🎓 App State Update from Chancellor Dr. Heather Norris — Friday, March 6, 2026
- Online student enrollment up nearly 28% since launching Project Kitty Hawk partnership
- Ranked top 18% nationally for best online bachelor's programs by U.S. News
wataugaonline.com/app-state-up...
🏔️ Blue Ridge Parkway road closures resume mid-March in two sections near Blowing Rock. Access maintained to Cone Park, Price Lake & Linn Cove via signed detours. Final phase of $100M+ project, completion fall 2026.
wataugaonline.com/final-phase-...
🚀 That glow in the sky over the High Country early this morning? SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral at 5:52 AM carrying 29 Starlink satellites. The exhaust plume was visible across the region.
Seen here heading down 421 toward Wilkes County.
📷 Allen Greene
UNOFFICIAL NC Primary Results – Avery County in (11/19 precincts)
Commissioners: Aldridge, Burleson, Grindstaff leading
Clerk of Court: Benfield 79%
Board of Ed: Holtsclaw, Bailey leading
wataugaonline.com/unofficial-2026-primary-election-results-for-watauga-ashe-and-avery-counties/
Unofficial 2026 primary election results for Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties wataugaonline.com/unofficial-2...
04.03.2026 00:37 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🚒 App State researcher Dr. Caroline Smith is testing next-generation firefighter gear with Boone Fire Department volunteers, funded by a $1.5M FEMA grant. The study examines how new "forever chemical"-free moisture barriers affect heat stress and cardiac risk.
wataugaonline.com/protecting-t...
Good morning, High Country! Beautiful Saturday morning. Blue skies and sunshine in downtown Boone, Blowing Rock. Stunning view of the fog in the valley from the CCC&TI Watauga Campus. Foggy in Foscoe.
28.02.2026 13:14 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0One dead, one hospitalized after shooting Thursday evening at Covington Way Apartments in Wilkesboro. Police say incident resulted from domestic argument. No arrests expected. wataugaonline.com/wilkesboro-s...
27.02.2026 18:49 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0It 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. wataugaonline.com/blue-ridge-e...
27.02.2026 18:29 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0🚧 NC 105 Bridge Update: NCDOT begins pouring concrete bridge deck over the Watauga River starting Friday. Brief lane closures possible (up to 15 min). The $48.7M project replacing the 71-year-old bridge is expected to finish late 2027. wataugaonline.com/crews-to-pou... #Boone #WataugaCounty #NC105
26.02.2026 22:24 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0In 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. wataugaonline.com/drought-moni...
26.02.2026 17:04 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Snowing on Beech Mountain early morning. Video: Anita Presnell
26.02.2026 13:25 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Sheriff B. Phil Howell is proud to announce the launch of a comprehensive Inmate Medication-Assisted Treatment (IMAT) Program at the Ashe County Detention Center. wataugaonline.com/ashe-county-...
25.02.2026 17:08 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🏀 FINAL - STATE PLAYOFFS ROUND 1
Watauga High School
Watauga 60, Mt. Tabor 51
Pioneers advance to Round 2 on the road Thursday night!
Proposed 140-Room Hotel and Conference Center on Highway 105 to Be Discussed at Boone Town Council Meeting wataugaonline.com/proposed-140...
24.02.2026 20:38 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🚨 ROAD CONDITIONS UPDATE
Monday, February 23, 2026, 7:35 AM
Snow still falling across the High Country this morning. Roads are snow covered and slippery in downtown Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. Use caution if you must travel. Winter Storm Warning in effect until midnight tonight.
The Town of Jefferson has declared a Stage 4 Emergency Reduction under its Water Shortage Response Plan. Water supply conditions are substantially diminished and pose an imminent threat to public health. wataugaonline.com/town-of-jeff...
23.02.2026 12:25 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
❄️ CLOSINGS & CANCELLATIONS
Monday, February 23, 2026
Multiple closings and delays this morning due to winter weather. Check the full updated list at:
➡️ wataugaonline.com/closingscancellations
🌨️ Winter Storm Warning in effect for Watauga and Ashe counties through midnight Monday night. Up to 7 inches of snow mainly above 3,500 feet with gusts to 50 mph. Roads will likely become hazardous. NWS advises delaying all travel if possible. wataugaonline.com/winter-storm...
22.02.2026 06:58 — 👍 6 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0Boone topped out at 62 today, forecast high tomorrow in lower 30s with gusts up to 45 mph and snow.
21.02.2026 22:43 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Winter Weather Advisory for Watauga & Ashe – Feb 22-24, 2026 wataugaonline.com/winter-weath...
21.02.2026 19:20 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Winter Storm Warning for Avery County – Feb 22, 2026 wataugaonline.com/winter-storm...
21.02.2026 19:20 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools Dr. Mark Byrd passes wataugaonline.com/superintende...
21.02.2026 03:03 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
🏀 FINAL
NW 6A/7A Conference Tournament - Round 1
Watauga High School
#3 Watauga 63, #6 St. Stephens 20
The Pioneer women advance to the semifinals and will face #2 Alexander Central on Thursday at 6:30 PM at Watauga High School. The Pioneer men also play Thursday at 8:00 PM in the men's semifinal.
🏀 HALFTIME
NW 6A/7A Conference Tournament - Round 1
Watauga High School
#3 Watauga 42, #6 St. Stephens 12
Pioneers rolling.
Film and television production activity in North Carolina generated an estimated $185.5 million in direct in-state spending in 2025. wataugaonline.com/film-televis...
17.02.2026 20:16 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0A Staples store in Watauga was recently fined again for excessive price-scanner errors by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division wataugaonline.com/staples-in-w...
17.02.2026 20:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced 22 measles cases in North Carolina since late December 2025. wataugaonline.com/ncdhhs-share...
17.02.2026 20:01 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0App State Update from Chancellor Dr. Heather Norris — Friday, February 13, 2026 wataugaonline.com/app-state-up...
14.02.2026 23:55 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
