Boone/High Country

The rivers and streams of western North Carolina are still recovering from Hurricane Helene almost a year later. Contractors have pulverized those streams with heavy equipment to remove storm debris — causing a second ecological disaster in the storm’s wake.

The fall foliage season brings in hundreds of millions of tourist dollars into the North Carolina mountain economy each year.

AppalCART Director Craig Hughes says anyone can ride the double-decker bus for free. He says the bus will save money in fuel and personnel costs.

Nearly 2,000 students attended Watauga County’s annual Back 2 School Festival this past weekend to receive free backpacks, shoes and supplies for the start of a new year.

As of July 21, residents of 14 counties will be able to access court records online as part of a statewide initiative.

The stretch had been closed due to a landslide and debris from Helene.

Filing for the municipal elections across the state ended Friday. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton George was the only candidate to file for Futrelle’s seat.

In a data analysis, Alleghany residents were about 25 times more likely to contract Lyme disease, and Watauga residents were ten times more likely to get spotted fever from ticks compared to the overall state risk.

Attendees can expect live bands, vendors, floats, a kids zone with face painting and more this year.

Geologist Kelli Baxstrom discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on landslides in Appalachia, noting that over 2,200 landslides were mapped in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia — ten times as many logged for Huricanes Francis and Ivan combined. Baxstrom emphasizes the importance of vigilance post-landslide events, as slopes can reactivate and move again months or years after the initial weather event.