State Pours $196 Million into Helene Recovery; WNC Water Projects Headline $215M Package
Marge•April 16, 2026News
View AllNewsState Pours $196 Million into Helene Recovery; WNC Water Projects Headline $215M Package
Raleigh -- April 16, 2026: In a major boost for Western North Carolina’s recovery, Governor Josh Stein and the Department of Environmental Quality (D...
Efficiency and Ingenuity: How Asheville Trimmed $19.5 Million from the Budget Gap
Asheville is working to finalize its budget amid economic uncertainty. This article analyzes the underlying factors contributing to the initial $30 million deficit and the strategies used to reduce it.
April 16, 2026
Drought Alert: 100% of Western North Carolina Now Affected
WNC -- April 16, 2026 As of April 16, 2026, the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council has confirmed that 100% of North Carolina is officially in a drought.
April 16, 2026
Asheville Fire Department Launches Community Emergency Response Team
Asheville -- April 16, 2026: The Asheville Fire Department (AFD) is launching its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The CERT Program, coordina...
April 16, 2026
The Great Consolidation: Why North Carolina School Doors Are Closing in 2026
North Carolina -- If you feel like you’re seeing more "For Sale" signs on school property than ever before, you’re not imagining it.
April 16, 2026Sports
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SportsChoosing Asheville’s First Pickleplex: Aston vs. Roger Farmer
Asheville -- Aoruk 16, 2026: Asheville is ready to stop "sharing" and start "serving." This month—fittingly, National Pickleball Month—the City of Asheville officially launched its search for the home of the city's first dedicated pickleball complex.
Baseball Returns to the Blue Ridge: What to Expect in 2026
Asheville -- April 13, 2026: As the seasonal crowds return to Western North Carolina, the Asheville Tourists are stepping into a historic year at McC...
April 13, 2026
McCormick Field to Host Big South Baseball Championship
Asheville will host the Big South Baseball Championship in May 2026, a six-team double-elimination tournament determining the Big South's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. The tournament is...
April 6, 2026
Brevard and West Henderson Secure Victories as Area Baseball and Softball Rivalries Heat Up
Local baseball and softball teams clashed in recent games, stirring up school rivalries and community pride. For Asheville residents, the performance of teams like the Asheville Bulldogs is a key...
April 3, 2026
WNC Sports Roundup: Dominant Wins and Major Facility Investments
Dominant performances and intense rivalries marked recent high school baseball, softball, and track and field competitions in Buncombe County, underscoring the community's vibrant athletic spirit....
April 1, 2026Business
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BusinessVortex Doughnuts Permanently Closes: A Sudden End for a South Slope Staple
Asheville -- April 16, 2026: A cornerstone of Asheville’s South Slope district has unexpectedly turned off its fryers for the last time. Vortex Dough...
New Level II NICU at AdventHealth Hendersonville: A Milestone for Local Families
Hendersonville -In a significant boost to the region's healthcare infrastructure, AdventHealth Hendersonville has officially opened the first and only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Henderson County.
April 16, 2026
Sudden Lockdown: South Asheville Makers Scramble After Painted Tree Bankruptcy
Asheville -- April 16, 2026: Dozens of local artisans and small business owners are facing a retail crisis this week following the abrupt nationwide c...
April 16, 2026
The $14 Million Facelift: Hendersonville Bets Big on "New Streets, New Business"
Hendersonville -- April 13, 2026: While the brick-and-dried-mud aesthetic of historic downtown Hendersonville has long been its calling card, city lea...
April 13, 2026
Eaton to Add 300 Jobs in Buncombe County Expansion
Bolstered by rising national demand for its electrical equipment, Eaton, a power management company, plans to add approximately 300 jobs in Buncombe County over the next year. The expansion at its...
April 7, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentMurphy’s Braden Rumfelt Hits Top 9: The Journey from Murphy to Disney Night
Braden Rumfelt's rendition of 'Superstition' secured his spot in the 'American Idol' Top 9. We explore how his Western North Carolina upbringing shaped his musical style and performance.
The Ultimate 2026 WNC Festival Guide: Your Passport to Mountain Magic
WNC -- April 13, 2026: From the high-octane roar of motorcycle rallies in Maggie Valley to the rhythmic "stomp and holler" of bluegrass in the shadow...
April 13, 2026
The Haunted Farm: First Halfway to Halloween in May
For the FIRST TIME EVER, The Haunted Farm is waking up from its slumber early! We’re halfway to our favorite holiday, couldn’t wait another six months...
April 12, 2026
Get Outside, Asheville Families! Top Outdoor Events: April 10-12
Looking for family-friendly fun this weekend? We've rounded up the best outdoor events happening in Asheville and the surrounding areas from April 10th to 12th, perfect for kids of all ages.
April 9, 2026
Asheville’s Indie Beat: Your Weekend Guide to Live Music (April 10-12)
Asheville -- Asheville’s music scene is set to highlight indie music this weekend, April 10-12, with a range of live music venues hosting emerging ar...
April 9, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleHenderson County’s Summer of Transformation: Sports, Trails, and Family Fun
Henderson County -- April 15, 2026: As the mountain laurel begins to bloom across Western North Carolina, Henderson County is preparing for a landmark...
Waynesville Police Department’s K9 Loki to Get Donation of Body Armor
Waynesville -- Our local four-legged officers work just as hard as their human partners to keep Waynesville safe, now one of our own is getting an extra layer of protection.
April 14, 2026
Backcountry at a Crossroads: Why Asheville is Gathering for Our Forests on April 15
Asheville -- For generations, the jagged ridgelines and deep coves of Western North Carolina have served as a sanctuary for those seeking silence
April 8, 2026
Protect Kids Online" Nationwide Campaign Five Days of Action at YMCA in WNC April 13-17
The YMCA of WNC offers a Five Days of Action campaign. This is week-long program, from April 13-17, shares ways to protect children from sexual abuse,...
April 7, 2026
The Vibe of the RAD: Art, Resilience, and Business
River Arts District -- If you want to feel the true pulse of Asheville, you go to the River Arts District (RAD). It isn’t just a place to look at art;...
April 6, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsHigh Stakes in the High Country: Transylvania Rescue Squad Handles Four SAR Calls in 36 Hours
Transylvania County -- April 14, 2026: The busy summer season has arrived early in the North Carolina mountains, and local rescue crews are already feeling the heat.
Tight Lines and New Realities: The Complete 2026 WNC Spring Fishing Guide
WNC -- April 13, 2026: As spring unfolds across the Blue Ridge, the rivers are calling. However, for 2026, "knowing before you go" isn't just a sugge...
April 13, 2026
WNC Parks Awarded Over $4 Million in Helene Recovery Grants
Western North Carolina -- April 9, 2026: A significant wave of revitalization is coming to the mountains as more than $4 million in grants has been gr...
April 10, 2026
"Rescue is Not a Certainty": Great Smoky Mountains Issue Rare Warning After 38 Emergencies in March
Great Smok Mountains -- April 5, 2026: The bottom line: National Park rangers are urging Western North Carolina visitors to prepare for dangerous spri...
April 5, 2026
Buncombe County Preserves 280+ Acres of Farms, Forests
Even as a statewide burn ban grips Western North Carolina, Buncombe County is moving to protect its natural resources, advancing five conservation easements totaling more than 280 acres in Black...
April 3, 2026