Free WWI virtual explorer app released in time for the Fourth

Press release from Doughboy Foundation: The Doughboy Foundation today announced the release of the WWI Virtual Explorer App in cooperation with the United States World War One Centennial Commission. The free, innovative Augmented Reality Smartphone App for iOS and Android mobile devices allows users to take a virtual field trip to the National WWI Memorial […]

Biltmore welcomes the summer with outdoor activities

Press release from Biltmore: With summertime settling into the Blue Ridge Mountains, Biltmore’s 8,000-acre backyard offers a number of get-out-and-get-some-fresh-air options, perfect picnic spots, vibrant gardens to safely explore, and more. July is National Picnic Month  The picnic is the ultimate summer tradition, and can be made even more special when enjoyed on the highhill […]

Hendersonville Road corridor study group to host virtual public workshop

Press release from French Broad River MPO: The French Broad River MPO is currently working with Buncombe County and the City of Asheville on a corridor study for Hendersonville Road, from Rock Hill Road to NC 280 (Airport Road.) This study is looking at potential transportation improvements to address safety, congestion, and multimodal issues as […]

Buncombe County Health and Human Services to host Facebook Live community update at 2 p.m.

Press release from Buncombe County Health and Human Services : Buncombe County will be providing a Community Update today at 2:00 pm via Facebook Live @Buncombegov. The Spanish version will be aired via Facebook Live @BCHHS. Speakers for today’s update include: Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, Interim Public Health Director and Medical Director Esther Manheimer, Mayor of […]

Organic Growers School moves to online programming for 2020

Press release from Organic Growers School: Organic Growers School (OGS), an Asheville-based 501c3 nonprofit offering affordable classes on organic growing and sustainable living, has prioritized in-person, grower-to-grower learning for the last 29 years. However, in light of CO-VID 19 as well as the increased demand for online education over the past few years, OGS has […]

Gov. Cooper announces NC will continue working toward getting students back in the classroom

Press release from Office of Governor Roy Cooper: Governor Roy Cooper today shared that North Carolina will continue working with schools, teachers, parents, and health experts to ensure that plans for school this coming year will protect everybody, especially those at high-risk. “We want to get our students back in the classroom, and we want […]

Asheville residents invited to apply for Vance Monument Task Force

Press release from the City of Asheville: The Vance Monument Task Force (VMTF) was created by a joint resolution (Joint Resolution – Monuments) by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. This group will be tasked with gathering citizen input, particularly from those most impacted by the monuments and participate in public dialogue. The task force […]

Local farms face severe economic challenges as a result of COVID-19

Press release from Carolina Farm Stewardship Association: Small and mid-sized farms in the Carolinas are facing severe economic challenges as a result of COVID-19. The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association surveyed farmers in North and South Carolina to quantify those impacts this spring and recently published a report of their findings. Key takeaways include: -Weekly sales […]

AdventHealth Hendersonville eases some visitor restrictions

Press release from AdventHealth Hendersonville: AdventHealth Hendersonville is easing visitor restrictions for patients at its main hospital campus. AdventHealth’s service standards begin with the promise to keep you safe, which led to the universal visitor restriction implementation in March. Now as it begins the third month of its safe reopen protocol, AdventHealth Hendersonville is ready […]

Henderson County announces two new principalships for 2020-21

Press release from Henderson County: Following approval by the Henderson County Board of Public Education on Tuesday evening, Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) announces the following principal changes for the 2020-2021 school year, effective July 1: Joni Allison has been named the new principal at Hendersonville Middle, filling the office vacated by Luke Manuel when […]

Grants available for WNC heritage projects

Press release from Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership: The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership (BRNHA) has announced its 2020 Heritage Grants Program, which will provide funding for projects that preserve, interpret, and promote Western North Carolina’s agricultural, craft, Cherokee, music, and natural heritage. These five distinctive legacies earned the region a Congressional designation as […]

NCDHHS launches testing initiative for nursing homes

Press release from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will partner with Omnicare, a CVS Health company, to make facility-wide testing available to residents and staff in all North Carolina skilled nursing facilities. There are over 400 nursing homes in the state with approximately […]

Henderson County Public Schools updates Return to Learn plans

Press release from Henderson County Public Schools: Like school districts across North Carolina, Henderson County Public Schools anxiously awaits the state’s determination of how our schools can safely resume education in August. Governor Cooper and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) are expected to make this determination on Wednesday, July 1. […]

East Buncombe COVID-19 community testing site experiencing high wait times

Press release from Buncombe County Health & Human Services: There is a high volume of people seeking testing at the East Buncombe COVID-19 community testing site with a high wait time of up to 2 hours. Please be patient while waiting in line and be aware of traffic congestion in the area around the testing site. […]

New A-B Tech president John D. Gossett starts July 1

Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) announced today that John D. Gossett, Ed.D., has been named the college’s seventh president. Gossett currently serves as president of McDowell Technical Community College in Marion. Gossett, 57, succeeds Dennis King, who retired January 31. Gossett was selected on March 9 by the […]

Three City Council public hearings scheduled for July 14 formal meeting

Press release from City of Asheville: The following are City Council public hearings scheduled for the next formal meeting – July 14.   This listing is for information only and is subject to change.  Please call City Clerk Maggie Burleson at 259-5601 if you have any questions. A. Public hearing to solicit comments for the […]

Vance Monument Task Force applications accepted through July 10

Press release from City of Asheville: BE A LOCAL LEADER NEW: Vance Monument Task Force The Vance Monument Task Force (VMTF) was created by joint resolution by the City of Asheville and Buncombe County. The VMTF will be tasked with gathering citizen input, particularly from those most impacted by the monuments and participate in public […]

Air quality forecast for Asheville, Tuesday, June 30: Moderate (YELLOW and GREEN)

Tuesday, June 30, is a code green air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. For the ridge tops, it is a code yellow air quality forecast day.  Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. This forecast is based on ozone levels. […]