Home Care In Black Mountain, NC

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — (9:54)

Henderson County has announced that due to weather and roadway conditions, the county's non-emergency local government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26.

This closure includes Solid Waste, Animal Services, and the Henderson County Public Library.

The county says a non-emergency call center line is available at 828-435-2030.

Henderson County also has a pet-friendly emergency shelter open at the Athletics and Activities Center located at 708 South Grove Street, Hendersonville, NC.

(9:00 p.m.)

Waynesville has announced through an alert that water service has been restored to residents and customers.

Residents no longer have to take extra steps to conserve water. However, a boil water advisory is still in effect.

(7:58 p.m.)

Broad River Fire and Rescue in Black Mountain is advising residents to avoid secondary roads as none of them in the area have been treated or plowed.

According to a social media post, roads in Black Mountain are expected to refreeze tonight, making travel dangerous into the following day.

Broad River Fire and Rescue says it will not be able to pull vehicles out of ditches and asks residents to mark abandoned vehicles with something white on a side mirror.

The Town of Black Mountain has announced that sanitation collection is canceled on Monday, Jan. 26, due to icy road conditions.

Anyone scheduled for collection on Monday will need to hold their trash until Monday, Feb. 2, when trash and recycling will be collected.

(7:11 p.m.)

As of 7 p.m. there are over 6,000 power outages reported across western North Carolina, according to Ready NC's power outage map.

Transylvania is experiencing more than 7,000 outages.

UNC Health Pardee Hospital wants to remind the community that the Pardee Hospital and the Emergency Department remain open 24 hours a day, however inclement weather has caused certain facilities to operate on different schedules.

The following are schedule changes for Monday, Jan. 26:

All Pardee Urgent Care locations will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Pardee says all practices will contact patients to cancel and reschedule appointments.

(5:50 p.m.)

AdventHealth is reminding the community that their hospitals remain open and fully operation as the weather continues to impact the region.

According to a news release, Advent's Centra Care Arden on Airport Road is closed throughout Monday, Jan. 25.

Advent will also be providing the community with free virtual appointments through their website or app using the code word "community".

To access these appointments, visit here.

(5:40 p.m.)

The Town of Waynesville has isolated a water line break that occurred earlier this morning.

The town says water pressure will be fully restored once the tank is refilled, however, residents are asked to conserve water.

The boil water advisory is still in effect.

According to Ready NC's power outages map, there are over 28,000 outages across western North Carolina as of 5:35 p.m.

Henderson County is currently experiencing more than 11,000 outages.

(4:53 p.m.)

Haywood County has announced that all facilities will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, due to cold temperatures and potential for black ice.

According to the release, this includes Haywood County Solid Waste:

The county says that the delayed opening is intended to allow for additional time for safer travel conditions as temperatures rise, and crews continue to monitor road conditions.

County officials are urging employees and the public to use caution while traveling during the early morning hours.

(4:10 p.m. )

The City of Asheville has provided a few updates on the impacts of the winter storm.

According to the City of Asheville website, road conditions are expected to be hazardous again on Monday morning, despite roads appearing to improve this morning.

The city urges residents to use extreme caution, delay travel if possible, and anticipate icy conditions during the morning commute.

The city says all government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26, including all city buildings and scheduled meetings or programs. All Parks and Recreation community centers will also remain closed.

Although city offices will be closed, the Development Services online portal will be available.

All scheduled basketball games have been cancelled, and inclement weather childcare will not be provided.

Parking and Transits

The city has extended free parking at all City-owned parking garages for those who need to park.

Asheville Rides Transit services will resume at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, if road conditions are safe. Detours and cancelled routes are expected where roads remain impassable.

(3:50 p.m. ) - In western North Carolina there are more than 19,000 power outages with over 10,000 in Transylvania County.

Haywood, Henderson, Buncombe, and Macon counties each have outage numbers in the thousands, per Ready NC. Across the entire state, there are a total of 21, 974 power outages.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating if the report of a deceased male found earlier this morning lying on the roadside in the 400 block of New Leicester Highway is weather-related.

(2:50 p.m.) - In western North Carolina there are more than 19,000 power outages with over 9,000 in Transylvania County.

Haywood, Henderson, Buncombe, Macon, and Jackson counties each have outage numbers in the thousands, per Ready NC. Across the entire state, there are a total of 20,162 power outages.

A tractor-trailer hauling drywall overturned on Interstate 26 eastbound near mile marker 56.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol reports no injuries and have established a detour route at mile marker 59.

