July 11, 2023 Celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, the Tommy Burleson Basketball Camp, one of the High Country’s most annually anticipated sports events, will be held Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21 in the Old Rock and adjacent auxiliary elementary school gymnasiums in Newland. It will run from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon each day. By Tim Gardner
July 3, 2023 Fifteen years ago, the Minford family was vacationing in Florida, looking for an outdoor activity they could enjoy together. There was a disc golf course nearby, and they decided to give it a try. “We had the best time,” said Jeri Minford, mother of three sons. When they returned home to Boone, her husband Rich started talking about designing their own disc golf course on their hundred-acre Christmas tree farm — located on Sugar Mountain off of Highway 181 between Linville and Newland. By Jan Todd
April 19, 2023 The first Avery Latine Fair, sponsored by OASIS, Incorporated, will be held on Friday, May 5th from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. at Avery County High School, located at 401 High School Road in Newland. OASIS’s PART (Preventing Abuse Response Team) helped create the Avery Latine Fair as a response to the ever-growing Latine/Hispanic community in Avery County. Its purpose is to build a bridge between the LEP (Limited English Proficient) residents and the entire Avery community. By Tim Gardner
March 27, 2023 Wyatt Lane Clark, age 25, of Newland, was apprehended by Avery County law enforcement officers on Friday, March 24, after he was involved in a vehicle chase in Morganton, NC the previous day. The vehicle he was driving during the chase was also seized by Avery officers. By Tim Gardner
March 16, 2023 Spring springs next week and the clocks sprang forward this past Sunday. Did you change the battery or batteries in your smoke detector or smoke detectors? If not, stop reading, go grab a ladder and some batteries and change them. You back? OK. Good. A lot of real estate columns and blogs will give you tips and tricks and advice on the best improvements to make to your home to “add value” to your investment. Likely, this column will too, eventually. By Bill Aceto
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
February 13, 2023 An Avery County man accused of trying to plant a bomb at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games office in Linville two years ago will appear before a federal judge on various charges in March. A federal grand jury indicted 44-year-old Thomas Dewey Taylor, Jr. on February 8, and he’s been ordered to appear before a judge in Asheville on March 1. Dewey, who used to work at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, is accused of trying to use the bomb against his former employer, possessing a firearm not registered to him and making a bomb in September 2021. By Tim Gardner
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
November 2, 2022 One of the highlights in North Carolina High Country musical history happened last week when four of the Boone & Church Band members that includes three Avery County High School students and one Mayland Community College student, won the 95th Annual Future Farmers of America (FFA) National Convention Talent Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana. A massive crowd of more than 62,000 attended and the Boone & Church Band was the only entry from North Carolina that participated in the talent competition. By Tim Gardner
October 14, 2022 Randall Fletcher, one of Avery County’s all-time most noted government executives as county manager passed away October 10th at the Cranberry House nursing facility there following a period of declining health. He was 90 years old. By Tim Gardner
September 30, 2022 NEWLAND, NC – It’s been a busy year at Feeding Avery Families as they expand initiatives and space to help eliminate hunger in Avery County. During the past 12 months, the non-profit provided more than half a million pounds of groceries, produce, bread and frozen meats at no cost to thousands of local families in need. Their much larger operations center in Newland should be completed by year’s end.
August 24, 2022 On Friday, Sept. 2, the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will reach a major milestone. One of the most iconic destinations in North Carolina will be turning 70 years old, and the park is throwing a celebration with a mile-high slate of activities.
August 8, 2022 It’s almost time for one of Avery County and the High Country’s most anticipated yearly events– the Avery County Agricultural and Horticultural (A & H) Fair. Thanks to the collaboration of the Avery County Government and the community members who volunteer to operate it, this year’s Avery A&H Fair will run from Wednesday, September 7 through Saturday, September 10. It will be the fourth year that it will be hosted on the Heritage Park property since the completion of the county’s agriculture building on the site. Heritage Park is located at 661 Vale Road in Newland, which is approximately one-half mile behind the Ingles Markets Grocery Store. By Tim Gardner
August 2, 2022 The Avery County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance in the search for a missing teen. 16-year old female Milgiam S. Solis ran away from Crossnore School, Inc. on Friday, July 29, 2022, according to Avery Sheriff Mike Henley. Solis also goes by the name Susi Lopez.
