WCC Congratulates Phlebotomy Graduates WILKESBORO, N.C. – Wilkes Community College congratulates its most recent phlebotomy program graduates taught by instructor Cindy Wagoner, EMT-P. The students had 100% national pass rate on their exam. The graduates are Alexis Faw, State Road and Chaniqwa Hairston, Elkin. 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 continues to build on a strong history of meeting the educational needs and cultural interests of our students, community, and workforce. WCC prepares learners for success in a dynamic world.   l-r: Alexis Faw and Chaniqwa Hairston

On March 12, 2023, at 7:37 p.m., officers assigned to the Boone Police Department’s Patrol Division responded to the Greenway Trail parking area, located at 567 Deerfield Road, for a reported robbery.  The reporting person, Kayla Alderson, stated a male subject restrained her, held a bladed weapon to her throat and demanded her purse.  Ms. Alderson stated the male subject fled the area on foot with her purse containing approximately $1000.00 in cash from her place of employment.   With the assistance of Appalachian Regional Healthcare Police Department, and Appalachian State Police Department, officers searched the surrounding area for a potential suspect matching the description provided by Ms. Alderson.   During the investigation conducted by Boone Police Department, several discrepancies in Ms. Alderson’s description of the alleged robbery were discovered.  It was also discovered Ms. Alderson conspired with another individual to craft a narrative that would lead to responding officers believing a robbery had occurred.       At the conclusion of the investigation, Boone Police arrested and charged Ms. Alderson with Filing a False Police Report.  Ms. Alderson was arrested on March 16, 2023, and taken before a Watauga County Magistrate where her conditions of release were set.  She was issued a court date of April 14, 2023, to appear in Watauga County District Court, and then was placed in the custody of the Watauga County Detention Center under a $1000.00 secured bond.   The Boone Police Department would like […]

  Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble March 29 – April 2, 2023 Eight New Works Showcase Student and Faculty Choreography BOONE, NC – The Department of Theatre and Dance (T&D) at Appalachian State University proudly presents the 2023 Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble (SADE). The production takes place in the Valborg Theatre on the university campus at 7 p.m. from Wednesday, March 29 through Saturday, April 1 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 2, 2023. All seats are general admission with ticket prices of $17 for adults, $15 for faculty and staff, and $10 for students. For more information, call the Schaefer Center box office at 800-841-ARTS (2787) or visit the website. SADE is a popular annual dance concert comprised of eight original works in the modern dance genre showcasing a wide variety of dance styles and themes, with each piece created by a different choreographer and their collaborators. SADE is coordinated by Associate Professor Susan Lutz, who notes that Appalachian faculty and students are demonstrating their creative talents onstage in choreography, design, and performance. Dance Studies faculty members creating original works for the program include Marianne Adams, Regina Gulick, and Lutz herself, along with a piece by Sherone Price and Khalid Abdul N’Faly Saleem with the department’s Diyé African Dance and Drum Ensemble. In addition, four talented student choreographers were chosen to stage new works for SADE for a total of eight original dance pieces on the program for your enjoyment. […]

The Town of Boone Awarded a NCDEQ LASII Program Grant In September 2022, the Town of Boone applied for a NCDEQ Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Investments (LASII) Program grant. At the end of February 2023, Boone was awarded a $400,000 NC LASII program grant. The grant will fund an inventory and mapping of the stormwater infrastructure on publicly owned land, town-maintained right-of-way, DOT-maintained right-of-way, and publicly accessible private property. The inventory will include a field collection of features across the entire incorporated area of Boone, excluding small areas that were inventoried during previous location-specific projects. Mapped features will include inlets, outfalls, catch basins, detention ponds, culverts, and any other features discovered. The inventory will result in a geodatabase of stormwater infrastructure and a clearer picture of how existing assets function, or fail to function, as a system. The project will pair this inventory with an assessment of the maintenance condition and adequacy of each mapped stormwater asset within Town limits (including those mapped during previous projects). This information will allow Town leaders to identify needs, develop solutions, and incorporate projects into the Town of Boone Public Works Capital Improvements Plan. This will help Town leaders make decisions on appropriate levels of funding for stormwater during the budget process. For more information on the awarded NCDEQ LASII grant, please contact George Santucci, Sustainability and Special Projects Manager, at ge*************@to*********.net.

