Federal Assistance Shifts, Inflation, and Fuel Costs Squeeze WNC Mountain Food Networks
Marge Farrington•October 12, 2026News
View AllNewsFederal Assistance Shifts, Inflation, and Fuel Costs Squeeze WNC Mountain Food Networks
WNC News -- Ocotber 12, 2026: A convergence of federal policy adjustments, reductions in government bulk food shipments, and sharp increases in fuel costs is placing measurable strain on charitable food networks across Western North Carolina.
McDowell County Closes Emergency Operations Center Following Isaias Storm Response, No Injuries Reported
McDowell County -- October 11, 2026: Following a long, demanding night of heavy tropical rainfall, flash flooding, and slope failures across the county, the McDowell County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) officially closed at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, October 11, 2026.
October 11, 2026
NPS 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.
October 10, 2026
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, 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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BusinessFormer Industrial Hub Finds New Life: Ballcrank Pickleball Club to Open in Weaverville
WNC Business -- October 12, 2026: A prominent manufacturing property in northern Buncombe County has officially completed its initial transformation from an industrial production plant into a commercial recreation and hospitality destination.
Digital Price Tags vs. Corporate Pledges: Inside Walmart’s Dynamic Pricing Debate
WNC Business -- October 12, 2026: As major retailers transition from paper shelf tags to digital displays, consumer watchdogs and retail leadership are clashing over the future of in-store pricing.
October 12, 2026
WNCSource 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
October 10, 2026
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, 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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LifestyleFall in the Mountains: Asheville Parks & Recreation Unveils Autumn Events, Seasonal Sports, and Halloween Fun
Asheville -- October 11, 2026: Autumn across Western North Carolina brings crisp mountain air, rich fall foliage, and a bustling slate of community gatherings.
The 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.
October 10, 2026
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, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsCity of Asheville Announces Playable Sound Sculpture to be Unveiled on Reed Creek Greenway
Asheville -- October 11, 2026: The City of Asheville is excited to announce the installation of a new, interactive piece of public art where the Reed...
Fall 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.
October 1, 2026
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