What will be the top 10 baby names for Asheville in 2025? What new slogans will the city employ to attract tourists? What is first-time Asheville City Council member Bo Hess’ top goals for the year? See Xpress’ bold predictions on these questions and more!
Fire Chief Mike Cayse discusses his first year with the Asheville Fire Department.
After sustaining damage from a fallen tree during Tropical Storm Helene, the historic home and museum is once again open to the public.
“I did not expect to be faced with over 10,000 trees down on our property within the first 60 days of my tenure. But with the tireless efforts of our staff and with help from outside organizations, we were able to reopen parts of the arboretum to guests,” says Drake Fowler.
Helene impacted a vital part of infrastructure: child care. Providers and families share their work-arounds and what’s needed to reinforce an already fragile system.
“One tenet that I have relied upon throughout my career is the fact that relationships are the real currency of policing,” says Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb.
Asheville City Council approved relief grants for housing, businesses and emergency shelter. It also tabled updates to building codes to have more time to explore environmental impacts and the scope of the proposed changes.
Carolina Public Press reported last month that the costs associated with Tropical Storm Helene exceeded $53 billion in North Carolina alone, although neither the state legislature nor the federal government has allocated enough money to pay for even half of the expenses up to this point.
Residents have until Tuesday, Dec. 31 to vote for their favorite display.
For some religious residents in Western North Carolina, Tropical Storm Helene not only left behind a trail of wreckage but also raised questions tied to their faith. Even still, churches across the region pulled together and found strength in their beliefs.
Michael Coates chose to buy a generator to keep his insulin cold rather than pay rent. His landlord evicted him. Hundreds more fear they could face the same fate.
FEMA says a quarter of all insurance claims for flood damage occur outside the 100-year floodplain — even though homeowners in those areas aren’t required to buy flood insurance and often don’t.
Burnsville’s annual holiday celebration happens Dec. 13.
“Out of 159 samples taken from mid- to late-November, nine had detectable levels of lead on the first draw,” said Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler.
“Fall is already a nectar scarce time of year, and the storm was immediately followed by our first frost, so it really was a triple whammy,” says Carmen Atwater, founder of Feral Farms.
Flood waters from Tropical Storm Helene decimated many of the City of Asheville’s premier outdoor athletic facilities, and officials don’t know when — or if — they will be repaired and restored.
“ParkMobile knows that it is spreading misinformation. ParkMobile knows that it is in the wrong. And ParkMobile has had every opportunity to stop. Yet ParkMobile refuses,” the lawsuit says.
October was a total loss for many restaurants and hotels, a month that usually promises the biggest profits of the year, thanks to leaf-peepers and other seasonal tourists.
The city and the Corps planned to start testing the system this week, and Asheville Water Resources spokesperson Clay Chandler said it should be operational by Friday.
Many residents face the daunting task of cleanup and repair post-Helene, but those with historic houses have an added layer: preserving the area’s past for the future.
“Helping others is simply who I am,” says Jaquelyn Hallum, former director of Health Careers and Diversity Education at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). “Retirement hasn’t changed that — it’s just given me the freedom to focus on what matters most.”
