Latest news with #CitizenTimes
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Annual sale: 5 reasons to subscribe to the Citizen-Times
The Asheville Citizen Times and Hendersonville Times-News All-WNC track and field teams for 2025 NCHSAA, NCISAA seasons have been named. Roberson High School is playing in the state championship baseball series. New and old restaurants are finally opening after Tropical Storm Helene-caused tourism dip. Asheville and Buncombe County are facing budget shortfalls and proposed tax increases, also fallout from the unprecedented storm. The Citizen Times brings you exclusive coverage of all those topics and more — better than anyone in Western North Carolina. Take advantage of our annual subscription rate to and lock in unlimited access. Already a subscriber? Whether you get home delivery of the print edition or have a digital-only subscription, these benefits are included! Check out our activation guide for help on getting started. With a subscription, you can be one of the first to learn about breaking news with news alerts, flip through a digital replica of the print paper, get exclusive newsletters and more. Download the free app and start to personalize it to your liking. Additionally, you can download articles for offline reading and sign up for breaking and topical news alerts. Also in the app, you'll find the eNewspaper, available exclusively for subscribers. As an added benefit, subscribers can access the eNewspaper from any of our more than 200 sister papers across the United States, plus each edition of USA TODAY. ► SPECIAL OFFER: Save on a new subscription today. We know when you subscribe, you expect more. Each day, you can expect to see some of our award-winning storytelling, investigative work, sports analysis and more. Just log in with your account to enjoy your exclusive access. Here's some examples: What's happening post-Helene. Our investigation into Haven on the Hill, a temporary RV park set up for people displaced by the historic tropical storm, has found homeless discrimination, lack of basic services and alleged criminal conduct. Asheville Answers column. We know you have many questions about the lingering impacts from Tropical Storm Helene — the deadliest natural disaster in North Carolina history. Send us your questions. Each week a Citizen Times reporter will find you the answers. Asheville food news. Be the first to know when restaurants or breweries are reopening after Helene, and which are closing. Stay on top of all the latest news and trends in the city's food and dining scene. Enjoy a streamlined, fast-loading experience that makes it easy to view the stories, photos and videos you're most interested in. Through the app, you can personalize notifications so you can know the news right when it happens. You can select alerts for breaking news, news, sports, entertainment, weather and business. Quiet times for your alerts can be set within the app. Miss out on recent news? Get the latest effortlessly with our Catch Up feature. Want alerts when we publish something new on a topic you're interested in? Sign up to follow specific topics of interest with the "Add Topic" button at the top of articles. Personalize your feed further in the For You front. The app also provides you access to daily horoscopes and access to over 100 games. Want to follow the news from another city? You can add up to five of our sister publications across the country to get more news right in the app. ► DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more To keep our subscribers informed, we email the most important articles to their inbox each day in the form of a Daily Briefing newsletter. Subscribers also get exclusive access to our Your Week newsletter. Each week, you'll get a note directly from the executive editor with background on a big story from the week, a behind-the-scenes look at our reporting and links to some of our top subscriber-exclusive work. ► SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS: Browse our entire portfolio of newsletter offerings to pick more topics that interest you specifically. Right now, we have a special introductory offer. Visit our subscription page to start supporting our work that holds those in power accountable, and provides the news you need to make our communities stronger. Karen Chávez is Executive Editor for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Tips, comments, questions? Call 828-236-8980, email KChavez@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Why subscribe to Unlimited access, personalized app
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Did you feel that? Earthquake rocks Asheville and Western North Carolina
