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Government

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Board Elects New Leadership

July 28, 2025 At its business meeting this week, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) elected Mark Craig, of Guilford County, to serve as chairman and Landon G. Zimmer, of New Hanover County, was elected vice chairman.
Craig, an at-large appointee by Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, has been on the Commission since 2013 serving for the past two years as vice chairman. He is President of R.H. Barringer Distributing Company and lives in Greensboro with his wife, Teresa. Craig is a strong proponent of utilizing a science-based approach to advocate for sustainable recommendations in wildlife management.

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Watauga Economic Development Commission Opens May & June Business Snapshot Surveys

July 8, 2025 In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its May and June 2025 Business Snapshot Reports. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Monday, July 7th at Noon – Tuesday, July 22nd at Noon. Due to the ramp up for summer tourism and holiday schedules, these two reports were combined to allow businesses more time to gather data and submit their data. We will resume a monthly reporting schedule through October 2025.

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Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) Designated as a 2025 Accredited Program by Main Street America

July 7, 2025 The Downtown Boone Development Association has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of designated programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street ApproachTM. Main Street America recognizes two tiers of national designation — Affiliate and Accredited. These designations are a powerful advocacy tool, signaling to local stakeholders, as well as city, state, and national funders, that a Main Street program has an established position within a nationwide movement with a 45-year proven track record of generating impressive economic returns, building local capacity, creating welcoming and inviting communities, and creating lasting impact.

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New Parking Regulations Start Today in Downtown Boone

July 1, 2025 All on-street parking and multi-hour lots will be $1.50 an hour, excluding 2 banks of FREE 30-minutes parking spaces near the King Street/North Depot intersection and the Watauga County Courthouse. 9 on-street parking spaces near the First Baptist Church on King Street and 6 on-street parking spaces on Burrell Street will be reserved for Downtown Boone employees through a new pilot program. Downtown Boone employees may purchase a sticker for $10 to park at these spaces. Meters are set to a discounted rate of 20 cents an hour. Differing from regular on-street parking, these meters are programmed for up to 9 hours of use. This program is a first-come, first-served program, and purchasing a sticker does not guarantee a parking space; however, purchasing a sticker allows employees to park in a designated space. Employees who would like to participate must bring the following to the Town of Boone Parking Department (located in the basement of Boone Town Hall at 567 West King Street):

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON WHETHER THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE TOWN OF BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA SHOULD APPROVE A PROPOSED INSTALLMENT FINANCING AGREEMENT TO FINANCE COSTS OF A TOWN CAPITAL PROJECT

June 30, 2025 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of a public hearing to be held at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard on July 8, 2025 in the Council Chambers, Blowing Rock Town Hall, 1036 Main Street, Blowing Rock, North Carolina for the purpose of considering whether the Town Council for the Town of Blowing Rock Town, North Carolina (the “Town”) should approve a proposed installment financing agreement and certain related documents pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Section 160A-20, as amended, for the purpose of providing funds in an amount not to exceed $2,250,000 for the accomplishment of the Project hereinafter described.

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This Weekend, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) Issued These Two Statements

June 30, 2025 SUNDAY – “It has been a blessing to go on a journey from living in a trailer park and making minimum wage as a young man to having the honor of serving as U.S. Senator for North Carolina. “I am proud of my career in public service, including hard-fought victories like passing historic tax reform as North Carolina Speaker, and working in the Senate to help pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and confirm three conservative Supreme Court justices and counting. ////// SATURDAY – “I will always do what is in the best interest of North Carolina, even when that puts me at odds with my own party. When Senate leaders of my party presented this bill, I did what every American should expect from their U.S. Senator: I worked to gather the facts and comprehensively analyze what the impact would be on the people I swore an oath to represent.

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NC House Approves $700 Million in Additional Helene Disaster Relief

June 26 2025 Raleigh, NC — Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives approved a proposal to invest an additional $700 million to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts across Western North Carolina. This latest round of funding builds upon more than $1.4 billion already allocated for disaster relief, bringing the total to over $2.1 billion.

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State Board Unanimously Approves Plan to Collect Missing Identification Numbers for Certain Voters

June 25 2025 Raleigh, N.C. — The State Board of Elections on Tuesday unanimously approved a plan to attempt to collect missing identification numbers for voters lacking them on the state’s voter rolls. The goal of the three-part plan is to obtain driver’s license numbers (DL#) or the last four digits of Social Security numbers (SSN4) for registered North Carolina voters who lack either number in their voter records. This, state election officials believe, will bring the state into compliance with a recent N.C. Court of Appeals order, and ultimately resolve outstanding lawsuits regarding these registrations

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Town of Boone Awarded a $850,000 Grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce for the Howard Street Project

June 24, 2025 The Town of Boone has been awarded an $850,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to help fund the completion of the Howard Street Project, the largest downtown Boone street revitalization effort in modern history. This grant will specifically support the underground relocation of electrical utilities along the eastern side of Howard Street, from Appalachian Street to Depot Street. In April 2025, the Town applied for the Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant (RDEDG) program and was officially awarded the grant in late June.

