Last Updated on February 27, 2026 1:47 pm Wilkesboro, NC: On Thursday, February 26, 2026, at approximately 8:15 p.m. the Wilkes County 911 Center received a call of a shooting that had occurred at Covington Way Apartments located at 1006 Gateway Ave in Wilkesboro. When the first officers arrived on scene they were guided to …

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Last Updated on February 27, 2026 1:22 pm Lenoir, North Carolina (February 27, 2026) – It is with great sadness that Blue Ridge Energy announces the passing of the electric cooperative’s President of the Board of Directors, Jeff Joines of Lenoir, NC.  “Jeff led Blue Ridge Energy with integrity, humility and an unwavering commitment to the …

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Last Updated on February 26, 2026 5:22 pm BOONE – An N.C. Department of Transportation contractor will begin pouring the concrete bridge deck for a new bridge on N.C. 105 in Watauga County on Friday. The concrete deck for the N.C. 105 bridge over the Watauga River will be poured in three sections over the …

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Last Updated on February 26, 2026 11:53 am In the latest drought update for North Carolina, severe drought conditions continue to grip much of the state, with Extreme Drought now affecting seven counties and Severe Drought covering 80 counties. In the High Country, Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties are all in Severe Drought (D2) status. …

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Last Updated on February 24, 2026 3:37 pm Boone Town Council will hear an informal presentation on Wednesday, February 25, on a proposed four-story, 140-room hotel and conference center at 2748 Highway 105, at the intersection of NC 105 and Poplar Grove Road. The concept by Panoramic Hospitality includes a 14,000 square foot conference center, …

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Last Updated on February 24, 2026 11:35 am BOONE – Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute's Small Business Center, in partnership with EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems and NC State Extension, will host a two-day workshop for those interested in starting or maintaining their own food truck business. The workshop, “Road Ready: Food Truck Fundamentals,” will …

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Last Updated on February 24, 2026 11:24 am ASHE COUNTY – Sheriff B. Phil Howell is proud to announce the launch of a comprehensive Inmate Medication-Assisted Treatment (IMAT) Program at the Ashe County Detention Center. Research for this initiative began in 2023, with the program framework established in late 2024. Following the hiring of Detention …

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Last Updated on February 24, 2026 11:07 am BOONE, N.C. — This fall, 42 aspiring health care providers have been named as Appalachian State University’s inaugural class of Conway Scholars. The students, who are enrolled in App State’s pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program, receive scholarship support funded by a significant commitment from …

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