High Country

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.

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.

The pilot program is currently operating in three mostly rural areas in North Carolina. Two are in the eastern part of the state. The other is in mountain counties like Yancey and Avery.

Poultry and livestock are important drivers of North Carolina’s economy. A new technology from Appalachian State University will help keep the animals safe from parasites.

Journalist Jackie Flynn Morgensen says what happened to the hellbender salamanders after Helene could give glimpses into how extinctions happen.

Damage so far has been minimal, mostly limited to flooding on low-lying roads and bridges, says Will Holt, director of Watauga County’s Emergency Services.

However, officials say market uncertainty and the global trade wars could have an impact on the vital summer tourist season.