Last Updated on April 24, 2025 8:24 pm A long time local business owner and community leader passed away over the weekend. James “Jim” C. Hastings, 81, of Boone, NC and Sarasota, FL, passed away on Easter Sunday. A long time Hardee's franchisee owner, he helped open restaurants in five states, including the original Boone …

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Last Updated on April 24, 2025 5:15 pm Town of Boone, North Carolina— During the April 23, 2025 Boone Town Council meeting,the Boone Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to award a “Key to the City” toSpecial Olympian, Trenton D’Agostino. D’Agostino was also given a plaque that detailed theTown Council’s appreciation for his achievements. An …

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Last Updated on April 24, 2025 4:29 pm The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is asking people and providers to be on alert for mpox cases following the detection of mpox particles in multiple sewage samples found through routine wastewater testing. This year there have been two cases of mpox in North …

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Last Updated on April 24, 2025 4:29 pm Effective May 1, 2025, reservation fees at campgrounds and vehicle entrance fees at reservoirs will increase across the state parks system, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation announced. This marks the first major fee change for state park facilities since …

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Last Updated on April 24, 2025 2:14 pm In the latest drought update for North Carolina, a majority of the High Country remains in Moderate drought status. Meanwhile, Ashe County is split between a section in abnormally dry and the rest in moderate drought status. The weekly update, put out by the North Carolina Drought …

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Last Updated on April 24, 2025 2:13 pm BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has been designated a 2025–26 Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY, earning the distinction for the 16th consecutive year. The university also achieved its third consecutive top 10 ranking, placing as No. 7 in the large public schools category. The Military Friendly …

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Last Updated on April 24, 2025 2:13 pm RALEIGH – Attorney General Jeff Jackson is warning North Carolina homeowners to be on the lookout for contractor fraud as they continue to rebuild from Hurricane Helene. “More than six months after Hurricane Helene, many families are just getting started with hiring contractors to get important repairs …

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Last Updated on April 23, 2025 7:32 pm HICKORY, N.C. – Debris removal. Restoration of utilities. Emergency repairs to public bridges and water systems. Overtime costs for emergency personnel. Evacuation support. Transportation of supplies for the public. These are some of the costs the state of North Carolina and communities in Western North Carolina experienced for …

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