Bulldogs Basketball Comeback, County Tensions, and a Revived Rail Link - Asheville's Local Highlights

Good morning, this is your Asheville Local Frequency for Thursday, February 5th. Last night, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs men's basketball team lit up Kimmel Arena with a thrilling 76-67 comeback win over rivals USC Upstate, sweeping the regular-season series and padding their lead in the Ingles I-26 Rivalry at 21-6. Trailing at halftime, the Bulldogs exploded in the second half, shooting 60 percent from the field behind Kameron Taylor's 21 points including 14 after the break, Toyaz Solomon's double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, and DJ Patrick's four three-pointers. This victory boosts team morale as they gear up for their next road trip to Longwood on February 12th, showing how local hoops can rally our community through tough stretches. Over at Buncombe County Commissioners' meeting this week, tensions rose as Commissioner Jennifer Horton filed a lawsuit against the county she helps lead, sparking debates over policy and payments that could affect how we handle leadership roles here in the mountains. On a brighter note, the board greenlit participation in the state's C-PACE program, opening doors for businesses like local hotels to fund solar panels and energy upgrades on historic spots, potentially cutting costs and greening our skyline. They also reviewed the January winter storm response, noting strong shelter use but gaps like better weather stations for our rugged terrain, and proclaimed February as Black Legacy Month to honor enduring histories amid national shifts. For fun today, swing by New Belgium Brewing where Cecilia's Kitchen food truck rolls in with tasty crepes, tamales, and empanadas, perfect for pairing with a brew and shaking off the chill. The NC Arboretum's Trolls: A Field Study exhibit is underway through February 5th, featuring massive interactive troll sculptures wandering our woods on their first North American adventure, drawing families to ponder nature's whimsy. Mark your calendars for the Tea for Two bench unveiling on Valentine's Day at the Arboretum, blending art and romance outdoors. Big news on the economic front: a new state report highlights restoring passenger rail from Salisbury to Asheville, dormant since 1975, as a game-changer linking us to Charlotte and the Research Triangle, promising jobs, tourism spikes, and easier visitor access to fuel our local economy. Stay tuned for more, from lunar rituals to fabric painting workshops later this month. This has been Asheville Local Frequency. We'll 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.