Kenneth Reece

North Carolina’s drought improvement stalled this week after several weeks of steady gains. No counties improved, and four moved in the wrong direction. Franklin and Pitt counties worsened from Moderate Drought (D1) to Severe Drought (D2). Bertie and Hertford counties moved from Abnormally Dry (D0) back to Moderate Drought (D1). Extreme Drought (D3) held steady …

Crews from nine agencies worked together Saturdy afternoon to rescue a hiker injured on the Lost Cove Trail in Avery County, carrying the patient out over rugged terrain that included multiple river crossings. According to Linville-Central Rescue Squad, Avery County 911 Communications notified the squad shortly after 2 p.m. of a hiker who had been …

Gas prices in the High Country have climbed significantly since our last report, with the Boone-area low for regular unleaded at $3.86 per gallon Tuesday m

Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) recently acquired 60 acres of forested land and transferred it to NC State Parks for inclusion in the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. Designated by State Parks as “critical,” this acreage borders the State Natural Area on the west and includes the headwaters of Little Naked Creek. The property is situated …

John Benfield, the Newland man charged in the fatal Aug. 19 crash that killed two Milligan University cycling team members, was denied reinstatement of bon

Online slot machine-style games are driving a surge in North Carolina Education Lottery sales while shrinking the share of proceeds that reach the state’s Education Fund, according to a new performance audit from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor. Between fiscal years 2023 and 2025, the lottery’s reported gross sales jumped from $4.3 …

Gov. Josh Stein, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina announced that the application window will open Sept. 14, 2026, for $20 million to build and expand child care programs in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. The funding is part of …

Two High Country towns are among the recipients in the latest round of state parks and recreation funding, after Gov. Josh Stein announced more than $9.8 million in grants for 25 local parks and recreation projects across North Carolina. The Town of Jefferson in Ashe County was awarded $235,175 for improvements to Foster-Tyson Park and …

Boone United Methodist Church will hold its 40th Annual Fall Bazaar Friday, Sept. 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 19, from 7:30 to 11 a.m., at 471 New Market Blvd. in Boone, directly behind the New Market Shopping Center. Often called the unofficial kickoff to autumn in the High Country, the …

Appalachian State University’s Dark Sky Observatory will host Night Under the Stars on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 8 to 10 p.m. The evening invites guests to explore the observatory, meet App State astronomers and astronomy students, and mingle with fellow astronomy enthusiasts over light hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Tickets are $150, which includes a $90 …