Avery County

The new school will replicate Williams Academy, a public charter school in Avery County founded by Crossnore 26 years ago, originally designed to serve children involved in the foster care system.

Michelle Griffin is a realtor in western North Carolina. She thinks the housing market in places like Avery County will take years to fully bounce back.

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has reopened the window to apply for its Hurricane Helene Business Resiliency Disaster Grants.

In Yancey County, downed trees in the mountain forests and washed-out creeks and riverbeds remain over a month after the storm. Many voters saw their brick-and-mortar locations replaced by temporary white tents powered by generators.

Friday’s figures from early voting in Helene’s disaster counties show higher turnout compared to the rest of the state.

The nature park is next to but separate from Grandfather Mountain State Park. That site, like all state parks west of Interstate 77, remains closed.

Banner Elk officials still want people to stay off the roads unless travel is essential, and they are asking those who planned to visit in October to reschedule.