Erica Shanks was in Milwaukee, Wis., for a water and climate conference Sept. 26, but all she could think about was the weather back home. She needed to get home.
Author: Greg Parlier
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Asheville City school board delays decision on staff bonuses for post-Helene volunteer work
Unsure of exactly how much it would cost, the Asheville City Board of Education voted 7-0 Nov. 12 to table a decision on bonus payment for nearly 200 district staff members who volunteered their time in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.
Marshall cleans up after Helene against all odds
As they watched floodwaters engulf their town, business owners Josh Copus and Joel Friedman wondered if this was the end of Marshall. But friends, strangers and the U.S. Army stepped up, and the eclectic riverside town of 800 is well on its way to a rebuild, just a month after Helene’s devastation.
Brownie Newman leaves office on the heels of Helene
When Buncombe County Commission Chair Brownie Newman first walked out of his house that Friday morning after the wind died down, he was hopeful the effects of Tropical Storm Helene wouldn’t be that bad. Then he walked one block over to Pearson Drive. This wasn’t the way Newman thought he’d end his 12 years on the county commission.
Hot Seat: Race for chair of County Commission heats up
Commissioner Amanda Edwards, ex-Sheriff Van Duncan talk policy differences, ethics and politics as the general election race for the top seat in Buncombe County enters its final month.
Buncombe County Schools to reopen to students Oct. 25
All 45 of the district’s schools now have nonpotable water, power and internet service, BCS Superintendent Rob Jackson told the Buncombe County Board of Education at an emergency meeting Oct. 18.
ACS backs off drilling wells, works to reopen schools Oct. 28
Superintendent Maggie Fehrman told the Asheville City Board of Education at its meeting Oct. 14 that she still wants to explore drilling wells to increase the district’s resiliency, but is shifting her focus to obtaining enough drinking water to reopen schools by Monday, Oct. 28.
Buncombe County Schools continues to work toward reopening
Schools remain closed in Western North Carolina’s largest school district as officials scramble to get portable toilets and hand-washing stations shipped to Buncombe County Schools’ 45 campuses.
Asheville City Schools aims to reopen by Monday, Oct. 28
Asheville City Schools Superintendent Maggie Fehrman said the district is aiming to reopen its schools to students by Monday, Oct. 28.
Hotel group opens doors to first responders
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.
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.
2024 Election Voter Guide: Asheville City Board of Education
This November, voters will, for the first time, make the Asheville City Board of Education a fully elected board.
2024 Election Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Education
In one of the more crowded races in recent history for seats on the Buncombe County Board of Education, nine candidates are running for four seats on Western North Carolina’s largest school board.
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.