BACK OPEN: Quick Work Clears Small Landslide at Chimney Rock State Park
Marge Farrington•May 27, 2026News
View AllNewsBACK OPEN: Quick Work Clears Small Landslide at Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park -- May 27, 2026: While the intense storm system that swept through Western North Carolina on Tuesday, May 26, brought heavy rain and localized flooding to much of the region, Chimney Rock Village largely avoided severe impacts. Inside Chimney Rock State Park, however, steady downpours triggered a minor landslide along the main park road, prompting officials to temporarily close the gates as a safety precaution.
Macon County Man Sentenced to Over 18 Years in Prison
Macon County -- May 27, 2026: News Release Macon County Sheriff's Office: Jonathan David Hunter has been sentenced to a minimum of 225 months (18.75 years) in prison following a narcotics investigation conducted by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Franklin Police Department.
May 27, 2026
Asheville Police Requesting Public’s Help Locating Suspect Following Weekend Shoot
Asheville -- May 26, 2026: Press Release: Asheville Police detectives are investigating a shooting on Asheland Avenue in downtown Asheville early Sunday that sent one person to the hospital with gunshot wounds, and are requesting the public’s help in locating the suspect.
May 27, 2026
Got to Be NC to Host Webinar Helping Farmers Grow Professional Connections Online
Raleigh -- May 26, 2026: Press Release NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services: North Carolina farmers know how to build strong relations...
May 26, 2026
Felony Kidnapping Charge Added in Bent Creek Trail Attack Case
Buncombe County -- May 26, 2026: A new felony kidnapping charge has been filed against Dillion James Curtis, 29, in connection with an alleged attack on an Asheville-based outdoor content creator, Emily Sutherland, in the popular Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
May 26, 2026Sports
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SportsSummer Tradition: How Asheville City SC Unified Mountain Soccer Culture
Asheville -- May 23, 2026: When the high school gymnasiums lock their doors for the summer and regional collegiate programs enter their offseason, sports fans across Western North Carolina traditionally face a quiet stretch.
Mountain Sports Report: Big South Tourney Hits Asheville, High School Postseason Ignites
WNC Sports News -- May 18, 2026: Western North Carolina is the epicenter of regional sports action this week. From crucial high school series to Division I collegiate baseball championship tournament play right in downtown Asheville, sports fans have a packed calendar to follow.
May 18, 2026
Remembering Brandon Clarke: A Legacy of Grit and Kindness
Memphis -- May 12, 2026: The sports world and the Memphis community are in shock following the sudden passing of Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke. News of his death at age 29 was confirmed earlier today, Tuesday, May 12, leaving teammates, fans, and the basketball community at large reeling from the loss of a man widely regarded as a "gentle soul."
May 12, 2026
Friday Night Lights Get a New Look: Girls’ Flag Football is Officially Sanctioned in NC
NC -- May 12, 2026: Last Wednesday, May 6, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) made a historic call: Girls’ Flag Football is now an officially sanctioned varsity sport. This isn’t just a club or an exhibition anymore—starting in the fall of 2026, high school girls will be competing for official NCHSAA State Championship trophies.
May 12, 2026
Weaverville’s Karlyn Pickens Selected No. 1 Overall in 2026 AUSL Draft
Weaverville -- May 5, 2026: Weaverville native Karlyn Pickens, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher, has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) College Draft. Her selection by the Carolina Blaze on Monday, May 4, 2026, marks the culmination of a journey that began on local fields in Western North Carolina.
May 5, 2026Business
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Business'Biz Hero Solutions Lab' Comes to Asheville to Offer Heavy-Hitting Strategy Over Standard Networking
Asheville -- If you are a Western North Carolina entrepreneur or nonprofit director, you already know the routine: you attend a networking mixer, exchange a few business cards, chat about the weather, and head home with the exact same operational headaches you had when you walked in.
HCC receives $25,000 Workforce Development Grant from Duke Energy
Haywood County -- May 20, 2026: Haywood Community College was recently awarded a $25,000 grant to increase awareness about their electrical and trades programs through additional marketing and outreach from a generous Duke Energy grant.
May 20, 2026
Buncombe County Moves Forward on Multi-Million Dollar Storm Recovery Grants for Commercial Districts
Buncombe County -- May 19, 2026: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold its first formal public hearing Tuesday evening on a sweeping federal disaster recovery proposal aimed at pumping millions of dollars into storm-damaged commercial corridors.
May 19, 2026
Kudzu Brands Launches Pro-Bono ‘Summer Brand Camp’ for WNC Nonprofits and Minority-Owned Businesses
Asheville -- May 18, 2026: Kudzu Brands, a leading branding and marketing agency in Western North Carolina, has announced the launch of its newly reimagined annual giveaway initiative: Kudzu Brands Summer Camp.
May 18, 2026
Economic Resilience and Strategic Recovery: The State of WNC Business in May 2026
WNC Business -- May 13, 2026: Across the ridge lines of Western North Carolina this May, the narrative is shifting from emergency response to strategic economic "reset." While the outdoor recreation sector has long been the calling card of the Blue Ridge, it is now serving as the primary engine for the region’s broader business recovery.
