Mountain Xpress

French Broad Paddle Trail gets upgrades for summer river recreation season Press release from Mountain True: As summer heats up, there are new ways to access and enjoy the French Broad River in Transylvania and Henderson counties thanks to MountainTrue and its partners.

Nurses, physicians, former patients and other community members filled the pews at First Congregational United Church of Christ (FCUCC) on June 29 to share their experiences and reflect on what they described as worsening conditions at Mission Hospital under HCA Healthcare’s ownership.

Heritage Fire returns to Asheville this month for a weekend of elevated food and beverage experiences. The live-fire culinary celebration is a production of Tours by a21 and part of the Heritage Fire & Whiskies of the World Tour, a 13-city festival series with stops across the United States and Europe. The events kick off Friday, July 17, 6-9:30 p.m. with the Heritage Fire Dinner Series, hosted at La Bodega by Cúrate by chefs Angel Palacios and Brett Suess.

Air Quality Forecast for Tuesday, July 7 – yellow and green Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Tuesday, July 7, 2026, is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. For the ridge tops, it is a code GREEN air quality forecast day. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.

BCSO Request for Information: breaking & entering Press release from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: Canary Court Breaking & Entering Request for Information. Buncombe County, NC (July 7, 2026) Detectives with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a breaking and entering that happened at 31 Canary Court near the Emma Community around 4:00 a.m. July 2nd. The suspects were seen on surveillance video here. The suspects may have left the area in a Subaru.

Buncombe County Commissioners- Special Meeting- July 14 Press release from Buncombe County: AMENDED NOTICE (7/7/26) is hereby given that the Buncombe County Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on July 14 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, located on the 3rd floor at 200 College St. for the following reasons: To amend the FY27 Budget. Please note that materials will be posted on Friday, July 10 and public comment will be held prior to Board action.

Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Update: Riceville Homicide Investigation News release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: The victim has been identified as 51-year-old Jimmy Lamar Long, Jr. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with the Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office on an arson investigation. This is an active criminal investigation, and we are not able to share additional information regarding the cause of death right now. We will continue to provide updates.

Press release from Buncombe County: NOTICE is hereby given that the Buncombe County Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on July 14 at 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, located on the 3rd floor at 200 College St. to amend the FY27 Budget.

Air Quality Forecast for Monday, July 6 — Yellow and Green Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Monday, July 6, 2026, is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. For the ridge tops, it is a code GREEN air quality forecast day. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.

Buncombe County 250 expands Beyond The Liberty Tree to private property owners Press release from America 250 NC Buncombe County Committee: Asheville, NC— The America 250 NC Buncombe County Committee (Buncombe County 250) expands its Beyond The Liberty Tree initiative through the launch of the Beyond The Liberty Tree- Family Edition, inviting families across North Carolina to take part in the living legacy of the Liberty Tree through commemorative tree plantings on eligible privately owned...