The Schaefer Center Presents Series Welcomes KODO One Earth Tour 2023: Tsuzumi at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on March 23  Internationally acclaimed KODO Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble brings the music, wall of sound, and centuries-old art of Japan’s taiko drum to Boone!    BOONE, NC — Internationally renowned KODO Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble is drumming its way from Japan to North America — bringing heart, history, and the centuries-old art of high-energy taiko drumming to more than 20 cities. The Schaefer Center Presents series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, is thrilled to be a part of KODO’s first tour since the pandemic and will present the acclaimed ensemble in KODO One Earth Tour 2023: Tsuzumi on Thursday, March 23 at 7pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. KODO is truly a show for the entire family, with tickets starting at $10. Purchase at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at 733 Rivers St., or by calling 828.262.4046. Special prices for students and residents of Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties.   The taiko: a traditional Japanese drum with limitless rhythmic possibilities. Kodo’s mission is to explore these possibilities, and in the process forge new directions for a vibrant living art-form. In Japanese, the word “Kodo” holds a double meaning. It can be translated as “heartbeat,” the primal source of all rhythm. Indeed, the great taiko is thought to be reminiscent of a mother’s […]

Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road Homecoming @ the APP March 24th Highland Reverie Pairing Makes for a Great Night of Music Link to Liam Purcell & CMR Photo Assets Link to Highland Reverie Photo Assets BOONE, NC – The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country continues its LIVE @ the APP concerts at the historic venue on King Street in downtown Boone, NC with Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road headlining its March 24 concert. The event will also feature Highland Reverie as an opener starting at 7:30 p.m. Reserved tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students, plus tax & fees. Rapidly rising on the bluegrass scene, Billboard-charting artists Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road have performed internationally and throughout the United States winning both industry awards and the hearts of fans who turn out to see them at some of music’s most iconic venues. Growing up just down the road from Doc Watson, Liam Purcell leads Cane Mill Road as they rock the traditional bluegrass standards they were raised on. In addition, they feature bold original music with roots in the fertile grounds of bluegrass, old-time, and Americana. Their powerful arrangements and dynamic stage presence have landed them main stage slots at legendary festivals across the country. Named Momentum Band of the Year by IBMA in 2019, the group is recognized as one of the fastest growing bands in the industry. Their latest release, “Roots,” debuted […]

Final Local Night @AppTheatre Concert Features The King Bees with Boone J.A.M. March 23rd Access King Bees & Boone J.A.M. Assets HERE BOONE, NC – As the final installment in this season’s pilot Local Night @AppTheatre series, co-presented with Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music, The King Bees will bring their blues and roots music to the Doc Watson Stage for Americana Music on Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the historic Appalachian Theatre located on King Street in Boone, NC. They’ll be introduced by a set performed by student musicians from Boone J.A.M. Reserved tickets for this concert are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Though The King Bees, Rob “Hound Dog” Baskerville and Penny “Queen Bee” Zamagni, call the mountains of North Carolina home, they’ve travelled the world from Mississippi juke joints to Lincoln Center sharing their love of American Roots music. Having performed on festival stages throughout Europe in cities such as Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and London, this year marks the 35th anniversary of the band and the 20th year of New River Blues Festival, a festival they created and continue to produce in Ashe County, NC. In the mid-1980s, Baskerville and Zamagni began traveling the Deep South searching for and mentoring under significant blues artists. With Baskerville featured on guitar and keys and Zamagni on vocals, bass and as songsmith, they’ve worked with many blues greats, who nurtured and guided them to develop their signature […]

March Sports Films @ the Appalachian Theatre Final Inning: The Natural Photo assets for The Natural available HERE WHO: Appalachian Theatre of the High Country WHAT: The Natural WHEN: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Appalachian Theatre for the High Country, 559 W. King Street, Boone, NC 28607 DETAILS: Tickets: $6 Purchase online at www.apptheatre.org, phone 828.865.3000 or visit lobby box office Tues-Fri 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. or two hours prior to showtime. The Natural (1984) A middle-aged unknown comes seemingly out of nowhere taking the baseball world by storm with his self-made bat. He just might be able to use his almost supernatural talent to help the fictional New York Knights win the pennant. This 1984 film adaptation of Bernard Malamud’s 1952 novel is directed by Barry Levinson and stars Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Wilford Brimley, Kim Basinger and Glenn Close.

