On this week's show, Dr. Mark Poarch speaks about how CCC&TI has altered operations to continue to provide classes and training for students during the pandemic. He also details enrollment trends and discusses new offerings that students are seeking in the community college setting, along with how CCC&TI can serve as a resource for area businesses in need of customized training programs, skill development, and other educational outreach.

Hear how Local Lion, Mountain Vista Window Washing, and the Paul H. Broyhill Wellness Center each persevered through their own set of challenges to help better our community during the roller coaster year that was 2020.

As Watauga County continues its deployment of COVID-19 vaccine, we can an update from Sean Burroughs, Director of Pharmacy from Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and Jennifer Greene, Director of Public Health/CEO of AppHealthCare, about where things stand in Watauga County. We'll also give an update on where things stand with definitions for future vaccine groups.

Jason Triplett, Senior VP and High Country Market President, with First Horizon Bank shares details about what is available through the PPP re-authorization, what first-time applicants can prepare now, and how second-draw PPP funds can be applied for by businesses that received funding in 2020.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Director of Pharmacy Sean Burroughs and AppHealthCare Director of Public Health/CEO Jennifer Greene provide an update on COVID-19 vaccine deployment in Watauga County. As our county prepares to move into phase 1b, the two discuss how their agencies plan to inform people in Group 1 about upcoming opportunities to schedule vaccination appointments. They also discuss additional methods that will be used to gather information from people who wish to be vaccinated as the State progresses through future phases and how supplies of vaccine are allocated to Watauga County.

On Wednesday, the North Carolina Coronavirus Task Force discussed changes to the State's Vaccine Deployment plan, and gave definition to the phases and groups that will be used to distribute vaccine across the population. We provide details about this process, including insight on frontline essential workers, and how those vaccine needs will be addressed.

As we bring 2020 to its close, we take some time on this week's program to reflect back on some of the influencers in the High Country that helped our area through the pandemic.

As 2020 winds to a close, our quarterly check-in with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management contains some helpful information to navigate the transition to a new year and new administration. We also discuss future coronavirus-related stimulus and the impact it could have on our local economy.

We have enough stuff on our minds right now. Criminals often taken advantage of these times to sneak past too-good-to-be-true offers or quick calls that sound like asks for information for legitimate reasons. Watauga County Sheriff Len Hagaman updates us on some known scams circulating around the Boone/High Country area, and offers suggestions on ways you can protect yourself and your finances from scams and criminal activity related to COVID-19 and the upcoming holiday season. Mind Your Business is presented each week through a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

This week, we tell the story of the experience of retailers while also taking you inside one of King Street's newest shops. Melinda Goforth opened Mimi G's in the midst of the pandemic, and she explains why King Street was her perfect location, and how local retailers can benefit from a strong holiday season.