HARTFORD, Tenn. -- Transportation officials say the stretch of Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge that was closed because of a rockslide should reopen early Sunday.

HENDERSONVILLE -- Although Henderson County Sheriff Rick Davis said he planned to retire by the end of January, Henderson County's Board of Commissioners has heard nothing from him

FRANKLIN -- Authorities are investigating what they believe was a murder-suicide resulting in the death of an elderly couple and their dog in Macon County.

Asheville City Council members Jan Davis, Gordon Smith and Chris Pelly listen during the Feb. 3 retreat. Photo by Max Cooper. The upcoming budget year, a possible raise for city employees and a lobbyist in Raleigh were all topics of wide-ranging discussion at Asheville City Council’s annual retreat earlier today. Meeting at UNCA’s Sherrill Center, Council received briefings from staff and pondered their goals for the year. Among the topics discussed: • Next year’s budget. Administrative Director Lauren Bradley presented staff’s projections to Council, noting that thanks to better-than-expected sales tax revenue, the city made $250,000 more than expected last year, but that recovery is slow and “we’re not going to grow our way out of these current constraints.” The budget this year, according to staff, will face similar limitations to last year. “The future looks great,” Vice M…...

Based on tweets by David Forbes from the CIBO issues breakfast at the Biltmore Square Mall. At CIBO mtg. State Rep. Patsy Keever will talk about congressional campaign Also: Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer and local attorney Bob Long will talk about Asheville’s water system Buncombe Commissioner candidates Mike Fryar, David King, Glenda Weinart Michelle Pace Wood, Linda Southard. State Rep. Tim Moffitt, Commissioners Holly Jones, Carol Peterson, Council members Marc Hunt, Jan Davis also here. Keever: Politics “something I enjoy a great deal” and like helping ppl Here because GOP drew me out of my house district, realized 10th congressional district had most of old district in it.  Manheimer up now, talking about #ncga hearings on taking Asheville’s water system. Three options before Moffitt’s #ncga committee: leave water system w city, move to MSD, move to independent authority.  City doesn’t…...

Bank of America has confirmed the rumors of closing the Patton Avenue downtown branch on June 6, 2012. The bank cites duplication of services and a need to consolidate locations. The branches on Smoky Park Highway and College Street will remain open. At this time, the bank would not speculate on job losses associated with the closure. The building currently occupied by the bank is for sale, as is the building across the street which houses Wells Fargo. ...