Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

|| High Country Press Newswire

October 2, 2008 issue

North Carolina Buys Grandfather Mountain—$12 Million Deal Assures Protection of Land, Wildlife For Future Generations

“This place manifests Hugh Morton’s consuming desire to protect the glorious riches of nature and share them with all citizens. Today’s announcement means that, thanks to Hugh Morton and the Morton family, the glorious riches of nature on Grandfather Mountain will be preserved and shared with all citizens for all time,” said William G. Ross, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, to a crowd of more than 100 people who gathered on Monday morning to hear North Carolina Governor Mike Easley announce that the State of North Carolina is purchasing 2,601 acres on Grandfather Mountain, making it the state’s newest state park. Read More »

Haven’t Registered To Vote in the General Election Yet? Here’s How

At the voter registration table on ASU’s Sanford Mall, volunteers (from left) Kimberly Smith, Debbie Anne Hall and Alex Younger speak with ASU student Jason Pearson about voting. Photo by Kristen Street As Election Day comes closer and closer, the Watauga County Board of Elections, along with many volunteers, has been working to register as many citizens to vote as they can. The deadline to register for local elections is Friday, October 10, although procrastinators do have the opportunity to register and vote on the same day during the early voting period from October 16 through November 1. Read More »

The View Stories

Welcome Home—ASU, Lees-McRae Celebrate Homecoming This Weekend

Thousands of alumni will travel back to the High Country this weekend to visit a place that they once called home. Appalachian State University in Boone and Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk welcome all graduates to campus once again for their annual Homecoming festivities. Former students are invited to tour the campuses, watch colorful parades, reminisce with old friends and learn about the exciting changes at both colleges. Read More »

Shelter Stories

USGS and NCDENR Scope Out Test Well Sites in Seven Devils

On Tuesday, members of the Seven Devils Town Council met at the Grandfather Trout Farm & Gem Mine with United States Geological Survey Ground Water Specialist Melinda Chapman, North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Hydro Geologist Shuyng Wang and North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Drilling Supervisor Billy Casper to look at sites for three future test wells. Read More »