According to North Carolina Board of Elections data, 13,355 people voted in Buncombe County during the first two days of early voting.
New Stories
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.”
Letter: WNC’s hardworking ethos helped after Helene
“Rather than moan and wait on the government, people used their own equipment, their own gasoline and their own sweat to address a serious situation.”
Letter: Together, we’ll overcome Helene’s destruction
“The needs remain massive, but by the grace of God, the response has been immense as well. So grateful for all the first responders and volunteers who inspire and encourage us every day.”
Buncombe County Schools to reopen to students Oct. 25
All 45 of the district’s schools now have nonpotable water, power and internet service, BCS Superintendent Rob Jackson told the Buncombe County Board of Education at an emergency meeting Oct. 18.
Local couple launch private air force operation to reach rural communities
Since Tropical Storm Helene devastated the region, Taylor Knipp and her fiancé, Adam Smith, have transformed the Harley-Davidson of Asheville dealership in Swannanoa into an ad hoc private air base running daily rescue, reconnaissance and resupply missions to some of the hardest hit areas in Western North Carolina.
Crashes, drownings, exposure, trees, blunt force: Medical Examiner’s list paints grim picture of causes of Helene deaths
According to the agency, Buncombe County suffered 42 deaths, the highest toll of the 21 counties listed. Yancey County had the next highest, with 11, followed by seven in Henderson County.
Buncombe County Commissioners delay reappraisal deadline
Assessing storm damage and calculating Tropical Storm Helene’s effect on market prices prompts county to postpone property appraisal deadline.
ACS backs off drilling wells, works to reopen schools Oct. 28
Superintendent Maggie Fehrman told the Asheville City Board of Education at its meeting Oct. 14 that she still wants to explore drilling wells to increase the district’s resiliency, but is shifting her focus to obtaining enough drinking water to reopen schools by Monday, Oct. 28.
From CPP: No place to stay. Helene deepens housing crisis in Western NC.
Asheville and other areas in Western North Carolina already have largely unaffordable housing markets for many residents, and Helene threatens to make the problem worse.