Multiple complaints about mold, rot, and other woes at a Merrimon Avenue apartment complex earlier this year casts doubt on the ability of local governments to deal with what many see as a serious health issue, leaving tenants feeling powerless to get their grievances addressed. And with the Asheville area having some of the highest housing costs in the state and one-third of its working population earning low wages, many local renters face similar issues.
Tag: environment
Showing 85-105 of 386 results
On the ground: Street medics and the 2013 Walk for our Grandchildren
This past summer, Asheville resident Patricia Johnson participated in the 2013 Walk for Our Grandchildren — a 100-mile protest march that aimed to draw attention to fossil fuels and the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. Johnson writes about what it was like to be a “street medic” for the walk, in which many area residents trekked from outside Camp David to the White House.
Buncombe Commissioners approve land use plan update
Buncombe County Commissioners sought to find a better balance between environmental protection and private property rights Sept. 17, unanimously approving an update to their land use plan.
CTS appeals contamination ruling to Supreme Court
The CTS Corporation has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to overturn a June ruling from a federal appeals court that would allow 23 local citizens to go forward with a their lawsuit demanding compensation and cleanup of the company’s contaminated former Asheville site.
Buncombe Commissioners to consider land use plan update
Commissioners will consider updating Buncombe County’s land use plan when they meet Sept. 17.
Upcoming series explores life of famous author and Asheville native Wilma Dykeman
For those who know the name Wilma Dykeman but don’t know much about one of Asheville’s most famous daughters, an upcoming lecture series will explore her life as an historian, journalist, environmentalist, teacher, novelist and traveler. ” (Photo of Wilma Dykeman at Carmel, Calif. in 1936 from the Wilma Dykeman Collection at D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections)
Botanical bandits: Rampant poaching threatens ginseng’s survival
With wild ginseng root fetching upward of $800 a pound, untold numbers of poachers have taken to local forests, overwhelming meager law enforcement resources and leaving the plant’s survival in doubt.
Commissioners act on own pay, announce attorney shift
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners took a variety of actions Aug. 27. Here are some of the highlights. (Photo by Max Cooper)
Local group marches against chemtrails and geoengineering
A small but passionate group promoted awareness on the chemtrail and geoengineering issue on Saturday, Aug. 25. [By guest contributor Doug Johnson]
Buncombe Commissioners to consider energy policy
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider an energy policy update Aug. 27.
Beyond Coal: Rally against Duke Energy plant brings out environmentalists, TV vampire
A few hundred people rallied under clear blue skies in Pack Square Park Saturday afternoon to call on Duke Energy to shutter its Asheville coal plant and advocate for clean energy. The event, called “Beyond Coal: A Rally for Our Future,” featured local speakers, singers and popular TV actor/vampire Ian Somerhalder. [Photo gallery at the bottom.]
Friends of Panthertown picnic
Friends of Panthertown will host a picnic and concert to celebrate its members and encourage new volunteers on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Blueberries ripe for the picking along Blue Ridge
The wild blueberries are ripe for the picking along the Blue Ridge.
Asheville City Council: landslides and Brewgrass
It was a relatively short meeting for Asheville City Council tonight, but they managed to consider issues ranging from the role of rising rents in homelessness to landslides to a different location for Brewgrass.
Face to face: County residents air concerns at community meetings
Three recent community meetings gave Buncombe County residents a chance to raise concerns with the Board of Commissioners.
Local filmmaker spotlights impact of coal ash
Asheville filmmaker Carly Calhoun has released a series of short documentaries on the impact of coal ash, with an eye toward doing a feature-length documentary.
Local filmmakers highlight impact of coal ash, post Kickstarter campaign
Asheville filmmakers Carly Calhoun and Sam Despeaux have released a series of short documentaries on the impact of coal ash, with an eye toward doing a feature-length documentary.
Asheville grandparents bring the heat to Washington with a protest march
Would you walk 100 miles in the July heat of Washington, D.C., to make a point about issues important to you? A group of grandparents say “yes.” (Photo at Pritchard Park in Asheville — during cooler days — by Richard Fireman)
Popular section of Blue Ridge Parkway closed from Ox Creek to Mt. Mitchell
The Blue Ridge Parkway is now closed from Milepost 375, a few miles north of Asheville, to Milepost 355 at N.C. 128/Mount Mitchell State Park, according to the National Park Service.
Federal appeals court overturns CTS decision; case could go to trial
The U.S. Fourth Circuit of Appeals has ruled in favor of 23 local citizens pressing to get CTS Corp. to clean up the contaminated site on Mills Gap Road in south Asheville and compensate affected homeowners.
A tiger of a mosquito: Summer heat rain bring mosquitoes to Buncombe
Thanks to the increase in rainfall this year — leading to wet, saturated conditions perfect for mosquito breeding — the community may need to take extra precautions to avoid them, say local health officials.