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News

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Awarded $5 Million Grant for Regional Tourism

April 25, 2025 The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has secured  a three-year, $5.13 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support regional strategies to advance cultural and recreational tourism. The grant activities will benefit dozens of Appalachian gateway communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina that host millions of visitors each year. “By investing in infrastructure improvements, regional business growth, and tourism workforce development, Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s ARISE grant stands to have a robust economic impact on Appalachian North Carolina and Southwest Virginia,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin.

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Key to the City: Boone Town Council Recognizes Trenton D’Agostino for His Success at the Special Olympics World Winter Games

April 25, 2025 During the April 23, 2025 Boone Town Council meeting, the Boone Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to award a “Key to the City” to Special Olympian, Trenton D’Agostino. D’Agostino was also given a plaque that detailed the Town Council’s appreciation for his achievements. An accomplished athlete, D’Agostino won two gold medals, one in the intermediate giant slalom snowboarding competition and another in the intermediate super G in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. As a Watauga County native, and as a graduate of Hardin Park Elementary School and Watauga High School, the Boone Town Council wanted to recognize these achievements with a tangible reminder of how proud D’Agostino’s community is of his journey.

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App State ROTC Program Honored with Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Award

April 9, 2025 The Appalachian State University Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, known as the Mountaineer Battalion, has been awarded the U.S. Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Award, recognizing the program’s exceptional contributions to military leadership and training. A ceremony in celebration of the program’s achievement was held March 20 at App State’s Boone campus. Established in 1989, the award, conferred by the U.S. Army Cadet Command, honors the top eight ROTC programs in the country. The award highlights the success of programs in displaying Gen. MacArthur’s ideals — “Duty, Honor, Country” — and accomplishing its mission of training and commissioning second lieutenants for the U.S. Army.

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1400 People Filled the Sidewalk of King Street in Boone on Saturday for a Planned March by INDIVISIBLE Watauga Against Trump’s Agenda

April 7, 2025 Over 1400 people showed up for a planned protest march on Saturday in Downtown Boone that was organized locally by INDIVISIBLE Watauga, whose founder is Peter Nesbitt. The event was part of a peaceful, nationwide mobilization planned for April 5th. The theme of the march was “Hands Off.” The Boone march started behind the Turchin Center for Visual Arts and proceeded down the King Street sidewalk to an area beside the courthouse, about a half a mile away. The march started at 2:00 and and at one point marchers filled the sidewalk continuously for that whole half a mile. Marchers were encourage to bring signs to hold up during the march, and that they did. 

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Great News—More Tickets Available for Power of the Purse on June 26! New Larger Venue at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone

April 7, 2025 Thanks to your overwhelming enthusiasm, our Power of the Purse event featuring Laura Linney and Molly Grantham on June 26th sold out in just two days! We heard you, and we’re thrilled to announce we’ve increased our event capacity and reopened ticket sales! To accommodate everyone, we’re moving to a larger venue: The Holmes Convocation Center on Rivers Street in Boone.

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Reimagining Howard Street: A Major Downtown Boone Transformation Begins

April 3, 2025 A transformative project is coming to life in the heart of Downtown Boone. Beginning this April, the long-anticipated Howard Street Revitalization Project will reshape one of Boone’s most beloved corridors into a safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly destination—designed with the future in mind. “This project is about more than street improvements—it’s about strengthening our community and investing in a downtown that works for everyone,” said Mayor Tim Futrelle, Mayor of the Town of Boone.

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Katie Woodle Assumes CEO Role at Blue Ridge Energy Following Retirement of Doug Johnson


April 1, 2025 Blue Ridge Energy announces that Katie Woodle has officially assumed duties as Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ridge Energy following her appointment to the position late last year by the cooperative’s Board of Directors to take effect after the retirement of Doug Johnson, who served as CEO since 1989. Woodle has served as the cooperative’s Chief Financial Officer since 2012. “On behalf of the Board, I’m very pleased that Katie Woodle will be leading the cooperative during one of the most critical times in our history,” said Jeff Joines, president of the cooperative’s Board of Directors. “We’re excited that she will be providing continuity of a strong cultural foundation and care for our members, customers, employees and all those our cooperative and subsidiaries serve,” Joines added.

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Winners Announced for 2025 Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards

March 28, 2025 A class of 16 emerging leaders and a longtime industry and community mentor were among the honorees at the 9th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards, held Wednesday, March 26th, in front of a crowd of over 200 people at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. The event was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. This year’s finalists embody the traits of community leadership by shaping young minds in classrooms, stabilizing and growing businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, driving the missions of local non- profits, and providing talent, energy, and insight to established local businesses. While this annual showcase honors these emerging leaders as the next generation of community advocates, their current impact on key issues and projects more than demonstrates their abilities and passion for serving the High Country.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation & Mountain BizWorks Announce Funding Partnership For Business Disaster Grant Program

March 27, 2025 On Friday, March 21 2025, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation closed the application window for its 3rd round of Hope for the High Country Business Resiliency Disaster Grants. Over 140 businesses from Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties applied for funding during a three-week application period. “The volume of applications speaks to the need for continued support for small businesses across western North Carolina,” saidDavid Jackson, President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “These applications address issues with physical damage, lost revenue, and the costs of reopening spring and summer focused businesses that have been closed since the storm, among other things.”

