Mountain Xpress

10/31/2024

Downtown Asheville is hosting a Halloween Block Party tonight, 4-7 p.m. Throughout the district, local businesses will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. are already out delivering goods.

Parking remains free in all city garages and on-street parking spaces.

10/29/2024

The impact of Tropical Storm Helene on Western North Carolina has been devastating. But in our latest monthly comedy feature, Best Medicine, four local comedians take a swing at finding humor amid this ongoing tragedy. Oh, and they also talk plenty about Halloween — ’tis the spooky season. Featured on the cover, starting left, Eric Brown, Nora Tramm and Marlene Thompson. Comedian Tim Hearn, who also contributed to this month’s feature, arrived to the photo shoot dressed as a ghost, which is why it appears as if he is missing from the cover. But we assure you — he is there. 😉

10/22/2024

Tonight's Candlelight Vigil -- a powerful community experience and gathering.

10/22/2024

Be sure to grab our latest issue.

10/17/2024

Early voting is underway. Grab our Voter Guide or visit mountainx.com for more on local candidates and the times and locations for early voting sites.

10/16/2024

Early voting begins tomorrow. Be sure to grab our Voter Guide to learn more about all the local candidates running for office. The guide is also available on our website.

10/16/2024

With early voting starting tomorrow, we want to make sure folks are aware that our Voter Guide is available both in print and online. Stay safe, everyone.

In-person voting starts Thursday, Oct. 17. The N.C. State Board of Elections (NCSBE) approved emergency measures at a meeting Oct. 7 to "ensure election officials can provide accessible, safe and secure voting options for residents of Western North Carolina," according to a news release.

10/15/2024

Our latest issue -- which includes our Voter Guide, Part 2 -- has arrived. When you can, grab a copy and read up on local candidates.

We've also got a great cover story from reporter Pat Moran. And plenty of additional news on our community's ongoing recovery efforts.

Stay strong, WNC!

10/14/2024

Nondrinkable water has found its way to downtown Asheville.

Below is a press release from :


The North Fork water treatment plant in Black Mountain continues to feed highly chlorinated water into the City of Asheville’s water distribution system. 

Water service has begun to return to areas west of Swannanoa, including Haw Creek and parts of Fairview. Preparations have been completed to begin sending water to the Fairview area and to the higher elevation areas of South Asheville that do not have water. Preparations are also in place to begin sending water to downtown and north Asheville.

It is extremely important to note: The water is NOT SAFE to drink straight out of the tap. If you get your water from Mills River, you are under a Boil Water Advisory. If you get your water from North Fork, you are under a Boil Water Notice. In each case, water intended for consumption (drinking, cooking and brushing teeth) should be boiled vigorously for at least one minute beforehand.

As water begins to return, Water Resources staff are turning on pump stations to begin to help move water into higher elevation areas. Service restoration will continue slowly and incrementally, moving in a generally westward direction. 

As the system pressurizes, new water line breaks that were previously unknown will be found. Water Resources crews and our utility partners will be on standby to make these repairs as they are discovered. To report line breaks, call Water Resources Customer Service at 828-251-1122.

What to do before water service returns:

Flip off the breaker to your water heater. 

Turn off water to your water heater. 

Turn off hot water under your sinks. 

Remove aerator (it typically unscrews) on faucets. 

Turn off the ice maker.

Turn off water to your whole house filter, if you have one.

What to do when your water service returns:

Flush your home plumbing by running the bathtub’s cold water faucet.

Your water heater may be turned back on once your home’s plumbing has been flushed.

It’s safe to flush your toilet after completing steps 1 and 2.

10/09/2024

Courtesy of

10/08/2024

We are so happy and proud to state: Our latest issue has arrived!

10/07/2024

The forum is canceled, but the election is near. We've got our Voter Guide coming out this week. We've also got recovery resources included in this week's issue -- out Wednesday. Hang in there, everyone.

10/06/2024

Yesterday, met with , federal and state leaders to give a briefing on the situation in Asheville. In an Instagram post, the mayor wrote: "I am doing everything I can to get us what we need to rebuild!"

10/04/2024

Various organizations are providing free food to Western North Carolina residents affected by Tropical Storm Helene. This list will be updated as new information comes in.

10/02/2024

As of Wednesday, Oct. 2, noon, some water and food available at .

10/02/2024

Community coming together at . Food distribution site in West Asheville.

10/01/2024

If you spot any of our purple boxes, please do let us know. Thank you, and hang in there, WNC!

