NPS Begins Wildfire Risk Reduction Along Blue Ridge Parkway to Clear Hurricane Helene Debris
Marge Farrington•October 10, 2026News
View AllNewsNPS Begins Wildfire Risk Reduction Along Blue Ridge Parkway to Clear Hurricane Helene Debris
WNC News -- October 10, 2026: In an effort to protect nearby mountain communities and restore Western North Carolina’s most scenic byway, the National Park Service (NPS) has launched a wildfire risk reduction initiative along sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Family Confirms Death of Texas Man Reported Missing in Great Smoky Mountains
Townsend, TN -- October 10, 2026: Sahil Jilani, the 24-year-old Texas man whose disappearance prompted a search in Great Smoky Mountains National Par...
October 10, 2026
Franklin's 2026 Christmas Parade: Register Your Spot Now!
Franklin -- October 9, 2026: The Franklin Chamber of Commerce has opened registration for its 2026 Christmas Parade, inviting local groups and businesses to participate in the cherished downtown Franklin event.
October 9, 2026
Asheville Man Gets 10 Years for Fentanyl, Gun Trafficking
Asheville -- Ocober 9, 2026: An Asheville man has received a decade-long federal prison sentence for his involvement in distributing dangerous drugs and illegally possessing firearms in the Greater Asheville Area. Nazae Dion Maewether, 24, was sentenced on October 6, 2026, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
October 9, 2026
AG Jackson Fights Duke Rate Hikes, Protecting WNC Bills
Raleigh -- October 9, 2026: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is challenging Duke Energy’s proposed rate increases before state utility regulators, arguing that everyday families should not be forced to subsidize the explosive power demands of tech data centers and large industrial operations.
October 9, 2026Sports
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SportsWNC Gridiron Shocks: Week 6 Delivers Unexpected Upsets
WNC Sports -- October 10, 2026: Western North Carolina high school football brought another action-packed slate of Friday night matchups across the region, featuring crucial conference battles, rivalry showdowns, and high-scoring finishes.
Dominance on Display: WNC's Top Teams Light Up Friday Night
WNC Sports -- October 4,2026: Friday night's Week 7 high school football slate across Western North Carolina featured a series of dominant performances and high-scoring contests, with several teams asserting their authority on the field. T
October 4, 2026
WNC HIgh School Football Scores Week 6
Many WNC high school football teams showcased overwhelming dominance in Week 6, with several games ending in significant point differentials. From Robbinsville's 42-0 shutout to North Henderson's 42-6 win, Friday night lights saw powerful performances.
September 26, 2026
Beyond Friday Night Lights: Mountain Volleyball and Soccer Hit Mid-Season Stride
WNC Sports -- September 23, 2026: While autumn in the Blue Ridge often revolves around packed football stadiums, some of the fiercest athletic competition in Western North Carolina is unfolding inside crowded gymnasiums and under weeknight stadium lights. With non-conference tune-ups in the rearview mirror, local volleyball and boys soccer squads across Haywood County and the surrounding mountain conferences are deep into league battles where every point directly impacts postseason seeding.
September 23, 2026WNC High School Football: Week 5 Scoreboard & Round-Up
WNC High School Football -- Spegmber 21, 2026: Friday night lights delivered plenty of action across Western North Carolina for Week 5, featuring high-powered conference matchups, tight non-conference finishes, and blowout statements.
September 21, 2026Business
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BusinessWNCSource Secures $3.36M Grant for Rutherford Child Center
WNC Business -- October 10, 2026: In a major development for Western North Carolina’s early childhood infrastructure and local workforce support, community action agency WNCSource has been awarded a $3.36 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Administration for Children and Families
Crucial Hearing for Enka Costco Rezoning Set for Wednesday
The Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission holds a vital public hearing this Wednesday on the conditional rezoning for the proposed Enka Costco. This meeting is a critical next step for the significant retail and fuel services project.
