Buncombe GOP endorses Amendment One, promises organizing efforts

Full announcement from the Buncombe County Republican Party: Asheville: In May, our primaries will be held, and in these primaries Buncombe County voters will have the opportunity to forever preserve the definition of marriage in our State. As the only Southern State left that has not done so, we are finally getting the opportunity to […]

Amendment One resolution will be on April 10 Asheville City Council agenda

A resolution opposing the proposed state constitutional amendment banning legal recognition for same-sex couples will be on the April 10 Asheville City Council agenda. That’s the word from Council member Gordon Smith, who tweeted the following this afternoon: Amendment One resolution will be considered at the April 10 mtg of Asheville City Council.

Fair trade?

Amid the recent furor over the future of Asheville’s water system, one important aspect has mostly escaped notice: In July, Henderson County is due to transfer a 137-acre Bent Creek property to the city. And while lawyers for both sides acknowledge the deadline, they’re keeping mum about its connection, if any, to the broader dispute […]

Second cut: Council again considers joining billboard lawsuit

Asheville City Council March 13, 2012 meeting River District design review strengthened • Too much watershed logging allowed? For the second consecutive meeting, Asheville City Council members wrestled with whether to join a lawsuit challenging new state rules that allow dramatically increased clear-cutting in front of billboards. “It's an impenetrable statute: It's difficult to read […]

Asheville biologist Mark Cantrell named a national “recovery champion”

Announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Mark Cantrell U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville, North Carolina Mark Cantrell’s leadership, research, and collaboration with partners during dam relicensing processes, severe droughts, and projects to secure minimum flows in streams has benefited endangered and threatened aquatic species such as the Appalachian elktoe, spotfin chub, and […]

HUD awards are least $769,723 in counseling grants; $54,197 to Asheville organizations

From Housing and Urban Development: GREENSBORO – As part of its continuing effort to help families find decent housing and to prevent future foreclosures, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced at least $769,723 in housing counseling grants to twenty six organizations in North Carolina. As a result of this funding, […]

Yancey County News wins major journalism award

CINCINNATI – The Scripps Howard Foundation today announced the winners of its annual Scripps Howard Awards, honoring the best work in the communications industry and journalism education in 2011. Awards include: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT Jonathan Austin and Susan Austin of the Yancey County News, Burnsville, N.C., receive $10,000 and the Edward Willis […]

President Obama announces opposition to Amendment One

The Raleigh News and Observer is reporting that President Barack Obama, through a spokesperson, has announced his opposition to Amendment One: “While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits […]

Keever promises to protect Medicare

Full announcement from Patsy Keever for Congress: Asheville–Today Rep. Patsy Keever vowed to protect Medicare at roundtables with citizens of North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District. Participants in Gastonia and Shelby were generally supportive of Medicare and expressed their concerns about changes that Republicans have proposed to the program to help balance the budget. In a […]