Jill Williams, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Flourish Counseling & Wellness in Asheville, recommends parents be age-appropriate, honest and fact based when discussing tragedy.
Author: Jessica Wakeman
Showing 1-21 of 282 results
Debut novel examines the lasting impact of sexual assault
Author Melissa Connelly’s debut novel, What Was Lost, tells the story of Marti Farrell in two parts — as a young teen navigating sexual abuse in the 1970s and later as an adult still coping with the trauma of her past.
Unwanted livestock find homes at rescue farms
Recently Buncombe County has been awash in pet pigs needing homes. “We have a potbellied pig epidemic,” says Buncombe County Farm manager Don Collins.
Lessons learned from families and child care providers following Helene
Helene impacted a vital part of infrastructure: child care. Providers and families share their work-arounds and what’s needed to reinforce an already fragile system.
NC Trusted Elections Tour addresses voting laws and election security
“We know that voters are often confused and that can lead to uncertainty and distrust,” explains Jennifer Roberts of the Carter Center, who co-organized the NC Trusted Elections Tour. She and others are out to reassure voters.
2024 Election Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
The 2024 races for Buncombe County Board of Commissioners are unusual for their variety: there is a race for commission chair featuring an incumbent, a commission seat race featuring an incumbent and another commission seat race with two candidates who are new to public office.
Afghan refugee reflects on new life in Asheville
Fleeing violence in their home countries, evacuees find a welcoming safety net in Asheville.
Animal bites should be treated ‘like a car accident,’ says health department
Experts share the procedure for getting post-exposure prophylaxis after an animal bite, indicators that an animal might have rabies and what to know about bats in your house.
Publisher Jeff Fobes’ path to the Mountain Xpress
Jeff Fobes reflects on how his life led him to a 30-year career as a newspaper publisher, first of GreenLine, now the Mountain Xpress.
Human donor milk program expands to Sylva
Pasteurized human donor milk can help bridge the gap until a mother’s milk supply comes in and promote longer breastfeeding.
Pride display drives Yancey County library out of regional system
The Yancey County Board of Commissioners voted June 28 to remove the Yancey County library from the regional library system. The potential impact on services is unknown.
County Commission candidates make pitches at CIBO forum
Candidates talk about spending, support for education and what regulating short-term rentals should look like.
WNC grapples with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Since January of this year, Buncombe County has received 104 reports of Lyme, says Buncombe County spokesperson Stacey Wood. Of those, 19 have been confirmed cases, five met the definition for suspect or probable cases and 23 are currently under investigation.
Coalition launches to replace Mission Hospital’s ownership
Reclaim Healthcare WNC’s goals are to replace HCA with a nonprofit hospital system, “hold HCA accountable for its harmful culture and practices” and “restore best-in-class healthcare throughout the Mission system,” per a press release.
ABCCM breaks ground on Safe Haven shelter
Safe Haven will be an emergency shelter operating 24/7 and year-round with 36 beds for single women, women with children and up to two intact families.
Meet the animals in Asheville’s local businesses
Dogs, cats and fish double as coworkers at many establishments. It is Asheville after all — one of the most dog-friendly places around.
The Porchlight Project offers safe haven for abuse survivors
“The reason that we ask businesses to be involved is because [going to these places] is sometimes the only opportunity that people have to speak at all about what’s happening at home,” says Caitrin Doyle of Helpmate.
Cayla Clark’s quest to make fun of everyone in Asheville
Local comedian Cayla Clark has developed a big following on Instagram through her videos that poke fun at all things Asheville. But her backstory and how she wound up in Western North Carolina is far from slapstick comedy.
The many tells of problem gambling
Josh Hampton spoke with Xpress about the symptoms of problem gambling, new legislation in North Carolina legalizing mobile sports betting and a new Gamblers Anonymous support group beginning soon in Asheville.
Veterans find healing by working with horses
The equine-human bond underpins U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jake LaRue’s own healing journey. Working with horses and other veterans “is what keeps me sane,” he says.
Churches welcome homeless families in Safe Shelter initiative
On April 29, Grace Episcopal opened its doors to Safe Shelter and provided overnight accommodations to five families and six adults who were homeless, says Safe Shelter director Christian Chambers. Among them were four working adults and a senior couple on disability, who stayed at Safe Shelter until an apartment became available.
