It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Thomas Wolfe Memorial gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Asheville, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Carrier Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Bull and Beggar or visit The Blackwell Memorial, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Asheville, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Asheville, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Asheville, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Welcome to Small Business Spotlight, our celebration of the ingenuity and innovation of small business owners across the country. From well-established restaurants to brand-new specialty stores and everything in between, these businesses—and the hardworking proprietors at their helm—are truly an inspiration.It's hard to describe what makes ...
Welcome to Small Business Spotlight, our celebration of the ingenuity and innovation of small business owners across the country. From well-established restaurants to brand-new specialty stores and everything in between, these businesses—and the hardworking proprietors at their helm—are truly an inspiration.
It's hard to describe what makes Asheville so special. But if I had to name something, it would be the people. Sure, the landscape is breathtaking, with the ever-present mountains, towering trees, and an abundance of wildlife, but the community you'll find in Asheville is unmatched. This became strikingly clear during Hurricane Helene. It was the community that carried the town through its devastation, tragedy, and grieving.
If you're looking for a place that embodies Asheville's special, tight-knit community, I invite you to visit Hole Doughnuts. From a distance, it may seem like a popular tourist spot; there's often a line at the door, and plenty of folks are visiting from out of town. But stay a bit longer, and you'll meet the warm, kind-hearted staff that knows its regular customers by name and is committed to serving the best donuts around.
I remember my first visit to Hole Doughnuts. It was an overcast Sunday morning, and my husband and I walked into the modest storefront in the West Asheville neighborhood. We stepped up to the counter and ordered a couple of coffees and a few donuts to try. The coffee was served immediately, and we sat at a small table while our donuts were being crafted—by hand—just behind the counter. Then they were served to us, piping hot, just out of the fryer. Since that moment, I've yet to find another donut that's even come close.
A bit of backstory: Hole Doughnuts was established in 2014, and the current co-owners, Hallee Hirsh and Ryan Martin, began operating the business in 2016, opening their neighborhood shop in an 800-square-foot space on Haywood Avenue. That same year, Hole was voted "Best Dessert" by Bon Appetit. Fast forward to today, and the business is a staple of Asheville eats.
You may be wondering: What makes these donuts so amazing? In my opinion, it's a combination of quality and creativity. The donuts are crafted from a single-yeasted dough recipe that incorporates organic stone-ground flour from the nearby Lindley Mills. From there, it's a few more simple ingredients— namely, organic unrefined cane sugar, cage-free eggs, whole butter, and a non-GMO rice bran oil for frying. The result? Melt-in-your-mouth donuts that are crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. Magic.
On the menu, there are four flavors to choose from at any given time: vanilla glazed, toasted almond sesame cinnamon, and a weekly special. The specials are where Hole's creativity really shines. Flavors could include matcha, lemon poppyseed, or blueberry goat cheese. The specials are almost always seasonal, inspired by what's growing locally. If you're visiting with a group, go ahead and order a baker's dozen, a pizza box filled with 13 donuts of your choice.
The inside of the shop is just as warm and inviting as the donuts themselves. It's a busy, bustling place, even in the middle of the week, but the operation runs seamlessly. Plus, with a local coffee in hand, you really won't mind the wait. Community tables are set up inside, so you'll likely drum up conversation with your neighbor. It's all part of the experience!
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Hole Donuts (like many businesses in Asheville) lost its water and was forced to close for an extended period. Laurie Crosswell, one of the shop's always-smiling co-owners, shared a message of strength after the shop re-opened. "We are survivors. This city is resilient and full of so much love," she shared via Hole's Instagram page in November 2024. Hole collected donations from its fans across the country to distribute to its staff until they could re-open again. After about five weeks, the shop reopened, much to the delight of residents and visitors alike.
If you have the chance to travel to western North Carolina, stop by Hole Doughnuts to experience love in donut form. This alchemy of community, craft, and love creates a truly magical experience.
