High Country Press

Grandfather Mountain Mourns the Loss of Yonnie the Black Bear

Ken — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:10:37 +0000

LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has bid farewell to Yonahlossee (Yonnie) the black bear. Yonnie was humanely euthanized Wednesday, June 24, following advanced-age-related complications, including severe arthritis, that led to difficulty standing and walking. She was 27 years old. “Yonnie will always be remembered for her enthusiasm and the love she showed her cubs,” said Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Throughout her long life, she was always a spirited bear, and her impact will not be forgotten.” Yonnie was born at a facility out west. On April 13, 1999, at approximately three months of age, Yonnie and her companion bear, Kodiak, flew to Charlotte, N.C., where they were met by their new keepers. From the moment Yonnie was acquired, it was obvious that she would be high-maintenance and feisty. She attacked Kodiak constantly during the ride to their new home. She was named Yonahlossee after the Cherokee word, meaning “trail of the black bear.” Even as an adult, Yonnie was still outspoken and full of attitude, though her attitude softened in her later days, making her calm and sweet. Keepers described her as ...

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – August 4th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 12:07:00 +0000

August 4, 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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MountainTrue’s River Debris Cleanup Crew has Removed 150,000 Pounds of Storm Debris From High Country Rivers

Ken — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:38:31 +0000

August 4, 2026 Boone, NC – August 4, 2026 - The Western North Carolina nonprofit’s High Country team, based in Boone, has removed more than 150,000 pounds of storm debris in Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties since the team was fully assembled in September 2025, and remains at work in the area every day.

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Grandfather Mountain’s annual Junior Naturalist Day to take place Aug. 8

Ken — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:46:56 +0000

August 3, 2026 Boone, NC – August 3, 2026 -Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will host its annual Junior Naturalist Day on Saturday, Aug. 8, with many new offerings this year.

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Daingerfield’s + Peppervine August 7, 2026 – Two Celebrated Resturants, Two Visionary Chefs, One Exclusive Three-Course Dining Experience

Ken — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:20:17 +0000

Blowing Rock, NC – Daingerfield’s Fine Dining and Peppervine Restaurant are proud to present The Shared Table: Daingerfield’s + Peppervine, an exciting culinary collaboration bringing together Daingerfield’s Executive Chef Micheal Armes and Peppervine Executive Chef Matt Deering for two exclusive dining experiences celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and North Carolina’s exceptional culinary talent. The collaboration will debut at Daingerfield’s Fine Dining at Westglow on Friday, August 7, 2026, where guests will enjoy a specially curated three-course collaborative menu with optional wine pairings, showcasing the distinctive culinary styles and shared passion for seasonal ingredients that define both chefs’ work. The partnership will continue in Charlotte on Friday, October 9, 2026, with Chef Micheal Armes and Chef Matt Deering presenting a second three-course collaborative menu at Peppervine Restaurant. The evening will feature expertly selected wine pairings curated by Peppervine’s General Manager and Wine Director, Certified Sommelier Tommy Trull. Featured guest chef Matt Deering, Executive Chef of Peppervine Restaurant and recipient of the 2024 North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Chef of the Year Award, was born and raised in Charlotte and brings a thoughtful and ever-evolving approach to cuisine rooted in craftsmanship, creativity, and seasonal ingredients. His culinary journey began in Huntersville before continuing ...

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Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Names Track and Field Outstanding Men’s and Women’s Athletes

Ken — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:03:00 +0000

August 1, 2026 Boone, NC – August 1, 2026 -“I don’t care if I win or lose — I just want to at least try my best,” Robins said. “I have to just believe in myself.”

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FEMA Announces Additional $197 Million for North Carolina Recovery

Ken — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:55:43 +0000

FEMA Announces Additional $197 Million for North Carolina Recovery Microsoft Word – R4-2026-036 FEMA Announces Additional $197 Million for North Carolina Recovery ASHEVILLE, N.C. – FEMA announced an additional $197 million approved this week for more than 30 recovery and mitigation projects to help North Carolina communities recover from Hurricane Helene and past disasters. “This additional $197 million reflects our ongoing partnership with state and local leaders to restore critical infrastructure, support families, and invest in mitigation projects that will help protect North Carolinians from future storms,” said Rob Ashe, FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator. “Our FEMA team in North Carolina continues to fulfill President Trump and Secretary Mullin’s promise to deliver effective federal assistance to the state.” Notable recovery projects FEMA funded include: FEMA is reimbursing North Carolina at no less than a 90% federal share for Hurricane Helene Public Assistance recovery projects, an enhanced level of support reserved for the most significant disasters. Additionally, FEMA approved more than $18.3 million for three mitigation projects in the state of North Carolina: FEMA is funding these mitigation projects at no less than a 75% federal cost share through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. FEMA remains committed to supporting North Carolina’s ...

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Boone Sunrise Rotary Celebrates 40 Years of Service and Welcomes Nick Friedman as Club President

Ken — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:37:51 +0000

August 1, 2026 Boone, NC – August 1, 2026 - The Boone Sunrise Rotary Club celebrated another successful year of service while ushering in new leadership during its Annual Dinner Meeting held June 23 at Hound Ears Club. Outgoing President Ben Henderson reflected on an extraordinary year of accomplishments before officially passing the gavel to Nick Friedman, who will serve as Club President for the 2026–2027 Rotary year.

