The Rock Street Journal

Staff Report. February 22, 2012  RALEIGH -- Mark Tallent, a Mountain Recycling utility worker from Connelly Springs in Burke County, plans to use a portion of the $155,807 Carolina Cash 5 jackpot he won to pay off his mortgage and maybe purchase a new vehicle.

Read more: Connelly Springs Utility Worker Finds Gold in Cash 5

By David Rogers. February 17, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- After an early winter and holiday slowdown, January home sales in the High Country looked to re-establish the momentum gained in the real estate market during 2011, with 68 sold listings in January, compared to just 46 in December.

Read more: High Country Real Estate Perked Up in January

By David Rogers. February 17, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- With several new sponsors and renewals, Blowing Rock News enjoys an increasing level of support from the High Country business community.

Read more: New Sponsors Welcomed by Blowing Rock News

Staff Report. February 16, 2012. BOONE -- Maintaining a high level of care is Job One at Appalachian Regional Healthcare. External certifications only serve to document what patients of ARHS and Watauga Medical Center already know.

Read more: Watauga Medical Unit Earns Certification -- Again

By David Rogers. February 15, 2012. BOONE -- Orthodontics may be about wires, brackets, rubber bands and anchors, but for two High Country doctors a chance encouter at an orthodontics industry event was a source of inspiration and perhaps a renewal in faith about the human condition. At first glance, you see three smiling faces in this picture. Take a closer look and you see that something is missing.

Read more: High Country Orthodontists Have Close (Inspirational) Encounter with Surfin' Soul

February 12, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Come and meet friends and neighbors while catching up on developments at Blowing Rock's Blue Ridge Mountain Club (BRMC) on Friday, February 24, 2012, 4:00 pm. Beer, wine and light hors d'oeuvres will be served at the real estate development's Discovery Center, 1155 Main Street, Blowing Rock. For more information, contact Whitney Williamson Brown, 828-295-8667 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . It will be a nice way to finish the business week and hear firsthand of BRMC plans and developments.

Staff Report. February 10, 2012. RALEIGH – Powerball players in North Carolina will get a chance to win the biggest Powerball jackpot ever when the drawing is held Saturday night for the $325 million jackpot.

Read more: Lottery Jackpot Largest Since NC's 2006 Launch

By David Rogers. February 8, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Inn at Ragged Gardens/Best Cellar walked away with "Business of the Year" honors, while Mayor J.B. Lawrence (in picture, left) accepted the first Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award by quipping, "It is a sorry frog that doesn't croak about his own pond."

Read more: Lawrence, Ragged Gardens Take Home Big Blowing Rock Chamber Awards

Staff Report. February 2, 2012. RALEIGH – One of three new N.C. Education Lottery games is an officially licensed NASCAR^® scratch-off ticket called "Ultimate Fan", giving players five chances to win $100,000 instantly.

Read more: Lottery Introduces Three New Games, Including NASCAR "Ultimate Fan"

Staff Report. February 2, 2012. BOONE -- Boone Police responded Wednesday morning to a breaking and entering that had been discovered at Xtreme Fitness on Highway 105.  Officers soon discovered two additional nearby businesses had been broken into overnight, as has been the case in a number of recent incidents.

In the first month of this year there have been approximately fifteen businesses broken into in Boone.  They are believed to have been perpetrated by the same person or group of people as the method of entries and types of property taken have been similar.  The suspect has pried windows and/or doors, and then subsequently searched drawers, registers, and other areas likely to contain cash.  Businesses targeted have lacked alarm or surveillance equipment and the doors or windows entered are in areas of darkness or not easily visible to passers by.  Various types of businesses have been targeted.

Businesses in the Town of Boone are urged to consider their security situation and take preventative measures.  Do not leave cash in the business location and make deposits as necessary.  Citizens are urged to report any suspicious activity to police.

By David Rogers. January 27, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- The article appearing in Blowing Rock News on January 24th, listing the nominees for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Awards was inaccurate. Based on new information provided to media outlets by the Chamber, we have corrected the original story. Both the Chamber and Blowing Rock News regret any confusion arising because of the error. The original information misidentified the nominees for the Jerry Burns Volunteer of the Year Award as for the Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Award and omitted the actual nominees for the Ambassadorial Award.  Click HERE for a link to the corrected article.

Read more: CORRECTION: Nominees for Blowing Rock Chamber Awards, Adding Jerry Burns Ambassadorial Nominees

Staff Report. January 26, 2012. RALEIGH – The N.C. Education Lottery (NCEL) has made its second transfer of lottery revenues to the state for fiscal year 2012, providing for education an additional $111.6 million, the agency reported on Thursday.

Read more: NC Education Lottery Transfers Another $111.6 Million to the State

By David Rogers. January 26, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- The article appearing in Blowing Rock News on January 24th, listing the nominees for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Awards was inaccurate.  Based on new information provided to media outlets by the Chamber, we have corrected the original story. Both the Chamber and Blowing Rock News regret any confusion arising because of the error. Click HERE for a link to the corrected article.

Read more: CORRECTION: Nominees for Blowing Rock Chamber Awards

By David Rogers. January 24, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Blowing Rock News has learned today that Symphony by the Lake, a presentation of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Chetola Mountain Resort & Spa, has been named as a "Top 20" event in the Southeast U.S. for the month of July 2012. We will have additional details about the award as it becomes available, but congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce and Chetola on receiving this recognition!

Read more: FLASH ALERT: Blowing Rock "Symphony by the Lake" Named "Top 20" in Southeast for July Events

January 24, 2012. BLOWING ROCK  - A wide variety of deserving businesses have received nominations for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce 2012 annual awards, with businesses and their members recognized for outstanding service, great renovations, and having a major impact on the community.

Read more: Check Out the Nominees: Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Awards

By David Rogers. January 20, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- With his widely acclaimed "Fire on the Rock" competition dining event starting next week in Blowing Rock, Jimmy Crippen got the culinary fires burning Friday evening with another installment of the Crippens-hosted North Carolina Rising Stars Chef Series, this time featuring what Crippen calls a "young gun from the Piedmont": Chad McIntyre, of Raleigh's Market Restaurant.

Read more: "Young Guns" in Blowing Rock

By David Rogers. January 20, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- Amid cries of, "Well, I guess I better check out" and queries of "Whaddyathink?", Serves You Right! proprietor Karyn Herterich had a lot of men in her life Thursday night.

Read more: Psst, Blowing Rock Girls: Don't Peek and Don't Read This Story

By David Rogers. January 18, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- It is never too early to start thinking about something special for the Valentine in your life, and Karyn Herterich of Serves You Right! in downtown Blowing Rock may have just the solution. Her gift shop is hosting its 10th Annual "Men's Valentine Party" on Thursday evening, January 19, 2012, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  Food and beverages are provided.

Read more: Men's Early Valentine Party

By David Rogers. January 17, 2011. BOONE – With three cardiologists and two nurse practitioners, as well as a full complement of administrative and support staff on board, The Cardiology Center of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) has quickly hit full stride in providing cardiology services to the High Country.

Read more: Cardiology Center of ARHS Ramps Up Quickly on Heels of Sanger Departure

Staff Report. January 13, 2012. RALEIGH – Tickets for the new version of Powerball will go on sale Sunday morning, giving players the chance to play for bigger jackpots and providing more chances to win $1 million or more.

Read more: Lottery Report: New Powerball Game Launches Sunday