Haywood County Fair Returns to Waynesville with Rides, Exhibits, and Family Fun
Marge Farrington•September 23, 2026News
View AllNewsHaywood County Fair Returns to Waynesville with Rides, Exhibits, and Family Fun
Waynesville -- September 23, 2026: The annual Haywood County Fair returns to the Smoky Mountain Event Center this weekend, bringing four days of agricultural exhibits, carnival attractions, midway rides, and classic fair foods to Western North Carolina.
Stretching the Budget: County-by-County Food Pantries and Emergency Assistance in Western North Carolina
WNC News -- September 23, 2026: As rising prices at the pump and checkout counter continue to squeeze household budgets across Western North Carolina, many families, working parents, and fixed-income seniors are facing tough choices just to keep food on the table. In our mountain communities, where daily commutes are longer and rural grocery options can be limited, transportation and inflation hit especially hard
September 23, 2026
Gas Prices Surge Across Asheville and Western North Carolina, Crossing $4.10 Mark
WNC -- September 23, 2026: Drivers across Western North Carolina are facing aggressive price hikes each time they pull up to the pump, as the escalating conflict and war involving Iran continue to choke global petroleum distribution
September 23, 2026
Trump Administration Restricts ACA Pathways, Freezes Broker Onboarding, and Cancels 760,000 Enrollments
Washington DC-- September 23, 2026: The Trump administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have initiated a major enforcement action targeting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.r...
September 23, 2026
$72M Funding Package to Elevate and Safeguard Hendersonville Wastewater Plant
Hendersonville -- September 22, 2026: City leaders, state officials, and regional partners gathered at the Hendersonville Wastewater Treatment Facility to formally announce a $72 million funding package designed to expand operations and fortify critical municipal infrastructure against future flood events.
September 22, 2026Sports
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SportsBeyond 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.
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, 2026
WNC High School Football Week 3
WNC High School Football -- September 5, 2026: September 8, 2026: Week 3 of the high school football season delivered another action-packed night of gridiron drama across Western North Carolina
September 5, 2026Business
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BusinessCourt 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.
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, 2026
Henderson County Tourism Surges to $453 Million in Post-Storm Economic Rebound
Henderson County -- September 4, 2026: Henderson County’s travel and hospitality sector posted robust gains in 2025, overcoming storm-related recovery headwinds to generate $453.34 million in visitor spending.
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