Latest news with #AshevilleCitizenTimes
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Commissioner Martin Moore launches campaign for Buncombe County district attorney
ASHEVILLE – Buncombe County Commissioner Martin Moore has launched a bid to become the county's next district attorney, a role currently held by Todd Williams, a fellow Democrat who has said he would prefer not to run for reelection. Moore, a former public defender and now attorney and mediator in private practice, made the announcement in a July 29 news release. 'If elected D.A., my emphasis will be on prosecuting cases of domestic violence and criminal cases involving gun crimes,' Moore said in the release. 'Our community is most severely impacted by these types of violent crimes and the court calendar will reflect these priorities under my leadership.' Moore added that misdemeanor cannabis charges would be his office's 'lowest priority.' Moore, 37, was elected to a four-year term on the County Commission in 2022 and is now the board's vice-chair. He represents District 2. In 2024, Moore ran for a seat on the state's Court of Appeals, losing to Republican Christopher Freeman in the November general election. Williams, 55, was first elected district attorney in 2014 and is currently serving his third term. He said he would not run for reelection should a qualified candidate step forward, the Citizen Times previously reported. Williams told the Citizen Times on July 29 that he believes Moore to be qualified for the post but said he will not make a final decision on running for a fourth term until closer to the end of the official candidate filing period, which is in December. Still, Moore, a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC School of Law, has the backing of several local elected leaders. According to his campaign's July 29 new release, state Reps. Eric Ager, Lindsay Prather and Brian Turner, are all backing Moore, as are state Sen. Julie Mayfield, Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger, former Buncombe County Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, and current commissioners Al Whitesides, Parker Sloan, Drew Ball and Board Chair Amanda Edwards. More: Buncombe County District Attorney announces his "preference" not to run for reelection More: Asheville Citizen Times staff recognized for journalism excellence in Helene coverage Jacob Biba is the Helene recovery reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jbiba@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe County district attorney: Commissioner Moore enters race Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Cracker Barrel locations plan a makeover to regain relevance and boost sales
A longtime staple of Southern-style dining is getting a fresh new look. Could a location near you be up next for a makeover? Cracker Barrel, known for its rocking chairs, gift shop and comfort food, has been modernizing dozens of its restaurants nationwide in an effort to boost sales and appeal to a younger crowd, company leaders told The Wall Street Journal in May. At least one North Carolina Cracker Barrel has already gotten a makeover. A Cracker Barrel in Asheville recently completed a "refresh," with the location temporarily closing on June 24 and reopening July 2, according to the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Restaurants chain closings: Hooters closes over 30 restaurants suddenly, company calls it 'difficult decision' Why the changes? In the first half of 2024, Cracker Barrel's CEO, Julie Felss Masino, said the restaurant was losing its relevancy and in order to stay competitive, it needed to refresh its look and menu. The Wall Street Journal reported that the 54-year-old "Old Country Store" chain plans to remodel 25 to 30 of its 660 locations and refresh another 25 to 30 this summer, with the goal to attract more diners with lighter paint colors, brighter decorations and fewer antiques on the walls. Masino said the chain's customer base has declined by more than 15% in the past four years, according to USA TODAY. While some longtime customers have expressed their dismay on social media about changes to the nostalgic decor, Cracker Barrel executives are betting on the new look to attract new diners — especially as many regulars have been slow to return since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the WSJ. Reporter Lizmary Evans covers dining, retail, entertainment and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Multiple fatalities reported in Tropical Storm Chantal flooding in North Carolina
Multiple people died in central North Carolina after Tropical Storm Chantal brought a deluge of rain and flooding to the area on July 6, according to state officials and local reports. The Raleigh-Durham area saw nearly 12 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, while neighboring areas reported at least nine inches, according to the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. The influx of rain caused flooding in several areas including Alamance, Chatham, Moore, Orange and Person counties, according to the Citizen Times. Chantal was downgraded to a tropical depression by July 7, but was still dumping rain across the mid-Atlantic. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said at a news conference on July 8 that officials from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services were still working to confirm the total number of fatalities from the flooding, but that there are "a handful of reported deaths to date." The NCDHHS said it does not currently have verified information on storm-related deaths but referred USA TODAY to local law enforcement. The North Carolina Department of Emergency Management told USA TODAY in a statement that the state's emergency response team "is aware of potential fatalities linked to Tropical Storm Chantal as reported by law enforcement" and is awaiting reviews from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Here's what we know. 3 dead in Chatham County, NC, including missing boaters In Chatham County, which is just west of Raleigh, three people died in the floods, officials confirmed to USA TODAY. Sandra