High Country Press

A Fun Night For Everyone, Come One Come All

Ken — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:32:53 +0000

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Tomato Trail Connects High Country Shoppers with Local Food

Ken — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:03:00 +0000

Boone, NC – Tomatoes took center stage across Boone this September as the Watauga County Farmers’ Market, King Street Market and High Country Food Hub teamed up for the inaugural Tomato Trail, a weeklong celebration connecting the community with local farmers, local food and the many ways to shop locally in the High Country. While tomatoes may evoke the height of summer elsewhere, the High Country’s cooler mountain growing season means locally grown tomatoes continue well into late summer. September is one of the most abundant times of year for local agriculture, when summer favorites like tomatoes and peppers overlap with the first crops of fall. The Tomato Trail was created in part to celebrate that abundance and remind shoppers that the arrival of September doesn’t mean farmers’ market season is winding down – in many ways, the harvest is at its peak. From September 5 – 11, shoppers were invited to follow the Tomato Trail between the Watauga County Farmers’ Market, King Street Market and High Country Food Hub, collecting passport stamps, sampling locally grown tomatoes,participating in tomato-themed activities and entering a raffle along the way. By the end of the week, 173 raffle entries had been submitted. Organizers ...

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WATA 1450 & 96.5 Named NCAB’s 2026 Non-Metro Station of the Year

Ken — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:24:33 +0000

October 8, 2026 Boone, NC – "Our team worked tirelessly to support the High Country during a year of unprecedented challenges that could have easily shut us down," said Erica Lackey, General Manager of High Country Radio. "This small but mighty group works miracles every day to serve an audience of over 70,000 people. Winning Station of the Year for the first time is a testament to the dedication, passion, and love for this community that our staff brings to the table every single day. We are incredibly grateful to the NCAB for this honor."

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Vaya Health, Partners Health Management Merge to Form Vaya Partners

Ken — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:03:03 +0000

GASTONIA, N.C. – Vaya Health and Partners Health Management officially merged today to form Vaya Partners, uniting their expansive provider networks, specialized staff, and community resources to ensure seamless, integrated care for over 225,000 members in 47 North Carolina counties. With the merger, Vaya Partners is now North Carolina’s largest local management entity/managed care organization (LME/MCO). The merger of these two organizations reflects a shared commitment to strengthening North Carolina’s public system of integrated healthcare for individuals with mental health needs, substance use disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries (MH/SUD/IDD/TBI) services in its covered areas. Through the operation of the Vaya Partners Tailored Plan, the organization integrates behavioral health, I/DD, TBI, physical health, and pharmacy services to ensure whole-person care for members. We also oversee behavioral health, I/DD, and TBI services for NC Medicaid Direct beneficiaries and individuals who use State-funded Services. The newly formed entity is designed to ensure long-term stability, enhance care coordination, and expand access to critical behavioral health services across North Carolina. “This merger is about building a stronger future for members, providers, and communities together,” said Vaya Partners Area Director and Chief Executive Officer Tracy Hayes, who led Vaya Health as Area ...

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MOVIE REVIEW: “Insidious: Out of the Further”

Ken — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:55:14 +0000

By Bob Garver If there’s one horror franchise that loves its jump scares, it’s “Insidious.” The 2010 original is best known for a red-faced demon appearing out of nowhere. But that film also boasted an originality to its worldbuilding. “Insidious: Out of the Further” is the sixth installment in the franchise, and fans very much know to expect jump scares at this point. The film follows Gemma (Amelia Eve), single mother to daughter Maya (Island Austin). She’s determined to be a better parent than her own, presumedly-mentally-ill mother. This being an “Insidious” film, it’s not long before old toys reappear after being missing for decades, suspicious people are seen around the neighborhood, and Gemma has scary dreams that may or may not be dreams. Things ramp up. Dentist Gemma has a freaky appointment with one of the new neighbors. She gets unreasonably lost in a coffee-table-sized blanket fort and barely escapes with her life. The only one who believes her about the imminent danger is franchise mainstay Dr. Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye), and she’s been dead for over ten years. Eventually Gemma learns that all the scares are because her bloodline has ties to the purgatory-like realm ...

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Downtown Boone Development Association Receives $25,000 from Appalachian Regional Commission

Ken — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:53:37 +0000

October 8, 2026 Boone, NC – “Downtown Boone has experienced exciting changes and growth over the last several years, and this funding gives us an opportunity to make sure our organization is growing right alongside the community we serve,” said Executive Director Lane Moody.

