Asheville NC

I have known Blake Butler for over a decade. We worked closely together during the effort to make North Carolina the first state in the nation to pass legislation for industrial hemp. Throughout that process, Blake was one of the key leaders who helped turn what once seemed unlikely into reality.

We stopped in at Pies By Di’ in Horse Shoe for a treat recently and ended up having a great conversation with owner/baker Diana Casteel. She talked about her baking process as well as multiple dietary restrictions her baking addresses. If you’re not familiar, her bakery is totally GF. She also bakes grain-free,...

Billy Strings returned to the stage on Friday night to resume his residency in Asheville, N.C. After setting off the second stop on his Winter Tour with engagements on Tuesday and Wednesday, and unveiling his inaugural Ionia Freak Fair on Thursday, the Strings’ third show at ExploreAsheville.com Arena featured a few...

Set in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum opens the door to one of the most inspiring plant destinations in the Southeast. This remarkable landscape blends carefully designed gardens with wild mountain beauty, creating a place where every path reveals something new. Towering trees,...

North Carolina diners serve up more than just plates of food. They dish out memories, warmth, and flavors that remind folks why comfort food earned its name. From crispy fried chicken to fluffy biscuits swimming in sausage gravy, these local spots honor recipes passed down through generations. North Carolina knows...

Get ready to party like it’s 1776. Volunteers in Buncombe County and other Western North Carolina communities are gearing up for a full year of events to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, officially called the semiquincentennial. Organizers say the commemorations will be as much about...

Asheville, North Carolina – Authorities are investigating a fatal vehicle crash that occurred Monday afternoon at a busy intersection in Asheville. The incident prompted a temporary shutdown of New Leicester Highway as emergency crews responded to the scene and began a preliminary investigation. The crash happened at...

EDITOR’S NOTE: Strangeville explores the curious and unexplained stories that have long defined Asheville and Western North Carolina. The region is full of unanswered questions, from old folklore and local legends to eerie encounters, unsolved moments in history, and the true-crime mysteries that still leave people...

The recent story about the tragic loss of local cyclists from a truck crossing the center line and crashing into a group of cyclists on N.C. 251 made me sad [“Asheville Cyclists, Mourning a Fatal Crash, Push for Federal Bill to Improve Road Safety,” Jan. 20, Blue Ridge Public Radio via Xpress]. I support the efforts...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Mardi Gras will return to downtown Asheville on Sunday, Feb. 15, with a parade and related street closures. Streets along the parade route will close at noon and reopen after cleanup. All on-street parking along the route will be closed Sunday. Towing will be enforced.