January 30, 2026 Boone, NC – January 30, 2026 -Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage.
September 25, 2025 Boone, NC – September 25, 2025 -“We started the process of finding a new home months before Helene,” Lackey said. “This has been over a year in the making and we are very excited to be in our new home.”
December 19, 2025 Boone, NC – December 19, 2025 -“The mandate from the Board of Commissioners has been clear,” Bowen said. “We will build on the legacy of WMI and set a standard of excellence across every area of emergency services.”
Provided by: The Watauga County Public Library All Watauga County Public Library locations will open at 1 PM on Thursday, December 18 to allow for morning staff training. All Watauga County Public Libraries will be closed for the Christmas holiday on the following dates: Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Friday, December 26 Thursday, January 1 All Watauga County Public Libraries will close at 5 pm on: Wednesday, December 31
Watauga High School beats Northern Guilford 43-42 after a score and 2-point conversion.
December 3, 2025 Boone, NC – December 3, 2025 -This semester’s recital features over 100 students from Boone JAM group classes, sharing the region’s deep musical traditions on guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele. The community is invited to enjoy an evening of lively, heartfelt music from the next generation of old-time and bluegrass musicians.
November 26, 2025 Boone, NC – November 26, 2025 -“A lot of the fear was based on misinformation and the lack of knowledge,” Adams said. “Everyone’s immigration story is a maze; no two paths are the same. The rules change constantly and the system is incredibly broken.”
November 26, 2025 Boone, NC – November 26, 2025 -Throughout the week, local instructors will lead engaging classes across multiple art forms, including gouache painting, block printing, crochet, and more.
October 27, 2025 Boone, NC – October 27, 2025 – Earlier today, Shane Fox communicated his resignation as Blowing Rock’s town manager to the Blowing Rock town council. During its monthly meeting tonight, Caldwell County’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to hire Fox as county manager, effective December 1, 2025.
October 19, 2025 Boone, NC – October 19, 2025 —Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is excited to announce the return of the 4th Annual Local Meat Sale on Thursday, October 23, from 2–6:30 PM at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center (252 Poplar Grove Rd, Boone), home of the High Country Food Hub.
July 9, 2025 The 2025 Back 2 School Festival will be held on Saturday, August 9 at Watauga High School, continuing its mission to ensure every Watauga County student starts the school year confident and prepared. Nearly 40% of Watauga’s 4,600 public school students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and in some schools that number is even higher. As the average cost of school supplies climbs above $150 per child, many families are forced to make impossible choices between essentials like food, rent, or getting their children ready for school.
July 8, 2025 In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its May and June 2025 Business Snapshot Reports. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Monday, July 7th at Noon – Tuesday, July 22nd at Noon. Due to the ramp up for summer tourism and holiday schedules, these two reports were combined to allow businesses more time to gather data and submit their data. We will resume a monthly reporting schedule through October 2025.
July 2, 2025 As summer brings warmer temperatures, AppHealthCare is urging the community to take action to prevent tick-borne diseases. Tick bites are more common in the summer months, with the highest levels of tick bites occurring in June and July across North Carolina. Ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease, Rickettsiosis (such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) and ehrlichiosis, which can become serious if not treated. According to NC DHHS, “Lyme disease accounted for 33% of all tick-borne diseases reported last year, and ehrlichiosis, which can cause symptoms similar to Lyme disease, accounted for 38% of all tick-borne diseases in 2024.”
June 17, 2025 Jason Sirmon, longtime Edward Jones financial advisor whose office is located in Boone, recently received his firm’s exclusive Ted Jones Spirit of Caring Award for his community response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The award, designed to recognize those financial advisors who exemplify the values, culture, and spirit of giving back, was presented to Sirmon during the firm’s annual regional dinner in Hickory on May 3.
June 17, 2025 The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its next monthly meeting on Wednesday June 25 at the Dan’l Boone Inn, 130 Hardin Street, Boone. Lunch at 11:30 AM, with a meeting 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.
