Preston Blakely

Preston Blakely: Political assassinations in Minnesota call for a reminder of our shared humanity A small town North Carolina mayor reflects on the recent violence and how we can change the tide of growing violence and intimidation against our leaders.

“Democracy is supposed to give us space to disagree. Democracy fails when disagreement turns dangerous, deadly, or personal.”

Mayor @prestonb-nc.bsky.social shares his concerns about the growing threat of violence for our local political leaders in his first column for Beacon Media.

#NCPol

Islands in the Sky A Comic Anthology - Uniting Stories, Art, and Survival in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

When Hurricane Helene devastated Southern Appalachia in the fall of 2024, it left both our landscape and our communities forever changed. But in the aftermath, something remarkable emerged: stories of survival, solidarity, and strength.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/app...

Federal judge sends Republican challenge of 60,000 ballots back to NC Supreme Court The state Supreme Court, which has a 5 to 2 Republican majority, will now hear Jefferson Griffin’s challenge of over 60,000 ballots cast in his race to ascend to the high court.

North Carolina's Supreme Court will decide whether or not to overturn the re-election of one of it's members.
www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!

2024 has been a year of resilience, growth, and community. From navigating challenges to celebrating milestones, I’m grateful for the opportunities to serve and for everyone who’s made an impact along the way. Here’s to continuing the work in 2025

After 143 years, famed Fletcher tent manufacturer Diamond Brand Gear closes due to Helene A WNC institution, Diamond Brand Gear closes after 143 years in business. Diamond Brand Outdoors, the retail spinoff of the company, will continue.

www.citizen-times.com/story/news/l...

Western North Carolina has shown incredible resilience in the face of these challenges—but resilience alone is not enough. We need action.

Families are displaced, childcare gaps have widened, and millions of dollars in agricultural losses threaten livelihoods. Despite all of this, Congress remains gridlocked.

This historic company, which supported our troops in World War II, was forced to shut its doors after the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Thirty-five employees lost their jobs, and a cherished piece of our community’s legacy is now gone.

The closure of Diamond Brand Gear, a 143-year-old Fletcher institution, is a heartbreaking reminder of what’s at stake.

I am deeply disappointed in Congress. While the people, businesses, and infrastructure of Western North Carolina suffer, they continue to play politics.

GoodTroubleComics - Etsy Shop Purveyors of the world's smartest comics, since 2019 by GoodTroubleComics located in Atlanta, Georgia.

Celebrate our first year of releases and get copies of Register! # 1 and Recognized # 1 for 20% off plus free shipping.

Support indie comics by giving a little knowledge and inspiration to someone you love.

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Oralene Simmons recognized for integrating Mars Hill The first African-American to attend Mars Hill University remembers the time after segregation

Cherish your loved ones. I hope you all have full hearts and full bellies this Thanksgiving!

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Days like this make me miss my other amazing grandmothers: Patricia Blakely, who passed away five years ago, and my great-grandmother Gertrude Burton, who left us ten years ago.

Look who I found this Thanksgiving—the queen herself, my grandmother, Oralene Simmons! She’s truly beloved. For years, whenever I was mentioned in the news, I was referred to as “Oralene Simmons’ grandson.” If you don’t know her story, you should read about her here.

But together, we can keep moving forward—helping our neighbors, advocating for what our communities need, and rebuilding WNC stronger than ever.

Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, joyful, and hopeful Thanksgiving. #thanksgiving

At the same time, there’s a lot of work ahead for our region. Many people still need housing. Businesses are struggling. Childcare remains uncertain. Debris is scattered everywhere. Jobs have been lost. The challenges feel endless.

The past few months have been incredibly challenging for folks across Western North Carolina. Yet, even in the face of adversity, there’s still so much to be grateful for—and I am deeply grateful.

General Assembly 'unlikely' to extend child care stabilization funding beyond December, legislator says State funding is running out at the end of December, leaving child care programs, families, and employers on the edge of another cliff.

www.ednc.org/11-14-2024-n...

We need a long-term solution, but extending these funds now is essential to avoid even greater hardship for working parents. Let’s make sure our families aren’t left without the care they rely on.

With stabilization funds set to end in December, many NC child care centers are at risk of closing or raising prices—especially in WNC after Hurricane Helene. Families are already struggling to find affordable care, and this funding has been crucial for keeping centers open and teachers paid.

Keep helping your neighbors.

The recovery of our region is crucial for the next generation. It’s going to be a long road. Our national attention span may be short, but let’s make sure the stories of Western North Carolina are not forgotten.

Because without them, we’re nothing. They are our future. When we talk about neighbors helping neighbors, let’s make sure we’re also thinking about our youth—their opportunities to return, live, and thrive here.

Honestly, I’ve rarely seen a time that wasn’t polarized in my own life. One of the missions I’ve been committed to is ensuring that our young people are interested, engaged, and invested in their community—a community they want to live in and return to.

Days are long, but the years are short. I think that phrase resonates especially with our youth. They’ve faced a pandemic, endured natural disasters, and grown up in a time when politics and government have been more divisive than ever.

Likewise!

Welcome, friend.

You know, this is all coming together. In Fletcher, there’s a restaurant called Blue Sky Cafe—they have the best fries! Maybe Bluesky, the social network, is the social media equivalent of their fries 😂

This is my first day here! I’m feeling it!