Asheville’s homeless population declined in what city officials are dubbing “a good year,” according to an annual count conducted in late January. However, while local programs may be having an impact, one of the officials in charge of administering them says that economic pressures and a lack of affordable housing continue to create a difficult situation.
Author: David Forbes
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Citizen-Times: ‘Lazy Environmentalist’ Dorfman will take over chamber’s entrepreneur efforts
From the Asheville Citizen-Times: ASHEVILLE – Josh Dorfman made his name nationally as “The Lazy Environmentalist,” but he’s worked hard launching businesses to bring green products to consumers. Now he wants to focus his energies locally, working with Asheville’s array of start-ups. “I’ve been involved in green business and entrepreneur start-ups for the last 10 […]
Citizen-Times: Sheriff Duncan endorses Ron Moore in DA’s race
From the Asheville Citizen-Times: ASHEVILLE District Attorney Ron Moore won a big endorsement Friday when Democratic Sheriff Van Duncan publicly backed him. Moore, the elected prosecutor in Buncombe County for the last 24 years, is facing a Democratic primary challenge from Asheville defense attorney Todd Williams. Duncan’s endorsement is unusual. Elected officials often do not […]
Tensions run high over tackling Asheville’s graffiti
Local business owners raised their voices and things got, by the moderator’s own admission, “a little out of hand” at Friday morning’s Council of Independent Business Owners meeting when it came to the issue of graffiti. With the district attorney, city leaders and a state representative on hand, opinions differed — sometimes sharply — on possible solutions and who should foot the bill.
APD files charges in March 21 moped fatality
Full announcement from the Asheville Police Department: Asheville – After consultation with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office, Dimitiry Vasil Stynka, 53, of Asheville, was charged from the March 21st fatality with Misd. Death By Vehicle and Failure To Yield Right Of Way. Mr. Stynka received a $5000 bond. An incorrect age of the individual […]
East of the Riverway initiative seeks ‘alternatives to gentrification’
Full announcement from the city of Asheville: ASHEVILLE – On March 25, the City of Asheville issued a Request for Proposals for a study for alternatives to gentrification in the East of the Riverway area. The RFP marks a next big step in a planning project focused on supporting a collaborative and concerted revitalization project […]
UNCA professor Mullen receives state teaching award
From UNC Asheville: Dwight Mullen, professor of political science and 30-year veteran of UNC Asheville’s faculty, has been named a recipient of the 2014 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. A gifted teacher, active scholar and engaged community leader, Mullen has consistently taught courses that have challenged and inspired his students, and held […]
AFD: investigation leads to arson arrest
From the Asheville Fire Department: ASHEVILLE – On February 4th, 2014 the Asheville Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at 165 S. French Broad Ave, Aston Park Tower Apartments. Upon arrival crews observed that a smoke alarm had activated on the second floor. The preliminary investigation revealed that the fire originated where a sign […]
Asheville City Council preview: housing for the homeless and tech for the economy
While Asheville City Council’s meeting next Tuesday, April 8, doesn’t include any hot-button public hearings, it does include projects meant to tackle the lack of housing, especially for the chronically homeless, and improve economic development by bringing in a tech sector “fellow.”
ACA health insurance still available for some locals
While the sign-up deadline for health care under the Affordable Care Act passed March 31, some can still sign up, according to an attorney with one of the local nonprofits that has assisted WNC residents in doing so. People who dealt with technical difficulties or have a major life change can still get healthcare under the ACA. Also, due to North Carolina’s government refusing to expand Medicaid, many locals will not face a penalty for not having insurance.
Eastern Band of Cherokee distributes gardening kits
Full announcement from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: CHEROKEE, N.C. – Continuing a program begun in 2004, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Principal Chief Michell Hicks last week handed out 750 springtime garden kits to tribal families. Each kit contains eight varieties of vegetable seeds and fruiting shrubs that can provide each family with […]
City of Asheville touts decline in numbers of homeless
From the city of Asheville: The Asheville Buncombe Homeless Initiative recently completed its annual Point in Time Count of homeless families and individuals in Asheville and Buncombe County. This year’s count showed a decrease in those experiencing homelessness down from 570 in January 2013 to 533 in January 2014. This year’s count also showed only […]
Local chef Michelle Bailey wins competition dining series
Full announcement from Got to be NC Competition Dining: Asheville, N.C. (April 1, 2014) Chef Michelle Bailey pumped a triumphant fist in the air as Got To Be NC Competition Dining host Jimmy Crippen announced that she was the first woman chef to lead a team to victory since the series started in 2012. Bailey […]
Asheville makes it to Final Four in Garden and Gun’s ‘Greatest Southern Towns’ poll
Asheville, facing off against Savannah, Ga., has made it to the Final Four in Garden and Gun magazine’s “Greatest Southern Towns” poll. Voting lasts through April 1. If victorious, voters will then decide between Asheville and the winner of the other Final Four match: Franklin, Tenn. versus Hot Springs, Ark.
Citizen-Times profiles Buncombe District Attorney’s race
From the Asheville Citizen-Times: ASHEVILLE – The campaign kickoffs could not have had more contrast. Challenger Todd Williams rallied a crowd outside at Wedge Brewing Company in the River Arts District. His speech notes flapped in the afternoon breeze as he paced the low stage. Incumbent Ron Moore greeted supporters on the top floor of […]
City of Asheville seeks public’s input on 51 Biltmore artwork
Full announcement from the city of Asheville: Asheville, NC – The City of Asheville is developing Asheville’s next public art in the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project on the exterior of the public parking garage next to the Aloft Hotel at 51 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. The next public comment period for the 51 […]
Citizen-Times: Buncombe ranked 3rd in domestic violence murders
From the Asheville Citizen-Times: ASHEVILLE – Killings resulting from domestic violence in Buncombe outnumbered those recorded in all but three other North Carolina counties last year, according to a report released Monday by the Attorney General’s Office. Buncombe authorities reported eight domestic violence deaths in 2013, which represented an increase from 2012, when three happened. […]
Community yard sale at Montford Recreation Center
Full announcement from the city of Asheville: Asheville, NC – The City of Asheville Parks and Recreation Department and the Montford Neighborhood Association will host an outdoor Community Yard Sale on Saturday, April 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Montford Recreation Center, 34 Pearson Drive. Find great bargains on an assortment of […]
Buncombe students in Google’s Gravity Games
Full announcement from Owen Middle School: Buncombe Co., NC) – A Buncombe Co. student team will be among more than 30 from throughout the state slated to compete on April 5 in downtown Lenoir as part of the fourth annual NC Gravity Games http://www.ncgravitygames.com/ , a STEM-education racing extravaganza sponsored by Google and Appalachian State […]
Asheville Green Drinks ‘moving beyond coal and coal ash spills’ event April 2
Join Asheville Green Drinks and the Sierra Club for its 497th edition on Wednesday April 2nd at 7 PM for a presentation on “Moving Beyond Coal & Coal Ash Spills.” Emma Greenbaum of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign will discuss the current status with coal ash spills, regulations, law suits, and plans for moving beyond […]
Buncombe County launches Triple P parenting program
Full announcement from Buncombe County Health and Human Services : Help us get the word out on a community-wide initiative to improve parenting practices. Triple P is one of the world’s most effective, evidence-based parenting programs, proven to reduce parenting stress, child misbehaviors and community-wide rates of child maltreatment. Behind the scenes, we have already […]