HCC donates 21-acre tract to Parkway
The High Country Conservancy has donated property that both expands the Cone Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway and protects old-growth habitat.

Cannon bursts onto N.C. House ballot
A dark horse has entered the starting gate in the District 93 N.C. House of Representatives race.

BRAHM receives $100,000 grant
Blowing Rock project has raised $5.2 million of $6 million goal

DOT: Daniel Boone Bypass a low priority
If Dan’l Boone needed to use his namesake road around town to track buffalo and elk, he’d likely starve to death before the pavement was cold.

Blue Ridge Country calls ASU ‘best place to learn’
Appalachian State University has been voted the best school/place to learn in the Blue Ridge by readers of Blue Ridge Country magazine.

High Country Academy serves at-risk children
The much anticipated High Country Academy (HCA) opened its doors to students this spring and is now serving the area’s at-risk children.

Workforce Dev’t Board elects officers
The High Country Workforce Development Board, a regional workforce policy board, has elected officers for the July 2008-June 2009 program year.

State approves $21.4 billion budget
ASU, Horn in the West included

Hemric’s First Week
New WCS superintendent impressed with system

Area developer wins appeal against town
Permit for clinic to be granted

Foscoe VFD expands to Valle Crucis
The Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department has expanded into the Valle Crucis area. The department opened a second station on Dewitt Barnett Road, a short distance from Broadstone Road.

Commissioners dodge tax increase
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners joined the statewide trend of dodging local tax increases for the 2008-09 fiscal year, as most counties held the line on property taxes.

Enterprise Center targets new businesses
The Appalachian Enterprise Center is poised to launch the next generation of jobs in the region, but it’s going to take the inspiration of potential business owners to build the vision.

Summer of the Onion
Vidalia in Downtown Boone expands menu, events

New River Trading Co. opens in W. Jefferson
Music wafting from outdoor speakers invites shoppers to stop and browse awhile at a new shop in downtown West Jefferson .

Carolina Donor Services - Helping Make Difficult Decisions Easier Part 1
Judi Bryant of Boone has a 12-year-old granddaughter who was given a second chance at life through a kidney transplant.

Landowner workshop July 26
 If you are a landowner interested in learning more about managing your land in western North Carolina, you are invited to attend the “Woodscaping Your Woodlands & Firewise Management” workshop