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Revised Watauga County Early Voting Schedule: October 17 through November 2

October 14, 2024 The Watauga County Board of Elections Early Voting sites have remained the same, but the schedule has changed slightly. All 6 sites will be open from Monday through Saturday, October 17 until November 1 from 9am – 5pm and on Sundays from 1pm – 5pm on October 20 and 27. Saturday November 2 will be the last day of early voting and the hours will be 8am – 3pm. We are pleased to be able offer full weekend availability for the first time. This board decision was made to allow more flexibility to voters’ schedules and to maximize daylight driving conditions, both impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, as allowed by recent Helene legislation.

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Daniel Boone Park Area Usage by FEMA Update in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

October 11, 2024 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approached the Town of Boone about using the Daniel Boone Parking Lot at 591 Horn in West Drive as a temporary staging area for all FEMA employees. At this staging area, FEMA employees will be housed to prevent taking up valuable short-term housing that is desperately needed by community members displaced by Hurricane Helene. This spot was chosen as the Town of Boone is the centralized municipality in the High Country region devastated by Hurricane Helene and has access to other surrounding counties and communities. Here, FEMA can conduct recovery efforts for our mountain community without taxing our temporary housing inventory.

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Watauga County Farmers’ Market Reopens After Hurricane Helene, Announces New Location for Remainder of the Season at Leon Levine Hall

October 11, 2024 The Watauga County Farmers’ Market successfully reopened on Saturday, October 5th, after much uncertainty following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. While the market space at Horn in the West Drive is currently being shared with the Town of Boone for storm debris storage, creative solutions have allowed the organization to resume operations and continue serving the community. However, due to ongoing recovery efforts and space limitations at the current site, the market is excited to announce a new location for the remainder of the season: Leon Levine Hall, 1179 State Farm Road in Boone, NC. Starting October 12th, vendors and visitors will gather at this new location, just 5 minutes away from the original site, ensuring a seamless transition for our community and vendors. The market will continue its regular hours of 8 AM to 12 PM on Saturdays, providing the same fresh, local goods.

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Update from the Watauga Arts Council: Efforts We Currently Have On Our Agenda

October 9, 2024 We hope this note finds you safe as we face the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Our hearts go out to everyone who lost their homes and had damaged property. We are incredibly encouraged by our community’s resilience and unity in the face of this tragedy. Our residents and neighbors near and far have been selfless in service. Thank you for your contributions. We are committed to serving our residents and helping our artists during this difficult time. We are here for you. Come by the office anytime if you need to talk, charge your devices, use Wifi or our kitchen or make cards with us. We have drinks in the fridge.

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AppHealthCare Recommendations for Well and Spring Disinfection and Testing

October 9, 2024 AppHealthCare urges safe water usage following Hurricane Helene and recommends disinfection and testing for wells and springs. We will be offering disinfection and bacterial test kits at no cost for private wells and springs. This will be a priority area for the AppHealthCare Environmental Health Team in the coming days and weeks as road conditions improve, power is restored and samples can be safely transported.
To request a disinfection or test kit, please complete this form and an AppHealthCare staff member will reach out to you once kits arrive. You can also call AppHealthCare at (828) 795-1970 Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:45pm and select option 3 on the phone menu to be connected to the Environmental Health Team. Please note there will be a limited number of kits available.

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Monday Update from the Watauga County School System

October 8, 2024 An important update from Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander on our relief efforts: Watauga High School will continue to be open this week from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Please stop by if you are in need of water, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, paper goods or other household items. Our childcare site at Hardin Park School is now closed to new registration. We have reached our capacity for new students, but we will continue to serve all those already registered. The site is open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and we serve breakfast, lunch and a snack. Drop-off is between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. We cannot accept children after 9:45 a.m.

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Celebrating and Preserving Local Heritage: Watauga County Heritage Museum One Step Closer to Reality

September 17, 2024 After nearly a year of talking, planning and gathering support for a much-needed chapter in Watauga County’s history and heritage, a group of visionaries came together to celebrate a major milestone on Saturday, Sept. 14. Honoring their past, with a mission to preserve and protect it all for future generations, this group of about 30 people, along with families and friends, publicly proclaimed on Saturday that they are moving ahead with plans to establish a heritage museum for Watauga County. Chaired by Diane Cornett-Deal, the Watauga County Heritage Museum committee, officially recognized on Saturday as charter members, is comprised of citizens representing longtime families from every corner of the county, and all with a passion for preserving local history. By Sherrie Norris

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Watauga County Republican Women’s Club Next Monthly Meeting in on September 25

September 16, 2024 The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its next monthly meeting on Wednesday September 25th at The Dan’l Boone Inn, 130 Hardin Street, Boone, NC. Lunch at 11:30 AM for $14, with meeting to follow at noon. All interested in furthering the Republican cause in the High Country are welcome to attend and are invited to join. Call 828/832-6864 for more information. The WCRWC usually meets the last Wednesday of the month. See us on Facebook and learn more.

