About 150 people signed an attendance sheet at a Citizens Informational Workshop for the proposed U.S. Highway 221 widening project. The project will widen the 16.1-mile section of road from two lanes to four lanes from the intersection with U.S. 421 south of Boone to the U.S. 221 Business/N.C. Highway 88 in Jefferson.
Current total cost estimates for the project, including right-of-way acquisition and construction, are about $98 million. Read more …
Environmentalists are still celebrating a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week to suspend and review permits for two new mountaintop removal coal mining operations in West Virginia and Kentucky. The EPA said it also intends to review other requests for mining permits, putting between 150 to 200 coal mine permit applications on hold. Read more …Grandfather Mountain is officially a state park now, with Friday’s passage of a legislative bill, one of the last steps of a year-long process that secures the long-term future of the biological treasure.
It joins 33 other state parks, including Elk Knob State Park in the Meat Camp community in Watauga County. The Morton family, heirs of the attraction’s founder Hugh Morton, reached the deal while continuing operation of a portion of the park that has been a popular travel destination.
The state purchased 2,456 acres of the mountain last year, and a bill to name it a state park was introduced by N.C. Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-93) and Sen. Steve Goss (D-45), among other regional sponsors. The bill now goes to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her signature.
An agreement for the state to purchase the undeveloped, backcountry portion of Grandfather Mountain was announced by former Gov. Mike Easley in September. Funding for the $12 million acquisition came from the N.C. Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds, with no additional appropriations needed in a tight budget year.
State park officials have been meeting with the Morton family to finalize a management plan for the property and its 12 miles of trails. The 749-acre travel destination and theme park will remain in operation by the Mortons, though a conservation easement on the property ensures it will remain much as it is and prevent residential development. The theme park features a nature center, wildlife habitats and the famous “Mile High Swinging Bridge.”
It was developed as an attraction by Hugh Morton in the 1950s and lies in Watauga, Avery and Catawba counties. It reaches nearly 6,000 feet in altitude.
By Scott Nicholson
Though soil preparation is a year-round task, it’s not too late to improve on Mother Nature’s humble offering of dirt.
Soil amendments are best made gradually, beginning with a soil test to determine the acidity and level of organic matter in the soil.
However, if you are breaking in a new patch of ground or filling up some front-porch containers, a few simple steps can increase the yield, whether growing vegetables or flowers.
If breaking new ground, remove the top layer of grass and vegetation with a shovel.
This layer can be set aside, composted, or placed at the bottom of a trench and covered over with six to eight inches of dirt, giving earthworms some decaying vegetation to convert to nitrogen-rich soil.
If you want to plan ahead, you can cover an area of grass or weeds with layers of newspaper, with several inches of mulch piled on top.
Read More from the Watauga Democrat
Robin Wohlbruck Named Market Manager For High Country Radio Go Blue Ridge High Country Radio Sales Manager Robin Wolhbruck has been chosen to run the company's group of radio stations serving the High Country of North Carolina. The group includes Highway 106 (WMMY-FM), playing today's best country, 1450 WATA-AM, Boone's ... |
Our View: Firefighting not as simple as going to a well Watauga Democrat Because Watauga County's volunteer departments can't fight fire with fire, the nearly $184000 our rural firefighters have recently received in matching state grants is vital to public safety in the High Country. The North Carolina General Assembly has ... |
 Watauga Democrat | May is Older Americans Month Watauga Democrat This year's theme — “Never too old to play” says it all — and nowhere are those words spoken with more gusto than here in Watauga County. The May 1 Adult Services Expo at Boone Mall kicked off the local monthlong observation. Hosted by the local ... |
Operation Medicine Cabinet returns May 19 Boone Mountain Times Operation Medicine Cabinet volunteers, including representatives from Boone Drug, Watauga County Sheriff's Office and the Watauga office of the NC Cooperative Extension, man a collection center at a previous event. Operation Medicine Cabinet allows ... |
Book festival comes to Blowing Rock Aug. 3-4 Boone Mountain Times Friends of the Watauga County Public Library will host the first High Country Festival of the Book at Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock on Aug. 3 and 4. The High Country Festival of the Book will bring 30 acclaimed authors to the High Country to ... |
Ashe seniors prepare for High Country Games in Watauga Jefferson Post by By Linda Burchette A group of spirited senior citizens in Ashe County understand this as they prepare for the annual High Country Senior Games, starting May 18 in Watauga County. In their 60s, 70s, 80s and even 90s, these seniors will be tossing ... |
 Boone Mountain Times | Watauga defies state on amendment vote Boone Mountain Times By Kellen Moore (kellen.moore@mountaintimes.com) Watauga County is one of seven NC counties in which a majority of voters opposed Amendment 1. The others are Orange, Buncombe, Durham, Chatham, Mecklenburg and Wake counties. A majority of North Carolina ... NC passes amendment — but not Watauga |
 Watauga Democrat | Southern Accent to host annual fellowship celebration Watauga Democrat by Sherrie Norris For more than half of its 19-year existence, the High Country-based and well-loved bluegrass gospel group known as Southern Accent has hosted an annual celebration that brings their fans and fellow musicians together for an evening of ... |
 Watauga Democrat | The downtown Boone post office, built in 1938, will continue to retail ... Watauga Democrat by Anna Oakes With the Wednesday announcement that the US Postal Service has adopted a new strategy for preserving post offices throughout rural America, a North Carolina USPS official confirmed the downtown Boone post office is no longer in danger of ... |
Rock-n-Roar Boone Mountain Times By Jamie Shell (jamie.shell@averyjournal.com) The High Country's largest and loudest biker extravaganza returns, and it's bigger and better than ever. The roar of engines and the sounds of classic rock and roll bands will fill the air for Boone Bike ... |
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