by Marisa Sardonia faces the following charges: attempted first-degree murder assault with a deadly weapon with intent to inflict serious injury (WLOS) — Detectives with the Asheville Police Department (APD) identified and charged a man in connection with a shooting that took place on April 13 following an investigation into a suspected road rage incident that led to one victim being shot SUSPECTED ROAD RAGE LEADS TO SHOOTING IN ASHEVILLE APD officers responded to a report of a gunshot wound victim on Fairview Road they discovered a victim who had been shot in the arm The victim was then taken to Mission Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries APD's preliminary investigation suggested the victim was "aggressively pursued" by another vehicle for approximately one mile The victim attempted to avoid the other vehicle by entering a parking lot hitting the victim at least once before fleeing the scene INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AFTER SUSPECTED ROAD RAGE LEADS TO SHOOTING, 1 INJURED: APD Anderson was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. wanted for threats and assaultby Ruby Annas (WLOS) — The Asheville Police Department is looking for Daniel Alan Dellaguardia Police said he has open warrants for communicating threats and simple assault APD describes Dellaguardia as a white male with brown hair shaved on the sides and green eyes His charges are related to two separate incidents One was on May 2 in downtown Asheville and the other happened on May 4 in south Asheville If anyone has information on Dellaguardia's whereabouts You can also leave an anonymous tip through the TIP2APD smartphone app or text TIP2APD to 847411 ASHEVILLE - The city is considering a property tax increase as it faces a $10 million gap post-Tropical Storm Helene a decision necessary to maintain its fund balance at the policy threshold of 15% City Manager Debra Campbell will bring the proposed budget to Asheville City Council May 13 The city's proposal is coming on the heels of an already tense pre-Helene budget season. Last year, council passed a budget that required the city to dip into its fund balance — or spending reserve — to pay for salary adjustments larger than those originally proposed by staff It also included property tax adjustment of less than a penny At the time, Mayor Esther Manheimer forecast a "painful conversation" for the coming year the financial headwinds are even more punishing Unemployment spiked in October, and despite some decrease, it remains high. Sales tax collections with the largest declines in September and October Though occupancy tax looks to be rebounding are projected to be down about 1% next year How much might taxes increase?The city has limited resources to drive its revenues Manheimer told the group assembled at a May 2 Council of Independent Business Owners meeting Unlike other states, North Carolina cities rely almost exclusively on property taxes Fees cannot exceed the cost of service delivery and much of the sales tax goes back to the state "We are looking at a property tax increase in order to cover this gap," Manheimer said The city estimates the possible increase would be in the range of 3.21 cents to 3.27 cents roughly $10 more a month for a residential tax value of $350,000 Every 1-cent tax rate increase generates $2 million That estimate factors in $5 million from FEMA's Community Disaster Loan program These loans are often forgiven with congressional approval It also allows the city to maintain its 15% fund balance and would pay for raises for its 1,200-person workforce City Council approved changes to its fees and charges in April. Costs will remain largely flat, with the exception of water rates, which will see the second year of a three-year phase-in of rate adjustments Staff recommends a 3% pay raise for its employees via a "hybrid" option This means those below the city's median salary of $58,000 would get a flat amount of $1,740 and those above would get the 3% raise It would take all but 84 employees to earning Just Economics' 2025 living wage rate of $48,152 But compensation proposals look different for public safety employees Asheville Police Department supports moving away from their step pay plan to a pay structure that includes a career ladder designed to "improve recruitment and retention," according to Manheimer's presentation Department staff would receive compression adjustments Asheville Fire Department employees would receive the 3% increase and funding would also be included to implement a plan to add a fourth shift to the department's schedule. It would result in firefighters working fewer hours while maintaining the same coverage throughout the city and would be phased in over the next five years Salaries and benefits represent the largest slice of the city's budget these items are expected to cost about $3.5 million Departments were instructed to keep operating budgets flat and find offsets for increases as much as possible The budget still included about $4 million in "unavoidable increases," mostly driven by health care costs and state-mandated retirement increases staff found $5 million in cost reductions — items like personnel savings minor health care plan adjustments and training and travel reductions Some meeting attendees expressed concerns around possible property tax increases with anxieties around a tax hike amid other rising costs "We knew this year we were going to be looking at raising taxes citing a "structural imbalance" of natural revenue growth and the cost of delivering service She said they are also "striving" to provide more efficient services but it feels like a "shoestring" budget as it is this limited revenue source and we have to work within our means and that's what we really strive to do because we don't want to overburden you all as taxpayers .. you're the engine to help employ people and make this a great place for people to visit and live," she said More: Asheville water customers will see 2nd year of rate hikes. Who's bill will go up the most? More: Asheville approves board to oversee downtown business improvement district. Who are they? Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky ASHEVILLE – No charges will be filed against a city garbage truck driver who fatally struck a pedestrian April 16 during a regularly scheduled pickup route a City of Asheville sanitation truck was picking up trash in a neighborhood just northeast of the city around 7:45 a.m walked directly in front of the vehicle near the intersection of Highland Place and Sunset View That's what APD spokesperson Rick Rice said police saw on a video from the truck’s mounted camera The garbage truck was traveling at an estimated 5 mph when it struck Wheeler immediately stopped the vehicle and called 911 died from her injuries at the scene of the accident avid reader and former officer with the Children’s Welfare League of America who lived in Town Mountain with her husband of 48 years said the way they met nearly 50 years ago in downtown San Francisco was “magic.” In all their years sharing how they first met it would change my life,” her husband said Sally and Wayne boarded a flight for a Hawaiian vacation “She enveloped me in warmth,” Wayne Wheeler told the Citizen Times May 2 As floral designer in San Franscico, Sally got the bid to install $20,000 of flowers for Macy’s 50th anniversary, filling up the shop’s entire downtown block. Together, the couple founded the United States Lighthouse Society restores and writes about America’s lighthouses and their history The nonprofit is in its 40th year of magazine publication and when the first black bear made an appearance on their back porch “You get out of here; you’re not welcome!” The bear simply turned around and left When Sally wasn’t tending to her expansive garden three book clubs and a painting group in Asheville The many letters Wayne has received from friends and family since Sally died don't just include mere condolences Included in Wheeler’s obituary is a poem Wayne wrote in honor of her: APD completed an investigation into the accident interviewing witnesses and involved parties inspecting the scene and reconstructing the crash After consulting with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office APD determined on April 22 not to file charges against the driver The city launched its own internal review of the incident "to ensure the driver followed proper protocols," city attorney Brad Branham told the Citizen Times May 2 The driver underwent drug and alcohol testing immediately after the accident The employee remains on paid investigative suspension to give the city time “to properly investigate everything before putting that driver back on the road,” Bradham added The driver has worked for the city for "several" years the majority with the sanitation department I expect this person to resume service if they have not already done so,” Branham said regardless of the circumstances of the criminal or internal investigation," Branham said we really want to focus on providing sympathies to the friends family and acquaintances of the individual that we’ve lost.” Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober Former UNC-Asheville guard Jordan Marsh has committed to USC out of the NCAA transfer portal Marsh is one of the top transfers in the portal this cycle 110 overall prospect in the On3 transfer portal rankings along with 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists during the 2024-25 season while arting 29 of the 32 games he appeared in along with averaging 28.7 minutes per game During his lone season at Appalachian State Marsh came off the bench in all but one of the 32 games he played for the Mountaineers He averaged 6.2 points per game in a limited role for the program but had a breakout season last year after his transfer Marsh went on to score in double figures in all but five games He scored his career-high of 33 points in an overtime loss against High Point in February he only turned the ball over once during the contest despite handling the ball for the majority of the game he did average 2.3 turnovers per game as his first full season as a starter Top 101Trump, SabanDuo's NIL order blasted Hot32026 NFL Mock DraftTodd McShay looks ahead By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms and use of my personal information described therein The Trojans are entering year two of having Musselman at the helm of the program. They finished the season 17-18 overall, including a 7-13 record against conference opponents. While they didn’t make the NCAA Tournament, USC’s season ended in the second round of the College Basketball Crown after losing to Villanova 60-59 The Trojans will look to improve on that finish this coming season When the Cougars traveled to Myrtle Beach a tweak to his batting stance – he closed his hips to limit movement Then pitches started looking like beach balls In his second at-bat of the second game in South Carolina against PikeView (W.Va.) Secretarski went the other way for a grand slam The previous season record at Asheville High was eight home runs Secretarski matched that in a span of seven days I knew I was closing in on it or had it,” Secretarski said Secretarski’s play in Myrtle Beach − six home runs, 15 RBIs and a .586 average − earned him Prep Baseball National Player of the Week honors It’ll also leave him in the Cougars’ record book for a long “It’s an awesome feeling,” Secretarski said and the fact that I get to leave mine in the books is the best feeling in the world.” Asheville High coach Bill Hillier said Secretarski regained belief in his preparation He said before the season he believed Secretarski could’ve been selected in the top five rounds of the MLB Draft In South Carolina, sheltered behind the name value of Asheville junior Trent Maybin a Texas commit and the son of former MLB player Cameron Maybin opponents didn’t know to look out for Secretarski Asheville High was coming off a tie to West Henderson when it boarded the buses for the trip to Myrtle Beach to play four games in four days but Hillier said the Cougars’ mindset changed after going 0-3 to open the season “We were dogs with our tails between our legs for a little bit after that first week,” Hillier said and momentum is gained by winning small battles.” The success that followed on the field in South Carolina was preceded by what occurs off the field on a trip like this which it carried to Roberson’s Holmes-Smith Field on April 29 with a conference title on the line Secretarski’s two home runs put the Cougars ahead 3-0 for most of the game and for the momentum built over the season and in Myrtle Beach The Cougars turned it around on senior day on May 1 to beat the Rams 4-3 behind junior Wilkin Lurie’s sixth-inning double it was the first time in their careers they’ve beaten rival Roberson But the win is just the next step in Asheville’s larger goals Hillier said he’d trade the win for a win over Roberson in the postseason in an instant “This is just momentum going into the playoffs,” Lurie said Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on X but hosts and guests got in the game of administering relief Asheville – It was early October when Buncombe County planned to curb the proliferation of short-term rentals it circulated a bulletin “seeking Airbnb or room accommodations for emergency telecommunicators who are coming into the state to assist with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.” was managing hundreds of reservations when Helene struck everyone at Greybeard was digging themselves out and checking on property owners The staff went to work clearing paths to their rental properties They canceled all bookings for October while staff members were paid to volunteer with relief efforts in the broader community as vacationers had better things to do than sit in homes without power Craig began hearing from people who had either lost everything or wanted a place to stay when they came to Asheville on a mission of mercy Greybeard asked hosts of properties that remained up to code if they would rent to them for free or at reduced rates Needs were communicated by word of mouth until Craig invested in Starlink At a meeting of the Short-Term Rental Alliance someone proposed creating “a bulletin board or landing page” to connect hosts with renters “We took our inspiration from the old LendingTree commercials where you would reach out once and then multiple banks would reach back out to you with offers,” he explained their profile was emailed to all registered hosts willing to rent for free or at reduced rates They did their best to spread the word to people without access to modern communications Weber and his wife had been trapped on their property for three days until they could carry bicycles out and ride to a hotspot They had just enough charge in their phones to inform their families that they were safe It took eleven days before he resumed running the business “with tool batteries on the Starlink and a laptop battery recharging everything twice a day.” He recalls “I was thankful our CEO was on vacation in Europe and she was available to work with our remote team members to be available for our guests and paid his employees to assist with relief efforts “We didn’t want to encourage anyone to travel to our area right after the storm so we bit the bullet and returned all of the revenue from our second-highest revenue month of the year.” Weber reported that his hosts continue to house over 100 relief groups and work crews for free or at a discount Yonder managed 29 reservations for first responders and individuals now affectionately known in the business as simply “workers.” They also accommodated 34 displaced families because several of our team members lived close to the Swannanoa River they assisted search and rescue personnel immediately after the storm Our team has also volunteered in cleanup and water-testing events,” he said Craig shares stories about the generosity of the evacuated guests—some hauling supplies back and many donating their refunds to relief organizations Craig stated that if there was any message to convey to the public “We’re open for business.” He noted that the media has emphasized the devastation more than the recovery Tags: Cheap Joe's Art Stuff is going out of business but Asheville store will live onby Kelly Doty (WLOS) — Despite the closure of its parent company Asheville's only dedicated art supply store will continue operating under local ownership Philip DeAngelo Studio, a studio based in