October 11, 2019. Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the interruption of a complex and far-reaching narcotics trafficking network based in Ashe County. The federal conspiracy began and ended in Ashe County with ten individuals being arraigned in Federal & State court. “Horton Hears a Who” is the operation name for the conspiracy named by local and federal investigating agencies assigned to this case. “Our investigation began in December of 2018 jointly between the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation. After a few months, many of our local agencies joined forces to assist us in the entire investigation. West Jefferson Police Department, Jefferson Police Department, Boone Police Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, Wilkesboro Police Department, North Wilkesboro Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) played a huge part in bringing our investigation closer to being finished,” Sheriff Howell said. / Read more…

October 11, 2019. Volunteers are still hard at work Friday afternoon putting the final touches on the Appalachian Theatre in preparation for Monday’s grand reopening. The newly-renovated 1938 downtown Boone landmark will welcome guests back at 7 p.m. on Monday with a performance featuring John McEuen, the founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and his new band, The String Wizards. “We have a handful of tickets left as of Friday afternoon. We’re working hard and it’s going to be a great show,” said Laura Kratt, the Executive Director of the Appalachian Theatre. John Cooper, the chairman of the Appalachian Theatre’s Board of Trustees, was on hand Friday afternoon pitching in with the final details of work. “We’re excited, the community is excited, it’s going to be a fabulous gift and a gem for the community,” Cooper said. “A lot of volunteers are putting the finishing touches on the theatre. It will be a sellout crowd for the opening event and it will be an amazing concert.” By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 11, 2019. A group of ladies from the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild made a touching donation on Wednesday morning by bringing “fidget” quilts to the Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge in Blowing Rock. Fidget quilts have become very popular over the last few years, particularly for elderly residents and patients across the country with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These quilts feature pieces of textile fabrics and ornaments such as zippers, buttons and ribbons that can be fidgeted with and give these patients something to do with their hands. The Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild was founded over 30 years ago in 1987. They focus on promoting the appreciation and education of the fine art of quilt making. Members of the club meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center in Boone. Guest speakers often come to share their quilt stories and many members show their most recent projects with group members. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 11, 2019 AppHealthCare and the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center (MRJC) were among the 2019 recipients awarded funding through the federal Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) under the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice (more information about the COAP here). This award is a three year allocation that will provide long-lasting positive change in our community and reflects a paradigm shift in our community’s readiness and capacity to respond to the opioid epidemic within our local criminal justice system. Over the past two years, AppHealthCare, MRJC, and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), along with many other community partners, have worked together to build a coalition to strategically address the opioid and substance use disorder crisis in our communities. / Read more…

October 11, 2019 Letters to the Editor. BY CRAIG DUDLEY / Dear Editor, In the opinions I’ve sent to the local ‘news’ outlets over the years, I’ve avoided speaking of ‘local’ politics having learned in West Virginia how convoluted that topic can be, but some things are so obvious that even Ray Charles could see them. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot, is how the song goes, and when you look around Boone, you can see the song’s message clearly displayed in the last twenty years. Frequently Boone is a parking lot, and occasionally a flood zone, all of which has been shaped by those who tell us they work for us. Every day you see more large building projects with no place to put the rising numbers of vehicles. Your daily pursuit of happiness is markedly slowed for the profit of a few, enabled by ‘our’ government. Read more…

October 10, 2019. It’s that time of year to head to Appalachian Ski Mtn. for the annual Preseason Sale and Swap at the Alpine Ski Shop located in the downstairs lobby at the base lodge. This is the 22nd year of the sale and it gives customers a chance to come in and find some great deals on things they need on the ski slopes. “We have all of last year’s ski and snowboard clothing, outerwear and base layer, on clearance and lots of great brands of ski and snowboard equipment,” said Brenda Speckmann. The sale also features accessory items like helmets, goggles and gloves and customers can expect to save up to 70 percent on some of these items. “We also have a ski and snowboard swap for equipment only. Customers have brought their equipment in and we help price it for them and whatever that equipment sells for, they receive that credit in the ski shop. We don’t take any commission from the sales,” said Speckmann. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 10, 2019. Looking to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your neighborhood? Want to keep an eye on criminal activity in your area? Take a look at these recent incident and arrest reports from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department. Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