ASHEVILLE – If you felt a rumbling start to your Saturday morning, it might have been a hungry tummy, but more likely it was an earthquake that rocked Western North Carolina. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there was a 4.1 magnitude earthquake at 8:04 a.m. May 10. USGS maps show that the earthquake's origin was Greenback, Tennessee, which is about 30 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee. Asheville is about 144 miles east of Greenback. Paul Caruso, a geophysicist with the USGS in Golden, Colorado, said folks in Asheville 'absolutely' felt the earthquake. 'So far (about 10:30 a.m.) we have reports of 23,000 people who have felt it in the region,' he told the Citizen Times May 10. The shaking was felt as far east as Charlotte and as far north as Washington, D.C., and as far south as Atlanta, Georgia, according to the maps. Caruso said the earthquake in the Asheville was between a III mmi and IV mmi. The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale measures how much 'shaking' is felt in an area. He said the range in Roman numerals is I to X (1 to 10), with I being barely perceptible, and X meaning total devastation. 'A III-IV mmi is moderate shaking, your chandeliers may move back and forth, but we wouldn't expect any damage,' Caruso said. Caruso said 'there is a probability that there will be aftershocks.' The USGS website shows there is a 5% probability for aftershocks. These are usually less intense than the original aftershock. Since 2000 there have been four earthquakes within a 75-mile radius of Asheville larger than 3.5 magnitude, Caruso said. In the past 25 years there have been 169 earthquakes larger than 2.5 magnitude within a 75-mile radius of Asheville. More: Tropical Storm Helene damaged more than 12K homes in Buncombe County, FEMA data shows More: In wake of Helene, county eyes raising property taxes to fund operations during recovery This story will be updated. Karen Chávez is the Citizen Times Executive Editor. Tips, comments, questions? Email her at KChavez@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville and Western North Carolina shaken by earthquake May 10
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
17-year cicadas are coming to Asheville, Western NC soon: What to know about the emergence
Last year, Western North Carolina didn't see much of the infamous double emergence of periodical cicada Broods XIX and XIII. While there is no periodical double emergence this year, the region can still expect to see more cicada visitors than usual. In 2024, 13-year Brood XIX emerged in 14 states across the Southeast and Midwest, and 17-year Brood XIII emerged in five Midwestern states around the same time, the first co-emergence of the broods in 221 years. Only Brood XIX emerged in NC, however, and while Buncombe County was technically home to some of the cicadas, they were uncommon overall in WNC. This year, however, the region can expect to see an emergence of Magicicada Brood XIV, which last emerged 17 years ago. N.C. State entomologist Matt Bertone told the Citizen Times that, while last year's periodical brood XIX was not expected to be commonly seen in the area, and Brood XIII was not found in N.C. at all, this year's Brood XIV will be much more present in the region. Here's what to know about what WNC residents can expect this year, when the emergence is coming and more. More: Biltmore garden ranks top 5 most colorful in North America, top 50 in the world: See why Only one brood of periodical cicadas, Brood XIV, will emerge in 2025. Cicadas have three types of life cycles according to Cicada Mania, an informational website: Annual: Cicada species with annual life cycles emerge every year. Periodical: Cicadas species with periodical life cycles emerge together after long periods, such as the Brood XIV cicadas emerging this year in NC and other states. Magicicada periodical cicadas are organized into Broods, which correspond to the series of years in which they will emerge. Only periodical cicadas are organized by Roman-numeral Broods. Protoperiodical: Cicada species with protoperiodical life cycles might emerge every year, but every so many years they emerge together in large numbers depending on factors like proximity to other species and rainfall accumulations. Periodical cicadas are a bit different from N.C.'s annual "dog-day" cicada visitors. Most noticeably, unlike our black and green annual cicadas, periodical cicadas are mostly black in color, with amber wings and striking red eyes. While they share this appearance, not all species in any given brood are the same. Brood XIV is estimated to emerge beginning in May and ending in late June. The emergence will begin when the soil 8 inches underground reaches 64 degrees. Emergences are often triggered by a warm summer rain. Annual "dog-day" cicadas emerge during the "dog days of summer" between late July and early September. While different broods of periodical cicadas have different territories, they are all found in eastern and midwestern states. After hatching, cicada larvae bury into the soil, where they live until it's time to emerge. Then, the cicadas migrate to trees and shrubs to spend the remainder of their lives reproducing. Brood XIV is the second largest brood after XIX, according to the University of Connecticut. They have a 17-year life cycle, and last emerged in 2008. In 2025, they are expected to emerge in the following states: North Carolina Georgia Indiana Kentucky Massachusetts New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia West Virginia More: Lyrid meteor shower in underway: What to know about the astronomical event Iris Seaton is the trending reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Will cicadas emerge in 2025? Brood XIV coming to Asheville, Western NC
