The Restoration Hotel, along with three other partner hotels downtown, has opened its doors to first responders who have come to the area to help with disaster recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.
Author: Greg Parlier
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UPDATE: Woodfin mayor says town slow to get government aid
Woodfin Mayor Jim McAllister told Xpress on Oct. 4 that he is frustrated with the lack of support his town is getting from state and federal agencies in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.
N.C. Department of Environmental Quality looking into reports of toxins in French Broad River
The N.C. Emergency Management Joint Information Center confirmed Oct. 4 that state and federal agencies have received reports of potentially toxic mud on the banks of the French Broad River in Madison County near Marshall.
Ongoing updates about schools news on Friday, Oct. 4
The following is an ongoing list of news about education-related resources in Western North Carolina in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene. This list will be updated as new information comes in:
Ongoing updates about trash and recycling services Friday, Oct. 4
WastePro conducting trash pickup on Thursday, Oct. 3
Ongoing update on communications and internet connectivity from Friday, Oct. 4
The following is an ongoing list of news about communications-related resources in Western North Carolina in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.
Asheville, Buncombe County announce water distribution sites
For the first time since the storm hit overnight Thursday, Sept. 26, water has arrived for distribution to residents in need of potable and non-potable water.
BREAKING: Entire volunteer tax appeals board quits in wake of Tax Assessor firing
Board of Equalization and Review Chair Miriam McKinney wrote two letters to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners warning that all five volunteer members of her board would resign if Tax Assessor Keith Miller was fired.
Enrollment down, achievement up at Asheville City Schools
Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman reported that the well-documented achievement gap between Black and white students closed slightly last year, while overall achievement for ACS students increased by 2.5% in 2023-24.
Speaker encourages creative thinking at BCTDA annual meeting
“The more we can share those experiences in a way that people believe, the more we can overcome that believability crisis,” speaker Rohit Bhargava told about 300 hospitality professionals at the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority’s annual meeting.
Buncombe library board rejects three book ban requests
According to one community member, the Bible should provide enough information for Buncombe County readers interested in learning about sex. The Buncombe County Library Advisory Board thought otherwise.
Ballot reprint to remove RFK Jr. delays mail-in voting
The state Supreme Court ordered the N.C Board of Elections to remove RFK Jr.’s name from the ballot Sept. 9, forcing all 100 counties to reprint millions of absentee ballots that were printed and ready to be mailed starting Sept. 6.
Candidates for Buncombe school board weigh in on local issues
In was a chaotic year for Western North Carolina’s largest school district in 2023-24. This November, ten candidates are vying for four seats to lead Buncombe County Schools into a future full of question marks for public education in North Carolina.
BCS grapples with fallout from federal litigation around sex discrimination regulations
At its meeting Sept. 5, the Buncombe County Board of Education unanimously (7-0) passed interim policies that broaden the school district’s interpretation of what constitutes a complaint as defined by Title IX, a federal law passed in 1972 that bars sex discrimination in education.
A behind-the-scenes look at Xpress’ weekly distribution
“[Distributing papers] is like putting gumballs in a jar,” Cindy Kunst explains. “Everyone has a different jar. My job is to spread the gumballs out over all the jars.”
County to consider support for expanded broadband
Buncombe County was awarded the BellSouth Telecommunications Project in July, which could expand broadband access to nearly 1,000 new locations in rural parts of Buncombe County if approved by commissioners Tuesday, Sept. 3.
County, school boards discuss priorities in unusual joint meeting
On Aug. 22, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners called a first-of-its-kind joint meeting within the Asheville City and Buncombe County boards of education to identify the three elected bodies’ shared purpose.
Q&A: Chair says reparations demonstrate love for Asheville
The fourth generation Ashevillian’s deep appreciation for her roots is what propels her to give the next generation of Black residents — including her three children — something to honor.
County appoints 11 to short-term rental committee
Diverse panel named to help draft regulations regarding short-term rentals after initial attempts met headwinds.
County to appoint members to short-term rental committee
The committee will help sculpt countywide regulations of STRs, which were put on hold by the Buncombe County Planning Board in April.
ACS closes budget gap ahead of new school year
Asheville City Schools (ACS) Superintendent Maggie Fehrman said the district was able to close its $5.7 million budget deficit just in time for the new school year, largely through cuts in central office and by consolidating the district’s two middle schools.