Ashe County News

Ashe County Sheriff James Williams and two deputies were granted an extension last week in responding to a $7.5 million federal suit filed against them by Ashe County Commissioner Gerald Price.

Asheville will be home to the nation's first factory manufacturing ceramic matrix composites, a revolutionary new material that can be used in jet engines to reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gases.

The parking lot of the Museum of Ashe County History was filled with slick-looking old-school cars on Saturday during the county's inaugural "cruise-in."

Board members Polly Jones and Dr. Lee Beckworth discussed replacement of aging classroom projectors at Westwood Elementary at the Board of Education's budget meeting June 11. The Ashe County Board of Education met June 11, to consider budget requests from Ashe County Schools for the 2013-14 school year.

Not only were the local folks and out-of-town visitors excited about the gorgeous weather Saturday in Ashe County, the bees in the demonstration hives at the Honey Hole in downtown West Jefferson decided the weather was warm enough to swarm.

Volunteers from West Jefferson United Methodist Church and the Boy Scouts of America came out to unload a truckload of personal hygiene products for the Ashe County Sharing Center.

Dr. Todd Holden, Ashe County Schools' new superintendent, spoke to administrators and teachers following his appointment by the Board of Education June 3. "People say, "Why do you want to go to Ashe County?'" said Dr. Todd Holden, the new superintendent of Ashe County Schools, who starts work July 1. An Appalachian State alumnus, Holden fell in ... (more)

The National Weather Service in Blackburg, Va., has issues a severe thunderstorm watch for Ashe county until 8 p.m. EST.

The "arts district" of downtown West Jefferson will come alive with folks strolling the streets from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 14, with the return of the West Jefferson Gallery Crawl, which will exhibit new galleries, special artists, refreshments, and in-store promotions.

The Historical Society's annual gift to Ashe County will take place at the Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church on Friday and Saturday.

This already has been a big year for Durham's GE Aviation aircraft engine assembly plant - and a deal in the works could make it even bigger.

By SUSAN E. KEEFE On Saturday, June 15, the Junaluska neighborhood of Boone will celebrate the living legacy of Morris Rockford Hatton Sr., who was ordained in the Mennonite Brethren ministry and ministered for 40 years in churches throughout the region.

County Commissioners have approved an addition to a business-incentive package for GE Aviation that pushes Durham's contribution to the multi-government subsidy effort to $600,000.

The Ashe County Board of Education announced Dr. Ernest "Todd" Holden as the new Superintendent of Ashe County Schools at its regular meeting last night.

The annual Ashe County Tennis Clinic took place last week and in spite of some cloudy and damp conditions here and there, the turnout was pleasing for head coach Larry Dix.

The Ashe Health Alliance presented its annual "State of Health" report to the Ashe County Board of Commissioners on Monday, revealing where the county should focus its efforts to improve the population's health.

New unemployment regulations passed by the N.C. General Assembly in February take effect July 1, when unemployed North Carolinians, including approximately 250 here, will see reduced benefits on a sliding-scale duration, and employers will pay higher unemployment taxes.

The Appalachian Mountain Girls are Rita Scott of Lansing on fiddle; Amy Boucher of Independence, Va., on banjo; Jean Callison of Mouth of Wilson on guitar and Katherine Higgins of Mouth of Wilson on bass.

One of the region's most accomplished residents will unveil his new illustrated history of Civil War monuments across the state at the Ashe County Public Library at 1 Saturday at the Ashe County Public Library in West Jefferson.

The High Ridge Pickers, a family trio from Charlotte, entertained Ashe County Farmers Market patrons Saturday.