The Valley Echo

07/18/2025

Back-to-back Owen High School Overall Athlete of the Year Mia Roland is one of 44 of the nation’s top sophomore and junior softball prospects who will compete, July 26, in the PGF Futures All-American Game. Find out more about the contest, which will be streamed live on ESPN+, in the story below.

July 18, 2025 - Owen High School rising junior Mia Roland was selected for the 2025 PGF Futures All-American Game roster, which features 44 of the top high school softball prospects in the country

07/17/2025

A documentary examining the strong ties between Black Mountain residents and the town’s golf course premieres tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., in the Owen auditorium. Tickets are $10 and available at the door, and the first 30 attendees will be admitted for free, due to a donation from a local business owner. See the trailer for the Jewel of the Town, the filmmaking debut of Owen alumni Will Lance and Knox Moussette below.

07/16/2025

A Black Mountain development proposed by Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders will offer affordable housing for local Helene survivors through a community land trust model. Find out more about the project, which will require a special use permit to build 56 dwellings on the 10-acre site, in the story below.

July 16, 2025 - Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders seek to develop a 10-acre parcel in Black Mountain for the construction of 56 dwellings. If approved, the community land trust development would allow area residents impacted by Tropical Storm Helene to purchase homes while the nonprofit organization

07/07/2025

A pair of local filmmakers and Owen graduates captured "a story of Small Town, America," when they focused their camera on local residents and their shared affection for the Black Mountain Golf Course. Find out more about "The Jewel of the Town," produced by Will Lance, a rising senior in the WCU School of Stage and Screen and his lifelong friend, Knox Moussette, before the documentary debuts in the Owen auditorium, July 18, in the story below.

‘The Jewel of the Town’ explores Community’s Impassioned Support for Cherished institution Fred McCormick The Valley Echo July 3, 2025

07/04/2025

Holiday festivities kicked off this morning in Montreat, where the annual Fourth of July Parade celebrated “Helene Heroes” with a theme of Montreat Super Strong. See photos of the annual summer tradition in the gallery below.

July 4, 2025 - Montreat celebrates "Helene Heroes" in annual Fourth of July Parade

07/03/2025

A new program through the BMFD will train volunteer citizens to assist the town with disaster preparedness. Find out more about the Black Mountain Community Emergency Response Team, which will hold its first training in August, in the story below.

July 1, 2025 - The Town of Black Mountain launches a Community Emergency Response Team program, which will train citizens to assist local first responders in emergency and non-emergency situations

07/01/2025

The Fourth of July is right around the corner and there are plenty of ways to celebrate across the Swannanoa Valley. From the annual parade in Montreat to fireworks in downtown Black Mountain, find out more about the holiday festivities in the story below.

July 1, 2025 - From the Montreat Fourth of July Parade, to live music, to fireworks, the Swannanoa Valley is hosting a variety of holiday celebrations on Friday, July 4

06/30/2025

Following a season in which he finished third in the state, Owen golfer Carson Murphy finally returned to his home golf course in Black Mountain last week. Find out more about the rising senior’s accomplishments on the course, as he reflects on a standout campaign, in the story below.

owen Golfer Overcomes Adversity To Complete Program’s Best season in 18 Years Fred McCormick The Valley Echo June 26, 2025

06/27/2025

In the nine months since Tropical Storm Helene, a local nonprofit organization has raised over $700,000 to help more than 60 families across WNC. Find out more about ReGroupWNC, and its grassroots approach to filling in the gaps after the natural disaster, in the story below.

June 25, 2025 - ReGroup WNC, a Black Mountain-based nonprofit organization assisting victims of Tropical Storm Helene, has raised over $720,000 for more than 60 local families

06/23/2025

The Black Mountain Golf Course will get back into the swing of things tomorrow, following a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning. The town-owned facility is reopening the back nine for the first time since Tropical Storm Helene, while work continues on the front nine. Find out more in the story below.

June 23, 2025 - The Black Mountain Golf Course will reopen nine holes, June 24, for the first time since Tropical Storm Helene. The Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony, June 23, to mark the occasion

06/17/2025

The Black Mountain Police Department is investigating a death near the "Hemphill Property," following the June 16 discovery of a deceased individual. No foul play is suspected at this time, according to a press release from law enforcement officials.

Preliminary findings suggest no foul play Fred McCormick The Valley Echo June 17, 2025

06/14/2025

A hometown hero returned to the Swannanoa Valley today, as Owen High School celebrated the class of 2025. Super Bowl champion Brad Johnson delivered the keynote address, commending graduates for their resilience and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. See photos of the ceremony in the story and gallery below.

June 14, 2025 - Owen High School celebrates the class of 2025, as Super Bowl champion Brad Johnson returns, June 14, to deliver the keynote address at the graduation ceremony