Greetings Asheville! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Golden Folk Sessions and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Asheville Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Asheville Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Asheville.
1. Buncombe releases sidewalk plans for growing county population (citizen-times.com) — Buncombe County is rolling out its first-ever pedestrian plan, proposing more than 16 miles of new sidewalks in fast-growing areas just outside Asheville's city limits. Projects along Smokey Park Highway, US 70, and other key corridors could tap state and Helene recovery funds, with a final plan and commissioners' vote expected this fall after more public input.
2. 2 arrested in Asheville motel drug bust; 125+ grams of fentanyl, meth seized (wlos.com) — Law enforcement seized fentanyl, meth, cocaine, cash, and firearms during a search at the Rock Haven Motel on Smokey Park Highway in Asheville, leading to multiple trafficking and related charges against two people. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office says the bust followed a broader investigation into a drug trafficking organization involving several local agencies.
3. Rebuilt veterans housing facility breaks ground in Asheville (ncconstructionnews.com) — Construction has begun on a rebuilt Veterans Restoration Quarters near the Asheville VA Medical Center, restoring a key housing and support hub for homeless veterans after Hurricane Helene damage. The new, purpose-built facility will offer short-term housing plus on-site services through a long-running partnership between ABCCM and the VA, helping veterans stabilize and move into permanent homes.
4. WNC businesses get more time to repay Helene loans (citizen-times.com) — Small businesses across Western North Carolina, including many tied to Asheville's tourism economy, will get six extra months of interest-only payments on Tropical Storm Helene recovery loans. Mountain BizWorks says most surveyed businesses still haven't returned to pre-storm revenue, making the extended 1% terms a crucial lifeline while tourism spending in Buncombe County remains slightly down.
5. Global finance leaders to descend on Asheville for G20 summit • Asheville Watchdog (avlwatchdog.org) — World finance leaders will be in Asheville Aug. 29–Sept. 1 for back-to-back G20 finance meetings, bringing hundreds of delegates and up to $2 million in local spending but also major security and traffic disruptions. The summit spotlights Asheville's uneven recovery from Tropical Storm Helene and an intense political fight over how much federal disaster aid has actually reached Buncombe County and local businesses.
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
Ok Asheville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Asheville Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.