May 13, 2026Entertainment
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EntertainmentSummer's Sneak Peek: The Ultimate WNC Entertainment Guide for May 29–31
WNC Entertainment -- The final weekend of May brings a spectacular transition to Western North Carolina. As spring melts completely into early summer, the mountain region is wide awake with major outdoor music festivals, open-air community concerts, local plant markets, and river adventures.
Live & Loud: Your WNC Memorial Day Weekend Concert & Music Guide
WNC Entertainment -- While community street festivals and heritage days fill the afternoon hours this Memorial Day weekend, Western North Carolina’s entertainment scene takes over when the sun goes down. From major outdoor stadium rock and indoor theater revivals to professional rodeos, roller derby bouts, and local creek-side picking sessions, here is your definitive regional guide to the evening live music and ticketed entertainment hitting stages across every single county in WNC this holiday weekend.
May 19, 2026
WNC Entertainment Guide: What’s Happening This Weekend (May 15–17)
WNC Entertainment -- From the heart of downtown Asheville to the rolling pastures of Fairview, Western North Carolina is alive with music, theater, and community spirit this weekend. Whether you are looking for a high-energy dance floor or a quiet afternoon of local craft, here is your complete guide to the best entertainment the mountains have to offer.
May 13, 2026
Braden Rumfelt Voted Out of American Idol Season 24
American Idol -- May 5, 2026: The lights dimmed on Braden Rumfelt’s American Idol journey during Monday night’s high-stakes episode, but the North Carolina native left the stage having reached an incredible milestone as a Top 5 finalist.
May 5, 2026
WNC Let’s Go to the Movies: April 25 – April 30, 2026
WNC -- Spring is in full swing across the Blue Ridge, but the real heat is happening inside our local theaters this week. From the high-energy debut ...
April 25, 2026Lifestyle
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LifestyleBeautiful Lake Lure - The Calm After the Storm - Maintaining Lake Levels
Town of Lake Lure -- May 27. 2026: Maintaining Beautiful Lake Lure: Town Officials continue to make assessments following the rain storm overnight. Note that the Town is not lowering the lake, but we are working to maintain lake levels at full pond which is 990.5 Mean Sea Level (MSL). The current lake level is 990.32 MSL.
A New Chapter: Brother Wolf Secures Future Site for Rebuilt Asheville Adoption Center
Asheville -- May 20, 2026: In a powerful testament to regional resilience, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue has officially secured the future site for its rebuilt adoption center. The announcement marks a monumental milestone for the organization, which lost its entire Glendale Avenue campus to the catastrophic floodwaters of Hurricane Helene.
May 20, 2026
Your WNC Lifestyle Guide to Memorial Day Weekend
WNC -- Memorial Day Weekend -- Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff to summer in the mountains, and communities across Western North Carolina are celebrating with a packed lineup of family-friendly, all-ages activities. Whether you are looking to stroll through vibrant garden displays, step back into living history, or take part in a meaningful community remembrance service, there is plenty to do across our beautiful region.
May 19, 2026
Pack Memorial Paint Days Today and Tomorrow
Asheville -- May 19, 2026: Pack Memorial Library: For week 2, we'll be hosting two community paint days on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19 & May 20. Pop into the library from 2-4 PM and sign in.
May 19, 2026
Charlotte-Area Destination: Drought Delays Memorial Day Opening of Lake Norman’s Ramsey Creek Beach
Cornelius -- May 18, 2026: Memorial Day weekend plans for thousands of regional families will look a little different this year. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation has announced that the swimming beach at Ramsey Creek Park will not open as scheduled for the holiday weekend due to persistent, severe drought conditions across the Catawba River Basin.
May 18, 2026Outdoors
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OutdoorsBlue Ridge Parkway Official Kickoff 2026 Season
Blue Ridge Parkway -- May 22, 2026: National Forestry Service: Today is the official kickoff of the 2026 visitor season! All campgrounds, visitor centers, and picnic areas that are operating in 2026 are OPEN and welcoming visitors!
Traveling Across the Ridges? What to Know About WNC’s Changing Air Quality
WNC -- May 21, 2026: As wildfire smoke moves across Western North Carolina, air quality officials have placed multiple areas into the "Code Yellow" (Moderate) category. However, because our mountain topography creates unique microclimates, what you breathe depends entirely on your elevation and the time of day.
May 21, 2026
Increased Bear Activity in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area: Be BearWise
Asheville -- May 18, 2026: U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina (Nantahala Pisgah Uwharrie Croatan)There have been several recent reports of increased bear activity in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, specifically at the campsites on Shortoff Trail and at the Shortoff Trailhead on Wolf Pit Rd.
May 18, 2026
Nature’s Neighborhood: Why Local Parks Are WNC’s Best Kept Secret
WNC -- May 12, 2026: When we think of outdoor adventure in Western North Carolina, our minds often jump to the grand vistas of the Blue Ridge Parkway or the deep wilderness of the Great Smokies. However, we often overlook the incredible gems right in our own backyards. Local parks are the unsung heroes of our communities—they are accessible, budget-friendly, and require no advanced planning or expensive gear.
May 12, 2026
Canton's Riverfront Renaissance: Pigeon River Beckons Summer Fun
Canton -- While the French Broad often gets the regional spotlight, the Pigeon River offers a more intimate, community-focused summer experience. From the quiet headwaters at Lake Logan to the bustling activity at Canton Recreation Park, the river is fully open for the season and ready for adventure.
May 3, 2026