ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Here’s a look at the top news stories from 828newsNOW this past week.
‘We’re not going back’ VP hopeful Tim Walz campaigns in Asheville: Spirits were high despite the rain as vice president hopeful Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota joined a crowd of lively supporters on Tuesday at Salvage Station in Asheville. READ MORE
Cherokee name restored to highest peak in the Smokies: Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced Wednesday the U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted in favor of changing the name of Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, which is the Cherokee name for the sacred mountain and translates to “mulberry place.” READ MORE
Veterans Healing Farm finds a home in Mills River: Al Yeck, the Veterans Healing Farm’s executive director, posted on Facebook Wednesday night that “after nine months of searching, we have found our own property! We are home!” READ MORE
Spirit Halloween returns to terrorize Tunnel Road: Spirit Halloween, which possesses gutted department stores like a playful poltergeist, filling its aisles with Halloween costumes, decor and elaborate animatronics, then evaporating come November, is officially open for business in Asheville. READ MORE
Fall in the 828: Celebrating the season with fun, food and drink: Whether you’re a local or just visiting, our 828 fall guide is your local resource for making the most of fall in Asheville. READ MORE
NC GOP governor nominee vows to keep running after explicit report: North Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson vowed Thursday to remain in the race despite a CNN report that he posted strongly worded racial and sexual comments on an online message board, saying he won’t be forced out by “salacious tabloid lies.” READ MORE
New dates set for mailing out N.C. absentee ballots: After more than a week of uncertainty, new dates have finally been set for sending out North Carolina’s absentee ballots. The delays in sending out absentee ballots started when Democrat-turned Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dropped out of the presidential race in late August and endorsed former President Donald Trump. READ MORE
Traffic Alert: Multi-vehicle wreck shuts down part of I-26: A “severe multi-vehicle” wreck on the Green River Bridge on Interstate 26 in Henderson County closed part of the roadway for many hours Wednesday. READ MORE
Commission recap: Shelter beds and Enka rec project get boosts: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted to add millions of dollars to help a local recreation project and homeless shelters. READ MORE
National Hunting and Fishing Day events planned in Clyde: In commemoration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, exhibitions, vendors, food trucks and a youth fishing competition will take place in Clyde. The family-friendly event will be hosted on the campus of Haywood Community College (185 Freedlander Drive) from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. READ MORE
Buncombe County commissioners fire property assessor Miller: Buncombe County Property Assessor Keith Miller was relieved of his duties Tuesday because of “unacceptable personal conduct.” READ MORE
Lowe to take over as CEO of Mission Hospital: Mission Hospital is set to get a new CEO. HCA North Carolina Division President Greg Lowe told hospital staff in an email that he would be replacing Chad Patrick as head of the facility. READ MORE
Grimes, Hill receive The Order of the Long Leaf Pine: For years, when Western North Carolina residents turned on the local news, it was Darcel Grimes who told them what was happening in the world around them. On Tuesday, Grimes and Chief District Court Judge Calvin Hill received North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. READ MORE
Armed robber makes off with cash from Asheville convenience store: Police say surveillance video showed a woman brandishing a handgun enter a convenience store on Swannanoa River Road on Tuesday night. The suspect then pointed to the clerk to lay on the ground. She took the clerk’s cell phone, walked behind the counter and demanded the cash register be opened. The suspect then left the store with cash, stepped into a white SUV and started traveling east on Swannanoa River Road. READ MORE
Remnants of Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 bring rain to WNC: The remnants of what was Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 linger over the region in the early part of the week, producing scattered showers across the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia. READ MORE
Construction begins on Swannanoa River Greenway: This segment of the Swannanoa River Greenway will be a paved pathway that spans about a mile, connecting to an existing paved path at Riverbend Park and continuing west along the southern banks of the Swannanoa River underneath Interstate 240 and Tunnel Road before ending at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Thompson Street. READ MORE
Changes in place for 2024-2025 deer hunting season in WNC: New rules adopted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission have shifted the timing of the western zone black-powder and gun seasons and increased antlerless hunting opportunities in many western zone counties. READ MORE
Take your own ghost tour: Haunted places in the Asheville area: With a rich history dating back to the 1700s, it’s no surprise Asheville has its share of haunted locations. If you’re looking to explore the darker side of the city, here’s a list of some of the most haunted places that are sure to give you chills. READ MORE
Asheville woman pleads guilty to child exploitation charge: The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office said 31-year-old Lynette Lydia Rivera pleaded guilty to felony first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and was sentenced to serve an active prison term of 44-113 months in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Corrections. READ MORE
Fines being considered against contractor after I-40 delays: Monday morning’s traffic headache in Asheville could be consequential for the contractor responsible for the delays. A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Transportation said DBA Harrison Construction Company of Asheville “was unable to complete work on I-40 East between I-26 and Hendersonville Road over the weekend before the Monday morning deadline.” The delay snarled traffic for hours. READ MORE
Saying goodbye to summer: End of summer products you need: As we gear up for fall, it’s the perfect time to grab a few end-of-summer must-haves to help ease the transition into a new season. READ MORE
Pawpaw ice cream to return to The Hop: Pawpaw ice cream will return to The Hop’s four Asheville locations on Otc. 11. READ MORE
Favorite places to buy pumpkins in WNC: Whether you’re looking to carve the perfect jack-o’-lantern, decorate your home or whip up some homemade pumpkin pie, the Asheville area offers plenty of spots to find that ideal pumpkin. READ MORE