21-Year-Old Franklin Police Officer and Marine Veteran Dies in Off-Duty Motorcycle Collision
Marge Farrington•September 18, 2026News
View AllNews21-Year-Old Franklin Police Officer and Marine Veteran Dies in Off-Duty Motorcycle Collision
Franklin -- September 18, 2026: The Franklin Police Department is mourning the tragic loss of Officer Marcus McCarson, who died yesterday in an off-duty, two-vehicle motorcycle collision at just 21 years old.
Drought Conditions Linger Across Western North Carolina as Forecasters Eye Shifting Weather Patterns
WNC -- September 16, 2026: Prolonged late-summer dry conditions continue to challenge Western North Carolina, leaving soils depleted, headwater stream levels depressed, and four regional counties holding in the Severe Drought (D2) category heading into mid-September. Surrounding mountain communities, including Buncombe, Graham, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, and Yancey counties, also remain locked in drought or unseasonably dry classifications, maintaining steady pressure on public water systems and private wells.
September 17, 2026
Trump Conditions N.C. Disaster Aid on Senate Outcome, Drawing Sharp Rebuke from Stein Amid Ongoing Helene Recovery
Gastonia -- September 17, 2026: In a campaign appearance that injected federal disaster relief squarely into North Carolina’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race, Donald Trump suggested he would withhold future Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds from the state if Republican nominee Michael Whatley loses to Democrat Roy Cooper, before quickly asserting he was “only kidding.”
September 17, 2026
Beyond the Pump: WNC Gas Hits $4 as Iran War Escalates
WNC -- September 17, 2026: Western North Carolina drivers are seeing elevated prices at the pump, with the North Carolina average for regular gasoline reaching $4.12 per gallon as of Sept. 16, 2026.
September 17, 2026
The Wartime Oil Crunch: Why Middle East Fighting Means Store Limits, Surging Prices, and Further Shortages Ahead
National News -- September 17, 2026: The escalating military conflict in the Middle East has moved directly onto retail shelves and mechanic service ...
September 17, 2026Sports
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SportsWNC 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.
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, 2026
WNC High School Football Week 2: Scores, Thrillers and Rivalry Wins Across the Mountains
WNC HIgh School Football -- September 1, 2026: Week 2 of the high school football season brought another exciting weekend under the lights across Western North Carolina.
September 1, 2026
Friday 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 ...
August 22, 2026Business
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BusinessMajor 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.
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, 2026
Weaverville's Ballcrank Pickleball Club: 12 Courts Open Soon!
Get ready, WNC pickleball enthusiasts! Ballcrank Pickleball Club is set to open in Weaverville by early October, offering 12 state-of-the-art indoor courts. This article will detail the club's amenities, including a pro shop, showers, and an outdoor patio, providing a much-needed dedicated space for the sport.
August 29, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentWeekend 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...
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, 2026
Asheville Nights: Fall Rhythms & Enchanting Evening Escapes
Immerse yourself in Asheville's enchanting fall evenings, from live music pulsing through downtown venues to cozy spots for a nighttime treat. Explore unique local haunts and the atmosphere of areas like the South Slope that come alive after sunset, offering a perfect blend of entertainment and autumn ambiance.
September 7, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleEmbracing 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...
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, 2026
Heart, Spirit, and Steel: The Dedication and Talent Fueling Mountain High Schools
WNC High Schools -- September 5, 20226: Friday night lights command the autumn headlines across Western North Carolina, but an equally driven wave of students pours heart, discipline, and endless after-school hours into programs that define true mountain pride. From blacktops and scene shops to livestock barns, art studios, and community supply drives, these students are the real pulse of our schools.
September 6, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsEliada 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.
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
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