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Watauga County Board of Elections Successfully Completes Logic and Accuracy Testing for Voting Equipment

Provided by: Watauga County Board of Elections Boone, NC — The Watauga County Board of Elections has successfully completed Logic and Accuracy (L&A) testing for all voting equipment to be used in the upcoming election. This testing confirms that the voting systems accurately record and tabulate votes as intended.Logic and Accuracy testing is a public process required by North Carolina election law and conducted prior to each election using teams of bi-partisan election workers. During testing, election staff run predetermined test ballots through each voting device to ensure that votes for every contest and candidate are correctly counted and reported.The testing was conducted under the supervision of Watauga County Board of Elections staff in accordance with procedures established by the North Carolina State Board of Elections. No discrepancies were identified, however coding for one election day precinct had an issue which is being addressed. “The successful completion of Logic and Accuracy testing is a critical step in ensuring secure, accurate, and transparent elections in Watauga County,” said Matt Snyder, Director “Voters can be confident that our voting systems are functioning properly and that every vote will be counted accurately.”All voting equipment will remain securely stored until it is deployed for …

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Governor Stein declares a State of Emergency in advance of upcoming storm.

January 22, 2026 Boone, NC – January 22, 2026 -“A winter storm is approaching, and now is the time to prepare,” said Governor Stein. “Please get ready. Get everything you need in advance of the storm and have a plan in case your power goes out. I encourage all North Carolinians to stay home and off the roads this weekend unless absolutely necessary so first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively.”

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Attorney General Jackson and NCDHHS Secretary Sangvai Issue Statement on Potential Child Care Funding Freeze

January 12, 2025 Boone, NC – January 12, 2025 -“If fraud is discovered here, we will pursue it aggressively and make sure those responsible face consequences,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “That’s what our fraud prosecutors do every day. When people steal taxpayer money, they’re stealing from kids and families. We have zero tolerance for it, and we’ll use every tool we have to stop it. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been a reliable partner in past efforts to uncover and stop fraud, and that partnership has helped us save taxpayers millions of dollars.” 

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FBI Disrupts Alleged New Year’s Eve Attack

January 4, 2026 Boone, NC – January 4, 2026 -“This successful collaboration between federal and local law enforcement saved American lives from a horrific terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice remains vigilant in our pursuit of evil ISIS sympathizers — anyone plotting to commit such depraved attacks will face the full force of the law.”

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State Election Officials Seek Vendor Proposals for Modernization of Election-Management Systems

December 19, 2025 Boone, NC – December 19, 2025 – “I am excited to launch this RFP for the modernization of our aging election management system. This represents the next step toward delivering a more resilient and user-friendly platform for North Carolina,” said State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes. “It has been a priority of mine since day one, and I am pleased to deliver on this critical need for the citizens of our state.”

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State Election Officials Seek Vendor Proposals for Modernization of Election-Management Systems

December 14, 2025 Boone, NC – December 14, 2025 -“I am excited to launch this RFP for the modernization of our aging election management system. This represents the next step toward delivering a more resilient and user-friendly platform for North Carolina,” said State Board Executive Director Sam Hayes. “It has been a priority of mine since day one, and I am pleased to deliver on this critical need for the citizens of our state.”

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Watauga County Public Library to close for Staff Training and Christmas Holiday

Provided by: The Watauga County Public Library All Watauga County Public Library locations will open at 1 PM on Thursday, December 18 to allow for morning staff training. All Watauga County Public Libraries will be closed for the Christmas holiday on the following dates: Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Friday, December 26 Thursday, January 1 All Watauga County Public Libraries will close at 5 pm on: Wednesday, December 31

US Attorney discovers NCDMV registered ineligible voters 

December 4, 2025 Boone, NC – December 4, 2025 – The December request also referenced concerns raised earlier this year by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, regarding instances in which NCDMV examiners inadvertently processed voter registrations for non-citizens.

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Shane Fox, looking forward

November 26, 2025 Boone, NC – November 26, 2025 – “Between 2019 and 2025, I think this has been the most difficult time in the town’s history, between Covid and Helene,” Fox said. “Through both of these major events, most people in town always approach every situation by asking, ‘how can I help?’”

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Lawsuit filed in federal court against Watauga County Board of Elections

November 5, 2025 Common Cause North Caolina, Watauga County Voting Rights Taskforce and a group of citizens, including former members of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging state lawmakers’ changes to Watauga County voting maps. The lawsuit alleges that republican lawmakers, lead by state Senator Ralph Hise of Mitchell County, gerrymandered voting maps for Watauga County commissioners and Watauga County Board of Education.

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Blowing Rock elects Matheson and Miller to town council with third seat likely requiring a recount; Sellers to continue as mayor

November 5, 2025 With combined votes reported from Watauga and Caldwell counties, Doug Matheson and Wayne Miller were elected to serve as members of the Blowing Rock Town Council. Each will serve four-year terms. The third open seat will likely require a recount between Melissa Tausche and Pete Gherini. Incumbent Mayor Charlie Sellers was re-elected to serve a two-year term.

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Shane Fox resigns to take post in Caldwell County

October 27, 2025 Boone, NC – October 27, 2025 – Earlier today, Shane Fox communicated his resignation as Blowing Rock’s town manager to the Blowing Rock town council. During its monthly meeting tonight, Caldwell County’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to hire Fox as county manager, effective December 1, 2025.

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TOWN OF BLOWING ROCK SEEKS FILLING A VACANT BOARD SEAT

September 29, 2025 The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) promotes, solicits, and encourages tourism in the Town of Blowing Rock in accordance with adopted Town plans/policies and administers the appropriation of the room occupancy tax proceeds. This Authority also studies the impact of tourism on the Town and develops strategies to minimize any negative impacts of tourism on the Town. The Authority shall have at least one/third of its members affiliated with lodging establishments that collect the occupancy tax and at least three/fourths of its members active in the promotion of travel and tourism in Blowing Rock. There are five (5) members of the Tourism Development Authority, two (2) members shall be individuals who are affiliated with the businesses that collect the occupancy tax.

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Blowing Rock Town Manager voices frustration with Blowing Rock Civic Association

September 15, 2025 In hopes of learning more about the protest held August 28 in support of Blowing Rock Academy, High Country Press sat down with Blowing Rock Town Manager Shane Fox. The conversation started by Shane stating his commitment to town employees and the town budget. He pointed out that of approximately 80 full-time town employees, only one could afford to live in Blowing Rock and just over 30% of them could afford to live in Watauga County.

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Foxx Introduces SOAR ACT IMPROVEMENTS ACT

September 11, 2025 WASHINGTON – Last week Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement after introducing the SOAR Act Improvements Act, legislation that makes targeted improvements to the only federally funded school choice program in the nation to help children from low-income families in Washington, D.C. succeed.

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“Watauga County Democratic Party Honors Blue Collar Workers on Labor Day”

September 3, 2025 On Labor Day the Watauga County Democratic Party held a free community cookout at Junaluska Park in Boone to honor the contributions, achievements, and the lifelong commitment of American workers. Over 120 attended and included families, retirees, students, young and old to celebrate the progress made in workers’ rights throughout history and the ongoing importance of protecting those rights in the face of great challenges. 

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