well. But Matt said that for those who did make it out for the race, they found some awesome slope conditions with many racers enjoying a night of skiing and snowboarding after the race before heading to the bar for some hot food and drinks.

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Town of Newland Municipal Election Results Change Following Canvass

January 16, 2024 Results from last fall’s Avery County Municipal Election in the Town of Newland changed following a voting canvass by the local Board of Elections and dropped one of the winners for the three available seats on the non-partisan town council (alderman) from securing a four-year term to a two-year term, while pushing another from a two-year to a four-year term. Gail Haller originally received 56 votes to finish third. But she gained three additional votes in the canvass to finish with 59 votes. Kenan Foxx originally got 57 votes.  He gained one additional vote in the canvass to finish with 58.  But because Haller picked up three additional votes, she overtook Foxx for second place to earn the other four-year term.  Foxx will serve a two-year, instead of a four-year, term.

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Movie Review: “Mean Girls” Now Playing at the Regal Boone

January 15, 2024  Of all the pop culture institutions to be cancelled, ended, or otherwise shut down by the pandemic in 2020, the permanent closure of the “Mean Girls” Broadway musical was perhaps the one that disappointed me the most. I’m not sure why it wasn’t brought back post-pandemic – ticket sales had clearly been healthy enough to keep me from scoring cheap seats during its two-year run – all I knew was that the show was gone and I had missed all 833 chances to see it live. But then a ray of hope appeared when it was announced that the musical, which itself was based on the 2004 movie, which itself was based on a book, was going to become a movie. I immediately got my hopes up, this movie would be the payoff to six long years of waiting. With my expectations that high, is it any wonder I found the movie disappointing? 

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Registration is Open for “Girls on the Run” Heart & Soul Middle School Program


January 15, 2024 Girls on the Run of the High Country will offer its Heart & Soul middle school program for girls in grades 6-8 this spring. The program provides girls of all abilities with the tools and space they need to learn more about themselves, explore new ideas, build friendships and develop skills that will help them now and in the future. The program will be offered at Watauga County Parks and Recreation on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:30 and 4:45 p.m., and at Valle Crucis School on Mondays and Thursdays at 2:30 and 4 p.m. Team meetings will begin on Monday, Feb. 5.

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Watauga Economic Development Commission to Hold First Meeting of 2024 on January 18

January 15, 2024 The Watauga County Economic Development Commission will hold its next meeting Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 1pm-2:30pm in the Community Room of the Blue Ridge Energy Watauga District Office, located at 2491 US Hwy 421 South. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will begin with consideration of a resolution in support of MyFutureNC and its Watauga County post-secondary credential attainment goals

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