Cabaret Night Is Back  The Appalachian Theatre invites music lovers of all ages to their monthly Cabaret Night on Saturday, March 25 from 8-11 p.m. The venue’s upstairs Community Room is transformed into an upscale karaoke cabaret providing an opportunity for the High Country community to sing their favorite songs from a wide variety of musical eras and genres or simply enjoy the performances of friends, family and neighbors. There is no cover charge. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, candy bar items and the theatre’s famous popcorn will be available for sale. For more information, visit the theatre’s website, apptheatre.org, call the theatre at (828) 265-3000 or send an email to of****@ap********.org. ### The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country is a historic Art Deco theatre built in 1938, renovated and restored to a 629 seat state-of-the-art performing arts venue which reopened to audiences in October 2019 to serve the North Carolina High Country region as a nonprofit performing arts center. Programming includes a diverse array of live performances, films, community arts, and civic events. More information about the Appalachian Theatre, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is available by calling 828.865.3000 or by visiting www.apptheatre.org.  

WCC Hosts Community Job Fair on March 30   WILKESBORO, N.C. – The 2023 Community Job Fair will take place on Thursday, March 30, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the John A. Walker Center at Wilkes Community College. Over 50 businesses from Wilkes and surrounding counties are registered to attend. Employers will be recruiting candidates for full and part-time positions from a wide variety of industries, including business, healthcare, skilled trades, industrial/manufacturing, human services, criminal justice, information technology, administrative, and more.   “Employers continue to face shortages they have not seen in this era, so the job seeker’s market continues,” says Mike Roope, Coordinator of Career Services at Wilkes Community College. “Employers are eager to meet new candidates and fill their job vacancies. The Job Fair is a great opportunity to meet multiple employers, learn which jobs are in demand for our region, and practice employability skills.”   The 2023 Spring Job Fair is sponsored by Wilkes Community College, Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC, NC Vocational Rehabilitation Services, NC Works Career Center, High Country Workforce Development Board, Wilkes Recovery Revolution, Wilkes Economic Development Corporation, and the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce. There will be prize drawings for those in attendance, including MerleFest tickets, grab bags, and restaurant gift cards.  Please contact Mike Roope at 336-838-6147 if you are an employer wishing to register or for further information about the Job Fair.   Wilkes Community College, a member of the […]

Frontier Day, a full day of cowboy gun fights, authentic cowboy music, and demonstrations of 19th Century crafts, returns to Saloon Studios on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Gates will open at 10:00 a.m. and events run through 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 if purchased on-line at https://saloonstudioslive.com and $25 at the gate. Children under 12 have free admission. “This marks the fourth year Frontier Day has opened our summer concert series,” said Laura Jones, co-owner of Saloon Studios with her husband, Mike. “Once the gun smoke clears, we welcome folks to come back over the summer weekends and listen to some great concerts.” Cowboys from Arizona, West Virginia, Virginia, Florida and North Carolina will be coming in for Frontier Day. They will be dressed in authentic clothing and carrying authentic pistols, rifles and shotguns of the late 19th century. “Most of us met more than 40 years ago doing Civil War reenacting. Ten years ago, one of us discovered a steam train running in West Virginia. He called us up and talked us into becoming cowboy reenactors so we could stage a Western train robbery. We are just like little kids again at Christmas when our parents gave us toy guns for gifts. Now, they are real guns,” said Clint Johnson of Ashe County who organizes Frontier Day. Something new has been added in the barn this year to entertain children. Southern Sun Farms, a horse sanctuary in Ashe County, will be represented by […]

