People for Clean Mountains launches ‘Think B.I.G.’

Press release People for Clean Mountains has been established by Transylvania County residents as a grassroots organization with an immediate campaign: “Think B.I.G.” (Beyond Incinerating Garbage) to create awareness and prevent construction of the proposed trash burning incinerator in the Little River Valley of Penrose, NC. The group’s mission is to support all community action […]

Citizens organize to fight power-plant proposal in Transylvan­ia County

“Transylvania County could become home to a bio/renewable diesel fuel plant, the first of its kind in Western North Carolina,” the Hendersonville Times-News reported on April 3. Local residents have organized a campaign to fight the proposal, noting that a facility that generates power by burning MSW (municipal solid waste) could turn mar an otherwise pristine valley near Brevard, possibly diminish air and water quality and bring unwanted industrial traffic to the valley.

Spring litter sweep: NCDOT calls for volunteers for annual clean-up week

Press release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation Are you tired of seeing litter along roadsides? Do you cringe when you see someone throw trash out a car window? If so, then join the N.C. Department of Transportation’s spring Litter Sweep to help fight litter in North Carolina. Litter Sweep is scheduled for Saturday, […]

AT hikers: Severe stomach virus linked to Hot Springs to Tenn. section of Appalachian Trail

Press release from the U.S. Forest Service Hikers may want to avoid sections of the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs, N.C., especially the stretch running north to the Tennessee border. A number of hikers have been sickened by a severe, 24-hour stomach virus that is being passed between hikers. Shelters to avoid include No Business […]

Asheville Homestead Co-Op will send kids team to Odyssey of the Mind World Finals

Press release Asheville Homeschool Co-op is proud to be sending a team to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals competition May 22 to 25th at Michigan State University. The middle school team – Clay Houston, Solomon Love, Annabelle Crowe, Connor Murphy, Madison Smith, Ren Flaum, and Lilly Mills – placed first in the state […]

Asheville Regional Airport contributes $500 million to WNC economy, study reports

Press release from the Asheville Regional Airport Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) contributes close to half a billion dollars annually to the western North Carolina region, according to a recent economic impact study by The Institute for Transportation Research & Education at North Carolina State University. “This is important information to share with the communities we […]

Nominations now being accepted for annual ‘Friends of the River’ awards

Press release from the Land-of-Sky Regional Council The Land-of-Sky Regional Council is currently seeking nominations for the 36th Annual Friends of the River awards. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals, private organizations, civic groups, and/or public agencies that have made a significant contribution toward the restoration and enhancement of the French Broad […]

Go Wild with Herbs: Warren Wilson College hosts Earth Day event, Saturday, April 20

Press release (Swannanoa) Local “Superstar” herbalists celebrate, collaborate and conserve at the first annual Go Wild with Herbs: An Earth Week Celebration at Warren Wilson College on April 20 (4.20) from 2pm to 9pm. Go Wild With Herbs is an opportunity for those in the herbal community to come together to celebrate Earth Day. The […]

New Belgium comments on RAD property fires, emphasizes commitment to community

Press release Fire Damages Two Buildings at New Belgium’s Craven Street Property Asheville Fire Department Investigating Blaze Asheville, NC – April 6, 2013 – Fire damaged two separate buildings on New Belgium’s Craven Street construction site in Asheville after a blaze broke out around 11:00 pm on Friday, April 5th. No injuries were reported and […]

State tells Western Highlands Network its contract will end in July

On Friday, April 5, the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance notified the Asheville-based Western Highlands Network that it’s terminating its contract, effective July 31. WHN coordinates mental-health, substance-abuse and developmental-disability services in in Madison, Mitchell, Yancey, Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, Polk and Rutherford counties.

Citizen-Times: Buncombe County suspends work on A-B Tech expansion

The Asheville Citizen-Times’ Jon Ostendorff reported late this afternoon that Buncombe County officials have suspended work on A-B Tech’s expansion project. The college wants an 800-seat auditorium to host allied health and workforce development programs, but the county says taxpayers could be out tens of millions of dollars if the auditorium is used more for […]

Progress NC protests proposed cuts to early voting, college-student votes

Press release from Progress NC Progress North Carolina will join Western North Carolina citizens and Board of Elections officials tomorrow to speak out against legislative moves to restrict Early Voting, such as H451 “Elections Omnibus” aka “The Longer Lines to Vote Bill.” By cutting the Early Voting period by more than a week and eliminating […]

Two new bald eagles highlight Grandfather Mountain’s behind-the-scenes, Keeper for a Day programs

Press release TWO NEW BALD EAGLES HIGHLIGHT GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN’S BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS AND KEEPER FOR A DAY PROGRAM The spring at Grandfather Mountain brings with it beautiful weather, budding wildflowers and the opportunity for guests to enjoy Behind the Scenes Tours and the Keeper for a Day Program. This year, guests that sign up […]

Most visited places and national parks: Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smokies NP

The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited place in the National Park system in the United States. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, meanwhile, is No. 3 in the list of the top-ten most visited parks. Press release from the National Parks Service WASHINGTON – More than 282 million people visited America’s national parks […]

White-nose syndrome confirmed in bats at Bat Cave Preserve, Rutherford County

Press release from the Nature Conservancy DURHAM – The Nature Conservancy today announced that white-nose syndrome, which has decimated bat populations in eastern North America, has been confirmed in a bat found last month at the Conservancy’s Bat Cave Preserve in Rutherford County. White-nose syndrome was first identified in the winter of 2006-2007 in upstate […]

Genesis Alliance hosts April 19 luncheon to fight domestic violence

Press release from The Genesis Alliance On Friday, April 19, the Tenth Annual Genesis Alliance Luncheon will be held at the Asheville Renaissance Hotel. This year the keynote speaker will be Geoff Sidoli, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director Barium Springs, who will discuss the neuroscience and effects of trauma on the brain and public health issues […]

From Asheville to Antarctica: Wild Birds Unlimited hosts ‘Travelogue’ event Sunday, April 7

Press release from Wild Birds Unlimited Antarctica Travelogue with Laura Bochner at Asheville Wild Birds Unlimited Store on April 7 @ 3 PM In December 2012, Laura Bochner had the opportunity to travel to Antarctica with Michigan State University and One Ocean Expeditions. Aboard an ice-strengthened former Russian research vessel, Laura ventured from the tip […]

Season openers: U.S. Forest Service announces opening of campgrounds, recreation areas

Press release from the U.S. Forest Service Many Recreation Sites Now Open in the Mountains ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina today announced that numerous campgrounds and recreation sites in the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests are now open for the 2013 season. Opening Monday, April 1 Campgrounds • […]