Brooke Randle

Moving to a new city can be exhilarating:  an opportunity to reset, explore new interests, meet new people and grow as a person. But being new in town also has its challenges. Leaving behind familiar faces and networks can be disorienting, and making new friends as an adult can be tricky, especially if you are introverted or don’t know where to start. Some communities can feel so tight-knit that they can make newcomers feel as if they don’t quite fit in — at least not at first.

For Asheville native and river enthusiast Jon Stamper, his current role with MountainTrue is deeply personal. In August, the local nonprofit secured $10 million in funding from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to launch its River Debris Cleanup Program.

- by Brooke Randle Explore Asheville booked 477 total groups compared to 415 last year, a 15% increase from FY 2024. - by Brionna Dallara Buncombe County officials met with Swannanoa residents to find out what they want to see in their community as part of the county’s Comprehensive Plan 2030-2050. - by Brionna Dallara A new Ingles is coming to Swannanoa, but it's going to take a couple of years, officials say.