New Stories
Canton and Maggie Valley consider additional occupancy tax
House Bill 412 would enable the two Haywood County municipalities to levy a 2% occupancy tax on accommodations like hotels, motels and Airbnbs, which would then be managed by new town-specific tourism development authorities.
Biz Briefs: N.C. Employee Ownership Center prepares for business transitions
N.C. Employee Ownership Center prepares for business transitions Just as the COVID-19 pandemic is waning in Western North Carolina, local businesses face another, slower-moving economic crisis. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, around half of all privately held businesses with employees in WNC — roughly 14,000 firms — are owned by people over […]
Letter: Get vaccinated — for yourself and rural hospitals
“I urge you to get vaccinated and take sensible precautions. Not only will this help ensure your health and the health of your family, it will ease the burden on our local hospitals and their staff to whom we owe so much.”
Asheville Archives: The influence of white supremacy in the women’s suffrage movement
In the summer of 1920, local residents disputed the merits and perceived risks associated with the passage of the 19th Amendment. Racism, rather than sexism, was a key factor on both sides of the argument.
BCTDA approves $15.3 million for tourism marketing
Nearly all of the members of the public who commented on the issue expressed concern over the amount of money being spent to draw more tourists to the area and asked that the funds allocated for advertising instead be spent on city infrastructure, schools and reparations for Asheville’s Black residents.
Beer Scout: What to expect at local breweries this July 4 weekend
Certain safety precautions remain in place despite the lifting of statewide restrictions.
Local author examines his life growing up in the Jim Crow South
Local writer Robert “Zack” Zachary discusses his debut essay collection, Forgotten Stories Remembered.
Letter: Today’s concerned citizens must stop The Bluffs
“We must protect our future and stop The Bluffs. In fact, the best use of Tourism Development Authority marketing dollars would be to buy the tract and put it into land conservation for future generations.”
Recent A.C. Reynolds High School graduate selected for Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra
The recent A.C. Reynolds High School graduate discusses his musical journey and where he hopes his latest opportunities will lead.
Montford Park Players spotlight women writers in new show
Honor Moor, Barbie Angell and Kathryn Langwell reinterpret Grimm’s fairy tales; Concerts on the Creek return to Sylva; plus more area arts news.
What’s new in food: Summer rolls in with a fish fry on Fourth of July
Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church hosts a fish fry to help raise funds for needed repairs. Also: biscuits with a purpose, cake at the WNC Farmers Market and Erin Jordan heads to Queen City.
Letter: Trump and his WNC followers
“I also believe that North Carolina as a whole will have a severe problem when and if Trump and his family are arrested.”
From CPP: Will telehealth continue filling gaps in WNC?
Patients and providers pivoted to online appointments during pandemic lockdowns. Some in Western North Carolina want the option to extend permanently.
Letter: Stay green, Asheville
“I don’t like seeing all of the deforestation going on.”
Letter: Asheville needs a population cap
“Asheville’s not weird anymore, and I’m sad about that.”