From Linville to the foot of the Mile High Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mountain, it’s just a five-mile run. But perhaps because the route has an 1,568-foot elevation change — they call this race “The Bear.” Asheville’s Matt Morse won the men’s division, taking the course in 32 minutes and 17 seconds. (photo by Skip Sickler)
On May 17, 2012, a bill modestly titled “MSD Amendments” was introduced in the final regular session of the N.C. General Assembly. Sponsored by Western North Carolina Reps. Tim Moffitt (Buncombe County) and Chuck McGrady (Henderson County), both Republicans, the bill passed the House on June 18 and received Senate approval on June 27, moving to the governor’s desk on June 28. The true meaning of that bill is a matter of some history, some speculation, some objection and a fair amount of outright praise.
The stalled frontal boundary that is lingering over the Southeast U.S. has provided some much needed rainfall from Texas to the Atlantic Ocean — but some folks in Western North Carolina saw too much of a good thing on Wednesday, July 11, when more than 3 inches of rain fell in areas of both Buncombe and Madison Counties.
