Feeling the Heat: Fire departments face critical volunteer shortage
Volume
28
/ Issue 51
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
iStock
Volunteer firefighters were once the backbone of fire departments in communities throughout Western North Carolina. But officials are finding it increasingly difficult to get people to sign up for an unpaid job with an erratic schedule and hundreds of hours of required training. What steps are departments taking to fill this critical need?
arts
Three local bands celebrate landmark anniversaries
Local bands Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats and Empire Strikes Brass celebrate 10 years; meanwhile, fellow Asheville act, River Deep, turns 30.Around Town: Folkmoot’s Summerfest returns to Waynesville
Folkmoot's Summerfest will bring local and international dance and music to Haywood County. Plus, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian will highlight Native American filmmakers, a local author looks back…food
Bhramari and Burial open Charlotte taprooms
The South Slope breweries join fellow Asheville businesses Catawba and Hi-Wire in the state's largest city.What’s new in food: Mother Ocean Seafood Market partners with Pleb Urban Winery
Mother Ocean Seafood Market is teaming with Pleb Urban Winery, offering food truck service outside the River Arts District venue. Also: PicklePalooza 2022 returns Saturday, July 23; Barn Door Ciderworks…living
More mental health services coming to WNC
Buncombe County is one of the 91 counties the Office of Rural Health has designated as experiencing a behavioral health professional shortage. In fact, the 2022 departmental map designates all…news
Asheville Archives: Local residents adjust to wartime daylight savings, 1941-45
“Clocks all over Asheville, Western North Carolina, and the state will be turned up an hour at midnight tonight, or tomorrow morning, as this state goes on daylight saving time…Q&A: Local advocate discusses the role of hope
Jade McWilliams, a Western North Carolina autistic advocate, artist and speaker, discusses their recent Empowering Hope Award and their ongoing advocacy work.Local fire departments face critical volunteer shortage
Volunteer firefighters were once the backbone of fire departments in communities throughout Western North Carolina. But officials are finding it increasingly difficult to get people to sign up for an…WTF: Land use incentive grants
Better known as LUIG, the initiative aims to entice developers to include affordable units in their projects by offering property tax rebates. Asheville City Council is next slated to consider…Diversion program helps homeless residents erase charges, avoid jail time
The Justice Resource Center’s Unhoused Diversion Program focuses on aspects of homelessness that the criminal justice system rarely addresses, such as poverty, trauma, mental illness and addiction, and targets homeless…Reappraisal committee shares recommendations with commissioners
In response to a report by Asheville-based planning firm Urban3, Newman tasked county Tax Assessor Keith Miller with forming an ad hoc committee to provide guidance for future tax assessments…Cost of Creativity: Jen Murphy on the Street Creature Puppet Collective’s latest show
Xpress speaks with Jen Murphy about the Street Creature Puppet Collective and the group's latest show, 'The Earth Is Alive!'opinion
Letter: Asheville and Buncombe lead the way on forest plan objections
"It’s inspiring to see so many objections to the disappointing Pisgah-Nantahala forest plan, which wants to maximize logging and minimize protections for the forest."Letter: When will we see investments that benefit taxpayers?
"Why are we giving developers a 'free pass' to build on every possible square inch of property? What will this reduction in open space do to our tree canopy?"Letter: Overlooking the elephants in Asheville’s room
"Take, for instance, objections recently raised in the Mountain Xpress to increased housing density, open-space reduction and infill construction."Letter: WNC needs nonprofit hospital
"HCA must not be the only hospital available to WNC."Protect and serve
Letter: Asheville’s fentanyl crisis
"Given these facts, do you feel Asheville city leaders should reconsider defunding the police?"Letter: Good citizens can house homeless, too
"If you can, consider creating a studio apartment. If you can only spare $10 dollars a month, donate to Habitat, Homeward Bound, Helpmate or another charity. One person can make…Food chain
Letter: Standing up for efforts of local Sierra Club
"So, sorry, but local development will proceed, and my view is that our city and county are doing all that they can to preserve our unique local identity and still…Letter: Let’s protect national forests for everyone
"These forests belong to all of us. Cutting them down benefits only a few, while protecting them improves everyone’s health and well-being."Letter: Speak out against open space amendment
"This proposal to deregulate developers within city limits is dressed up with idealistic-sounding justifications like providing affordable housing, improving flooding and fighting sprawl."Land of the Sky High