A McDowell County neighbor’s concerns about the impact of mining operations and questions from Carolina Public Press drew the attention of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.
Author: Xpress Contributor
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From NC Health News: Tackling NC’s rural provider shortage, one residency slot at a time
As Bryan Hodge, director of rural initiatives at the Asheville-based Mountain Area Health Education Center sees it, rural communities often lack the staff and financial resources to establish and sustain residency programs.
A better solution for Charlotte Street
“Can we allow for growth and address our affordable housing needs while also combating climate change and maintaining the character of our neighborhoods?”
Conservation proposal protects Buncombe’s future
“The funds would be used to help farmers and others in the county place their grasslands and forests under conservation easements to preserve them for future generations.”
Patients, staff challenge quality of care at Mission Hospital under HCA management
Since investor-owned HCA Healthcare bought nonprofit Mission Health System in 2019, stories are increasingly common of long waits in the emergency room, unsanitary conditions, broken or missing equipment, patients having to lie in their own urine and feces, doctors leaving because of pay disputes and nurses weeping in the hallways because of stress and chronic understaffing.
101 Charlotte St. deftly balances conflicting priorities
“Asheville is changing, and since affordable housing is already in short supply, every neighborhood has a responsibility to accept its share of new, denser residential projects, despite the inevitable protests by vocal citizen groups.”
Buncombe commissioners must rein in the TDA
“Other cities have used their occupancy taxes to direct millions to infrastructure and social programs while still supporting vibrant tourism industries. Why can’t we?”
Please don’t trample Heller’s blazing star (and other rare treasures)
“Help us make a difference with some of our rarest species by joining thousands of visitors in the simple act of staying on trails and heeding any ‘area closed’ signs.”
From CPP: Parts of Western NC see vaccine demand drop to a ‘trickle’
Several Western NC counties seeing recent surge in COVID-19 cases even as willing pool of vaccine recipients dries up.
Smith Mill Works companies envision a resilient future Asheville
Smith Mill Works is a sprawling, formerly abandoned greenhouse complex in West Asheville. The property’s revitalization began with in 2014 with the involvement of Michael Klatt. Now home to a diverse array of resilient businesses, the facility provides insight and inspiration toward a sustainable future for Asheville and the region.
From NC Health News: Illness turned housing instability into homelessness for one western NC couple
At 4.61 percent in 2016, North Carolina ranked 5th in the nation in its eviction rate, almost twice as high as the national eviction rate of 2.34 percent that year. Franklin resident Donna, and her partner, C., are two of the many Western North Carolina renters impacted by eviction.
From NC Health News: Behind needle exchange bill, a spat between Asheville site and its new neighbors
Proposed state legislation filed in response to a years-long feud between an Asheville neighborhood and a local needle exchange could threaten syringe exchanges across North Carolina.
From CPP: Haywood County seeks to build jail, grassroots group seeks to stop it
County officials say new jail is an issue of simple math. Opponents say money is better spent elsewhere.
Small farm survival is in your hands
“Caught in the middle, our small farmers struggle to balance wages with prices the market will bear, while treating workers fairly.”
Trout in trouble: Habitat protection key for brook trout in warming climate
Ongoing habitat loss and warming temperatures present an existential threat to Western North Carolina’s only native trout species, the brook trout.
From CPP: Vaccines critical for farmworkers in WNC
As one of the most vulnerable populations for COVID-19, farmworkers are key candidates for vaccination. Organizations in Western NC counties work to get shots to transient groups.
From CPP: Forest supervisor balances population, budget and environmental concerns
Forest supervisor James Melonas sets priorities for tenure as leader of state’s four national forests.
From CPP: Asheville City Council blocks public from retreat, says open meetings law does not apply
A coalition of media organizations takes legal action to ask courts to open the publicly-funded meeting.
Step up now to save Buncombe County’s farmland
“Faced with significant development pressures, we must do what we can to protect some of the region’s natural habitat and biodiversity, as well as our most productive farmland.”
From CPP: Black leadership advances new trails project in Pisgah National Forest
Creation of more than 40 miles of “purpose-built” trail system will serve a diverse range of users from equestrians to walkers.
From CPP: Environmental groups eye wastewater permit renewal for Canton paper mill
In town known for a foul smell and a river that used to run black, the Canton paper mill has made strides in cleaning up, and jobs depend on the facility. But environmentalists say concerns persist.