1000 x 90

County Boards of Elections Conduct Voter List Maintenance

February 27, 2023 Raleigh, N.C. — In 2023, county boards of elections across North Carolina will conduct several important and required processes designed to keep the state’s voter rolls accurate and up to date. These routine processes are required by state and federal laws. Accurate voter rolls are maintained by removing voters who have moved or died or are otherwise ineligible to vote in that jurisdiction. Voter roll list maintenance is important because it ensures ineligible voters are not included on poll books during elections.

Read more

Boone Town Council Meets For Regular Session, Addresses Antisemitic Incident At Temple Of The High Country

February 27, 2023 The Boone Town Council held a regular meeting session on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at the Town Council chambers at 1500 Blowing Rock Road. Eric Woolridge of Destination by Design, a local planning and development firm working with the council and county via the Imagine Watauga Initiative to create and enhance various parts of Boone’s public lands and other assets, presented several ideas and proposals ranging from work on the Greenway to creating a green space downtown above a parking deck. By Zack Hill

Read more

Avery Board of Education and Commissioners Hold Joint Meeting to Discuss School System Funding

February 27, 2023 The Avery County Boards of Education and Commissioners held a joint public meeting on February 21 at the Board of Education Central Office, (775 Cranberry Street) in Newland. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss updates of the federal and local budgets, Avery County High School construction and walk throughs at each public school in the county by both governing bodies. By Tim Gardner

Read more

Rep. Jon Hardister files bill prohibiting COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

February 16, 2023 Raleigh, NC – Today Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford, Majority Whip) filed HB 98 – Medical Freedom Act – which prohibits state and local government from issuing COVID vaccine mandates.
The bill would prohibit any state and local government agency from issuing COVID vaccine requirements on private citizens and government employees. It would also prohibit government agencies from requiring proof of COVID vaccination records of any person. State and local government agencies or political subdivisions of the state will be unable to discriminate against a person’s refusal to provide proof of COVID vaccination or submit to a COVID vaccination when seeking employment.

Read more

Erin Grindstaff English Named Avery Register of Deeds Upon Current Register’s Retirement

February 13, 2023 Erin Grindstaff English has been named to succeed Renee Dellinger as Avery County Register of Deeds by the Avery County Republican (GOP) Executive Committee upon the pending retirement of current Register of Deeds Renee Dellinger. The Executive Committee met February 9 and unanimously approved English for the post.  Her appointment will be effective when Dellinger retires at the end of the work day on March 31.  English’s first work day as Register of Deeds will be April 3. By Tim Gardner

Read more

WATAUGA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

February 10, 2023 BOONE, NC – The Watauga Economic Development Commission (EDC) met Thursday, February 9, 2023, forits first meeting since the Watauga County Board of Commissioners re-organized the group. Recently appointed at-large members Suzanne Livesay (Appalachian Theatre) and Lee Rankin (Apple Hill Farm) were in attendance for their first meeting while Dan Meyer (Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, retired) was the lone at-large member that previously served on the Watauga EDC.

Read more

Boone Town Council Meeting Filled With Progress On Projects

February 9, 2023 BOONE, NC – The Boone Town Council and Mayor held a regular, open meeting session on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at the Town Council chambers at 1500 Blowing Rock Road. In attendance were Mayor Tim Futrelle, Council members Todd Carter, Dalton George, Becca Nenow, Virginia Roseman, Mayor Pro Tem Edie Tubman, Town Manager Amy Davis and Town Attorney Allison Meade. The meeting started with the announcement of several vacancies on town boards including the boards of adjustments, human relations, and several boards that had positions available to ASU students including sustainability and human relations. By Zack Hill

Read more

Avery Commissioners Appoint Tax Admin. and Adopt Community Development Block Grant Program Service Agreements

February 7, 2023 The Avery Board of Commissioners appointed a new Tax Administrator and approved two service agreements through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to highlight its February 6 regular monthly meeting. Commissioners–Chairwoman Martha Hicks, Vice-Chairman Tim Phillips, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr. and Robert Burleson–were present.  Commissioner Dennis Aldridge was absent from the meeting due to being in Raleigh attending government meetings there. By Tim Gardner

Read more

A Conversation with Avery County Tax Administrator Andrea Turbyfill

February 2, 2023 Those who know Andrea Turbyfill best and others who come in contact with her often stress how impressed they are with her sincerity, kindness and the Christian manner in which she presents herself.  And as Avery County Tax Administrator, Turbyfill is held in high esteem by the citizens she serves as well as her administrative superiors and colleagues for her professionalism, fairness and expertise in the various job duties she holds. By Tim Gardner

Read more

Avery County Officials Set Qualification Guidelines for Architectural Firms Interested in Designing New Parks & Recreation Complex

