Austin Tyler Durden Charged with Two Counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor LANSING, N.C. – Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the arrest of 21-year-old Austin Tyler Durden of Lansing, NC, for 2 counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. The Ashe County Sheriff's O...

🚨 ASHE COUNTY — Sheriff B. Phil Howell announces the arrest of 21-year-old Austin Tyler Durden of Lansing, NC, for 2 counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. wataugaonline.com/austin-tyler...

Wilkes County Register of Deeds arrested following a drug investigation (WILKES COUNTY, N.C.) – The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has arrested Wilkes County Register of Deeds Misty Michelle Smithey (W/F DOB 01/13/1978) following a drug investigation i...

Wilkes County Register of Deeds arrested following a drug investigation wataugaonline.com/wilkes-count...

Watauga High School and Hardin Park Elementary School are currently under a HOLD action UPDATE 2:56 pm from Watauga County Sheriff's Office: On March 10, 2026, at approximately 10:50 a.m., the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an assault involving a female that occurre...

🚨 Watauga County Sheriff's Office reports an assault on the Greenway trail near Brookshire Park this morning. Watauga High School and Hardin Park Elementary were placed on hold-in-place while law enforcement searched the area. Investigation ongoing.

wataugaonline.com/watauga-high...

Watauga High School and Hardin Park Elementary School are currently under a HOLD action Update 1:36 pm – Law enforcement has apprehended the suspect that they were searching for at this time. The hold at Hardin Park and Watauga High is lifted. Update 12:20 pm from Watauga High School- Wa...

Update to an earlier post - Update 1:36 pm - Law enforcement has apprehended the suspect that they were searching for at this time. The hold at Hardin Park and Watauga High is lifted. wataugaonline.com/watauga-high...

Watauga High School and Hardin Park Elementary School are currently under a HOLD action Update from Watauga High School- Watauga High School and Hardin Park Elementary School are continuing to stay in a HOLD (this means that instruction will continue, however, no transitions out of the b...

Watauga High School and Hardin Park Elementary School are currently under a HOLD action due to a community incident near our campuses wataugaonline.com/watauga-high...

App State Update from Chancellor Dr. Heather Norris — Friday, March 6, 2026 Friday, March 6, 2026 Last week, we held an afternoon of in-person programming for students in our online programs supported by Project Kitty Hawk, a nonprofit partner that works with the UNC System t...

🎓 App State Update from Chancellor Dr. Heather Norris — Friday, March 6, 2026
- Online student enrollment up nearly 28% since launching Project Kitty Hawk partnership
- Ranked top 18% nationally for best online bachelor's programs by U.S. News

wataugaonline.com/app-state-up...

🏔️ Blue Ridge Parkway road closures resume mid-March in two sections near Blowing Rock. Access maintained to Cone Park, Price Lake & Linn Cove via signed detours. Final phase of $100M+ project, completion fall 2026.

wataugaonline.com/final-phase-...

🚀 That glow in the sky over the High Country early this morning? SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral at 5:52 AM carrying 29 Starlink satellites. The exhaust plume was visible across the region.

Seen here heading down 421 toward Wilkes County.

📷 Allen Greene

Unofficial 2026 primary election results for Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties Polls closed Tuesday evening in the 2026 North Carolina Primary Election. The NC State Board of Elections delayed the release of results statewide after extending voting by one hour at a Halifax Count...

UNOFFICIAL NC Primary Results – Avery County in (11/19 precincts)

Commissioners: Aldridge, Burleson, Grindstaff leading
Clerk of Court: Benfield 79%
Board of Ed: Holtsclaw, Bailey leading

wataugaonline.com/unofficial-2026-primary-election-results-for-watauga-ashe-and-avery-counties/

Unofficial 2026 primary election results for Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties NC election results will be delayed tonight. The State Board of Elections extended voting by one hour at a Halifax County precinct due to a poll book issue. No results will be released statewide until...

Unofficial 2026 primary election results for Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties wataugaonline.com/unofficial-2...

