What better backdrop for a holiday greeting card than the rolling hills of our own Blue Ridge Mountains? The holiday season is here, and the High Country region has about a zillion ways to celebrate it.

Galen Elijah Ruble told police he thought his muzzle-loading rifle was unloaded when he pointed it at his friend's head and pulled the trigger, according to Boone police.

An arrest is expected sometime today in the death of an Appalachian State University student from Matthews who was killed early Sunday at an off-campus party in Boone, police say.

Dan Soucek of Watauga County, having run for the state house of representatives in 2008, has officially announced he will run for North Carolina's 45th Senate district in 2010 serving Wilkes, Watauga, Ashe and Alexander counties.

A virtual who's who of renewable energy experts from ASU, ASU REI and across the state, as well as local officials and businesspeople involved with the project, gathered at the Broyhill Inn last week to celebrate the installation of the largest wind turbine in the state.

Boone's Women In Black's silent vigil last year outside the Jones House to highlight the pandemic of violence against women.

Christmas trees and wreaths are available at area holiday markets, including the Watauga County Farmers' Market .

Local residents can receive big discounts on home energy audits by attending a free E-Conserve workshop administered through the Watauga County Cooperative Extension and Building Performance Engineering on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Conference Center.

Blog powered by TypePad Member since 05/2005 November 12, 2009 A question for your benefit-cost analysis students Is the widening of US HWY 421 in Boone efficient ? Use these resources to answer the question below: Estimated Cost: Construction $16.2 million Length: 1.1 miles Speed limit: 45 MPH Watauga County Quickfacts Value of time : Assume 25% ...

Published in The Watauga Democrat Oct. 27, 2009 A pilot experiencing mechanical difficulty made an emergency landing at the Boone airport off Bamboo Road Monday evening.

Top: Loretta Clawson celebrates after seeing the Boone vote totals, confirming her re-election as mayor.

A Boone, NC man is in jail today after police allege he sexually abused a juvenile.

LINDA PAYNE Financial issues remain a top concern for the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Board of Trustees, prompting them to draft a letter to North Carolina Gov.

Election Day for local municipal races takes place on Tuesday, November 3. The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in both counties.

Skyline Membership Corporation, under its wholly-owned subsidiary Skybest Communications, is bringing state-of-the-art business services to downtown Boone.

Teen pregnancies have decreased significantly in Ashe County over the past year and that number has hit a 30-year low statewide.

A book signing reception was held last Friday, October 23, at the Jones House in downtown Boone for The Architectural History of Watauga County , a hardback coffee table book about 30 years in the making.

Eight candidates are in the running for three open seats on the Beech Mountain Town Council.

Following are the candidates in competitive races for elected office in Elk Park.

This Saturday, October 24, a group photo will be snapped at the Watauga County Farmers' Market at Horn in the West in Boone.