February 2, 2023 The County of Avery is currently accepting statements of qualifications from architectural firms interested in contracting with the County for architectural services related to the design and planning of a new Parks & Recreation complex. Avery Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Martha Hicks said the commissioners are “supportive of a new Parks & Recreation complex and will proceed with one as the county can, and can afford to.” By Tim Gardner

Read more

2023 Watauga Leadership Institute Cohorts Begin Coursework

February 1, 2023 BOONE, NC –The 2023 class of the Watauga Leadership Institute kicked off their coursework with an all-day retreat at Valle Crucis Conference Center January 25th. The event marks the beginning of a 12-week community development program that includes 44 total participants between two cohorts. Courtesy of Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

Read more

Avery Commissioners Hold Workshop to Discuss Many Current and Future Business Topics

January 20, 2023 The Avery County Board of Commissioners discussed a multitude of topics during a workshop session on January 11. All Commissioners-Chairwoman Martha Hicks, Vice-Chairman Tim Phillips, Dennis Aldridge, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr. and Robert Burleson were present. County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr. said the board members did not vote on any issues, but they reached a consensus on several—most notably hiring an animal cruelty officer and a developing a new county recreation center

Read more

High Country Mourns Death of Beloved Judge, Alexander Lyerly; Flags Flying at Half-Staff in His Honor

December 15, 2022 As news began to circulate on Tuesday of the death of beloved Judge Alexander Banner Lyerly, tributes started pouring in on social media and through other media outlets across the High Country and all of Western North Carolina. The first official tribute was released as a proclamation by the Town of Banner Elk in memory of its native son, and where his wife, Brenda Lyerly, serves as long-time mayor. The resolution, highlighting some of Judge Lyerly’s contributions to the area, also requested that flags locally be flown at half-mast in his memory and honor. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Martha Hicks Re-elected as Chairwoman of Avery County Board of Commissioners

December 8, 2022 The Avery County Board of Commissioners re-elected Martha Hicks as its chairwoman (chairperson) for the next year during its December 5th regular monthly meeting. Hicks’ fellow commissioners–Tim Phillips, Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr., Dennis Aldridge and Robert Burleson–all voted (4-0) to confirm her re-appointment. There were no other nominations for the post. According to Hicks, she has served eight consecutive years as chairwoman and is entering her 15th year on the county commission. By Tim Gardner

Read more

North Carolina Sheriffs Association’s Sheriffs Leadership Institute Completed by 33 Sherrifs

December 8, 2022 Avery County-Earlier this month, Sheriff Mike Henley of Avery County finished Week One of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association’s Sheriffs’ Leadership Institute (SLI). Sheriff Mike Henley was one of 33 participants in this year’s training. SLI is a four-week long program completed over the course of 18 months. Graduation for this year’s SLI class will be in Spring 2024. SLI is designed to provide newly elected sheriffs technical skills necessary for assuming the Office of Sheriff. Sheriffs appointed since 2018, known as mid-term sheriffs, are also invited to participate in SLI.

Read more

Questions and Answers About Your “Voter History” in North Carolina

November 16, 2022 RALEIGH, NC – The NC State Board of Elections and county boards of elections are responding to requests from Election Day voters about why their “voter history” records are not yet updated to reflect the fact that they voted on Election Day – November 8, 2022. We believe this is the direct result of certain groups spreading false and misleading information about this process in an attempt to sow distrust in our elections.

Read more

Massive General Election Turnout Expected Tuesday, Nov. 8 in Avery County as Early Voting Numbers Shatter Records

November 7, 2022 Like what is expected elsewhere across America, one of the largest mid-term (non-presidential year) voter turnouts ever is expected in Avery County for the 2022 General Election on Tuesday, November 8. According to Avery Board of Elections officials, early voting final totals shattered records in the county.  That is generally considered to be an indicator that large number of voters will also cast ballots on General Election Day.   By Tim Gardner

Read more

Avery Commissioners Developing Plans for New Department of Social Services Complex to Open in 2023

October 18, 2022 The Avery County Department of Social Services (DSS) will be relocating its headquarters to a more spacious facility in 2023. On a date next year still to be finalized, the Social Services Department will move from the ground level of the County Administration Building and from the Avery County Health Department in Newland to a building currently being renovated at 358 Beech Street–just a few blocks away. The move will consolidate DSS services into one building and provide much more needed space for its staff and operations  By Tim Gardner

Read more

2022 Early Voting in Avery County Begins October 20th; Voting Regulations, Preview, and Sample Ballot Listed

October 17, 2022 The time period for early voting in Avery County for the 2022 General Election begins on Thursday, October 20 and runs through Saturday, November 5. Saturdays and Sundays are excluded, except for Saturday, November 5 when early voting will also be open. All Early Voting in the county must be done at the Avery County Senior Citizens Center, located at 165 Schultz Street in downtown Newland.  By Tim Gardner