October 4, 2026
Gov. Josh Stein Visits Chimney Rock, Highlighting $5.5 Million Investment in Village Business Recovery
Two years after catastrophic flooding dismantled the local retail and hospitality corridor along the Rocky Broad River gorge, Chimney Rock Village’s business community is receiving a targeted $5.5 million capital injection from the state to restore essential commercial operations. Governor Josh Stein and First Lady Anna Stein toured the village’s commercial spine on Saturday, meeting with business owners to assess progress under the newly released Western North Carolina Economic Recovery Plan. The regional blueprint targets long-term business retention, downtown infrastructure, and sustainable commerce across 28 western counties and the Qualla Boundary. Direct Capital for Village Merchants The $5.5 million grant, administered through the North Carolina Department of Commerce, directly finances key downtown infrastructure projects required for retail shops, restaurants, and outdoor outfitters to safely reopen, draw foot traffic, and resume revenue-generating operations. Key commercial investments funded by the grant include: East Gateway Streetscape: Reconstructing critical pedestrian infrastructure, lighting, and sidewalks to reconnect commercial parcels and restore customer mobility. Commercial Access & Customer Parking: Re-establishing stabilized parking corridors and Main Street storefront accessibility. Core Utility Reconnections: Upgrading water, sewer, and power infrastructure directly to commercial property lines so private enterprise owners can complete internal build-outs. The business-focused allocation works in tandem with foundational state utility investments, including nearly $13 million dedicated to municipal water and sewer system resilience and approximately $1.7 million in primary road rebuilding. Long-Term Regional Economic Blueprint The Chimney Rock site visit highlights the state’s broader economic framework for mountain business districts recovering from storm losses. While emergency stabilization is complete—with more than 99% of storm-impacted roads and public water systems restored across the region—the new economic plan establishes 5- and 10-year growth metrics designed to safeguard regional enterprise. Core pillars of the economic plan include: Small Business & Workforce Resiliency: Capital grants, technical assistance, and retention programs tailored to mountain enterprises. Tourism & Destination Commerce: Restoring outdoor recreation infrastructure and rebuilding destination marketing to drive visitor spending back into mountain hubs. Logistics & Regional Connectivity: Long-term capital improvements to commercial highway corridors, freight rail, and regional transit lines. For the merchants of Chimney Rock, restoring core infrastructure marks the pivot from disaster response to active economic vitality.
September 28, 2026
Court Battle Over Stalled $180M Fairmont Project Leaves Buyers and Creditors in Limbo
WNC Business -- Hendersonville -- September 23, 2026: The financial crisis surrounding Fairmont Heritage Place The Cedars escalated this week in North Carolina Business Court, where Judge A. Graham Shirley heard arguments over whether the dormant luxury hotel and condominium development should face foreclosure or proceed toward a court-ordered sale.
September 23, 2026
Major Economic Summits Bring New Opportunities for Western North Carolina Small Businesses
WNC Business -- September 18, 2026: As major economic summits and industry conferences convene across the region this fall, Western North Carolina's small business community stands to gain valuable operational intelligence, commercial partnerships, and direct investment opportunities.
September 18, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentHaywood County Fall Events: Festivals, Crafts, Bluegrass and Halloween Fun
Haywood County -- October 7, 2026: Autumn is underway across Western North Carolina, bringing arts and crafts festivals, harvest celebrations, live bluegrass and Halloween activities to Waynesville, Maggie Valley and Canton.
Autumn in the High Country: The WNC Fall Mountain Festival Circuit
When the ridgelines shift from lush green to brilliant amber and scarlet, Western North Carolina enters its most spirited season. Autumn in the mountains isn’t just a scenic backdrop; it is a full sensory experience defined by bubbling copper apple butter kettles, the rhythmic resonance of bluegrass banjos, and town streets lined with generational craft traditions.
September 23, 2026
Weekend Highlights: Fairs, Festivals, and Mountain Fun Across Western North Carolina
WNC Entertainment -- September 18, 2026: Western North Carolina comes alive this weekend with outdoor festivities for all ages. Whether you are looki...
