Press Release from the Office of the Mayor of Boone

The Town of Boone and its partners are working diligently to provide access and safety to all residents. We want to thank our first responders for their around-the-clock work in providing safety and security to Town of Boone residents. We also want to thank Blue Ridge Energy, New River Light and Power, and other utility providers for their continued efforts. Furthermore, we want to thank the Governor’s Office, Congresswoman Foxx’s Office, House Representative Pickett, and Senator Hise for their support.

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Debris Removal Plan for Watauga County Begins Sunday September 29; Read Here

Watauga County Emergency Services would like to inform the public of the system in place for debris removal from Hurricane Helene. Beginning today, September 29th, members of the public will see trucks labeled “SDR” driving through Watauga County and its municipalities. SDR is a debris removal company that specializes in disaster debris removal, and has contracted its service to Watauga County and the Town of Boone to asist with cleanup.

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Non Emergency Call Center is Now Open

If you are having an emergency, please call 911. If you have a non emergency, please call a new Non Emergency Call Center at 828-263-4178. This call center is being staffed by volunteers from the Appalachian Medical Reserve Core.

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Classes are canceled on the App State Boone and Hickory campuses through 5 p.m. Friday, October 4.

Boone and Hickory campuses, Adverse Weather Condition 3 (Closure) is in effect through 5 p.m. Friday, October 4. Residence halls, dining facilities and campus medical facilities remain operational for on-campus students. Non-mandatory employees should not report to work or come to campus until Condition 3 is lifted. This includes faculty. Read the full message sent to campus earlier today.

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Body of Avery County Resident Brook Cheuvront Discovered in South Africa After Fatal Hiking Trip

September 24, 2024 A 20-year-old female from Avery County has been found dead after vanishing during a hike to Devil’s Peak on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, officials say. The body of Brook Cheuvront–an Avery County High School graduate who was a student at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill since the start of the 2022-23 school year– was recovered on Sunday, September 22. Cheuvront was reported missing the day before (Saturday, September 21) as she could not be contacted after a tracking app she was using stopped updating and she didn’t answer her cellphone. By Tim Gardner

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Falling for Seasonal Favorites


September 18, 2024 . Fall has begun to make its grand entrance. The leaves are beginning to change color at a fast pace, it seems, the temps are cooler and there’s still much to do before we move the lawn furniture in for its winter nap and clear away all evidence of summer. The grill stays on the porch at my house year-round, so if the power goes out in the middle of January, we can still savor a hot meal. Hope that doesn’t happen, but we’ll be ready, just in case. Let’s not jump too far ahead — it will be here soon enough. There are many fall favorites to enjoy, in the meantime, so let’s explore a few ideas to start the transition. Happy Fall, ya’ll! There’s good food and fun ahead By Sherrie Norris

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Celebrating and Preserving Local Heritage: Watauga County Heritage Museum One Step Closer to Reality

September 17, 2024 After nearly a year of talking, planning and gathering support for a much-needed chapter in Watauga County’s history and heritage, a group of visionaries came together to celebrate a major milestone on Saturday, Sept. 14. Honoring their past, with a mission to preserve and protect it all for future generations, this group of about 30 people, along with families and friends, publicly proclaimed on Saturday that they are moving ahead with plans to establish a heritage museum for Watauga County. Chaired by Diane Cornett-Deal, the Watauga County Heritage Museum committee, officially recognized on Saturday as charter members, is comprised of citizens representing longtime families from every corner of the county, and all with a passion for preserving local history. By Sherrie Norris

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Changes in Effect for 2024-25 Deer Hunting Season in Western NC

September 16, 2024 RALEIGH, N.C. (September 16, 2024) – New rules adopted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have shifted the timing of the western zone black-powder and gun seasons, and increased antlerless hunting opportunities in many western zone counties.The new black-powder season will begin on Saturday, November 16, and end Friday, November 29. Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 28 and 29, 2024) are designated as Youth Days in the western zone.

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Do You Believe? THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum!

September 16, 2024 Spencer, N.C. – With the holidays quickly approaching, the N.C. Transportation Museum is celebrating the return of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride in Spencer, N.C.! This immersive family-oriented experience hosted nearly 1.6 million riders at 54 locations in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia in 2023. Popular dates and times are expected to fill quickly, but seats are now available for departures beginning November 8 and continuing on select dates through Dec. 23.

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NCWRC Executive Director Ingram to Retire After 34 Years of Service

September 16, 2024 RALEIGH, N.C. (September 16, 2024) – After 34 years of service to the state of North Carolina, Cameron Ingram, executive director of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), has announced his retirement effective December 31, 2024. Ingram has served as NCWRC executive director since August 2020.

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Delayed Harvest Trout Waters Open Oct. 1

September 16, 2024 The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will implement Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations on 34 trout waters beginning Oct. 1.Under Delayed Harvest Trout Waters regulations, no trout may be harvested or possessed from identified waters between Oct. 1 and one half-hour after sunset on June 6, 2025. No natural bait may be possessed, and anglers can fish only with artificial lures with one single hook. An artificial lure is defined as a fishing lure that neither contains nor has been treated with any substance that attracts fish by the sense of taste or smell. 