For more information about this iconic Asheville destination, be sure to visit the official Hole Doughnuts website. And here's a place to stay in Asheville if you're traveling from out of town.
With much of Western North Carolina under moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions, wildfires are burning in the region.The largest fires in WNC ...
With much of Western North Carolina under moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions, wildfires are burning in the region.
The largest fires in WNC were the Deep Woods and Black Cove fires in Polk County not far from Hendersonville, that forced evacuations and were burning over a combined 4,621 acres with 0% containment as of the evening of March 23.
There also was a fire in Burke County, just east of WNC. And the Persimmon Ridge and Table Rock fires have consumed 2,100 acres in the South Carolina Upstate.
Stay up to date with the location and size of fires with our North Carolina wildfire and smoke map. The map is interactive, is updated hourly and provides detailed information on each fire.
A burn ban is in place for all of North Carolina.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park also has issued a burn ban.
Todd Runkle is the Carolinas Connect editor and also a trending news editor for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected].
FARMVILLE, Va. - UNC Asheville Women's Tennis rolled past Longwood 6-1 in Big South Conference action on Saturday (Mar. 22).Asheville picked up one win in doubles play with Luise van Rensburg and Ari Siegel beating Phoebe Mitchell and Oriana Izarra 6-4 at No. 3, before Asheville would...
FARMVILLE, Va. - UNC Asheville Women's Tennis rolled past Longwood 6-1 in Big South Conference action on Saturday (Mar. 22).
Asheville picked up one win in doubles play with Luise van Rensburg and Ari Siegel beating Phoebe Mitchell and Oriana Izarra 6-4 at No. 3, before Asheville would sweep singles play for the win.
Keira Stewart started things off at No. 5 with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Alexandra Magia, before Elizabeth Tindera beat Izarra 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3. Alexis Nyborg beat Karina Riznavova 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1, before Valeria Centeno would beat Elizaveta Gnilozubova 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 6. Louise Booker would beat Mitchell 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 at No. 4, before Angelina Joy Hug closed things out with a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5) win over Feline van Ejkelenburgh at No. 2.
Doubles Competition 1. GNILOZUBOVA,E/RIZVANOVA,Karina (LU) def. Angelina Joy Hug/Elizabeth Tindera (AVL) 7-5 2. MAGIA,Alexandra/VAN EIJKELENBURG,F (LU) def. Avery Sager/Valeria Centeno (AVL) 6-3 3. Luise van Rensburg/Ari Siegel (AVL) def. MITCHELL,Phoebe/IZARRA,Oriana (LU) 6-4
Singles Competition 1. Alexis Nyborg (AVL) def. RIZVANOVA,Karina (LU) 6-4, 6-4 2. Angelina Joy Hug (AVL) def. VAN EIJKELENBURG,F (LU) 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7-5) 3. Elizabeth Tindera (AVL) def. IZARRA,Oriana (LU) 6-1, 6-1 4. Louise Booker (AVL) def. MITCHELL,Phoebe (LU) 1-6, 6-4, 0-0, 6-2 5. Keira Stewart (AVL) def. MAGIA,Alexandra (LU) 6-4, 6-0 6. Valeria Centeno (AVL) def. GNILOZUBOVA,E (LU) 1-6, 6-3, 6-1
The Bulldogs (9-5, 1-0 Big South Conference) return to action next Wednesday (Mar. 26) to host Gardner-Webb in conference action. First serve is set for 2:00 p.m. from the Asheville Racquet Club Downtown.
About Women's Athletics Presenting Partner First Bank
First Bank is the banking subsidiary of First Bancorp and is headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $12.1 billion. As a state-chartered community bank, First Bank operates 113 bank branches in North Carolina and South Carolina and a nationwide SBA platform. Since 1935, First Bank has taken a tailored approach to banking, combining best-in-class financial solutions, helpful local expertise, and technology to manage a home or business. First Bancorp's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FBNC." Visit our website at www.LocalFirstBank.com. Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - A late-inning rally fell short for UNC Asheville Baseball against Longwood on Saturday (Mar. 22) at Greenwood Field, with Longwood winning the game 9-7.Longwood built a 4-0 lead through the first three and a half innings, before Asheville got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Patrick Gillen singled through the right side to bring home ...
