Neighbors Unite Against New Development
Neighbors united to fight a potential subdivision near the Daniel Boone Drive area at last Thursday’s Board of Adjustment meeting.

Superintendent Outlines High School Trends, Goals
Dr. Bobbie Short talked high school at the Watauga County Board of Education’s Aug. 8 meeting.

Signs Of The Times
Town Approves UDO Text Amendments

County’s Infant Mortality Rate Shows Increase
Watauga County’s infant mortality rate jumped dramatically last year, to nearly two and a half times the state average.

County Opens New Waste Station
Watauga County may have the spiffiest garbage operation in the state.

Tourism Officials Watch Gas Prices
Rising gas prices have not yet had a major effect on travel habits, but tourism officials are keeping an uneasy eye on the gas station signs.

Lights Out
Blue Ridge Electric Identifies Cause Of Power Outage

Tax Hikes For Cigarette Sales
A 25-cent-per-pack tax hike for cigarettes didn’t go far enough to please health advocacy groups and went too far for tobacco manufacturers.

State Funds Well-Testing Program
The state is funding a well-testing program that will allow local health officials a chance to follow up on potential water contamination from last year’s floods.

Foxx Hosts First Veterans Advisory Council Meetings
Military veteran leaders from 12 counties in Northwest North Carolina came together today for the first set of Fifth District Veterans Advisory Council (VAC) meetings hosted by U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5).