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Beech Mountain, NC · Events

The Avery Journal-Times

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Grandfather Mountain to kick off holiday season with tree arrival and festivities

LINVILLE – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will celebrate the arrival of this year’s holiday tree at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery on Friday, Nov. 20. The hour-long event begins at 11 a.m. and is included with park admission. The tree is from Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm in Newland. Owner Larry Smith has previously supplied trees to the White House, North Carolina State Capitol and other prominent government buildings and residences. Grandfather’s mascot, Millie the Bear, will escort this year’s tree through the park’s entrance gate and up the park road to the Wilson Center. There, visitors can take part in snowflake-themed crafts and enjoy some hot chocolate and candy canes. “The holiday tree adds a touch of seasonal magic to Grandfather Mountain, creating a memorable winter experience for guests of all ages,” said Seth Yarber, facilities coordinator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We invite visitors to experience this special tradition for themselves and see how the mountain comes alive with holiday spirit.” The full schedule for the celebration is below. 11 a.m. | Millie the Bear escorts the tree through the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate. Guests are welcome

Linville, NC · 1d

Ashe Post & Times

partner publisher · 5.4K followers

County approves replacement sheriff’s vehicle lease

JEFFERSON — Ashe County Commissioners approved the sheriff’s office Enterprise lease agreement on Nov. 2 to replace a totaled patrol vehicle. Two ACSO vehicles were declared total losses in separate incidents, one involving a vehicle pursuit and another while an officer was transporting someone. After reviewing dashboard camera footage, ACSO staff determined the incidents were unavoidable. The pursuit also followed department policy, the sheriff’s office said. The ACSO also said other department vehicles sustained damage from deer collisions. County Manager Adam Stumb said the county has already received insurance credit for one vehicle and is “waiting to settle” the other claim. Stumb said the county would also save on lease payments for the remainder of the year by operating with one fewer vehicle. “At the end of the day, budget-wise, it’s close to a wash,” Stumb said of the replacement costs through insurance. Leveraging his EMS background, Commissioner Wes Greene requested additional details about the accidents for clarification while stating his position on driver safety with county equipment, comparing it to firearm safety training. “We receive safety credits from our insurance,” Greene explained. “Anytime we can do driver training, we receive safety credits which saves us money. I want to

Ashe County, NC · 1d

familyvacationsus.com

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We Found 10 North Carolina Breakfast Spots That Make A Cold Morning Feel Special

One North Carolina diner on my list never locks its doors, not even at 3 AM. It serves scratch comfort food around the clock in a space styled like an old railroad car. Then I learned another spot hands out free coffee while you wait for a table. Free coffee for waiting?

Asheville, NC · 2d

caldwellcountync.org

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Caldwell County PORT Seeks Community Support for Project Kindness

Caldwell County PORT is now collecting everyday essentials to share with people facing homelessness, substance use, or difficult life circumstances through an effort called Project Kindness. Specifically, PORT is asking the community to donate nonperishable snack food items (not canned), feminine products, socks, gloves, scarfs, small blankets, mini flashlights, hygiene...

Caldwell County, NC · 3d

Ashe Post & Times

partner publisher · 5.4K followers

Ashe adopts values for 2027 property reappraisal

JEFFERSON — The Ashe County Board of Commissioners adopted the 2027 scheduled values on Nov. 2 for the county’s upcoming reappraisal. Ashe County is one of 37 counties statewide, including Watauga, Avery, and Alleghany, that will conduct reappraisals in 2027. Property tax revenues are Ashe County’s primary funding source. Ashe County Tax Administrator Chris Lambert expects the county’s tax base to increase by 28.3%. A schedule of values is an official county manual containing standardized pricing tables, building costs, and land rates used to calculate fair market property values during a revaluation, according to wake.gov . County governments must adopt a schedule of values before upcoming property revaluations. North Carolina requires tax assessors to appraise all real property uniformly at 100% of market value as of Jan. 2027, Lambert said. Lambert previously told the commissioners that his office’s 451-page schedule of values manual contains appraisal overviews, location codes, property and residential information, manufactured home data and rates, property classification charts, commercial information, present use value, and neighborhood pricing guides. His office will use the manual to reevaluate local property values for the next four years. Although state law requires county tax offices to reevaluate property every eight years, Ashe County

Ashe County, NC · 2d

ourlocalcommunityonline.com

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Town of Spruce Pine Invites Public Input on Brad Ragan Park

The Town of Spruce Pine is exploring ways to improve Brad Ragan Park and wants to hear from residents and visitors. The project will look at the park as a whole, from its playgrounds, pool and ball fields to its trails and gathering spaces, and consider how these areas can work together to better serve the community.

Spruce Pine, NC · 1d

Ashe Post & Times

partner publisher · 5.4K followers

Ashe County progressives strategize for future elections

WEST JEFFERSON — Patti Miller, a field canvasser for a local nonprofit, described her recent interaction with a voter while leaving a polling station who didn’t speak English as his primary language. While he isn’t fluent, she said his English was still “very good.” Still, she said the voter found the ballot intimidating to read. Miller and other voter rights advocates want to improve future access while eliminating implicit disenfranchisement. They plan to post a translated ballot at each Ashe County polling site so the confusion “won’t happen again.” Voter engagement goes beyond education, she explained. It’s about outreach and support, regardless of the outcome at the ballot box. “He voted and left content because he voted,” she said. Miller was among 18 local left-leaning voters who attended a post-election reflection meeting at Down Home North Carolina’s Ashe County Chapter on Nov. 4. Although Democrats secured major victories statewide, Ashe County voters backed Republican candidates in several closely contested races. Voters also approved three constitutional amendments that could reshape state and local government. While the amendments passed, the post-election group said the mobilization is groundwork for future campaigns. “I know a lot of people are discouraged by the amendments,” Democratic

Ashe County, NC · 1d

gofoothills.com

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NC Society of Historians Honors Caldwell America 250 Committee

At their Annual Awards Ceremony, the North Carolina Society of Historians (NCSH) awarded the Caldwell County America 250 Committee the Multimedia Award of Excellence for “Our Story: The History of Caldwell County.”. “We are thrilled to have the NC Society of Historians recognize the time, dedication, and creativity that...

Caldwell County, NC · 1d

gofoothills.com

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Morganton water bills headed higher, but timing is uncertain

Morganton water and sewer customers can expect higher rates in the coming years as the city prepares for what could be more than $300 million in infrastructure improvements over the next three decades. City Manager Sally Sandy told The Paper on Wednesday that rate increases are inevitable following the rate...

Morganton, NC · 1d