Last Updated on January 9, 2026 12:33 pm AVERY COUNTY – Avery County has been awarded $5 million through the North Carolina Department of Commerce's Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) program. The funds will be used to support the construction of a new Avery County Senior Center. The statewide funding round totals …

The post Avery County awarded $5 million for new senior center after Helene damage appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.

Last Updated on January 9, 2026 10:57 am Legendary country-rock band Sawyer Brown will take the stage for a high-energy pre-race concert presented by Raymer Oil before the Window World 450 NASCAR Cup Series points race on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free for all Window World 450 ticket holders; …

The post Sawyer Brown Pre-Race Concert Presented by Raymer Oil Revs Up Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.

Last Updated on January 9, 2026 7:37 am Hazardous Weather OutlookNational Weather Service Blacksburg VA335 AM EST Fri Jan 9 2026NCZ001-002-018-019-100845-Ashe-Alleghany NC-Watauga-Wilkes-335 AM EST Fri Jan 9 2026This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina..DAY ONE...Today and tonight.There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather..DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.During Saturday, there is …

The post Hazardous weather Outlook, Friday, January 9, 2026 appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.

Last Updated on January 8, 2026 8:08 pm In the latest drought update for North Carolina, most of the High Country remains in Moderate drought. In the High Country, all of Watauga, Ashe, and Avery are in Moderate drought status. The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought Management Council, shows zero counties …

The post Drought Monitor Update – Thursday, January 8, 2026 appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.

Last Updated on January 8, 2026 7:27 pm BOONE – The Boone Police Department is warning residents about phone scams where callers impersonate law enforcement and demand payment to avoid arrest. According to the department, neither the Boone Police Department nor any other law enforcement agency will call demanding money to avoid being arrested or …

The post Boone Police warn of phone scam impersonating law enforcement appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.

Last Updated on January 8, 2026 3:32 pm WILKES COUNTY – A routine traffic stop Wednesday morning led to a state trooper providing life-saving aid to a shooting victim and the arrest of a suspect, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. On Wednesday, January 8 at approximately 9:00 a.m., Trooper A.T. Hall witnessed …

The post Trooper saves shooting victim after rontinue traffic stop in Wilkes County appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.

Last Updated on January 7, 2026 3:10 pm Raleigh, N.C. The North Carolina Department of Commerce recently awarded grants to eight local governments to support housing and public improvements for low- and moderate-income North Carolinians. The grants, totaling more than $12 million, were awarded from the department’s Community Development Block Grant – Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG-NR) …

The post Eight North Carolina Communities Receive $12 Million in Neighborhood Revitalization Grants appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.

Last Updated on January 7, 2026 3:08 pm Raleigh, N.C. Throughout 2025, the North Carolina Department of Commerce has played a central role in supporting western North Carolina’s recovery after Hurricane Helene, including delivering housing assistance, workforce support, and economic recovery resources to help communities stabilize and rebuild. Through coordinated efforts across multiple Commerce divisions, …

The post N.C. Department of Commerce Marks 2025 Milestones in Helene Recovery Efforts Across Western North Carolina appeared first on WataugaOnline.com.