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LAKE LURE, N.C. (WLOS) — Hundreds of climbers are in Lake Lure for the annual bouldering competition and festival, the Rumble.

"To see it coming back up and revitalized, almost, it's still not 100%, but seeing everybody out here and trying to put in an effort to make it what it used to be is very, very awesome, and it's very important too," said Joe Barfield, a climber attending the event.
Rumbling Bald, the climbing area used for the event, was damaged by landslides after Helene.

TOWN OF LAKE LURE BEGINS REFILLING LAKE, AIM FOR MEMORIAL WEEKEND OPENING

"As soon as the State Park had done their assessment and initial cleanup, we were out here doing what we could," said Frances Schueren, the South Carolina Board Representative for the Carolina Climbers Association.

Organizer of The Rumble, the Carolina Climbers Coalition is the organizer of the event, has been working to rehabilitate trails and climbing areas that have been damaged by Helene throughout the region.

Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett says the organization has contributed over 10,000 hours of service to the town.

"We're joyful that they're here, and we're all, you know, we're so thankful for what they've done. And so this is sort of gives credence to what they've done, but it also gives credence to the fact that Lake Lure is getting back to where it was," Pritchett said.
Pritchett said that this competition and festival is the first big event the town has hosted since Helene.

Mayor Pritchett says that a few of the milestones Lake Lure had to achieve to host the event were to make sure that the climbing and trails were safe.

RISING AFTER HELENE: LOCAL BUSINESSES ANTICIPATE ECONOMIC BOOST AS LAKE REFILLS

For other climbers, it's about the community the event builds.

"It definitely means a lot to see everybody getting back out and climbing together and experiencing the climbing community and all the great climbing out here," Barfield said.
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Mayor Pritchett also said that she believes the lake is 10 feet below full pond.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Gas prices are hitting the highest level since September 2024, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

On Friday, March 6, western North Carolina drivers were already experiencing shock at the pump.

News 13 caught up with some drivers at a gas station in Henderson County, where the price per gallon was just a penny under $3, sitting at $2.99.

This comes as Tuesday marked the largest single-day jump at the pump since March 2022, according to ABC News, citing Gas Buddy sources.

Drivers we spoke with say they’re feeling the fuel costs climb and needless to say, they’re not too pleased.

“Here, it’s the first time I’m seeing the price that high,” said driver and Hendersonville resident Ricardo Martineati. “We don’t understand why the price is going up, but it is what it is. I hope it comes back to what it used to be pretty soon.”

Part of the reason for the gas price change is that crude prices surged 35% this week as Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route many oil producers use to get oil to market, ABC News reports.

Martineati knows it’s not much, but he says he’s got a strategy to save.

“Just try to slow down on the takeoff, on the coming to a stop to save some fuel, but that’s it," Martineati said.

And with all this price pressure, he added that he’s picking a positive perspective.

“At least I’m not driving a diesel-fueled truck," Martineati said.

Story and picture courtesy of WLOS-TV 13

Rep. Edwards, Gov. Stein discuss new federal funds after Noem's exit as DHS secretary

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Western North Carolina officials are highlighting new disaster recovery funding this week as communities continue rebuilding from Helene more than a year after the storm. The announcements come as leadership changes in Washington raise questions about the future pace of federal disaster aid.

Rep. Chuck Edwards said more than $70 million in federal funding is being released through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse local governments across the region for recovery costs tied to the storm.

“Local governments are well invested into the hurricane recovery,” Edwards said . “They’ve had to use their cash balances. In some cases, they’ve had to take out loans to front things like debris removal, rebuilding water and sewer infrastructure and replacing buildings.”

NORTH CAROLINA LEADERS REACT TO REMOVAL OF DHS SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM

The funding will reimburse expenses already incurred by local governments and allow them to continue recovery work.

“It allows them to pay contractors they already owe and continue the work of recovery,” Edwards said.

The federal funding includes:
$40.2 million for debris removal in Avery County
$20.9 million for debris removal in Yancey County
$7.26 million to reimburse emergency response costs in the City of Asheville
$1.43 million for debris removal in Buncombe County
$2.69 million for flood mitigation projects in Haywood County
$3.87 million for flood mitigation projects in Avery County
Edwards said he has been pressing federal agencies to prioritize smaller mountain communities that often operate with limited budgets.