Asheville’s River Arts District, confirmed it would take over operations at Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff’s Asheville location under a new name: Asheville Art Supply WNC HEROES: MIDDLE SCHOOL HEROES REIMAGINE ASHEVILLE'S RIVER ARTS DISTRICT Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff announced it was going out of business in a March 21 and all three store locations of the family-owned company would close The announcement meant a city known for its rich art scene would soon be without an art supply store manager Aly Perez expressed hope that the Asheville location’s story wasn’t over “I am hopeful that someone in this community steps up and that is kind of why I’m riding this ride,” Perez said in an April 10 interview REBUILDING THE RIVER ARTS DISTRICT POST-HELENE: WHAT SUMMER 2025 COULD LOOK LIKE Her hopes were answered when the Asheville location announced a local company would step in to run a dedicated art supply store in Cheap Joe’s current space A week later, a video shared on DeAngelo’s Instagram confirmed he and Tina DeAngelo would be the new owners Cheap Joe's encouraged customers to keep shopping at the location to support staff The Asheville store said despite the new ownership some Cheap Joe’s exclusive brands may become permanently unavailable and advised fans to stock up while supplies last (WLOS) — UPDATE: The Asheville Police Department reported on May 5 that Michaele "Blaise" Miola-Sams has been found safe and her family has been notified The public is asked to be on the lookout for a missing woman who was last seen in South Asheville The North Carolina Center for Missing Persons issued a Missing Endangered Alert for Michele 'Blaise' Miola-Sams who was last seen at 1680 Hendersonville Road in Asheville Miola-Sams is described as a 27-year-old white female who is 5 feet 5 inches and approximately 190 pounds Miola-Sams has brown short hair and brown eyes according to the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons Authorities believe Miola-Sams may be suffering from a cognitive impairment Her direction of travel or possible destination is unknown Anyone with information on Miola-Sams' whereabouts is asked to contact Michael Sorensen at the Asheville Police Department by calling (828) 252-1110 ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The city of Asheville held a Hard 2 Recycle event on Saturday giving residents an opportunity to do some Earth-conscious spring cleaning Community members brought hard-to-recycle materials — such as appliances batteries and packaging materials — to A.C Reynolds High School to ensure the waste doesn't end up in the landfill “Knowing that they're getting to a place where they're going to be recycled, where it’s going to not wind up just sitting there degrading, harming our environment,” said AJ Hardie, executive director of Asheville GreenWorks both in the sense that you don’t have so much junk sitting around but that you’re also really doing a good thing and contributing to helping keep our environment so beautiful.” Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More said a body was recovered from the French Broad River over the weekend They said two people fishing on the bank of the river saw the body Sunday afternoon officers found the person was wrapped in debris and covered in mud The body has been sent to Raleigh for testing and an autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office Police did not say whether the body was a victim of Helene the French Broad River recorded a height of 24 feet during one point of the storm “Our staff will continue working with the Medical Examiner’s Office over the coming days and weeks to identify the body and hope to bring closure to a family who has been missing their loved one,“ the Woodfin Police Department said Monday Sales filed in Buncombe County for April 10-15: Jenny Patricia Davis to Guy Francis Brady4 Weaver Hill Road Helmsman Homes LLC to Ftf Reo LLC0.12 acres on Buffalo Street William Vernon Payne to David Lykke Larsen201 Montana Ave. Isaac Samuel McConnell Northup to Fernandez Family Trust48 Westover Drive Robert B Thompson to Jason Robert Schneider5 Free St. Justin Taylor Langdon to Ronald W Winters3 Sterling Roberts Way Masica D Jordan to Mark Miller5 Sterling Roberts Way Masica D Jordan to Mark Miller358 Cumberland Ave. Happy T LLC to Green Family Revocable Trust55 Middlemont Ave. Nickolas Restivo and Skye McIlvaine Jones to Tison Collins Wyatt53 N Market St. Suggs and Britt Building LLC to PWM Holdings LLC106 Alpine Way Laurance F Layton and Sandra Layton to James Warren Holly38 Acona Lane Wanoca Development Group LLC to Jonathan Watkins15 Free St. Justin Taylor Langdon to Ronald W Winters97 Westover Drive Sean O Connor Living Trust and Carolyn O Connor Living Trust to Michael Nicolini16 Cherokee Road Stephanie Helen Bell-Murch and William A Chioffi to Marion K Parsons37 Gray St. Elizabeth Victoria Dietz to Margaret Diamond130 Third St. Building For Life LLC to Nam Giang Khuu136 New Leicester Highway Benjamin C Dawkins and Darin S Rice to Wesley Alderfer47 Huffman Road Marvin W Schrock Trust Marvin W Schrock (trustee) to Belinda Sherwood Showfety74 Clarendon Road Bette Jo Lancaster to Kyle Kirkwood115 Kimberly Knoll Road Douglas Mckee and Geni McKee to Henry Watson Jordan29 W Black Oak Drive Charles A Bennett to Lorisa Lorenzo Living Trust126 Riverview Drive Joshua Phillips to 126 Riverview Drive Revocable Trust21 Clement Drive Myna Harris and Pete Harris to Mary Holland Coyle202 Broadway St. Boulevard Development Group LLC to Bruce Switzer3103 Saint Augustine Place Diane West and Tara West to Charles A Gerolium Trust14 Avon Ave. Paul Eric Varela and Michelle Marie Varela to Stephanie Leigh Elder25 Howland Road Due South Enterprises LLC to Brian Allen HewittBiltmore Forest384 Vanderbilt Road Fred F Groce and Cynthia N Groce to Brandon Scott ChasteenBlack Mountain11 Silver Place James D Bailey and James Dwight Bailer to Patricia H Box11 Amys Way Maurice E Soulis and Renee Soulis to Aaron Paul17 Laurel Lane Marsha Campbell and Claudia Gatewood to Katherine Robertson Clevenger85 Fairway Drive Edward L Bartlett and Robyn A Bartlett to Peter Caulfield0.13 acres on Hiawassee Avenue Edward L Bartlett and Robyn A Bartlett to Peter CaulfieldBroad River42 Rainbow Lake Circle Brook Davenport and Laura Brunnhoelzl to Jacqueleine Carol NewsomEnka-Candler17 English Place Kyle Z Varga to Stuart H Wimberly11.53 acres on Pete Luther Road Henton LLC to Robert J Reynolds Revocable Trust140 Ivey Farms Road 140 Ivey Farms Road Revocable Trust to Julia Brooke Haager7 Gray Duster Circle Holly Sanders Watkins and Jonathan Watkins to Jess Robinson103 Pisgah Gap Drive Pavlo Savchuk and Ilonna Savchuk to Kevin Scott Blackmon660 Wickhams Fancy Drive Reilly Revocable Trust to Elizabeth Marguerite Richmond75 Pine Tree Drive Frank W Moore and Nancy H Moore to Ryan Henry Acklin61 Rose of Sharon Way Harvey Deboy Thorp and Roy Arnold Van Horn to Sl Trust LLC Fairview176 Hickory Forest Road Cecilia J Venglarik Living Trust James M Venglarik Living Trust to Bulluck Family Trust132 Cascade Ridge Road Kevin Scott Blackmon to Victoria Glynn Belbusti11 Timbers Edge Lane William Preston Linkous and Amanda Spears Linkous to Keith Dwight Rutledge11 Erin Glen Court Catherine Colavecchio and Amanda Brandeis Rodriguez to Summit Vision Realty LLCFrench Broad428 Curtis Parker Road Elvin Buchanan and Fern D Buchanan to Isaac Samuel McConnell Northup110 Saddle Ridge Drive Kevin Austin Searcy and Candace Nicole Searcy to Mark MeyersGarren Creek61 Littleton Heights Drive Willis M Moore and Mary L Moore to James L LytleMontreat0.55 acres on Mecklenburg Circle Matthew W Guthrie and Heather S Cummins to Julie Schmatz North Buncombe13 Greenridge Road 2020 Builders LLC to Vitalii KhorenkoReynolds304 School Road E Sheryl Lynn Aikman and Craig Thomsen Plocica to Alyssa Marie Demutis127 Crystal June Lane Jerome W Curci to JD Rentals IncRiceville6 Constitution Court Charles M Kerr and Michelle D Kerr to Rachel Berry222 Chapman Drive Extension Randy Wilson and Leisa Wilson to Kyann Lyne146 Eastmoor Drive Alan Kaufman and Judith L Kaufman to Justin JW Van Der ToornSkyland645 Walnut Valley Parkway David Abruzzese and Cynthia Abruzzese to Big Hills Construction LLC14 