Boone Police Department Citizens Police Academy   Are you interested in learning more about law enforcement to include patrol officer functions, criminal investigations, K9 operations, community policing, or just want to become more familiar with the Boone Police Department in general?  Now is your opportunity!   The Boone Police Department is now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 session of the Citizens Police Academy (CPA). Class meetings are held at the Boone Police Department each Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The CPA will begin on March 6th, 2025, and will conclude on April 24th, 2025, with a graduation […]

Research Shows How AM/FM Ads Drive Brand Awareness, Ad Recall, And Purchases         A study involving a series of AM/FM radio ad campaigns over two months, across more than 20 local markets – including small, medium, and large markets – found that with significant gross rating points and listener reach and frequency, radio ads successfully boost aided and unaided awareness and ad recall, as well as leads, signups, registrations, and purchases. The research was conducted by brand tracking firm MARU/Matchbox and attribution measurement firm Claritas, using Nielsen reach and frequency data. While MARU surveyed 1,000 adults 18+ […]

WATAUGA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RELEASES DECEMBER 2024 BUSINESS SNAPSHOT REPORT Report also includes information about Christmas week sales performance   BOONE, NC – In an ongoing effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission released its third monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of December 2024.   These monthly reports provide data on the state of business in Watauga County, with a focus on current concerns, performance toward revenue expectations, and ability to meet staffing needs among its core analysis.   “The fluctuations in […]

Turchin Center Announces Finalists for the 22nd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition BOONE, NC – January 10, 2025 – The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 22nd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC).   This year’s exhibition, titled Making Kin: Belonging & Longing in Appalachia, will be on display from February 7 to May 3, 2025 in the Bickers Gallery. The AMPC exhibition showcases the artistry and perspective of photographers exploring the intricate connections between people, place, and belonging in the Appalachian region. Out of over 500 images submitted by 76 artists, jurors […]

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 […]

Ford, Toyota And Chevrolet Keep AM Radio In 2025 EV Model Dashboards.           The new model car year has launched and several of the biggest brands in the U.S. are once again showcasing that AM radio and electric vehicles are compatible. Ford Motor Company and Toyota Motor North America confirm all of their EVs continue to be equipped with AM despite complaints by some other carmakers that the new vehicle technology causes interference with radio reception and justify removing the option from dashboards. Ford reps say there that AM continues to be available in Mustang Mach-e […]

Edison: Most News and Sports Audio Is Consumed Via AM/FM Radio     A new insight from Edison Research might come as a surprise to some: News audio is by far radio’s strongest suit, and sports isn’t far behind. Just under 70% of all daily time spent listening to news audio happens on AM/FM radio, Edison says, followed by sports at 61%. That means the majority of news and sports audio in the U.S. is consumed via AM/FM radio. Edison says that when a respondent to its Share of Ear survey records the audio they consume, they also reveal the […]

Jefferson N.C. – Sheriff B.Phil Howell announces the arrest of 32-year-old Tavares Deshawn Leverett of West Jefferson for felony robbery from LifeStore Bank. Jefferson Police Department will handle the investigation as the robbery occurred within Jefferson city limits. On January 8th, 2025, at approximately 10:05 a.m., Ashe 911 Dispatch received a call stating that the Jefferson branch of Lifestore Bank had been robbed. A male subject, later identified as Tavares Deshawn Leverett, entered the bank, demanded money, and fled out the front door towards the eastern part of Jefferson. The immediate response from all Ashe County’s law enforcement agencies was […]

WCC congratulates Healthcare Academy Graduates               Wilkesboro, N.C. – We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the most recent graduates of the Phlebotomy and Cardiovascular Technician Healthcare Academy Class. They were taught by instructor Cynthia Wagoner, EMT-P, CET, CPT, C – MDI. The names of the graduates are as follows: Gracie Adams, North Wilkesboro; Josephine Misher, North Wilkesboro; and Frankie Nunez, North Wilkesboro.   Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC […]

  West Jefferson, NC – With the assistance of the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson Police Department, LifeStore Bank is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at approximately 10:00am at its 840 East Main Street location in Jefferson.  Thanks to the prompt action of these law enforcement agencies, the suspect has been apprehended. LifeStore Bank commends the actions of its employees to put everyone’s safety first.   This location will remain closed the remainder of the day as we provide support to our employees.  We will reopen tomorrow Thursday, January 9th.    LifeStore dates back to 1939 when its founders […]

Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship 2024-2025 Recipients Announced  Wilkesboro, N.C. – Wilkes Community College congratulates the following 2024-2025 Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship recipients, Anna Zanon, Erika Hernandez, Aliyah Spicer, and Lydia Mayes. Each student received a $500 scholarship. The Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship was established in 1993 by Trisha L. Austin Stanley. For more information on scholarships or donating to the WCC Foundation, contact the WCC Foundation at 336-838-6491. Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, […]

LANSING, N.C. – Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the arrest of husband and wife for Trafficking in Methamphetamine. Scott Ashley Stout, 43-year-old of Lansing, and Christina Ruth Stout, 50-year-old of Lansing. On December 11th, 2024, Ashe County Sheriff’s Deputy Cody Dancy was patrolling the Fleetwood area when he noticed a vehicle in violation of the law. Dancy initiated a traffic stop and found the driver and passenger, identified as Scott and Christina Stout; due to the circumstances of the stop, K9 Sgt. Volger arrived on the scene. K9 Rhino was deployed for an open-air stiff and alerted at two different […]

  LANSING, N.C. – Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the arrest of husband and wife for Trafficking in Methamphetamine. Scott Ashley Stout, 43-year-old of Lansing, and Christina Ruth Stout, 50-year-old of Lansing. On December 11th, 2024, Ashe County Sheriff’s Deputy Cody Dancy was patrolling the Fleetwood area when he noticed a vehicle in violation of the law. Dancy initiated a traffic stop and found the driver and passenger, identified as Scott and Christina Stout; due to the circumstances of the stop, K9 Sgt. Volger arrived on the scene. K9 Rhino was deployed for an open-air stiff and alerted at two […]

  Ashe County Schools, NC – Ashe County Schools is proud to announce that Tonya Denny, Media Specialist at Ashe County High School, has been selected to participate in the highly regarded Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) hosted by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. This esteemed program will provide Denny with unique opportunities to engage in discussions and work with top education leaders, further advancing her impact in the field of education. In addition to this outstanding accomplishment, Denny continues to make significant contributions as a dedicated board member and Region 7 Director for the North Carolina School […]

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 […]