Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Where Buncombe’s first countywide sidewalk plan could change your daily walk

Also, don't miss Golden Folk Sessions on the Asheville Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
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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:

  • Where Buncombe's first countywide sidewalk plan could change your daily walk
  • What deputies say they found inside this Asheville motel room raid
  • What the new Asheville veterans housing project will offer homeless vets

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
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Sunny much of the time, with a high of 87 and low of 62 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A couple of heavy t-storms, temps: high: 84, low: 64.
  • Friday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 82 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

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.
   

📸 Around Asheville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Asheville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE: REUNITED AFTER 13 days!!
    Last night at midnight after checking the cat trap one last time and looking around with flashlights like we do nightly we went home to call it a… (Nextdoor Camelot)
  • I moved into my house 6 years ago.
    I've done some minor improvements but the interior is that uniform, builder-white/gray and it's starting to drive me crazy. I'd like to customize it… (Nextdoor Kenilworth)
  • Earth Fare posted a job opening for Assistant Executive Housekeeper in Asheville. Apply here.
  • 360clean posted a job opening for Cleaning Technician Part-Time (M-W-F) in Asheville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Asheville here.

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!

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