October 10, 2019. Local Realtors® sold more homes in August and September than any two-month period in at least 15 years, according to the latest real estate report by the High Country Association of Realtors®. The one-two punch powered sales for the year. They have grown 8 percent compared to 2018, and 20 percent compared to 2017. The brisk business occurred as interest rates remained near record lows and inventory continues to turn over quickly. Through the end of September Realtors® sold 1,859 residential and multi-family homes worth $572.06 million, according to the High Country Multiple Listing Service (MLS). It records all activity by Realtors® located in Ashe, Alleghany, Avery and Watauga counties. That’s well above the 1,776 homes worth $476.24 million sold in the first nine months of last year. The median sold price so far this year – the midpoint at which half of all homes sold above or below this year – is $237,000. / Read more…

October 10, 2019. Grab your beer stein and put on your lederhosen or your dirndl, because Sugar Mountain Resort is gearing up to host its 29th annual Oktoberfest celebration on October 12 and 13 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest (beer festival and travelling funfair) that is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany from around mid September to the first Sunday in October; more than six million people from around the world attend the event every year. Sugar Mountain’s version of Oktoberfest in the High Country is family-friendly and people of all ages are invited to join in the celebration. By Joe Johnson / Read more…

October 10, 2019 Interest in the November’s municipal elections in Blowing Rock filled the American Legion building for the October 3rd Blowing Rock Civic Association candidate forum. With the non-partisan election soon starting early voting, the three incumbents and two challengers made their own points about their candidacies and what issues were important to each personally. None of the candidates were strangers to the gathering, each serving the town in recent years—nor were they strangers to each other, having served Blowing Rock in a number of ways. Former Council member Ray Pickett, who has also served on the planning board, expressed his hope for continued prosperity for the town, while Albert Yount , current incumbent, expressed his optimism in the town’s direction under new Town Manager Shane Fox, who Yount said “truly gets it.” He lauded Fox’s outreach to county government on behalf of Blowing Rock, and encouraged citizens to reach out to the town manager. By Steve Frank / Read more…

October 9, 2019 Following last week’s candidate roundtable sponsored by the Blowing Rock Civic Association, residents in the community have one more opportunity to hear four town council candidates and Mayor Charlie Sellers answer questions on a wide variety of topics. The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a candidates’ forum on Monday, October 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Blowing Rock School auditorium. The forum is produced by the Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge alumni group that has about 90 different alumni members inside and outside the Blowing Rock area, according to Charles Hardin, the President of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. Hardin said that the event will last an hour and a half and is the first organized event to be held in the Blowing Rock School auditorium since some new upgrades had been made inside the building. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 9, 2019. Details of the past year’s work of OASIS, the organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Avery and Watauga counties was the headline topic of a light workload during the Avery Commissioners meeting on October 7. Commissioners–Martha Hicks (Chairperson); Blake Vance (Vice-Chairman); Wood Hall (Woodie) Young, Jr.; Tim Phillips; and Dennis Aldridge were present. Other leading county officials attending included: County Manager Phillip Barrier, Jr.; Finance Officer Tim Greene; Assistant County Manager and Clerk to the Board Cindy Turbyfill; and County Attorney Michaelle Poore. OASIS stands for Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter, and is a private, non-profit entity. Its spokesperson Tiffany Moon gave the annual report to the commissioners, which is considered fitting as October is Domestic Awareness Month. By Tim Gardner / Read more…

