The warm spring winds blowing through Western North Carolina’s forests are welcomed by the winter weary, but they put firefighters on edge, according to the Asheville Citizen -Times With the trees still yet to “leaf out,” sunshine readily reaches the ground, drying out fuels that can feed destructive wildfires. Federal and state forestry officials are […]
Author: Grady Cooper
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AC-T: Highway Patrol targets teen driver safety during prom season
N.C. Highway Patrol troopers will step up enforcement of traffic laws around high schools next week as part of an effort to improve teen driver safety during prom season, according to a report in the Asheville Citizen-Times. Troopers also will conduct traffic safety education programs at high schools during the effort, called Operation Drive to […]
Transylvania sheriff’s lieutenant honored for forest protection work
From a press release: CEDAR MOUNTAIN — Lt. Jeff Smith of the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office has received the inaugural Forest Protector Award for outstanding and enduring service to protect the resources of DuPont State Recreational Forest. The award was developed by N.C. Forest Service staff and Friends of DuPont Forest, a nonprofit group that works to […]
‘Hope Rises!’ Earth Day vigil and celebration set for Tuesday
From a press release: ASHEVILLE—At 7 p.m. Tuesday, WNC Green Congregations will host their second annual Earth Day Vigil in downtown’s Pritchard Park. “Hope Rises!” is an interfaith vigil celebrating God’s creation and, in response to our changing climate, calling on people of faith to care for it. All are welcome for an evening of […]
AC-T: WNC Baptist Fellowship celebrates Easter in new home
After more than three years as a church without a home, bouncing from spaces in schools, community centers and other leased buildings, WNC Baptist Fellowship’s congregation greeted Easter this year in the sanctuary of their own, permanent church building in downtown Asheville, according to the Asheville Citizen-Times. “God has blessed us in such a mighty […]
N.C. unemployment rate drops as 20K new jobs are added
From a press release: Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina’s unemployment rate fell to 6.3 percent in March as employers added more than 20,000 new jobs across the state, according to data released Friday by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The new jobs mean North Carolina saw the second largest increase in employment in the nation, […]
AC-T: Officials expect spring tourism surge
Asheville area tourism officials say a spring visitation surge may lead to record lodging demand this year, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported Friday. Stephanie Brown, the executive director of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, noted the number of overnight visitors this spring is expected to surpass last year and lead to some of the highest […]
AC-T: I-26/Airport Road exit revamp begins in May
The state Department of Transportation has awarded an $8.8 million contract to build new exit ramps and reroute Airport Road traffic to create what is called a “diverging diamond” interchange, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported Thursday. Once it is completed, drivers approaching the interchange on Airport Road will veer to the left near one end of […]
LR student business competes for $50,000
Press release Lenoir-Rhyne University The Southeast’s biggest startup competition, the Charlotte Venture Challenge, is in its year and for the first time an entrant from Lenoir-Rhyne University’s in the mix. More than 100 hopeful start-ups hailing from Georgia to Washington D.C. to Tennessee hope to come out on top. The entrants will have all day […]
AC-T: Two norovirus cases confirmed at Owen High
Two cases of norovirus have been confirmed at Owen High School, and school officials have asked parents to keep sick students at home, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported. Jason Rhodes, interim communications director, said the school has contacted parents via phone to let them know about the illness. On Tuesday, 35 students were absent. That compares […]
Spring gives way to cold and rain
And you thought spring had arrived. Well, get ready for a cold night. The National Weather Services says temperatures will dip into the 20s tonight for much of the area. A freeze watch is in effect through Wednesday morning. Heavy rain and high winds are possible with the strongest gusts expected in the early evening. […]
Asheville police arrest pair on graffiti-related charges
Asheville police have charged two men on graffiti-related charges, accusing them of vandalism at Forever Tattoo at 98 N. Lexington Av.e Police reported that Colin Michael Martin, 20, of Berkeley, Calif., and Mark William Vonalmen, 21, of Metairie, La., were charged with trespassing and injury to property. Vonalmen and Martin were being held at the Buncombe […]
Asheville has openings on city committees
Press release The City of Asheville has various openings on various committees. Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?” Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? Do you want to be a part of the body […]
HT-N: Henderson County offices closed for Good Friday
In observance of Good Friday, all Henderson County local government offices and agencies, as well as the Henderson County Courthouse, will be closed Friday, April 18. Those offices will then resume normal operating hours Monday, April 21, the Hendersonville Times-News reported Tuesday. Other local agencies have amended holiday schedules. All branches of the Henderson County […]
Proper food storage seen as best protection against bears
Press release WAYNESVILLE, NC – This summer while hiking and camping along the Appalachian Trial in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), backpackers can continue to keep their food and packs out of reach of black bears, thanks to a grant from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). For the fourth year, the ATC has made wildlife […]
HT-N: Easter Bonnet Promenade Saturday in Hendersonville
Hats big and small will be on display Saturday at one of the great springtime events in downtown Hendersonville, the Easter Bonnet Promenade. The event will start at 11 a.m. in the 400 block of Main Street, according to the Hendersonville Times-News. Billed as “an old-fashioned Easter bonnet parade with a new twist,” the promenade […]
A-B Tech marks Small Business Week with seminars
Press release In honor of Asheville Small Business Week, the A-B Tech Small Business Center will hold a series of seminars April 21st – April 25th at the college’s main campus, and at the Enka site designed to provide current small business owners and entrepreneurs with valuable information to aid in the development of their […]
Barq in the Parq in Flat Rock scheduled for May 17
Press release March 28, 2014 — There’s a new bark in town. The inaugural Barq In The Parq event for dog lovers is coming, May 17th to the Mtn Lodge and Conference Center in Flat Rock. Barq In The Parq is a wag-filled community event for dog lovers and their best friends to benefit […]
ECO Sustainable Living Workshop continues homegrown food theme
Press release (HENDERSONVILLE, NC, April 14, 2014) ECO, the Environmental and Conservation Organization, is continuing to connect local permaculture and homegrown food experts and community members through its spring Sustainable Living Workshops in April, May, and June. All workshops require advanced registration by calling ECO at (828) 692-0385 or registering online at eco-wnc.org. Classes are $15 […]
‘The Greening of the Parkway’ scheduled April 26
Press release (Asheville, NC) – Spring has finally sprung in the mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway invites you to help us celebrate the “greening” happening all around us! Join us on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (Milepost 384) for activities and demonstrations about […]
AC-T: Residents escape unharmed from apartment fire
Two student apartment dwellers escaped unharmed from a fire that gutted a commercial building early Monday on Merrimon Avenue, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blaze at 498 Merrimon Ave., Asheville Fire Department acting battalion chief Eddie Wyatt said. The building was fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived. […]