1000 x 90

Two Watauga County School Students Wesley Coatney and Grayson Elliott Named Morehead-Cain Scholarship Recipients

February 22, 2024 Two Watauga High School seniors recently received notification that they were the recipients of the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship. Wesley Coatney and Grayson Elliott immersed themselves in the rigorous application process and were chosen to receive this merit scholarship. The Morehead-Cain Scholarship program was the first merit scholarship program established in the United States at the first public university, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Recipients receive a fully-funded,world-class education. In addition to covering all expenses for four years of study at UNC-Chapel Hill, the scholarship also provides fully-funded summer enrichment activities and independent research, internship and international study opportunities

Read more

Watauga County Cooperative Extension Report to the People Luncheon on Monday, March 4

February 19, 2024 Please mark your calendars to join your Watauga County Cooperative Extension staff for lunch on Monday, March 4, from 11:45 to 1pm, for our annual “Report to the People” at the Agricultural Conference Center. We’re looking forward to seeing you and our other community friends, partners, and leaders. We are providing lunch (prepared by our own chef and dietitian, Margie Mansure!), and staff will discuss key programs that we’re working on here in the county. Plus, you’ll get a chance to meet the new additions to the Watauga staff. We have a lot to “report”…but we promise to have you fed, met, and out by 1pm

Read more

Watauga County Communicable Disease Situation Update from Appalachian District Health Department

January 22, 2024  Cases reflected in Watauga County data are categorized by the reporting county, and have been updated to include both confirmed and probable cases. Confirmed and probable cases are classified based on case definitions for the respective disease according to the NC Communicable Disease Manual and as classified in the North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System. Cases not reported include sensitive cases that may be identifiable due to low numbers and concerns for patient identity and privacy. Cases are categorized monthly based on their earliest date of their symptoms, or if unavailable or not relevant, their test date. Due to delays in reporting, data in recent months may be incomplete, and data in prior months may change as cases are reported.

Read more

WYN Festival of Trees raises $112,000 and spreads holiday cheer

December 12, 2023 BOONE — The ninth annual WYN Festival of Trees lit up the High Country beginning in mid-November, with brightly decorated Christmas trees and wreaths displayed in retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, dealerships and businesses across Watauga, Avery and Ashe Counties.   By Jan Todd

Read more

$2 for Teachers!

November 21, 2023 Are you a teacher in Watauga County? As a sign of our appreciation for everything you do, Auntie Anne’s and Jamba Boone will be starting our new promotion, $2 for Teachers!

Read more

Forever Young Cloggers Bring Home the Gold from State Senior Games

October 25, 2023 It’s been a great year for local dancers who strive to keep alive the mountain tradition of clogging. The young — and young at heart — have all made their hometown proud in various competitions, and none any more so than four women representing High Country Senior Games, at both local and state levels. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Bringing in the Harvest: WAMY’s Community Garden

October 16, 2023 As the first chill of fall is in the air, hands of volunteers are busy harvesting late summer and autumn crops at the WAMY Community Garden in Avery County. Multi-colored cauliflower, butternut squash, collards, eggplants, purple radishes and juicy heirloom tomatoes — picked and ready for distribution to families in need. 

Read more

Hunter’s Heroes 10th Annual Run to Remember Set for Sept. 9

September 1, 2023 It’s a milestone that we’d rather not have to celebrate, but 10 years of remembering heroes shouldn’t be ignored, either. Every year following the tragic death of Deputy William Mast Jr. who died in the line of duty on July 26, 2012, the High Country has come together at a walk/run to honor his memory, and sadly enough, that of other public servants who have since lost their lives through tragedies or natural causes. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Hospitality House Hosting “Savor the Summer” Free Food Truck Rodeo and Farmers Market

August 22, 2023 Hospitality House is excited to announce the third in a four-part “Savor the Summer” Food Truck Rodeo series, fun-filled community events featuring multiple food trucks, local food prepared in their Community Kitchen, games, activities, and a free farmers market featuring produce from their organic gardens. The event, and everything in it, is completely free and will take place on Thursday, August 31st in the upper parking lot of 338 Brook Hollow Road from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Read more