October 9, 2019. The ongoing decision-making process for constructing a new school in Valle Crucis will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation next Tuesday when the Watauga County Board of Commissioners hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the Valle Crucis Historic District Ordinance. In a previous meeting of the county commissioners on September 17, there was a proposal put forth by the board to amend the ordinance to include a section on school construction. The original ordinance that went into effect on September 1, 1990, did not include any language addressing the construction of any academic facilities. Although the previous ordinance did not make any inclusion for school construction, the current Valle Crucis School was “grandfathered” in as the building has been a part of the community for over 80 years. There have been some disagreements between Valle Crucis residents, visitors and those involved with the county in this decision-making process on where to construct the new school. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 9, 2019. In recognition of 2019 Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 6-12, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey is urging everyone to uphold this year’s campaign theme, “Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape.” Beyond just their motto, however, those such as Fire Marshal Mike Causey has organized a statewide fire drill. At 1 p.m., fire sirens will sound across the state to remind people to plan and practice their fire escape route. “Once a fire alarm goes off in your home, you may have less than two minutes to safely escape,” said Commissioner Causey. “That’s why I’m asking all families to come up with a fire escape plan – practice it – and learn two ways out of your home.” Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. By Colby Gable / Read more…

October 9, 2019. Fresh cabbage is a mountain staple and usually harvested in abundance around the High Country this time every year. A vegetable native to England and northwestern France, cabbage is grown throughout Europe, Asia and America. Of the three types of cabbage — white, red and Savoy —white is the most popular in the United States. We love it raw, cooked, boiled, fried — and pickled, as in sauerkraut. We’ve just recently made our annual fall “run” of kraut and waiting patiently to make sure it turns out just right. Country girls know you’ve got to follow “the signs” when making sauerkraut – and I can assure you, I wouldn’t do it any other way. (I’ve tried and it ended in disaster!) It’s not something I can explain, but I know it to be real. Belonging to the mustard family, cabbage is closely related to other leafy vegetables including turnips, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Cabbage often gives off an unpleasant aroma while cooking, but adding a celery rib or several lemon wedges to the pan will eliminate the smell. A cabbage head, cut into a shell, with its center hollow out, makes a great “bowl” for a vegetable dip, coleslaw or potato salad. It’s just another wonderful vegetable with a variety of ways to be enjoyed. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

What’s going on in your community? Here’s a brief update on the emails we received today. Check back each day for an updated list of events going on in the area. As always, please feel free to email us about your event or update.

What’s Happening This Week at Lost Province Brewing

Beech Mountain Academy Registration Now Open

Blue Ridge Native Plant Society to Meet October 9

Foxx to Host Benefits Workshop for Seniors on October 11

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum’s Special Topic Tours in October

Torch Club to Meet October 14

Blowing Rock Highway 321 Visioning Workshops Begin October 15 

Wordkeepers Meeting Happening Saturday, October 19

Genal West from Watauga High School Will Receive a $1,000 Award to Pay for Professional Development

Charles Hardin Named Chamber Executive of the Year for the Carolinas

Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE) Recognizes Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients for 2019

Carolina Renaissance Festival Record Opening

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

October 8, 2019. Ashe County Sheriff B. Phil Howell reports the arrests of two individuals related to a motorcycle chase and crash that occurred just before 5 pm on October 7. Trooper Denny Parunak, of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, observed a motorcyclist traveling at a high rate of speed and the motorcycle did not have a registration plate displayed. Capt. Josh Hodges of the West Jefferson Police Dept. observed the motorcyclist go through the intersection of US Hwy 221/163 and attempted a traffic stop and a vehicle chase ensued. The motorcyclist led law enforcement on a short chase and crashed near the intersection of Ira Miller Drive and Mulatto Mountain Road. The motorcycle’s operator, later identified as Derek Wesley Scism, 28, of Blowing Rock then fled on foot. After a search, officers were unable to locate the suspect. / Read more…

