APRIL 9, 2009 ISSUE
Top News of the Week
Boone Close to Finalizing Land Use Master Plan
Environmentalists are still celebrating a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week to suspend and review permits for two new mountaintop removal coal mining operations in West Virginia and Kentucky. The EPA said it also intends to review other requests for mining permits, putting between 150 to 200 coal mine permit applications on hold.
The land use master plan works together with the town’s Comprehensive Plan and other plans and programs to provide for Boone’s long-range growth, facility and service needs.
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Watauga Unemployment Rate Highest in 20 Years
The unemployment rate in Watauga County has reached its highest rate in 20 years, according to data from the North Carolina Employment Security Commission (ESC). The High Country Workforce Development Board reported February 2009 unemployment rates for seven area counties on April 1.
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What To Do With Billboards? We’ve Got Six Months…
Watauga Commissioners Extend Moratorium on All Billboards and Off-Premise Electronic Signs Until October 23
After only one person—a representative from Lamar Outdoor Advertising—provided public comment during an April 6 public hearing, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on all billboards and all off-premise electronic signs in the county until October 23.
During the moratorium, businesses will be able to install regular signage in front of their location, but the installation of any sort of LED sign, other electronic sign or off-premise sign by any party is prohibited.
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More Top News
- Feature Photo: Spring Snowfall
- Future of Skatepark Still Undecided—Appalachian Skatepark To Stay Open Into May With Attendant
- Groundbreaking in Sight for New Hospitality House Facility—Agency Secures Enough Funding To Begin Construction
- ASU Geologist Documenting Climate Change on West Antarctic Ice Sheet
- Developing a Sustainable World—ASU Students Show How Algae and Coffee Can Change the World April 16
- Donate Shoes at Mast General Store Through April 30
- Feature Photo: A Breath of Fresh AIRE
- Second Caregivers Charity Trivia Challenge April 25
- Recycle in the Parks!—New Recycling Bins in Watauga County Parks
- Support the Hunger and Health Coalition This Easter Season
- Local Author Pens and Illustrates Easter Children’s Book
- Feature Photo: Forever Protecting Our Grandfather
The View
A Toast to Taste—4th Annual Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival April 16 to 19
The big news about this year’s Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival is that the main event—the Grand Tasting—is moving from Chetola Resort to a new location in downtown Blowing Rock. The tasting tent will be at the corner of Maple and Main streets from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
“We want to get festival-goers closer to our downtown merchants,” said Stephanie Keener, events director for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, the main sponsor of the festival.
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More View Stories
- Bands Announced For Second Annual HayesGrass Competition
- Lees-McRae Presents For the Love of the Nightingale April 17 to 21
- Appalachian Dance Ensemble Presents Annual Spring Concert April 22 to 25
- Tweetsie Railroad Opens May 1—Wild West Theme Park Offers Discount Rates Until May 3
- The Hardest Working Man at MerleFest—A Conversation with Jim Lauderdale
- Finalists Announced for Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest
- It’s Not Too Late To Volunteer at MerleFest, Applications Due April 17
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s John McEuen To Hayes Center April 17
- Got Writing on the Brain?—Watauga County Library Hosts 2nd Annual Youth Writing Contest
- Hayes School of Music This Week
- Pop Songsters Mike Alvarado Band Plays Habitat Benefit at Legends April 15
- Locals Needed as Extras for Video Shoot at Horn in the West
- Bahá’ís of Watauga, Ashe and Avery Sponsor Presentation and Prayer April 16
- Funky French Fusion Trio Mörglbl Returns to Blowing Rock—Band Will Play Two Shows and Host Three Instrumental Clinics April 17 and 18
- Todd Community Dance This Friday at Todd Mercantile
- They Think You Should Dance—Christabel & The Jons Swing Into Boone Saloon April 15
- Brewer's Briefs
Shelter Stories
Making It Easy To Be (Certified) Green—Watauga Green Business Plan Adds Businesses, Looks for New Clients
Nine local businesses are helping the local community, bolstering their image, cutting operating costs and helping to save the environment through participation in the Watauga Green Business Plan, a joint initiative of the Watauga County Economic Development Commission and the ASU Energy Center.
Currently, Watauga Green Business Plan Coordinators Landon Williams and Ross Dylan are looking to add more local businesses to the program, while celebrating the businesses that have already taken advantage of what they believe is an indispensable community resource.
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