NEWS & SPORTS

January 7, 2025

Supporting a Hospice Patient Care Unit for the High Country

Supporting a Hospice Patient Care Unit for the High Country “It is important to let people know what you believe in and to not spread negativity about what you don’t have,” says David Jackson, CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Jackson has been a supporter of AMOREM’s mission to provide quality, thoughtful, loving care to patients and support to families and to offer education and grief support to communities served dating back to when the organization was still known as Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care. Jackson’s connection to hospice care services stretches far beyond a Chamber of Commerce […]
January 3, 2025

WCC’s 102nd Basic Law Enforcement Training Class Graduates

  WCC’s 102nd Basic Law Enforcement Training Class Graduates     Wilkesboro, N.C. – On Monday, December 16th, the Walker Center hosted the graduation ceremony for Wilkes Community College’s 102nd Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) class. Over 300 attendees gathered to celebrate the certification of 26 cadets as law enforcement officers. The event saw the presence of sheriffs, deputies, police chiefs, officers from various towns, state park rangers, highway patrol troopers, and SBI special agents, all there to support the graduates.   This year’s class was notable, being the largest to ever start the BLET program at Wilkes Community College, […]
January 3, 2025

WATAUGA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OPENS DECEMBER 2024 BUSINESS SNAPSHOT SURVEY

  WATAUGA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OPENS DECEMBER 2024 BUSINESS SNAPSHOT SURVEY Watauga EDC will release its full report for December 2024 business performance on January 13, 2025   BOONE, NC – As tracking of real-time conditions for local businesses recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continues, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its December 2024 Business Snapshot Report. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Thursday, January 2nd at 12:00PM – Friday, January 10th at 4:30PM. Watauga EDC: Watauga Business Snapshot Survey – […]
January 2, 2025

AMOREM Awarded CHAP Accreditation

AMOREM Awarded CHAP Accreditation  LENOIR – Community Health Accreditation Partner Inc., (CHAP) announced that AMOREM has been awarded CHAP Accreditation under the Standards of Excellence. By achieving CHAP Accreditation, AMOREM also has been deemed to meet the Medicare Conditions of Participation and is certified as a Medicare provider.  CHAP Accreditation demonstrates that AMOREM meets the industry’s highest nationally recognized standards. The rigorous evaluation by CHAP focuses on structure and function, quality of services and products, human and financial resources and long-term viability. Simply stated, adherence to CHAP’s standards leads to better quality care.  “By achieving CHAP Accreditation, AMOREM has shown […]
December 30, 2024
Hot Dog Lunch Event to Support Community and Provide FEMA Assistance Information
  Press Release For Immediate Release Hot Dog Lunch Event to Support Community and Provide FEMA Assistance Information Jefferson, NC – January 3, 2025 – The Ashe Alleghany Home Builders Association is excited to invite the community to a free Hot Dog Lunch on Friday, January 3, 2025, starting at 12:00 PM. The event will be held at the Family Central Cafeteria, located at 626 Ashe Central School Rd, Jefferson, NC 28640. This family-friendly event is open to everyone in the community. Attendees will enjoy a complimentary hot dog lunch, generously provided by Builders Mutual Insurance. In addition to the free […]
December 30, 2024
Major Daniel Duckworth Appointed as Interim Police Chief for the Town of Boone Police Department
  Town of Boone, North Carolina – Major Daniel Duckworth has been appointed Interim Police Chief of the Town of Boone Police Department by Town Manager Amy Davis, effective January 1, 2025. Over the past 16 years, Major Duckworth has served the Town of Boone community in various capacities within the Police Department. Major Duckworth joined the Town of Boone Police Department in October 2008 as a Police Officer. He was promoted to Narcotics Sergeant in September 2013 and later to Criminal Investigations Lieutenant in September 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he assumed the role of Police Captain in September […]
December 26, 2024
President Biden Signs Law to Deliver Funding to SBA to Reopen its Disaster Loan Program and Support Recovery in Communities across the Country
Release Date: Dec. 21, 2024 Contact: SBA Press Office, SBA News Release Number: 25-19 Follow us on X, Facebook, Blogs & Instagram President Biden Signs Law to Deliver Funding to SBA to Reopen its Disaster Loan Program and Support Recovery in Communities across the Country SBA can now confirm loan offers to over 21,000 qualified disaster loan applicants waiting for financial assistance to recover WASHINGTON – Today, President Joe Biden signed the American Relief Act, 2025 into law, providing funding for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Program. With this funding, which required Congressional approval, the SBA can resume […]
December 23, 2024
ACMS Teacher, Andrew Cerillo, Named Finalist for NC Beginning Teacher of the Year
  Jefferson, N.C., Dec. 23, 2024 ACMS Teacher, Andrew Cerillo, Named Finalist for NC Beginning Teacher of the Year   Ashe County Schools is proud to announce that Andrew Cerrillo, a math teacher at Ashe County Middle School, has been selected as one of 27 finalists for the prestigious 2025 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Award, presented by the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT). This distinguished honor recognizes outstanding beginning educators across the state for their dedication, innovation, and ability to inspire student success.   The NC Beginning Teacher of the Year […]
December 20, 2024
Ring in 2025 — and celebrate a good cause: New Year’s Eve fundraiser organized by The Lucky Strikes and fizzEd to benefit the Todd community
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Dec. 20, 2024   Ring in 2025 — and celebrate a good cause: New Year’s Eve fundraiser organized by The Lucky Strikes and fizzEd to benefit the Todd community BOONE, N.C. — Get ready to break out the spandex and teased hair for a totally awesome ’80s-themed News Year’s Eve bash, organized by High Country band The Lucky Strikes and Boone-based restaurant and bar fizzEd. The event, to take place at fizzEd on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with live music from 9 p.m. to just after midnight, doubles as a fundraiser to benefit the Todd […]
December 20, 2024
Hellbender heroes: App State team continues nearly 20 years of research to help protect NC’s giant salamanders
  BOONE, N.C. — Slithering in the rocky streams and rivers of the eastern United States is a rare species of giant salamanders known as hellbenders. Dr. Michael Gangloff, professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Biology, has been researching the amphibians for nearly two decades. Recently, his lab assisted a team tasked with transferring the giant salamanders from the now removed Shull’s Mill Dam on the Watauga River to a newly restored habitat downstream. “Our goal was to move the hellbenders out of harm’s way before the dam was removed,” said Gangloff, “but it’s also an attempt to see that […]
December 20, 2024
Perseverance pays off: Over 1,500 App State graduates achieve degrees this fall
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University celebrated graduates’ achievements during Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies on Dec. 13, marking the culmination of their academic journeys amid such challenges as a global pandemic and a natural disaster. Over 1,500 students applied to graduate this fall, including 1,373 undergraduate students from seven colleges and schools and 191 graduate students and nine doctoral candidates from the Williams School of Graduate Studies. Recordings of the three commencement ceremonies are available on App State’s commencement website. App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris speaks at the university’s Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies, held Dec. 13 in Holmes Convocation Center on […]
December 19, 2024

