News

June 16, 2022 Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont is pleased to announce that Ann Mellon, Boone, has earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting. Mellon, a member of Girl Scout Troop 10492, created the Female Saints Badge Workshop- a series of four different sessions- and worked with girls ages 9-14 from across the United States to educate them on the lives and legacies of female saints in the Catholic faith. Through having conversations with others and making connections to these saints, the girls in the series felt more confident in their faith and everyday life. The Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, recognizing girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects. Each girl must dedicate a minimum of 80 hours to planning and carrying out her project, which must benefit the community and have long lasting impact.

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June 3, 2022 A search is underway for a 67-year-old deaf woman who has been missing from Charlotte for approximately two weeks and is thought to be in the Linville Gorge area of Avery or Burke County. Frances Collett Apperson, who resides on North Course Drive in Charlotte, was last seen leaving her home on Tuesday, May 17, according to a press release from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). She was reported missing four days later on Saturday, May 21. Apperson is 5-foot, 2-inches tall, and is a white female who weighs about 180 pounds with brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She was believed to be going to Linville Gorge and CMPD personnel and Avery County Sheriff’s Department deputies found her car in the parking lot near Linville Falls, not far from Linville Gorge.  It’s unclear if Apperson is familiar with either area. By Tim Gardner

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June 3, 2022 The Avery County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance in the search for a missing teen. 17-year old Autumn Taylor of the Crossnore Township of Avery County became missing on the evening of Friday, May 27, 2022. According to a social media post from the Avery County Sheriff’s Department, Taylor may be in the company of her boyfriend, Kaleb Butler of Boone, and that Butler may be driving a 2009 Lincoln MKZ or a 2006 Subaru Legacy automobile. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Taylor is asked to call the Avery County Sheriff’s Department at (828) 733-2071, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department at (828) 264-3761 or the Ashe County Sheriff’s Department at (336) 846-5633. By Tim Gardner

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May 13, 2022 Justice has named High Country native Bret Bullis as the new warden of the Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution, located in the far Southern end of Avery County in the Kalmia Community. Bullis had been the associate warden for custody and operations at the Marion, NC Correctional Institution, a close and minimum custody prison, since 2020. “Warden Bullis is a longtime resident of Spruce Pine and has earned vast experience with all aspects of managing the operations of a large prison,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “He’s an excellent addition to our team of wardens who work so hard to protect the staff, the offenders, and our communities with caring and compassion.”  By Tim Gardner

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May 5, 2022. Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s leaked majority opinion on Roe v. Wade: “I have long held that the truth about abortion and the deceitfulness of Roe would be inevitably revealed to the American people. Until that day comes, I will never yield in my mission of exposing that truth. Former Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist once observed that, ‘The Constitution protects judicial independence not to benefit judges, but to promote the rule of law.’ That sentiment rings true to this day even as both the independent judiciary and the Constitution have been subjugated by the actions of a rogue, partisan actor. The Founders foretold of this threat, and they were right. The political predilections of one individual have led to an unprecedented breach of confidentiality within the Supreme Court – one that will yield irreparable damage to the confidence of the American people and the rule of law itself. Politically motivated attacks directed at the Supreme Court, whether it be in the form of court packing or undermining judicial independence, must be opposed to the strongest degree possible. The future of our republic hangs in the balance.”

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May 2, 2022. Watauga Arts Council announces a t-shirt design contest in partnership with Boone Drug and High Country Press. Enter the 1st Annual Boone Drug T-Shirt Design Competition for a chance to win $250 cash! The winning design will be printed on a limited edition run of t-shirts that will be available to purchase exclusively at Boone Drug stores. The artist whose design is selected will win a $250.00 cash prize! The artist selected will also receive a free vendor booth at Boonerang Music & Art Fest. Artists may apply their design to other items (not t-shirts) to sell at Boonerang and beyond. Your inspired design will help us celebrate our incredible community in this special year, Boone’s 150th anniversary. We would like “Boone NC” or “Boone 150” to be included in the design in some way shape or form. The proceeds of this year’s t-shirt will benefit the first annual Boonerang Music & Art Fest. Boonerang Music & Art Fest is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and teamwork that embodies our community. 

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April 28, 2022. There is a hotly-contested race this year to fill the position of Avery County Sheriff. Three Republican candidates are seeking the position — Lee Buchanan, Mike Henley and Russell Carver.  Mike Ellenburg also filed to run for the post, but later withdrew his candidacy. All three candidates have varied experience working in law enforcement as does Ellenburg. Ironically, only Ellenburg has served as Avery Sheriff, filling the position on an interim basis several years ago. High Country Press reporter Tim Gardner submitted interview questions to each candidate, asking the same ten questions of each. Below are those questions submitted to candidate Henley and his answers, while responses to the interview questions from Buchanan were published on Monday, April 25.  Carver’s answers will be published soon after they are received back from him. Long-time Avery Sheriff Kevin Frye retired from the post earlier this year to become Director of Criminal Justice Programs for the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association.  Another veteran Avery law enforcement officer, Danny Phillips, is currently serving as Interim Sheriff.  The winner of the 2022 election will technically replace both Frye and Phillips. By Tim Gardner

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April 25, 2022. There is a hotly-contested race this year to fill the position of Avery County Sheriff. Three Republican candidates are seeking the position-Lee Buchanan, Mike Henley and Russell Carver.  Mike Ellenburg also filed to run for the post, but later withdrew his candidacy. All three candidates have varied experience working in law enforcement as does Ellenburg. Ironically, only Ellenburg has served as Avery Sheriff, filling the position on an interim basis several years ago. High Country Press reporter Tim Gardner interviewed the candidates, asking the same ten questions of each. At this end of this article are those questions submitted to candidate and current Avery Chief Deputy Lee Buchanan and his answers, while responses from Henley and Carver to the interview questions will be also published soon. Long-time Avery Sheriff Kevin Frye retired from the post earlier this year to become Director of Criminal Justice Programs for the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association.  Another veteran Avery law enforcement officer, Danny Phillips, is currently serving as Interim Sheriff.  The winner of the 2022 election will technically replace both Frye and Phillips. By Tim Gardner

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April 25, 2022 The Toe River Health District has compiled a health assessment report of Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties, of which it governs. The primary health concerns for all three counties are similar with not surprisingly, substance abuse topping the list in each of the counties. Mental health, obesity and domestic violence are also top concerns in every county. Avery County also lists food insecurity, poverty and housing expenses. Mitchell’s other top concerns include childcare, services for homebound elderly and need for caregivers. Yancey’s other concerns include aging problems, chronic disease and lack of healthy lifestyles. “The community health needs’ assessment is compiled every three years and each time it takes about six months to one year to complete. The assessment is very comprehensive and thorough with an abundance of information, data. and community involvement,” Toe River Health District Director Diane Creek said. By Tim Gardner

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