Portnoy Hirschman, 83, of Pittsboro, North Carolina, died around 11:30 p.m. local time on July 6 when her car became submerged in water, Steve Newton, Chatham County's emergency management director, told USA TODAY. Two individuals who went boating on Jordan Lake around 5 p.m. on July 6 also died, Newton said. One boater was recovered on July 8, while the second individual was found July 9 — both are awaiting positive identification from the medical examiner's office, Randall Rigsbee, Chatham County Sheriff's Office public information officer, told USA TODAY. Orange County, NC, woman died in floods while driving to work Monica Butner was driving to work in Hillsborough, North Carolina, on the evening of July 6 when her car got stuck in floodwater, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said in a release. The 58-year-old called 911 around 10:30 p.m. local time amid the heavy rainfall, but the call disconnected, OCSO said. Firefighters soon located her unoccupied car. First responders found Butner dead around 5 p.m. on July 7. Officials said she was "almost completely obscured by fallen trees and debris approximately 120 yards downstream from her vehicle." 'The devastating power of stormwater caused Ms. Butner's tragic death, despite the heroic efforts of searchers and the work of the top-notch professionals at Emergency Management who coordinated the incoming resources," Sheriff Charles Blackwood said in the release. "I am grateful to everyone who assisted with this search, and I offer my condolences to all affected by this tragedy.' Reports: More dead in NC floods At least two others reportedly died in the North Carolina flooding, according to multiple local reports. A man in Alamance County died after his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters on July 6, outlets including WGHP and WRAL reported. A 23-year-old woman in Graham was also found dead inside a car submerged in water, outlets including WGHP and WRAL reported. USA TODAY has reached out to the Alamance County Sheriff's Office and Gov. Stein's office for more information. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
July full moon: When does the 'Buck Moon' rise this month? What to know for stargazers
July's full "Buck Moon" will rise toward the beginning of the new month. Here's what to know about this month's full moon, including the best time to view it, the origin of its name, and more. July's Buck Moon will reach peak illumination on July 10 at 4:37 p.m. As it will be below the horizon at that time, plan to look toward the southeast after sunset to watch it rise. June's 2025 Strawberry Moon reached peak illumination on June 11 at 3:44 a.m. No, there is no supermoon in July. The first supermoon of the year typically occurs in the later months, this year in October. The Old Farmer's Almanac says that the 12 full moons each year are named by Native Americans, according to previous reporting by the Hendersonville Times-News. UNC Asheville Associate Professor of Astronomy Britt Lundren reminded readers that, when sharing the names of the monthly moons, it's essential to acknowledge the cultural diversity of tribes in the U.S. "Each tribe has a close relationship with the land, and their moon names will reflect the seasonal changes unique to their environments," Lundren said. The title "Buck Moon" was given to July's full moon because the antlers of male deer are in full-growth mode during this season. Other names for the July full moon feature more animal themes, plus references to seasonal plants and more: Feather Moulting Moon (Cree) Salmon Moon (Tlingit) Berry Moon (Anishinaabe) Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe (Dakota) Ripe Corn Moon (Cherokee) Raspberry Moon (Algonquin, Ojibwe) Thunder Moon (Western Abenaki) Halfway Summer Moon (Anishinaabe) Here's a list of the full moon names, courtesy of the Old Farmer's Almanac: January - Wolf Moon February - Snow Moon March - Worm Moon April - Pink Moon May - Flower Moon June - Strawberry Moon July - Buck Moon August - Sturgeon Moon September - Corn Moon (was Harvest Moon in 2024) October - Hunter Moon November - Beaver Moon December - Cold Moon Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: When is the next full moon? Is there a supermoon in July? What to know
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
June full moon, Strawberry Moon, peaks overnight June 11-12: What to know
June's full "Strawberry Moon" will peak tonight, Tuesday-Wednesday, June 10-11. Here's what to know about this month's full moon, including the best time to view it, the origin of its name and more. June's 2025 Strawberry Moon will reach peak illumination on June 11 at 3:44 a.m. The May Flower Moon was at peak illumination at 12:56 p.m. on Monday, May 12. No, there is no supermoon in June. The first supermoon of the year always takes place in the later months, this year in October. The Old Farmer's Almanac says that the 12 full moons each year are named by Native Americans, according to previous reporting by the Hendersonville Times-News. UNC Asheville Associate Professor of Astronomy Britt Lundren reminded readers that, when sharing the titles of the monthly moons, it's important to remember the cultural diversity of tribes in the U.S. "Each tribe has a close relationship with the land, and their moon names will reflect the seasonal changes unique to their environments," Lundren said. June's title of "Strawberry Moon" is derived from seasonal fruits that generally ripen during the month. Alternative names include: Berries Ripen Moon (Haida) Blooming Moon (Anishinaabe) Green Corn Moon (Cherokee) Hoer Moon (Western Abenaki) Birth Moon (Tlingit) Egg Laying Moon and Hatching Moon (Cree) Here's a list of the full moon names, courtesy of the Old Farmer's Almanac: January - Wolf Moon February - Snow Moon March - Worm Moon April - Pink Moon May - Flower Moon June - Strawberry Moon July - Buck Moon August - Sturgeon Moon September - Corn Moon (was Harvest Moon in 2024) October - Hunter Moon November - Beaver Moon December - Cold Moon Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: When is the next full moon? June's Strawberry Moon will peak June 11-12
