BOONE — An App State student living off campus and 11 App State subcontractors have tested positive for COVID-19, the university and AppHealthCare announced Tuesday evening.
RALEIGH — Following are updates on COVID-19 cases and test numbers in the U.S., North Carolina and in High Country counties. The following reports may differ from other sources due to the varied reporting times of multiple health agencies and other sources.
ASHEVILLE — On June 1, Pisgah National Forest opened several campgrounds and recreation sites. Some sites remain closed and facilities and services remain limited.
BOONE — In a ceremony that was certainly different than years past, Watauga High School and Watauga Innovation Academy officials conferred diplomas to 335 seniors of the Class of 2020 during a drive-thru graduation on May 30.
GREENSBORO — North Carolina’s East-West All-Star Games in soccer, basketball and football have been canceled due to COVID-19, the organizers announced June 1.
RALEIGH — Following are updates on COVID-19 cases and test numbers in the U.S., North Carolina and in High Country counties. The following reports may differ from other sources due to the varied reporting times of multiple health agencies and other sources.
BOONE — Watauga County buildings reopened to the public on Monday, June 1. All county departments and operations are operating on normal hours.
RALEIGH — Following are updates on COVID-19 cases and test numbers in the U.S., North Carolina and in High Country counties. The following reports may differ from other sources due to the varied reporting times of multiple health agencies and other sources.
BOONE — Testing guidance from N.C. Department of Health & Human Services has been updated to allow for more expansion of testing as the state continues to ease restrictions.
WATAUGA — Four local businesses had already submitted applications for funding from the Reenergize Watauga Fund during the first day of its launch, according to Chris Grasinger, the High Country regional manager of Mountain BizWorks.
RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper announced that six days into Phase 2, on May 28, the state experienced its highest days of reported deaths and hospitalizations since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
BOONE — At 2 p.m. on June 2, emergency restrictions mandating one-way shopping aisles, mask wearing by employees in indoor establishments open to the public, daily screenings of employees for symptoms and other measures will take effect in the town of Boone.
BLOWING ROCK — Blowing Rock Town Council members met May 21 to discuss the town’s emergency declaration and specifically how it will handle several upcoming parks and recreation events, including its annual summer camp, the opening of the town’s pool and its July 4 celebration.
BOONE — Appalachian Regional Healthcare System announced on May 21 that it is an official testing site for COVID-19, and it has expanded the options by which patients can get a referral for testing.
BOONE — AppHealthCare confirmed on May 27 that three cases of COVID-19 were identified among subcontractors working on Appalachian State University’s campus.
BOONE — Appalachian State University officials are working to determine which students are eligible to receive part of the $7,963,966 allocated for student aid as a portion of the funding the university received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
RALEIGH — Following are updates on COVID-19 cases and test numbers in the U.S., North Carolina and in High Country counties. The following reports may differ from other sources due to the varied reporting times of multiple health agencies and other sources.
BOONE — Confetti and bubbles filled the air during what Two Rivers Community School called a “reverse parade” on May 22 as vehicles with students and families drove by while teachers from the school cheered and held signs.
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JEFFERSON — AppHealthCare is reporting the first COVID-19-associated death in Ashe County.
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BOONE — Following a restraining order and two meetings on the matter, the Boone Town Council voted 4-1 on May 26 to strike the 14-day self-isolation requirement from the COVID-19 state of emergency amendments it passed on May 21.
BOONE — A woman who spent roughly a year in Boone as an international student from China seven years ago mailed masks to a Valle Crucis couple after hearing about the personal protective equipment shortage due to COVID-19.
RALEIGH — North Carolina saw its highest one-day increase in COVID-19 cases yet on May 23, with 1,107 new cases reported, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
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BOONE — Less than 24 hours after the restriction was passed, a Watauga County judge has blocked the town of Boone from enforcing a restriction barring anyone who has overnighted outside of Watauga County from entering indoor establishments until they have stayed in the county for 14 days.
Appalachian announces fall semester plans: no fall break, students to remain home after Thanksgiving
BOONE — The Appalachian State fall semester will be a bit different when students return to their classrooms Aug. 17.
RALEIGH — Chief Justice Cheri Beasley issued new emergency orders on May 21 about court operations across North Carolina that extend some filing deadlines, postpone jury trials and require in-person court operations to take place with some restrictions to ensure safety protocols.