Protecting those who protect us: App State studies the cooling limits of new firefighter gear BOONE, N.C. — Firefighters face enough uncertainty during a blaze without having to question the performance reliability of their turnout gear, or personal protective equipment (PPE). To ensure next-g...

🚒 App State researcher Dr. Caroline Smith is testing next-generation firefighter gear with Boone Fire Department volunteers, funded by a $1.5M FEMA grant. The study examines how new "forever chemical"-free moisture barriers affect heat stress and cardiac risk.

wataugaonline.com/protecting-t...

Good morning, High Country! Beautiful Saturday morning. Blue skies and sunshine in downtown Boone, Blowing Rock. Stunning view of the fog in the valley from the CCC&TI Watauga Campus. Foggy in Foscoe.

One dead, one hospitalized after shooting Thursday evening at Covington Way Apartments in Wilkesboro. Police say incident resulted from domestic argument. No arrests expected. wataugaonline.com/wilkesboro-s...

It is with great sadness that Blue Ridge Energy announces the passing of the electric cooperative’s President of the Board of Directors, Jeff Joines of Lenoir, NC.  wataugaonline.com/blue-ridge-e...

🚧 NC 105 Bridge Update: NCDOT begins pouring concrete bridge deck over the Watauga River starting Friday. Brief lane closures possible (up to 15 min). The $48.7M project replacing the 71-year-old bridge is expected to finish late 2027. wataugaonline.com/crews-to-pou... #Boone #WataugaCounty #NC105

In the latest drought update for North Carolina, severe drought conditions continue to grip much of the state, with Extreme Drought now affecting seven counties and Severe Drought covering 80 counties. wataugaonline.com/drought-moni...

Snowing on Beech Mountain early morning. Video: Anita Presnell

wataugaonline.com/watauga-coun...

Sheriff B. Phil Howell is proud to announce the launch of a comprehensive Inmate Medication-Assisted Treatment (IMAT) Program at the Ashe County Detention Center. wataugaonline.com/ashe-county-...

🏀 FINAL - STATE PLAYOFFS ROUND 1
Watauga High School

Watauga 60, Mt. Tabor 51

Pioneers advance to Round 2 on the road Thursday night!

Proposed 140-Room Hotel and Conference Center on Highway 105 to Be Discussed at Boone Town Council Meeting wataugaonline.com/proposed-140...

🚨 ROAD CONDITIONS UPDATE
Monday, February 23, 2026, 7:35 AM

Snow still falling across the High Country this morning. Roads are snow covered and slippery in downtown Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk. Use caution if you must travel. Winter Storm Warning in effect until midnight tonight.

The Town of Jefferson has declared a Stage 4 Emergency Reduction under its Water Shortage Response Plan. Water supply conditions are substantially diminished and pose an imminent threat to public health. wataugaonline.com/town-of-jeff...

❄️ CLOSINGS & CANCELLATIONS
Monday, February 23, 2026

Multiple closings and delays this morning due to winter weather. Check the full updated list at:

➡️ wataugaonline.com/closingscancellations

🌨️ Winter Storm Warning in effect for Watauga and Ashe counties through midnight Monday night. Up to 7 inches of snow mainly above 3,500 feet with gusts to 50 mph. Roads will likely become hazardous. NWS advises delaying all travel if possible. wataugaonline.com/winter-storm...

Boone topped out at 62 today, forecast high tomorrow in lower 30s with gusts up to 45 mph and snow.

Winter Weather Advisory for Watauga & Ashe – Feb 22-24, 2026 wataugaonline.com/winter-weath...

Winter Storm Warning for Avery County – Feb 22, 2026 wataugaonline.com/winter-storm...

Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools Dr. Mark Byrd passes wataugaonline.com/superintende...

🏀 FINAL
NW 6A/7A Conference Tournament - Round 1
Watauga High School

#3 Watauga 63, #6 St. Stephens 20

The Pioneer women advance to the semifinals and will face #2 Alexander Central on Thursday at 6:30 PM at Watauga High School. The Pioneer men also play Thursday at 8:00 PM in the men's semifinal.