Sherwood Forest Drive Linda Herbenthal Smith to Cristina Grain7 Paradise Place James W Luedtke and Esther Ep Luedtke to Oaken Strattmont LLC19 Strathmore Drive Peter Lockhart and Sandra Lockhart to Martha Mitchell Schull109 Sunny Meadows Blvd. Russell J Dorr and Christine L Dorr to James Bennett Miller3 Jackson Meadow Road Amato to Christopher P Lindsay16 White Oak Road Steven T Newbrough and Ashley N Newbrough to Tyler Davis45 Joshua Ridge Allen K Crowe to Eduardo Sevilla-Vazquez156 Locust Court Sylvia Wolfe-chhorn and Ty Chhorn to Samantha N Laws458 Big Hill Drive Big Hills Construction LLC to Heliezer HernandezSwannanoa300 New Salem Road Wanda S Dehart and Charles Jeffery Dehart to Duane Edward Reese8 Avery Wood Drive Riverwood LLC to Mack H PadgettUpper Hominy68 Rippling Stream Drive Mary Kim Dryden and Leelaine Comer to Laura Amelia Ruby Living TrustWeaverville10 Knoll Ridge Drive Charles R Boaz and Brenda G Boaz to Mary Addison DechantWest Buncombe47 Cedar Hill Road Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation to Jared Cooper2.58 acres on Cowan Cove Road Ronald Dean Morrow to Katharine Gracz Kane281 Cowan Cove Road Ronald Dean Morrow to Katharine Gracz KaneWoodfin8 acres on Reynolds Mountain Blvd. Shri Hari Krupa LLC to Rocky River Apartments NC LLC192 Cherry Springs Lane Madison Simmons Homes and Communities LLC to Joshua Michael WallgrenSource: Buncombe County Tax Lookup (WLOS) — Lowe's is celebrating the grand reopening of its East Asheville store Friday after a seven-month closure due to Hurricane Helene held a board-cutting ceremony Friday morning Former Charlotte Hornets player Kemba Walker also made a special guest appearance This marked the return of over 100 employees who were displaced from their jobs at the home improvement store during the hurricane The grand reopening celebration also features free food EAST ASHEVILLE LOWE'S UNVEILS REVAMPED STORE PLANS AFTER HELENE DAMAGES FORCED CLOSURE Lowe's is also showcasing tiny homes donated to Western North Carolina residents in need in a collaborative project with the Appalachia Service Project The grand reopening celebration will continue Saturday from 9 a.m purchased a dozen eggs for $7 from Sugar Hollow Farm at the River Arts District Tailgate Market Eggs are typical farmers' market purchases as she prefers buying directly from farmers instead of chain grocery stores They’re cheaper usually or comparably so,” Hastings said While egg producers monitor their flocks to ensure good health and fertility and residents monitor their pockets and hunt for the best deal paying a little extra could be worth the splurge The price surge was due to a national outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) which called for infected and exposed poultry to be slaughtered to prevent spreading This created a supply chain shortage for eggs limiting consumer access and resulting in higher costs for available eggs The high cost of eggs has changed the way consumers shop and cook and avian flu isn’t the only concerning factor increasing prices and changing buying trends said that the egg price crisis reflects how conventional agriculture operates Housing many birds in one place increases the chances of devastation in the case of illness then they had to euthanize their entire flock,” Brugh said “What’s been unique this year is that it hasn’t dropped yet,” said Brugh who expected the outbreak to end and prices to lower after the winter when fowls are most susceptible to the avian flu The spread and prevention of avian fluDry Ridge Farm’s preventative biosecurity measures include dividing two flocks of 2,000 birds between two 7-acre properties in Mars Hill and Weaverville The pasture-raised birds are rotated to different pastures to ensure they have fertile grounds to graze Birds are tested for avian flu and salmonella before being transported to the farm Brugh said farm workers are careful not to track outside illnesses to the farm and avoiding or limiting visits to highly susceptible places avian flu is highly contagious and often deadly in poultry According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention more than 169 million poultry were affected by avian flu as of May 1 There had been 64 confirmed human cases since March 24 industrial agriculture system is in the same way we saw it in COVID when processing plants were shutting down and how drastically that affects the food supply,” Brugh said She said risks still exist at the local farm due to outdoor exposure but the smaller scale and operational practices make it easier to handle those issues and afford to replace flocks of birds if there is an illness “We’re more able to replace 2,000 birds or even 4,000 than anyone is able to replace 100,000 to 1.5 million birds,” Brugh said Restaurants cracking under egg price pressureBreakfast restaurants and bakeries were forced to decide whether to assume the increased costs or pass them on to customers an Asheville-based breakfast and lunch restaurant was caught in the middle of the egg fiasco as nearly all the items on its menu feature eggs Changing the menu to exclude eggs during the price hike wasn’t an option Biscuit Head has four locations: three in Asheville and one in Greenville The restaurants use 60 dozen eggs per week increased its egg prices by about three or four times the regular amount but they had been slowly decreasing since earlier in the year “It got to a point grocery stores didn’t have eggs then we had no choice but to order the eggs at four times the price," Wester said Biscuit Head secured a few dozen eggs from a local company at a reasonable price through J&J Farm while waiting for prices to go down the local egg producer couldn’t consistently meet Biscuit Head’s full order volume due to the prolonged price increase and lack of supply Biscuit Head added a menu surcharge of $1.50 for two eggs to cover the higher egg costs Wester said the choice was unavoidable and a last resort and that most customers understood the situation because they saw the same issues at the grocery store when shopping for home and we’re trying to hold out and keep our prices as consistent as we can and keep our quality where we want it,” Wester said Dry Ridge Farm supplies eggs to nearly 25 restaurants including French Broad Food Co-Op and Chop Shop Butchery wholesale eggs were sold for $64 for a 15-dozen case the farm has had more new wholesale client inquiries as businesses sought lower prices This relationship developed out of necessity and became a long-term service partnership or 30 dozen per week at each of its two locations when OWL’s former supplier had an egg shortage due to the avian flu outbreak that began over the winter the bakery purchased several dozen eggs from Dry Ridge Farm “We were so impressed and excited about the quality of those eggs,” Susannah Gebhart “We could tell the difference in our product." Gebhart said the bakery’s menu and prices hadn’t changed since they could quickly source the local eggs She said the bakers immediately noticed the difference in color Brugh said hens’ good health and access to quality feed and the outdoors affect quality and the yolk is a dark yellow-orange color The eggs are fresh when they reach consumers Quality plays a factor for individual shoppers Hastings said she prefers knowing where and how the birds were raised and eggs were conceived saying she was wary of larger egg companies’ practices and claims She said that she used to eat eggs every morning but scaled back during the egg cost surge Many grocery stores continue to limit the number of cartons of eggs purchased per transaction which caps the limit at one carton of any egg per customer This is another factor that drove Hastings to the tailgate market instead of her usual grocery stores About 25% of Dry Ridge Farm’s sales are from retail sales at grocery stores and farmers' markets which Brugh attributed to people noticing they could get fresh high-quality farm eggs at prices comparable to conventional white eggs said in an email that the company experienced an increased demand for eggs and that the number of eggs a shopper could order was not limited She said supply wasn't an issue with local producers as most fluctuations witnessed were seasonal and driven by weather we bypass much of the