New Stories
$2.3M on the way for Buncombe rental assistance
The extra allocation comes from North Carolina’s state government, which designated the money for the purpose from its federal coronavirus relief funds. Eligible families must apply by the end of September and can receive up to a year of aid for rent and utilities.
Asheville settles lawsuit over ACSF scholarships
The lawsuit was brought by WNC Citizens for Equality, led by former Council member and Buncombe County Republican Party Chair Carl Mumpower, and charged that the scholarships excluded otherwise eligible applicants on the basis of race.
Local handling of COVID vaccine troubles breeds medical mistrust
Many Western North Carolina residents who spoke with Xpress say they shared their negative responses after COVID-19 vaccination with health providers. But they also say their concerns have been minimized or ignored, driving a lack of trust about the vaccines and the broader medical establishment.
APD data on homeless encampments shifts debate among Council members
During a presentation, Capt. Mike Lamb of the Asheville Police Department cited data showing that 10% of overall crime in Asheville from Jan. 1, 2020 to Jan. 9, 2022 — including 14% of violent crime and 8.5% of property crime — occurred within 500 feet of an encampment.
Heather Newton revisits the ’70s in new short story collection
The Asheville-based author’s latest work explores tense times in Northern Georgia.
Green in brief: King’s Bridge offers new public land in Mills River
Hendersonville-based Conserving Carolina transferred the 87-acre property, a former sod farm on the banks of the French Broad River, to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission after purchasing it for $440,000 with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fred and Alice Stanback.
Q&A with Jazmin Whitmore, owner of plus size consignment shop More to Love
Jazmin Whitmore always enjoyed fashion, yet struggled to afford buying clothes. As a plus-size woman, finding items in her size was also frustrating. It’s a struggle familiar to many women. According to a study on clothing size standards published in 2016, the average American woman is size 16 to 18. However, too many brands have been […]
Letter: The importance of family
“North Carolina and South Carolina have been a region through the years that has championed family values.”
Around Town: Local talk focuses on Black Appalachian musical innovators
The Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center offers a workshop on finding stories in the natural world. Plus, the Western North Carolina Historical Association presents a talk on African American music traditions, and musicians band together to help the Sly Grog Lounge.
What’s new in food: Dough House Vegan Donuts opens in Black Mountain
The Trashy Vegan owners launch a new doughnut shop in Black Mountain. Plus: Asheville Restaurant Week 2022 arrives; Spicewalla and Poppy’s Handcrafted Popcorn collaborate; and plenty more!
Letter: I want a divorce, too
“I live in NC-11, and I also want a divorce from Madison Cawthorn!”
Letter: General Assembly needs to work together
“First, he noted that the maps drawn for North Carolina followed previous court orders. That in no way should imply that the maps were drawn fairly.”
Letter: Let City Council know concerns about green space reduction
“There is so much wrong with this reduction in green space that I am in horror that it is even being entertained here in Asheville.”
Asheville Archives: Billy Borne’s 1922 cartoons
As in years past, we revisit cartoonist Billy Borne‘s work as part of our latest Humor Issue. For over two decades, starting in 1907, Borne offered commentary on local, national and international matters through his illustrations, published in The Asheville Citizen. Our focus here, however, is exclusively on 1922. As readers will see, Borne’s cartoons from […]