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May 22, 2013. On May 21, Mark Lyle Hoke, 41, and Connie Ann Proffitt, 49, both of Boone, were arrested by US Marshals and local Police in Council Bluffs, Iowa on outstanding warrants for Manufacturing Methamphetamine in Watauga County. In October 2012, Detectives from the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit received information that Mark Hoke was manufacturing methamphetamine in and around Watauga County and began an investigation. Read more…

May 22, 2013. The alluring rose-lavender blooms decorating Grandfather’s slopes indicate the beginning of another wonderful summer on the mountain. The color returns to the Mountain this coming June and it does so in a most breathtaking way. Read more…

May 22, 2013. ast weekend, the Friends of the Library held their annual Book Sale at the Boone Mall on Blowing Rock Road to raise money for the Watauga County Library. The event was successful, and book lovers showed their support regardless of the rainy weather. Read more…
BY ERIKA GIOVANETTI

May 22, 2013. Lane closures will not take place in the U.S. 321 widening project work zone through Blowing Rock from 6 a.m. on Friday, May 24, until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, due to the Memorial Day holiday. Read more…

May 22, 2013. On Tuesday, June 11 from 3 to 6 p.m., the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual business showcase, Concierge 101, at Tanger Outlet Shopping Center. This event presents the chance for local businesses to showcase their services and goods by setting up a booth at Tanger Shoppes. Read more…
BY ERIKA GIOVANETTI

May 22, 2013. As is the norm during each budget season, supporters for area nonprofits spoke passionately during the public hearing on the upcoming budget at the Watauga County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night. Many of the 30 people who signed up for public comment on the budget spoke fervently for the work nonprofits do. Read more…
BY JESSE WOOD

May 22, 2013. Expectations were high in 2007 as work began for the high-end Village at Grandfather subdivision off North Carolina Highway 105. The home sites — nestled in the 3700-foot elevation Linville Valley between Grandfather Golf & Country Club and Village of Sugar Mountain — provided a spectacular setting high in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Read more…

May 22, 2013. Letters to the Editor. BY DAVID GROSS / Dear Editor, As a client of DSS, I am now terribly concerned that as a result of Tuesday nights commission vote, that we are going to see the Watauga County DSS budget decimated by Commissioner Miller, and his right-wing repugnut co-horts. Read more…

May 22, 2013. The Boone Bike Rally is back! On May 31 and June 1, the summer Boone Bike Rally will take place at the High Country Fairgrounds. Read more…
BY MADISON FISLER

May 22, 2013. BRAHM will kick off the sale of various items such as excess holiday decorations, office supplies and more at 10 a.m. on the loading dock of the museum. Read more…
BY MARIEL GAMBINO

May 22, 2013. After listening to public comments from social workers in opposition, the Republican members of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution and voted to abolish and takeover the current county Department of Social Services board and reappoint the five previous members of the DSS board to an advisory board. Read more…
BY JESSE WOOD

May 22, 2013. Letters to the Editor. BY WILLIAM M. HUTCHINS / Dear Commissioners, Thank you for hearing me and thank you for the $10,000 grant for the Green Valley Community Park last year. Speaking only for myself, I do not understand the rationale for allocating in the new budget $15,000 for the Valle Crucis Community Park and $4,000 for the Green Valley Community Park. Both parks serve all the citizens of Watauga County and both are run by 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt non-profits with a board of directors. Read more…

May 21, 2013. Two arrests were made this past weekend for felony larceny. Kristie Dawn McCrain, 40, of Hickory and Rodney Maurice Lutz, 48, of Hickory were charged with felony larceny. The arrest occurred on May 18 after officers were notified that two suspects had left the Coach Store at Tanger Outlets with merchandise that they had not paid for. Read more…

May 21, 2013. In the coming weeks, the Boone Town Council will take a hard look at expenditures and revenues for the upcoming budget year. As Boone Town Council Member Andy Ball said on Tuesday, “We have to identify $2 million in cuts.” Read more…
BY JESSE WOOD

May 21, 2013. he Town of Boone will be replacing the remaining Bradford Pear trees along King Street within the next couple of weeks. These trees were planted in the late 1980s as a downtown project and have provided valuable environmental and aesthetic benefits for the downtown area. Sadly, over the past four to five years, the trees have experienced a decline in health due to the built urban environment. Read more…

May 21, 2013. The Taste of Avery tickets are selling quickly and they are anticipating another sold out event. The final list of participating businesses will be released on Wednesday. Read more…

May 21, 2013. NROG is a nonprofit farmers coop which has been in existence since 2000. Currently there are over 55 farms providing produce, eggs, cheese and meat to the cooperative. The participating farms are located in Ashe, Watauga, Grayson County Virginia, Wilkes, Allegheny, Burke and Yancey. Read more…

