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WNC Feels Gas Price Increases
Drivers across Western North Carolina are continuing to see higher prices at the pump, with new AAA data showing noticeable increases in both the Asheville and Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton metro areas. As of Friday, March 20, AAA listed the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline at $3.556 in Asheville and $3.581 in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton. The increases have been sharp over a short period of time. In the Asheville metro, the average price is up nearly 29 cents from a week ago, when regular gas stood at $3.271 per gallon. It is also up about 85 cents from a month ago, when the average was $2.706. In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area, drivers are paying nearly 22 cents more than a week ago and nearly 94 cents more than a month ago. Even with those increases, western North Carolina remains slightly below broader averages. AAA says North Carolina’s statewide average for regular gasoline is now $3.648 per gallon, while the national average has climbed to $3.912. That means drivers in the Asheville and Hickory markets are still paying less than the statewide and national averages, but the overall trend remains upward. AAA says the seasonal rise is being driven in part by stronger spring…
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Clampitt Remembered
North Carolina Representative Mike Clampitt has died. The North Carolina General Assembly announced that Clampitt, who represented District 119, died Wednesday, March 18, after battling cancer. He was 71 years old. Clampitt served Swain, Jackson and Transylvania counties in the N.C. House and had recently won the March 3 Republican primary. In a statement, House Speaker Destin Hall called Clampitt a friend, colleague and true patriot, saying public service was both a calling and a duty for him. Hall praised Clampitt’s years as a fire captain and his service in the General Assembly, saying he cared deeply about the people of Western North Carolina. Clampitt’s office said he died at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon at Duke University Hospital after a battle with leukemia. Governor Josh Stein also paid tribute, saying Clampitt was one of the first people he called about rebuilding Western North Carolina after Helene, and remembered him as a steadfast public servant for the region. Clampitt, a Bryson City Republican, was first elected to the N.C. House in 2016 and also won election again in 2020. He was known for advocating on issues important to Western North Carolina and for sponsoring legislation, including a bill to lower the state’s…
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NC-DMV Launches Wait-Time Feature
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles has launched a new online feature showing estimated wait times and real-time office capacity for driver’s license locations across the state. According to the NCDMV, customers can now check the status of each office before heading out. Offices will be listed as either accepting walk-ins and appointments, busy with longer waits expected, or at capacity. State officials say the tool uses real-time information, including the number of service terminals in operation, how many customers are being served or waiting, and average service times. Wait estimates are shown as a range after a customer checks in and receives a ticket number. Governor Josh Stein says the new feature is designed to help North Carolinians choose when and where to handle DMV business more efficiently. NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine says the added transparency should help reduce unnecessary travel and frustration for customers. The DMV says the feature is available now on its website and should make it easier for drivers to plan office visits without having to arrive early and wait.
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NC Wildlife Prescribed Burns
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding the public that smoke seen on state game lands this summer may be from prescribed burns. The agency says people can check its Prescribed Burns Dashboard mapping system to see whether a burn is planned or underway. Wildlife officials say most prescribed burns on game lands happen between January and March, when cooler temperatures, higher humidity and lighter winds help keep fires low in intensity. But officials say burns also continue into the spring and summer because growing-season fires can do a better job of controlling young hardwoods in some habitats. The commission conducts about 200 to 300 prescribed burns each year, covering roughly 20,000 to 30,000 acres across North Carolina’s state game lands. Officials say prescribed burning is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to restore and maintain wildlife habitat. Burns help reduce dangerous fuel buildup, improve biodiversity, and encourage the growth of native grasses and other vegetation that provide food and cover for wildlife including quail, deer, turkeys and grassland birds. The Wildlife Commission also says many rare or habitat-sensitive species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker and Venus flytrap, depend on fire-managed habitats. Officials say they often hear concerns…
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SMHS Track & Field Groundbreaking
A Groundbreaking Ceremony Was Held Monday For The New Track And Field Complex At Smoky Mountain High School. The Event Included Comments From Members Of The Jackson County Public School Board And County Commissioners. Vannoy Construction Will Be In Charge Of The Project To Commence At The Conclusion Of This School Year And Will Feature An Eight-Lane Track, The Only Such Regulation Facility West Of Asheville. The Project Is Expected To Be Ready For The Spring Track And Field Schedule For The Spring Of 2027. The Track Surface Will Be Made Of Ground Rubber Material Which Has Been Used At Numerous Other Facilities Of A Similar Nature. The Design Will Make The Site An Attraction For The Community Citizens Who Want A Place To Walk And Run. It Will Also Have Features In Order To Meet Ada Standards. While There May Be Other Negotiations For Public School Projects Due To Budget Concerns, This Project Has The Green Light To Proceed.
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Winter Storm Hits WNC
The latest round of winter weather continues to impact western North Carolina, including Jackson, Haywood, Macon, and Swain counties. Across the mountains, snow and ice are still creating hazardous travel—especially on secondary roads, shaded stretches, bridges, and higher elevations. Road crews are continuing to clear and treat routes, but drivers should expect slick spots and the risk of black ice. If you can, delay travel and give crews room to work. If you must be on the roads, slow down, increase following distance, and keep a winter kit in the vehicle. For the latest road conditions statewide, check drivenc.gov or call 5-1-1. Local emergency declarations have been issued in parts of the region, including an emergency declaration in Franklin and a local state of emergency in Jackson County. Power outages have also been reported across the area, with several thousand customers without electricity at times. If you are without power, report outages to Duke Energy at 800-769-3766 or Haywood EMC at 800-951-6088. Emergency officials also remind residents not to call 9-1-1 for power outages or routine road-condition questions. Cold is now a major concern. Bitter temperatures and dangerous wind chills are expected, especially overnight and in the high country. Dress…
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Jackson County School Projects Will Cost More
Jackson County Public Schools proposed school building projects and renovations are now projected to cost far more than originally estimated, according to updated figures presented during a joint meeting of the Jackson County Board of Education and Jackson County Board of Commissioners on January 22nd, 2026. County leaders had budgeted about $34 million for the work. Updated projections from Vannoy Construction put the total at roughly $65.2 million, creating a funding gap of nearly $30 million. The most urgent priority remains a new middle school, tied to a $52 million state Needs Based Grant awarded on Sept. 27, 2024. The grant requires construction to begin by Sept. 26, 2026. Project partners said a final cost estimate is not yet available as assessments continue on the recently purchased site along N.C. 107. Several other projects have also climbed significantly in projected cost. Renovations at Smoky Mountain High School increased from an estimated $4.2 million to nearly $11 million. Fairview Elementary renovations rose from $4.2 million to about $9.6 million. The Blue Ridge School and Early College project increased from $15.2 million to nearly $39 million, while the county bus garage renovation grew from $2 million to nearly $6 million. Commissioners and…
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