Let’s Roll: Zionville Ramp Company Creates a Safe Place for Skating

August 22, 2023 See ya later, skaters! Building skate ramps and community, Ashley Galleher, now-owner of Zionville Ramp Company, began her love affair with the sport in middle school when a guy in her class caught her attention with his impressive skating chops “for a seventh grader,” as she recalls. By Anna Beth Adcock

Read more

Remembering Elizabeth Young: A Champion to the End

August 22, 2023 Few death announcements have affected more people across Watauga County than that of Elizabeth Young on Sunday, Aug. 20. Most knew Elizabeth from the Hunger & Health Coalition in Boone, where since 2014, she served until recently as the nonprofit organization’s Executive Director. Others might have become acquainted with her in her earlier role as  Director of Community Relations at Deerfield Assisted Living, or after her promotion there to the facility’s Executive Director.  By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Peering through the Lens with Beth Davison

August 4, 2023 Whether it be the plight of Virginia big eared bats, the public perception of Appalachia culture, the role of community cafés, or the history of various sites on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Dr. Beth Davison seeks to showcase stories through a different lens. By Jan Todd

Read more

Community United Once Again For Watauga County’s National Night Out 

August 3, 2023 It was everything and more that officers Casey Miller and Kat Eller hoped it would be when, months ago, they began planning for the 2023 National Night Out in Boone. All their hard work came together, seamlessly it seemed, on Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, when the High Country community came out in force during two fun-filled  hours for what has been described as the “the community block party of the year.” By Sherrie Norris

Read more

High Country Real Estate: Summer Maintenance and Reminders

August 3, 2023 Summer is for fun! Vacation! Enjoyment! Easy living! Trips to the beach and the river. Go to the park. Take a trip to the zoo. Take the kids on a picnic. Take the grandkids to a parade. Live it up! August is the last full month of summer and the start of school is looming. Frankly, in my world, once Labor Day hits, the rest of the year is a blur. By Hope Harvey, REALTOR

Read more

Resident Doctors to Host Wilderness Medicine Conference in the High Country

July 14, 2023 Boone, N.C. – From mountains to lakes, ski slopes to waterfalls, and everything in between, the High Country has always drawn us to explore, experience, and to be immersed in the beauty of nature. Our rolling mountains welcome people from far and wide and provide endless opportunities for adventure. Unfortunately, more opportunities for adventure can translate to higher incidences of injuries, illnesses, and traumas.

Read more

Watauga County’s Fourth Annual National Night Out Scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Boone

July 14, 2023 It’s almost time for Watauga County’s annual National Night Out, and if it’s anything like last year’s event, it’s going to be a great success. Mark your calendars now for Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, when, from 6-8 p.m., the upper parking lot of Watauga High School in Boone will once again be the site of the local observance. Considered by many to be “the community block party of the year,” Watauga County’s Fourth Annual National Night Out will be just one of thousands of similar gatherings held across the country in an effort to bring communities together.   By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Changing of the Guard at Watauga County American Legion: Commander Finley Hodges “Retires” after 15 Years

July 13, 2023 During the July meeting of the Watauga County American Legion Post #130, longtime commander Finley Hodges relinquished his leadership role, but not before installing his successor and new officers for the coming year. For 15 years, Hodges has led the local veterans organization with dignity and pride, but at the ceremony on July 6, he turned over the reins to Rick Cornejo, who was has pledged to take the group forward. By Sherrie Norris

Read more

Watauga County Republican Women’s Club Announce July Meeting

July 12, 2023 The Watauga County Republican Women’s Club (WCRWC) will have its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 25th at the Dan’l Boone Inn in Boone, NC. The meeting will begin at 6:00:PM. 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. See us on Facebook and learn more.

Read more

Shipley Farms:  Celebrating 150 Years  

July 11, 2023 Tucked away in the hills just a few miles west of Boone, Shipley Farms in Vilas is celebrating its sesquicentennial this year. If this homestead could talk, it would tell the storied history of five generations of farmers who were all well known for their leadership in agricultural education. By Kris Testori

Read more