Air Quality Forecast for Monday, Nov. 14: unhealthy (RED)

Monday, November 14, 2016, is a code red air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County.  This means that air quality is unhealthy. Everyone should avoid prolonged outdoor activity. A burning ban is currently in effect. WNC Regional Air Quality Agency 125 South Lexington Avenue, Suite 101 Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828.250.6777 […]

Air Quality Forecast for Friday, Nov. 11: unhealthy for sensitive groups (ORANGE), due to wildfires

Friday, November 11, 2016, is code orange for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County due to forest fires. Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, active adults, and those with heart or respiratory disease, including asthma, should limit outdoor activity.  Code red is forecast for Cherokee, Clay, Graham, and Macon counties,  where air quality will be unhealthy for […]

Air Quality Forecast for Thursday, Nov. 10: Moderate (YELLOW)

Thursday, November 10, 2016, is a code yellow air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County.  Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. Please note: Particle pollution levels in the immediate vicinity of ongoing fires in the southwestern NC mountains may still be in the Code Orange range. In areas […]

Hillman Foundation Announces 2016 Innovations in Care: winners include Four Seasons Compassion for Life

Press release from The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation: The Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation has announced the 2016 recipients of the Hillman Innovations in Care Program, a multi-year initiative funding leading edge, nursing-driven programs that address the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations. The winning projects – a telehospice program serving rural western North Carolina, and […]

N.C. State Board of Elections issues voter information in preparation of election day

Press release from N.C. State Board of Elections: The following are 5 things North Carolina voters should remember as they head to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. 1)     Polls across North Carolina are open Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.  Those in line at 7:30 p.m. will be able to cast their […]

Campfire ban in effect at western North Carolina State Parks

Press release from North Carolina State Parks: Due to an extremely high risk of wildfire, 14 state parks in western North Carolina have placed temporary bans on campfires, according to North Carolina State Parks. Restrictions on campfires and cooking fires could be expanded to other parks on short notice, depending on local conditions. Wildfires of less than […]

N.C. Forest Service issues burning ban for 25 mountain counties to protect lives and property

Press release from N.C. Forest Service:  Because of increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and canceled all burning permits for the following counties in Western North Carolina: Alexander, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, […]

Junior League of Asheville’s ChildWatch Tour highlights impact of homelessness on women and children

Press release from the Junior League of Asheville: The Junior League of Asheville, Inc. (JLA) announces the 19th annual ChildWatch Tour, December 2 from 1:00 to 4:00 at Trinity Episcopal Church. The Tour is open to community leaders and the general public. Participants will learn about the effects of homelessness on women and children in our […]

Air Quality Forecast for Tuesday, Nov. 8: unhealthy for sensitive groups (ORANGE), due in part to wildfires

The air quality forecast for Tuesday, November 8, 2016, is code orange for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, active adults, and those with heart or respiratory disease, including asthma, should limit outdoor activity. Code orange air quality is possible in the vicinity and downwind of any wildfires. Burn ban […]

Submission deadline approaching for Habitat for the Holidays, 3D-printed ornament design contest

Press release from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: Only two weeks remain for creatives who are interested in entering Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore’s annual “Habitat for the Holidays: 3D Printed Ornament Contest.” In support of the ReStore, the contest is sponsored and facilitated by local 3D printing company Spectra3D Technologies and is open to […]

Social worker at Enka High School honored as best in state

Press release from Buncombe County Scools: Ms. Lisa VonDohlen, a social worker at Enka High School, has been named the 2016 North Carolina State Social Worker of the Year. She competed against seven other regional winners from across the state for this distinguished honor. VonDohlen, who has worked at Enka High School as a social […]

Air Quality Forecast for Monday, Nov. 7 downgraded to unhealthy for sensitive groups (ORANGE) due to wildfires

The air quality forecast for Monday, November 7, 2016, has been updated to code orange for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, active adults, and those with heart or respiratory disease, including asthma, should limit outdoor activity.  WNC Regional Air Quality Agency 125 South Lexington Avenue, Suite […]

Family Research Council Action’s values bus to visit Asheville, Nov.7

Press release from the Family Research Council: Family Research Council Action is on its Values Bus Tour that will make stops in over 20 states leading up to Election Day.  The bus tour organized by FRC Action and cosponsored by Concerned Women for America is designed to raise awareness about the critical issues at stake […]

Green Opportunities announces third graduation ceremony of 2016, with an economic justice focus

Press release from Green Opportunities: The third and final Green Opportunities (GO) graduation ceremony of 2016 will be held on Thursday, November 17 at 5:30 pm in A-B Tech Community College’s Ferguson Auditorium, located at 340 Victoria Road in Asheville. The event is free and open to the public.  The event will center economic justice and its vital relationship with GO’s […]

Biltmore Village hosts Dickens in the Village holiday festivities Dec. 2-3

Press release from event organizers: Historic Biltmore Village celebrates Christmas the old fashion way with tree lighting, carolers, and a special visit from Santa. Friday night:  6:00 PM Over 1000 luminaries will line the streets of Historic Biltmore Village to celebrate the lighting of our 25′ Christmas tree.  The event will feature the choirs from […]

State Board of Elections issues statement on early voting

Press release from the NC Board of Elections: Through early Saturday afternoon, more than 3 million North Carolina voters had cast ballots in the 2016 General Election, either through in-person early voting or by mailing in absentee ballots. That’s 44 percent of the state’s registered voters. Through 2 p.m. Saturday, 2.9 million voters had cast […]

Painter Corey McNabb opens studio and gallery in the River Arts District

Press release from event organizers: Award-winning Asheville artist Corey C. McNabb will celebrate the opening of his River Arts District gallery and studio at 1 Roberts Street, Suite 201, in Asheville, on Friday, November 11, from 6-9 p.m. Open to the public, the reception will feature vibrant paintings by McNabb, refreshments and a photo booth. […]

Holiday greenery and craft sale at Bullington Gardens on Dec. 2-3

Press release from Bullington Gardens: Bullington Gardens, a horticultural education center and public gardens, will hold its 12th annual Holiday Greenery and Craft Sale on Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3. The sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. The Holiday Greenery Sale features premium, freshly-cut Fraser fir trees […]

Rainbow Community School to honor veterans and observe Armistice Day, Nov. 11

Press release from Rainbow Community School: Armistice Day is commemorated every year on November 11th. This day is recognized by many allied nations and overlaps with both Veterans Day and Remembrance Day. Armistice Day is significant because it is the day the World War I allies and Germany signed an armistice, or cessation of hostilities. […]