Multi-Agency Sting "Operation Shepherd’s Hammer" Leads to Multiple Child Predator Arrests in Swain County
Marge Farrington•August 28, 2026News
View AllNewsMulti-Agency Sting "Operation Shepherd’s Hammer" Leads to Multiple Child Predator Arrests in Swain County
Swain County -- August 28, 2026: A coordinated, multi-agency law enforcement initiative in early August 2026 has resulted in multiple arrests and an ongoing investigation targeting child predators, according to the Swain County Sheriff’s Office.
From Hyatt Creek to the High Country: How High-Density Infill and Skyrocketing Costs Are Squeezing WNC’s Working Class
Haywood County -- August 28, 2026: Waynesville Development: The Hyatt Creek InfillCeruleum Capital Partners, a development firm based in Greensboro, has submitted applications targeting vacant agricultural acreage along Hyatt Creek Road for a proposed multi-family residential community.
August 28, 2026
Rising Numbers: Armadillo Populations Surge Across Eight Western North Carolina Counties
WNC News -- August 28, 2026: What began nearly two decades ago as an occasional oddity on the side of a mountain highway has officially evolved into ...
August 28, 2026
Multi-Agency Investigation Leads to Major Drug and Weapons Bust in Waynesville Near Local Schools
Waynesville -- August 28, 2026: A multi-jurisdictional narcotics operation led to multiple felony arrests, the seizure of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and the recovery of stolen property and firearms across Western North Carolina earlier this week.
August 28, 2026Avery County Man Jailed Without Bond in Tennessee Following Fatal Milligan Cycling Crash
WNC News -- August 27, 2026: A Newland, North Carolina man accused in the deadly crash involving the Milligan University cycling team is back in cust...
August 27, 2026Sports
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SportsFriday Night Lights Return: WNC High School Football Kicks Off 2026–2027 Season
WNC Sports -- August 22, 2026: High school football made an emphatic return across Western North Carolina this weekend, opening the 2026–2027 season ...
Blue Ridge Pickleball Takes Center Court at Harrah's Cherokee Center
WNC Sports News -- August 10, 2026: Downtown Asheville is gearing up for a major sports gathering as Blue Ridge Pickleball takes over Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville from Wednesday, Aug. 12, through Sunday, Aug. 16. The five-day event offers something for players of all ages and skill levels, featuring introductory clinics, open play sessions, tournaments, and community activities.
August 10, 2026
Friday Night Lights Return: Western North Carolina Gears Up for the 2026 High School Football Season
WNC Football News -- Auguset 9, 2026: The lights are coming back on across Western North Carolina. High school football teams throughout the mountains are returning to practice fields, coaches are preparing their players, and communities from Asheville to the far western counties are getting ready for another season of Friday night football.
August 9, 2026
Weaverville's Karlyn Pickens Continues to Shine as Professional Women's Softball Reaches New Heights
WNC Sports -- August 3, 2026: Professional women's softball continues to gain momentum across the United States, and one of Western North Carolina's own is helping lead that rise. Weaverville native Karlyn Pickens has quickly become one of the brightest young stars in professional softball after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026
August 3, 2026
Western North Carolina August Mountain Sports & Races Guide
WNC Sports News -- July 28, 2026: August brings prime mountain weather across Western North Carolina, making it one of the most action-packed months on the regional sports calendar. From dog-friendly greenway runs and high-elevation road races to epic endurance mountain biking and city-wide cycling celebrations, outdoor athletes of all experience levels can find an event in the Blue Ridge.
July 28, 2026Business
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BusinessHenderson County Tourism Reaches Record $453 Million as Regional Economy Surges
WNC Business -- Tourism spending across Henderson County grew by 3.6% in 2025, reaching a record $453.34 million and cementing the county’s position spot as the 17th largest tourism economy of the 100 in NC.
Cash App to Pay Up to $175 Million in Federal Settlement
Business News -- August 19, 2026: Block, Inc., the technology company operating Cash App, has entered into a formal consent order with the Consumer Financial Protecton Bureau.
August 19, 2026
Henderson County Economic Development Partnership Brings New Children’s Book to Local Classrooms
Hendersonville -- August 8, 2026: A new children’s book created in Henderson County is taking an early approach to workforce development by introduci...
