Writers, animal lovers, pizza enthusiasts and so much more—here are the people behind 828newsNOW.
Dee Pridgen
828newsNOW News Editor Dee Pridgen thrives on making sense out of the chaos of a newsroom. She is a graduate of Troy University’s Hall School of Journalism and has more than 35 years’ experience as a reporter and writer for newspapers across the Southeast and TV station WLOS in Asheville.
Hometown: Born in Hollywood, FL. Raised in Opp, AL.
Local Favorites: The changing seasons and curvy backroads are a constant draw for Dee, who has called Asheville home for about 26 years. When not out and about, she enjoys reading, writing, painting and going to estate sales.
Connect with Dee: denise@828newsNOW.com
Pruett Norris
Pruett serves as the primary arts, events and lifestyle reporter for 828newsNOW. He loves tracking down the kooky and creative, be they people, festivals or pieces of art.
Hometown: Asheville, NC
Local Favorites: Pruett oscillates between doing the Haywood Road gamut in West Asheville (BattleCat coffee to Whist to Morgan’s Comics to Standard Pizza Co. to Dobra Tea to Orbit DVD) and hanging out around Foundation in the River Arts District. He and his movie club, the PP Club, are frequent visitors to many of the theaters around town. In his free time, he enjoys going to libraries, roller-skating at Carrier Park, and eating at Asheville’s many pizza places.
Connect with Pruett: pruett@828newsNOW.com
Jacob Vander-Weide
As a reporter for 828newsNOW, Jacob focuses on interesting people and local news. His weekly series, Tombstone Tales, introduces you to people who have left marks on this special place we call home.
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Local Favorites: Going to Rocky’s Hot Chicken with college friends.
Connect with Jacob: JVander-Weide@ashevillemediagroup.com