“I’ve kept the pressure on in Washington with FEMA and OMB to prioritize those less populated, more rural counties because they have lower operating budgets and are at greater risk of not being able to meet their obligations,” he said.

At the same time, officials with the administration of North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein are highlighting additional recovery funding tied to storm damage.

Leaders with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) are visiting Lady Marion Dam on Friday to highlight $7.3 million in grants to repair eight dams damaged during Helene.

The visit will include remarks from DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson and GROW NC Director Matt Calabria, along with local leaders in McDowell County.

The funding announcements come just as leadership changes occur at the United States Department of Homeland Security, the federal agency that oversees FEMA.

KRISTI NOEM TO STEP DOWN AS DHS SECRETARY; TRUMP NAMES SEN. MARKWAYNE MULLIN SUCCESSOR

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Trump administration removed Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary following criticism from lawmakers over disaster aid management and other issues tied to the agency.

Edwards said he hopes the leadership change will help accelerate disaster recovery efforts.

“I certainly welcome the change,” Edwards said. “It’s obvious that what has been taking place over the last few months has not been serving the people of the mountains of western North Carolina.”
The Trump administration has nominated Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

UNITED WAY RELEASES $880K TO SUPPORT BUNCOMBE COUNTY STORM RECOVERY

Edwards said while Congress ultimately determines legislation affecting FEMA operations, he plans to continue pushing federal officials to prioritize western North Carolina’s recovery.

Edwards said he is advocating for the 2026 FEMA Reform Act, legislation he helped author that includes several provisions to speed disaster recovery funding.

“My job here in D.C. is to make sure we’ve got funding available and to keep the pressure on agencies to get that funding back into the hands of people in western North Carolina that need it,” Edwards said.

As development continues to expand across western North Carolina, Henderson County leaders are taking steps to protect local farmland.

County officials recently secured a $425,000 grant from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to help preserve agricultural land.

Earlier this week, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners voted to match the grant, bringing the total funding available to about $850,000.

The money will support conservation easements, allowing farmers to voluntarily place a deed restriction on their land to ensure it remains in agricultural use rather than being developed.

Assistant County Manager Christ Todd said farmers still maintain ownership and can continue working on the land.

“They get to retain the property afterward, they get to use the property afterward, and they can certainly continue to profit from agricultural uses,” Todd said. “But the property would be limited to those specific uses with that agreement.”

The funding will also help cover the costs associated with establishing the easements, including surveys, legal work, and attorney fees needed to finalize the agreements.

For local farmers, the effort comes at a critical time.

Jason Davis, owner of North River Farms in Mills River, operates more than 1,400 acres that produce vegetables, row crops, and livestock, among other things.

Davis said farmland across the state is disappearing quickly.

“We’re losing land at a rapid pace, and we can’t sustain that and continue to farm here,” Davis said.
He plans to place part of his farm into an agricultural preservation easement.

“What we’re facing in Henderson County are land values that are skyrocketing,” Davis said. “There’s only so much value you can put to agricultural production and purchase land and still be able to pay for it through producing agricultural products.”
Farmers are struggling to compete with rapidly increasing land prices and development pressures.

Applications for the program are open to any qualifying farmland. The Henderson County Agriculture Advisory Board will review and prioritize applications based on state guidelines.

“We want as many applications as possible a possible,” Todd said.” Each of these deals are individually negotiated, and some will want to receive a different rate than others.”

County leaders say the program is just one tool to help protect farmland as population growth continues to put pressure on rural land.

“One of the great things about this place is how wonderful and beautiful it is to live here,” Todd said. “It makes people want to move here, and when they move here, they need housing. That’s the greatest pressure competing with farmland.”

The Farmland Preservation Task Force, formed by county commissioners, is looking at other options to keep the agriculture sector of the economy thriving.

Henderson County has a long agricultural history and remains the top apple-producing county in North Carolina. Officials said protecting farmland helps preserve both the local economy and the region’s agricultural heritage.

STORY COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

 Crews are responding to a brush fire in Henderson County near the Buncombe County line.

According to the North Carolina Forest Service map, the fire burning off Huntley Road had grown to nine acres and was about 70% contained as of 6 a.m. Thursday, March 5.

