North Carolina dwelling insurance hike worries mountain homeowners and rental hosts
A new filing from the North Carolina Rate Bureau asks for an average sixty eight point three percent increase in dwelling insurance rates over the next two years, which could hit mountain homeowners and short term rental owners especially hard. Local rental hosts say they may be forced to raise rates or rethink their business plans, while the State Insurance Commissioner prepares for a formal hearing process that could approve, reduce, or reject the proposal.
* Dwelling policies often cover cabins and second homes commonly used as rentals in Western North Carolina.
* Higher premiums could put pressure on tourism economies that depend on affordable lodging.
* The public will have opportunities to comment as the review process moves forward.
Sources
Fire danger check and safe leaf burning guidance for Cherokee County area
Dry and mild weather continues across far Western North Carolina to start the week, with highs in the sixties and light winds ahead of a wetter system arriving Monday night into midweek. While there are no statewide burn bans in effect, the North Carolina Forest Service continues to warn that debris burning remains the leading cause of wildfires, and state fire danger tools show conditions that can allow fires to start from many accidental causes.
* Use only natural yard waste in small piles when burning leaves.
* Keep water and tools nearby, and never leave a fire unattended.
* Check the daily fire danger map and local forecast before striking a match.
Sources
* https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=NCZ060
* https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=CI&glossary=1&issuedby=mrx&product=AFD&site=NWS
* https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/fire-control-and-prevention/sit-report
* https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/fwip/nc_danger
* https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/air-quality/air-quality-compliance/open-burning
Lake Lure marks completion of major Helene debris cleanup mission
In Lake Lure, town leaders and the U S Army Corps of Engineers have announced the completion of a large scale debris removal and lake restoration mission following Hurricane Helene. The effort included months of work pulling storm debris from the lake surface and bottom, and officials describe it as one of the biggest and most complex debris missions in Western North Carolina since the storm.
* A final walk through at Morse Park marked the formal closeout of Corps operations.
* Debris removal improves safety for boaters, anglers, and lakefront property owners.
* Town officials say the work sets the stage for long term restoration of recreation and tourism.
Sources
* https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/lake-lure-storm-recovery-updates-and-more-112025
* https://www.townoflakelure.com/news
* https://www.facebook.com/USACESAD/posts/1306890074811691
* https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/News
Helene recovery grants rebuild business infrastructure across Western North Carolina
A fresh wave of Helene recovery grants is sending more than a dozen million dollars into nineteen projects across Western North Carolina, aimed at repairing sidewalks, streets, utilities, and other infrastructure that local small businesses rely on. Administered through the state’s Small Business Infrastructure Grant program and related Helene initiatives, the funding is meant to help downtowns and commercial districts fully recover from storm damage.
* Grants support projects such as sidewalk reconstruction, sewer and water repairs, and streetscape improvements.
* Local governments in Helene impacted areas can still apply for certain disaster relief and mitigation funds.
* These new awards build on earlier rounds of small business infrastructure grants announced this summer.
Sources
* https://www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/catalog-category/local-governments
* https://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/40519-14-million-in-wnc-small-business-grants-announced
American Legion Post 317 reopens one year after Helene damage
In Madison County, American Legion Post three seventeen is open again after Helene severely damaged its building and forced a long closure. The post, which has served veterans and the local community since the nineteen fifties, relied on volunteers, donations, and support from Legion partners across the state to complete a fourteen month restoration and rededication.
* Members were unsure whether the post would ever reopen after the storm.
* Volunteers and donors contributed labor and funding for repairs and upgrades.
* The building’s reopening restores a key gathering place for veterans and families.
Sources
Waynesville Marine veteran finds creative outlet managing art gallery
Marine Corps veteran Tiffani Watts has taken on a new role managing Twigs and Leaves Gallery in downtown Waynesville, turning military leadership skills into community building in the arts scene. She works with local artists, curates exhibits, and helps attract visitors to the Haywood County town, while also highlighting broader efforts to support veterans across the region.
* Watts served nine years in the Marine Corps before moving into the arts world.
* Her story underscores how veterans contribute to local economies after service.
* Related coverage notes nonprofits delivering meals to hundreds of Western North Carolina veterans.
Sources
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffaniwatts
Ingles Giving Tree lighting supports MANNA FoodBank
The Ingles Giving Tree returns to the Asheville Mall, with a lighting event inviting shoppers to bring food donations that will support MANNA FoodBank’s work across Western North Carolina. Alongside the tree, organizers highlight a matching component that can multiply the impact of each dollar contributed.
* The tree lighting is scheduled for Monday evening, November twenty fourth.
* Food and monetary donations help provide thousands of meals during the holidays.
* The tree and donation station remain in place for ongoing giving throughout the season.
Sources
Asheville Holiday Parade returns after Helene cancellation
After being canceled last year and replaced with a smaller jamboree due to Helene, the Asheville Holiday Parade made its full return to downtown streets on Saturday, November twenty second. Floats, marching bands, and community groups entertained crowds along the route, giving businesses a pre holiday boost and signaling continued recovery from the storm.
* The event is presented by Bojangles and the Asheville Downtown Association.
* Large crowds lined the streets under clear fall skies.
* Organizers framed the parade’s comeback as an important milestone for the city.
Sources
* https://wlos.com/news/local/gallery/asheville-holiday-parade-2025-christmas-canceled-hurricane-helene-jamboree-return-photos-bojangles-city-downtown-association
Murphy Bulldogs extend home streak with big playoff win
The Murphy Bulldogs kept their playoff run alive with a commanding sixty two to twenty home win over Community School of Davidson in the third round of the N C H S S double A class two A football playoffs. The victory marks Murphy’s fourteenth straight win at home, with the team averaging more than forty points per game during that stretch.
* The game was played Friday, November twenty first at Murphy.
* Murphy now prepares to host Corvian Community in the next round.
* Defensive stats suggest the upcoming matchup could be a low scoring battle.
Sources
* https://prepredzone.com/game/murphy-vs-community-school-of-davidson-november-21-2025
Holiday events cluster Murphy Mountain Christmas, Murphy Christmas Parade, and Winter Lights
Murphy and Asheville are both in full holiday mode, offering a mix of small town charm and big light show spectacle. In Murphy, the Murphy Mountain Christmas series runs from late November through December twentieth, featuring shop small promotions, art walks, tree lighting, and family activities. The Murphy Christmas Parade steps off on Saturday, December sixth at six in the evening through downtown. In Asheville, Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum turns the gardens into a walk through light show with more than one million lights through early January.
* Murphy events highlight local businesses and no cost family fun downtown.
* Parade organizers emphasize simple safety rules for floats and spectators.
* Winter Lights offers timed entry and nightly shows at the Arboretum.
Sources
* https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/murphy-mountain-christmas
* https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/2025-murphy-christmas-parade
* https://www.townofmurphync.com/main-street-murphy/page/murphy-christmas-parade
* https://828vibes.com/venue/downtown-murphy
* https://appalachianexperience.com/events/murphy-christmas-parade
* https://allevents.in/murphy-nc/christmas--december
* https://www.ncarboretum.org/winter-lights
* https://www.exploreasheville.com/article/north-carolina-arboretums-winter-lights
* https://www.romanticasheville.com/arboretum_lights.htm
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