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Asheville's Own Mckinney Music is coming to LEAF Global Arts Festival this fall, October 17-20, and it's going to be INCREDIBLE! You can get your tickets NOW at https://theleaf.org/event-tickets/ McKinney is a queer femme bass player, singer/songwriter living in Asheville, NC. McKinney started her music journey touring with the One Voice Project antibullying tour as an empowerment speaker. She shared her story of struggle with mental health in schools all over the east coast. Now she continues the World Changers mission as a resident teaching artist with LEAF Global Arts and has a been a regular performer at the festivals for the past 6 years. Her diverse and inclusive ensemble combines elements of rock, jazz, blues, funk, and soul to craft songs that resonate with authenticity and vulnerability. She released her debut single in 2021 entitled "Stay," produced by Josh Blake at Echo Mountain. You can feel the desire she has to create new music that stays true to her unique sound. With new music, coming in 2024, produced by Ted Marks & Thommy Knowles, this young woman is ready to take her place as the next powerhouse coming out of Asheville...

It's that time of year! Yep, hard to believe but fall is near! Check Out Our Events Section! Hey, do you know of an event coming up? Go to our Community Hub Section and talk about it! We are building online social media communities for each county! So much going on on WNCTimes!...

Check out our community hub groups! WNC Social Media! We will be including all of the counties in western north carolna! School news, events, local community happenings, photos, videos, read, post, discuss, share!...

Loki, a McDowell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit member, passed away this morning due to a medical emergency. Please keep our staff, and especially his partner, Lt. Brian Walker, in your prayers as we mourn the loss of one of our own. A special “thank you,” goes to Dr. John Owens and staff at Animal Hospital of Marion, and to Beam’s Funeral Service & Crematory....

Today is National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, a day to remember those lost to illicit fentanyl poisoning and to acknowledge the devastation this drug has brought to families and friends. Did you know that Buncombe County's Harm Reduction Services provides fentanyl test strips free of charge? Other free resources: -Naloxone and overdose reversal kits and education. -Harm reduction supplies. -Linkage to community resources including treatment and recovery. Access these resources Monday-Friday from noon to 4 p.m. at 40 Coxe Avenue. Pictured is one of our free drug overdose reversal trainings that we offer on the first Friday of every month....

The Haywood County Arts Council is proud to offer this after-school program for students in grades 4-12 who are eager to learn how to play fiddle, banjo, and guitar in the traditional Appalachian style from talented musicians. JAM provides a welcoming and safe environment for students to unleash their creativity and collaborate with others. The Fall semester starts on Tuesday, September 3 from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Meet instructors, instrument “petting zoo” and performance by instructors at Folkmoot USA at 112 Virginia Ave. Waynesville, NC 28786. link BTW, Check out Haywood County Community Hub Group!...

Upcoming closure on part of the Gatlinburg Bypass this week. ⛔The Gatlinburg Bypass between the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook and Newfound Gap Road will be closed for bridge construction from Wednesday, August 21 at 8 p.m. until Sunday, August 25 at 8 p.m. 🚧The overlook and Campbell Lead Road will remain open. The bridge improvement is part of an $11 million investment from the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund to rehabilitate a two-mile section of Newfound Gap Road near Gatlinburg. Additional details in the news release: https://www.nps.gov/.../gatlinburg-bypass-closed-to-all......

Town of Waynesville Advice, We think it's really good advice, so we're passing it along to everyone! Washing Your Car the Responsible Way Washing your car helps it look nice, but did you know it can harm the environment? While driving around town cars pick up oils, gasoline, exhaust residue, bacteria, detergents, heavy metals from rust, and other harmful chemicals from the road. When a car is cleaned these harmful chemicals in the dirty car wash water flows over the driveway and into the stormdrain where it is dumped, untreated, into the nearest waterway. Many of the soap products used to wash cars contain phosphates that cause harmful algal blooms in streams. When the algae die and decompose the process robs oxygen from the water, which can kill fish. Washing a car at home doesn’t save on water. In fact, the amount of water used to wash a car at home is twice the amount used by a car wash facility. If you plan to wash your car at home, follow these three tips to help keep protect our waterways: 1) use bio-degradable soap, 2) avoid washing cars on hard surfaces, 3) wash the car on the lawn so the ground can absorb the dirty water, 4) use a hose nozzle to reduce the amount of water used, and 5) always empty wash buckets into sinks or toilets. A better option is to take your car to a car wash facility. Many of these facilities recycle their water and remove harmful toxins. By making simple changes to the way you wash your car you can help protect the environment....

Our hearts are broken over the loss of our beloved colleague and friend, Chief of Police Mike Boone, who tragically passed away on Friday evening in a car accident. Only days ago we gathered to celebrate Mike’s retirement where we reflected on his 32 year law enforcement career. We are fortunate to have had Mike in our presence, both as a law enforcement officer and as our friend, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike’s wife, daughter, and granddaughter during this difficult time....

Macon County Sheriff's Office Join us on August 9 from 10 AM to 2 PM at Parker Meadows for the 1st annual Bike Rodeo & helmet giveaway! The MCSO Bike Unit will be hosting safety demonstrations and an exciting obstacle course for all ages. Plus, we're giving away FREE bike helmets while supplies last! Why is this important? 🚲 Wearing a bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85%. 🚲 Over 70% of fatal bike accidents involve head injuries. 🚲 Children between 5-14 years old are at the highest risk for bicycle-related injuries. Come out and enjoy a day of biking, learning, and safety. Let's ride smart and stay safe together!...