May 21, 2013. Appalachian State University will hold a Memorial Day ceremony May 27 at 7:30 a.m. at the Veterans’ Memorial on the west side of the Dougherty Administration Building. The ceremony will honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The public is invited to attend. Read more…

May 21, 2013. Watauga County Board of Commissioners holds a public hearing at its Tuesday meeting regarding the county’s proposed 2013-14 fiscal year budget. Read more…
BY JESSE WOOD

May 21, 2013. The Watauga Community Band (WCB) holds its annual Memorial Day Concert this Sunday, May 26, at 3:00 p.m. The free concert will be performed in Rosen Hall in the Hayes School of Music on the campus of ASU. Read more…
BY MARIEL GAMBINO

May 21, 2013. This weekend marks the fifth annual Banner Elk Herb Festival, which will be held at the historic Banner Elk School yard. The festival, taking place Saturday to Monday, May 25 to 27, is free to attend, and offers something for all ages, from a “kids zone” to live music. Read more…
BY ERIKA GIOVANETTI

May 21, 2013. In April, Nielsen released the 2013 Restaurant Growth Index. Boone ranks in the top five, and local independent restaurant owners don’t necessarily agree. Rising from 37 in 2012, Boone came in at number four this year in the RGI. Read more…
BY JESSE WOOD

May 21, 2013. The WNC Shriners are returning to Blowing Rock May 31 through June 2, bringing their Summer Ceremonial and attendant parade to the town for the fourth time in five years. The colorful and traditional Shriners Parade will take place along Main Street starting at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, providing residents and visitors a musical and visual treat. Read more…

May 21, 2013. The Park Rangers at Elk Knob State Park are kicking off the summer with a month full of summer fun for the month of June. Check out these great activities, good for the whole family! Read more…

May 21, 2013. The High Country Crime Stoppers board met recently in Banner Elk N.C. Five cash rewards were given to callers in Watauga and Avery County who gave information that led to the arrest of individuals wanted on outstanding criminal charges, recovery of illegal drugs or assisting officers to make arrests on crimes under investigation. Read more…

May 21, 2013. As twisters ripped apart communities near Oklahoma City, Samaritan’s Purse immediately began mobilizing disaster relief experts and resources to send to the area. The North Carolina-based Christian relief organization will be providing emergency assistance as well as cleaning and repairing damaged homes. Read more…

May 20, 2013. Rock Dimensions in downtown Boone will once again be hosting their kids summer camps to introduce children to the world of rock climbing. Since 2005, Rock Dimensions has offered these camps to resident and visiting children to help them get outside and have a good time. Read more…
BY MADISON FISLER

May 20, 2013. Photographer Lonnie Webster captured images from the Fifth Congressional District Democratic Party Annual Convention that took place on Saturday at the Continuing Education Auditorium on the Campus of Mitchell Community College in Statesville. Read more… Photo by Lonnie Webster

May 20, 2013. The pre-kindergarten program of the Watauga County Schools will serve four classes with a total of 72 children in the 2013-14 school year, down from five classrooms with 90 spaces available at the start of the current school year. Read more…

May 20, 2013. According to the festival’s website, Music on the Mountaintop has cancelled its 2013 festival, which was slated to take place in late August at the Grandfather Campground. However the website post added, “We’ll be back in 2014!” Read more…
BY JESSE WOOD

May 20, 2013. Four former all-America student-athletes have been selected for induction into the Appalachian State University Athletics Hall of Fame, Appalachian State’s Former Athletes Association announced on Friday. All five honorees will be recognized during Appalachian athletics’ annual Hall of Fame Induction breakfast on Sept. 7 at Plemmons Student Union. Read more…

May 20, 2013. On May 15, officers with the Avery County Sheriff’s Office and the Newland Police Department responded to the Elk Park area to assist officers with the Carter County Sheriff’s Office in stopping a stolen vehicle traveling into Avery County from Roan Mountain. Read more…

May 20, 2013. On May 16 at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers with the Avery County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call on Cow Camp Rd involving a man on a local woman’s porch asking her to call 911. Deputies arrived on scene accompanied by an officer from the Newland Police Department. Read more…

May 20, 2013. The U.S. Forest Service today reminded visitors to practice safety when visiting the Nantahala, Pisgah, Uwharrie or Croatan national forests this Memorial Day weekend. Read more…

May 20, 2013. Carlton Gallery hosts its Spring Group Exhibition on Saturday, May 25th, 2-5 p.m. New art by the standing gallery artists whose work ranges from traditional to contemporary in paintings, glass, wood, sculpture, clay, fiber and fine jewelry transforms the gallery for its Spring Celebration and 31st Anniversary. Read more…