Richard Hicks appointed as interim town manager of Black Mountain
BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (WLOS) — The Town of Black Mountain unanimously voted to appoint Richard N. Hicks as interim town manager, the town announced in a Jan. 5 press release. According to the press release, Hicks starts on Jan. 20, which he requested to overlap with the outgoing town manager, Josh Harrold. As News 13...
Kara’s Sights and Bites: 2025 was a great year for cooking, dining and exploring
I can’t enter 2026 without sharing the best food and travel finds that made 2025 one to remember. Besides discovering some true gems on supermarket shelves that I’ll use in ’26, The past year also filled with delicious restaurant meals and amazing travel adventures. Here are a few of my favorites from ’25;
Water line break disrupts service in Old Fort
OLD FORT, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A major water line break near Auria disrupted water service for Old Fort residents Monday afternoon, town officials said. The Town of Old Fort reported the break prompted officials to temporarily shut down all town wells so crews could safely begin repairs. As a result, residents across...
Man pleads guilty to fentanyl and meth trafficking, sentenced to at least 70 months
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — On Monday, Jan. 5, a man was sentenced in Buncombe County Superior Court after pleading guilty to trafficking in opium/heroin and methamphetamine, the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office announced. The DA’s office said Brandon Keith Morris, 30, was sentenced to a mandatory...
Investigation underway into shots fired in downtown Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Asheville Police Department is investigating after a gun was discharged in downtown Asheville. Police say officers patrolling the area heard several gunshots in the Banks Avenue area just after 2 a.m. on Sunday. A search of the area led to the discovery of seven...
Child exploitation investigation in WNC leads to arrest
HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - A man is behind bars after a child exploitation investigation, according to the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said Waynesville resident Toby James Moorefield, 22, was arrested on charges of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and indecent liberties...
Hearing set on whether District Attorney Ted Bell will be removed from office
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — District Attorney Ted Bell, who serves the counties of Rutherford and McDowell, is facing a hearing later this month on whether or not he could be removed from office. If Bell is removed, he will be the first district attorney to be removed in...
Foggy start gives way to mild, sunny week in Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Morning fog reduced visibility on some roads across the Asheville area Monday, but forecasters say the region is headed for a mostly sunny and mild stretch of weather through midweek. The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg warned of low visibility early Monday across...
Town Council Appoints Richard Hicks as Interim Town Manager
Black Mountain Town Council Names Richard N. Hicks as Interim Town Manager. Black Mountain, NC — The Town Council has unanimously voted to appoint Richard N. Hicks as Interim Town Manager for the Town of Black Mountain. Mr. Hicks brings more than four decades of experience in local government...
Opinion: Asheville’s crowded City Council primary field likely indicates dissatisfaction with the status quo
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!. If you didn’t know better, you might think being on Asheville City Council is...