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - A late-inning rally fell short for UNC Asheville Baseball against Longwood on Saturday (Mar. 22) at Greenwood Field, with Longwood winning the game 9-7.
Longwood built a 4-0 lead through the first three and a half innings, before Asheville got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Patrick Gillen singled through the right side to bring home Brock Mercado. Asheville would get two runs back in the sixth to get back within 4-3 when Blaize Johnson launched his third home run as a Bulldog to right field to score Gillen. Longwood would add two runs in the top half of the seventh, before Asheville would get one back on a Rylen Stockton RBI single that scored Logan Lowe. Longwood would tack on three more in the top of the eighth, while Asheville scored three in the bottom of the ninth to bring the game to its final score. Stockton was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, before advancing to second on an error in the Longwood infield. Gillen would single to right center to load the bases moving Stockton to third and Brock Mercado to second, before a groundout by Johnson brought Stockton home and moved the other two up a base. Canon Pierce would come up big and poke a single through the right side to score Mercado and Gillen, before Longwood would record outs to secure the win.
Gillen paced the Bulldogs matching his career-high with three hits in the game, while Lowe and Pierce each had two hits and Corbin Lanowitz, Stockton, Mercado, Johnson and Charlie Stogner each recorded one hit in the game. Mercado and Gillen each scored twice in the game, while Lowe, Stockton and Johnson each scored one run in the game. Johnson drove in a career-high three runs in the game, while Pierce matched his career-high with two RBI in the game and Stockton and Gillen each drove in one run. Shea Walker (0-2) took the loss on the bump, allowing two runs on four hits in his start with one walk and one strikeout. Garrett Crum shouldered the load out of the bullpen firing 5.2 innings allowing four runs, three earned on six hits with two walks and a career-high six strikeouts. Branden Barna handled two innings of relief allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and one strikeout, while Zachary Gaydos also handled Asheville's final defensive out on the day.
The Bulldogs return to Greenwood Field tomorrow (Sunday, Mar. 23) for the series finale. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. from Greenwood Field with video and live stats available at www.uncabulldogs.com.
A reminder that admission to all UNC Asheville Baseball games at Greenwood Field is free courtesy of Ingles!
This story was updated with new information.GREEN RIVER – Plumes of smoke lifted from the Green River Cove as helicopters with balloon-like water-filled “Bambi Buckets” flew above the Green River Valley. With only one access point to two wildfires totaling over 2,000 acres in Polk County, firefighters from across the nation are racing to navigate infrastructure damaged by Tropical Storm Helene to build new fire lines and protect residents.Both the Deep Woods Fire and the Black Cove Fire...
This story was updated with new information.
GREEN RIVER – Plumes of smoke lifted from the Green River Cove as helicopters with balloon-like water-filled “Bambi Buckets” flew above the Green River Valley. With only one access point to two wildfires totaling over 2,000 acres in Polk County, firefighters from across the nation are racing to navigate infrastructure damaged by Tropical Storm Helene to build new fire lines and protect residents.
Both the Deep Woods Fire and the Black Cove Fire in Polk County — together totaling 2,969 acres, according to the latest March 22 update from the N.C. Forest Service — are burning in the Green River Cove, a valleyed stretch of the Green River typically busy with paddlers and tubers during the summer months. Several stretches of Green River Cove Road, which follows the river, had been entirely flooded during Helene, leaving dusty, muddy beaches on once-forested riverbanks.
As of March 22, Green River Cove Road — the primary access for emergency workers responding to the fires — only has one entrance point.