Read more

Watauga Board of Elections’ Statement on Modems in Ballot-Counting Machines

December 9, 2021. It has recently come to the attention of the Watauga County Board of Elections that modems were removed from ballot-counting machines used by the Board in county elections. Before being removed, these modems had never been used. Given the importance of a fair and transparent election process, the Board wishes, with this press release, to make relevant information promptly available to the public. Since 2002, the Board has used M100 ballot scanners to count ballots. The Board voted unanimously to purchase this equipment. The scanners were purchased from Printelect, a North Carolina company. The Board owns 31 M100 ballot scanners. They have been used in every election since their initial purchase. On November 9, 2021, Karen Brinson Bell, the Executive Director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections, hosted a Microsoft Teams meeting with election staff from the six counties that still use M100 ballot scanners.

Read more

Candidate Filing Officially Underway for 2022 Election Season; Filing Ends on December 17

December 7, 2021. With 2022 primaries just three months away, candidates started filing to run for office in North Carolina on Monday. Interested individuals have until noon on December 17 to run for election in 2022. Locally, four people have filed to run for the Watauga County Board of Education: Ron Cutlip, Dustin Cole Kerley, Jennie Hanifan and Chad Cole. Sheriff Len “L.D.” Hagaman, a Democrat, has riled for re-election. David B. Searcy has filed to run for sheriff on the Republican ticket. Searcy ran against Hagaman in 2018. Two incumbent Watauga County Commissioners have filed for re-election so far. Democrat Billy Kennedy is running again for his District 3 seat and Democrat Larry Turnbow is running again for his District 4 seat. Republican Braxton Eggers file to run for the District 3 seat and Democrat Angela Laws King filed to run for the District 1 seat.   By Nathan Ham

Read more

Court Suspends Candidate Filing for US House, NC Senate and NC House

December 6, 2021. The North Carolina Court of Appeals on Monday morning issued an order temporarily suspending candidate filing for all U.S House of Representatives, N.C. Senate, and N.C. House contests. By order of the court, the county boards of elections may not file candidates for State House and State Senate until further notice: Download the court order (PDF). Likewise, the State Board of Elections may not file candidates for U.S. House until further notice. Filing will continue for all other contests as scheduled. This is a temporary stay to permit the parties to submit arguments to the Court of Appeals. The court then will decide whether to continue the suspension or lift it.

Read more

Unofficial Voter Turnout Shows Nearly Identical Numbers to 2019 Municipal Elections in Watauga County

November 3, 2021. Voter turnout in Watauga County this year mirrors that of 2019, according to unofficial vote totals from yesterday’s election. In 2019, official voting totals showed 2,131 votes were counted in the municipal elections for Boone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain and Seven Devils. That was 10.87% of the eligible voters that went to the polls in 2019. According to Matthew Snyder, Watauga County’s Director of Elections, there have been 2,136 votes counted for this year’s election with another 83 provisional ballots to be counted on Friday. The unofficial vote total, not counting the provisional ballots, accounts for 12.19% of the eligible voters this year. Final voting totals will be made official during the county canvas on Tuesday, November 9, at 11 a.m. “We are happy for everyone that came out and voted over the last few weeks and we are very grateful to all the folks who were willing to be a candidate and serve their community. It takes a lot of time and effort to do that and congratulations to the candidates that won. I hope they have a successful time in office, I know they have a lot on their plate with a lot of issues facing the High Country,” Snyder said.  By Nathan Ham

Read more

Early Voting for Municipal Elections Ends on Saturday at 3 p.m.; A Total of 634 Votes Cast So Far in Watauga County

October 29, 2021. Early voting continues to be at a slow pace for Tuesday’s upcoming municipal elections in Watauga County. As of the end of the day on Thursday, 335 people have voted early at the Plemmons Student Union location on Appalachian State’s campus and 299 people have voted early at the Watauga County Administration Building on King Street. A large portion of the early votes have been in the Boone Town Council and mayoral races where 592 people have voted early and 18 others have voted by mail in Boone. There have been 38 early votes and 10 absentee votes for the Blowing Rock Town Council and mayoral races. Three early votes have been counted for the town council race in Beech Mountain and so far zero early votes have been cast for the Seven Devils town council race. Early voting will continue through Saturday, October 30, at both locations: Watauga County Administration Building, Commissioners Board Room, 814 W. King Street, Boone, 28607, and at the Appalachian State University Plemmons Student Union, Blue Ridge Ballroom, 263 Locust Street, Boone, 28608.   By Nathan Ham

Read more