Here’s a check of the latest from WataugaOnline.com.
Counting is complete in Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties and statewide, and the results remain unofficial until county boards of elections certify them. In the U.S. Senate race, Roy Cooper led statewide with 58.7% of the vote and carried Watauga with 62.5%, while Michael Whatley led in Ashe and Avery. In N.C. House District 93, Democrat Charlie Wallin led Republican Ray Pickett by 228 votes across the full district, 50.3% to 49.7%. All three state constitutional amendments have majority support statewide in the unofficial count.
The High Country real estate market, covering Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties, had 198 closed sales of single-family properties, including condos and townhouses, in October, with a combined closing total of $142.0 million. The median sales price across the four counties was $517,000, according to the High Country Association of Realtors. Nationally, pending home sales in September fell 7.3% from August and 11.3% from a year earlier.
The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce opened ticket sales for its signature events during the 2027 Blowing Rock WinterFest, returning Jan. 28–31. Chamber-hosted events include the WinterFeast at Chetola on Thursday, Jan. 28, the Polar Bear Plunge at Chetola Lake on Saturday, Jan. 30, and the Artisan Ice Stroll, which runs Jan. 29–31 and features a live ice sculpture demo Saturday.
WEATHER
Check the current Hazardous Weather Outlook, live weather radar, and forecast for Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties on our Weather page. Forecast courtesy of the National Weather Service.
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— WataugaOnline