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
NC Attorney General promises to 'prioritize' prosecuting post-Helene fraud, scams in WNC
WAYNESVILLE - After meeting with numerous Western North Carolina law enforcement officials in Waynesville April 14, N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson committed to prioritizing the prevention and prosecution of post-Tropical Storm Helene fraud and scams. 'In my office, we are going to prioritize any and all complaints coming out of Western North Carolina, whether it's on the consumer side or the civil side,' Jackson told members of the press. Law enforcement leaders from over 14 different jurisdictions had a 'very productive and candid discussion' about emerging threats: some related to property crime, some are recovery-related scams, others are phone calls from people pretending to be law enforcement, Jackson said. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for contractor fraud, property crime and scams related to Helene. The types of scams have evolved over time, Jackson told the Citizen Times after the press conference. Immediately after the storm, his office's main concern was price gauging. As WNC now moves into the rebuilding phase, the focus has turned to contractor issues and property crimes, particularly on construction sites, Jackson said. His office has also received complaints of people claiming to have special access to Federal Emergency Management Assistance funds, which Jackson said to be 'extremely skeptical' of. When it comes to contracting, Jackson advised residents to get multiple estimates, have a written contract and never pay the full quote upfront. 'If you end up paying someone and they don't show up, call the police. That's a crime,' Jackson said. His office is also conducting multiple investigations into different scam calls and texts, from messages claiming someone owes toll fees to 'law enforcement spoofing' where a caller claims to be a specific law enforcement officer. More: NC Attorney General warns against Helene-related scams, theft during Biltmore Village visit 'I think we are going to be making some announcements there shortly,' Jackson said. Getting texts about tolls?: What is 'smishing'? FBI warns of scam texts impersonating NC Quick Pass After a mass number of nonprofits sprung forth from Helene's devastation, Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke stressed the importance of being cautious of where donated money is going, particularly through GoFundMe. 'Law enforcement's ability to act on that is hampered simply because there are elements to a crime, like fraud and theft, that are difficult to prove through GoFundMe accounts,' Wilke said, pointing people toward 'well-established and long-established' nongovernmental organizations and nonprofits. More contractor fraud: As trees crushed a WNC couple's home, a flock of 'vulture' Helene contractors arrived Scams have become increasingly sophisticated, so law enforcement's response must match that, Jackson said. Agencies heavily rely on patterns established from the public's tips and complaints, he added. Jackson's office launched a new initiative called 'Safe to Rebuild,' which provides a resource to prevent contracting fraud and other scams as well as how to file complaints at His office has a scam hotline at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. 'This is what a united front looks like. … This doesn't happen every day,' Jackson said, gesturing to about 20 law enforcement personnel behind him. 'What we want to do is send a warning to criminals and a promise to citizens.' Tips to avoid fraud: Here's how to avoid contractor fraud and charity home repair scams after any weather disaster Beware of contractors who knock on your door offering services because they noticed your home or business is damaged or are already working in your area. This is a common tactic of scam artists. FEMA does not approve, endorse, certify, or recommend any contractors, individuals or firms. Do not hire a contractor who does not have a physical address or refuses to show ID. Use a contractor who is backed by reliable references. The most reputable contractors have liability insurance, workers' compensation and are bonded. Perform a quick Google search before hiring any contractor. Do they have a website? Have they scammed previous clients? Read any reviews. Get a copy of your contract in writing from the contractor that includes the work to be done and, ideally, a completion date. Check credentials with the N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors. Any contractor taking jobs costing $40,000 is required to be licensed in North Carolina after a new statute law passed last year, increasing the cost threshold for requiring a license. You may wish to request a copy of your contractor's Certificate of Insurance before they begin work, to ensure that the contractor is legitimate and that you will be covered if the contractor causes any damage to your home. Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@ and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: AG Jackson prioritizes mitigating post-Helene fraud during WNC visit
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Citizen Vinyl closing record store, café after Helene 'annihilated' 4th quarter sales
