MANNA FoodBank – Hosting a Free Holiday Food Distribution Dec. 18 at WNC Ag Center for up to 1,000 families; boxes include produce, meat, eggs, and pantry staples. RSVP + details: https://MannaFoodBank.org/HolidayFood
AdventHealth – Welcomes Beth Mitchell, PA-C to Southeastern Orthopedics & Spine at Haywood. Also, AdventHealth Hendersonville has earned the Pathway to Excellence® designation, a national recognition that highlights how nurses are supported and empowered.
Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority – Approved a total investment of $92,000 for local cultural events and festivals in 2026. Twenty-six community festivals and cultural events will receive investment through the annual Festivals & Cultural Events Support Fund this cycle. BCTDA also offers sponsorships for events and special projects that demonstrate an ability to enhance Buncombe County’s sense of place and cultural heritage. Sponsorship requests are reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more
Asheville Humane Society – Seeking 2026 Calendar Sponsors ($1,000/month) supporting medical care and shelter programs.
Mountain Bizworks – Partnering with 80 locally owned McDonald’s across Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro and Spartanburg. Get a WNC Strong koozie for $5 and get your drink free with every dollar going to Mountain Bizworks to support long-term small business recovery.
AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina + MANNA FoodBank – Announce $5 million multi-year investment to expand MANNA’s Essential Foods Program, boosting access to nutritious foods and strengthening local agricultural networks.
Mission – Verified by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a Level I trauma center, the highest recognition for trauma services in the United States – making Mission the only ACS-verified Level I trauma center to serve WNC.
The Hop Ice Cream – Holiday Ice Cream Yule Logs and new Best Sellers Box now available for pre-order through Dec. 16; pickup at The Hop Creamery.
Order: https://hopicecreamnc.square.site/
All Day Darling – Holiday bakery pre-orders open (Stollen, GF Chocolate Cream Pie); pickup Dec. 24.
Info + photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j3Hr7JY-WuoDYuYG6M_KR0icqjr0r2-M
Wortham Center – The Slocan Ramblers perform Jan. 16, 2026.
Tickets: https://www.worthamarts.org/events/the-slocan-ramblers/
Fitz and the Wolfe – Launch The Cool Yule Club, a retro holiday pop-up at The Palm Room with themed cocktails and live music (Fri/Sat through Dec. 27).
Buncombe County Commissioners – Approve engineering contract for Grovemont landslide mitigation (FEMA-funded); end Commercial Hauler Rebate Program; update Affordable Housing Services Program guidelines; adjust longevity compensation policy for new hires effective Jan. 1, 2026.
City of Asheville – Traffic changes begin at McDowell St. & Southside Ave. as part of Greenway Connector construction; slip lanes removed and pedestrian safety upgrades underway. Info: https://publicinput.com/greenwayconnector
Buncombe County – Awarded $979,000 for Swannanoa sidewalk repairs/expansion via NC Commerce’s SmBIZ program; additional infrastructure awards benefitting ADA ramps, brick sidewalks, curbing and stormwater improvements across Biltmore Village and Black Mountain.
Asheville City Council – Names DK Wesley the new City Manager (effective Jan. 12, 2026).
More: https://t.e2ma.net/click/b3gaweb/7n6ozq/7vgiz5q
APD – Jackie Stepp appointed Interim Police Chief.
Info: https://t.e2ma.net/click/b3gaweb/7n6ozq/j9iiz5q
City of Asheville – 2025 Bicycle + Pedestrian Count & Greenway User Survey findings released.
Report: https://t.e2ma.net/click/b3gaweb/7n6ozq/vmliz5q
City of Asheville – Public input open for French Broad & Azalea Riverfront Recovery Projects; Open House Dec. 10.
Info: https://t.e2ma.net/click/b3gaweb/7n6ozq/7zniz5q
Swannanoa Small Area Plan – Design workshop materials now available; virtual engagement open through Dec. 25.
Plan: https://engage.buncombecounty.org/swannanoasmallarea