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Watauga Economic Development Commission Releases February Business Snapshot Report

March 25, 2025 In an ongoing effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission released its fourth monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of February 2025. These monthly reports provide data on the state of business in Watauga County, with a focus on current concerns, performance toward revenue expectations, and ability to meet staffing needs among its core analysis.

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NC Budget & Tax Center Releases 2025 NC County Economic Snapshots 

March 24, 2025 RALEIGH – On March 20 the NC Budget & Tax Center (BTC) published our Economic County Snapshots for 2025. Released each year, these snapshots provide at-a-glance information on a variety of economic and social indicators for every county in North Carolina, along with comparisons to state-level data. Data is available is multiple formats for ease of use, including interactive charts and maps that allow for quick comparisons across counties, one-page documents with complete information for each county, and the option to download all data in a single file. 

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Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Announces Ambassadors for Blue Ridge Rising Program

March 11, 2025 Asheville, N.C. – The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is welcoming a slate of community ambassadors to guide the next steps of its Blue Ridge Rising initiative. The group of leaders will help implement strategies to unify gateway communities surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway for the betterment of the region. Blue Ridge Rising aims to strengthen relationships and foster economic development within the North Carolina and Virginia communities that neighbor the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the country’s most visited national parks.

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Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris Named Chancellor of Appalachian State University

February 27, 2025 Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris has been named chancellor of Appalachian State University, effective March 1. University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans made the announcement upon election by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System on Feb. 27. “Dr. Norris has been a widely respected leader and scholar in the Appalachian community for more than two decades, and her service as interim chancellor since last April has been exemplary,” Hans said. “Dr. Norris has risen steadily through the ranks of academic and campus leadership, showing a deep capacity for aligning institutional incentives to student success in a way that has strengthened her university and benefitted a generation of Mountaineer graduates. “Everyone who has worked with Dr. Norris praises her ability to take on complex problems without losing sight of the university’s core mission of service,” Hans said.

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It’s Been 5 Months, Five Things You Need to Know About How 828 is Recovering After Helene

February 27, 2025 Over five months after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, the region continues to grapple with significant recovery challenges. While progress has been made, several critical needs remain unmet: Job Loss due to Helene: Beyond the physical destruction, Hurricane Helene inflicted significant economic hardship on Western North Carolina. Widespread job losses due to business closures and damage exacerbate individuals’ and families’ challenges while striving to rebuild their homes and lives. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Foscoe Home Team sprang into action, providing essential resources to ease the immense hardship caused by widespread unemployment. From the first few days following the storm, FHT has offered food assistance, utility aid, and housing support, helping those affected stay afloat while they searched for new employment or rebuilt their businesses.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Accepting Applications for Third Round of Business Resiliency Disaster Grants

February 27, 2025 After awarding grants to over 160 businesses in its previous funding rounds, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has reopened applications for its Hope for the High Country: Hurricane Helene Business Resiliency Disaster Grants. This program is available to disaster impacted small businesses in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery Counties. Grant applications will be accepted through Friday, March 21st, at 12:00PM. Previous applicants and recipients may apply, but priority will be given to those businesses that have yet to receive funding through earlier rounds. To apply, please visit www.boonechamber.com/foundation.

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Blue Ridge Conservancy Protects Northern Slope of Mount Jefferson, Creates Link for Northern Peaks State Trail

February 21, 2025 Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) continues to preserve land for public access in Ashe County, and recently completed the purchase of 32 acres on the northern slope of Mount Jefferson that will be added to the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. This land, along with an adjoining 36 acres, will provide the critical link between Paddy Mountain and Mount Jefferson for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST). The property was purchased from Jefferson resident Sandra Barrett and her family.

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Watauga EDC Releases January 2025 Business Snapshot Report to Track Real-Time Conditions for Local Businesses Post Hurricane Helene

February 21, 2025 In an ongoing effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission released its fourth monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of January 2025. These monthly reports provide data on the state of business in Watauga County, with a focus on current concerns, performance toward revenue expectations, and ability to meet staffing needs among its core analysis.

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Ice Storm Outages Restored; Crews Continue Working to Restore Sunday’s Wind Outages

February 17, 2025 Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and assisting crews have completed restoration of all outages caused by last week’s ice storm, while crews continue working to restore the final nine outages caused by Sunday’s high wind gusts. Blue Ridge Energy thanks over 130 line technicians and tree workers who answered the call to help: New River Light and Power, Rutherford EMC, Energy United, Union Power Cooperative, Piedmont Electric, Four County EMC, Surry-Yadkin EMC, Randolph EMC, Pee Dee Electric, Pike Corp., Lucas Tree, Kendall Tree and Xylem.

