Good morning Asheville! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Carson Peters and Iron Mountain and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Davidson LeRoy J.!
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Are school supply drives keeping up? United Way helps thousands, but demand remains high (wlos.com) — Thousands of Asheville City and Buncombe County students are starting school with free, fully stocked backpacks from United Way, easing back‑to‑school costs for local families. The drive supplied 2,770 customized bags, saving households an estimated $275,000 and helping kids arrive prepared and confident. Organizers say demand is still high and are already recruiting donors and volunteers for future efforts.
2. 92 new hospital beds up for grabs amid anger at HCA, distrust of state regulators • Asheville Watchdog (avlwatchdog.org) — A packed hearing at A-B Tech in Asheville drew strong public criticism of Mission Hospital and state regulators as four systems compete for 92 new hospital beds in Buncombe County. AdventHealth, Novant, UNC Health and Mission each pitched plans, including a proposed UNCH hospital near downtown Asheville. The outcome could significantly reshape where and how local residents receive care.
3. Trump claims U.S. has control of the Strait of Hormuz. See gas prices in NC (citizen-times.com) — Asheville drivers are now paying about $3.75 per gallon for regular gas, placing the city fifth-highest in North Carolina for fuel prices. The story ties those rising local costs to national trends, including higher crude prices and recent remarks by President Trump about U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz.
4. Biltmore Championship Asheville Unveils Championship Trophy, Highlights Tournament Progress During Media Day (foxcarolina.com) — A PGA TOUR event is officially teeing off near Asheville as organizers unveil the Biltmore Championship Asheville trophy and ramp up preparations for the Sept. 17–20 tournament at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. Expect expanded hospitality venues, an Asheville Beer Hall, plenty of local food and drink, more than 1,100 volunteers, and new grant and charity programs aimed at supporting Western North Carolina nonprofits.
5. Asheville Christian Academy sweeps Asheville High volleyball, 3-0 (citizen-times.com) — Asheville Christian Academy swept Asheville High 3–0 in volleyball on Aug. 19 at Asheville High School, with both teams' players and coaches captured in an extensive photo gallery. If you've got a Cougar or Lion on the court, you'll find plenty of close-up moments from serves, blocks, celebrations, and huddles from this early-season city matchup.
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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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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