State takes action on permit violations at coal-fired plants

Press release From N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources RALEIGH – The state has filed two lawsuits for injunctive relief against Duke Energy Progress Inc. and Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC for claims related to the discharge of wastewater from the utility’s North Carolina coal ash impoundments that were not included in the state’s earlier […]

NC DHHS rolls out details of statewide telepsychiatry plan

Press release From the office of Gov. Pat McCrory: Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory and Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos, M.D., joined leaders of East Carolina University in Greenville today to announce the details of a statewide telepsychiatry plan. The plan will improve access to mental health professionals and help an increasing […]

Local child’s wish to see NYC fireboats comes true, becomes honarary member of FDNY

Press release From Make-A-Wish® Central & Western North Carolina: Asheville, NC — Five-year-old Henry Thome was recently granted his wish to see fireboats in New York City. Henry suffers from Cartilage Hair Hypoplasia and had to undergo a bone marrow transplant in 2012. A polite and thoughtful child, Henry became animated when he learned he […]

Times-News: Bill vetoed by McCrory could have helped local agricultural community

From the Times-News Story by Mark Schulman Gov. Pat McCrory vetoed a bill Thursday that would have helped the agricultural community hire seasonal workers, said Mark Williams, executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County. Under current law, E-Verify screening to determine a worker’s immigration status is required after 90 days of employment. The bill that McCrory […]

Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters invites public to fall kick-off event Aug. 28

Press release From the Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters: The Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters invites its members and the public to the League’s fall kick-off event on August 28th. The event will take place in the upstairs Cinema Lounge at the Carolina Cinemas on 1640 Hendersonville Road, Asheville. The event will include the showing […]

Park Ridge Health Foundation to host island-themed gala

Press release From Park Ridge Health: Hendersonville, N.C. (August 14, 2013) – The Park Ridge Health Foundation invites the community to “Experience Hawaii” at its 2013 Gala. This year’s Park Ridge Health Foundation Gala will take place on Thursday, October 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Double Tree by Hilton™ Asheville – Biltmore. This year’s […]

McDowell Hospital names Chip Cross as new HR Director

Press release From Mission Health: MARION, N.C. (August 15, 2013) – McDowell Hospital welcomes Chip Cross as Director of Human Resources. Cross has tenure in various management roles, including his previous HR Director role at Coats, North America. His most recent role has been as Director of Leadership Development for Western Carolina Industries and the […]

Smoky Mountain News: Public hearing about fate of Haywood Regional Medical Center happens next week

From the Smoky Mountain News: Story by Becky Johnson A public hearing on the future of Haywood Regional Medical Center will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at the MedWest-Haywood Health & Fitness Center on the hospital campus. The community will have a chance to speak up about the potential of the hospital […]

Mayoral candidate Martin Ramsey to hold organizing meeting Saturday, Aug. 17 at West End Bakery

Press release From The Campaign to Elect Martin Ramsey: Aug. 14th, 2013- The Campaign to Elect Martin Ramsey will be holding an open organizing meeting in West Asheville at the West End Bakery. The event will begin at 5 pm, this coming Saturday, Aug. 17th. The campaign team invites citizens of Asheville to attend and […]

Citizen-Times: Mission Health anticipates nearly $350 million funding loss in next decade

From the Asheville Citizen-Times Story by Julie Ball: ASHEVILLE — Between lower reimbursements to hospitals as a result of the Affordable Care Act and some additional state cuts, Mission Health expects to lose around $350 million in funding over the next 10 years. In a letter sent to employees, President and CEO Dr. Ron Paulus […]

Times-News: Artwork for NC Apple Festival unveiled

From the Times-News: Story by Nancy Tanker: During a sponsor “thank you” dinner Tuesday at St. Paul’s Mountain Vineyards, Apple Festival organizers unveiled the original artwork that will be used on T-shirts and other festival merchandise. Hendersonville artist Rhonda Whiteside Shipman said she had “a lot of fun” painting the acrylic-on-canvas painting that promotes a […]

Transylvania County Girl Scouts team up with Brevard College students to do volunteer outreach

Press release From Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Brevard, N.C. – Transylvania County Girl Scouts will team up with Brevard College freshmen to conduct volunteer outreach and maintenance to Transylvania County Girl Scouts’ “Little House” on Monday, August 19, 2013. The day, “Move A Mountain Day,” is well-known across the county and allows incoming […]

Autobell Car Wash to sponsor Red Cross blood drive, offer free car washes to donors

Press release From American Red Cross of Western North Carolina ASHEVILLE, NC (August 13, 2013) — From Monday, August 26 – Saturday, August 31, Autobell Car Wash will sponsor a blood drive at the Asheville Blood Donation Center (100 Edgewood Road) of the American Red Cross here. Autobell will provide each presenting donor a coupon […]

Public invited to attend ‘Better Choices for NC’ town hall event Aug. 19

From the Western North Carolina AIDS Project Newsletter: This session of the State Legislature has been transformative. Are we making choices that are in the best interest of North Carolina? Come to a legislative review prepared by the North Carolina Justice Center and co-sponsored by WNCAP. Topics will include Health Care, Education, Environment, Poverty, Government […]

AdvantageWest board of directors says group is ‘moving forward’ despite reduction in state funding

Press release From AdvantageWest: (Fletcher, N.C. – Aug. 12, 2013): The board of directors of AdvantageWest Economic Development Group took a number of important actions during its regular bimonthly meeting on Aug. 8, including the passage of a budget for fiscal year 2013-14 and a ceremony to swear in newly appointed board members. This was […]