“We know that voters are often confused and that can lead to uncertainty and distrust,” explains Jennifer Roberts of the Carter Center, who co-organized the NC Trusted Elections Tour. She and others are out to reassure voters.
New Stories
Small towns find ways to aid businesses suffering financially after Helene
As small towns throughout Western North Carolina face an October without tourists, local nonprofits and community members are finding ways to help financially struggling businesses.
Trump makes a campaign stop in devastated Swannanoa to express sympathy to victims of Helene
Following a tour of flood-ravaged Swannanoa on Monday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump offered his sympathy to storm victims. He also took numerous opportunities to continue to slam recovery efforts by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
Letter: Vote no to amend state constitution
“The proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting noncitizens from voting provides a purported solution to a problem that does not exist.”
Hot Seat: Race for chair of County Commission heats up
Commissioner Amanda Edwards, ex-Sheriff Van Duncan talk policy differences, ethics and politics as the general election race for the top seat in Buncombe County enters its final month.
Jamie McDonald partners with World Central Kitchen on the South Slope
In the wake of the storm, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ transformed into the Asheville hub for the international meal distribution organization.
Asheville halts plans to dump debris in residential areas
The City of Asheville suspends dumping post-Helene debris, including trees, drywall, computers, televisions, pesticides and paint, in residential areas.
From CPP: Mill town in limbo. Helene leaves sale of closed Canton paper mill in doubt.
Tropical Storm Fred caused massive flooding in Canton in 2021. Then the mill closed, crushing the town. Now, the damage Helene wreaked on the mill and the town’s wastewater facility has the once-enthusiastic buyer — E.J. Spiritas Group — reconsidering its options.
The lives we lost: Helene took entire families, couples, children
Asheville Watchdog is bringing you the stories behind the staggering loss of life, the children, parents, grandparents, multiple generations of a single family, all gone in one of the worst natural disasters to hit the mountains of western North Carolina. This is the first installment.
From CPP: ‘Give them their voice in this election.’ Early voters in mountains brave long lines after Helene.
According to North Carolina Board of Elections data, 13,355 people voted in Buncombe County during the first two days of early voting.
Letter: HCA stepped up for WNC through disaster
“Everyone should applaud how HCA stepped up for our region when we all needed a major medical facility as Helene struck.”
Letter: We’re pulling together at Givens Estates
“All of these staff members are heroes, and we love and appreciate, appreciate, appreciate them!”
My Story: Getting trees off roofs and feeling community support
“I worked from High Point and kept answering phones and coordinating help — finding out which tree crews with cranes were where and getting that information to anyone with a tree on their house.”
Letter: Neighbors’ response restores faith in people
“We were both amazed and appreciative for our neighbors for reaching out to everyone inquiring and sharing of each other’s status and needs, and information on where to find food, water, gas and cell service.”
My Story: Neighbors DIY it to source water for East End/Valley Street
“By Sunday, it became clear that our water infrastructure wasn’t going to improve anytime soon, and our neighbors needed a way to flush their toilets. We decided to gather creek water using buckets and bins from a friend’s property and bring it back for our neighbors.”