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North Carolina State Lottery Commission Releases August Sports Betting Revenue Report

September 10, 2024 RALEIGH – The North Carolina State Lottery Commission on Monday released its sports betting revenue report for August. The report compiles the sports betting revenue for the month of August as submitted by the eight licensed interactive sports betting operators. Between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, account holders in North Carolina bet $370,484,774 on sports events, including paid wagering revenue and promotional wagering revenue.  From those bets, account holders won $333,707,885.

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: National Chicken Month Happening Now


September 4, 2024 . It’s interesting what a food columnist can learn with just a little “Googling” — It’s National Chicken Month!  September gives us an official reason to celebrate something most of us already love in one way or another and unknowingly honor nearly every day. What would we do without chicken in our freezers, in the fridge and/or on our favorite drive-through menu? Let’s just say that I can’t imagine life without chicken. “Americans can benefit from National Chicken Month when eating chicken both at home and in restaurants,” said Sue Quillin, chairman of the National Chicken Council Promotions Subcommittee. “The poultry industry works together to create a promotion that provides real cost savings and top value for the dollar.” And, it’s no coincidence that National Chicken Month is sponsored every September by a joint collaboration of the National Chicken Council and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association to help extend the summer selling season. And the question remains . . . Which came first? I love them both, and I would say they go hand and hand, but, well, I guess we all can figure out why that’s not exactly how it goes.The NCC does tell us that Americans consume more chicken (young meat chicken and fowl) than anyone else in the world – 101.1 pounds per capita in 2023 – and It’s the number one protein consumed in the United States. There are so many more stats related to our feathered friends, but we’re here for cookin’ and eatin’, so let’s move on! By Sherrie Norris

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Skiing History Magazine Showcases North Carolina’s “College That Taught the South to Ski”

September 4, 2024 This summer’s issue of Skiing History Magazine is honoring the rich, almost outrageous history of the French-Swiss Ski College at Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock, NC. With now millions of ski lessons taught, and the recent retirement of co-founder Jim Cottrell, Skiing History and High Country ski writer Randy Johnson were inspired to tell the story of the “The ‘College’ That Taught the South to Ski.” By Randy Johnson

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Competing in National Pageant Paves the Way for New Opportunities

September 3, 2024 In a dazzling culmination of grace, talent, and commitment, Yvette Amadora Fay, a Newland, North Carolina resident, has been crowned America’s United States Ambassador. This prestigious title was awarded during the recent America’s United States Pageant, marking a significant milestone in Yvette’s journey and opening new avenues for growth and community service.

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Lees-McRae College Celebrates Record Growth and Retention for 2024–25 Academic Year

August 27, 2024 With more than 900 students enrolled for the Fall 2024 semester, Lees-McRae College has seen a year of record growth and retention and boasts the most students on campus since 2005. The college’s student body has increased by nearly 100 students since the start of the 2023–24 academic year, with impressive growth across the college’s main campus and online and distance learning programs. This growth reflects both improved enrollment numbers and an improved retention rate, which has increased to 69% this year, up from 62% in the 2023–24 year.

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Groovy Nights 2024 Videos! – Show Stopping Performances to Benefit the Blowing Rock Community Foundation: See Videos Here!

August 26, 2024 The Blowing Rock Community Foundation presented its long running benefit “Groovy Nights” over three nights in August at the Blowing Rock Country Club. Thirteen acts took to the stage to lip sync their way through hilarious skits that entertained sold-out audiences. Groovy Nights started with an idea from Karen Curlin in 2008. This was the 13th year of performances.

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Blowing Rock Designated an Outdoor NC Trail Town; One of 15 Featured Destinations

August 23, 2024 The Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (TDA)  is thrilled to announce Blowing Rock’s designation as an Outdoor NC Trail Town.   The newly launched Outdoor NC Trail Town Guide celebrates towns across the state who are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of their destination while fostering a strong sense of place. This pilot edition features 15 destinations and includes a variety of activities – walking, hiking, biking, cycling, paddling, horseback riding and driving – to welcome enthusiasts of all abilities. Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC, commends the 15 destination partners for connecting visitors and residents to experiences that reflect a strong sense of place.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Introduces 2024 Spirit of Boone Community Award Winners 

August 22, 2024 The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will hold Spirit of Boone, its 75th Annual Membership Gathering on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Grandview Ballroom at Appalachian State’s North End Zone Facility. The Chamber will honor its 2024 Community Award winners as part of this event. Nine local leaders and businesses are recognized for their accomplishments over the past year, each blending professional achievements with a spirit of resiliency that has served as a driving force throughout the business community this year. Meet your 2024 Spirit of Boone Community Award Winners!

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Sherrie Norris Lovin’ Spoonful Cooking Column: Summer Peach Season Winding Down


August 21, 2024 . Those succulent late-summer delicious peaches are gradually coming to their local seasonal end. And what a season it’s been. Thanks again to great neighbors for offering to bring us some from the lowlands; we have really enjoyed those tasty treats. Peeled, sliced into cereal, combined with other fruit for a healthy salad, enjoyed with cottage cheese, in a cobbler, bread, muffins or simply eaten alone, a peach is definitely high on the list of summertime favorites. So, anything goes. And, of course, they can be preserved for later use in freezer bags and canning jars, made into preserves, pie filling and more. But, they’re never as good as in their fresh, just-picked ripened state; our granddaughter proved that to be true as she recently told us, “I ate a whole peach with its fuzzy cover and all.”  Hope you can find yours while they’re still available at local produce markets — and enjoy every single bite, with or without the fuzz. By Sherrie Norris

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