🌱 Patch AM: Which hospital plan could most change care for Asheville patients?

Morning Asheville! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which hospital plan could most change care for Asheville patients?
• Will Big Ivy’s “backyard” forest stay protected after Helene’s damage?
• See the stunning cakes from Asheville’s now-closed Karen Donatelli bakery

Also on today's calendar: Pop Up Holiday Market and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Low clouds breaking, with a high of 53 and low of 22 degrees.
• Monday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 52, low: 34.
• Tuesday: An a.m. shower; mostly cloudy, with a high of 62 and low of 46 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Health systems display competing visions at Buncombe hospital hearing (citizen-times.com) — Hospital systems are competing to add up to 129 new beds in Buncombe County, a decision that could reshape care for Asheville residents who rely on Mission Hospital and future facilities. Proposals range from major expansions at Mission to entirely new hospitals in Weaverville, southern Buncombe, and Arden, with a state ruling expected by early spring 2026.
   

2. US Forest Service details plan for Pisgah National Forest near Big Ivy (citizen-times.com) — A major Forest Service plan could reshape access to Big Ivy, the old-growth Pisgah National Forest area often described as Asheville’s backyard. After Helene’s damage, officials are weighing how to rebuild Big Ivy Road, while local advocates push to protect ancient trees, historic sites, and flat, accessible recreation areas that many Asheville residents cherish.
   

3. Karen Donatelli Cake Designs over the years: Photos (citizen-times.com) — A beloved Asheville staple, Karen Donatelli Cake Designs, has closed after 25 years in the city, with the owner citing damage from Tropical Storm Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina. A new photo collection looks back at the bakery’s intricate wedding cakes, pastries, and downtown shop that helped define Asheville’s dessert scene.
   

4. Going green in space: UNC Asheville develops lightweight solar panels for greenhouses (wlos.com) — UNC Asheville researchers are creating ultra-light, recyclable plastic solar panels that can be built directly into greenhouses, potentially transforming how food and energy are produced together. The student-led project just received a $60,000 grant to prove the concept within a year, with hopes it could eventually power greenhouses on Earth and even in space.
   

5. NC Supreme Court upholds conviction in 2021 viral video of man dodging oncoming truck (wlos.com) — State justices have upheld an Asheville man’s felony obstruction conviction stemming from a 2021 viral video where a driver tried to run him over and struck his cart holding his cat. The driver previously served seven months, while the pedestrian, a familiar local figure, was later killed in a separate crash on Patton Avenue.
   

📸 Around Asheville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Asheville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 21

• Pop Up Holiday Market
  2398 NC-9, Black Mountain
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Asheville Masonic Temple , 80 Broadway St , Asheville
  8:45 pm

Sunday December 21

• Casey Driessen: Sunday Bazaar
  Little Jumbo , 241 Broadway St , Asheville
  7:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Trolls: A Field Study
  The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
  8:00 am
• Winter Lights
  The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Trolls: A Field Study
  The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
  8:00 am
• Winter Lights
  The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Trolls: A Field Study
  The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
  8:00 am
• Winter Lights
  The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
  6:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Unwrap the Funk w/ Anne Combs & Company Funk
  White Horse Black Mountain , 105c Montreat Rd , Black Mountain
  7:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• 3WB Rock-On New Year's Eve
  White Horse Black Mountain 105 Montreat Road Black Mountain, NC 28711
  7:30 pm

Saturday January 3

• Mountaintop Yoga & Meditation Hike in Asheville
  Bearwallow Mountain Trail , 4854 Bearwallow Mountain Rd , Hendersonville
  9:00 am

📣 Asheville Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update: Pet Reunited
  A dog who went missing in Asheville, NC, has been safely reunited with their family after 17 hours, 43 minutes. Message from Finder: "in harrys… (Nextdoor East West Asheville)
• Piano 4-min Holiday Piece.
  Happy Holidays neighbors. https://youtu.be/AzzrwkvHtMc (Nextdoor Beaverdam)

• North Carolina Staffing posted a job opening for Accounting Clerk in Asheville. Apply here.
• US Government Jobs posted a job opening for Advanced Medical Support Assistant in Asheville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Asheville here.

Ok Asheville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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