*sigh* We’ve been asking visitors to not feed the bears for a while. Feeding wildlife might seem sweet, but it’s actually a dangerous treat! When animals get used to human food, they often end up near roads looking for more. This puts them in the dangerous path of cars. Let’s keep our furry friends safe and let them find their own food. The park is full of natural goodies—they don’t need our help! Bears and other wildlife shouldn’t be treated like fluffy pets, no matter how cute they seem. Please stay at least 50 yards away and secure trash and food using animal-proof dumpsters or vehicles and bear boxes when camping....

Did you know that every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets? Or that a single car crash victim can require as many as 100 units of blood? Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors, so there is always a need for volunteers to give blood. Buncombe County is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m at 200 College St. Please consider making an appointment to donate blood. Donors will receive a $20 Amazon gift card. To schedule your appointment, call 800-RED-CROSS or visit the Red Cross link in our bio....

400 bags of school supplies packed and ready to give away to students at Party in the Park, this Sunday, August 4th 3:00-5:00 at the Mills River park!...

Henderson County Sheriff's Office It’s that time of year again, and our amazing School Resource Officers (SROs) are teaming up to make sure students have the supplies they need for a successful school year. 🎒✏️ Join us for our Pack the Patrol Car School Supply Drive! Let’s fill up our patrol car with pencils, notebooks, backpacks, and more. Your generous donations will help local students start the school year ready to learn and succeed. Thank you for your support and for helping us give back to our community. Let’s pack the patrol car full of supplies!...

🌟 Join Us for National Night Out! 🌟 Only 8 days away!!! National Night Out is just around the corner, and we’re excited to celebrate with all of you! 🎉 National Night Out is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our community bonds and enjoy a fun-filled evening together. There will be activities for all ages, including: 🍔 Delicious food trucks 🎨 Bounce Houses and a Dunk Tank 🚓 Meet and greet with local law enforcement 🍧 Pelican’s SnoBalls Of Hendersonville 🎨 Face Painting 🌟Fairy hair and much more... Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to experience an evening of camaraderie and community spirit. Let’s come together to build a safer, stronger neighborhood and make this National Night Out one to remember! See you there!...

Pack Memorial Library Packjuv is excited to host Bright Star Touring Theatre on Friday, August 2nd @ 10:30AM for a special presentation of Alice in Wonderland. The Lewis Carroll literary classic is magically brought to life in this 45-minute adventure. Join Alice on her journey into the rabbit hole, packed with eccentric and fantastical characters who take your audience on an imaginative ride. Since 1865, this literary classic has been a favorite among young readers and we can’t wait to bring it to life. Join the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and Alice on this adventure in Wonderland. There will be another show at 2 PM on 08/02 @ the North Asheville Library where they will put on "Upcycled Cinderella." Both shows promise to be a fantastically fun time for the whole family! 🐰🎩👠⌛✨🎭...

Hendersonville City Government: Ending #ParksAndRecMonth on a high note with a stroll down the Oklawaha Greenway Trail! 👟 Start your journey in Jackson Park and take in the beautiful sights all the way to Berkeley Mills Park, with pit stops at Patton Park, Sullivan Park, and the William H. King Memorial Park. This 3.25 mile trail is ten feet wide with an asphalt surface, making for a smooth journey. 🚲 Mileage signs have been installed every quarter of a mile along the trail to help trail users know how far they have traveled and how much farther it is to their destination. Benches, water fountains, and three bicycle FixIt Stations are also available along the trail. 🚗 🚫 All motorized vehicles are prohibited on the trail (except for city and county maintenance equipment and Law Enforcement). 👇 For more information about the Oklawaha Greenway and Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway, please visit https://www.friendsofoklawaha.org/...

Tai Chi for Arthritis was developed by medical professionals to improve fitness in older adults. Tai Chi has been shown to relieve pain, improve physical function, increase balance and reduce the risk of falls. This powerful mind-body exercise also helps to reduce stress and improve relaxation. The West Asheville Library and the Land of Sky Regional Council are offering free Tai Chi classes intended for senior adults that will run from Aug. 7-Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m. at the library. You do need to register for the class by contacting Brea Kuykendall at brea@landofsky.org or calling 828-251-7438. Classes are open to all abilities and anyone age 60 and up is welcome....

Macon County Sheriff's Office Join us in supporting the Franklin High School Band at their Spaghetti Fundraiser! The Macon County Sheriff’s Office is proud to back our community and its youth, so mark your calendars to join us in supporting the FHS Band! Head over to Angel Medical Center on July 30 to enjoy a delicious meal while supporting the Marching Panther Regiment! Date: July 30�Location: Angel Medical Center�Time: 5 PM - 7 PM See you there! Let's make this event a huge success!...

***Please Share*** Here we go again… We have received several phone calls today about another scam. In this particular matter someone is calling claiming to be Detective John Nicholson from the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office. The scam eventually leads to a request or demand for money to pay fines or fees. The scammer is providing an 828 area code phone number. If you have questions as to the validity of a phone call from Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office please call 828-884-3168 and they can direct you to the proper Detective. Transylvania County Sheriff’s will never ask for fees to be paid over the phone....