At approximately 7:00 pm Monday, March 14th Ashe County Sheriff’s Office deputies apprehended subject Wesley Samuel Pennington.   Alongside, the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office NC Hwy Patrol assisted with helicopter patrol and the US Marshalls assisted as well. Two Ashe County Sheriff’s Office vehicles were damaged during the ongoing pursuit.  Wesley was brought to the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office and was booked with the following charges with no bond. Felony Assault with Deadly Weapon Felony Flee/Elude Arrest with a motor vehicle Felony Post Release Supervision and Parol Violation Further details and charges are pending and will be released at a later date.

WCC SAGE Fellows program Removing barriers to help students succeed   Wilkesboro, N.C. – SAGE Fellows is a scholarship program that provides students with academic and financial support. It was established to remove barriers and guide students on a successful path toward graduation and career opportunities. Students in the program receive a $4,000 scholarship over two years, a dedicated advisor and peer mentor, success and study skills, classes with other SAGE students, access to all SAGE services, and leadership development activities and opportunities. Funding for the scholarship is raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation through the annual MerleFest Mega Raffle. WCC student, Iris Eller, credits her success in college to the WCC SAGE Fellows program. Eller who lives with her grandfather stated, “Money is tight and without the SAGE scholarship, I probably would not have been able to go to college.”   Without a car or a driver’s license, Eller has depended on her grandfather to take her places. She added, “The resources and funding from this scholarship have been what has allowed me to stay in school and obtain my associate degree.”   Eller added, “The SAGE Fellows program made the transition from high school to college so much easier. They provided guidance and a personal experience that made me feel comfortable and welcome. I am so thankful for the program and the opportunities it has provided me.”   Eller will graduate in May 2023 with an associate […]

AMOREM Patient Finds Housing After Living Nearly a Decade in a Camper   BOONE – Willard Cordell, an AMOREM hospice patient, lived in a camper for nearly a decade before several High Country organizations, including AMOREM, helped him find comfortable housing.   AMOREM first met Cordell when his wife was admitted to hospice services through the organization. AMOREM’s clinical team would travel to the family’s camper to provide comfort care to Cordell’s wife. Concerned about the Cordell’s living situation, AMOREM staff wanted to find conventional housing for the Cordell family, but Willard and his wife were unwilling to move without their dog Scruffy.   Due to Cordell’s wife’s progressing illness, it was necessary for her to be transported to the AMOREM patient care unit in Hudson to receive inpatient hospice care.   “AMOREM helped my wife so much,” says Cordell, “She was able to do whatever she wanted to do, and I was able to go down and spend time with her in the patient care unit.”   Years ago, Cordell and his wife built a home near Beech Mountain with an A-frame and a large porch to enjoy the mountain views. Unfortunately, the house underwent significant damage throughout the years deeming it unlivable.   The Cordell’s purchased an RV to park and live in near the property that the home is on. Tragically, the RV caught fire due to an electrical issue just days after the couple purchased it, […]

WCC hosts SkillsUSA Region 7 Rally & Career Showcase   WILKESBORO, N.C. – Hundreds of high school students, advisors, industry partners, and elected officials attended this year’s rally held on the Wilkes Community College campus, Monday, February 27, 2023. “This year’s event was the largest in our history of hosting the regional rally,” says Jamie Reavis, SkillsUSA advisor/event coordinator, “with over 440 students competing in the skills contests.”   There were over 75 contests offered at the WCC competition. High schools from Alexander, Alleghany, Avery, Burns, Caldwell, Catawba, Central Academy, Cranberry Middle School, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Montgomery, Surry, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties, as well as the Home School Association of North Carolina and Christian schools participated in this event.   SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. It helps students excel in their respective trade areas. SkillsUSA provides an opportunity for students to showcase the skills they received at their educational institution and see how their education compares to other schools in our state and nation. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.   In addition to the competition, students also explored career opportunities with the Career Showcase segment of the event. This aspect is designed to increase student awareness of the programs offered […]