Here’s a look at what’s making headlines around Western North Carolina: The Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre must raise $80,000 to stay alive; a Black Mountain institution is closing; a controversial concrete plant in Madison County has won approval; Haywood County says goodbye to boot-maker Wellco; area residents remember the devastation of flooding five years ago; Lake Lure will remember Patrick Swayze; and more.

Here’s a look at what’s going on around Western North Carolina: Ghost Town in the Sky is still losing money; all UNC-system college students will be required to have health insurance next year; moviemakers are spotlighting people and locations in Haywood County; and more.

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.

Here’s what’s making headlines around Western North Carolina: A 14-year-old Hayesville girl collapsed during her gym class and died; an Appalachian State University student may have died from an alcohol overdose; a writer instrumental in the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was honored; Tweetsie Railroad gears up for another season; and there’s a new brewery planned for Bryson City.

Making headlines recently: The investigation into the deadly Mitchell County jail fire is renewed; local universities are cutting classes and jobs; Weaverville’s July Fourth celebration has been cancelled; there’s an update on the controversial Macon airport runway extension; there will be a vote on selling alcohol at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino; and one local newspaper is bucking the trend and moving to add a print edition.

News around WNC included: A big house on the move for Habitat Humanity in Haywood County; a fundraising drive for a library and courthouse renovations in Jackson County; a pet deer in Macon County; and much more.

Headlines this week in Western North Carolina include: plans to build a new livestock auction; a hops-growing workshop for beer-loving farmers; an airport extension on an ancient Cherokee site; and much more.

What’s making news in the mountains this week: A gospel-singing great will celebrate his 100th birthday; a Henderson County native prepares to help put on the Super Bowl; casino talks continue; and much more.

What’s making news in Western North Carolina this week ranges from local connections to big national stories (think plane crash and inauguration) to continuing economic woes and a sudden surge in the construction of local liquor stores.

The sour economy is a thread running through stories making headlines across Western North Carolina.

Here’s a look at some of what’s making the news around Western North Carolina.

Life does go on after a big election, as a look at Western North Carolina’s local newspaper Web sites shows. This week, there’s an update on a controversial Jackson County development, a notice that the IRS is looking for you, a profile of an ASU student living in a teepee, a reminder about an upcoming memorial to the director of the Flat Rock Playhouse and more.

Politics appears to be dominating news headlines this week, but look a little closer and you’ll catch a woolly worm’s winter prediction, excitement about a new Wal-Mart store opening, the result of the state’s investigation into alleged gas gouging, one woman’s battle with a crazed deer and much more.