Executives get richer as HCA stock price soars; Ingles reports post-Helene profit turnaround; Deerfield...
Sign up for free email updates from The Watchdog. You’ll be notified whenever we publish our latest award-winning investigative reporting, John Boyle’s Answer Man and Opinion columns, Tom Fiedler’s Democracy Watch, and more!. Deerfield, Ingles Markets, and HCA, owner of Asheville’s Mission Hospital, all made business...
A Hospital Was Slated To Open in 2025. Amid a Legal Battle, It’s Still...
Madison County, tucked in the mountains of western North Carolina, has no hospital and just three ambulances serving its roughly 22,000 people. The ambulances frequently travel back and forth to Mission Hospital in Asheville, the largest and most central hospital in the region. Trips can take more than two hours,...
Let’s Eat at The Market Place in Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) — The Market Place, a restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina, is renowned for its sustainability-focused approach and superb dining experience. Run by Chef William Dissen, The Market Place combines ethically sourced food with a comfortable, elevated dining atmosphere. Chef Dissen, who has...
More FEMA money is headed to WNC, including $7.7 million for Asheville’s municipal golf...
The latest round of federal funding — $29 million — is on its way from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Western North Carolina to reimburse cities, towns and state agencies for Hurricane Helene recovery projects. The biggest portion of the funds, $7.7 million dollars, is going toward...
These 2 NC cities in top 10 places to live in the U.S. Here’s...
North Carolina is home to two of the country's best cities to live in, according to U.S. News & World Report's yearly rankings for 2025-2026. U.S. News ranked a total of 250 major U.S. cities for quality of life (26%), value (25%), desirability (24%), job market (23%) and net migration (2%). According to this year's...
Former Buncombe Co. inmate’s release not accidental: BCSO
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – The Buncombe County and Transylvania County Sheriff’s Offices announced that, following their investigation, Corey Howell was not an accidentally released inmate. On November 30, Howell, an inmate at the Buncombe County Detention Center, was released from the facility. At the time,...
Carolina Moment: Marshall farrier also channels her art through painting, tattoos
MARSHALL, N.C. (WLOS) — Out in the quiet countryside of Marshall, farrier Grace Washinger was recently working on trimming horse’s hooves when we caught up with her for this week's Carolina Moment. Not a common trade, a farrier is a craftsman who trims and shoes horses' hooves. “Today...
Man arrested after deputy injured during welfare check in WNC, officials say
MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reports a man was arrested during a welfare check, where a deputy was injured during a fight in November. Deputies said 39-year-old Larry Lee Walker was found at a residence in Glenwood in violation of his domestic violence...
Town Addresses Permit and Safety Concerns at Black Mountain Brewing’s Broadway Street Location
On December 3, 2025, the Town of Black Mountain released a public statement about the permitting and safety compliance of the covered deck at Black Mountain Brewing, located at 131 Broadway Street. The Town stated it aims to enforce state building and fire-safety regulations fairly and transparently. In response to...
Local Radio Show Highlights Efforts to Address Homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County
The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show, What’s Up AVL!, recently featured Sydney Monshaw, the Homeless Strategy Specialist. Monshaw spoke with host Sam Parada about the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC). The CoC is a group that works to address homelessness in Asheville and Buncombe County.
