Deadline extended for housing recovery program in western North Carolina
MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The deadline for the post-Helene Housing Recovery Program has been extended. McDowell County Emergency Management announced Monday morning that the deadline has been extended to Jan. 31, 2026. This would give homeowners in western North Carolina an additional month to submit an...
Near-record warmth forecast across Asheville area
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Those hoping for a white Christmas in Western North Carolina are likely to be disappointed, as unseasonably warm weather is forecast to dominate the holiday period. But, forecasters say winter is far from finished, with signs pointing to a much colder and more active pattern heading...
Protest group funds local hunger relief
A weekend rally organized by Hands off Haywood commenced with the presentation of a $2,500 check to Haywood Christian Ministries in Waynesville, highlighting a direct link between protest activism and local hunger relief. Hands off Haywood organizer Mary Ford told the crowd that demonstrators have faced insults and...
Arrest made in Buncombe County homicide investigation
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) – A man was arrested and charged with murder after a missing man was found dead in Buncombe County earlier this month. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said 21-year-old Johnathan David Paleno, of Cullowhee, was arrested Friday and charged with the murder of Joseph Rose, who was...
‘Not a silver bullet.’ NC dams problematic during Helene, future role unclear.
Shelved plans from '60s for TVA project in NC unlikely to make comeback. Dam failures, costs and ecology will make new dams more rare.
Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle on Spartanburg Highway; no charges filed
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — No charges are being filed after a pedestrian who was reportedly struck by a vehicle in Hendersonville on Wednesday, Dec. 17, died on Saturday, Dec. 20. According to a news release, the Hendersonville Police Department responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at...
NC man sentenced to over 20 years for statutory rape
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) – A North Carolina man was sentenced to serve over 20 years in prison Saturday after pleading guilty to the statutory rape of a family member. The Transylvania County District Attorney’s Office said Eric Randall Mahaffrey, 42, was convicted of five counts of statutory rape and two counts of...
Rising after Helene: local businesses anticipate economic boost as lake refills
LAKE LURE, NC (WLOS) — Residents and business owners in the Lake Lure area are excited about the progress the area is making post-Helene. This comes as the town has started refilling the lake, a major step in the area's recovery following the storm. For residents like Scott Piper,...
Burnsville businesses still struggle post-Helene, welcome last-minute holiday shoppers
BURNSVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Burnsville shop owners in these final days leading up to Christmas invite anyone in need of a last-minute gift to shop local. On Monday, News 13 saw people shopping and buying coffee drinks at the popular Main Street café called Appalachian Java. However, the owner, Julianna Pittman, said...
Cat Missing After Hurricane Helene Reunited With Family
More than a year after disappearing during Hurricane Helene, a cat has been reunited with its family in what animal advocates are calling a Christmas miracle. Gabby, a family cat who went missing when Hurricane Helene struck the region in September 2024, was recently found and returned to her owners after 443 days....
