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.
Here’s the WS-Journal Article
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.
Here’s a link to their website
The U.S. Commerce Department reported the sales of new single-family homes declined 2.8 percent in January, though area Realtors say the High Country’s market is “immune to natural trends.”
Read the Article in the Mountain Times
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.
Update 3/6: 105 Back to Normal
We have received reports that the retaining wall in front of Geno’s / High Country Inn on highway 105 has collapsed. The highway is partially closed.
In the near future, green power companies, the Western North Carolina (WNC) Renewable Energy Initiative and N.C. Small Wind Initiative hope to make wind power a reality
Here’s the article from the Appalachian
A big road. Here they are, in case you haven’t seen them yet, the state released computer mock-ups of the new highway 321.
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