Winebarger Arrested with Meth and Fentanyl

  For Immediate Release December 19th, 2024 Winebarger Arrested with Meth and Fentanyl WEST JEFFERSON, N.C. – Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the arrest of 32-year-old Sarah Elizabeth Winebarger of Deep Gap after Sheriff Deputies discover Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. On November 23rd, 2024, Ashe 911 Dispatch received a welfare check on a parked vehicle in West Jefferson. Sheriff’s Office Deputies Cody Call and Chase Baldwin met West Jefferson PD Chief Brad Jorden to investigate the suspicious vehicle. The driver of the car was identified as Sarah Winebarger. While conducting the investigation, officers found over 20 containers containing Fentanyl and Methamphetamine […]
December 17, 2024

Wilkes County Schools Spread Holiday Cheer with Heartfelt Care Packages for Ashe County

  In a heartwarming display of generosity, Wilkes County Schools has made a lasting impact on the Ashe County Schools community. As part of their “WCS Giving Hope” initiative, the district came together to support their neighbors in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Just in time for the holiday season, every student and staff member in Ashe County Schools received a thoughtful care package filled with items symbolizing hope and care. The packages included comforting stuffed animals, cozy outdoor gear, personalized notes of encouragement, and creative journals—gifts that serve as a reminder that the two communities are united in spirit. […]
December 17, 2024

Ashe County Toy Giveaway

  It might not have been Santa’s sleigh, but today a tractor trailer delivered a sleigh-load of joy — nearly $25,000 worth of toys — to the Ashe County Early Learning Center! This is thanks to the Wilmington-based Mountain Miracle Toy Drive effort. These toys will bring big smiles to so many this holiday season! 😁✨ Ashe County families are welcome to come do some FREE Christmas “shopping” from noon to 4 pm on Dec. 18 and 19, at the Early Learning Center location (406 School Avenue, West Jefferson, NC 28694). This incredible partnership/toy drive was born after Hurricane Helene, […]
December 17, 2024

Over 1,500 App State graduates achieve degrees this fall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 17, 2024   Perseverance pays off: Over 1,500 App State graduates achieve degrees this fall John Blackburn awarded honorary doctorate for support of the university and High Country communities   BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University celebrated graduates’ achievements during Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies on Dec. 13, marking the culmination of their academic journeys amid such challenges as a global pandemic and a natural disaster.   Over 1,500 students applied to graduate this fall, including 1,373 undergraduate students from seven colleges and schools and 191 graduate students and nine doctoral candidates from the Williams School of […]

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