Western Watauga Branch Library to close June 12 -15 for carpeting installation.
June 7, 2023 The Western Watauga Branch located in Sugar Grove will close on June 12, 13, 14 and 15 for carpeting installation, reopening on June 19th.
News
Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Makes Its Way to Boone
June 7, 2023 The air in Boone was hazy Tuesday, but not from the heat (yet). Smoke from wildfires in Canada has drifted slowly south and is now stretching across the state. In the Appalachian Mountains above 4,000 feet, a Code Orange air quality alert is in effect advising older adults, young children, pregnant women and those with heart, lung and asthma issues to stay inside or use a mask or face covering when outdoors. By Zack Hill
Hospitality House Celebrates Receiving More Than $400,000 in Grants to Fight Homelessness in High Country
June 1, 2023 More than 60 local politicians, community advocates as well as representatives from state and federal agencies and organizations gathered at the Hospitality House in Boone on Wednesday to celebrate Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina receiving $446,625 in grants to combat rural homelessness. The money comes from grants of more than $22 million awarded to the state from the department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD. Hospitality House of Northwest NC includes Watauga, Wilkes, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. By Zack Hill
Over 100 Turn Out for Protest of SB 20, Hope Pregnancy Center
May 15, 2023 Chants of “Our bodies, our choice, stand up now and use your voice” echoed off the walls of the Hope Center on Howard Street Sunday as over 100 people gathered at a rally organized by the Blue Ridge Collaborative to protest practices of the Hope Pregnancy Center and N.C. Senate Bill 20 which would criminalize abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy with some exceptions for rape, incest and life-threatening pregnancies. By Zack Hill
Former Charlotte Hornets Owner George Shinn Purchases Cornerstone Bookstore
May 12, 2023 George Shinn, former owner of the Charlotte Hornets, and his wife Megan Shinn, recently purchased Cornerstone: Christian Books, Gifts & Gallery in Boone, after being regular customers to the bookstore. “There’s something about this place that makes me feel good,” Megan Shinn described. “There’s always someone with a smiling face who is going to ask, ‘How are you?’ and say, ‘I hope you’re having a great day.’” By Harley Nefe
Despite Failed Proposal, the Majority of Blowing Rock Town Council Believe the Town Will Eventually Bury Power Lines
May 12, 2023 There was a lot of controversy before Tuesday’s vote on whether the city should bury the power lines in conjunction with the replacement of the water and sewer lines. The proposal was defeated with a 3-2 vote. High Country Press reached out to the town’s five council members for more information on why they voted as they did. All five council members were asked the same two questions. By Kris Testori
Board of Elections Discuss Proposed Budget Concerns, Voter ID guidelines, Redistricting
May 12, 2023 The Watauga County Board of Elections met on Tuesday, May 9, at the Watauga County Administration Building at 814 W. King Street. In attendance were board director Matthew Snyder, chairman Michael Behrent, secretary James Hill, and members Eric Eller and Matt Walpole with member Marv Williamsen attending via Zoom and county attorney Andrea Capua present at the meeting. By Zack Hill
Stacy “Four” Eggers Appointed to Four-Year Term on State Board of Elections
May 11, 2023 Five State Board of Elections members were sworn in to four-year terms on Wednesday, and the Board reappointed Karen Brinson Bell as executive director. Earlier this week, Governor Roy Cooper appointed the five State Board members, whose terms run through April 2027. Under state law, the Governor may select the five members of the board from among four nominees provided by each of the state’s two largest political parties, with no more than three members selected from a single party.
‘If We Sold Tickets, We Could Have Paid for our Underground Utilities’ Blowing Rock Mayor Charlie Sellers States at City Council Meeting
May 11, 2023 Blowing Rock residents packed city council chambers, taking advantage of the public comments session to express their opinions on the Underground Utilities Project in Blowing Rock. The Town of Blowing Rock was considering burying the electrical and communication lines along Main Street in conjunction with the water and sewer line replacement. By Kris Testori
Blowing Rock Celebrates Second Year as Tree City, USA
May 9, 2023 The Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Commission (BRAAC) , alongside the Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation staff planted two trees in Broyhill Park today in celebration of the town’s second year as a Tree City USA Partner. By Kris Testori
North Carolina Senate Blocks NCHSAA’s Vote to Allow Athletes to Profit Off their Name, Image and Likeness
May 5, 2023 The North Carolina State Senate approved legislation Wednesday that would debilitate the authority of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in various ways, including blocking its vote to allow athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness. By Tim Gardner
Watauga County Commissioners Approve Several Project Bids in Meeting
May 4, 2023 The Watauga County Commissioners met on Tuesday, May 2, to discuss several agenda and business items. In attendance were commissioners Todd Castle, Braxton Eggers and Ray Russell along with vice-chairman Charlie Wallin and chairman Larry Turnbow. Robert Marsh, Watauga County maintenance director, presented the commissioners with several bids for county projects. By Zack Hill
Keeping the Legacy Alive —Scholarship Established In Memory of Leigh Cooper Wallace
April 27, 2023 April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and no better time to remind local residents of one of the area’s strongest advocates and role models for victims of sexual assault. While the late Leigh Cooper Wallace’s death, years after he own horrific assault, was unrelated and totally unexpected, the legacy she left behind will live on for a long time to come — just as it should. By Sherrie Norris
ARHS Responds to Concerns About Wellness Center Ending Memberships to Public
April 27, 2023 Rob Hudspeth, senior vice president for system advancement at Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, has responded to some of the concerns and controversy arising from last week’s packed county commissioners meeting where many community members voiced anger and sadness at the Broyhill Wellness Center ending memberships to community members. By Zack Hill
W.A.M.Y. Community Action Announces New Executive Director Brittany Luxton
April 25, 2023 W.A.M.Y. Community Action, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families struggling with poverty, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brittany Luxton as their new Executive Director effective June 1st. With over a decade of experience in non-profit leadership roles, Luxton brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the organization.
