Christmas trees that is. Senator Steve Goss has received word today of a revised interpretation of state law which states that US 321 and US 421 statewide will now be accessible for truck/tractors pulling semi-trailers up to 53 feet in length. This will stop the ticketing of large trucks coming to get Christmas trees.
Here’s the article in the Jefferson Post
New Dam for Wildcat Lake
State Representative Phillip Frye helped speed up the permit process for a new dam at Wildcat lake in Banner Elk. The lake has been dry for two years while officials tried to get permits. Now with the proper permits, the lake could be filled as soon as this summer.
4 Smart Moves for Getting a Great Deal on a House
The spring home-buying season has arrived–except things are quite different from years past. While many economists believe house prices still have further to fall, there’s little doubt it’s become a buyer’s market, with buyers gaining leverage that was unthinkable during the boom and the long run-up in prices.
Click here to read this article
Great Chili—and everything else.
Charlie’s was crowned Chili Challenge champion in the restaurant division at the recent Blowing Rock Winterfest in January
A great place to eat, Sledgehammer Charlie’s Smokehouse and Grill is at one of the newest restaurants on to the miracle mile of restaurants along Blowing Rock’s bypass of U.S. 321.
Click here for the article in the Mountain Times
Boone Point may get a Cold Stone
Boone Point, The new mixed use development on the 105 ext. will be 40k square ft and offer 10 condominiums above several businesses such as a Cold Stone Creamery. The project began last September and is scheduled for completion this fall.
Here’s a link from the Appalachian
Updated 80 proof in 2008?
A group of Boone citizens known as the ABC Taskforce is gearing up for an attempt to bring liquor by the drink to the restaurants of Boone. Spearheaded by Boone Saloon co-owner Stephen Sinanian, the group is currently testing the popularity of a potential referendum that would put liquor by the drink on the ballot later this year. Boone residents have not voted on liquor by the drink since the mid 1990s.
“I represent a group of business owners and professors who are interested in pursuing the feasibility of liquor by the drink,” said Sinanian. “We’re going around to different groups such as the DBDA and the Boone Chamber of Commerce, just to feel out how the town is going to receive the idea of having a mixed beverage referendum. So far we’ve gotten positive feedback.”
Click here for the High Country Press article
UPDATE:
Boone Council Schedules Public Hearing on Mixed Beverages for April 24
The council agreed to a public hearing on Thursday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the commissioners’ boardroom in the Watauga County Administration Building.
Over $20 Million of development in Blowing Rock in ‘07
In 2007 there were 403 building permit applications. This number is an increase of 67 permits from a year ago (+20%) and 167 permits from 2005 (+70%).
Here’s the article from the Blowing Rocket