October 28, 2021. WAMY Community Action’s newest youth program, ‘The Hangout’, will join the Afterschool Alliance in this year’s Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide series of events celebrating and supporting afterschool programs, on November 2nd. This 22nd annual Lights On Afterschool is expected to include thousands of in-person and virtual events across the nation, including open houses, science fairs, fun runs, student showcases, academic contests, community service, sports competitions, and more at schools, 4-Hs, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, parks, museums, community centers, state capitols and other places. Lights On Afterschool is the only national rally for afterschool. The Hangout’s Lights On Afterschool event will be at 358 Beech Street in Newland from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, November 2nd. We will offer a FREE dinner, t-shirt tye dying, & information booths about WAMY’s programs. We will also offer a tour of the facility for the program.
Jan. 5, 2018. Something for everyone. Perhaps no other term better personifies the many programs offered at the Williams YMCA of Avery County for people of all ages and any physical fitness level. Since its opening in 2007, the Williams YMCA of Avery County truly has fulfilled its mission statement of: Putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. By Tim Gardner
Mar. 9, 2017. With the four-year anniversary of its new location approaching in May, the Avery County Humane Society has set out to greet the coming of spring with new officers and fun and exciting events and fundraisers. Don’t miss out on these chances to hang out with furry friends and help a good cause! By Bailey Faulkner – Photo Courtesy of the Avery County Humane Society
July 26, 2016. As the weekend approaches and you find yourself searching for fun things to do, try checking out one of the High Country’s many free concerts! Several towns and organizations in the area host a weekly summer music series, and these events are perfect for relaxing on a summer evening, socializing with the community and listening to some great live music. See our guide below for details about this weekend’s concerts.
July 26, 2016. Celebrate the seventh week of Newland’s free summer concert series Friday, July 29 with Native American and Celtic musician Arvel Bird. Arvel Bird’s mixed American Indian and Celtic heritages contribute to his unique and diverse musical performances. Originally from the American Southwest, Bird was classically trained on the violin and explored different styles of music as he found passion in them, eventually leading to bluegrass, folk and Celtic music in addition to traditional Native American music.
July 21, 2016. As the weekend approaches and you find yourself searching for fun things to do, try checking out one of the High Country’s many free concerts! Several towns and organizations in the area host a weekly summer music series, and these events are perfect for relaxing on a summer evening, socializing with the community and listening to some great live music. See our guide below for details about this weekend’s concerts.
July 7, 2016.Classic Carolinas music group The Tams, a favorite of beach music fans and shag dancers, will perform Friday, July 8 at the community of Newland’s free summer concert series. Ever since the 1960s, The Tams have been famous along the beaches of North and South Carolina, playing clubs centered around shag dancing and performing songs that became standards in beach and dance music. The summer concert series began as a way to draw people to the Newland community, to celebrate the area and to just be a fun event for locals and visitors alike.
April 12, 2016. On April 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can help the organization celebrate being in the community at the Adoption and Education Center, 279 New Vale Road in Newland. The event will be hosted by Avery Humane Society and sponsored by Avery County Chamber of Commerce. Shelter Manager Charlene Calhoun said the Birthday Bash will celebrate all of the good work the organization has done for animals over the years. The event will also give the public a chance to get involved and get to know AHS. By Kaitlan Morehouse
Jan. 28, 2016. Looking for something fun, new and family-friendly to do this weekend? Head over to Newland on Saturday night for the High Country’s first NAWA pro-wrestling event! Wrestling events have become a local favorite in the area, and the Avery County Parks and Recreation department brings this new Morganton-based wrestling program for friends and neighbors to enjoy. By Jessica Isaacs