Registration open for SAT prep class at UNCA, class starts Sept. 16

Press release From UNC Asheville News Services: Registration is now open for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) prep classes offered by the Asheville Graduate Center. Classes will meet on the UNC Asheville campus. The SAT prep class will meet from 6-8:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays for three consecutive weeks, September 16-October 2. The SAT, […]

First Festival of Neighborhoods set for Oct. 27, neighborhood groups and associated invited

From the City of Asheville website: The Neighborhood Advisory Committee is hosting the first Asheville Festival of Neighborhoods on Sunday, October 27, 2013, and is asking neighborhood groups and associations to play a part. The festival was conceived to recognize and learn more about Asheville’s vibrant neighborhoods and to foster cross-communication, so the participation of […]

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation provides two grants for development of Cane River Park

Press release From Mission Health: SPRUCE PINE, N.C. (Sept. 4, 2013) – Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation provided two grants totaling $10,000 to support the development of Cane River Park in Burnsville, N.C. In partnership with Graham Children’s Health Services and Yancey County, the hospital contributed $5,000 for new playground equipment and $5,000 for new […]

Remembrance and tree planting to be held at OM Sanctuary for former owner of Richmond Hill Inn

Press release From OM Sanctuary: What: ‘Special Remembrance and Memorial Tree Planting for Marge Michel’ former owner of the Richmond Hill Inn. When: 11am September 8th, 2013 Where: OM Sanctuary, 87 Richmond Hill Dr. Asheville, NC 28806 828.252.7313 ‘Special Remembrance and Memorial Tree Planting for Marge Michel’ Join us for a ‘Special Remembrance and Memorial […]

Happy days

Day after day, Earl Grey sits in his wheelchair on Biltmore Avenue, his Veterans Affairs ID card taped to the top of a red Folgers coffee container. “Would you help a Vietnam veteran?” he asks nearly everyone who passes by. It’s raining this morning, but Grey just smiles. And though he's been posing that same […]

Head to head

The first faceoff for the trio of candidates vying to be Asheville's next mayor revealed different positions on issues ranging from downtown development to funding for the Asheville Art Museum. But they generally agreed about the city’s difficult relationship with the N.C. General Assembly. More than 100 people attended an Aug. 28 forum at the […]

Asheville abortion clinic reopens after suspension

After a mid-July inspection revealed 23 violations that effectively suspended women's health care services at Asheville's Femcare, the only abortion provider in Western North Carolina, the clinic has reopened. According to employees at Femcare, which is owned by Dr. Lorraine Cummings, the clinic's official statement at this time is, “We are pleased to be back […]

Mission Health awards 19 minority students in WNC with Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship

Press release From Mission Health: ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2013) – Mission Health is making college more affordable this year for 19 minority high school seniors and college students from western North Carolina who are interested in careers in healthcare. Mission Health’s Kesha Young Health Careers Scholarship Program will provide $2,500 in scholarship funds to […]

Compassion­ate citizens aid disabled vet

Day after day, Earl Grey sits in his wheelchair on Biltmore Avenue, his Veterans Affairs ID card taped to the top of a red Folgers coffee container. He’s been homeless for four years. But in July, some concerned locals decided to help Grey track down the missing paperwork so he could start receiving disability checks again and get off the streets. (Photo by Max Cooper)

Smithsonian curator to speak at UNCA about American Indian politics as part of series

Press release From UNC Asheville News Services: UNC Asheville will host a variety of events as part of its Native American Speaker and Performance Series, including a Cherokee stickball demonstration and talks by Native American leaders. The series provides the opportunity to engage in dialogue and deconstruct and challenge popular stereotypes of American Indians. All […]

WLOS: Staffordshire Bull Terrier stolen from home this morning, owners plead for their dog’s return

From WLOS: Story by Kimberly King With beautiful gentle eyes and a loving disposition 9-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Kona, considered every human who walked into her house her friend. She never met a stranger in her life, said Jason Nicolai, her owner. But now, thinking about how much he loves her, Jason cant help but […]

Smoky Mountain News: Concerns about physician quality surface at hearing on potential hospital sale

From the Smoky Mountain News: Story by Becky Johnson Maintaining high-quality doctors in Haywood County emerged as a common theme in a public hearing last week on the future of MedWest-Haywood. Hospital leaders are contemplating a sale, merger or lease of the Haywood County hospital to a larger system. Who owns the hospital is ultimately […]

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital announces Patti Jensen as its new communications director

Press release From Mission Health: SPRUCE PINE, N.C. (Aug. 29, 2013) – Blue Ridge Regional Hospital welcomes Patti Jensen as Communications Director. Jensen has more than two decades of experience in community relations, public relations and marketing. She will develop and manage the overall communications plan for the hospital. “We are pleased to welcome Patti […]

Times-News: Henderson County commissioners approve new bond for Pardee Hospital

From the Times-News Story by Nathaniel Axtell Henderson County commissioners approved a series of legal documents Wednesday to better position Pardee Hospital to adjust to a rapidly changing health care climate, including a bond order that will save the hospital $626,736 in interest over the next decade. By a 5-0 vote, commissioners approved a plan […]

The first face-off: Mayoral candidates debate issues affecting the city

Voicing different ideas about funding the Asheville Art Museum, adopting the living wage ordinance and deciding downtown development, the trio of political candidates vying to be Asheville’s next mayor debated with one another for the first time on Wednesday while also revealing a shared consensus among them about the perceived relationship between the General Assembly and the City of Asheville.  (Photos by Max Cooper)