October 8, 2019. Stephanie Rickenbaker graduated from Appalachian State University in 1999 with degrees in marketing and Spanish, a minor in international business. A long-time Charlotte area resident, she “absolutely loves” the High Country and has a few specific reasons for visiting here, at least monthly. In addition to finding rest and relaxation in her family’s mountain getaway, Rickenbaker takes delight in the personal delivery of her immune-boosting “remedy” that sells well on local shelves — and at numerous locations across the southeast. “The High Country is such a special place,” she said. “As soon as I get there, it’s like I can breathe easier and I don’t have a care in the world.” And, breathing easier is something she desires for everyone, which is one reason for the success of her “Sweet’s Syrup” business that has taken her by storm in the last three years. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

October 8, 2019 The October/November edition of the High Country Magazine is officially back and ready to pick up at your favorite businesses across the High Country, or at our office located at 1600 Highway 105 in Boone. You can also read the magazine cover to cover online if you are not in the area. Our cover story for this fall features the reopening of the Appalachian Theatre. The iconic theatre returns after closing 12 years ago with its opening show on October 14 featuring John McEuen, founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and his current band, The String Wizards, for a concert titled, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” Tickets are $32 and are now on sale to the public. The theatre property was purchased in 2013 by a non-profit group named Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) with the intention of one day returning the stage to its glory days. After many fundraisers and lots of hard work by passionate fans of the original Appalachian Theatre, the doors will now be open again. In addition to the story on the Appalachian Theatre, there are stories about Rufus Edmisten, John Mena and Haircut 101, Jordan Nelson,”The Drone Guy”, Cecil and John Gurganus and the Appalachian Trail and Boone resident, Mary Helen Cole turns 100. / Read more…

October 8, 2019. As I walked into the Blue Deer Cookies location I instantly saw a silver camper!  Which I thought was cool because a camper is so unique, hotdog stands have a cart, restaurants or stores are inside in a building, but Blue Deer Cookies is located in a camper! So, this was my first time being there but really I regret not going there before! Its was astonishing! The taste the smells the presentation! The food is definitely Instagram worthy! So I had an interview with the owner! During the interview with Justin Northern he answered some of my questions I was wondering! By Asha Batchelor / Read more…

October 8, 2019 After fifty (50) years of operation with property ownership as a requirement for Club membership, the Beech Mountain Club is now offering a limited number of memberships to Non-Property Owners (NPO). The Beech Mountain Club is a private, social club located on beautiful Beech Mountain, North Carolina. Our 1,250 member families enjoy cool summer temperatures, outstanding amenities, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, winter sports opportunities and the services of a professional staff dedicated to providing our members with all the activities and programs you would expect at a mountain retreat.. / Read more…

October 7, 2019. The Town of Boone gathered together on Saturday for a special 100th-anniversary celebration of one of the longest-standing businesses in Boone. Dr. George Kelly Moose founded Boone Drug, which first opened its doors in 1919. Since then, the family-owned business has changed hands a few times over the years. One thing has never changed, and that is the commitment to the community and its people. The Richardson, Miller, Furman and Stacy families have all had an owner’s stake in the company at one point or another, but as owner and president Corey Furman said during the event on Saturday at the Jones House, Boone Drug has meant just as much to the community as it has its owners. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 7, 2019. A small earthquake with a magnitude of 2.1 was reported approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) south of Blowing Rock at 12:55 a.m. Sunday. The report put together by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) that the quake occurred at an approximate depth of 4.8 kilometers (2.99 miles) below the earth’s surface in Caldwell County. The USGS interactive map has an earthquake located in an area known as Winding Stairs Mountain, roughly three miles off of U.S. Highway 321 near the Happy Valley community. According to the USGS, earthquakes under a magnitude of 2.5 are rarely felt at the surface. The report for this quake has one resident that reported feeling it. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 7, 2019. On October 1st, High Country Toastmasters celebrated their 10th anniversary in Boone with a special gathering, and featured actor David Andrews as a guest speaker for the event. At a Toastmasters event, members learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. An average High Country Toastmasters club is made of around nine to twelve people who all meet once a week for just over an hour. Each meeting gives members the chance to: learn how to plan and conduct business meetings, give one-to-two-minute impromptu speeches about various topics, present prepared speeches, offer constructive evaluation, and interaction with a flexible learning program which gives you the option to pick which skills you want to focus on. By Colby Gable / Read more…

