Legally-Married same-sex Couples in NC ‘Refuse to Lie’ by filing state taxes jointly

Here’s the press release from the Campaign for Southern Equality: Asheville, N.C. (April 10, 2014) – As part of the “Refuse to Lie” campaign, some same-sex couples are jointly filing their North Carolina state tax returns in protest of a directive issued by the NC Department of Revenue to file their taxes as single. The […]

‘Generation on a Tightrope’ author Arthur Levine to deliver UNC Asheville commencement

Here’s the press release from UNC Asheville Arthur Levine, one of America’s leading experts on higher education, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree when UNC Asheville holds its May 2014 Commencement. Southern Jewish historian Eli Evans also will receive an honorary degree, and civil rights pioneer Franklin […]

Small loans, big impact? Commission­ers approve $50,000 for Mountain Bizworks microloans on party line vote

Buncombe commissioners voted along party lines April 1 to give Mountain Bizworks $50,000 toward a new microloan program that will help small local businesses get needed capital. The local business nonprofit will leverage the county funds to receive an additional $300,000 from the federal Small Business Association Microloan Program. “The funding will help local entrepreneurs […]

New Buncombe partnership aims to ‘stamp out fraud’

Here’s the press release from Buncombe County: Joining Forces to Stamp Out Fraud in Our Community Buncombe County Government Announces a New Partnership between Health and Human Services, Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office Committing public assistance fraud is a serious crime and we need your help to keep it out of our community.  […]

UNC Asheville Professor Dwight Mullen wins 2014 Excellence in Teaching Award

Here’s the press release from UNC Asheville: Dwight Mullen, professor of political science and 30-year veteran of UNC Asheville’s faculty, has been named a recipient of the 2014 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award. A gifted teacher, active scholar and engaged community leader, Mullen has consistently taught courses that have challenged and inspired […]

Commission­ers approve $50,000 for Mountain BizWorks microloans on party line vote

Buncombe Commissioners voted along party lines April 1 to give Mountain Bizworks $50,000 toward a new microloan program that will help small local businesses get needed capital. The local business nonprofit will leverage the county funds to receive an additional $300,000 from the federal Small Business Association Microloan Program.

Keystone XL Pipeline Resistance: Civil Disobedience trainings preparing for local Asheville protest

Here’s the press release from organizer Cathy Holt: Saturday, April 5, the fourth in a series of nonviolent civil disobedience trainings will be held at the Friends Meeting House on Edgewood Road from 9am to 1pm. To date, over 65 people have taken part in these trainings in Asheville. National groups CREDO Action, Rainforest Action […]

MoveOn members to gather downtown in Asheville Monday to demand Gov. McCrory expand Medicaid

Here’s the press release from MoveOn: Monday is the Obamacare enrollment deadline and local MoveOn members and area residents will gather at Pritchard Park to attend “Health Care for All”. They will gather with signs and flyers in a high-traffic area to remind people that Republicans are responsible for blocking more than 5 million people […]

Carolina Public Press: Legal challenge to Smokies backcountry fee can move forward

Here’s an excerpt from the Carolina Public Press article: A U.S. district judge in Knoxville has ruled that a lawsuit over a backcountry user fee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can go forward. However, the ruling has denied the plaintiff the right to examine records beyond the public administrative level. The decision is […]

AC-T: WNC residents hurry to enroll in insurance

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: Local navigators who have been helping people sign up for insurance using the federal Health Insurance Marketplace are busy with the last-minute rush ahead of Monday’s enrollment deadline. “We are at capacity,” said Jan Plummer, navigator program coordinator with Mountain Projects in Waynesville. … At the Buncombe […]

Odyssey Community School hires new directors and signs lease to stay in Montford

Here’s the press release from Odyssey Community School: As a follow-up to the January sale of 90 Zillicoa to the UNC-Asheville Foundation, we are pleased to announce that Odyssey Community School secured a lease from UNC- Asheville Foundation allowing Odyssey to remain in its current location at 90 Zillicoa Street for the next academic year. […]