City of Asheville expands flexibility for business use of sidewalks, private lots

Press release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville is committed to advancing ways of using space to support economic recovery and community needs while prioritizing public health and safety, and recognizes the importance of being flexible and nimble as needs and priorities evolve. In response to stakeholder input and public health guidance, […]

MountainTrue holds June 16 virtual panel Nantahala-Pisgah recreation issues

Press release from MountainTrue: MountainTrue is hosting a topic-specific online panel discussion on recreation issues in the draft Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest Draft Management Plan on Tuesday, June 16, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.. This session will take place through the Zoom webinar platform and will include Q&A segments. The panel will be emceed by MountainTrue’s public lands […]

Asheville pools and Splasheville closed for summer season

Press release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville continues to monitor the most up-to-date information available from public health officials at the local, state and federal levels regarding COVID-19. Based on the information provided to us, the City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department has decided that it is in the best […]

Sen. Chuck Edwards accuses press of ‘Monday morning quarterbacking’ on police response to protests

Press release from Sen. Chuck Edwards: Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) released the following statement: “When I read stories from legitimate outlets that seriously contemplate defunding the police or advocating violence, I know something is terribly wrong. “Police have been the only people standing between rioters and destruction. They’ve taken bricks to the head. They’ve lost […]

Asheville SkatePark to close temporarily on June 8

Press release from the City of Asheville: Improvements will begin at the Asheville SkatePark on June 8. The building located inside the park will be demolished and removed, and a new concrete plaza will be built in the cleared space. The project is planned to take approximately four weeks, depending on weather conditions. The skatepark […]

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission opens 16th annual photo competition

Press release from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission: The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will accept entries to its 16th annual Wildlife in North Carolina Photo Competition until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. Potential participants can review details of the contest at ncwildlife.org/contest, and winning photos from previous years can be viewed on the Commission’s website. […]

Akira Brianna Miller

UPDATED: Akira Brianna Miller safely located

From the Asheville Police Department: UPDATE (June 9, 2020): Akira Miller has been safely located.   Press release from the Asheville Police Department: The Asheville Police Department (APD) is requesting assistance to locate a missing juvenile, Akira Brianna Miller. Miller is described as a 16 year old, white female, 5’5″, and 135 pounds. She has […]

Harris Regional Hospital eases visitor restriction

Press release from Harris Regional Hospital: Harris Regional Hospital announced Monday that it is transitioning from a zero-visitor protocol to limited visitor restrictions as the hospital gradually resumes elective and non-urgent cases and services at its facilities. The decision was made as current projections continue to indicate a lower than expected volume of COVID-19 in […]

Air quality forecast for Asheville, Friday, June 5: Moderate (YELLOW and GREEN)

Friday, June 5, 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. […]

UPDATED: Grandfather Mountain’s Animal Birthday party returns

Press release from Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation:  Editor’s note: This post was updated on June 5. Just another day at the paw-ffice. On Wednesday, June 10, visitors to Grandfather Mountain will be able to celebrate the annual Animal Birthday Party. This special day of events at the Linville, N.C., nature park is designed to honor […]

Pisgah Legal Services launches campaign to assist the recently unemployed find health insurance

Press release from Pisgah Legal Services: Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), a nonprofit that provides free, civil legal aid in Western North Carolina, recently launched a targeted campaign to reach people recently unemployed due to COVID-19 who may have also lost their health insurance. Anyone who has experienced a qualifying life event in the past 60 days, […]

New website helps Henderson County residents find and sign up for volunteer opportunities

United Way of Henderson County:  Henderson County residents can now visit one website to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities at local non-profit agencies. Visit www.volunteerhendo.org to find a volunteer position to meet your skills, interests, and abilities. Four Seasons Compassion for Life is looking for volunteers! Volunteers are needed to assist in our […]

City of Asheville boards and commissions meetings to go virtual in June

Press release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville is pleased to announce the return of board and commission meetings beginning in June. All meetings will take place virtually, with the first committee meeting being the Urban Forestry Committee on June 15. All City of Asheville Boards and Commissions meetings were cancelled starting […]

Henderson County Public Schools begin summer feeding program on Monday, June 8

Press release from Henderson County Public Schools:  Beginning Monday, June 8, Henderson County Public Schools’ Child Nutrition Department will operate its summer feeding program, providing free lunches to children ages two to 18 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). From June 8 to August 7, meals will be served weekdays […]

April Collins named Asheville Middle School’s next principal

Press release from Asheville City Schools:  Following the June 1st meeting of the Asheville City Board of Education, April Collins has officially been named the new principal of Asheville Middle School. Effective July 1st, Collins will begin her principal tenureship where she’s looking to “carry on the work of our Cougar Community.” “Over the past […]

Asheville Police Chief David Zack releases statement about destruction of medical supplies during June 2 protests

Statement from Asheville Police Chief David Zack:  Transparency and accountability is what our community expects and deserves. As the Chief of Police I understand the concern has been raised over the destruction of water, food, and medical supplies. The Asheville Police Department (APD) would always prefer confiscation over destruction. We apologize for not being able […]