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Message from the publisher: High Country Press will expand outside Blowing Rock to include all of Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties

September 12, 2024 Since 2012 folks who live in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties have visited highcountrypress.com to stay up to date with news of the day, celebrate individuals, businesses and organizations who are investing in and giving back to our community and to follow local politics, sports and events. In November 2022, I made a statement during a Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at Sunset & Vine about the possibility of launching a print newspaper in Blowing Rock and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The High Country Press team devised a business plan to launch the Blowing Rock paper, then, each year thereafter, launch one paper in West Jefferson, then Newland, then Banner Elk and so on. On October 3, 2023, High Country Press – Blowing Rock became a reality. By Sam Garrett

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Award Winning Christian Worship Leader, Singer, Songwriter, Travis Cottrell, Coming Home for Benefit Concert on September 27

September 5, 2024 For three decades, Boone native Travis Cottrell has risen in the ranks in the world of contemporary Christian music, and is coming home again for a good cause. On Friday, September 27, Cottrell will appear in concert at Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone as a fundraiser for The Hope Center of Boone. Excitement is building around Cottrell’s return to his hometown and those closest to the event realize what a unique opportunity it is to have him back on a local stage. In a recent interview with Cottrell, High Country Press was reminded that, regardless of the time and distance between Boone and his current residence in the Nashville area, that he will always have a special place in his heart for the High Country. By Sherrie Norris

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Watauga Rescue Squad Unveils Monument Honoring the Memory of Two Former Community Heroes

September 3, 2024 “Grief does not have an expiration date.” Those words were aptly spoken by the Rev. Brad Hinton during a memorial service in Boone on  Thursday evening, Aug. 29, honoring the late Travis Gryder and Randy Collins, two community servants whose lives ended way too soon. Nearly 100 people came together for the unveiling of a permanent marker dedicated to the duo who were faithful members of Watauga County Rescue Squad. The impressive ceremony held at the squad headquarters in Boone, and hosted by their comrades, highlighted not only the accomplishments of the two men within the organization, but also paid tribute to the impact that each had on the community, in general. By Sherrie Norris

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eCourts Expanding to Avery, Watauga, and Ashe Counties in 2025

September 2, 2024 The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) has announced plans to complete the eCourts expansion to trial courts across all of its 100 counties in 2025. The eCourts Portal application provides the public with no-cost access to digital court and other public records online anytime instead of limiting access to in-person visits during business hours to obtain paper files. eCourts currently serves approximately half of North Carolina’s population in its three largest cities (Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro) and 38 counties across the coastal, piedmont, and mountain regions that have already had their eCourts systems implemented.

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Local Historian. Terry L. Harmon Releases Long-Awaited Chronicle of The Durham Family Murders

August 27, 2024 After years of speculation, research, interviews and more, local historian, Terry L. Harmon, is pleased to announce that his long-awaited book about the Durham family murders is now available. Released on August 17, 2024, CONVOLUTED: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide is currently available only on Amazon and is quickly gaining momentum among High Country residents who have been captivated for years by the horrific crime occurring in Boone’s backyard. Harmon’s indepth research comes alive on 581 pages of the paperback book, with many pictures and personal accounts and memories of those closest to the situation helping to tell the story. By Sherrie Norris

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Free Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention at the Watauga Public Library Sept. 9

August 27, 2024 The Watauga County Public Library is again privileged to partner with Healthy Aging NC Training Academy and the High Country Area Agency on Aging to bring free, highly beneficial Seated Tai Chi Classes to the community! Every Monday at 10 am, from September 9th – December 16th (except Veteran’s Day) we will have Seated Tai Chi classes at the Watauga County Public Library and live online. The in-person class will have a limit of 18 people, so sign up quickly.

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Friends of the Watauga County  Library Hosting 50th Anniversary Celebration in September

August 22, 2024 The group, Friends of the Watauga County Library, has done its part and more since forming in 1974 while providing support, encouragement, funding and a myriad of community programs and outreach events for the greater Boone area. For 50 years, a group of caring individuals have stood in the gap, as well as behind and beside the library staff and patrons, to help make the library what it is today. And, to celebrate the organization’s golden milestone, a party is being planned for Saturday, Sept. 21, on the library lawn, in the parking lot and in the meeting room, with fun, food and entertainment for all. By Sherrie Norris

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Run To Remember: Registration Open for 11th Annual Hunter’s Heroes Event, Set for Sept. 14

August 20, 2024 It’s time for the race to remember as the 11th Annual Hunter’s Heroes Race kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 14 in Boone. Beginning at 8 a.m., Clawson-Burnley Park near the Greenway Trail will attract dozens of participants for one of the area’s premiere outdoor events of the late-summer season. Since the 2012 tragic death of local deputy William Mast Jr., and the subsequent birth of his son, Hunter, just days later, the community has come together to honor his memory in a huge way. Along with other memorial events in Mast’s honor, this one continues to grow with each passing year. This 2024 event will once again feature a 10k, 5k and 1-mile fun run for kids  2-10. By Sherrie Norris