August 8, 2026
Raccoon Creek Bike Park Expected to Bring Families, Visitors and Business to Haywood County
Haywood County -- August 3, 2026: Haywood County is making a long-term investment in both its residents and its economy with the opening of Raccoon Creek Bike Park, a new outdoor recreation destination designed to serve local families while attracting visitors from across the region.
August 3, 2026
Starbucks and JD Sports Now Open at Tanger Outlets Asheville
Asheville Business News -- July 22, 2026: ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Tanger Outlets Asheville has expanded its lineup of retailers and dining options with the...
July 22, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentRemembering Tim Curry: The Master of Mischief, Menace, and Magnetism
On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the entertainment world lost one of its most versatile and electric performers. British actor and singer Tim Curry passed away at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 80. While global news was dominated by the passing of music legend Dolly Parton on the exact same date, Curry leaves behind a brilliant, singular legacy spanning more than five decades across film, theater, television, and voice acting.
Samuel Monroe Jr., ‘Menace II Society’ Character Actor, Dies at 52
Actor Samuel Monroe Jr., whose intense screen presence helped define a memorable era of 1990s urban cinema, has passed away at the age of 52. His moth...
August 28, 2026
Countdown to 40: Western North Carolina Prepares for the 40th Anniversary of ‘Dirty Dancing’
Lake Lure -- August 24, 2026: As August marks exactly one year until the milestone 40th anniversary of Dirty Dancing, Western North Carolina is geariing up to celebrate one of the most beloved films ever captured in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
August 24, 2026
Your Complete Guide to Western North Carolina Labor Day Weekend Festivals
WNC -- August 21, 2026: Labor Day weekend across Western North Carolina brings out the very best of our mountain communities. Explore what is happening across every corner of the mountains holiday weekend.
August 21, 2026
Remembering Hayden Panettiere: ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ Star Dies at 36
August 17, 2026: Actress Hayden Panettiere, who captivated television audiences for decades from her teenage breakout in Heroes to her critically acclaimed performance in Nashville, passed away on Sunday, August 16. She was 36 years old.
August 17, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleAsheville's 80th Holiday Parade: Embrace 'A Vintage Holiday' Theme
The Asheville Downtown Association invites community groups, businesses, and schools to participate in the 80th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade on November 21, 2026. This year's theme, "A Vintage Holiday," calls for nostalgic entries celebrating decades of local tradition.
Western North Carolina Fall Foliage Forecast: Your 2026 Elevation-by-Elevation Guide
WNC -- August 25, 2026: Western North Carolina is home to one of the longest and most vibrant autumn foliage seasons in North America. Spanning over ...
August 25, 2026
The Fall Makeover: Cozy Up Your Mountain Home Without Breaking the Bank
WNC Lifestyle -- August 23, 2026: As crisp evening breezes roll off the Blue Ridge ridges, the urge to nest indoors takes over. Giving your home that...
August 23, 2026
Reimagining Owen Park: Buncombe County Invites Community to Review Final Redesign Draft
Swannanoa -- August 21, 2026: In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, few public spaces in Buncombe County felt the storm's fury quite like Charles D. Owen Park.
August 21, 2026
Celebrating Our Roots: Inaugural Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition Festival Comes to Memorial Stadium
Asheville -- August 20, 2026: Asheville is set to host a powerful cultural celebration as the Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition presents its inaugural, ...
August 20, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsGentle 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.
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
What Are Fire Towers? The Historic Mountain Sentinels That Once Protected Western North Carolina's Forests
WNC Outdoors -- August 3, 2026 If you've ever hiked to the top of a mountain in Western North Carolina and discovered a tall steel tower rising above the trees, you've probably wondered what it was built for. These structures, known as fire towers or fire lookout towers, were once one of the most important tools for protecting North Carolina's forests from devastating wildfires.
August 3, 2026
When Bees Hijack the Hummingbird Feeder: Understanding the Mid-Summer "Nectar Dearth"
WNC Outdoors -- July 27, 2026: If you’ve stepped out onto your porch or into your garden in Western North Carolina recently to check on your hummingbird feeder, you might have noticed some uninvited guests: bees. Dozens of them, swarming the red plastic ports, jostling with the hummingbirds, and leaving many outdoor enthusiasts wondering what on earth is going on.
July 27, 2026