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Green Park Inn Project Sparks Interest, Debate

June 23, 2025 The Green Park Inn construction is well underway, with site work begun, golf wing demolition completed and most of the property’s contents donated to local and regional charities to help families affected by Hurricane Helene. Many people have shared information and misinformation on social media and through traditional media over the last few weeks. We met separately with the property’s new ownership group, Blowing Rock mayor, town officials and members of town council in attempt to put to rest speculation, rumors and ignorance. Though our goal was to gain clarity, some information from town officials was inconsistent. By Sam Garrett

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Watauga County Signs Contract to Purchase Watauga Medics, INC for $1.7 Million

June 21, 2025 Watauga County has reached an agreement with Watauga Medics, Inc. for Ambulance
Services in Watauga County to become a County-Operated Service. At the June 17, 2025 regularly scheduled meeting, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of the assets of Watauga Medics, Inc. for $1.7 million. $1 million was for the purchase of all ambulances and equipment of Watauga Medics, and $700,000 for the purchase of Medic Base 2 located at 133 Boone NC 28607

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“No Kings” Protesters Gathered Saturday Afternoon on King Street in Boone

June 16, 2025 Saturday’s Boone protest was entirely peaceful and many, if not most attendees carried handmade signs expressing colorful feelings toward the actions of the Trump administration, which they perceive as being increasingly authoritarian. One Town of Boone Police Officer estimated the crowd to be at approximately 150 people. When asked if everything  had been “peaceful and quiet” throughout the protest he responded “well, definitely peaceful, but definitely not quiet”. Many of the protesters carried American flags, both large and small and, somewhat ironically, all of King Street in Boone was lined with large American flags as June 14th was also Flag Day. By Lorry Mulhern

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Ribbon Cutting for the Lower Hardin Creek Restoration Project is June 23rd at 2:00 pm

June 16, 2025 On June 23rd, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., the Town of Boone will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lower Hardin Creek Restoration Project. Attendees can meet in the Watauga High School Parking Lot near the football field starting at 1pm. Participants can either walk down or there will be shuttle service available to the event site. After many years of planning and grant writing, the project marks a significant step toward restoring ecological balance in the area. It successfully restored 2,500 feet of Hardin Creek by stabilizing the stream bed, reconnecting the stream to its natural floodway, and enhancing aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitats.

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Town of Boone Updated Parking Regulations Effective July 1, 2025; Will be $1.50 Hour

June 3, 2025 The Town of Boone announces an update to its hourly parking rates, effective July 1, 2025. The new rate will be $1.50 per hour, an increase from the current rate of $1.00 per hour. This adjustment supports the Town’s ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance public infrastructure, including parking facilities. The increased revenue will help cover rising operational and maintenance costs, and any additional funds will be reinvested in updating parking infrastructure to ensure continued safety and accessibility.

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Town of Boone Proposed Budget FY25/26

May 30, 2025 The proposed budget for the Town of Boone has been presented to the Boone Town Council and is available for public inspection by appointment at Town Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and on the Town’s website: www.townofboone.net. The proposed budget will be discussed at a public hearing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road. Following the public hearing, the proposed budget will be adopted at the June 25, 2025, regular Town Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Town Council Chambers located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road.

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Banner Elk Police Department Partners with Hurricane Creek K9 Foundation to Launch Town’s First-Ever K9 Program

May 27, 2025 The Banner Elk Police Department is proud to announce a new partnership with the Hurricane Creek K9 Foundation to bring the first-ever police K9 to the Town of Banner Elk—a historic step in rebuilding and strengthening public safety after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Banner Elk, a small mountain town known for its charm, resilience, and thriving tourism economy, suffered widespread damage during the storm. The town was completely cut off, with all entry and exit points washed out, and its residents went without water for over a month. Among the hardest-hit facilities was the Banner Elk Police Department, which was flooded to the point of being rendered uninhabitable. To this day, officers remain displaced, working out of temporary arrangements as recovery efforts continue.