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BOONE — Under new restrictions adopted by the Boone Town Council on May 21, anyone (except work commuters) arriving in the town of Boone who previously overnighted outside Watauga County will not be permitted to enter establishments open to the public, other than medical facilities, until th…
BOONE — The Will Dicus Memorial Baseball Tournament has turned into a High Country tradition that promotes baseball locally and helps raise funds for baseball causes.
RALEIGH — N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper announced on May 20 that North Carolina would move into Phase 2 of the statewide reopening plan at 5 p.m. on May 22 with the approval of Executive Order 141.
RALEIGH — North Carolina's number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 topped 20,000 on Wednesday, May 20. Watauga and Ashe remain at 12 and 28 cases, respectively, while neighboring Wilkes County is at 447 cases and on Wednesday reported its second COVID-19-related death.
WATAUGA — Starting in June, Watauga County Schools will start to modify how it distributes meals to children during the summer months.
BOONE — Watauga County was to ease local restrictions on May 22 after commissioners voted to align their timing with the statewide three-phase reopening plan, which moved into Phase 2 on Friday.
RALEIGH — Following are updates on COVID-19 cases and test numbers in the U.S., North Carolina and in High Country counties. The following reports may differ from other sources due to the varied reporting times of multiple health agencies and other sources.
BOONE — On May 18 and 19, local health departments announced that the number of Watauga County residents testing positive for COVID-19 has risen to 12 and that Avery County has its first confirmed case of the virus.
BOONE — According to Watauga officials, the county will receive $1,164,018 in federal CARES Act relief funds that will be split eight ways to help with the local COVID-19 response.
BOONE — Additional Watauga County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total of identified cases among Watauga County residents to 11.
RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities, it said on May 18. All long-term care facilities in the state will receive personal protective equipment packs of needed supplies, an…
NEWLAND — Avery County Health Department has recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Avery County as of Monday afternoon, May 18.
RALEIGH — COVID-19 cases among Watauga County residents increased to 11 on May 18, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the Raleigh News & Observer. In addition, Avery County reported its first positive test — the last of the state's 100 counties to do so.
RALEIGH — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina rose to 18,610 as of 9 p.m. Sunday, May 17, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.
RALEIGH — The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina rose to 17,494 as of 9:15 Friday, May 15, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.
ASHEVILLE — The Pisgah National Forest began to reopen many trails and roads and partially lift restrictions for dispersed camping May 14, using a site-by-site approach, including assessment of facility cleanliness, maintenance status and health and safety of recreation areas. Facilities and…
BOONE — Opportunities for general election polling sites, absentee ballots and poll workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were discussed during the May 13 Watauga Board of Elections virtual meeting.
BOONE — Curbside pickup of materials and printed items will be offered once again by the Watauga Public Library beginning Tuesday, May 19, and the hours are as follows:
BOONE — For the first time in its 69-year history, the outdoor drama “Horn in the West” will not be presented due to the concerns associated with COVID-19.
BOONE — After having to cancel its biggest fundraiser of the year, OASIS staff are wondering how they’ll make up the potential $25,000 to $30,000 shortfall the agency may face.
BOONE — Eyes and ears are focused on Tuesday and Thursday, May 19 and 21, when the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and Boone Town Council will each deliberate over how to move forward with local COVID-19 restrictions.
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BOONE — Appalachian State announced on May 14 that 16 subcontracted workers for a campus construction project have tested positive for COVID-19. The workers are not Watauga County residents.
BOONE — In accordance with state-mandated restrictions on large gatherings, Watauga High School plans to host an outdoor “drive-through” graduation ceremony on Saturday, May, 30, at the school.
BOONE — Regional home sales declined in April, as both buyers and sellers coped with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Realtors remained at work throughout the month albeit under extraordinary conditions, according to the most recent sales figures recorded by the High Country Association of Realtors.
AVERY COUNTY — As North Carolina slowly loosens restrictions in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a pair of local resorts have released their strategic reopening plans to once again welcome visitors.
BLOWING ROCK — The executive committee of the Tour of Homes Blowing Rock — an event held annually by St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church to raise money for High Country nonprofits — has decided to postpone this year’s tour until July 2021.
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