Asheville Local Frequency: Rural Broadband Boost, Officer Recovery, and Earth Month Kicks Off

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Wednesday, March 25. Big news out of Raleigh thats hitting close to home: Governor Josh Stein just announced nearly 26 million dollars in funding to bring high-speed internet to rural spots across North Carolina, and western North Carolina is getting a healthy slice. Providers like ERC Broadband and Frontier are set to connect over 260 locations right here in Buncombe County, plus spots in Henderson, Jackson, Swain, and Transylvania. That means families in those hard-to-reach areas can finally tap into telehealth for quicker doctor visits, kids can zoom through homework without lag, and small businesses can reach customers far beyond the Blue Ridge. Its a game-changer for keeping our mountain communities competitive and connected, with projects wrapping up by years end. Shifting to safety, a wild chase yesterday had everyone on edge. A Buncombe County detective was struck and dragged by a suspects vehicle during an investigation in Leicester, sparking a multi-county pursuit through Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery counties. The suspect, Mitchell Monroe Gunter, crashed multiple times, stole vehicles, and ended up airlifted to Mission Hospital where hes now in custody facing heavy charges like assault on an officer. Detective Watemon Jones is recovering well after treatment, thanks to quick work by multiple agencies. Stay vigilant out there, folks. On a brighter note, Earth Month kicks off with a bang. Swing by a Bountiful Cities event tomorrow, March 27, for free charged biochar to supercharge your garden. Mark April 11 for Arbor Day in the River Arts District with tree talks and activities at the Craven Street Boat Launch. Theres composting workshops on April 25 at Stephens-Lee Community Center, Bee City pollinator events, and the WNC Food Waste Solutions Summit on the 28th. Get hands-on with Greenworks cleanups or RiverLinks rain garden builds, and check Electrify Asheville for free home energy audits to slash those bills. Dont miss the 24th Asheville Orchid Festival this weekend at the North Carolina Arboretum, bursting with dazzling blooms thatll inspire your green thumb. Catch No Pressure and Haywire tonight at The Orange Peel for some high-energy tunes. And keep an eye on I-26 East for overnight closures this week as crews shift traffic to smooth your commutes. This has been Asheville Local Frequency. Well see you tomorrow with more local updates. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.