New County Administration Building To Open Late January
Weather has delayed some Watauga County capital projects, but a couple of major ones should be coming online in the next couple of months.

Local Smokers Finding Fewer Places to Light Up
New Policies at Watauga Medical Center and Golden Corral Part of Regional Trend

April 5 Targeted For N.C. Lottery Play Date
North Carolinians may be playing the lottery this spring, with a state-created lottery commission targeting April 5 as the starting date to sell scratch-off tickets.

School Board Approves Cove Creek Project Grant Application
The board voted 4-1 in favor of allowing the project’s leaders to pursue a grant that would help fund it, but not without much discussion first.

Watauga School System Receives Clean Audit
Watauga County Board of Education members heard some good news at their Dec. 12 meeting.

County Approves New Voting Machines
The Watauga County board of commissioners have approved the board of election’s choice for new voting machines for the county.

New Postal Rates Go Into Effect January 8
First Class Mail Increases to 39 Cents

NC Celebrated As Music State In 2006
Gov. Mike Easley recently announced that North Carolina will honor and promote the tradition of music in the state in 2006.

Child Care Funding Cuts Affect Work Force
State cuts to the subsidized child care program could keep more parents out of the work force.

Commissioners Hear Update On New High School Facility
The Watauga County commissioners received an update on a new high school facility and approved funding for design work.

Mobile Wine Testing Laboratory Receives Funding
Appalachian State University will soon be operating a mobile laboratory to serve the quality assurance needs of the state’s wine industry.