Hi there, Asheville! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Davidson J.!
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. New sidewalks, improved accessibility planned for Lexington Avenue in Asheville (wlos.com) — Lexington Avenue between Woodfin and Walnut in downtown Asheville will undergo a six-month sidewalk overhaul starting winter 2027, bringing wider, ADA-compliant walkways, new trees, and upgraded lighting. City officials are coordinating with the Asheville Downtown Improvement District to keep businesses accessible and visible, while shop owners brace for construction impacts on parking and foot traffic.
2. City of Asheville : Ready for any potential weather impacts (ashevillenc.gov) — Asheville officials are already monitoring the season's first hurricane and coordinating with Buncombe County to ensure staff, equipment, and services are ready if the storm affects the city. Residents are urged to sign up for AVL Alerts, review emergency kits, follow official city and National Weather Service updates, and check on neighbors so the community is prepared if conditions change quickly.
3. Conversations on a Bench brings 24-hour homelessness dialogue to Asheville (wlos.com) — Western Carolina Rescue Ministries on Patton Avenue is hosting a 24-hour "Conversations on a Bench" event in Asheville, inviting residents, leaders, and law enforcement to talk openly about homelessness through Friday afternoon. The ministry also offers daily meals, shelter, and support programs that help people rebuild their lives, showing how local volunteers and guests are finding stability and purpose again.
4. Helene made firefighting more dangerous, Asheville department gets new gear (citizen-times.com) — The Asheville Fire Department has secured a $15,000 Duke Energy grant to buy 20 wildfire shelters, adding last-resort protection if a blaze overtakes firefighters. With downed trees from Tropical Storm Helene raising wildfire risks across Western North Carolina, local crews are preparing for harder-to-reach fires while stressing these shelters are only for worst-case scenarios.
5. Answer Man: A 'stinkery' of stink bugs? Plus, good news on I-26 • Asheville Watchdog (avlwatchdog.org) — If you've noticed more stink bugs around Asheville, local experts say populations may be slightly higher but mostly just more visible as they seek warm spots in homes. The column also brings welcome news for south Asheville drivers: newly widened I-26 eastbound lanes between I-40 and Long Shoals Road are opening, promising smoother commutes even as some bridge work continues.
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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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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