ASHEVILLE - Citizen Vinyl will close its store and café, which have brought music, food, drinks and entertainment to downtown guests for more than four years. On April 30, Citizen Vinyl will close its record and art store, event space and Session Café, which includes its bar, at 14 O. Henry Ave., in the Citizen-Times building, where it opened in October 2020. The announcement was made on April 14, two days after National Record Store Day, during which independent record shops are celebrated and special deals, programs and events are offered. However, founder and CEO Gar Ragland told the Citizen Times that Citizen Vinyl's fate was months in the making due to the business's sales decline. Ragland said that while the company survived the pandemic, Tropical Storm Helene was too much for the public-facing components. The storm hit Asheville on Sept. 27, the beginning of the leaf season, traditionally when more tourists visit the area and bring in higher sales for local businesses. "We were fully prepared for what we were hoping was going to be the best quarter of our company's history last fall," Ragland said. "Then on the dawn of the fourth quarter, when we were eagerly anticipating all the tourists coming to town, Hurricane Helene hit. It annihilated our fourth quarter revenue." He said it impacted the situation and the health of the business for the following six months, which he said had been the worst the company's experienced. Ragland said that before Helene, the non-manufacturing side of the business, which includes the café and store, employed eight to 10 people, who were laid off due to the storm. Factors like decreased customer traffic prevented the business from rehiring at full capacity, and only four of those workers returned. Citizen Vinyl retained 12 manufacturing staff members through Helene, who will continue with the company. After Helene, Citizen Vinyl was transformed to aid community members, including preparing and distributing free, hot meals. Local chef Michelle Bailey led the operations. WiFi, electricity, supplies, drinking water, and communal space were also offered. "We've always put our community first, and we worked hard to make our event space and manufacturing segments on the first floor as strong and successful as possible," Ragland said. "But it's become clearer now than ever that what we need to do is to focus on the core of our business, given these recent challenges." Ragland said he remains hopeful that Citizen Vinyl will find a partner or business to take over the space. In March 2024, the Citizen Times newsroom moved out of the building, which had been built for the newspaper in 1939. The building has offices rented out to several other businesses. In this next phase, Citizen Vinyl, North Carolina's first vinyl record pressing plant, will strengthen its focus on the success and growth of its manufacturing facility and recording studio operations, which will remain in the Citizen-Times building. "Hurricane Helene required us to focus on the things that we do best, which is making high-quality vinyl records and creating great, new, original music in the studio," Ragland said. He said the vinyl industry is highly competitive and changing. Still, Citizen Vinyl is on the verge of ground-breaking technology that will put it ahead in the market and maintain its national reputation as an innovative, award-winning, high-quality vinyl-pressing plant. Development plans are underway to enhance the Citizen Vinyl's recently patented "vinyl key." A record is pressed with an embedded NFC (near-field communication) tag and a unique splatter pattern that allows users to tap the center label of a record with their phone to access additional digital assets, album information, and register ownership and proof of authenticity. "We're about to launch some high-profile projects with some major industry artists in the next few months that we hope is going to accelerate the growth of our business," Ragland said. Citizen Vinyl's plan includes reinforcing its sustainable BioVinyl (made from recycled materials), hi-fidelity in-house cassette reproduction, packaging and direct-to-consumer (D2C) fulfillment, which he said many independent artists and record label clients have requested. The company also intends to launch a Citizen Vinyl record label, which Ragland said will help build the company's profile. Citizen Studios will offer recording, engineering, and mastering services. Factory and studio tours will resume to teach school groups and other visitors how vinyl records are made. The tour also includes historical details about the historic Citizen Times building and the WWNC radio station studio that was turned into Citizen Studios, as well as Asheville's significance in developing American roots music. "We wish we could have made it work," Ragland said. "We take a lot of pride in what we created for Asheville, and we're thankful to Asheville for enabling something like this to happen and to accommodate a bold vision that we've had at Citizen Vinyl." For more information, visit and Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@ or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Citizen Vinyl closing record store, café due dismal sales post-Helene
