The City of Asheville is updating its plan for $225 million in disaster recovery funds after the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rejected it because it included Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) criteria.
New Stories
ACS students could get free meals next year
Staff will submit an application to join the federal Community Eligibility Program, which reimburses the district for ensuring every student can eat breakfast and lunch free at school without having to fill out any paperwork.
What’s new in food: CSA Fair, Holi Night Market, Irish Chili Cook-off and more
Celebrate spring with a Hindu festival of colors on the South Slope, Barn Door Ciderworks’ cider and cheese pairing, an Irish Chili Cook-off, ASAP’s annual CSA Fair and more.
Smart Bets: Faith + Justice + Film
With its free film series St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sylva hopes to offer space to consider the intersections of faith and action within a peace and justice framework.
Yalla food truck moves its hummus to retail shelves
After preparing free meals for the community in the weeks following Tropical Storm Helene, Yalla food truck owners Nir Asaf and Nathan Phillips were inspired to launch Snuuny Hummus.
Letter: Memory of Sylva sighting lives on
“In late March of 1986, my then-wife and I, in Sylva, were witnesses to a massive triangular craft silently moving over us at night, barely 200 feet overhead.”
In photos: International Women’s Day in Asheville
Hundreds gathered at Pack Square on March 8 for Asheville’s International Women’s Day march — speaking out for women’s rights, showing support for Ukraine and protesting the Trump administration.
Letter: City should rezone residential shortcuts
“What cities should do instead is rezone such shortcuts commercially, so that commercial bidders can buy out quiet-loving homeowners, enabling the latter to relocate to quiet areas that are not on important transport routes.”
Letter: 12 Baskets Café is for everyone
“If you care about reducing food waste, building community, breaking down stereotypes and reducing fear — or you just enjoy free food — come share a meal with us!”
Letter: Taking action shows kids that we care
“When children see the adults around them take whatever small steps we can to address climate change and community needs, it helps them feel more secure.”
Letter: I-26 should go under Patton Avenue
“It will be this way for the next 50-100 years, so you ought to choose the best plan now.”
Letter: Spotting hopeful signs of resistance
“I’m writing this to encourage younger adults, parents, teachers, workers, and peace and justice activists to recognize they are not alone in the longing and quest for a better way of life on our planet.”
Letter: Local children need volunteer court advocates
“Currently, there are 326 children in our program in Buncombe County, 37 of whom have no volunteer and therefore no advocate or voice in court.”
Letter: Flyover plan recalls Boston’s Big Dig
“Just sayin’, look at the Boston disaster where they destroyed the city with an overhead highway and finally, at huge cost, had to tear it down because of how horrible it was.”
Letter: Buncombe County Schools can take steps to build trust
“The implementation of such guidelines without broader public engagement can lead to misunderstandings and erode trust between the school administration and the community it serves.”
