The Valley Echo

01/07/2025

Zella's Deli, one of many businesses destroyed by Tropical Storm Helene, is staying in Swannanoa, as owners announce plans to move a few doors down. Find out more about the eatery, and why its founders want to be part of the the community's comeback in the story below.

January 7, 2025 - Zella's Deli has announced plans to remain in Swannanoa, where the eatery relocated in April of 2024, after flooding from Tropical Storm Helene damaged its former building. The restaurant will move to the former location of Ledford's Produce

01/05/2025

The surging Warhorses extended their winning streak to six games last night, defeating Mountain Heritage for the first time since 2016. See photos of the 71-64 Owen victory in the link below.

January 5, 2025 - The Owen Warhorses defeated Mountain Heritage, 71-64, at home, Jan. 4. The victory was Owen's first over the defending Western Highlands Conference champions since 2016

12/16/2024

Owen High School JROTC cadets reflected on the service of family members and local veterans last weekend, as the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery hosted a ceremony for Wreaths Across America. Find out more about the event, and how Swannanoa Valley students honored those who served, in the story below.

December 16, 2024 - Wreaths Across America, hosted, Dec. 14, by the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, offered Owen High School JROTC cadets an opportunity to reflect on the service of local veterans

12/13/2024

Deck the Trees, an annual fundraiser supporting the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund, is underway, with 27 trees in the Monte Vista Hotel and 24 displayed at participating businesses in the area. Find out more about the campaign, which is bringing warmth and comfort in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, and view photos of each entry in the link below.

Annual heating assistance fundraiser illuminates glimmer of light in the darkness Fred McCormick The Valley Echo December 13, 2024

12/11/2024

Led by double-digit scoring efforts from each of their starting five players, the Warhorses ran away with a 76-67 victory last night in their home opener against North Buncombe. See photos of the action in the gallery below.

December 11, 2024 - Owen defeated North Buncombe, 76-67, as the Warhorses opened their 2024 home basketball season, Dec. 10. Five Owen players finished with double-digit scoring efforts

12/10/2024

An overt BMPD overwatch team utilized for the Black Mountain Christmas Parade was intended to enhance security for the annual event, according to Chief Steve Parker. Find out more in the story below.

December 10, 2024 - Black Mountain Police Department deploys overt sniper team for enhanced security, Dec. 7, as the town hosted its annual Christmas parade in downtown

12/08/2024

The holiday season kicked off in Black Mountain this weekend, as the annual Christmas parade made its way down State Street. See photos of the annual tradition in the gallery below.

December 7, 2024 - The Black Mountain Christmas Parade, hosted by the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, returned, Dec. 7, to downtown Black Mountain

12/05/2024

Students and teachers at W.D. Williams Elementary School were treated to a holiday celebration by the Carolina Panthers, The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation and Coca-Cola Consolidated yesterday, as the Sixth Annual Joy to the Carolinas came to Swannanoa. See photos of the event, which included appearances by former players, cheerleaders and gifts, in the gallery below.

December 5, 2024 - The Carolina Panthers, David and Nicole Tepper Foundation and Coca-Cola Consolidated partnered to bring the Sixth Annual Joy to the Carolinas to students and staff at W.D. Williams Elementary School in Swannanoa, on Dec. 4

11/27/2024

A historic Black Mountain building is once again welcoming guests, as Foothills Meats launches its Skillet pop-up concept. Find out more about the new restaurant, Hell or High Water, which will debut next spring, in the story below.

November 26, 2024 - Foothills Meats has launched Skillet, a pop-up dining concept in the historic Black Mountain Ice House. The new restaurant, Hell or High Water, will debut its elevated menu in spring of 2025

11/25/2024

Three new baseball and softball fields at Veterans Park were unveiled yesterday, as Operation Love and Hope hosted local residents for a celebratory Thanksgiving meal. Find out more about the project, which allows Swannanoa Valley youth to compete next spring, after Tropical Storm Helene destroyed much of the athletic facility, in the story below.

November 25, 2024 - Operation Love and Hope unveils three new baseball fields at Veterans Park in Black Mountain, where severe flooding from Tropical Storm Helene destroyed the athletic facility. The project featured a team of professional sports managers

11/19/2024

Following devastating flooding in its hometown of Old Fort, Abbiocco Pizzeria is moving up the mountain to the Swannanoa Valley. Find out more about the new resident mobile kitchen bringing wood-fired pizza to Peri Social House in the story below.

November 19, 2024 - Abbiocco Pizzeria relocates to Peri Social House in Black Mountain, following severe flooding in Old Fort from Tropical Storm Helene

11/18/2024

A Boil Water Notice by the Town of Black Mountain was lifted, Nov. 18, restoring full water service to customers for the first time since Tropical Storm Helene. Read more about the announcement in the story below.

November 18, 2024 - The Town of Black Mountain lifted a Boil Water Notice, Nov. 18, restoring full water service to customers for the first time since Tropical Storm Helen

11/16/2024

A favorite local restaurant in Black Mountain re-opened in a new location last week, as Ole's Guacamoles debuted its temporary location on West State Street. Find out more about the eatery's plans, after Tropical Storm Helene destroyed two of its locations, in the story below.

Black Mountain restaurant relocates to West State Street Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 16, 2024

11/14/2024

Local holiday traditions will return this December, as the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce brings Holly Jolly and the Black Mountain Christmas Parade to downtown. Find out more about how organizers are planning to bring the Swannanoa Valley together in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene in the story below.

November 14, 2024 - Holly Jolly, the Black Mountain Christmas Parade and Deck the Trees will return to the Swannanoa Valley, Dec. 5, 6 and 7

11/12/2024

The White Horse Community Fund, a storm recovery campaign launched by the music venue to support Swannanoa Valley nonprofit organizations working to assist locals in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, dispersed its initial round of funding last week. Find out more about the initiative, which is raising $400,000 for Bounty & Soul, Hammer & Heart, the Black Mountain Counseling Center and the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, in the story below.

November 10, 2024 - The White Horse Community Fund distributed nearly $100,000, Nov. 6, in support of Bounty & Soul, Hammer & Heart, the Black Mountain Counseling Center and the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry.

11/11/2024

A procession of active military members, veterans, first responders and community organizations celebrated the men and women who have served their country with the Black Mountain Salutes WNC Veterans Day Parade. The event, which included local resident and WWII veteran Art Lindsay, began at the Black Mountain Primary School and ended at North Dougherty Street.

11/10/2024

The Warhorses opened the 2024 NCHSAA 2A State Soccer Playoffs last night with a strong 8-1 victory over Madison in the first round. See photos of the action, before Owen returns home next week to host Newton-Conover, in the story and gallery below.

November 10, 2024 - The Owen Warhorses defeated fellow Western Highlands Conference competitor, Madison, 8-1, Nov. 9, in the opening round of the 2024 NCHSAA 2A State Soccer Playoffs

11/06/2024

Three incumbents will return to the Black Mountain Town Council for second terms, following yesterday’s election, while one unopposed candidate will fulfill the remaining two years of another term. Find out more about the winning candidates in the story below.

November 6, 2024 - Three Black Mountain Town Council incumbents retain their seats, following the Nov. 5, 2024 Buncombe County General Election, while an unopposed candidate will fulfill a two-year term