October 7, 2019. The Blue Ridge ArtSpace, a community arts hub filled with four galleries, classrooms, and a Gift Shop, is the home of the Watauga County Arts Council. During the month of October, the Main Gallery features the work of Earl Davis and John Audish. As an artist, Davis enjoys oil painting, focusing mostly on landscapes with a sprinkling of portraits and impressionism thrown in. However he also enjoys lamp working (glassblowing), piloting aircrafts, writing books, and still continues as an interim pastor after having retired from his career as a minister. He recently shared his work through the Artist in Residence Program at the Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock. John Audish has always loved to draw. During his military service, his quick sketch of General Westmoreland became the general’s favorite. After a military career, John became a businessman and lives in Hickory, NC with his wife Sandy. John’s work in watercolor and oil is found throughout the Carolinas.
/ Read more…

October 7, 2019 The 64th Annual Farm City Banquet will be held on Thursday, November 7 at 6 p.m. at the Boone United Methodist Church located on New Market Boulevard in Boone. The theme for this year’s banquet is “High Country Grown: Who’s Your Farmer?” to celebrate Watauga County’s farmers and the community and town folk that support them. The banquet and awards ceremony is organized annually by the Town of Boone, ASU, and N.C. Cooperative Extension of Watauga County. This year, the program includes special guest Sheri Castle, award-winning professional food writer, cook and storyteller who hails from Watauga County, and music from Will Willis, a local singer & songwriter. Following a dinner supplied from local farms, awards will be presented to those in the farming, civic, and business community who have made significant contributions to the agricultural economy. Commodity groups also will award their respective producers of the year, and the Watauga Soil and Water District will present the Farm Family of the Year award. The Boone Chamber of Commerce will present the “Tuckwiller Award” to recognize achievements in Community Development in memory of the late Lake Ernest Tuckwiller, past Watauga County Farm Agent. / Read more…

October 7, 2019. Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner with less than 80 days remaining until Christmas! To help local shoppers find unique, locally crafted, and unforgettable gifts, the Blue Ridge ArtSpace and Watauga County Arts Council are once again presenting Holiday Originals. They are seeking to add even more new work to this sales event and are inviting interested local artists to apply. The show will officially open on November 9th and will run until December 21st. The application deadline for artists who would like to participate in the event is October 19th. No participation fee is required, but participating artists must be (or become) current members of the Blue Ridge Art Space/Watauga County Arts Council. Membership allows artists to participate in this and many other offerings throughout the year and begins at $35. Commission rates range from 25% to 40% depending upon the level of volunteer participation of the artist. / Read more…

October 4, 2019. A select group of eight Avery County High School students recently had the opportunity to both prepare for their academic future and lend a helping hand. Through the non-profit organization Mountain Alliance, eight students from the high school toured N.C. State University, UNC-Wilmington and Campbell University, and spent time volunteering in Wilmington with the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM). “We are proud to offer this trip to students as we feel that touring colleges allows students the opportunity to envision themselves on a college campus,” said Brittany Starbuck, the Program Director at Mountain Alliance. “We try to include colleges that have differences so students can compare and think about what type of college they would be most happy and successful at.”  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 4, 2019. Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) is pleased to announce that effective October 1, 2019, Liberty Healthcare Properties of Watauga County, LLC and Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Watauga County, LLC (Liberty) became the owner/operator, respectively, of the Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge, located in Blowing Rock, N.C.  ARHS President and CEO Chuck Mantooth commented on the ownership change by saying, “the future of healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas will be about leveraging partnerships. Over the last year, as we worked with Liberty to plan the development of a senior living campus at Chestnut Ridge it became clear that the skilled nursing and assisted living services should be integrated within their care continuum. Liberty can now take the next steps forward to evaluate the nature of and develop the retirement community that we have been working toward for the last 10 years.”  / Read more…

