Here’s a look at some of what’s making headlines around Western North Carolina: There’s a possible serial killer on the loose in upstate South Carolina; a Florida man drowned while saving his son at a popular Macon County water hole; the venerable Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain is on the verge of bankruptcy; and more.

With unemployment in the Asheville area on the rise and 8,100 jobs lost since the beginning of the year, Xpress wants to hear about your experiences in these tight times.

Crews continue to repair water damage after a storm pipe eroded over Memorail Day weekend and poured water into the offices of the Buncombe County Department of Social Services.

The Environmental Protection Agency lists two coal-ash-storage dams in Buncombe among similar high-hazard structures in North Carolina and the U.S. But there’s no indication the two dams — each about 90 feet high and located just off Interstate 26 near Arden — present an immediate danger.

The local political season will officially open at 8 a.m. on Monday with the start of the candidate filing period for people seeking seats on Asheville City Council and a host of other local town boards.

But don’t put away that pen yet: You can download the correct puzzle here

Unemployment in both the Asheville metropolitan area and Buncombe County rose in May, according to state figures that show unemployment ticking up to 9.2 percent for the metro area and 8.8 percent for Buncombe County.

A Weaverville artist has begun the Pack Square Park installation of hundreds of clay stoneware tiles, including 400 brown and blue square ones created and signed by students in Buncombe County Schools.

Whether you’re a an Asheville developer, a homeowner using water or dead and ready to be buried in Riverside Cemetery, the cost of living (and dying) in Asheville is going up.

Here’s a video preview of the July 1 edition of Mountain Xpress. WATCH OUT FOR THE FIREWORKS!