Labor Secretary: proposed NC unemployment legislation “a grievous blow” to struggling families

From the U.S. Department of Labor: WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris today issued the following statement regarding North Carolina House of Representatives Bill 4: “The North Carolina legislature is considering legislation that would reduce state Unemployment Insurance benefits. If enacted, the legislation also would cut off all federally funded Emergency Unemployment […]

Official White House announcement of President Obama’s visit to Asheville

From the White House: WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, February 13th, after his State of the Union address, the President will travel to Linamar Corporation to discuss proposals, unveiled in the speech, that focus on strengthening the economy for the middle class and those striving to get there. The President’s remarks at Linamar Corporation and […]

APD seeks public’s help in identifying Blue Ridge Pharmacy break-in suspect

Full announcement from the Asheville Police Department: On 11/10/2012 (Case number 12-031389), at approximately 0451 hours, there was a reported Breaking and Entering at 948 Tunnel Road (Blue Ridge Pharmacy). Officers responded to the business and located one of the front windows broken out with a tool lying nearby. The surveillance footage shows an unknown […]

AshevilleHabitat for Humanity receives $75,000 grant for Swannanoa home

Full announcement from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: ASHEVILLE, NC – Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has received a grant from Thrivent Builds of over $75,000 to build a home in Swannanoa. This will be the 6th Habitat home sponsorship that the organization has awarded to the affiliate. The grant provides 60% of the cost […]

Mayor Bellamy will present proclamation to Habitat for Humanity Feb. 11

Full announcement from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: Asheville, NC – On Monday, February 11th, Mayor Terry Bellamy will present a proclamation from the City of Asheville recognizing Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity’s 30th Anniversary. The event will take place at 12 noon at Habitat’s administrative building at 33 Meadow Road. The media is invited […]

Council member Cecil Bothwell releases Feb. 12 Darwin Day proclamation

On Feb. 12, Asheville City Council will declare “Darwin Day.” Council member Cecil Bothwell has released the full text of the city’s proclamation: In recognition of Charles Darwin’s immense contribution to the sciences, stemming from his explanation of evolution moderated by natural selection, the City of Asheville will join municipalities across the continent, and nations […]

Retaining wall construction will affect traffic on Cherokee Road

Full announcement from the city of Asheville: ASHEVILLE – An upcoming project to replace a deteriorating retaining wall near the intersection of Cherokee Road and Sunset Drive will result in diverted traffic during the several months the project will take to complete. Work on the retaining wall is anticipated to begin in mid-February and last […]

‘We have exhausted all leads:’ APD suspends Moffitt Twitter hacking investigat­ion

Claiming that they’ve “exhausted all leads to this point,” the Asheville Police Department has suspended its investigation of the alleged hacking of state Rep. Tim Moffitt’s Twitter account last year. The legislator’s account sent out an offensive message that he implied was an effort by his political opponents to discredit him.

Carolina Public Press: stances harden on Asheville water, sewer merger legislation

From Carolina Public Press: Asheville’s effort to take the fight against impending water and sewer merger legislation statewide has added a new wrinkle in a long-running regional battle and the potential this year for a state-mandated takeover of the city-run system. Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson) and Rep. Nathan Ramsey (R-Buncombe) both objected to pushback on […]

League of Conservation Voters: NC Senate bill direct attack on environment

Full announcement from the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters: RALEIGH, N.C. – As originally introduced, the two pages of Senate Bill 10, titled Eliminate Obsolete Boards and Commissions, made no mention of any environmental boards or commissions. Today the Senate Rules Committee adopted a Proposed Committee Substitute of SB 10, now the Government Reorganization […]

WRAL: NC Senate GOP seeks to sweep oversight boards

From WRAL: Senate Republican leaders are moving quickly on a proposal to fire all current members of key oversight and advisory boards. Introduced in Senate Rules Committee Tuesday morning, Senate Bill 10 would effectively fire all members of the Utilities Commission, Environmental Management Commission, Coastal Resources Commission, Lottery Commission and Wildlife Resources Commission. Gov. Pat […]

Carolina Public Press: Buncombe DA “hopeful” evidence-room investigation will end soon

From Carolina Public Press: In the wake of the hiring of a new Asheville Police Department evidence-room manager and the still-lingering questions about missing drugs, guns and money from the department’s former evidence room, Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore said Monday that “I’m hopeful we’re moving forward shortly” to conclude the investigation into what […]