🌱 How a 120 mph chase through West Jefferson finally came to a stop

Greetings West Jefferson! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a 120 mph chase through West Jefferson finally came to a stop
• Why one West Jefferson neighborhood’s water bills suddenly more than doubled
• What a new Boone trail could mean for future access from West Jefferson

Also on today's calendar: Wordkeepers and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: How do you measure a fish? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Windy with clouds and sun, with a high of 71 and low of 50 degrees.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 73, low: 50.
• Friday: Nice with periods of sun, with a high of 72 and low of 54 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Laurel Springs Man Charged After 120 MPH Chase Through Ashe County; Held on No Bond (wataugaonline.com) — A high-speed police pursuit through West Jefferson and Jefferson ended Friday evening when officers boxed in a fleeing pickup at Highway 16 North in West Jefferson and arrested the driver on multiple serious charges. Deputies say the suspect, wanted on federal warrants, allegedly reached speeds over 120 mph, ran red lights, and struck a patrol car before being taken into custody without bond.
   

• High water bills persist after provider switch, say Buffalo Meadows residents (ashepostandtimes.com) — Buffalo Meadows residents in West Jefferson say their water bills have more than doubled since Carolina Water Service took over after Hurricane Helene, leaving many on fixed incomes struggling to keep up. Neighbors describe confusing estimated bills, customer‑service frustrations, and tough choices between utilities, while the company defends its state‑approved rates and billing practices.
   

• Boone celebrates opening of Rivers Park trails, future anchor of Northern Peaks State Trail (wataugademocrat.com) — Plans are moving ahead on a major trail system that will eventually link Boone directly to West Jefferson, promising new outdoor access and economic connections for Ashe County residents. Boone just opened its Rivers Park trail segment, envisioned as the southern anchor of the Northern Peaks State Trail that will one day reach West Jefferson.
   

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📸 Around West Jefferson

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in West Jefferson

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday April 24

• Statewide Star Party: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
  Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, 1481 Mt Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Thursday April 23

• Super Tots: Earth Day Play Day
  Ashe County Public Library , 148 Library Dr , West Jefferson
  10:30 am

Saturday April 25

• Wordkeepers
  Ashe Arts Center , 303 School Ave , West Jefferson
  3:30 pm

Sunday April 26

• Gather at the Table for the Arts: Fundraiser at Craft Bistro
  Craft Bistro in the Old Artists' Theater , 8 E Main St , West Jefferson
  5:30 pm

Monday April 27

• Medicare 101 Class - West Jefferson, NC
  Generations Ashe Senior Center , 180 Chattyrob Ln , West Jefferson
  5:30 pm

Saturday May 16

• Shades of HUNKS at Boondocks Brew Haus (West Jefferson, NC) 05/16/26
  Brew Haus Events Center & Boondocks Brewery , 302 S Jefferson Ave , West Jefferson
  8:00 pm

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📣 West Jefferson Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday April 23

• Monthly General Meeting
  Lansing Town Hall , 9316 NC-194 , Lansing
  6:00 pm

Thursday April 30

• Canning 101: Jams & Vegetables
  N.C. Cooperative Extension - Ashe County Center , 134 Government Cir #202 , Jefferson
  10:00 am

Monday May 18

• Heritage Group Meeting
  Lansing Town Hall , 9316 NC-194 , Lansing
  6:00 pm

Friday May 22

• Ashe Community Singers Concert
  Ashe Civic Center , 962 Mt Jefferson Rd , West Jefferson
  7:30 pm

Saturday May 30

• New River Canoe Race
  Zaloo's Canoes, Kayaks & Tubes , 3874 NC-16 , Jefferson
  9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• It’s that time of year – again!
  Springtime means our native black bears become more active and remain so through summer and fall. Time to remove those wildlife attractants, leash up… (Nextdoor )

• Dollar Tree posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in West Jefferson. Apply here.
• EMCOR Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Maintenance Specialist/FT (GE WEST JEFF) in West Jefferson. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Jefferson here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Lansing

• Ashe County rallies through partnerships to boost beautification, trails, and tourism (ashepostandtimes.com)

Boone

• Boone Staples Passes Price Scanner Inspection, Pays Final Fine from 2025 Violations (wataugaonline.com)
• Watauga Community Band performing free concert on April 24 (wataugademocrat.com)
• Blue Ridge Conservancy inviting community to Earth Week Clean-Up Day (wataugademocrat.com)

Blowing Rock

• This week in the archives: ICU created, sticky fingers, $7.5 million shopping center (wataugademocrat.com)

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Ok West Jefferson! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By inches because they have no feet. (Thank you Gypsy S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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