price volatility that’s impacting conventional grocery markets," DuVall said "Our consistent pricing is a reflection of the strength and predictability of our local partnerships.” Eggs aren't the only things breaking businesses and consumers’ banks voicing concern about further increases if President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs go into effect gradual price increases on other foods and supplies She said the restaurant still feels the effects of supply chain issues that began during the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago “People are getting used to the idea of waiting for stuff now because it’s become the norm,” Wester said Biscuit Head is also recovering from Tropical Storm Helene on Highway 70 in Swannanoa and caused the restaurants to temporarily close amid the citywide water outage caused by the North Fork Reservoir Biscuit Head’s cannery operations were moved into the restaurants Brugh said feed costs are about 20% of Dry Ridge Farm’s revenue retail egg prices would also have to increase Gebhart said the bakery is anticipating tariff impacts which is used to laminate croissants and puff pastries Hastings and Wester said that price is a factor when shopping for their households that means not putting something into their carts especially when everyone’s worried about what’s going to happen in the stock market and their retirements everyone starts to look at what’s important and what they need to buy,” Wester said Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky ASHEVILLE - Fire Chief Michael Cayse witnessed firsthand as Asheville firefighters — part of a swift-water rescue operation — saved a woman trapped on top of a cargo container in the raging waters of the Swannanoa River during Tropical Storm Helene's onslaught Scott Hare was able to access the "person in peril" and move her to safety Cayse talked about a firefighter new to the department snatching sleep in a recliner to ensure others in the station had beds He created an information board to share news with nearby residents residences and buildings and facilitated more than 1,000 emergency evacuations Stories like these introduced the dozens of Asheville firefighters recognized May 1 with awards that included the Medal of Valor as well as the department's most distinguishing award The annual ceremony was at the Harrah's Cherokee Center in downtown firefighters and their families crowding round tables staged on the floor of the arena It was a lengthier ceremony than most in the wake of Helene described by keynote speaker and former FEMA Administrator Brock Long as "one of the top 10 most complex disasters" he's seen during a long career including years spent as the hurricane program manager "The devastation to the community was unmatched in many areas but it's not the last time it's going to happen here," Long said "We've got to continue to be ready even though we are currently still rebuilding." He thanked the department's firefighters for their service "You folks put your lives in danger to save others and serve others," he said Mayor Esther Manheimer said it was hard to believe seven months ago the space had been transformed into an emergency operations center "Your bravery and dedication during Hurricane Helene and I can't imagine what you experienced on the front lines "I know some of you have told me that what you experienced during the hurricane is more than many firefighters will experience in their entire career in other communities." She read a proclamation declaring May 1 as Asheville Fire Department Day the department completed hundreds of rescues the department took the lead role in supporting and coordinating emergency operations in citywide response and recovery Its efforts were aided by outside personnel incident management teams and at least 16 other metro fire departments told the Citizen Times that though he has responded to disasters around the country during his career "this was my first time experiencing it before Many of the firefighters on duty when the storm struck were unable to communicate with their families not knowing the status of loved ones or their homes and they could do the same thing tonight.” More: Asheville seeks design team to help rebuild Helene-damaged French Broad riverfront parks Winners at the 2025 World Beer Cup hold up the North Carolina flag (Photo courtesy of the Brewers Association/World Beer Cup) (WLOS) — Breweries from North Carolina earned 11 medals at the 2025 World Beer Cup with four Western North Carolina breweries receiving gold or silver medals The award ceremony took place on Thursday, May 1, in Indianapolis as part of the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America Winners from other areas of North Carolina include: The World Beer Cup is recognized as one of the most "prestigious beer and cider competitions globally," according to the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild View a full list of winners here What if our best defense against disaster isn’t a stockpile — but a stage we’ve learned that when the ground is overwhelmed — literally or figuratively — it’s not always government agencies or outside aid that saves the day It’s the food truck owner cooking on a generator It’s the artist painting hope on boarded-up windows It’s the local festival that keeps a neighborhood’s spirit — and economy — alive In short: festivals aren’t just entertainment Asheville is proving that joyful gatherings can be powerful tools for disaster response and long-term resilience Every $1 spent on preparedness saves $6 in recovery But preparedness doesn’t have to mean cones and clipboards Sometimes it means funnel cakes and dancing in the street — remembering what we’re fighting to protect That’s why organizations like Explore Asheville and Black Wall Street AVL are investing not just in events but in ecosystems that restore and reenergize communities before and after disaster strikes But beneath the foam is a strategic network of small businesses volunteers and venues who know how to set up logistics fast These are exactly the skills needed in a crisis — just deployed with music instead of megaphones We’ve seen what happens when culture disappears after disaster: recovery stalls That’s what we’re building in Asheville — not just housing the Gospel play "Come Home," written by the late Kevin L will open the weekend with that very message tackles housing as the foundation of resilience The theme this year is clear and bold: “Rebuilding is Everybody’s Business.” We’re pairing policy with music the first 100 Housing Authority residents who register will get a free funnel cake Sometimes resilience tastes like powdered sugar We’ve aligned with A-B Tech to host GRINDfest at their Mission/A-B Tech Conference Center The weekend begins with the Taste of Black Asheville Brunch and a session led by Asheville Watchdog Pulitzer winners Attendees will enjoy tastings from local chefs and a keynote by Dr a Presidential Appointee with leadership experience across all levels We’re showcasing talent like the High-Steppers and Clarence “Cooking with Comedy.” Families can enjoy bouncy houses The entire city will move with the “Boots on the Ground” dance craze Riverlink will host River Revival at New Belgium Brewery and the Choir — plus fried fish and slaw from Turk da Jerk Catering We’re proud to welcome Duke Energy and Buncombe County Government as key sponsors supporting this vision of culturally rooted these events are transforming festivals into response hubs artists into first responders of the heart GRINDfest draws thousands from over 34 states didn’t just send aid — they showed up with creativity and community We’re waking up to a truth: disaster preparedness and response can be communal Because when disaster hits — and it will — it won’t be a spreadsheet that restores faith It’ll be a neighbor with a plate of food and a band on a flatbed truck If we’re going to invest in infrastructure let’s include the things that actually hold us together Let’s build recovery plans that center joy and a shared meal may just be our most powerful tools for surviving — and thriving — together As Asheville City Council Member Sheneika Smith reminds us: “Community joy is what will help push back the memory of horror yet