The latest data also reveals increases in people who are chronically homeless (meaning they have lived without a fixed address for over 12 months) and people who self-identified as having a severe mental health condition or substance use disorder.
Proposed I-26 connector overpass sparks opposition
Two presentations before Asheville City Council offered alternatives to a large overpass atop Patton Avenue in proposed I-26 Connector plan.
City to assume storm-damaged properties
The Asheville City Council voted March 25 to authorize the city to assume ownership of 31 storm-damaged buildings and turn their lots into green space under a FEMA program.
Henderson County sheriff addresses ICE misconceptions
Amid rumors around the country of mass immigration raids, Sheriff Lowell Griffin says it’s unlikely that level of enforcement will happen within Henderson County.
The hidden costs of ‘free’ parking
Curbing parking requirements is a trend nationwide. According to Portland, Ore.-based Parking Reform Network, over 1,000 U.S. cities have reduced parking minimums, while 82 U.S. cities have eliminated them altogether.
What’s new in food: Rebuild + Regrow, To Hell with Helene and more
Plus a wine dinner at Little D’s, a new food-relief partnership aimed at building disaster resilience and a Community Giveback event at Romeo’s Vegan Burgers.
Back in the Day: The water of my youth
Robert McGee reflects on his childhood days in Marshall and the powerful hold the French Broad River still has on him.
Back in the Day: Strolling through downtown in the early 1960s
Deborah Austin revisits her childhood adventures in Riceville and downtown Asheville.
Buncombe’s budget outlook ‘not quite as dire’ as initially thought
Staff projects county revenue will come in $15.6 million under what was initially projected last summer, far better than the up to $25.7 million drop staff feared was possible in January. Next year’s numbers look similar.
Beyond the Dais: The music, laughter and leaky diapers of Kim Roney’s youth
As part of Xpress‘ annual Kids Issue series, we reached out to the members of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to share their childhood recollections. Council member Kim Roney shares her tales.
State legislators discuss federal cuts and disaster relief at town hall in Asheville
Over 300 constituents gathered at the Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech for the latest town hall, featuring Sen. Julie Mayfield (District 49) and Reps. Lindsey Prather (District 115), Brian Turner (District 116) and Eric Ager (District 114).
School crossing guards share their stories
Two longtime crossing guards share the personal joys of working with kids and their strategies for conducting traffic in the school zone.
Beyond the Dais: The infamously bad dance moves of Commissioner Parker Sloan’s youth
As part of Xpress‘ annual Kids Issue series, we reached out to the members of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to share their childhood recollections. Buncombe County Commissioner Parker Sloan shares his tales.
Coxe Avenue affordable housing project inches forward
Plans take another step for more than 200 affordable housing units on Coxe Avenue near the South Slope.
Annual State of Downtown event talks BID, grants and plans for generating revenue
After nearly 40 downtown retailers, restaurants and offices closed or relocated in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, business leaders and government officials met at the annual State of Downtown event to discuss ways to revive the central business district.
Despite Helene, there are plenty of kid-friendly outdoor activities in the Black Mountain region
Spring is here and there are plenty of parks and some trails open in Black Mountain, Swannanoa and Montreat.
Beyond the Dais: Sheneika Smith on youthful pranks
As part of Xpress‘ annual Kids Issue series, we reached out to the members of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to share their childhood recollections. Council member Sheneika Smith shares her tales.
A look into the daily routes of local school bus drivers
Bryan Newton has a full time job managing facilities at Camp Cedar Cliff. Still, he gets up at 5 a.m. every morning to drive about 22 students to school at Charles C. Bell Elementary School. Like the 225 other drivers in Buncombe County and Asheville City schools, Newton doesn’t do it for the money.
Data shows fewer people facing evictions months after Hurricane Helene
Despite higher levels of unemployment in Western North Carolina as communities recover from Hurricane Helene, the number of people facing evictions in recent months has declined, according to data from the North Carolina Housing Coalition.
Back in the Day: ‘To Lord’s Drug Store!’
Barb Knight relives a childhood stroll with her father.
Beyond the Dais: Maggie Ullman’s childhood obsessions with Pee-Wee Herman and the outdoors
As part of Xpress‘ annual Kids Issue series, we reached out to the members of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to share their childhood recollections. Council member Maggie Ullman shares her tales.