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – October 6th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000

October 6, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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Come Enjoy an Early Evening of Live Music This Sunday at the P.B. Scott’s Party, Boone Saloon

Ken — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:50:14 +0000

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A Fun Night Out at the Boone Saloon on Oct. 11

Ken — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

I hope you will consider coming to the 50th anniversary of PB Scotts. How many X-bars do you know that still celebrate themselves and their beer buying guests?! There will be memorabilia, and T-shirts for sale and live music with Big Bump and the Stun Gunz starting at 7:30 right after our Big Toast at 7:00. So it’s an early night for all us old folks! It is Sunday night at the Boone Saloon starting at 6:00. Almost 400 PBers attended PBs Round-Up, on a beautiful Sunday April 19, 2019. We won’t have these pop-ups very often. It’s a ‘last chance sort of gig’…. Jean Travers

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – September 29th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sepiember 29, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – September 22nd, 2026

Ken — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sepiember 22, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – September 15th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sepiember 15, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – September 8th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:36:44 +0000

Sepiember 8, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – September 1st, 2026

Ken — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:05:00 +0000

September 1, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – August 25th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

August 25, 2026 The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland

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State Auditor reports Town of Newland breakdowns in financial oversight

Ken — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:22:45 +0000

August 21, 2026 Boone, NC – August 21, 2026 - "Our investigation into the Town of Newland found breakdowns in financial oversight, procurement practices and tax dollar safeguards,” reported NC State Auditor Dave Boliek. “These findings are a reminder of the importance in having strong financial controls in place, no matter how big or small a municipality. Newland leaders are actively working to address the issues that haven’t already been resolved.”

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Foscoe Home Team Opened New Location August 18

Ken — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:19:31 +0000

August 21, 2026 Boone, NC – August 21, 2026 - “Tuesday was full of beautiful moments and connections that show us communities can begin to heal and hope can return,” said Sherrye Trice, Foscoe Home Team’s founder and executive director. “Opening in this new location with the ability to help more people and provide more is a culmination of 691 days of gratitude. Every day we are blessed by the abundance, humility and generosity of the High Country, North Carolina and surrounding states.”

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Congresswoman Virginia Foxx Hosts U.S. Service Academy Day on September 12

Ken — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:29:40 +0000

ELKIN, N.C. – The Office of Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will hold a U.S. Service Academy Day on Saturday, September 12th, from 1-3PM at Surry Community College’s Elkin Center at 1461 N Bridge St, Elkin, NC 28621. Representatives from all five U.S. Service Academies will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on their respective application processes. This event is open to all students, parents, counselors, and educators in North Carolina’s 5th District. To aid in seating logistics, please RSVP by Thursday, September 10th to NC05serviceacademy@mail.house.gov. For questions about the U.S. Service Academy Day, please call Simon Connolly in Congresswoman Foxx’s Mayodan District Office at (336) 778-0211.

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The Exchange Music Hall Presents: Pop Evil, with Lines of Loyalty and Bedlam, Dec. 4

Ken — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:25:38 +0000

Roanoke, VA – August 11, 2026 — Roanoke, Va.’s new, premier venue, The Exchange Music Hall, located at 201 S. Jefferson Street, welcomes modern rock phenomenon Pop Evil, along with opening acts Lines of Loyalty and Bedlam, on Friday, December 4, 2026. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the all-ages show. Bedlam takes the stage at 7 p.m., followed by Lines of Loyalty at 7:50 p.m., leading into headliner Pop Evil at 9 p.m. In addition to GA tickets, a small number of VIP tickets, which feature exclusive access to The Exchange’s Mezzanine Level, are also available. Pop Evil are a modern rock phenomenon. Led by their visionary founder and frontman Leigh Kakaty, the Michigan-born band’s storied career has seen them celebrate nine No.1 hit singles, seven smash-hit albums, and multiple Gold and Platinum certifications. The band’s latest release “What Remains” puts the world on notice that Pop Evil’s next chapter is nigh: one that promises to push the band into heavier and bolder realms than ever before. Pop Evil is Leigh Kakaty on vocals, Davey Grahs and Nick Fuelling on guitar, Joey Chicago on bass and Blake Allison on drums. Melodically magnetic hard-rock trio Lines of Loyalty, and uproarious live-rockers Bedlam, open ...

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MOVIE REVIEW: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Ken — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:22:24 +0000

By Bob Garver When we last left Peter Parker aka Spider-Man (Tom Holland) back in 2021, he had to submit to a spell from Doctor Strange that would make the world forget he ever existed. His Aunt May (Marissa Tomei) had died, so he had no family left, but he had to watch his friends Ned (Jacob Batalon) and MJ (Zendaya), go off to college without him, blissfully unaware of what they meant to him. As we rejoin Peter in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” he’s mostly turned himself over to superhero work full-time. There are plenty of dangers around New York City, from minor thugs to supervillains like Scorpion (Michael Mando) to people that just need rescuing. Peter is always happy to swing in and save the day as Spider-Man, but the years of anonymity are taking their toll on the human side of him. Peter has some help. He coordinates with Detective Jean DeWolff (Liza Colón-Zayas), as a liaison to the NYPD. A supposedly-benevolent organization called Damage Control, led by Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman) deals in superhero affairs. Fellow vigilante Frank “The Punisher” Castle (Jon Bernthal) keeps an eye on things, though Peter disagrees with his ...

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