North Carolina Community Foundation Elects Kack Harrison Hardin as New Board Chair; William Brody Joins Board
April 20, 2023 The Board of Directors of the North Carolina Community Foundation has elected Katharine “Kack” Harrison Hardin as its 10th chair. Hardin succeeds Steven W. Wangerin who served as chair since 2021. A member of the board since 2014, Hardin previously served as Vice Chair/Treasurer and Finance Chair. Hardin, a native of Rocky Mount, N.C., is currently the office administrator for James C. Hardin III, PLLC. Following a career as a congressional staff member and a vice president/secretary of NationsBank (now Bank of America) in the Foundation and Endowment Trust Group, Hardin assisted her husband in establishing his own law firm which specializes in trust and estate planning.
Community Comes Out in Force to Oppose Changes at Broyhill Wellness Center
April 19, 2023 The Tuesday, April 19, meeting of the Watauga County Commissioners was a packed house with many in attendance there to voice their opposition to the recent decision by Appalachian Regional Health System to end public memberships at the Broyhill Wellness Center. A recent letter from ARHS and the Wellness Center informed clients that all individual and family memberships will end on May 31 of this year. By Zack Hill
Alexander County Hires New County Manager
April 18, 2023 In February of this year, the Alexander County Board of Commissioners embarked on an extensive hiring process to select the best candidate to serve as the next county manager. Hiring a county manager is one of the most important decisions that a board makes. It impacts the effectiveness of the board and the services to the residents and businesses of the county. The Alexander County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that Shane Fox will serve as the next county manager. The Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Mr. Fox as the county manager at their meeting on April 17, 2023, and he is slated to begin in the position on June 7, 2023.
New Park Place Florist Owner Planting Fresh Roots in Blowing Rock; Looking Forward to a Busy Wedding and Prom Season
April 18, 2023 Park Place Florist, at 133 Morris Street, Suite 3, in downtown Blowing Rock, is taking on a new life, with a new owner. Holly Newsome bought Park Place Florist from long-time Blowing Rock business owner Carol Aldridge in December. “I am thrilled to be here in Blowing Rock. I love this area more than any other place on earth,” Newsome said. By Kris Testori
North Carolina Blockchain Initiative Announces New Appointments and Strategy for 2023-24
April 17, 2023 Raleigh, North Carolina- The North Carolina Blockchain Initiative (NCBI) was launched in 2019 as a nonpartisan, all-volunteer task force under the supervision of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina to serve as a primary resource on the emerging digital asset and blockchain ecosystem.
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Finalists for 7th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards
April 12, 2023 An evening designed to celebrate 16 emerging High Country’s leaders was highlighted by five honorees earning accolades during the 7th annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards ceremony. The event was hosted Thursday, April 6, 2023, in front of a crowd of over 200 attendees at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone.
Avery County Law Enforcement Authorities Apprehend Man and Seized Vehicle After Chase Involving City of Morganton Police
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
Watauga County Schools to Operate on Two-Hour Delay on Tuesday, March 14
March 13, 2023 Watauga County Schools will operate on a two (2) hour delay on Tuesday, March 14.
Watauga Economic Development Awarded Grant for Boone/Blowing Rock Corridor Study
March 9, 2023 BOONE, NC – Through its inclusion in the Appalachian Gateway Community Initiative, Watauga County Economic Development was recently awarded a $5,000 seed grant to study the advancement of the arts along the US-321 corridor between Boone and Blowing Rock. A team organized by Watauga Economic Development, and inclusive of partners representing each community, will work to administer the grant and communicate findings.
Avery Commissioners Hear from Animal Advocates and Honor Record-Setting State Championship Wrestling Team
March 8, 2023 The Avery Board of Commissioners heard from numerous citizens from the county about animal services and honored the Avery High wrestling team that won the 2023 state-individual-team tournament championship behind a record six state individual champions to highlight its March 6 regular monthly meeting. By Tim Gardner