Employers face higher living wage threshold in Asheville area
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Just Economics of Western North Carolina announced its 2026 living wage rates and the full resumption of its Living Wage Certification program across the region, including new wage thresholds and updated program rules. In Buncombe County, the 2026 living wage rate will be $24.10 an...
North Carolina school closings and delays for Friday
NORTH CAROLINA — Several western North Carolina school districts will operate on delayed schedules Friday, January 16, 2026, due to icy road conditions affecting parts of the region. Avery County Schools announced a two-hour delay for Friday. School officials said the later start is intended to allow road crews...
Verizon customers report widespread service outage in Asheville area
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Verizon customers across the Asheville area and beyond reported service disruptions Wednesday, with many phones displaying “SOS” instead of normal signal bars. An employee at a Verizon store in Asheville confirmed there was an outage and said it appeared to be companywide. Several...
NCDOT crews prepare for icy roads as WNC residents brace for freezing weather
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina Department of Transportation crews are preparing the roads for freezing temperatures and inclement weather. "Anticipate this event beginning as rain, therefore NCDOT crews will take the reactive approach and once it does turn to snow and ice, then we will begin operations...
Slick roads divide Asheville area as snow moves in
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Blowing snow and slick roads created hazardous driving conditions across parts of the Asheville area early Thursday, with markedly different conditions reported on either side of the French Broad River. Bowen Bridge appeared to be a dividing line for road conditions. Drivers traveling...
2 plead guilty to large-scale drug trafficking in Buncombe County
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office two people pled guilty to large-scale narcotics trafficking. Officials said the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office assisted federal probation officers in a search Daniel Alfaro and his residence. Investigators found 28 grams of...
Flat Rock restaurant Hubbaloo to permanently close this weekend
The Flat Rock restaurant Hubbaloo is set to close, it announced in a Jan. 13 Facebook post. The last day of service will be Jan. 17, owner Starr Teel said in a statement on the restaurant’s website. “This choice was not made lightly. Our long-term commitment to this property and to our beloved Flat Rock community...
Fairview drivers warned of reduced bridge weight limits
FAIRVIEW, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Several bridges in the Fairview area have new or reduced weight limits, prompting warnings for heavy trucks and changes to emergency response routes, according to the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department. The North Carolina Department of Transportation posted updated weight limit signs on...
Whimsical trolls take up residence at North Carolina Arboretum
(INGLES OPEN ROAD) – We visited the North Carolina Arboretum on the very first episode of the Ingles Open Road. We returned a couple years later to experience their Winter Lights. And today we’re back… in search of trolls. Yes, trolls. That’s because this winter the Arboretum...
‘Sewer Kitty’ discovered under downtown Asheville storm drain
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Two downtown Asheville workers were taken aback when they heard meowing coming from a nearby sewer grate. Upon closer inspection, the duo discovered a small, grey cat beneath a Battery Park Avenue storm drain. UPDATE: 10:37 a.m., Jan. 15, 2026. Rick Rice, Asheville Police Department...