(1:30 p.m.) – In western North Carolina, there are more than 15,000 power outages, including nearly 9,200 outages in just Transylvania County.

Haywood, Henderson and Buncombe counties each have outage numbers in the thousands, per Ready NC. Across the entire state, there are a total of 16,700 power outages.

An overturned truck has caused a partial closure of I-26 West near Flat Rock in Henderson County. The North Carolina National Guard, which was mobilized this week to assist with the winter storm, responded to the scene.

(11:30 a.m.) – North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein held a virtual briefing to provide updates on the winter storm.

Stein said there have been over 400 vehicle crashes, and more than 300 abandoned cars have been removed from roadways across the state. Hazardous roads and power outages continue to be the largest threat in North Carolina, Stein announced.

An official with the North Carolina Department of Transportation said there are 2,500 crews out working throughout the state. It may be days until some secondary roads in the state become passable, an NCDOT official said.

Watch:

(10:45 a.m.) – Buncombe County officials say wintry precipitation will continue into Sunday afternoon, and the Ice Storm Warning is in effect through 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26.

The National Weather Service says freezing temperatures may further the threat of hazardous driving conditions and power outages. As of 10 a.m., Duke Energy reported around 500 power outages in Buncombe County. French Broad Electric, however, has not reported any outages within the county.

At this time, Buncombe County storm shelters are serving 60 community members, officials confirmed. Code Purple shelters are also open this weekend.

In Hendersonville, all government offices and facilities will be closed on Monday due to the winter storm. Garbage, recycling and brush collection will not take place on Monday, city officials confirmed.

Local and state officials are still advising all residents to stay off the roads due to dangerous icy conditions. As of 10:30 a.m., more than 7,800 power outages are reported across western North Carolina.

(9:45 a.m.) – More than 5,000 power outages are reported across western North Carolina, according to Ready NC. Across the state, there are over 6,200 reported outages as numbers continue to grow throughout the day.

(8 a.m.) – Thousands of outages have been reported in western North Carolina due to widespread ice across the region. Ice totals are adding up on roadways and bridges, creating hazardous conditions.

As a reminder, local and state officials advise residents to avoid all travel unless necessary.

(6 a.m.) – There are more than 900 power outages across western North Carolina.

Roads in the region are slick with ice, and more sleet and freezing rain will fall today.

News 13 chief meteorologist Jason Boyer advises all residents to stay home and avoid travel unless necessary.

This is a developing story that will be updated throughout the day. Stay with News 13 for the latest weather information.

Richard Hicks to begin temporary administrative role, Jan. 20

The Valley EchoJanuary 5, 2026

The search for an interim town manager for the Town of Black Mountain ended, Jan. 5, following a unanimous vote by elected officials.

Richard Hicks, who has held temporary administrative positions for nearly a dozen municipalities since retiring from the Town of Farmville after serving as its manager for 21 years, will step into the role for Black Mountain, Jan. 20.

The 4-0 vote, with Vice Mayor Archie Pertiller, Jr. out of town, came as the town council held its fifth special called meeting since current manager, Josh Harrold, announced, Dec. 10, he was stepping down from the position after seven years. Harrold’s resignation, which cited values that no longer align with those of elected officials, is effective, Jan. 27.

Elected officials, on Dec. 23, conducted interviews with two potential candidates in closed sessions, pursuant to N.C. General Statute 143-318.11.

The extensive professional background of Hicks, who will bring more than four decades of experience in local government administration to the position, proved to be the deciding factor, according to Councilmember Ryan Stone.

“Not only does he have experience serving as interim manager, but he spent more than 20 years in one community, dealing with various issues” Stone said. “He was also highly recommended by colleagues and other folks in the N.C. City and County Management Association, as well as the (N.C.) League of Municipalities and School of Government.”

Hicks, who retired as the town manager of Farmville in 2010, most recently held the interim role in Waxhaw from November of 2024 through August of 2025. His previous tenures as interim town, city or county manager include time in Mayodan, Sylva, Angier, Elizabeth City and other municipalities. He has requested an overlap of a few days with the current manager.

Councilmember Doug Hay expects the temporary administrator to support the day-to-day operations of the town and assist the community through the transition, as the board searches for a permanent manager.

“He’s served multiple times as interim town manager, so he has the ability to step in, from day one, and hit the ground running,” Hay said. “It’s important to me that no services are impacted during this process, so he’s not simply filling a seat, he’s actively serving as town manager during this time.”