infuse a level of hope that is needed to rebuild — and we will rebuild More: Asheville Bread Festival returns in April, more upcoming food, beverage festivals More: Opinion: Economic impact of Helene is a reminder to recognize Black History year round Hackett is owner of GRIND LLC and founder of Black Wall Street AVL (WLOS) — More than 850 runners and walkers are unwinding after hitting the streets of downtown Asheville for the annual Chamber Challenge 5K today right next to the chamber of commerce Participants made their way through parts of the historic Montford Neighborhood Runners aged 21 and older had a chance to treat themselves to some post-race beer The president of the Asheville area Chamber of Commerce and CEO said the race’s mission of workplace wellness is especially important this year "Work can be stressful to begin with but working in an environment that has been through a natural disaster is especially stressful and exercise is a good way to relieve some of that stress Especially when you’re doing it with work colleagues and you can establish some team spirit," said Cramer SPRING FESTIVAL BLOOMS AT WNC FARMERS MARKET THIS WEEKEND Cramer adds that a healthier workforce is better for everyone Many of today’s participants were made up of teams from different area businesses (WLOS) — The Carolina Panthers celebrated their annual "Keep Pounding Day" Friday at the Veterans Restoration Quarters in Asheville serving veterans displaced by Hurricane Helene Keep Pounding Day is an annual day of service that aims to assist communities across North and South Carolina The program began in honor of legendary linebacker Sam Mills "My dad was an Army National Guard for over 30 years – Sergeant Major [the] military is something that has always been near and dear to my heart," said Moton Players and staff collaborated with ABCCM at the Veterans Restoration Quarters to pack backpacks with supplies serve lunches and organize activities for the veterans "I can't imagine what they've been through or what the city's been through," Moton said about Asheville veterans "I'm happy I'm here and I can give back." This initiative is one of many projects the Carolina Panthers are accomplishing in the Carolinas for Keep Pounding Day (WLOS) — Heroes are often thought to be those who come to our rescue or surmount seemingly insurmountable challenges they can also be those who are willing to challenge the future Eighth graders at Asheville's Carolina Day School have taken on the challenge of reimagining the city's River Arts District (RAD) The students are tasked with using their creative power to develop ways to rebuild that might better protect the area from future flooding while creating a more sustainable community HELENE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE (RIVER ARTS DISTRICT) According to eighth grade social studies teacher Jeremy Braketa the challenge is to comply with the United Nations' goals of creating economic growth and using renewable resources while making it a place where people want to go Braketa said it's a challenge that's perfectly suited to kids RIVER ARTS DISTRICT STILL RECOVERING FIVE MONTHS AFTER HELENE'S DEVASTATION "They still have a bit of imagination left," Braketa said "And so the world is kinda their oyster 'This'd be super cool.'" It's a sentiment shared by students like Kimaya Sivabalan "We have some good ideas," she said "We are going to be the ones who are living in it and everyone wants it to be the best that it can be." BAPTISTS ON MISSION AIMS TO REBUILD 1,000 HOMES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA POST-HELENE Students hope their efforts inspire adults in the community to think more creatively when imagining what's possible the long term existence of a community at the heart of Asheville may be at stake SEE MORE WNC HEROES STORIES Hurricane Helene left regional bear population largely unfazed (WLOS) — Hurricane Helene abruptly impacted many areas of Western North Carolina North Carolina Wildlife Special Projects biologist explained how Helene hit at the time of year when bears were becoming quite active again This is because that is when bears try to consume as much as possible Hobbs said it was nerve-racking to see how the region's black bears would respond to the storm bears are designed to deal with environmental changes THE BEAR NECESSITIES: WHY THE ICONIC ANIMAL IS VITAL TO NORTH CAROLINA'S MOUNTAINS one of the only normal things about last fall was this region's bear activity “We didn’t see much of an impact from the hurricane in terms of bears going about their daily business When looking at why Helene didn’t affect the bears Hobbs said it was because of their natural instincts they can really navigate the landscape even with all the debris fields That's nothing that they can’t handle,” she said BEARS ON THE MOVE: COALITION PUSHES FOR MORE SAFE PASSAGE FOR WILDLIFE She added that the storm may have actually helped them with their denning habitats all their food went from being in the air to on the ground is when we could observe how Helene's impact affects the bears “Now that we’re missing a lot of these hard mass trees the hickory–how that will impact them in the fall,” she said Hobbs reminds everyone that coexisting with bears remains important BEARWISE BASICS: HOW TO COEXIST WITH THE GROWING BLACK BEAR POPULATION IN WNC “We don’t want to encourage bears to see us as a source of food so it’s a good time of year to bring your bird feeders inside for the rest of the season,” she said Hobbs said it is also about time to be more diligent about trash She advises making sure all garbage is kept in a garage and the region should expect normal bear activity SC — Securing a series win against the Greenville Drive the Asheville Tourists downed their foe 6-0 on Saturday night at Fluor Field Playing in a seven-game series due to making up a postponed contest from April 11 the Tourists (12-14) have now taken home four games off the Drive (11-15) pitching excelled today behind the arms of Derek True (W allowing just one hit while striking out three to secure his second win of the year Santos took care of the next four frames out of the pen giving up two hits and totaling a trio of whiffs It is the third time this year the pitching staff has accumulated a shutout performance Chase Jaworsky catalyzed the run column with an RBI infield single Plating three runs in the eighth inning to leave no doubt before Cristian Gonzalez singled to bring home another The cherry on top came with a Cam Fisher RBI sacrifice fly in the ninth Facing off one final time in a Sunday matinee the first pitch of Game 7 in the series is set for 3:05 p.m The first people to inhabit our beautiful South Atlantic region arrived in what is now North Carolina over 10,000 years ago Today a new museum in a centuries-old building has committed itself to telling that story and we went there to learn the information inside its walls Welcome to the Asheville Museum of History Located inside the Smith-McDowell House - Asheville’s oldest brick structure built around 1840 - the museum is the first physical space in Asheville dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of the mountains through interpretation The museum in its current form got its start in 2023 converting what was a period house museum here (interpreting the history of the property) into an experience that spans the whole history of the region visitors first encounter a permanent exhibition exploring the diverse history of Western North Carolina through images and economic histories of the Western North Carolina region to explain how we got here and what that means for our future behind-the-scenes tours of the historic building and grounds that highlight the stories of the people who have lived and worked on the property such as The Photography of Andrea Clark: Remembering Asheville’s East End Community Here you can take in images of this historic African American community that is dramatically different today In addition to the permanent and rotating exhibits on display the Asheville Museum of History also hosts engaging programs and literary and preservation awards ceremonies In today’s world where we grapple with the present to determine our course for the years to come it can often be best