"It's basically trying to make order out of chaos," North Carolina Forest Service spokesperson E.J. Dwigans said of firefighting in the cove. Some firefighters had arrived from as far as Montana to help fight the fires, Dwigans said.
In recent months, parts of the road have seen major repairs, including the installation of a new bridge for resident access. However, the secondary entrance point for the cove, which includes a series of switchbacks descending into the valley, was entirely wiped out during the storm and has not been repaired. It means the road is only accessible from one entry point near Silver Creek Baptist Church. The road is currently closed to those who aren't responding to the fires and are not residents along the road.
Storm debris along older access roads leading to fire sites must be cleared and closed off. Rough terrain has made establishing fire lines difficult as the fires threaten communities already hit by Helene. It means the Green River community could see “one disaster after another," Dwigans said.
A statewide burn ban issued March 21 by the N.C. Forest Service remains in place.
The morning of March 22, the Black Cove Fire had burned into a section of N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission game land all the way to the Green River. Along the eastern portion of the cove, the Deep Woods Fire continued to burn down the mountain toward the river. The fires left plumes of thick smoke along Lake Adger in the morning.
The morning into the afternoon of March 22, the N.C. Forest Service was using drones and planes to track fire growth, Dwigans said.
Due to higher winds and dry conditions, both fires had jumped to over 1,000 acres in size on March 21, with the Deep Woods Fire tripling in size in a matter of hours. Both fires started on March 19. The 1,239-acre Black Cove Fire started from a downed power line, while the cause of the 1,730-acre Deep Woods Fire remains under investigation. As of the N.C. Forest Service's last update, both were at 0% containment.
Another fire, the 199-acre Fish Hook Fire near Lake Adger, had burned down three houses and a garage, but was reported on March 22 as being 50% contained.
On March 21, Polk County Emergency Management issued mandatory evacuation orders for the Piney Gate area. As of March 22 at 4:10 p.m. the evacuation order was still in place for the following roads:
If new evacuation orders are issued, emergency alerts will be pushed to all phones in the cove and emergency responders will move door to door to alert residents, Polk County spokesperson Kellie Cannon told the Citizen Times. A public meeting on the fires will be held at the Womack Building at 40 Courtshouse St. in Columbus at 2 p.m. March 23, the county announced on social media.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh issued a Code Red Air Quality alert in Polk County on March 21 due to smoke and flaky ash from the fires blowing around the county. That smoke has spread to Rutherford County, which is under a Code Orange alert.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Steve Wilkinson said that conditions heading into the week of March 24 are “going to be dry,” though relative humidity will rise the evening of March 23, possibly bringing rain — though not much. Wilkinson estimated total rainfall could be around 0.1 inch.
Wilkinson said wind in the area on March 22, which was predicted to be around 14 mph with a high of 28 mph, would be lighter by March 23 at around 5-10 mph, meaning a lower chance the fires would spread quickly.
The weather service had issued a Red Flag Warning for several counties across Western North Carolina, indicating a high fire danger for the region. That warning is expected to expire the evening of March 22, though high fire danger conditions will continue.
A shelter for those who may have to evacuate after the fires has been set up at 75 Carmel Lane in Columbus. Only two families have checked in after the fires started on March 19, Red Cross employee Brian Delmas said.
The county's Animal Services is available to help with the evacuation of pets or large animals. For those who need help loading, trailering, transporting or housing large animals or are evacuating and need a place for pets, can call Patti Lovelace at 828-817-7984.
The county is collecting donations for families who lost their homes and for the firefighters responding to the fire. Donations can be brought to the following locations: Foothills Community Church at 2720 Landrum Road in Columbus and Friendship Baptist Church at Friendship Church Road in Saluda. Officials ask that donations not be dropped off at local fire stations, as it distracts firefighters from their important tasks.
Bottled water, sports drinks, and powered drink mixes, along with snack items, are the biggest needs since they are quick and easy for fire fighters to consume while working, the county's social media said.
Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected]. Consider supporting this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
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