Here’s a check of the latest from WataugaOnline.com for Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Rising Wholesale Power and Materials Costs Driving a 5 Percent Increase on Member Bills
Blue Ridge Energy’s Board of Directors has approved a rate adjustment that will raise the average member bill by 5 percent, or $7.25 for a typical household using 899 kWh monthly, effective in November. CEO Katie Woodle cited sustained increases in wholesale power costs and system materials as the driver, while noting the co-op’s subsidiaries and efficiency program have helped offset some of the impact. The cooperative serves roughly 80,000 members across Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties, plus parts of Avery, Alexander, and Wilkes.
High Country Real Estate Market Posts 191 Closed Sales in August, $492,000 Median Price
The High Country real estate market — Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties — posted 191 closed sales in August, totaling $142.9 million, with a combined median price of $492,000. Watauga County’s own median actually fell 15.3 percent to $557,000, while Ashe County’s climbed 7.9 percent to $404,500. Regional inventory has grown to a 4.9-month supply, the highest level in more than a decade, giving buyers more room to negotiate.
Avery County to Dedicate Memorial Bench for Hurricane Helene Victims Sept. 27
As the two-year mark of Hurricane Helene approaches, Avery County Government is inviting the community to “A Time of Remembrance” on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at Avery Square, dedicating a memorial bench in honor of the seven lives lost in the county during the storm. The bench, themed “Their Light Remains,” is part of the county’s broader “Our Mountains Remember” effort marking two years since the historic flooding reshaped the region.
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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