Policy Committee Meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Education to be held on August 25

Press Release from Buncombe County Public Schools: There will be a Policy Committee Meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Education on August 25, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. in the Executive Conference Room at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC 28806. The Policy Committee meeting is open to the public. Please use entrance “A”. We ask […]

Asheville Symphony receives $50,000 grant from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust for community engagement and outreach programs

Press Release from the Asheville Symphony: The Asheville Symphony has received a generous grant of $50,000 from The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust to bolster and amplify its community engagement and outreach efforts. This funding will galvanize the Asheville Symphony’s annual Symphony in the Park free community concert on August 27 in downtown’s Pack […]

City of Asheville shares data from new solar installation at Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center

Press Release from the City of Asheville: On July 28th, the City of Asheville “flipped the switch” on the photovoltaic array, commonly known as solar panels, at the Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center on Livingston Street. This is the sixth City facility to include renewable energy production, the first being the Transit Station on Coxe Avenue. […]

The City of Asheville seeks community input on the Reed Creek Greenway Feasibility Study

Press Release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville seeks community input on potential routes for the Reed Creek Greenway Feasibility Study. The study evaluates routes along roadways and off-road corridors to develop an implementation plan to construct the greenway. Feedback from the community is incredibly valuable and will provide the framework for the […]

Affordable parking program expands: Now accepting College Street parking deck applications

Press Release from Buncombe County: Do you work in downtown Asheville? If so, Buncombe County’s expanded affordable parking program could save you hundreds of your hard-earned dollars. The program already includes 150 spots at the Coxe Avenue parking deck (located at 11 Sears Alley) for a discounted price of $40 per month. After research and public input, […]

Air quality forecast – yellow

Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Saturday, August 19, 2023, 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. For up-to-date forecasts and discussion over the weekend, go to: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/

Air quality forecast – Yellow

Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Saturday, August 19, 2023, 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. For up-to-date forecasts and discussion over the weekend, go to: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/

AmeriCorps announces $338,209 in 9/11 Day of Service funding for ‘The Remembrance Project’

Press release from AmeriCorps: Asheville, NC – The Land of Sky Regional Council is pleased to announce a grant award to identify, map, protect, and preserve African American cemeteries in Western North Carolina. Federal funding from AmeriCorps, the U.S. agency dedicated to national service and volunteerism, will enable the implementation of “The Remembrance Project,” a […]

Asheville Championship Partners with Champion Credit Union for second year of Going Pro in Sports Program

Press release from Asheville Championship On the heels of the official bracket reveal for the 2023 Asheville Championship, the early-season men’s college basketball event taking place Nov. 10 – 12 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, the Championship announced today the launch of the 2023 Going Pro in Sports program, presented by Champion Credit […]

Asheville Habitat volunteers win statewide award

Press release from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Volunteer duo Tricia and Charlie Franck of Weaverville, NC were recently recognized for their extensive commitment to volunteer service with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. At the August 15th Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Meeting, the Francks received the Governor’s Medallion Award for Volunteer Service. Annually since […]

City of Asheville announces Stephanie Dahl to serve as Planning and Urban Design Director

Press release from City of Asheville Asheville City Manager, Debra Campbell, is pleased to announce that Stephanie Monson Dahl has been promoted to the position of Planning and Urban Design Director. During her eighteen year tenure with the City, Dahl has demonstrated leadership in urban planning across many disciplines, including economic development, housing, land use, […]

Buncombe County Schools and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office team up for back-to-school supply drive

Press release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Buncombe County Schools and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office ask the community to join in donating school supplies at the Buncombe County Back to School Supply Drive. Our children are the most valuable resource we have. I ask our community to help support our students and educators by […]

The Community Foundation Awards Scholarships totaling $558,000

Press release from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) approved scholarships totaling $558,000 to 96 WNC students in 53 schools in 19 counties.   More than 60 volunteers from the community worked to review applications and select recipients. Buncombe County top recipients included: ·       Ruby Blue from Martin […]

Asheville ranks 38th among midsize metros building most homes

Press release from Lattice Publishing: Rising real estate values and increasing rents have stretched budgets for homebuyers and renters since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The median home sales price in the U.S. jumped by over $150,000 from the first quarter of 2020 to the fourth quarter of 2022 amid low interest rates and […]

Congressman Chuck Edwards holds office hours in Asheville Tuesday, Aug. 22

Notice from the Office of Congressman Chuck Edwards: On Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 9-11 a.m., members of Rep. Chuck Edwards’ staff team will be holding office hours at the Health and Human Services building, 40 Coxe Ave. According to an email message from Edwards, his staff will be assisting constituents with casework.

Hendersonville resident among first Peace Corps volunteers to return to service overseas

Press release from Peace Corps: Hendersonville resident Sheridan Mentch is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020. The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.   “I […]

Buncombe County invests in Child ProtectiveServices Investigations recruitment and retention

Press release from Buncombe County Government: On Tuesday, August 15, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved investing in solutionsaimed at addressing the recruitment and retention challenges facing the Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations team. The BCHHS CPS investigations team began experiencing significant recruitment and retention challenges starting […]

Kenny Barnwell and Carol Coulter inducted into the2023 WNC Ag Hall of Fame

Press release from WNC Communities: Kenny Barnwell and Carol Coulter were inducted into the WNC Agricultural Hall of Fame, presented by WNC Communities at an Aug. 11 luncheon at the WNC Agricultural Center – Davis Event Center in Fletcher. This annual event recognizes stewards of the Western North Carolina agribusiness sector and honors the visionaries […]

Commissioners approve expanding affordable parking program, get Equity Mural update, & more

Press release from Buncombe County Government: The Board of Commissioners is moving forward with an expansion of the affordable parking program. During their meeting on Aug. 15, Commissioners approved opening 50 additional parking spots at a second location. The initiative already includes 150 spots at the Coxe Avenue parking deck for a discounted price of […]

An amendment: A necessary path towards reimagining public safety for all

Press release from Council member Kim Roney: Friends and Neighbors, Considering the recent letter by a majority of my colleagues outlining a “Both/And” approach to public safety, I hear and reiterate shared concern as I offer this amendment. Everyone in our community deserves to be safe! Council has both obligations and opportunities to strategize a […]