June 5, 2025 The Jones House Cultural Center has announced a series of summer “slow” jams, where participants of all ages can come together to explore the timeless sounds of old-time and classic bluegrass music in a fun and inclusive setting. Each session will be led by two music teachers from the Boone JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program. No matter your age or skill level, those who have a passion for traditional music are welcome to join the jams. Bring an acoustic string instrument and come prepared to learn, jam, and make new friends. While some basic chord knowledge is certainly helpful, these sessions are open to beginners and seasoned players alike, offering a supportive environment for everyone to grow and develop their musical talents.
June 2, 2025 The Watauga Arts Council (WAC) has announced their latest in upcoming summer classes and workshops. Taught by numerous skilled instructors, WAC’s variety of classes provide students the opportunity to learn a new craft or hone in on their current artistic skills. Upcoming courses and workshops for the summer include:
June 2, 2025 Genevieve “Gigi” Li Jing Waugh, a Watauga High School student, was awarded the John and Ruth Blue Scholarship. She is the 24th recipient of the scholarship which this year awarded $8,000 and is renewable annually for up to four years. The scholarship is awarded by the John and Ruth Blue Scholarship Endowment, a fund of the Watauga County Community Foundation. Genevieve is the daughter of Lynne and Wes Waugh. She is one of the top academic students at Watauga and an AP Scholar.
May 30, 2025 Blue Ridge Energy recently awarded $32,000 in college scholarships to 14 students across its service area seeking to further their academic goals. The scholarships are part of the Blue Ridge Energy Leadership Track program, designed to help high school students better prepare for acceptance into the college of their dreams. In Watauga County, four students received a total of $10,000.
May 30, 2025 UNC Health Appalachian is proud to announce the launch of a local chapter of Walk with a Doc, a monthly walking program led by our Family Medicine residents designed to promote wellness and build community – one step at a time. On Saturday, June 7, the Boone community is invited to join a monthly physician-led walk that begins with a short health talk followed by a casual walk. The program is free and open to all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition, looking for a reason to get outside, or simply interested in connecting with local healthcare providers in a relaxed setting, this is a great opportunity to take charge of your health.
May 29, 2025 The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is pleased to announce its return to Daniel Boone Park, located at 591 Horn in the West Drive, beginning Saturday, May 31. After a temporary relocation to Appalachian State University’s State Farm lot during a repaving project, the Market is excited to welcome customers back to its longtime home — now with a smoother, safer, and more navigable parking lot and market space. “We are thrilled to return to Daniel Boone Park,” said Michelle Dineen, Market Director. “This is the heart of our Market community, and it’s home for the past 50 years! We’re grateful for the improvements that will make it even more welcoming and accessible for everyone.”
May 29, 2025 Watauga Humane Society will provide free vaccinations for Watauga County pets. The free vaccines are made possible through Petco Love’s national vaccination initiative, Vaccinated and Loved, which is providing an additional one million free pet vaccines to existing animal welfare partners, including Watauga Humane Society, for family pets in need. Parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats—the most prevalent deadly diseases affecting pets—are preventable with a simple vaccine. An estimated 30% of pet parents do not take their pet to a veterinarian annually for preventative care. To ensure the health and wellness of our beloved pets and to address this critical need, Watauga Humane Society and Petco Love have partnered to make pet vaccines free and accessible.
May 28, 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 seventh monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of April 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.
May 26, 2025. Once delayed by Hurricane Helene, a long-anticipated mural project is about to breathe new life into key tunnels along the Middle Fork Greenway, the scenic trail system that will eventually connect Boone to Blowing Rock. Thanks to the support of the AARP’s Community Challenge Grant, the Watauga Arts Council (WAC) is proud to announce that local artist Whitney Landwehrmann will soon begin officially painting three vibrant murals in the tunnels at Tweetsie Railroad and Mystery Hill.
