Storm Update & Other News

October 24, 2024

Greetings from BRCA 28605!

Donations Continue to Pour In!

As of this morning Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has received $286,500 and BRCA member donations continue to run about 50% of that total ($143,250). Please keep the thoughts, prayers, and donations coming.  The damage is apocalyptic.  It will take years to recover from this storm in Watauga & Avery County and in the balance of Western North Carolina.  To donate:

Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
PO Box 129
Linville, NC 28646
https://grandfather.com/donate/

Voting is Under Way

Voting Calendar

October
29th – Last Day to Request Absentee Ballot by Mail

November
2nd – Early Voting Ends at 3:00pm
5th – Statewide General Election
5th – Deadline for Absentee by Mail ballots to be received at office is 7:30 pm
15th – General Election Canvass

Sample Ballot District 5 Watauga County
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ncsbesb/20241105/76_95_B0003.pdf

Caldwell County BR District Sample Ballot:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ncsbesb/20241105/120_14_B0002.pdf

(NPS) BRP Opens 20 Miles Around BR

The National Park Service (NPS) said the Blue Ridge Parkway has reopened 20 miles near Blowing Rock on Wednesday morning.

The NPS stated the parkway opened to traffic from milepost 285.5, at Bamboo Gap, to milepost 305, near Beacon Heights.  Areas open include Bass Lake, Moses Cone Manor, and Price Lake picnic area.Officials said this is the first section of roadway to open in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene.

Park officials mentioned that there are no truck lanes, runaway truck ramps or places for a large commercial vehicle to slow down and pull over. Violators will be subject to a citation as well as a fine of up to $5,000.

Grandfather Mountain Reopens

As of Wednesday, October 23, the Grandfather Mountain attraction is open to guests. Advance online reservations are recommended as usual. The park will be open seven days a week, weather permitting, with park entry being from 9am to 4:30pm, trails closing at 5pm and the park closing at 6pm.

Town of Blowing Rock Planning Board
Today: Thursday, October 24th, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Town Hall

Link to today’s agenda: 
https://www.townofblowingrocknc.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11876

From TDA: 

Blowing Rock Halloween Festival is This Saturday

MAIN STREET WILL BE CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT

The Blowing Rock Halloween Festival will proceed this year with reduced activities. Here’s the full schedule, presented by Blowing Rock Parks & Recreation:

Monster March at 5:45 pm (line up at American Legion at 5:15pm)

Trick-or-Treating on with businesses Main Street at 6:00 pm

Costume Contest at Memorial Park Gazebo at 7:00pm

On behalf of all of us at BRCA we sincerely appreciate your financial support and your ongoing engagement.  Thank you for following us.  We also want to welcome our new members and viewers; we welcome you to BRCA.  Happy Halloween!

Tom Barrett
Vice President
Executive Committee Member

Posted in