Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why an Asheville-area family is demanding answers after a teen’s death
And on the Asheville Patch calendar - Drop In Simply Charmed and Copper Ornament Making
Good day Asheville! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why an Asheville-area family is demanding answers after a teen’s death
- Why Asheville’s winter fog is being hailed as creative fuel
- See the key moments from North Buncombe’s 88-78 win over Franklin
Also on today's calendar: Drop In Simply Charmed and Copper Ornament Making and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in Ashevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Ashevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Sunny and not as cold, with a high of 42 and low of 18 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 54, low: 25.
- Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 54 and low of 31 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. ‘He's just a baby': Family of missing teen found dead in Candler seeks answers (wlos.com) — Buncombe County authorities are investigating after 18-year-old Joseph Rose, previously reported missing to Asheville police, was found dead in a ditch in Candler. His family, who last heard from him in late November, is grieving publicly and seeking answers while investigators say they have no new updates on the cause of death. 
2. Top 10 winter destinations that can rewire your imagination (rollingout.com) — Asheville gets spotlighted as a top winter escape, praised for its misty Blue Ridge Mountain setting, River Arts District studios, and cozy cafés that fuel creative work. The piece frames the city as a haven for artists seeking inspiration and quiet cabin retreats during the colder months, alongside other imaginative U.S. destinations.
3. North Buncombe boys top Franklin 88-78 at home (citizen-times.com) — North Buncombe High’s boys basketball team knocked off Franklin 88-78 at home on Dec. 9, with photos capturing standout guard play, cheerleaders, and a fired-up crowd. Shot-by-shot images from the Asheville Citizen Times photographer highlight key moments as the Black Hawks controlled the game on their home court.
4. New student loan rule could dissuade people from advanced nursing degrees (utahnewsdispatch.com) — An ICU nurse in Asheville who hopes to earn an advanced degree could be blocked by new federal limits on graduate student loans that exclude nursing from a favored “professional” category. Nursing groups nationwide warn the rule may worsen provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities that rely heavily on advanced practice nurses for primary and maternal care.
5. Shooting threat that shutdown WNC town deemed hoax (audacy.com) — A bomb squad from Asheville helped respond after a threatening call targeted a church and daycare in Highlands, leading to school and business lockdowns across the town. Investigators now say the incident was a swatting hoax, and no explosives or shooters were found, but the North Carolina Bureau of Investigation and local agencies are still working to identify the caller.
📸 Around Asheville
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Asheville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Trolls: A Field Study
The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
8:00 am - Botanical Painting for Beginners
The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
11:00 am - FES Chorus Concert
Fairview Elementary , 1355 Charlotte Hwy , Fairview
4:30 pm - U.S Boys Basketball vs. Combine Acad. (Home)
IC Imagine K-12 Public Charter School , 110 Champion Wy , Asheville
6:00 pm - Winter Lights
The North Carolina Arboretum , 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way , Asheville
6:00 pm - CCMS Sights and Sounds of the Season-Arts Night
Cane Creek Middle School
6:00 pm - Erwin HS Band Winter Concert
Erwin HS Theater
6:30 pm - Drop In Simply Charmed and Copper Ornament Making
Ignite Jewelry Studios , 84 W Walnut St , Asheville
11:00 am - Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
Asheville Masonic Temple , 80 Broadway St , Asheville
6:30 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Special Featuring "The Nutcracker" and More
Asheville Masonic Temple , 80 Broadway St , Asheville
8:45 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Asheville Masonic Temple , 80 Broadway St , Asheville
8:45 pm - Unwrap the Funk w/ Anne Combs & Company Funk
White Horse Black Mountain , 105c Montreat Rd , Black Mountain
7:30 pm
Tuesday December 16
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Friday December 26
📣 Asheville Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
Finley was LOST on December 13, 2025 in Asheville, NC 28803 near Forest Hill Drive. LAST SEEN NEAR FOREST HILL DRIVE, ACROSS FROM KENILWORTH PARK!… (Nextdoor Montford) - Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
Arlo was LOST on December 2, 2025 in Asheville, NC 28806 near Near Speedy’s junk yard Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor Lakeview Park)
- Earth Fare, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Executive Housekeeper in Asheville. Apply here.
- TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Overnight PT Retail Backroom Stocking 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 don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.