to learn from the past That lesson is here for all of us at the Asheville Museum of History After a long day of learning, you’ll have worked up an appetite for some good local food. Visit Ingles Markets online to browse their selection of high-quality items and to find a location near you A man walks near a flooded area near the Swannanoa river where they can find a little cellphone service on Monday One of the control rooms at the Arizona PBS offices at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Phoenix is seen Friday (AP) — After Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville the sound coming from open car windows as residents gathered on a street at the top of a ridge trying to get cell service last fall was Blue Ridge Public Radio And as they stood in line for water or food the latest news they had heard on the station was a frequent topic of conversation “The public radio station was alerting people what was going on,” said Lisa Savage who volunteered at an area church after the hurricane Public radio stations have been a lifeline for residents during natural disasters that take out power And in many remote and rural areas across the U.S. About a week after she had volunteered in the Asheville area Savage recalled driving through another hard-hit community and hearing updates on Blue Ridge Public Radio on where residents could pick up water Marfa Public Radio provides listeners with a mix of local and national news and music a city of about 2,000 that draws tourists to its art scene “Marfa Public Radio is the only radio service in a lot of the geographic area that we cover,” said Tom Livingston “So it’s really essential in terms of if there’s news events if there’s safety things that happen in the community.” based in the eastern Kentucky community of Whitesburg can be heard in parts of five Appalachian states said listeners “want to hear people that sound like folks that they know from Appalachia,” and the station which currently operates from a renovated Winnebago called the Possum Den “We’re in an economically disadvantaged area of the country,” Wimer said “Most of our listeners who really rely upon our programming don’t have the funds to ramp up their support.” Livingston said about 30% of their funding comes from the CPB it’s too early to know if the cuts will actually happen or what they would impact if they do come through residents can pick up signals from radio stations far away But those “aren’t going have the local flavor and impact that we do,” said Scott Smith general manager of Allegheny Mountain Radio “This is the only game in town for that sort of thing.” Smith said there’s about a 4 -square-mile (10.3-square-kilometer) area of cell coverage with one cell tower The station has proven to be a vital source of information during natural disasters residents relied on it after a derecho knocked out power to 680,000 customers across West Virginia and it took nearly two weeks for some areas to get their service restored we get on the air and joke around,” he said “But we’re here providing basic level services of information we’re a pretty critical link in this area for the emergency alert system.” Smith has a staff of 10 people at Allegheny Mountain Radio which receives 68% of its annual budget from CPB “What CPB does fund the most is small rural radio,” Smith said that’s not readily or easily replaceable.” Smith calls it a “wait-and-see game” on whether Congress will act on the CPB funding “The answer to how we move forward is vague,” Smith said “We will still continue to be here as long as we can be.” Jeffrey Collins contributed to this report from Columbia Watch today's top stories and most popular videos which provide you with features like past/future radar and customizable layers Trust us to help you plan the best day possible with the most accurate weather forecast available We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2017-2022, commissioned by The Weather Company. highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems Her writing can be found in the New York Times Share LinkI Asked Our AI-Travel Planner For a Weekend Adventure in Asheville – Here’s What It CreatedThe itinerary—which includes unique accommodations and beloved dining experiences—might even be better than what I could have come up with on my own even a weekend trip comes with dozens of decisions from where to stay to where to eat to where to hike to what to order at that sandwich shop that everyone’s talking about parsing through the choices and doing all the research can feel a bit much and can start to take some of the fun out of it (and need we remind you A suggestion for those who could benefit from outsourcing their decision-making to a trusted digital friend: Only In Your State’s award-winning Dashboard AI planner which uses our extensive library of highly-curated content and recommendations to help you plan a trip you’ll love sans stressing about which brewery has the best vibes or whether that museum is really worth it I picked a city I know well so I could see just how spot-on the tools’ recommendations are—and if it can suggest anything that I haven’t tried yet Though the travel planner asked when I'd be traveling it offered me two different options of where to stay—one luxury and one wallet-friendly this itinerary did a good job of suggesting a mix of better-known Asheville classics like the Grove Park Inn (where I’ve been many times) and lesser-known gems that I probably never would have discovered on my own (like The Baked Pie Company which is in an unassuming strip mall slightly outside of the city) I'll have some new ideas up my sleeve—and more time to enjoy them rather than meticulously plotting where I should go next Whether you're traveling to Western North Carolina or somewhere else, take the tool for a spin next time you're hitting the road and see what you find. 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After Lincoln Riley and Chad Bowden landed some defensive back help in the portal, Eric Musselman and the men's basketball team followed suit by securing the commitment of UNC Asheville transfer Jordan Marsh After spending his freshman year in a reserve role at Appalachian State Marsh transferred to Asheville for his sophomore season Marsh heads to USC to join a Trojan program that is once again starting from scratch USC will be returning almost zero production from the previous season the expectation is that the Trojans will significantly improve off of last season's campaign that saw them go 7-13 in Big Ten play USC recently went out and landed a big fish in the transfer portal in Auburn's Chad Baker-Mazara as Musselman looks to put together a team capable of competing in the Big Ten in Los Angeles — Red Sox 2nd Round Pick Payton Tolle struck out 12 over five scoreless innings and the Greenville Drive exploded for 16 runs on 12 hits to rout the Asheville Tourists 16-0 on Saturday afternoon at Fluor Field The Drive (12-15) set season highs in runs and margin of victory while handing Asheville (12-15) its most lopsided loss of the year including a seven-run sixth and a three-run eighth to cap the blowout allowing just three hits and no walks in his five-inning outing He was backed by a bullpen that combined for four more scoreless frames and totaled 19 strikeouts on the day eight of Greenville’s nine starters reached base and seven drove in runs Brooks Brannon went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs and Andy Lugo added two RBIs with a triple in the sixth Franklin Arias hit a solo home run in the third and walked twice finishing with two RBIs and three runs scored Zach Ehrhard and Marvin Alcantara also drove in two apiece and Miguel Bleis contributed a sacrifice fly and an RBI groundout The Drive capitalized on four Asheville errors and went 7-for-18 with runners in scoring position Asheville managed just four hits and didn’t advance a runner past second base Garret Guillemette doubled in the first for the Tourists’ lone extra-base hit The Drive closed the homestand with a win in the finale on Sunday and will prepare for a 6-game road trip to face the Rome Emperors beginning May 6 — The Greenville Drive’s struggles at the plate continued Saturday night as they managed just three hits