Fletcher Fire and Rescue said in a social media post Wednesday that about 50 personnel from seven agencies were responding to the fire. Steep terrain and storm debris from Helene have posed challenges for crews.

Fletcher fire crews said no structures were in immediate danger as of 6:40 p.m. Wednesday.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

 Canton has secured the state funding needed to buy part of the former Pactiv-Evergreen paper mill property, a key step toward building a town-owned wastewater treatment plant.

This comes nearly three years after the mill closed in June 2023, ending its long-running treatment of the town's sewage. A $16 million state-funded Helene relief package allocated in June 2025 enables Canton to buy 35 acres of the defunct Pactiv-Evergreen mill site.

This acquisition allows the town to build its own new, flood-proof wastewater plant.

The purchased land was part of the mill's former chip yard. Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers said the land deal also includes warehouse space that local leaders hope can help attract new manufacturing jobs and support future development.

STORY COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

Stay Alert To Evil

Dr. Glenn Mollette

President Donald Trump is obviously hated by some people on the planet. Anyone connected to the Ayatollah Khamenei most likely hates him. Anyone connected to Iranian terrorism hates him. Sadly, many American Democrats hate him. There have already been attempts to kill him and I fear there will be more from those connected to Iranian terrorism causes. Our Secret Service, FBI and others involved in protecting him are obviously aware that he is in constant danger. Let’s all please pray for his safety and for there to be no complacency in protecting him.

The news media is always reporting where he is located. I don’t think that wise. Whether he is in Mar-a-Lago, DC or New York City, is it really important that we all know? I don’t see how detailing his every location bodes well for his security. I am just a lowly voting citizen and what do I know? Not much, but I do belief these are perilous times as hostility from Iranian regime sympathizers is surely beyond the boiling point.

We hope and pray that Iran can become a country run by the people of the country. Who knows how long and what this will involve. We were in Iraq and Afghanistan for a very long time. Can we really point to those countries and boast of success? Both countries are still a mess and we lost thousands of lives and spent trillions of dollars.

I do hope that President Trump is successful and that the Iranian people can take back their country. This would be good for them and the world.

In the meantime, while you are praying for the safety of our President, look over your own shoulder. All of us are vulnerable. The TSA needs our utmost support emotionally and financially. Surely by the time you read this Congress will have restored their pay. We are all vulnerable whether flying or being in any public place where people gather. School and churches are extremely vulnerable. Please increase your attention to security.

Terrorism extremism can raise its ugly head any place at any time. Crazy people do crazy stuff and many seem to be happy to sacrifice their own lives to further their causes.

I don’t like war or people being killed. However, Iran has been a constant supporter of terrorism. Khamenei has been the central figure and leader in the world of terror for about 37 years. That was far too long and there wasn’t any end in sight.

My prayer is that the attack will end and this will soon be over. However, I doubt that the evil will all be totally destroyed and eliminated. We have to realize that in some way and some form there will be blowback. Therefore, be alert, practice safety and try to help and look out for each other. The world doesn’t have to be a bad place. We can’t give up. Keep treating each other respectfully and kindly and stay alert to evil.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist read in all fifty states. He is also the author of numerous books and can be hear each weekday morning on XM Radio 131

Global Media | P.O. Box 1238 | Newburgh, IN 47629 US

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A Transylvania County man was sentenced to between 150 and 210 years for child sex crimes.

LOCAL NEWS

According to a news release, Michael Joseph Dean was sentenced on Friday, Feb. 27, in the Superior Court after being found guilty of six counts of statutory sex offense with a child under the age of 13.

The Jury's verdict resulted in the Court imposing an active sentence of 150 to 210 years in the North Carolina Department of Corrections.

The conviction stems from an investigation conducted by the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office.

"Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes and the lasting harm inflicted upon the victims. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the prosecution team, the jury, and our investigators for their diligence and commitment to seeking justice. Most importantly, I commend the victim and their family for their courage, steadfastness, and patience throughout the difficult process. Their strength made this outcome possible," said Transylvania County Sheriff Chuck Owenby in a news release.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — B.A.S.S. announced today, alongside officials from VisitGreenvilleSC and Visit Anderson, that the 2027 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour will be held March 19-21, 2027, in Greenville, S.C., with tournament competition taking place on Lake Hartwell.

