About 50 people participated in lively discussions about farming in Watauga County at a community visioning workshop held October 29 at the Watauga County Administration Building. The Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation District hosted the workshop to gather input for a plan intended to support the growth of farming and the availability of farmland in the county.
By: Scott Nicholson
Three appraisers involved in county purchases of property assembled for the new high school tract had their licenses suspended by a state board.
The North Carolina Appraisal Board’s August bulletin announced the disciplinary actions against Hope W. Teaster, Pattie J. Tennille and David R. Roberts.
According to the bulletin and consent order, Roberts performed four appraisals for Watauga County in 2006. Roberts’ appraisal was for a 59-acre tract, valued at $60,000 an acre and noted the “highest and best use” of the property was retail, office or possible multi-family development, though the Town of Boone zoning at that time wouldn’t have allowed those uses. The appraisal board determined the appraisal was based on “an undisclosed hypothetical condition or extraordinary assumption.” The bulletin also said that Roberts hadn’t noted a prior sale of the property in 2004.
Watauga County Habitat for Humanity announces the completion of a new reclamation center building, located at the entrance to the Watauga County Landfill.
This newly constructed building was built with the Habitat ReStore philosophy of using recycled materials that would have otherwise been landfilled, said a spokesperson for Habitat. More than 50 percent of the building materials used include recycled windows, doors, roofing and siding.
The town of Boone will begin an appeal process this week on the Superior Court’s decision in favor of local developer Phil Templeton.
On July 3, Superior Court Judge Ronald K. Payne reversed a decision made by the Boone Board of Adjustment (BOA) denying a special use permit for the construction of a medical clinic on State Farm Road.
In a summarized breakdown, the budget sees $12,326,994 devoted to the general fund, $163,500 to the emergency telephone system, $18,000 to narcotics enforcement, $623,210 to water and sewer, $1,068,500 to health insurance, $112,234 to the municipal service district, and $544,064 to the rural fire district.
The new-well permit fee will increase from $225 to $300 on Tuesday, July 1. The fee includes the cost of inspections, fieldwork and a water sample.
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the movement to help buy the land on which Tweetsie operates during a public hearing held on Monday evening.
Watauga County’s property tax rate will remain the same in the next fiscal year, though the overall county budget will increase 4.6 percent.
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners adopted a balanced $60.1 million budget Monday morning, with a $44.6 million General Fund budget for county operations.
Local Marine League Detachment formed Jefferson Post Tom “Tugboat” Northrop of Ashe County is among the area Marine veterans who helped form the High Country Detachment 1389 of the North Carolina Department Marine Corps League. Senior Vice Commandant of the Mountaineer Detachment in Watauga County, ... |
Snow on the slopes in Western North Carolina TriCities.com Established in 1967, Beech Mountain Resort — formerly called “Ski Beech” — ranks among three ski slopes in North Carolina's High Country, a scenic region where mountains stand like stacks more than a mile high. Over the past couple of years, ... |
POSTED BY: Mike Dojc TORO Magazine Daniel Boone Nestled between the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the charming towns of Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock make up the North Carolina High Country. The kite high moniker reflects the awesome elevation, not hydroponic ... |
Our View: When the whistle stops, heed the call Watauga Democrat Beverly Perdue has been often more visible in the High Country than other state-elected CEOs. And as we move forward with the recent news that Perdue will not seek a second term, this is a trend any contender must be committed to continuing. |
2011 state park attendance matches record WSOC Charlotte WATAUGA COUNTY, NC -- Visits to North Carolina state parks continued at record levels in 2011, and the High Country's natural gems were among the highest achievers, according to a report released last week. Approximately 14.25 million visits to state ... |
 Boone Mountain Times | Positive Vibration Boone Mountain Times Founded in Boone in 2004, Hope Massive was bred out of a shared admiration of Marley amongst Brown and friend Justin Butler. The reggae and dancehall six-piece has been a musical mainstay in the High Country and also received regional recognition upon ... |
Our View: Seeing the mountains for the trees Watauga Democrat After polishing its natural gems for millennia, it's no surprise that state parks in the High Country are among those most visited in North Carolina. Our state parks did well overall in 2011. More than 14 million visitors hiked, picnicked or just ... |
Our View: Volunteer to make a difference Watauga Democrat Thumbs-down: to the number of volunteer vacancies on committees and boards assisting Boone Town Council. Many of us already volunteer our time with our church, with scouts or with an area nonprofit, by way of example. Many more of us don't. |
 Boone Mountain Times | Back in Black Boone Mountain Times By Frank Ruggiero (frank.ruggiero@mountaintimes.com) Comedian Lewis Black returns to Boone Feb. 9, promising a show filled with all new material. The standup comedian, actor and author is known for his impassioned – and oftentimes steaming – views on ... |
 Watauga Democrat | Thank you, Jim Greene Watauga Democrat In honor of Jim, I wanted to share this updated piece about “The Voice of Avery County,” whom our community will dearly miss. I am a better person because of having known Jim, and his contributions to countless Avery County and High Country lives will ... |
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