Hicks, who oversaw major infrastructure, utility and downtown revitalization projects during his career in Farmville, will bring experience in emergency management and disaster recovery to the office, according to a press release from the Town.

“He served as a regional liaison for hurricane relief with the N.C. Division of Emergency Management and has worked closely with state and federal partners, including FEMA, to support communities responding to natural disasters and recovery efforts,” the statement said.

While the interim manager’s experience, leadership style and familiarity with municipal governments throughout the state will allow him to effectively serve Black Mountain during his time in the office, Stone also views his upcoming arrival as an "opportunity to turn the page.”

“This is a fresh start for folks, and I’m looking for someone to open up town hall, so people can come in and address whatever grievances they may have,” he said. “I would like him to take a holistic approach at viewing the organization. I’m hoping we can look at what we’re doing, find out what we can do better and what we can do more efficiently.”

The council member believes Hicks can be a partner and sounding board as the board moves ahead with its search for a permanent town manager.

Officials and personnel attorney Susan Russo Klein discussed options for executive search firms to assist in identifying candidates, following the announcement of an interim. The board was given seven options to review, including Piedmont Triad Regional Council and Florida-based MGT.

While the cost of the majority of the services was around $25,000, according to Hay, the Piedmont Regional Council offered a cost-effective alternative. Hay, Mayor Michael Sobol, Councilmembers Alice Berry and Pam King each expressed support for the available resources of the larger firms, but Stone advocated for the consideration of the regional council’s service.

“Personally, my preference would be to go with Piedmont Triad,” he said. “I think, for the additional services you get, they will provide you with all the basic services of what these others are going to do.”

Although larger firms offer various assessments and vetting resources, the ultimate decision remains up to elected officials, he added.

“Whoever sits in these seats has to look at these (candidates) and determine what they want in that capacity,” Stone said. “I trust myself to look at the resumes of folks who come in and who can do this job and who can’t. Once we reach a number of finalists, whatever that may be, I think we can schedule interviews and do background checks in a more cost effective way.”

The council member, who served during a similar transition process in 2018, would support whatever the board decided, he continued.

“What Black Mountain has going for it, and Mike (Sobol) can attest to this too, because he’s done manager searches as well, is that this is an attractive opportunity for folks,” Stone said. “Whether using a search firm or the League of Municipalities or City County Managers Association postings, you’re going to get qualified applicants from across the country. It’s just a matter of looking at those.”

That process can require significant time from elected officials, according to Sobol.

“You need to keep that in mind, because you guys will be the ones to decide how to divvy up the different functions,” he said. “That’s why I would recommend going with a firm, even though it will be approximately $20,000 more.”

The board requested the attorney acquire recorded audio or video presentations from MGT and the Piedmont Regional Council before its upcoming special called meeting at 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 8.

“If we have that by Thursday, at the meeting that day, we can have this discussion and request follow-up questions if we need to,” Hay said. “Otherwise, if we can have this discussion added to the agenda meeting, maybe we could vote on Thursday.”

BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC — Warm temperatures across western North Carolina prompted many people to spend their Christmas Eve out on the golf course.

Golfers like Don Segal said the conditions made it impossible to stay away.

“You can’t pass a day like this up, and it’s great that the course is open and it’s busy and it’s just great to be out here,” Segal said.

At the Black Mountain Golf Course, Segal is one of many golfers who are returning after months of closures caused by storm damage during Helene.

Course officials say Helene damaged cart paths, bridges, and the irrigation system. While repairs are ongoing, the back nine holes have reopened, allowing players to return.

“We had to go down the mountain to play golf for quite a season and play some nice courses, but there’s no place like your home course,” said golfer Mike Stewart.

Beyond the game itself, golfers said the weather was the highlight of the day.

“It’s 65, it’s Christmas Eve, I’m with my buddies, this is the best day ever,” said golfer Brandon Hawkins.

Players at the Springdale course in Canton also took advantage of the warm holiday weather.

“Obviously, we were hoping for a white Christmas, but if we can’t have a white Christmas, then we’ll go out golfing,” said golfer Andrew Beachum.

Back in Black Mountain, players are already looking ahead to the full reopening of the course.

“We’re really excited, we’d come in every time we play and go ‘how long, how long’ and so now they’re at least saying hopefully by spring, so there’s a lot of spring hope in us for it opening back up,” Stewart said.

Course leaders say repairs on the remaining front nine holes are expected to begin in the coming months.