and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in a 6-0 shutout loss to the Asheville Tourists at Fluor Field The loss dropped the Drive to 11-15 on the season and marked the second time they've been held scoreless this year Despite a strong start from left-hander Dalton Rogers Greenville couldn’t find any rhythm offensively and let a winnable game slip away striking out nine and allowing just two unearned runs over five innings Both runs came in the fourth inning after a walk and a catcher’s interference call set the table for Asheville A soft RBI single by Chase Jaworsky and a passed ball gave the Tourists a 2-0 lead despite minimal hard contact Greenville’s best scoring opportunity came in the seventh when Zach Ehrhard singled and Andy Lugo followed with a two-out base hit But Albert Feliz struck out looking to end the inning The Drive put at least one runner on base in four straight innings from the fourth through the seventh but couldn’t push one across Asheville starter Derek True (2-2) kept them off balance with five strong innings of one-hit ball and reliever Yeriel Santos tossed the final four innings for the save while Nelly Taylor walked and stole his ninth base of the season the Drive committed one error and had a passed ball and catcher’s interference both of which contributed to Asheville’s early scoring The Tourists broke the game open with a three-run eighth off reliever Jeremy Wu-Yelland Walker Janek tripled home two runs and later scored on Cristian Gonzalez’s RBI single Asheville tacked on one more in the ninth with the help of a hit-by-pitch Greenville will look to bounce back and salvage the series on Sunday afternoon at 3:05 p.m SC - Securing a series win against the Greenville Drive Audiences engaged and humored well at the Appa-Laffin Mountain Revue I’m excited; we’re excited to bring this festival back—not just for improv but for Asheville and the local community too—and to celebrate something just bigger than ourselves—and that’s just community,” says George Awad His enthusiasm is palpable as he discusses the upcoming Asheville Improv Festival a beacon of creativity and resilience following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene which had been delayed due to the storm’s aftermath is set to reclaim its place in the cultural landscape of Asheville promising a vibrant showcase of talent and community spirit The Asheville Improv Festival is not merely an event; it’s a celebration of collaboration and creativity that embodies the very essence of improv Awad reflects on the festival’s mission: “I mean it was truly amazing and the best metaphor for what improv really is—and that is team collaboration and everybody getting each other’s backs.” This sentiment resonates deeply within the context of Asheville’s recent struggles where community members have rallied together to support one another in the face of adversity This year’s festival will feature 11 shows over four nights making it accessible for both locals and tourists The lineup boasts a diverse array of artists with impressive credentials in film “We want to present a diverse lineup of talented artists enhancing the cultural scene in Asheville,” Awad explains emphasizing the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and engagement The festival’s return is not just about laughter; it’s about healing and revitalization “I knew we would come back; I knew not just this area but the improv community and the arts community in general is just unsinkable,” Awad asserts with conviction This belief in resilience is echoed by festival organizers who have witnessed firsthand the power of art to unite people “To watch our community do that too; it really was improv in real life because everybody’s making it up and just getting everybody involved; everyone’s invited,” one organizer notes highlighting the collaborative spirit that defines both improv and the festival itself The selection of unique venues for this year’s festival has been intentional aimed at showcasing spaces that have undergone renovations and enhancements “It’s really exciting to not only show people what really cool spaces we have” Awad shares The collaboration with local organizations like YMI aims to bring more diversity to both the stage and audience enriching the overall experience for attendees While the excitement surrounding the festival is infectious it hasn’t come without its challenges The aftermath of Hurricane Helene left a mark on Asheville’s tourism and arts scene but the determination to revive the festival speaks volumes about the community’s spirit The festival’s success could lead to increased tourism and local engagement in the arts Asheville’s arts community has shown remarkable resilience with local sponsors actively involved in supporting the festival Discounts for festival pass holders reflect a strong backing from businesses eager to see the arts thrive once again There is potential for ongoing collaboration between artists and the community fostering a stronger cultural identity in Asheville hinting at a future where performative art increases its role in community cohesion Awad envisions a future where the Asheville Improv Festival becomes a staple in the cultural calendar Some may question the accessibility of improv for newcomers but we aim to bridge that gap through inclusive programming and outreach The festival’s commitment to welcoming all—whether seasoned improv aficionados or curious newcomers—ensures that laughter will echo through Asheville’s streets once more As the festival gears up for its much-anticipated return it stands as a testament to the power of community In a world often overshadowed by challenges events like these remind us of our shared humanity and the joy that can be found in collaboration Asheville is ready to embrace its artistic revival with Double Dip Productions leading the charge The Asheville Improv Festival promises not just entertainment but a celebration of life itself—a reminder that even after storms pass UNC Asheville Athletics Prepares for 24 Hours of Nothing But Net 05.05.2025 | General – The UNC Asheville Athletics Department is gearing up for its fourth year of taking part in Debbie Antonelli's 24 Hours of Nothing But Net event to help raise money for North Carolina Special Olympics UNC Asheville will partner with Bear's Smokehouse BBQ to help put on the event with this year's evening of free throw shooting taking place at the Bear's Smokehouse BBQ South Asheville location off Sweeten Creek Road on May 8 from 5 to 8 p.m Debbie Antonelli created the 24 Hours Nothing But Net (24NBN) fundraiser to raise money for Special Olympics Antonelli created the 24NBN fundraiser by making 2,400 free throws in 24 hours with a 94% accuracy rate The event has now expanded to multiple states and raised more than $845,000 for Special Olympics athletes the UNC Asheville and Appalachian State University basketball teams took on Debbie's challenge in an effort to raise funds for Special Olympics athletes in North Carolina Antonelli will take part in the event May 10-11 with UNC Asheville's event being one of the first events to kick off the challenge This year marks the third year Asheville has partnered with Bear's Smokehouse to put on the event This year will be the first year the event will be held at Bear's South Asheville location UNC Asheville Athletics has already collected $2,500 for Special Olympics North Carolina through a generous donation from Sheetz Sheetz will present a check at the event at Bear's on May 8 and provide swag for attendees Bear's Smokehouse has increased its donation percentage from last year to 20% of sales from both of their Asheville locations during the week of May 4-10 which will go towards Special Olympics North Carolina Customers who order online can use the promo code "NBN2025" when checking out or can reference the event at checkout for their purchase to go towards the event To support UNC Asheville Athletics in their goal to raise money for Special Olympics North Carolina, visit the department's team page Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Baseball Welcomes East Tennessee State Tuesday Heads to Charleston Southern This Weekend 05.05.2025 | Baseball UNC Asheville Athletics Hosts 2024-25 ASHPYs Banquet 05.02.2025 | Baseball