BOONE — Sara Palmer lives by trusting her gut, saying the only times she’s messed up are when she ignored it, which has paid off after owning her store for over 30 years.
BOONE — UNC Health Appalachian is financially stable for the first time in about a decade — and President and CEO Nathan Nipper says the syste… Read moreUNC Health Appalachian CEO on the turnaround, the cuts coming and what's next
BOONE — Howard Knob Park has reopened after a nearly $2.2 million upgrade, capped by a horseshoe-shaped overlook that opens the peak’s panoram… Read moreHoward Knob Park upgrades make iconic view accessible to all
LINVILLE — For four days each July, the plaintive skirl of bagpipes fills the meadows each day (and night, at the camps). Men in tartan kilts … Read moreThrough rain and reverence: Grandfather Mountain Highland Games celebrate 70 years of Scottish heritage
Editor’s note: This article features news and photos from past editions of the Watauga Democrat. Read moreThis week in the archives: Population increase, a new town question, firefighters return home
HIGH COUNTRY — Gov. Josh Stein has signed a sweeping update of North Carolina’s winter sports law that will make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to s… Read moreNew ski safety law shields resorts, adds skier duties and criminal penalties
VALLE CRUCIS — Established in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Mast Store’s Mountain Strong Fund awarded donations resulting from the sale of Mou… Read moreMast Store’s Mountain Strong Fund reaches $238K in donations to support Hurricane Helene relief
BLOWING ROCK — A food pantry operating out of Rumple Church in Blowing Rock has expanded its reach across Watauga County with a new mobile pantry. Read moreMobile pantry delivering food to rural Watauga communities
VALLE CRUCIS —The colors, flavors, sights and sounds of harvest season in the Blue Ridge Mountains come together on Oct. 17 when the Valle Cou… Read more48th annual Valle Country Fair set for Oct. 17
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HIGH COUNTRY — The High Country remains in a severe drought despite recent rain. Read moreHigh Country remains in severe drought despite recent rain
NORTH WILKESBORO — For the first time since 1996, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway to hold a points-pay… Read moreNorth Carolina welcoming race fans to North Wilkesboro for NASCAR race weekend
BLOWING ROCK — Symphony on the Mountain, Blowing Rock’s premier summer event, is set for Fri… Read moreSymphony on the Mountain set for July 17 rain or shine
RALEIGH — N.C. Gov. Josh Stein signed the 2026 Appropriations Act on July 7, ending a conten… Read moreState budget delivers new Helene recovery funds for High Country
BOONE — The Boone Town Council approved the town’s first stormwater management plan Wednesda… Read moreBoone council approves town's first stormwater plan, advances conservation bond
WATAUGA — Even in rural mountain counties where residents enjoy a slower pace of life, cell … Read moreA High Country How-to-Guide: Staying connected ahead of Carolina West Wireless transition
BOONE – The Boone Town Council kicked off the first meeting of July by honoring Dr. Elizabet… Read moreTown Council honors Bettie Bond for her years of service
MARTINSVILLE, Va. — The Boone Bigfoots kicked off the second half of Coastal Plain League action late last week with some offensive fireworks. Read moreBigfoots pile up runs to start second half
BOONE — App State Football returners Aiden Benton, Colton Phares and Tyriq Poindexter received Preseason All-Sun Belt recognition from the lea… Read moreTrio of Mountaineers receive preseason All-Sun Belt recognition
MILLERS CREEK — Mother Nature wreaked havoc on the Wilkes County Moonshiners’ schedule this past week as a trio of contests was either cancele… Read moreMoonshiners split light week on the diamond
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Tristan Salinas, a 2023 Watauga High graduate, was among a group of position players and pitchers to be selected to the N… Read moreSalinas named to NECBL Honor Roll, squares off with former teammate
It’s no secret that having a teen driver in your household will jack up automobile insurance… Read moreCOLUMN: Safe driving habits can help teens with their insurance premiums
BOONE — The Watauga County Public Library is hosting a Repair Hub on Saturday, July 18, from… Read moreWatauga Library hosting Repair Hub on July 18
BOONE — On Saturday, July 18, Indivisible High Country and several faith community leaders i… Read moreQuaker Peace Walk coming to Boone on July 18
The following information was provided by AppHealthCare. Restaurants and meat markets are in… Read moreWatauga County Health Inspections
BOONE — Sara Palmer lives by trusting her gut, saying the only times she’s messed up are whe… Read moreHer gut never steered her wrong, even when she bought a store with two days to decide
BOONE — Citizen scientists and insect enthusiasts of all ages are invited to Moth Mania on S… Read moreMoth Mania hitting Daniel Boone Native Gardens on July 25
BOONE — For more than 20 years, the annual Doc and Rosa Lee Watson Music Festival took place… Read moreDoc and Rosa Lee Watson Fest returns to App Theatre on July 17
The Blowing Rock Pasta Company, previously known as Mystic Pasta, celebrated its opening wit… Read moreBlowing Rock Pasta Co. celebrates opening with ribbon-cutting
HIGH COUNTRY — Mast General Store donated more than $60,000 to land trusts across the Southe… Read moreMast Store, guests donate more than $60K to land trust partners
HIGH COUNTRY — The High Country remains in a severe drought despite recent rain. Read moreHigh Country remains in severe drought despite recent rain
NORTH WILKESBORO — For the first time since 1996, the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the histo… Read moreNorth Carolina welcoming race fans to North Wilkesboro for NASCAR race weekend
WATAUGA — Even in rural mountain counties where residents enjoy a slower pace of life, cell … Read moreA High Country How-to-Guide: Staying connected ahead of Carolina West Wireless transition
LINVILLE — For four days each July, the plaintive skirl of bagpipes fills the meadows each d… Read moreThrough rain and reverence: Grandfather Mountain Highland Games celebrate 70 years of Scottish heritage
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN — The long and storied tradition that is the Grandfather Mountain Highl… Read moreHighland Games set to return to Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows July 9-12
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA — The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community R… Read moreApplication for WNC Multi-Family Housing Construction and Repair Program now open
