Warren Wilson College receives high rank for service program

Here’s the press release from Warren Wilson College: Warren Wilson College has been ranked second among 246 national liberal arts colleges in a major service category in Washington Monthly’s 2014 “A Different Kind of College Ranking.” The magazine’s latest rankings place Warren Wilson second in “Service staff, courses and financial aid support.” The college is […]

State environmental agency details actions on coal ash in letter to citizens group

PRESS RELEASE from N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources: RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources is addressing all known violations of the Clean Water Act at Duke Energy’s 33 coal ash impoundments and has been acting on the problem aggressively since Governor Pat McCrory took office, an official with the […]

AC-T: Tourism board backs Asheville Art Museum renovation

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: A Buncombe County board voted unanimously Wednesday to continue its funding commitment to Asheville Art Museum’s renovation plans after an official said fundraising is going well and construction should begin next year. The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority voted unanimously to extend its agreement to give $1.5 […]

UNC Asheville Foundation buys additional property for campus expansion

  Here’s the press release from UNC Asheville: The UNC Asheville Foundation has purchased two parcels totaling seven acres off Zillicoa Street for $1.1 million. The parcels, purchased from Highland Park LLC, border two other tracts the foundation acquired last year and in 2011. Highland Park LLC offered the UNC Asheville Foundation a reduced price […]

Asheville Council approves RAD Lofts incentives

Asheville City Council helped pave the way for major growth in the River Arts District Aug. 26, approving a roughly $764,000 incentive package for RAD Lofts. The mixed use development at the intersection of Roberts Street and Clingman Extension will include 209 apartments as well as 48,000 square-feet of commercial space and a parking garage.

Warren Wilson College hires new Advancement Vice President

Here’s the press release from Warren Wilson College:   K. Johnson Bowles, associate vice president for corporate and foundation relations at Longwood University, has been named vice president of advancement at Warren Wilson College. Bowles’ appointment by President Steven L. Solnick and the Warren Wilson College Board of Trustees is effective Sept. 22. Bowles will […]

New AdvantageWest website recognized as ‘Superior’ by Southern Economic Development Council

Here’s the press release from AdvantageWest: (August 25, 2014 – Fletcher, North Carolina): The new website for AdvantageWest, www.AdvantageWest.com, has won a “Superior” award from the Southern Economic Development Council. SEDC is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America with nearly 1,000 members in 17 states and the District of Columbia. […]

Asheville Council to consider Rad Lofts incentives

On Aug. 26, Asheville City Council will consider providing a roughly $764,000 incentive package to developers of the RAD Lofts, a mixed use development planned for the intersection of Roberts Street and Clingman Extension. In exchange, owners would provide 198 units of workforce housing and 11 units of affordable housing. The project would also encompass […]

2014 Art with Heart to benefit fragile pediatric patients

Here’s the press release from CarePartners Estate Sales Services: Asheville, NC (August 18, 2014) – Small-to-medium sized works from more than 50 regional artists will be featured at the CarePartners Annual Charity Art with a Heart Sale, Thursday October 2, Friday October 3 and Saturday, October 4, along with selected art from area estates. A […]

Moffitt ranked NC’s ‘most effective legislator’

Here’s an excerpt from the announcement via Rep. Tim Moffitt’s political marketing website: Representative Tim Moffitt was ranked North Carolina’s most effective legislator, according to a recent analysis by the Insider State Government News Service. Moffitt represents the western part of Buncombe County. The report ranked legislators in each of five categories, including the percentage […]

North Carolina NAACP appeals federal judge’s ruling on state voting law

Here’s the press release from the North Carolina NAACP: WASHINGTON – Fighting to protect the right to vote for all North Carolinians this November, the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP filed an appeal today in the legal battle over H.B. 589, the state’s voter suppression law. The appeal – which was filed by […]

Video roundup: Locals take the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’

Over the last few weeks, a range of local notables have been participating in the “Ice Bucket Challenge.” Started by the nonprofit ALS Association to raise money and awareness to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a lethal disorder also know as Lou Gehrig’s disease, participants agree to be dumped with a bucket of ice water. […]

Long walk ahead: Asheville falls short of sidewalk constructi­on goals

Asheville has constructed about 18 miles of new sidewalks since 2006, but that’s a far cry from what advocates say is needed to improve pedestrian safety in the city’s neighborhoods. A new report released by city government shows that it’s fallen well short of its goal of building 108 miles of sidewalk. A 5-year $132 […]

Waldrop holds campaign kickoff event Sept. 6

  Here’s the press release from the campaign of Buncombe County Board of Commissioners candidate Nancy Waldrop: CANDLER, N.C. – August 14, 2014 – Nancy Waldrop and her supporters, including Democrats, Republicans, unaffiliated voters and her teaching colleagues will officially kickoff her campaign for County Commission on September 6. Hosted by Clerk of Court Steven […]

Supreme Court issues stay, preserving NC gay marriage ban

The U.S. Supreme Court responded today, Aug. 20, to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision last month to strike down a same-sex marriage ban by issuing a stay that bars the practice pending further action by the court. The move is a disappointment to equality advocates who hoped that today’s deadline would pass without […]