CarePartners awarded accreditation from Joint Commission 

From press release:   ASHEVILLE – CarePartners has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality. The accreditation award recognizes CarePartners’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state of the art standards. “We are honored to have received the […]

9 Buncombe educators chosen for Governor’s Teacher Network

From press release: (ASHEVILLE)- Nine teachers from Buncombe County Schools have been selected to participate in the Governor’s Teacher Network, which was established to recognize and reward teachers who can help advance Race to the Top (RttT)‐funded educational remodeling efforts across the state. Approximately 450 outstanding teachers from across North Carolina were selected to serve […]

Judge’s decision blocks transfer of Asheville’s water system

Last evening, June 9, the city of Asheville released the news: Judge Howard Manning has ruled that North Carolina legislators’ move to take over the local water system violates the state constitution. “The Water Act,” he ruled, “is not a valid exercise of the sovereign power of the legislative branch.” Kirk Ross, with Carolina Public […]

Newly merged environmental group seeking input on name, branding

From press release: To: supporters and friends of WNCA, ECO (Environmental and Conservation Organization) and J-MCA (Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance),  We greatly value your input regarding the name and branding of our newly merged organization.  As a first step in this process, we encourage you to answer a brief five-question survey by clicking on the link below.  Also, […]

AC-T: Judge says Asheville can keep water system

A judge on Monday struck down as unconstitutional the 2013 law that would transfer control of the city water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported Tuesday. Wake County Superior Court Judge Howard Manning Jr. found that the law violates a prohibition in the state constitution against “local” laws on certain subjects, […]

AC-T: Supreme Court rules against homeowners in CTS case

Residents and activists who have fought for 15 years for a cleanup of the CTS site say a Supreme Court ruling issued Monday morning is a “devastating” development that favors corporations to the detriment of residents and homeowners, according to an Asheville Citizen-Times report. “It’s unbelievable,” said Dot Rice, who lives a few hundreds yards […]

Obamas in Asheville? Reports spread on social media

It’s a slow, lazy Monday afternoon in Asheville: June 9, 2014.  What could be more exciting than a rumor that Present Obama has bought real estate in Asheville? The Asheville Citizen-Times based its story on a report by Wall St. Cheat Sheet, a popular financial news website headquartered in Asheville.  The website reported “sources” had confirmed the Obamas […]

W-S J: Climbers hospitalized after fall at Stone Mountain State Park

The Winston-Salem Journal reported that two rock climbers from Raleigh remained in the hospital Sunday after falling about 60 feet the day before at Stone Mountain State Park. Charlie Peek, a spokesman for the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, confirmed that Lisa Bacon, 31, and Brian Safofsky, 35, were hospitalized with multiple injuries after […]

Sunburst’s Second Summer Solstice Soiree for ASAP Announced

From press release:   ASHEVILLE, NC (June 9, 2014)—On June 21, from 5:30 until 10 pm, Sunburst Trout Farms will host Sunburst’s Second Summer Solstice Soiree for ASAP, a benefit dinner for ASAP at their beautiful headquarters in the shadow of Cold Mountain, deep in the heart of Pisgah National Forest. The soiree will also […]

Brew Hub Announces partnership with Green Man Brewing Company

Agreement will allow award-winning craft brewer to expand distribution to Florida and other states   From press release ST. LOUIS (June 9, 2014):  Brew Hub, a company led by a team of beer industry executives and craft brewing experts, has announced a partnership with Green Man Brewing Company, an award-winning craft brewery based in Asheville, […]

AC-T: WNC universities await budget decisions

The Asheville Citizen-Times reports that Western North Carolina’s public universities are waiting decisions by the state Legislature to find out what’s in store for them and whether more cuts could be on the way. Universities have seen deep reductions in state appropriations for operating expenses since the recession hit, and per pupil state spending remains […]

Youth OUTright Collaborates in Queer Youth Theatre/Young Voices

From press release:   ASHEVILLE, NC…June 8, 2014… Queer Youth Theatre/Young Voices is a community-based performance development collaboration between Youth OUTright (YO) and the Drama Department at the University of North Carolina – Asheville (UNCA).  The project consists of two separate yet interconnected, complementary and mutually beneficial components; developing queer youth stories (Queer Youth Theatre) and […]

Camp Kanuga Comes alive, celebrates its 83rd season

From Press release: HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Children from across the country arrived at Camp Kanuga near Hendersonville, NC on June 5, ready to embark on their summer adventures. With 117 campers kicking off the first session of this year’s Camp Kanuga, the campers, parents and staff were bubbling with energy. “I’m looking forward to seeing […]

Taekwon-Do international championship tournament  in Asheville this Weekend

From press release: ASHEVILLE, NC, June 6, 2014: Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon Do is honored to host the 2014 Taekwon-Do International Invitational Championship Tournament on Saturday June 7th from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm at the DeVries Gym on the Warren Wilson College campus in Asheville, NC. Special guest instructor is Grandmaster Suk Jun […]

Lake James State Park will open mountain biking trail system Saturday  

From press release: RALEIGH – Lake James State Park will open 15 miles of newly constructed mountain biking trails Saturday as part of the state parks system’s observance of National Trails Day, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. A dedication ceremony will be at 9 a.m. at the Paddy’s Creek Area of the […]

Governor calls repeal of Common Core education standards ‘not a smart move’

Gov. Pat McCrory says the Republican-driven bill to repeal the Common Core education standards “is not a smart move,” using his strongest language yet to warn against an effort pushed by conservatives in his own party, the Raleigh News & Observer reported Friday. “These are things we need to correct and recognize,” he said, citing concerns […]

Canary Coalition gets permit for protest at GOP convention

From press release:   The Canary Coalition has obtained the necessary permit for a protest demonstration at Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee this Saturday, June 7, in response to the North Carolina state government ruling party’s statewide convention taking place inside the casino hotel.  Inside attendants will include NC House Speaker Tom Tillis, NC Senate President […]

Third Annual Wells Fargo Zipping for Autism Raises more than $45,000!

  Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures event benefits local individuals with autism and their families  From press release: The 3rd Annual Wells Fargo Zipping for Autism, hosted by Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures and Treetops Adventure Park, raised more than $45,000 on Sunday, June 1, to support the Autism Society of North Carolina’s efforts in western North […]