September 18, 2026
Raising Cane': New Documentary Explores the Cultural and Ecological Power of Cherokee Rivercane
WNC Entertainment News -- September 16, 2026: For centuries across the American Southeast, native rivercane formed vast, unbroken canebrakes along ri...
September 16, 2026
Cheetah Chrome, Legendary Dead Boys Guitarist and Punk Architect, Dead at 71
Music Entertainment News -- September 14, 2026: Cheetah Chrome, the pioneering guitarist whose feral riffs and raw stage presence helped define first...
September 14, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleThe Late-Fall Reset: Using Warm Light, Earthy Scents, and Autumn Color to Ease Into November
WNC Lifestyle -- October 10, 2026: Right around the middle of October, it always hits. One day you’re enjoying the afternoon sun, and what feels like five minutes later, it’s pitch-black outside before the supper dishes are even in the sink.
Effortless Autumn Color: Easy Container Plants to Brighten Mountain Outdoor Spaces
WNC Lifestyle -- September 23, 2026: With October just around the corner, Western North Carolina is settling into that sweet spot of crisp mornings, warm sunny afternoons, and cooling mountain breezes.
September 23, 2026
Embracing Simple Autumn Warmth Across Western North Carolina
WNC Lifestyle -- September 12, 2026: There is a subtle, unmistakable shift in Western North Carolina when mid-September arrives. Down along the cree...
September 12, 2026
Permaculture for WNC: Design a Thriving, Resilient Backyard
WNC Lifestyle -- September 10, 2026: Western North Carolina homeowners are exploring advanced, accessible permaculture techniques to transform their backyards into thriving, resilient ecosystems. This approach adapts micro-scale permaculture principles to the region's unique terrain, including varied slopes and sun exposure, to create self-sustaining, food-producing landscapes that work with the local environment.
September 10, 2026
Aromatherapy While You Sleep: Study Shows Nightly Scent Diffusion Sharpens Senior Memory by 226%
WNC Lifestyle -- September 7, 2026: Getting a full, restorative night’s sleep often becomes elusive as we grow older, and minor slips in recall can s...
September 7, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsFall Air and Full Calendars: Outdoor Weekend Adventures Across WNC (Oct. 2–4)
WNC Outdoors -- October 1, 2026: Cooler mountain air and early traces of autumn color are setting the stage for a busy weekend across Western North Carolina. From open-air heritage gatherings and street celebrations to working orchard trails and athletic matches, outdoor opportunities span the region from the high plateau to the valley towns.
Welcome October Outdoors: Simple Mountain Activities to Savor the Season
WNC Outdoors -- September 23, 2026: As October arrives across Western North Carolina, the mountains settle into that classic autumn rhythm.
September 23, 2026
Eliada Corn Maze Hits New Note with Live Music in Fall 2026
Asheville -- August 30, 2026: The Eliada Corn Maze is set to introduce a new feature for its 2026 season, adding live music to its popular fall attractions and transforming the event into a vibrant fall festival destination. Located at Eliada Home in Asheville, the maze will open on Sept. 26, 2026, offering a unique blend of agricultural fun and entertainment for all ages.
August 30, 2026
Gentle Outdoor Adventures: Easy, Family-Friendly Outings Across Western North Carolina
WNC Outdoors -- August 28, 2026: You don’t need to climb steep summits or navigate rocky terrain to experience the best of the Blue Ridge. Western North Carolina is filled with scenic spots featuring flat walking paths, paved loops, shady resting benches, and gentle activities tailored for older adults, grandparents, and families with young children.
August 28, 2026
Outdoor Entertainment Guide: Late Summer & September Events Across WNC
WNC Entertainment: August 10, 2026 -- Ready to make the most of late summer and early fall in the mountains? Western North Carolina’s outdoor event calendar is overflowing from now through September. From long-running traditions like Shindig on the Green and the NC Apple Festival to lively street concerts and community fairs, we’ve rounded up the top outdoor gatherings, music series, and festivals you won't want to miss.
August 10, 2026