Asheville Citizen-Times

RALEIGH — Parole has been granted to a Waynesville man who fired three shots at point-blank range into the head of his wife's new companion 22 years ago. Full Story »

FLETCHER -- Materials Innovation Technologies, a Fletcher firm that reuses and makes lightweight carbon fiber materials, will received a National Science Foundation grant for $132,000. Full Story »

MILLS RIVER — Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies charged a Mills River man in a shooting. Full Story »

FAIRVIEW — Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputies Wednesday arrested two men charged in connection with a break-in last week at a Fairview business. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — Police arrested an Asheville man on drug charges. Arnold Quentin Aiken Jr., 21, of Atkinson Street, was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for use of a controlled substance, according to warrants served today. Full Story »

FLAT ROCK — The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site needs more funding and staff to ensure preservation of its historic structures and archives, according to a report released today by the National Parks Conservation Association. Full Story »

Asheville NC News - citizen-times.com is the home page of Asheville NC with in depth and updated Asheville local news. Stay informed with both Asheville NC news as well as headlines and stories from around the world. Full Story »

HENDERSONVILLE — These would-be Grinches didn't get away with the Christmas loot. Full Story »

Harrah’s Cherokee Casino could start serving alcohol on the floor as early as next week, casino General Manager Darold Londo said Wednesday. Eastern Band of Cherokee voters approved alcohol sales in June, and the casino has been selling it in restaurants and cafes. Full Story »

MARION — The N.C. Highway Patrol is investigating a traffic accident this morning near Marion in McDowell County. Full Story »

Several thousand customers in Western North Carolina remain without electricity this morning after drenching rains and high winds lashed the mountains Tuesday and Wednesday. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — Heather Martin got quite a surprise when she got home from work Wednesday. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — Better bundle up in the Asheville area. An arctic blast sweeps into the mountains today, with a high of only 38 expected, according to the National Weather Service. Full Story »

CANDLER — Firefighters weren’t sure what sparked a blaze Wednesday evening in the basement of a Candler home. Crews responded about 8 p.m. to a two-story home on Young Drive, Enka-Candler fire Chief Henry Owens said. Smoke was coming from the home when firefighters arrived. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — A Burnsville man with a long criminal record will spend at least nine years in prison. Full Story »

MOORESBORO — Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy will present its fourth annual Christmas concert at 7 p.m. today. Full Story »

FLAT ROCK — The Carol Sandburg Home National Historic Site needs more funding and staff to ensure preservation of its historic structures and archives, according to a report released today by the National Parks Conservation Association. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — Police say a Candler woman attempted to return a bottle of Mystic Tan she knew was stolen. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — Police say they caught an Asheville man with a stolen 2008 PT Cruiser. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — Saturday night could see a chance of sleet, according to the National Weather Service. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — UNC Asheville's Board of Trustees this week followed Western Carolina University in proposing a 6.5 percent increase in tuition for 2010-11. The board also moved to increase student fees by $112. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — Sales of existing homes in Buncombe County jumped by 55 percent in November, but people in the industry were in no hurry to declare an end to the housing slump. Full Story »

MILLS RIVER — Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies were investigating a shooting late Wednesday in Mills River. Full Story »

BURNSVILLE — Yancey County investigators on Tuesday arrested a Burnsville man charged with sending photos of his genitals to a 13-year-old girl. Full Story »

ASHEVILLE — A widespread power outage has been reported in North Asheville. The outage was reported about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday near and along Merrimon Avenue. The outage knocked out power to about 7,500 residents, a Buncombe County emergency dispatcher said. Full Story »