October 4, 2019. The leadership team at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) announced today that the final phase of construction has been completed and that the newly-renovated 1938 landmark will begin operations this month. The first performance will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019 when John McEuen, founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will be joined by his current band, The String Wizards, for a concert titled, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” “The name of that event is fortuitous since we’ve now come full circle with this project,” said John Cooper, chair of the theatre’s board of trustees. “What began as the ‘Save The Appalachian Theatre’ task force in December 2011 has grown to involve over 500 volunteers and thousands of community stakeholders, all of whom have given generously of their time, talent, and resources to make this dream become a reality.” / Read more…

October 3, 2019. The long-running Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in downtown North Wilkesboro is sure to bring a big crowd out on the street this Saturday for the 42nd straight year. The first Saturday in October always marks the special occasion each year. While the weather can be unpredictable this time of year, this weekend’s edition of the festival looks like a warm, clear day in the foothills. Events get underway on Friday evening with the “Apple Jam” music show that takes place at the corner of 10th and Main in downtown North Wilkesboro. Music starts at 6 p.m. and will continue until 9 p.m. Be sure to bring your favorite lawn chair and prepare to relax and enjoy some great music as the sun goes down. The main event fires up at 8 a.m. Saturday morning with what is considered one of the largest one-day arts and crafts festivals in the southern United States with an average of over 160,000 people coming to the festival. The event also sets up as a major fundraiser for a lot of social organizations, church groups and non-profit organizations.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 3, 2019. Areas around Boone and Blowing Rock received from national publicity on Thursday morning when an article about Boone appeared online in the New York Times. The story written by Paige McClanahan chronicles her experience spending a weekend in the High Country. During her first day in Boone on a Friday, she detailed a hike at Elk Knob State Park and dinner, drinks and music at Lost Province Brewing in downtown Boone. The next day, Paige spent the first part of the day checking out what Boone has to offer. She talked about her breakfast at Stick Boy Bread Company, spending time in downtown Boone and eating lunch at the F.A.R.M. Café. After that, she headed to Blowing Rock where she stopped in at The Blowing Rock tourist attraction, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, took a stroll through downtown Blowing Rock and finally capped off the evening with dinner at The Best Cellar.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 3, 2019 Town residents in Blowing Rock are gearing up for the upcoming November election that will have two town council seats and the mayoral seat up for election on November 5. The Blowing Rock Civic Association will be hosting a special candidate roundtable on Thursday, October 3 at the Blowing Rock American Legion Building. Social time begins at 6:15 p.m. with the roundtable beginning at 7 p.m. The roundtable will be focused on issues that surround Blowing Rock town residents and will also allow for questions from audience members in attendance. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 2, 2019. Boone set yet another record high this fall season, reaching 82.2 degrees at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon according to data provided by Ray’s Weather Center. That temperature easily beat the previous record of 79 degrees that was set in 1951. Other areas across the country reached temperatures even higher than Boone. The town of Seven Devils checked in with a high temperature of 83.9 degrees at 3:52 p.m., Zionville’s temperature made it up to 84.8 degrees at 4:01 p.m., Valle Crucis got to 85.7 degrees at 5:01 p.m. and Warrensville over in neighboring Ashe County had the highest temperature in the area with 86.7 degrees at 3:50 p.m. West Jefferson peaked at 85.1 degrees, Jefferson got to 84.6 degrees, Newland hit 84.1 degrees, Linville reached 82.1 degrees, Blowing Rock reached a high of 80.9 degrees, Banner Elk got to 80.7 degrees, Sugar Mountain nearly reached 80 with a high of 79.1 degrees and Beech Mountain had a high of 74.8 degrees.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

October 2, 2019. Looking to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in your neighborhood? Want to keep an eye on criminal activity in your area? Take a look at these recent incident and arrest reports from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Boone Police Department. Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham