February 12, 2020. Valentine’s Day is just hours away — and what better way to show your love than with treats from the kitchen. Keep in mind, sometimes, it’s the little things that make a difference. In addition to stirring up a little something sweet, spend time reflecting on the good times. Try to reenact your first date. Play a little “romantic trivia” by creating a game based on questions about your relationship. Give rewards for the right answers and lovingly accept the wrong ones. The following are some sample questions you can use: Where was our first kiss? Where did we go on our first date? What kind of car did I own when we first met?. . . you get the idea? And in the meantime, hope these recipes help seal the deal. 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.

Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company

Appalachian State Board of Trustees on Meet on February 12

Ashe County Wordkeepers Meeting Happening on Saturday, February 15

NCNPS Blue Ridge Chapter to Meet on February 17

Planning Board Meeting Location Changed for February 17

Upcoming High Country Rural Planning Organization Meetings February 19

WCC to Host SkillsUSA Northwest Region 7 Rally & Career Showcase on February 24

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Seeking Nominations for “4 Under 40” Awards Through March 20

Beech Mountain Club Announces “Deal of the Decade”

ElectriCities Recognizes New River Light & Power for Excellence in Public Power

North Carolinians Can Nominate a School Hero for a $10,000 Award

American Airlines to Begin Dual-Class Service From Tri-Cities to Dallas-Fort Worth

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

February 11, 2020. The N.C. Department of Information Technology on Monday released new data indices that provide a more accurate look at the current state of broadband access, adoption and the digital divide in communities across North Carolina. NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Eric Boyette announced the launch of the North Carolina Broadband Indices and accompanying visualizations of the data at the Institute for Emerging Issues “ReCONNECT to Technological Opportunity Forum.”  “One of our goals is to create a better picture of North Carolina’s broadband access limitations and opportunities,” Boyette said. “We are working toward ensuring all North Carolinians have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet service.” The indices are two unique measures that will inform the design of programs, policies and tools to align with the specific needs of each community by helping to demonstrate need, identify the most beneficial types of investments and determine where resources should be deployed. / Read more…

Feb. 11, 2020 I’m writing this review less than three hours removed from Joaquin Phoenix winning an Oscar for “Joker.” It is the second time an actor has won for playing the Clown Prince of Crime, after Heath Ledger’s posthumous win for 2008’s “The Dark Knight.” Other actors known for iconic takes on The Joker include Jack Nicholson in the 80’s, Cesar Romero in the 60’s, and my personal favorite, Mark Hamill in the 90’s animated series. About the only actor whose portrayal of the character was widely panned was Jared Leto in 2016’s “Suicide Squad.” This movie takes place in the Leto continuity. To be fair, Leto’s lousy Joker is nowhere to be seen in this movie. Instead we get to spend a whole movie with one of the high points of “Suicide Squad”: Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn. Harley is usually inseparable from The Joker, tethered to him in an unhealthy relationship based on obsession and emotional dependence. But here the couple is broken up, to the point where Harley burns the bridge with her ex-lover by blowing up their favorite chemical plant. Her newfound freedom puts her on the bad side of the villainous Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor), who in the past wouldn’t have harmed Harley because of her connection to The Joker, but now himself feels free… to do all the harming he wants. By Bob Garver. / Read more…

February 11, 2020. Gas prices have dropped by double digits throughout the Carolinas over the past month. North Carolina is down by 22 cents – with the average price for a gallon of regular gas at $2.25 on Monday. The price in South Carolina is $2.11 – 25 cents lower than a month ago. “Lower crude oil costs, less demand and a high level of gasoline stocks are the main reasons for cheaper pump prices across the Carolinas,” said Tiffany Wright, AAA spokesperson. “We expect prices to decrease again this week especially if concerns about the coronavirus continue to weigh on the crude oil market.” Oil Market Dynamics/Coronavirus Impact: Crude prices have dropped for the third consecutive week as market concerns continue to increase due to the growing impact of the coronavirus on global travel. If international travel decreases, global crude demand would likely follow suit and result in lower crude consumption worldwide. / Read more…

February 11, 2020 The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index began the year in the top 10% of all readings in the 46-year history of the survey. The index rose 1.6 points to 104.3 in the month of January. Six of the 10 Index components improved, two declined, and two were unchanged. The Uncertainty Index edging up slightly. Small business owners expecting business conditions to improve dipped slightly, but sales expectations and earnings trends were up significantly. As was reported last week, job creation surged in January. “2020 is off to an explosive start for the small business economy, with owners expecting increased sales, earnings, and higher wages for employees,” said NFIB Chief Economist William Dunkelberg. “Small businesses continue to build on the solid foundation of supportive federal tax policies and a deregulatory environment that allows owners to put an increased focus on operating and growing their businesses.”  / Read more…

February 11, 2020. It has been said that timing is everything. Fortunately for Betty Redman, she has been in the right place at the right time, not just once, but at least twice – at least where her heart health is concerned. Despite a family history of heart problems, Redman had been healthy most of her adult life. “My father died at age 52 with a heart attack, and my mother, although she lived to be 84, was paralyzed from a stroke at the age of 62. She received good therapy, and was able to retain her mobility to a point.” However, things began to change for Redman in the last decade when she was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation; she responded well to medication, but had occasional mini-strokes. Still, she said, it wasn’t too serious — until last year. / Read more…

February 11, 2020 With the fourth week of the Sugar Mountain Adult Racing League (SMARL) in the books, the ski standings remain deadlocked and the snowboard first and second place competitors are separated by just one point. Team Sugar and Ski Country A are tied atop the ski standings with 79 points while Edge of the World holds a slim 69-68 lead over second-place Scooch Legs. Andrew Jochl had the best skiing finish, cruising down the trail in 30.43 seconds. Erich Schmidinger had the quickest time in the snowboard race, crossing the finish line in 36.83 seconds. “We had light rain but the snow was really good. We had a ton of snow, the skiing was good, it was just wet out there,” said Bill Leonard, owner of Ski Country Sports in Banner Elk. “A lot of people showed up, did their race and had a good time.”   By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 10, 2020 It’s that time of year again for couples to plan out their Valentine’s Day celebrations. The Gamekeeper, entering its 20th year of operation under the ownership of Ken and Wendy Gordon, was named to the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants according to reviewers on the popular restaurant reservation site OpenTable. The restaurant was chosen out of over 28,000 restaurants that had received over 12 million reviews of restaurants all across the nation. Five restaurants out of the 100 were chosen from North Carolina, including Ryan’s Restaurant in Winston-Salem and Caprice Bistro in Wilmington. “It’s a remarkable honor. We have a wonderful staff that does a great job making everybody’s experience special and everyone understands our number one job is to make sure every single person has the best experience that they possibly can,” said Ken. Ken says it’s just in the culture of The Gamekeeper for staff members to treat customers very well and provide them with a great evening out. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 10, 2020. CNN Business featured an article written by Nathaniel Meyersohn and Alicia Wallace on Friday detailing the abrupt collapse of a beloved organic grocery chain called Lucky’s Market, based in Boulder, Colorado. Kroger, America’s largest supermarket chain, took a majority stake in Lucky’s Market in 2016. Four years later, Kroger has officially ended their support of the organic grocery chain, due to steep competition and cost of upkeep; Lucky’s has filed for bankruptcy. The story of Lucky’s Market bears a striking resemblance to that of Earth Fare, the Asheville-based organic food chain that recently announced it will be liquidating its assets and closing its stores by the end of the month, including the Earth Fare location on King Street.  By Joe Johnson / Read more…

February 10, 2020. Harriet Carolyn Browning Davant of Blowing Rock, NC passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on February 9, 2020 at The Foley Center at Chestnut Ridge in Blowing Rock.  She would have celebrated her 97th birthday on February 26. Harriet Browning grew up in Raleigh and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1944.  She was one of the first women to earn this degree.  In later years, she served as a trustee for the University’s Morehead Scholarship Foundation. She married Dr. Charles Davant Jr. of South Carolina in 1944.  In 1948, Dr. and Mrs. Davant moved to Blowing Rock, where Dr. Davant opened a medical clinic. His passion was improving medical care for mountain residents, and Mrs. Davant’s support of him and their two children helped him realize that passion.  Dr. and Mrs. Davant were married for nearly 60 years before his 2003 death.  Mrs. Davant led many projects for the betterment of her beloved mountain community.  She helped lay the foundations and establish the traditions for Blowing Rock residents’ volunteerism.  The Blowing Rock Community Foundation named her “Woman of the Year” in 2016, describing her as a “Steel Magnolia” and “the ultimate Southern Lady.” She was smart, funny, independent, loyal, and dedicated to family, friends, and her community.  She was relentlessly cheerful.  She was beloved by all who were fortunate enough to know her.  Her beauty, compassion, sense of humor, and gentile manner were incomparable.  The “Harriet and Charles Davant Jr. Medical Clinic” at The Foley Center was named in her and her husband’s honor.  / Read more…

February 10, 2020. Celebrated journalist and historian Rob Christensen will present a program on his latest book The Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys in the Lees-McRae Shelton Learning Commons Room 205 on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. A highly respected political journalist for The News and Observer in Raleigh, Christensen has also appeared as a political analyst on more than 600 television and radio programs, including the CBS Evening News, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, PBS, NPR, and BBC. His recently published book is a multi-generational story about one of North Carolina’s most important political families—the Scott family. The book also covers the long struggle to build paved roads and establish electric and telephone power lines into Western North Carolina.  / Read more…

February 10, 2020. Cooperative Extension at N.C A&T State University is hosting the annual Small Farms Agrishop Series, with the High Country opportunity for this event to take place on Monday, February 24 at the Watauga Agricultural Conference Center at 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone. The workshop will cover a series of topics on locally-adapted agricultural opportunities and strategies. The AgriShop runs from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, and attendance to the full day of workshops will give two hours of X, D, N, & O Pesticide Credits to license holders. The 2020 North West Region AgriShop, topics include: Color Plastic Mulch; Farm Health & Safety; Apple & Blueberry Production; Hemp Harvest & Post-Harvest Processing; Marketing Heirloom Tomatoes; Medicinal Herbs; Pollinator Buffers; Small Ruminant Management & Nutrition; and guidance toward Writing a Food Safety Plan. The AgriShop is free to growers and includes a locally-catered lunch. Pre-registration before Tuesday, February 18 is required.  / Read more…

February 7, 2020. Last month, the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk was able to make the lives of many people in Avery County a little bit easier by donating $55,000 in grants to numerous organizations and schools throughout the county. A total of $15,000 of that money went straight to different schools within Avery County for everything from school supplies to music programs. Missy Waycaster and Tiffany Shell teach second grade at Newland Elementary School and they received a grant to continue using a hand-on learning app through the Reflex Program. “The students love the game-based learning to strengthen their addition, subtraction and multiplication fluency. This year at the beginning of the year our students had a five percent starting fluency rate and now at mid-year, they have grown to 64 percent,” they said. “We truly appreciate considering us and giving us the grant money to continue the program. Also at Newland Elementary, fifth-grade teacher, Sharayah Webb received a grant that will find a new wireless speaker for her classroom. By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 7, 2020. The Avery County Board of Elections is reminding its residents that the time period for early voting in the county begins on Thursday, February 13 and runs through Friday, February 28, excluding Saturdays and Sundays except for Saturday, February 29 when its Early Voting will also be open. All Early Voting in the county must be done at the Avery Board of Elections Office, located in the Avery Court House Annex at 200 Montezuma Street in Newland. The 2020 Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. “We’re expecting a very large voter turnout in Avery County this year, with many voters here taking advantage of Early Voting,” said Caleb Hogan, Assistant Director of the Avery County Board of Elections. Those who missed the regular voter registration deadline may still register and vote in Avery County during the early voting period, February 13-29. At an early voting site, registered voters may update their address, but not their party affiliation. Registered voters who wish to change their party affiliation were required to do so no later than February 7.  By Tim Gardner / Read more…

February 7, 2020. Nine more North Carolinians have died during the current 2019-2020 flu season, increasing the total to 63, the N.C. Division of Public Health officials said in their weekly flu report Thursday. Five deaths were reported for the week that ended Feb. 1, along with four deaths from previous weeks. Of the additional deaths, six were for individuals ages 65 and older, along with three ages 50 to 64. N.C. Department of Health and Human Services cautions the weekly report count does not represent all flu-associated deaths in the state because many go undiagnosed or unreported. The division does not release a victim’s hometown, county, age or gender for legal privacy reasons. According to the Division of Public Health, of the 63 who have died in this season to date, 37 were 65 or older, 15 were ages 50 to 64, 10 were ages 25 to 49 and one was ages 5 to 17.  By Tim Gardner / Read more…

February 7, 2020. The 12th annual Appalachian State Old-Time Fiddlers Convention will be firing up on Friday night, February 7 and continuing Saturday with a fun slate of events scheduled. The Appalachian State Old-Time Fiddlers Convention is held on the campus of Appalachian State University and is 100 percent student-operated and student-funded. This unique event draws hundreds of attendees from across the region and celebrates the rich music, history, arts, and culture of the Appalachia region. Friday events include the Fiddler’s Convention Kick-Off Concert. Saturday events include instructional workshops, music competitions, a gathering of luthiers, as well as a handmade market featuring crafters from across the region. All events are family-friendly. The fiddler’s convention kick-off will feature the band Chatham Rabbits with Kate Rhudy and Libby Rodenbough on Friday night at Legends. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for students and tickets will be available at the door. / Read more…

February 7, 2020. Appalachian Regional Healthcare System is implementing visitor restrictions at Watauga Medical Center in Boone and Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville to help limit the spread of flu. “Flu cases have shown a steady increase as we enter the height of flu season,” said Dr. Danielle Mahaffey, Chief Physician Executive for Appalachian Regional Healthcare System. “The flu virus spreads mainly person to person through coughing and sneezing. For the health and safety of our patients, we are asking the community to refrain from visiting to help protect the patients in our facilities.” / Read more…

February 7, 2020. Andrea Ruiz-Hays, founder of Eco Strategies Group, will address graduates during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9. Ruiz-Hays’ sustainability firm provides consulting and training for businesses that desire to implement more sustainable strategies. Her clients include corporations, businesses, government entities, hotels, food and beverage companies, retail locations, stadiums, hospitals, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, as well as private residences. Bringing more than 28 years of experience in the hospitality industry to her consulting firm, Ruiz-Hays “combines her unique skill set, experience, and her passion for conserving the planet’s natural resources by educating others on how to be excellent environmental stewards,” according to her website. Specifically, Ruiz-Hays gained 20 years of executive leadership experience with the Walt Disney World Resort. / Read more…

February 6, 2020. The Watauga High School Robotics team recently took home a victory in the FIRST Tech Challenge Tournament held Feb. 1 in Asheville. The competition tasked students with designing, building and programming a robot to compete in head-to-head challenges against machines designed by other teams. With its victory in the regional competition in Asheville, Watauga’s team earned a spot to compete in the state championship to be held Feb. 29 in Greensboro. Watauga’s team — known as Tungsteel —  was also awarded the contest’s Inspire Award and scored a tournament-high 111 points — outpacing their competition by 15 points. The Robotics Team Adviser, WHS teacher Dinah Miller said the contest tested her students on a wide variety of skills and disciplines. / Read more…

February 6, 2020.      This year’s Be a Sweetheart campaign runs February 8th and 9th. For each pound of candy purchased on these two days, Mast Store will donate $1 to the Hunger & Health Coalition. St. Valentine, according to legend, was filled with compassion for lovers who were unable to wed because it was against the law. He would marry couples in secret, cementing their love for one another. During Be a Sweetheart, the Mast Store carries forward that grace and caring by linking a traditional gift of love to providing meals for fellow community members. Modern day sweethearts’ professions of love are no less heroic than those in St. Valentine’s time because they help fill the pantries of food banks. Mast Store’s food security partners are the real heroes! The Hunger & Health Coalition can provide FIVE meals with a $1 donation!  / Read more…

February 5, 2020. Anyone that has to travel on Highway 105 through Boone knows that there is a lot of traffic and cars are rarely moving at 35 MPH. This can make for some dangerous moments turning onto and off of the road. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, a new stoplight could be in the works at the intersection where the Appalachian 105 project is underway at the site of the old Watauga High School. The NCDOT will conduct a traffic study on the road once Appalachian State completes the project that will see a big change to the 75 acres off of Highway 105.  By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 5, 2020. 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

February 5, 2020.      The Avery County Commissioners addressed and took action on a number of issues during their regular monthly meeting February 3 including a grant to the Avery Community Paramedicine Program, funding for Mayland Community College and adoption of an amended resolution which declared Avery as a Second Amendment Gun Sanctuary county. The Commissioners were also informed of, and discussed, a $290,000 three-year grant Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville received from the Duke Endowment for the Avery Community Paramedicine Program. These grant funds will allow Cannon Memorial Hospital and Avery Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to establish a Community Paramedicine Program to serve Avery County.   By Tim Gardner / Read more…

February 5, 2020. The State Board of Elections is reminding residents that the deadline to register to vote in North Carolina in the 2020 primary election is Friday, February 7. For more information about registering, visit ncsbe.gov/Voters/Registering-to-Vote. Individuals who miss the regular voter registration deadline may still register and vote at any one-stop early voting site in their county during the early voting period, February 13-29. To see the early voting sites in your county, go here: https://vt.ncsbe.gov/ossite/ At an early voting site, registered voters may update their address, but not their party affiliation. Registered voters who wish to change their party affiliation must do so by February 7.  / Read more…

February 5, 2020. President Donald J. Trump gave the traditional State of the Union Address to the nation on Tuesday night with much fanfare from fellow Republicans. Included near the front of the line to greet the president was Representative Virginia Foxx. It has become a sort of tradition for her to be near the entrance to welcome the president and get his autograph. Foxx and many other Republicans shared their sentiments about President Trump’s speech and the future of the United States in 2020. Tim Moore, North Carolina House Speaker: “The American people know the President will keep his promises to prioritize economic success over big government growth, build a better tax code, forge new trade agreements, and pursue pro-growth regulatory policies that benefit families with a powerful economic vision for North Carolina and the nation.” / Read more…

February 5, 2020. Tweestie Railroad recently hired Kimball Keller, “The All American Ringmaster,” as the park’s new General Manager. He replaces Martin Michie, who retired in 2019 after 15 years of faithful service. Kimball is a senior live entertainment professional with over 25 years of experience with large production shows including Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Bush Gardens, Cirque du Soliel, Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud and others. “We are excited to have Kimball join the team,” said Chris Robbins, president of Tweetsie Railroad. “He brings a variety of experience in rides, staff relations and family-friendly entertainment that will be greatly beneficial to our 2020 season and beyond.”. / Read more…

February 5, 2020. We are in the midst of one of the year’s most delicious seasons, when we can pick up a box, or two or ten, of Girl Scout Cookies at many locations across the High Country. For just a short time this time every year, we’re able to savor this tasty treat, while knowing we are helping young girls raise funds for special events and learn skills to last a lifetime. Few things in this world make a difference like this annual fundraiser for Girl Scouts, so do yourself (and your favorite Girl Scout!) a favor while you still can. Remember, too, that most of the cookies freeze well – so don’t think you have to devour them all at one time. And you can also out turn your cookies into mouth-watering desserts by following these recipes or by creating some of your own. By Sherrie Norris / Read more…

February 4, 2020. Watauga Medical Center has received the 2020 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™, according to a national study by Healthgrades, the leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals. This achievement is part of findings released in the Healthgrades 2020 Report to the Nation. This report demonstrates the importance of hospital quality to both hospital leaders and consumers, and recognizes Watauga Medical Center’s commitment to quality patient outcomes with multiple Cardiac Awards and Achievements: / Read more…

February 4, 2020. Monday felt like a beautiful spring day in the High Country with temperatures warming into the 60s and tying a record high in Boone for February 3. The high temperature on Monday reached 65 degrees according to David Still with Ray’s Weather Center. This was warm enough to tie the all-time record for February 3 set back in 1989. Still said that Banner Elk and West Jefferson fell just short of setting new record highs as well. Temperatures will remain in the mid-50s and lower 60s until Friday when more seasonal cold weather comes back to the High Country, according to the latest forecast from Ray’s Weather Center. The biggest story of the weather for the week will be the rainfall possible over the next three days and the potential for some snowfall over the weekend. The rain has started falling across the area on Tuesday and will get heavier on Wednesday and Thursday with even some thunderstorms possible Thursday evening. Rainfall totals could reach anywhere between two and four inches, which could lead to some flooding issues.   By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 4, 2020 This week the Debt Affordability Advisory Committee, chaired by State Treasurer Dale Folwell, voted unanimously to approve the Debt Affordability Study that shows North Carolina is in a strong financial position to issue new bonds. Last year, Gov. Roy Cooper proposed a $3.9 billion bond to renovate and build new schools and upgrade aging local water and sewer systems across our state. The committee’s report states that North Carolina can afford to borrow $11 billion over the next 10 years. The Governor’s proposed bond is a responsible path forward to help North Carolina keep up with the demands of population growth.  / 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.

Boone Town Council Issues Proclamation on Mentoring Month

Governor Cooper Proclaims February as Black History Month in North Carolina

Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company

Caldwell Arts Council Presents Blue Ridge Magic February 7-28

Open Hearth Cooking Program at the Wilkes Heritage Museum Continues February 8

SNIPS Valentine’s Day Arts & Crafts Sale Is February 8

Wordkeepers to Meet February 15

Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Accepting Nominations for “4 Under 40” Emerging Leaders

High Country Soccer Association Accepting Spring Registrations for U6-U10 Academy and U9-U15 Challenge Soccer

Read more…
Compiled by Nathan Ham

February 4, 2020 After the third week of the 2020 Sugar Mountain Adult Racing League (SMARL), the standings are tighter than ever with two teams tied at the top in both the ski and snowboard division. Monday’s race gave riders some terrific snow to fly down the slopes despite the warm air conditions. “The course was a lot of fun and the conditions were awesome. It was a fun night and everybody had a good time. The snow was good and a lot of people stayed out and played a little longer,” said Mark Russ at Ski Country Sports. “Now that we’re in the groove it was a lot of fun. The first race or two everything is falling together but now it’s going like clockwork.” The raffle ticket sales continue to be a big hit as proceeds go to Avery County Schools to support their youth ski and snowboard programs. Bella’s Italian Restaurant in Banner Elk provided the postrace meal for the competitors.   By Nathan Ham / Read more…

February 4, 2020. “Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, federal agencies will enforce the REAL ID Act, which requires a REAL ID, U.S. passport or another federally approved identification to board commercial flights and enter secure federal buildings.” So reads the NCDMV website. As the date approaches, local DMV officials are encouraging drivers to come in for the brief process now, rather than putting it off until the deadline. According to the site, “The cost is the same as getting any other license or ID for the first time, and the process is similar.” If you’re unfamiliar with the differences between the REAL ID and a regular ID card or license, they are enumerated on the site. In short, however, the REAL ID is mostly useful for people who frequent federal facilities or fly on commercial airlines (although other documentation can be presented instead). The DMV site describes the distinction: “The N.C. REAL ID is a REAL ID Act-compliant driver license that is just like a traditional license or ID but has a star at the top. Driver licenses and IDs without a gold star are noted ‘Not for Federal Identification.’” By Tzar Wilkerson / Read more…

February 4, 2020. On Friday, January 31, at approximately 12:15 a.m. a solar-powered public trash can on King Street near Mast General Store was toppled and damaged. Surveillance video revealed the damage was intentional, and the public’s assistance is requested in identifying the perpetrators. The suspect was among a group of five people, three females and two males. The suspect white male in his 20’s was seen in footage wearing a yellow ball cap, a grey hoodie with a dark jacket over it, khaki pants, and dark-colored Nike sneakers. After damaging the trash receptacle, the group was last seen walking up a nearby street, Grand Boulevard. Anyone with information on this crime or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 / 828-737-0125 or the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900. You may also submit a Crime Stoppers Tip via our website at https://www.tipsubmit.com/webtips.aspx?AgencyID=1251 or Text “NCTIP plus your tip” to 274637 (CRIMES). All information will be kept confidential. / Read more…