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.
Author: Jessica Wakeman
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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.
Small town activists share stories behind local Pride festivals
Pride events in smaller towns foster community, support homegrown talent and highlight local services, such as gender-affirming health care.
Buncombe County debuts new mobile health RV
Services on the mobile health unit include rapid testing for HIV and hepatitis C; gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis testing; vaccinations; distribution of COVID-19 tests; tests for fentanyl and xylazine; Narcan, the overdose reversal drug; antibiotic treatment for syphilis; and family planning services.
Coffee business offers employment opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals
One might never know that a 650-pound industrial coffee roaster sits in the Trinity United Methodist Church basement if not for the smell of freshly roasted beans.
Trout hatchery renovation could impact local tourism
A renovation expected to begin next year at the 67-year-old Bobby N. Setzer Fish Hatchery in Brevard will diminish upcoming trout stockings in local rivers by two-thirds. However, the effect that renovation could have on tourism and businesses that rely on anglers is difficult to determine.
Panel discussion addresses history of harm reduction in Asheville
“I was brought to a room at one point as a county employee, with major county and city staff, and basically told to shut up,” Amy Upham, who worked as opioid response coordinator for Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services (BCDHHS) from 2019-21, told an audience at Pack Memorial Library last week.
Local church hosts gun surrender event
On Saturday, June 8, First Baptist Church in Asheville will host a Guns to Gardens firearm surrender event, where donated weapons will be dismantled and repurposed as garden tools.
Wellness roundup: Whooping cough cases rise in Buncombe County
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory tract. Symptoms begin with a mild cough that worsens into severe coughing fits, which can lead to vomiting in young children.
Housing Authority restores competitive bidding for early education
“We’ve been out of compliance for 14 years,” Housing Authority of the City of Asheville President and CEO Monique Pierre told a May 22 meeting of the HACA Board of Commissioners.