A proposed gravel mine in Avery county has caught the attention of state regulators because of its ties to a multimillion-dollar real estate collapse in nearby Mitchell County.
The collapse of the Penland project, in Mitchell county, left dozens of investors owing banks more than $100 million on mountain property worth a fraction of that amount.
More than $1.5 million could be on the way to help North Carolina communities upgrade their water systems.Gov. Mike Easley has signed off on federal-state grants for projects in Marshall, Mars Hill, Tryon, Valdese, Lenoir and Blowing Rock, his office announced today.
The Boone Town Council will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Boone Town Council Chambers on proposed amendments to Article VII of the Water and Sewer Code.
Supporters of a $7.5 million school-bond package in Alleghany County have been making calls and writing letters that urge voters to back a plan to build the county’s first middle school, saying it would ease crowding.
But opponents are firing back with a campaign against the school bonds, which would require a property-tax rate increase of 9 to 10 cents, about a 20 percent increase in this small, rural county.
The referendum will be Tuesday.
In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Watauga County, N.C. is a place of amazing beauty with pristine natural resources and a rich cultural heritage. Preserving and protecting these assets is good for the environment and the local economy. The Watauga Green Business Plan is a voluntary, market‐driven program that educates, certifies and recognizes small businesses that have made a commitment to reduce their environmental impact and help build a sustainable community.
FROM THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES – The state Environmental Review Commission will hold a second public hearing on a proposed new law for development on steep mountain slopes.
The meeting will take place from 4-7 p.m. Monday in Boone, according to Rep. Ray Rapp, a sponsor of the bill that would require local governments to regulate steep-slope construction.
The meeting is in the county commissioners’ board room in the Watauga County Administration Building, 814 W. King St.
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.
 Boone Mountain Times | 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 ... |
 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 ... |
 Boone Mountain Times | Southern Accent hosts fellowship celebration Boone Mountain Times By Sherrie Norris (sherrie.norris@mountaintimes.com) 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 its fans and fellow ... |
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 ... |
 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 ... |
Temptation is hiding in your medicine chest Watauga Democrat In what amounts to an amnesty day — Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman says no questions will be asked of those who turn in the medications — twice a year in May and October, High Country Operation Medicine Cabinet has to date removed more than ... |
 Appalachian State University | Businesswoman and philanthropist receives honorary doctorate from Appalachian Appalachian State University BOONE—Among the people receiving degrees from Appalachian State University this weekend was a distinguished businesswoman known for her philanthropy in North Carolina, Florida and New York. Bonnie Schaefer of Blowing Rock and Florida received an ... |
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 ... |
NC passes amendment — but not Watauga Watauga Democrat by Kellen Moore A majority of North Carolina voters are “for” a constitutional amendment stating that the marriage of one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state. As of 11:15 pm Tuesday, ... |
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