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A Starry Night – Watauga Humane Society Fundraiser on Sept. 21st at The Blowing Rock

August 19, 2024 The Watauga Humane Society will be launching a new fundraising event! “A Starry Night” will be held Saturday, September 21 at The Blowing Rock, a local landmark in the High Country with magnificent vistas, meandering paths, and beautiful gardens with turtle and koi ponds. There is even a museum onsite for local history enthusiasts. Evening activities will include a wine pull, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, and a few surprises! A highlight of the event will be a special plein air painting demonstration by dog artists-in- residence who will create commissioned bark art for pet patrons. Attendees will be gifted an engraved wine glass commemorating the event. Proceeds from the event will support the life- saving mission of the Watauga Humane Society and the 1,600 dogs, cats, and critters it serves annually in the High Country.

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Ashlee Yepez’s Journey at Watauga Humane Society Lead Her to Position as Director of Operations

August 15, 2024 Ashlee Yepez started her journey at Watauga Humane Society 11 years ago as a valued member of the kennel team. After several months, she quickly realized she had a lot more to offer and set out to soak in all the knowledge she could. She absolutely loves to learn, so any downtime she had was spent around the front desk soaking it all in and helping on busy days. From there, it snowballed, and she quickly found herself cross-trained in almost every department. 

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Annual Back 2 School Festival Serves over 1,900 Students, “Our Biggest Turnout Yet”

August 13, 2024 The 2024 Back 2 School Festival was held this past weekend on Saturday, August 10 at Watauga High School, and served 1,964 Watauga County Students. “This is our biggest turnout yet” said the festival’s coordinator, Kendra Sink. “We are so grateful to this community for making this event possible year after year.” Festival attendees were given free school supplies, including backpacks and shoes, and 120 students even received fresh haircuts courtesy of volunteer stylists from the area. Local businesses and organizations were also on hand with games, activities, and free prizes for children and their families to enjoy during the event.

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AppHealthCare Celebrates National Health Center Week Taking Place August 4-10

August 2, 2024 AppHealthCare is proud to celebrate National Health Center Week 2024, taking place August 4-10. The annual event highlights the essential role Community Health Centers play in improving public health and prioritizing care for all people. AppHealthCare is designated as a Community Health Center for Alleghany and Ashe Counties and because of this role, they have received resources to provide comprehensive primary healthcare, dental care, women’s healthcare, behavioral/mental healthcare, family planning services and more

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Volunteers With World Changers: They Came, They Conquered and Made an Indelible Mark Upon High Country 

July 26, 2024 A large group of youngsters and their leaders converged upon the High Country in mid-July with a mission in mind — and they departed a week later satisfied that they had made a difference. That’s the word from Boone’s own Daniel and Katie Machon who coordinated a volunteer community service project through the nonprofit organization known as World Changers. Having been part of World Changers since middle and high school themselves, the Machon couple had long hoped to host the organization in a town they called home. And they were finally able to do just that after living in Boone for the last several years. By Sherrie Norris

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Blue Ridge Conservancy and Watauga County Officially Open Valle Crucis River Access

July 29, 2024 “On Friday, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) and partners officially opened the Watauga River Access on 194 in Valle Crucis. BRC staff were joined by officials from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Watauga Tourism Development Authority (TDA), MaryAnn Mueller and Diana Travis, who gifted the majority of the land for the access point, and supporters of the project. This beautiful spot, including 1,300 feet of river frontage located in between the Valle Crucis Community Park and the Watauga Gorge Park, provides parking and recreational opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.

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Dinner In The Gap Auction Raises  $13,700 In Support of F.A.R.M Café

July 26, 2024 Three years and counting and Dinner in the Gap has done it again —  successfully bridging the gap between local agriculture, growers, consumers, some of the best chefs in the state and the High Country community, in general.  During the 2024 annual farm-to-table gala, which from the onset has been a statewide collaborative with special emphasis on the High Country, a live auction raised the largest amount yet for F.A.R.M. Café in Boone. Organized by Daniel Brown and hosted by BFR Meats and the Brown Family on part of their farm in Deep Gap, the July 21 event welcomed 324 attendees, representing a wide spectrum of farmers, friends, food industry leaders and supporters from the mountains to the coast. By Sherrie Norris

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Back 2 School Festival Urgently Seeking Donations, Sponsorships for August 10th Event

July 24, 2024 The 2024 Back 2 School Festival is coming up on August 10, and is still actively seeking donations and sponsorships. “We still need about $50,000 in order to make the festival happen” said festival coordinator, Kendra Sink. “We’re coming to the community to ask for help to make sure we can get everything we need for our students.” Every year the Back 2 School Festival serves hundreds of Watauga County school children whose families are struggling to meet the need of back to school shopping. Last year, over 1,800 children attended the festival, and received everything from backpacks, crayons, pencils, and 3-ring binders, to a new pair of shoes, and even a fresh haircut courtesy of volunteer stylists from the area.

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