From Staff Reports

In what was — perhaps — a surprise to many, Asheville was included on the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide list of top 12 destinations for 2025.

Indeed, the Forbes writers “believe that travelers this year are looking for ‘unique, enriching travel experiences that prioritize personal well-being and connection with nature,’” the Asheville Citizen Times reported on Feb. 21. “The annual list features worldwide locations from Australia to Asheville and beyond.”

Further, the newspaper stated, “It isn’t the first time that Asheville has made a prestigious list of travel destinations, even following Tropical Storm Helene’s devastating effects on the Western North Carolina region. Previously, the city was ranked among the top 20 in The New York Times’ list of 100 travel destinations for 2025.”

First and foremost, Forbes Travel Guide acknowledged Helene’s $53 billion in damages across North Carolina. “Though it will take years for the state to recover, writers reminded the public that tourism is welcome in the WNC region once again,” the ACT noted. “Not only that, it’s needed to help with recovery efforts.”

Forbes Travel Guide mentioned the following Asheville destinations:

• Downtown Asheville, including shops, restaurants, galleries and art studios.

• “Bountiful breweries,” including Highland Brewing Company and Archetype Brewing.

• The town’s “most-famous attraction, the 8,000-acre, castle-like Biltmore Estate, and its Four-Star inn.”

• Hiking, biking or driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Writers reminded tourists to double-check which areas of the parkway have reopened following Helene.

From Staff Reports 

Overall, “attractions” in Buncombe County (especially around Asheville) — “post-Helene — saw a 4 percent jump from pre-Helene levels, now at 18 percent,” it was announced during the Feb. 26 meeting of the TDA, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Feb. 26.

In summarizing the meeting, News 13 added, “Since Helene, economic stability has been low; as Buncombe County heads into its tourism season, it is important to know where the county stands post-hurricane and what its next steps in recovery are.”

To that end, the TDA meeting “primarily focused on how the county began 2025, and in short, those numbers were strong, with hotel demand and occupancy levels up from January 2024,” the TV station stated.

“Some big attractions that contributed to the economic boost were the recent Billy Strings concert series, which brought in $15.7 million to the local economy, and RAD Fest, which saw a 400 percent increase in the River Arts District.

“Another notable survey response was that 47 percent of business-owners said they were struggling financially compared to 29 percent of resident respondents,” News 13 reported.

From Staff Reports

Mission Health in Asheville “has terminated one employee and launched an investigation following the discovery of a deceased patient in a hospital bathroom,” a Mission spokesperson confirmed, according to a Feb. 25 report by Asheville television station WLOS News 13.

“A Mission Hospital employee initially reported the incident to News 13,” the television station stated. 

Meanwhile, AI Overview noted, “A patient in the bathroom of Mission Hospital’s emergency department in Asheville, North Carolina died after waiting 12–15 minutes for help. The patient pulled a call bell, but no one responded until a triage nurse found him dead.” 

In response to inquiries, Mission Health on Feb. 25 provided the Daily Planet with the following statement acknowledging the situation:

“The sudden death of a patient is devastating, and we grieve whenever there is a loss of life. 

“We realize there are many questions that need to be answered, and we are examining every aspect of this incident. 

“Our investigation indicates that certain staff who had been trained did not follow hospital protocols. 

“We have terminated one individual and have reported to the appropriate agencies. 

“We are working diligently to address any additional issues that are identified during the course of our investigation. 

“We appreciate our physicians, nurses and colleagues who continue to provide safe and compassionate care to all patients who come to Mission Hospital.”

From Staff Reports

 Once again, North Carolina Senator Julie Mayfield, D-Asheville, is calling on Nasheville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare to sell Asheville-based Mission Hospital.

“Mayfield and Reclaim HealthCare WNC, a regional healthcare coalition, spoke out Feb. 28 after a recent ‘preventable’ death took place in Mission Hospital’s emergency department,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported. “Just over a year ago, I stood at this podium sounding the alarm over the quality of care at Mission Hospital,” Mayfield said, referring to her previous request for HCA to sell Mission Hospital.

“Mayfield spoke when Mission was notified of non-compliance with federal standards involving ‘immediate jeopardy’ violations that put patients’ health and safety at risk,” News 13 added. 

From Staff Reports

Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell has officially announced she will retire from her position after work on Dec. 5.

Campbell formally confirmed her retirement from her position in a letter sent to Mayor Esther Manheimer and Asheville City Council members on Feb. 18.

In her letter, Campbell stated the following:

"Recognizing the substantial effort required for a recruitment process, and to ensure transparency and ample planning time, while my contract offers another two-year renewal term at the end of this year, I am formally announcing my retirement as City Manager of Asheville, effective Friday, December 5, 2025.”

Campbell was appointed Asheville’s city manager in 2018 under an initial five-year contract that concluded in December 2023, and automatically renewed for the next two years.

In her letter, she expressed her loyalty and commitment to the City of Asheville for the rest of her time in this position as follows:

"While there is much work to be done, particularly concerning the recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, I am fully dedicated and committed to leading these efforts for the remainder of my tenure. My focus will be on ensuring that the initial phase of our recovery is robust and solid groundwork is established.”

Campbell closed the letter by conveying her “sincere gratitude” for the opportunity to serve as city manager.