Free tax assistance available at Buncombe libraries starting Feb. 1

Do you have questions about your taxes? Would you like assistance in completing your income tax forms? AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in cooperation with the IRS, N.C. Department of Revenue, the Council on Aging and Buncombe County Public Libraries is offering free tax preparation for taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those […]

Congressional budget helps the Blue Ridge Parkway, restores parks funding

Here’s the press release from Environment North Carolina: RALEIGH, NC – This week, U.S. House and Senate appropriators set funding levels for agencies like the National Park Service and finalized a comprehensive budget agreement. Environment North Carolina’s Liz Kazal offered the following statement: “I applaud U.S. House and Senate appropriators for their work on a […]

Meadow’s tapped to serve on transportation committee’s new public-private partnerships panel

Here’s the press release from the office of Congressman Mark Meadows: Washington, D.C. – Representative Mark Meadows (NC-11) released the following statement after being selected to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s newly-established special panel on the use of and opportunities for public-private partnerships (P3s) across all modes of transportation, economic development, public […]

‘Mountain People’s Assembly’ forms; sets meeting for Jan. 23

The Mountain People’s Assembly meets January 23 ASHEVILLE On Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 pm the newly formed Mountain People’s Assembly, a coalition of area organizations, faith communities and individuals will meet at First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St. in downtown Asheville. The meeting will be held to elect remaining members of a Steering Committee, […]

N.C. Forest Service: Slick Rock homes are better protected

Here’s the press release from the North Carolina Forest Service: TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY — Seventy homes in the Slick Rock community are better protected from wildfires after a North Carolina Forest Service program helped remove a large amount of forest fuels. The project began in July 2012, when residents met with personnel from the Forest Service […]

Cindy McMahon aims to represent Reynolds District on Buncombe County School Board

Cindy McMahon announced Jan. 14 that she plans to run for the Buncombe County School Board in the Reynolds District, which is currently represented by Lisa Baldwin. Here’s the press release from McMahon: Reynolds Mom Seeks Election to Buncombe County School Board Cindy McMahon of Haw Creek announced today that she will seek election to […]

CPP: NC sets record for meth lab busts in 2013, with slight uptick in WNC

Here’s an excerpt from the Carolina Public Press article: jAccording to data released yesterday by N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper, the state saw a record number of methamphetamine lab busts in 2013. Of the 561 “labs” that were taken down by law enforcement — the vast majority being very small operations — 62 were located […]

Girls ages 9-14 invited to SciGirls insulation testing program at PARI

Here’s the press release from Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute: Rosman, NC (January 13, 2014) – Area girls ages 9-14 are invited to a SciGirls program Tuesday, January 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Transylvania County Extension Office, 98 East Morgan Street, in Brevard. Using the “Insulation Station” activity from the SciGirls national curriculum, […]

Western North Carolina Health Advocates holds volunteer training

Here’s the press release from Western North Carolina Health Advocates: Western North Carolina Health Advocates holds volunteer training for its Patient Pals and Family Friends peer support program 6 p.m. Jan. 28, at the Park Office Building, 70 Woodfin Place, Suite 232. Patient Pals and Family Friends provides trained volunteers to people who have illness […]

School board clashes over communications director

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times story: The Buncombe County Board of Education approved several budget amendments and withstood an unusually controversial employee recognition segment at their regular monthly meeting Thursday night. Communications director Jan Blunt announced Thursday that she would be leaving at the end of the month to pursue a masters degree […]