Friday, June 19: Drowning at Hooker Falls + Ineligible for Grants + Weaverville Pickleball Complex

Friday, June 19: Drowning at Hooker Falls + Ineligible for Grants + Weaverville Pickleball Complex

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Juvenile drowned at Hooker Falls in Dupont State Recreational Forest [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/18/two-drownings-western-north-carolina-dupont-state-forest-lake-james/90603325007/] * Asheville grant program has eligibility issues impacting storm-affected businesses [https://wlos.com/news/local/some-businesses-ineligible-asheville-recovers-together-small-business-grant-program-eligibility-requirements-14-million-dollars-application-helene-funding] * IPEX responds to press inquiry, but still no contact with MountainTrue [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/madison/2026/06/18/ipex-dedicated-to-debris-cleanup-french-broad-river-mountaintrue-tropical-storm-helene-asheville/90589964007/] * Hickory Nut Gorge residents cope with ongoing recovery challenges [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-06-16/a-hard-rain-reveals-the-slow-road-to-recovery-in-hickory-nut-gorge] * Weaverville warehouse to become 12-court pickleball facility [https://wlos.com/news/local/weaverville-indoor-pickleball-facility-ballcrank-arcade-fairgrounds-reems-creek-road-former-balcrank-corporation-food-business-vendors-lease]

Thursday, June 18: Costco Talks Continue + Buncombe Bonds on Ballot + AVL Data Center Moratorium?

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Discussions resume for Asheville's first Costco store as city highlights affordability [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/17/costco-asheville-store-considered-again/90590094007/] * Buncombe County plans $70 million bond referendum for housing and open space [https://mountainx.com/news/local-government/buncombe-approves-resolution-for-special-bond-referendum-to-appear-on-2026-ballot/] * Asheville considers one-year moratorium on data centers due to potential impacts [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2026/06/17/asheville-data-center-proposal/90575282007/] * General Assembly could limit how Buncombe County spends tourism dollars [https://www.bpr.org/growth-development/2026-06-16/a-bill-making-its-way-through-the-general-assembly-could-limit-how-buncombe-county-spends-tourism-dollars] * Family seeks answers after missing Asheville woman found dead [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-family-seeks-answers-after-missing-asheville-woman-found-dead/]

Wednesday, June 17: Third Pisgah View Overdose + Regional James Beard Winner + Post-Helene Rebuilds

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Missing woman found dead of suspected overdose, the third this year at Pisgah View [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/16/missing-woman-found-dead-in-asheville-housing-authority-apartment/90560456007/] * Leicester's Taylor Montgomery wins James Beard Award for Southeast's Best Chef [https://ashevegashotsheet.substack.com/p/taylor-montgomery-wins-james-beard-award-leicester?utm_campaign=email-post&r=1maju&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email] * Asheville restaurant workers discuss sustainable careers in the food industry [https://mountainx.com/food/food-news/asheville-restaurant-workers-owners-speak-on-sustaining-careers-in-the-industry/] * Community feedback shapes flood-conscious redesign for Blannahassett Island in Marshall [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/madison/2026/06/16/marshall-nc-island-redesign-proposals-flood-conscious-after-helene/90562437007/] * Why hasn't Carrier Park been fully repaired after Helene? [https://wlos.com/news/ask-13/carrier-park-not-fully-repaired-after-hurricane-helene-tropical-storm-asheville-north-carolina-wnc-ask-13-repairs-closed-recreation-area-debris-flood-recovery-project-city]

Tuesday, June 16: Public Input on New Chief + UNCA South Campus Woods + Food Scarcity

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Asheville seeks public input in search for new police chief [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/15/asheville-hiring-police-chief/90521361007/] * UNCA committee favors developing South Campus amid transparency concerns [https://mountainx.com/news/environment/unca-committee-leans-toward-south-campus-development-as-transparency-concerns-persist/] * Buncombe County faces potential tax hikes due to NC appraisal bill [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2026/06/15/nc-property-appraisal-bill-tax-rate-hikes-buncombe/90505210007/] * Bounty & Soul expands free food distribution amid 300% increase in need [https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-bounty-soul-expands-free-food-distribution-amid-300-increase-in-need/] * Asheville's evolution from tuberculosis haven to modern wellness mecca [https://www.theassemblync.com/news/health/asheville-tuberculosis-health-mountain/]

Monday, June 15: Parking vs. Housing + Turning Guns into Art + Rebuilding More Than Structures

Today's Asheville newscast includes these stories: * Call to eliminate minimum parking requirements in Asheville to boost housing [https://avlwatchdog.org/with-39-of-downtown-real-estate-devoted-to-surface-spaces-for-cars-advocates-say-its-time-to-junk-ashevilles-minimum-parking-requirements/] * Governor Stein updates Helene funding request with focus on recovery gaps [https://www.bpr.org/helene-recovery/2026-06-11/in-updated-helene-funding-request-gov-stein-cuts-back-focuses-on-significant-gaps] * Asheville nonprofit transforms unwanted guns into art during gun violence awareness month [https://828newsnow.com/news/rawtools-an-asheville-gun-disposal-nonprofit-will-hold-an-event-later-this-month-for-residents-who-wish-to-anonymously-recycle-firearms/] * Opinion: As surely as natural disasters will recur, we need tools for rebuilding our people [https://mountainx.com/opinion/commentary/just-as-surely-as-natural-disasters-will-recur-we-need-tools-for-rebuilding-our-people/] * Juneteenth celebration events in Asheville this week [https://www.ashevillenc.gov/news/local-mlk-association-and-city-of-asheville-announce-2026-juneteenth-celebration-events-june-16-20/]