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Eleanor Spicer Rice to join Grandfather Presents lineup Sept. 3

Ken — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:32:42 +0000

August 1, 2026 Boone, NC – August 1, 2026 -Spicer Rice is the host of Our State Magazine’s “North Carolina, Naturally,” a print, podcast and video series highlighting the remarkable biodiversity and hidden stories of North Carolina. Her work has appeared in national media, museums, classrooms and public speaking venues across the country, where she is known for blending rigorous science with humor, storytelling and wonder.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Moana

Ken — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 08:28:34 +0000

August 1, 2026 Boone, NC – August 1, 2026 - Moana’s mission requires her to team up with exiled demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson, reprising his role from the original, but now in live-action), who isn’t keen on crossing paths with old enemy Te Fiti. Together they have to keep other parties from stealing the powerful heart for themselves, such as coconut-like pirates the Kakamora and greedy crab Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement, also reprising his role in voice only). Then there’s Te Fiti herself, who is so mistrustful of humans and demigods that she fights our heroes even when they’re trying to do something as helpful as returning her own heart.

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – July 28th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:54:00 +0000

July 28, 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 – July 21st, 2026

Ken — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

July 21, 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 – July 14th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

July 14, 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 – July 7th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:59:00 +0000

July 7, 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 – June 30th, 2026

Ken — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

June 30, 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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Lees-McRae Summer Theatre Celebrates Country’s Semiquincentennial With “America 250”

Ken — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:34:12 +0000

BANNER ELK, N.C.— 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, and Director of Summer Theatre Janet Speer has thrown her hat into the celebratory ring with her latest original musical, “America 250.” The show will be performed as part of this season’s Lees-McRae Summer Theatre lineup Tuesday, June 30 through Sunday, July 5. Speer wrote and will direct the musical, which tells the story of a group of performers assembling a show in celebration of the nation’s big anniversary. We follow Aaron, the show’s director, as he attempts to wrangle 35 choral singers, various instrumentalists, a historian, and a writer as they agree and disagree on which music should represent the United States in their production. “They look for new angles, for tried-and-true songs with fresh arrangements, songs grander in scope, and wider in appeal. Questions are asked, but in ways that will make you laugh,” Speer said. “As we all navigate who we are as a country, we know there are times when we adore her, when we shout at her, and when we are sad or happy for her, but ultimately, we are grateful that 250 years ago, she was born.” The resulting show brings ...

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MOVIE REVIEW: Toy Story 5

Ken — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:36:51 +0000

By Bob Garver Simply put, “Toy Story” is my favorite movie franchise of all time. The 1995 original about cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) fighting for relevance against hi-tech spaceman action figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) was about the most fun a kid could possibly have at a theater… until three worthy sequels came along. And yet here I am, saying that “Toy Story 5” is a big step down for the franchise. The main character of this movie is actually Jessie the Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), a doll introduced in the second movie with a tragic backstory of being abandoned by her human owner. Now she’s owned by 8-year-old Bonnie (Scarlett Spears), along with Buzz and other familiar figures, when the youngster is gifted frog-themed electronic tablet LilyPad (Greta Lee). Soon Bonnie is addicted to the screen, and the cowgirl has to fight for relevance against the hi-tech newcomer, eventually pulling in “lost toy” Woody for a rescue effort. The movie emphasizes helping humans make human friends, which is a nice touch, but too much of the movie is just par-for-the-course toy rescues, jokes, and bickering. Even heavy emotional moments are hit-and-miss. It’s also worth mentioning that ...

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Named Finalist for Prestigious Chamber of the Year Award

Ken — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:39:12 +0000

June 23, 2026 Boone, NC – June 23, 2026 - “Being named a Chamber of the Year finalist is a powerful reflection of leadership, innovation and measurable impact,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “We congratulate these outstanding chambers on this well-deserved recognition. They are not only serving their members, they are shaping stronger economies, building more resilient communities and setting a high standard for the chamber profession.”

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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – June 23rd, 2026

Ken — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

June 23, 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 County Habitat for Humanity “Big Cheese” Fundraiser a Success! Over $63,000 Raised

Ken — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:01:17 +0000

On June 2, 2026, Watauga County Habitat for Humanity and friends gathered to hold The 2026 Big Cheese Fundraising Finale at Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Boone, N.C. This event was the conclusion of two months of fundraising that 8 teams and 29 individuals participated in, through “The Big Cheese Fundraiser.” The fundraiser brought in a total of $63,138 for the Watauga Habitat. This year was the 12th year of the peer-to-peer fundraiser, and it has raised a total of $521,120 since its inception. VPC Builders won in both the team and individual categories. VPC Builders raised $22,485 as a team, and VPC Builders team member Lindsey Royle won the individual category, raising $16,550. VPC Builders also won the team competition when they competed in 2024. The proceeds from this friendly competition support Watauga Habitat’s mission of building safe and affordable homes in Watauga County with those in need. In the Big Cheese Fundraiser, participants work to raise more money than the other competitors through a variety of strategies, and “The Big Cheese” winner title is won by both the top team and individual fundraisers. This year, the competition began on April 1, 2026 and concluded at Appalachian Mountain Brewery on ...

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