On August 24, 2022, the Office of General Counsel staff, alongside The Honorable Ted McEntire, The Honorable Becca Eggers-Gryder, Senator Deanna Ballard, Clerk of Court Charles Haynes, Sheriff Len Hagaman, Deputy Preston Russell, as well as staff from the Clerk of Court Office, Mediation and Restorative Justice Center, Watauga County Courthouse and other distinguished community members welcomed Chief Justice Paul Newby to Watauga County.

Chief Justice Newby and his wife Macon have embarked on a journey to visit all 100 counties in North Carolina. The Watauga County Courthouse stop marked the 85th county they have visited.  During his visit, Chief Justice Newby expressed his sincere thanks to all the staff that has kept the court system running while working through a global pandemic and along with his wife Macon, honored Courthouse staff who have worked 20 years or more with thank you cards and handed out lapel pins to all staff.