13 Foodie-Friendly Towns with Big Flavors and Small Crowds
If you’re a food lover looking to explore hidden gems away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, these towns offer the perfect escape. With a mix of local markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and unique culinary traditions, they provide delicious meals in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re craving...
Fall Color Hunting Near Waynesville & Maggie Valley, NC
Fall Color Hunting Near Waynesville & Maggie Valley, NC – Scenic Drives, Sunset Views & Elk Spotting. Best time to visit for peak color: 3rd week of October. Lake Junaluska – Lakeside path with vibrant reflections. Cataloochee Valley – Historic cabins and elk watching. Waterrock Knob –...
‘Our friends became family’: Marquee returns after Helene
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Nearly a year after Tropical Storm Helene devastated the River Arts District, Marquee Asheville is preparing to reopen its doors — bigger, stronger and more community-focused than ever. The art and vintage marketplace, which sustained severe flood damage in September 2024, will...
Corner Kitchen reopens 10 months after Helene
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — More than 10 months of work have led to the reopening of the local restaurant, Corner Kitchen, in Biltmore Park. Biltmore Village was significantly damaged by Helene with water to the ceiling and muck that filled Corner kitchen. Being located in the village for more...
Police Search for Two Suspects Wanted for Larceny, Ask for Help from Public
Asheville -- August 9, 2025: The public is being asked to help the Asheville Police Department find two people who are sought on open warrants for stealing and other offenses. There are presently five outstanding warrants for shoplifting from retail establishments in South Asheville, including two outstanding...
Vendors and honey enthusiasts gather for the 2025 Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain
Day one of the Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain is in the books. The annual Black Mountain tradition offered an array of local vendors and unique honey, and many shops line the streets. According to the Black Mountain and Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, since 1977, historic Black Mountain has drawn...
North Carolina Shelter Dog Too Sad To Raise Her Head Finds Joy After Hurricane
The shelter is no place for dogs, and that’s something we can all agree on. Sadly, many pups still end up behind those cold walls, and sometimes it feels like there’s no way to stop it. There’s no shortage of heartbreaking stories about dogs surrendered at the end...
Waynesville to remove two advisory board members appointed improperly
The Waynesville Town Council will remove two members from the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment after an investigation by The Smoky Mountain News last month revealed they’d each been appointed to a fourth term in violation of the town’s own term limits policy. According to the consent...
Measles, whooping cough, and immunizations: What you need to know as we head back...
In June 2025, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) confirmed the first case of measles this year in North Carolina. In July, Haywood County first confirmed six active cases of pertussis, commonly called whooping cough, in children and teens, and that number has since increased to 13.
Western NC Charm August-December
WNC -- In western North Carolina, a beautiful and exciting change starts. From the last few days of summer to the bright colors of fall and the cozy, holiday spirit of winter, the months of August through December are a unique mix of seasonal changes. The area's big cities and...