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Blue Ridge Energy and Sister Co-op Crews, Contractors Make Great Progress Today: 949 Left as of 4:30 pm

February 15, 2025 Despite heavy rain and extensive damage to the electric system from this week’s ice storm, Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and assisting crews are making tremendous progress: power outages are down 949 as of 4:30 pm Saturday. Ashe district stands at 417 members affected; Alleghany district: 344, Wilkes at 166, and Watauga district at 22 members without power at 4:30 pm Saturday. Outages are down from a high of around 14,000 after the ice storm hit.

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Blue Ridge Energy, Assisting Crews Continue 24/7 Restoration Efforts: Full Power Restoration Expected to Last into Weekend Due to Damage

February 14, 2025 After battling widespread, severe damage from Wednesday’s 20-hour period of freezing rain and ice accumulation, Blue Ridge Energy and assisting line technicians are working to restore power to the remaining 4,227 members as of 11 am Friday. Over 800 locations on the cooperative’s 8,000 miles of power line primarily in Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes and Watauga counties were damaged by the heavy icing tearing down trees and large limbs into power lines and breaking poles across the system. “Damage is widespread across four counties and what remains today is some of the worst damage we’ve seen from the storm,” said Renee Walker, director of public relations. “Due to the extent of damage, we project full restoration will take into this weekend,” she explained.

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Blue Ridge Energy and Visiting Crews Continue 24/7 Outage Restoration Efforts for the Remaining 7,816 Members Without Power as of 4:00 pm Thursday

February 13, 2025 A team of 120 Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and crews from sister cooperatives across North Carolina, along with contractors and other staff continue 24/7 power restoration efforts for the remaining 7,816 members impacted by the ice storm that began Wednesday morning. Over 800 locations on the cooperative’s 8,000 miles of power line primarily in Ashe, Alleghany and Watauga counties were damaged: downed trees and large limbs falling and tearing down power lines and breaking poles. As temperatures rose today, and ice fell from trees and power lines, it caused lines to “slap together” creating additional outages.

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Empty Bowls to Postpone Their Annual Event Until 2026 in Consideration of Local Potters and Restaurants Impacted by Hurricane Helene

February 13, 2025 In support of local potters and restaurants impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Hunger and Health Coalition and Watauga High School has chosen to postpone their annual Empty Bowls event until 2026. Empty Bowls is a community staple and longstanding partnership with art students at Watauga High School, local potters to provide pottery, and local restaurants to provide soup for patrons to enjoy. Typically, restaurants donate soup for the event, local potters donate their work, and Watauga High School students create clay bowls to raise funds to support the mission of Hunger and Health Coalition – transforming our community’s hunger into health.

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Severe Damage: All Hands on Deck Effort to Restore Power – Multi-Day Outage Event Possible

February 12, 2025 Blue Ridge Energy line technicians, sister crews from cooperatives across North Carolina, electric contractors and tree trimmers are battling severe destruction to restore power to over 11,000 members in Ashe, Watauga and Alleghany counties Wednesday afternoon.  At this hour, ice accumulation is ongoing, worsening the effects on the grid. Heavy ice has caused widespread damage across the cooperative’s mountain service area. Crews are battling falling trees, powerlines weighed down by ice and continued winter weather to restore power.

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Blue Ridge Energy Crews Battling Ice to Restore Over 2,500 Outages as of 10 am Wednesday

February 12, 2025 Blue Ridge Energy line technicians and sister crews from neighboring cooperatives are battling icy conditions and downed power lines to restore power to over 2,500 members in Ashe, Watauga and Alleghany counties Wednesday morning. While precipitation has stopped, damage from early morning ice has brought down trees onto power lines, causing damage that is widespread across the cooperative’s mountain service area. Hardest hit areas include northern Ashe County along the Virginia line, eastern Watauga County including the Deep Gap community, and across Alleghany County. Assisting Blue Ridge Energy line technicians are an additional 12 crews – 24 line technicians – from neighboring cooperatives in North Carolina.

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Town Council Retreat, Green Hill Communications Pole and Blowing Rock Academy. A Conversation with Blowing Rock Town Manager, Shane Fox

February 12, 2025. TThe Blowing Rock Town Council retreat took place January 29-31, 2025. High Country Press sat down with Blowing Rock Town Manager Shane Fox to hear his perspective on the retreat along with updates on a variety of other topics. This year’s Town Council retreat was similar to other retreats in recent years – a lot of sitting and listening to presentations about needs in Blowing Rock with recommendations from staff about how to address those needs and what they may cost. According to Fox, this retreat was particularly productive in that the Council was able to separate the long list of needs and challenges into two clear focus areas. By Sam Garrett

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