FEMA Approves Over $21M for N.C. Recovery: Why ‘Awarded’ Does Not Mean Cash in Hand
Marge Farrington•September 29, 2026News
View AllNewsFEMA Approves Over $21M for N.C. Recovery: Why ‘Awarded’ Does Not Mean Cash in Hand
WNC News -- September 29. 2026: Federal officials have announced more than $21 million in storm-recovery grants for 29 projects across North Carolina, targeting damage from Hurricane Storm Helene alongside lingering recovery from Tropical Depression Chantal and Hurricane Isaias.
DA: Asheville Officers Justified in Fatal July Shooting Outside Shakey’s Bar
Asheville -- September 29, 2026: Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams announced Monday that Asheville police officers acted lawfully and were justified in using deadly force during a fatal encounter outside a downtown bar this past summer
September 29, 2026
Pedestrian Struck and Killed on New Leicester Highway
Buncombe County -- September 29, 2026: A 60-year-old Asheville man died early Sunday morning after being struck by a vehicle on New Leicester Highway, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
September 29, 2026
One Rescued, Firefighter Injured in Franklin Apartment Fire
Franklin, NC -- September 28, 2026: One person was rescued and hospitalized with burn injuries following an apartment fire that broke out the afterno...
September 28, 2026
Beyond Rebuilding: State Launches Long-Term Plan for WNC's Economic Future
WNC News-- September 26, 2026: Marking the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, Gov. Josh Stein and GROW NC have released a comprehensive, long-term economic recovery strategy aimed at transitioning Western North Carolina from emergency rebuilding toward a stronger, more resilient regional economy.
September 28, 2026Sports
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SportsWNC 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.
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, 2026
WNC 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, 2026
WNC High School Football Scores Week 4
WNC High School Football -- September 12, 2026: Western North Carolina’s latest high school football action featured commanding victories, close finishes and plenty of points across the mountains.
September 12, 2026
Beyond the Gridiron: Mountain High School Athletes Shine Across Fall Sports
WNC High School Sports -- September 5, 2026: Friday night lights capture the headlines, but high school athletes across Western North Carolina have sp...
September 5, 2026Business
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BusinessGov. 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.
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, 2026
Downtown Asheville Welcomes Slava Café: A Taste of Ukraine
Asheville Business -- September 10, 2026: Downtown Asheville's vibrant food scene has welcomed Slava Café & Bakery, a new Ukrainian-inspired establishment that made its grand debut in early August. Located at 37 Wall Street, the café and bakery is led by Ukrainian-born chef and owner Svitlana Eadie, offering a taste of traditional and modern Ukrainian cuisine to the community.s.
September 10, 2026
State Grants Support Nearly $15 Million in WNC Manufacturing and Healthcare Projects
WNC Business -- September 5, 2026: Western North Carolina communities are seeing direct economic and medical investment through state-backed infrastructure programs designed to revitalize existing properties, attract private capital, and create jobs.
September 4, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentAutumn 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.
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, 2026
Outside in the Blue Ridge: Top Outdoor Happenings Around Asheville This Weekend
Asheville Entertainment -- September 10, 2026: Early September brings crisp mountain air and a full slate of open-air gatherings across the region. From cultural celebrations in downtown Asheville to neighborhood walking tours and classic fall fairs, here is what is happening outside this weekend.
September 10, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleEffortless 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.
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, 2026
Bringing the Garden In and Keeping the Outdoors Alive Until Thanksgiving
WNC Lifestyle -- September 6, 2026: As the mountain air turns crisp and the leaves start drifting down, the natural instinct is to close the screen doors and settle inside. But letting go of summer doesn’t mean your gardening days are done.
September 6, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsWelcome 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.
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
Fire Towers You Can Visit in Western North Carolina
WNC Times Outdoor News -- August 3, 2026: After learning about the important role fire towers played in protecting North Carolina's forests, many readers may be wondering where they can see one for themselves.
August 3, 2026