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Blue Ridge Parkway Will Remain Open in the High Country for the Summer and Fall of 2025

May 22, 2025. We’re pleased to share positive news for residents and visitors alike: the Blue Ridge Parkway will remain open to traffic in the High Country throughout the summer and fall seasons. This update follows a productive and informative meeting held today with leadership from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the National Park Service, along with staff from our congressional delegation, local elected officials, local business leaders and partnering agencies. Ongoing infrastructure improvements funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (2020) continue and some sections of the Parkway previously impacted by Hurricane Helene will also be opening further throughout the year in Watauga and Avery Counties.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy Welcomes Gov. Josh Stein and Leaders to Officially Open Paddy Mountain Park in West Jefferson

May 19, 2025. West Jefferson, NC – It was a beautiful spring day in West Jefferson as Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) was joined by supporters, partners, and elected officials to a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open Paddy Mountain Park. Northern Peaks State Trail Coordinator Jordan Sellers welcomed North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Representative Ray Pickett, Ashe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Todd McNeill, West Jefferson Mayor Tom Hartman, Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources Jeff Michael, and Chairperson of the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Margaret Newbold to speak about the significance of the park’s opening. The Park, a conservation victory over a decade in the making, provides recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike, and will serve as the West Jefferson trailhead of the Northern Peaks State Trail. 

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Watauga Economic Development Commission Opens April Business Snapshot Survey

May 13, 2025. In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its April 2025 Business Snapshot Report. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Monday, May 12 at 9:00AM – Friday, May 23rd at Noon

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Your Future Boone Jaycee Park! Public Input Session for Boone Park Improvements May 16

May 13, 2025. On Friday, May 16th, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Town of Boone staff will host a public input session to learn more about how the public views the Boone Jaycee Park and what improvements the community would like to see at the park. The public input session will be at the Boone Jaycee Park, located at 728 Horn in the West Drive. Boone Jaycee Park is the most centrally located, Town-owned park in Boone. For over 30 years, it has served as a recreational space for children and families to enjoy the outdoors, featuring swings, slides, climbing equipment, and more.

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Virginia Foxx to Run for Reelection in 2026


May 12, 2025 Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) announced her plans to seek reelection in 2026 in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District on Friday. “There’s no shortage of work to be done as we restore our nation’s great traditions of freedom and limited government,” Foxx said. “Washington bureaucrats and federal agencies have amassed too much power and frittered away taxpayer money in the shadows of officialdom. Those days are over, thanks to the election of President Trump and a conservative majority in Congress. But this work will take more than just two years–which is why I’m thrilled to announce my plans to run for reelection in North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District in the 2026 midterm election.”

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Too Many People, Too Little Town: Boone’s Infrastructure Wasn’t Built For This 

May 4, 2025 Boone wasn’t built for this many people, and it shows. Once a quiet, sleepy town, it has now been turned into a busy college community. Traffic, construction and overpopulation dominate daily life. It has become a common issue with record-high enrollment at Appalachian State University and construction taking over our streets. Locals and students alike are feeling the suffocation. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2023, Boone, N.C.’s population was 19,811 at a size of 6.4 square miles. Watauga County experienced a population growth of 0.857% between 2022 and 2023. According to Appalachian Today, an article from Sep. 6, 2024, by Jessica Stump, App State has enrolled 21,570 students in fall 2024.  Many Boone locals have mixed feelings about the town’s rapid growth, especially as student populations spike and developments reshape. By Greta Jenkins

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Town of Boone’s Planning and Inspection Department Awarded the Local Program Award for Overcoming Challenges in Erosion and Sediment Control

May 1, 2025 The Town of Boone’s Planning and Inspections Department received the Local Program Award for Overcoming Challenges in Erosion and Sediment Control from the North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission. The award was presented during the 2025 Erosion Control Local Program Workshop held on April 23 in Pittsboro, North Carolina. It recognizes the municipality that overcame the most significant challenges during the award period—in this case, Hurricane Helene.

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Key to the City: Boone Town Council Recognizes Trenton D’Agostino for His Success at the Special Olympics World Winter Games

April 25, 2025 During the April 23, 2025 Boone Town Council meeting, the Boone Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to award a “Key to the City” to Special Olympian, Trenton D’Agostino. D’Agostino was also given a plaque that detailed the Town Council’s appreciation for his achievements. An accomplished athlete, D’Agostino won two gold medals, one in the intermediate giant slalom snowboarding competition and another in the intermediate super G in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. As a Watauga County native, and as a graduate of Hardin Park Elementary School and Watauga High School, the Boone Town Council wanted to recognize these achievements with a tangible reminder of how proud D’Agostino’s community is of his journey.

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Construction on Howard Street Set to Begin the Week of April 21 at the South Depot

April 18, 2025 On April 14, 2025, the Town of Boone hosted the official groundbreaking for the Howard Street Revitalization project. Due to the upcoming Easterholiday, official construction for this project will begin the week of April 21, 2025. The first construction phase for the Howard Street Revitalization project will occur at the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection to replace underground infrastructure, a required start for this project. All roads leading to the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection will be closed at the intersection. No vehicular traffic is permitted to access this intersection until this phase of the construction is complete.

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