Retired McDowell County captain dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound

From the McDowell News: It was with heavy hearts that McDowell County sheriff’s deputies carried on with their duties Thursday – patrolling roads, interviewing suspects, serving papers, answering phones. They wore black bands across their badges and lowered the flag to half staff. They were in mourning over the loss of a colleague and friend. […]

UNC Board approves tuition and fee increase across the UNC system

From the News & Observer: A UNC Board of Governors committee today approved tuition and fee increases for 2012-13 and tuition increases for in-state undergraduates in 2013-14. If the full board passed the plan tomorrow, tuition and fees would rise on average 8.8 percent next academic year for North Carolina undergraduates across the UNC system. […]

North Carolina’s disposal rate drops to historic low

From the full release from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: RALEIGH – North Carolinians threw away less per capita in 2010-2011 than at any time in nearly 20 years, according to the state’s latest report and analysis of solid waste management. The 2010-2011 North Carolina Solid Waste and Materials Management Report […]

Mission Hospital, Inc. announces release of Market Conduct Examination Report

From the press release: Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health announced today the release of the North Carolina Department of Insurance Market Conduct Examination Report evaluating Mission Hospital’s self-insured, self administered workers’ compensation claims operation. The Market Conduct Examination uncovered no evidence of a pattern and practice of stubborn litigiousness, bad […]

NC’s only female K-9 trainer serves in Hendersonville

From the Times-News: Hendersonville Police Department Officer Jennifer Drake is breaking boundaries by being the only female officer in North Carolina to obtain the title of trainer in K-9 work. Drake, 40, of Hendersonville, achieved the status in November 2010. “I thoroughly enjoy my job and helping people,” she said. “It’s a great accomplishment and […]

Asheville Anesthesia Associates receives MGMA certificate of superior performance

From the press release: The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) has recognized Asheville Anesthesia Associates for its “Superior Performance” compared with similar medical groups nationwide. The MGMA award is given to medical practices that have demonstrated superior performance in cost management, productivity, capacity and staffing, and accounts receivable and collections. MGMA member medical practices represent […]

Hospice of McDowell County tables sale of 6 acres near Airport Road

From the McDowell News: Last month, the board of directors for Hospice of McDowell County voted unanimously to put the sale of approximately 6 acres of land located near Airport Road on hold pending further review. The board’s decision effectively puts on hold Western N.C. Housing Partnership Inc.’s request to option the land and build […]

Buncombe County now accepting nominations for Environmental Leadership Award

Buncombe County is now accepting nominations for their Environmental Leadership Award. The award criteria can be found here. Below is the online announcement: From Buncombe County’s full online announcement: Buncombe County, through the Environmental Advisory Board, is accepting nominations for the BELA or the Buncombe Environmental Leadership Award. This award honors men, women, kids or […]

Applications now available for civilian police academy in Waynesville

From the Mountaineer: An upcoming free series of classes aimed at educating the public about behind-the-scenes action in the Waynesville Police Department will kick off in March and will offer people an opportunity to volunteer within the department. The six-week long civilian police academy will cover every topic including record keeping, canine patrol, search and […]

Volunteers sought for invasive plant control event

From the press release: The Western North Carolina Alliance, as a partner of the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP), seeks volunteers to participate in an Invasive Exotic Plant Control Event on Saturday, March 3 along the Appalachian Trail in Hot Springs. Details: Who: Volunteer work day with SACWMP What: Invasive Exotic Plant Management […]

Mission Health, Transylvania Hospital team up to save baby with rare condition

From the press release: Asheville, N.C., Feb. 8, 2012 – Medical teams at Mission Health and Transylvania Regional Hospital recently joined forces to save a newborn with a rare medical condition. The baby, delivered Jan. 17, was born with a rare defect called vasa previa. According to the International Vasa Previa Foundation, fetal blood vessel(s) […]

NC firm recalls chicken salad products due to possible Listeria contamination

From the press release: Bost Distributing Company doing business as Harold Food Company, a Bear Creek, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,200 pounds of chicken salad products. The products contain eggs that are the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall due to concerns about contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of […]

Award-winning documentary “Bag It” comes to Asheville

From the press release: The Western North Carolina Alliance is hosting a screening of the award-winning environmental documentary Bag It at UNC Asheville on Thursday, February 16. Try going a day without plastic. Plastic is everywhere and infiltrates our lives in unimaginable and frightening ways. In this touching and often flat-out-funny film, we follow “everyman” […]

Mission Hospital reaches agreement in lawsuit, will pay $1.5 million

Today, Mission Hospital announced it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice in regard to allegations made that the hospital performed a certain spinal procedure on an inpatient basis instead of an outpatient basis. Mission has agreed to pay $1.5 million. The press release is as follows: From the press release: ASHEVILLE, […]

Not blowing smoke

A painful memory cloaked in cigarette smoke fires Owen High School junior Savannah Henderson’s determination to help extinguish tobacco use. “My grandfather started using at a very young age, and just years later, he suffered a major stroke related to his smoking,” she reveals. Three other girls sitting with her nod knowingly: They’ve all witnessed […]