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Black Mountain Brewing, a local brewery, has taken to social media in recent weeks with a claim that the Black Mountain Town Building Inspector had unjustly shut down the top deck of the brewery. Yesterday, Black Mountain officials responded to BMB’s claims in a press release. Here’s what’s going on.

On Tuesday, Nov. 25, BMB posted an update to their Facebook page captioned “URGENT: Black Mountain Brewing Needs Your Help.”

In the post, the brewery wrote that they are facing “the biggest threat to our existence” after Town Building Inspector Rick Denise Burton shut down the top deck of the building over code violations on Labor Day weekend. According to BMB, the deck was “fully permitted, engineered, approved and safe,” and its removal cut the capacity of the brewery from 89 to 25 people.

Yesterday, Wednesday, Dec. 3, the town of Black Mountain responded to the post with a press release, claiming that although permits were filed by BMB for the deck in July 2018 and its add-ons – including a shed roof over the back deck, a second-story deck and gas piping – in late 2020, the permits lacked adequate documentation and inspection.

“Several of these permits lacked required elements such as Appendix B (building code summary) and site plans. While the second-story deck passed footer and final building inspections in April 2021, no CO was issued, and the occupancy load was not recalculated or reposted to account for the expanded area,” the town wrote in the release. “Other permits, including the shed roof and gas work, expired with no final inspections requested by the property owner. By early 2023, all of these permits had expired without fully documented completion.”

The press release addressed the Labor Day closure, reporting that the closure was ordered due to “unpermitted electrical and interior work on the upper floor” detected during a fire inspection.

“Over the next several weeks, the Town issued a violation notice requiring closure of the top floor and deck, followed by an Unsafe Building or Structure notice specific to the deck structure. The Unsafe Notice required continued closure, a detailed plan of correction and a sealed structural engineer’s report. The notice was formally posted on the building and hand-delivered to the registered agent,” the town wrote in the release.

According to the press release, town officials met with BMB representatives and their advisors in November to discuss 19 corrections, or “clear options,” required to reopen the deck.

However, BMB disputes this account, writing in the Nov. 25 post that “the Town refuses to give us clear written instructions on what they want in order to let us reopen. Their last suggestion? Enclose both levels and add sprinklers—turning a deck built for mountain views into a massive, costly construction project. Hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Currently, the controversy stands on the grounds of fair treatment.

BMB said: “This is not sustainable – and it’s not fair. It’s not just about Black Mountain Brewing. Small businesses across town have shared stories of fear, pressure and retaliation for speaking up.”

Black Mountain officials said: “At every point, the Town’s actions have been grounded in the duty to enforce State building and fire codes and protect public safety, not to single out any individual or business.”

This story is developing.

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (WLOS) — More business owners in Black Mountain say sudden enforcement changes by the town are threatening their livelihoods and they want to know why rules they previously followed are now being interpreted differently.

This comes one day after Black Mountain Brewing said its permitted upper deck was suddenly closed despite years of approvals and inspections.

Now, the owner of another downtown restaurant says he experienced the same thing.

Open Oven owner Steven Paulson said his rooftop seating area, approved, permitted and inspected by the town, helped keep his business alive during the pandemic.

“We passed every inspection we were given,” Paulson said. “We thought we did everything right.”

He said the rooftop operated for more than a year before a new inspector found issues previously missed. Paulson said the town later required the rooftop to be closed and ultimately removed.

“I’m not an engineer, that’s why inspections exist,” he said. “Those checks and balances were missed and we were left holding the bag.”

Paulson said the decision cut his seating capacity in half and has made sustaining the business significantly more difficult.

News 13 began requesting information from the Town of Black Mountain on Monday, Dec. 1, ahead of our initial report.

HELENE: A JOURNEY OF HOPE (BLACK MOUNTAIN)

Over the past two days, we emailed the mayor, all town commissioners, the building inspector and town manager Josh Harrold, requesting:

Harrold responded Tuesday in an email to News 13:

“The Town will be releasing a statement of facts this afternoon regarding this matter. We will not be doing an interview.”

When asked whether the town’s statement could be provided before airtime to include its position in our reporting, Harrold later wrote:

“We are not interested in doing an interview It appears there’s a need from WLOS to continue to push a story that isn’t a story.”

After additional businesses came forward, and News 13 again requested an interview, Harrold sent a third email:

“Consider this my last email on this subject I would implore you to do a little more research on how local governments operate in NC A statement will be released when we are ready.”

The emails were also copied to the town’s planning director, Michelle Kennedy, who is involved in the permitting and inspection process.

As of publication, the town has not provided the promised “statement of facts.”