This will mark the fifth time the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing has visited the lake, setting the record for the most visits to a single venue in the history of the world championship and further cementing the reservoir’s reputation as one of the sport’s premier championship fisheries. Hartwell previously hosted the Classic in 2008, 2015, 2018 and 2022, producing some of the most memorable finishes in Classic history.

Past Classic champions on Lake Hartwell include Alton Jones, who won the 2008 Classic with 49 pounds, 7 ounces; Casey Ashley, who captured the 2015 title with 50-1; Jordan Lee, who earned the second of his two Classic victories in 2018 with 47-1; and Jason Christie, who claimed the 2022 championship with a winning total of 54-0.

“Lake Hartwell has consistently delivered elite-level competition and dramatic moments on bass fishing’s biggest stage, while Greenville and the surrounding Upstate region have proven to be outstanding hosts for anglers and fans alike,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “The combination of a world-class fishery, an engaged fan base and strong community partnerships makes the area an ideal setting for the 2027 championship.”

The Bassmaster Classic was last held in Greenville in 2022, when the event drew an estimated 154,932 fans throughout Classic week, including weigh-ins, the Bassmaster Classic Expo and associated events, which generated more than $25.5 million in economic impact. That turnout ranked among the largest in Classic history and reinforced Greenville’s standing as a premier destination for major outdoor sporting events.

“The Bassmaster Classic shows how tourism can be a true community engine — supporting jobs, local businesses and the quality of life our residents enjoy every day,” said Heath Dillard, President & CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC. “It’s a reflection of strong partnerships, incredible natural assets and a region that knows how to come together to host a world-class event.”

The Bassmaster Classic is the most prestigious event in professional bass fishing, featuring the world’s top anglers competing for the sport’s most coveted title and a $300,000 first-place prize. In addition to on-the-water competition, Classic week will include the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, fan festivals, sponsor activations and community events throughout Greenville and the Lake Hartwell region.

“The Bassmaster Classic is the most prestigious bass tournament in the world.,” said Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson. “To be able to host this event once in your community is a tremendous honor, but to be the first fishery in the world to host the Bassmaster Classic five times tells a tremendous story. First, it speaks to the strength of the fishery and the quality of your facilities. With Green Pond Landing, we have a world class facility in our community and the credit for that goes directly to the leadership of Anderson County. Our leaders continue to dedicate the necessary resources to Green Pond to keep it among the nations best, and they provide the same level of resources to Visit Anderson to allow us to host events, such as the Bassmaster Classic, in our great community. We are grateful for our partners in this event at Visit Greenville. We are grateful for the support we receive from our regional partners, the state of South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We are very appreciative of B.A.S.S. entrusting their crown event to us on five different occasions, and we will continue to establish the standard for how future Classics will be measured. The anglers, media, staff, families, and visitors to our community will experience the hospitality and energy that sets us apart from the rest.”

Additional details regarding tournament takeoff locations, weigh-in venues and fan activities will be announced at a later date. For more information on the Bassmaster Classic, including historical results and updates, visit Bassmaster.com.

VisitGreenvilleSC and Visit Anderson will host this event.

About B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.

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On March 2, 2026, the City of Hendersonville will begin its spring bulk leaf collection service for City residents. Bulk leaf collection will continue throughout the month of March and conclude on April 3, 2026.

How to Prepare Your Leaves

• Loose leaves only – do not bag leaves during bulk leaf season

• Separate piles – keep leaves separate from brush piles and brush in kraft paper bags because leaf and brush crews operate separately

• Only leaves in leaf piles – remove sticks, limbs, rocks or other debris that could damage collection equipment

• Correct placement – pile leaves just outside the curb or sidewalk and out of the roadways to keep walkways clear and storm drains unobstructed

Collection Schedule

• Bulk leaf crews make rounds every 10-14 days, but actual timing varies depending on leaf volume

• There is no need to call Public Works to request pickup as the service is automatically provided for City residents

• Brush collection will continue on its regular every-other-week schedule with brush being collected once piles reach 2 ft. by 2 ft. by 2 ft. or when brush fills a kraft paper yard waste bag; customers can contact Public Works to obtain kraft bags

• Track collection crews on the City’s Track-a-Truck dashboard at https://www.hendersonvillenc. gov/track-truck  

For questions about bulk leaf collection, please visit www.hvlnc.gov/yardwaste or call the Public Works Department at (828) 697-3084.