10/01/2024

City of Asheville is distributing water at Pack Square Park, 70 Court Plaza, until 7 p.m. or when the supply runs out. You must bring a container for your water.

The city has also added a second location at Asheville Middle School, 211 S. French Broad Ave. The site will be open until dark or when the supply runs out. Cases of bottled water will be available for pickup.  This location is designed for drive-thru pickup in the first bus loop. One case per family is allowed per day.

Buncombe County water and food distribution sites are running again today. You must bring a container for your water. Locations are below:

William W. Estes Elemetary School — 275 Overlook Road, Asheville

Sand Hill Elementary — 154 Sand Hill Schools Road, Asheville (enter via Acton Circle)

North Windy Ridge Intermediate School — 20 Doan Road, Weaverville

Fairview Elementary School — 1355 Charlotte Highway, Fairview

Stay safe and hang in there, everyone!

09/23/2024

Mountain Xpress is hosting an Asheville City Council general election forum Thursday, Oct. 10, at A-B Tech Ferguson Auditorium, 19 Tech Drive, Asheville.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the forum starts at 7 p.m.

Blue Ridge Public Radio will be livestreaming the event.

Hope to see you there!

09/19/2024

Given Roberto “Bo” Hess‘ profession as a licensed clinical social worker, it seems fitting that we convene in his office’s group therapy room. Granted, instead of treatment, this meeting is a one-on-one session for Xpress’ ongoing, limited series, “On the Record,” in which I meet with an individual Asheville City Council candidate, listen to an album of their choosing and discuss the local arts scene.

Continue reading at http://acl.mx/e5r 📝 by .calder

09/19/2024

Three months before a tax appraisal that will affect all property owners in Buncombe County, the Board of Commissioners fired county Tax Assessor R. Keith Miller for what it deemed a conflict of interest for buying a South Carolina condominium with an employee under his supervision.

At a special meeting on Sept. 17, the Board of Commissioners laid out documentation showing that Miller and the employee, who is referred to by the initials R.S. in statements from the county, jointly purchased a condominium in Hilton Head Island, S.C., for $685,000 in June. The employee, who reported directly to Miller, resigned Sept. 11.

The board voted 5-0 to terminate Miller immediately. (Commissioners Martin Moore and Parker Sloan were absent.) Not only does Miller lose his $140,000 salary but also could lose his pension and other benefits from his 28-year career at the county.

Continue reading at http://avl.mx/e5q

09/18/2024

As the second biggest municipality in Buncombe County, the Town of Black Mountain is facing many of the same issues as Asheville and other local communities: growth, tourism, infrastructure, taxes.

Those topics are at top of mind for six candidates, including three incumbents, who are competing for three seats on the Town Council in the Nov. 5 election. One additional candidate is running unopposed in a special election.

Xpress reached out to the candidates in Black Mountain, population of more than 8,500, to ask them why they are running, what their priorities are and why they are the best person for the job.

Continue reading at http://avl.mx/e5o 📝 by Justin McGuire

09/17/2024

A new issue of Mountain Xpress is out! In this issue:

🗳️: A voter guide for Black Mountain Town Council seats

💰: is taking steps to address potential pay inequities after a group of Black women employees raised concerns

⏱️: Ballot reprint to remove RFK Jr. from the presidential race delays mail-in voting

📚: Library Board rejects three book ban requests

✈️: A local 7th grader competed in the Pokémon World Championships

🥃 Rooftop bar and restaurant debuts at

… and much more! Find us in the purple boxes or anytime at mountainx.com. ✌🏼💜

09/17/2024

Like many other Afghans who arrived in the United States after the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021, Farzad had to flee hi home country suddenly.

That fall, he touched down at Asheville Regional Airport, after an initial stint at an American military base. Farzad is a pseudonym to protect him and his family.

“When they said you’re going to Asheville, North Carolina, I thought, ‘OK, when I go over, there is nobody helping,” he tells Xpress during an interview at Pisgah Legal Services (PLS). He continues, “You don’t have money — nothing. It was very hard. When I arrived to the airport, I was confused where I’m going.”

Continue reading at http://avl.mx/e5l 📝 by

09/16/2024

The City of Asheville says it’s taking steps to address potential pay inequities after a group of Black women employees raised concerns over hiring and compensation practices more than a year ago. The women have not been publicly identified.

Continue reading at http://avl.mx/e5k 📝 by Brooke Randle