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News
App State Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies are May 7–9
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University will recognize its spring and summer 2026 graduates during commencement ceremonies May 7–9 at…
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News
Longtime Watauga Democrat Editor Sandy Shook Passes
A longtime local journalist has passed away. Sandra “Sandy” Gail Shook, who dedicated more than 40 years of her life…
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News
NC Forest Service Lifts State Burn Ban for 81 Counties, Including High Country, Effective Sunday Morning
The North Carolina Forest Service has lifted its ban on open burning for 81 of the state’s 100 counties, effective…
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News
NC 105 Bridge Project: Increased Travel Impacts Expected Week of May 3
Travelers on NC 105 should plan for increased disruptions this week as construction continues on the new bridge over the…
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Alerts
Freeze Warning including Watauga & Ashe – Sunday May 3, 2026
NCZ001-018-VAZ007-009>015-017-019-020-024-WVZ042>044-507-508-030015-/O.NEW.KRNK.FZ.W.0004.260503T0400Z-260503T1300Z/Ashe-Watauga-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Floyd-Alleghany VA-Bath-Rockbridge-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-Including the cities of Independence, Volney, Pulaski, Rainelle,Clifton Forge, Alderson, Lexington, Hot Springs, Pearisburg, Hix,Tazewell, Blacksburg, Flat…
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News
NCDOT: NC 105 Bridge Traffic Shift Expected This Summer; Project Remains on Schedule
The N.C. 105 Bridge Replacement Project remains on schedule for completion in late 2027, with crews expected to shift traffic…
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News
Bomb Threat — Walmart Neighborhood Market, Hudson
UPDATE — 2:40 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2026: A suspect is in custody following a reported bomb threat at a…
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News
Watauga County Local Burn Ban Lifted at 5 p.m. Today – Friday May 1, 2026
BOONE — The Watauga County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Town of Boone Fire Department are lifting the local ban…
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News
Public Notice: Board of Education Vacancy
The Watauga County Board of Education is seeking to fill a vacant Board seat following the resignation of a member…
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News
NCDOT Contractor to Replace Helene-Damaged Bridge in Boone, Bairds Creek Road will close near Laurel Fork Road until fall 2026
BOONE – An N.C. Department of Transportation contractor will begin replacing a Watauga County bridge next week. Crews from James…
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