Buncombe TDA awards grant for Pack Square canopy, other community projects

Press release from ExploreAsheville.com ASHEVILLE, N.C. (March 22, 2013) — The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) announced today that it is awarding $1.35 million to three community projects through its Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF). New lighting for baseball and soccer fields, renovations at a regional public event venue, and a stage canopy all […]

A-B Tech President Hank Dunn issues apology for recent board actions

Earlier this month, A-B Tech President Hank Dunn rushed the swearing-in of Madison County commissioner Wayne Brigman; the move blocked Fryar’s appointment because state law limits the number of commissioners who can serve on the board. In an interview with the Asheville Citizen-Times, Dunn acknowledged the Brigman appointment was meant, in part, to block Fryar […]

Galyean named as Coca-Cola Community College National Academic Team Silver Scholar

Press release from A-B Technical Community College Galyean Named To Coca-Cola Community College National Academic Team Sixth-grade dropout, mother of five and A-B Tech Community College student Stella Galyean has been named a 2013 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program, recognizing 50 […]

Xplore USA needs host families for Asheville program for teens from Spain, Italy, Germany and France

Press release from Xplore USA European students vist Asheville Local organization Xplore USA welcomes 13- to 17 –year-old students from Spain, Italy, Germany and France to Asheville this summer (in two separate three-week stays) to experience life with an American family. You can get involved and become a host. The daily programs keep the students […]

Carolina Public Press: Local activists, groups keep pressure on for Medicaid expansion

Report by Carolina Public Press Organizers of a forum last Thursday said they hope state leaders will reverse their decision not to expand Medicaid coverage, which, according to one estimate, would have given about 110,000 more Western North Carolinians access to the health program. They also are hoping to tap into the interest of the […]

What if you could do something good? Help ‘Asheville Soup’ micro-finance projects

Press release What if You Could Do Something Good How would you like to help build a neighborhood garden or playground? What if you could help fix a community eye sore, fund a starter business, clean a park, help create art, form new friendships, get jobs, create new opportunities? Then “Asheville Soup” wants you. A […]

Asheville native Caroline Albea receives Dental Friends scholarship for UNC School of Dentistry

Press release from the UNC School of Dentistry FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UNC SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY ANNOUNCES CAROLINE ALBEA AS RECEIPIENT OF THE DENTAL FRIENDS SCHOLARSHIP CHAPEL HILL, N.C., March 18, 2013 – The UNC School of Dentistry recently announced Caroline Albea, third-year D.D.S. student, as the recipient of the Dental Friends Scholarship. The scholarship was […]

The Great Pi vs. E. Debate: UNCA hosts ‘comical yet serious math debate’  Thursday, March 28

Press release from UNCA “The Great Pi vs. E Debate” – A comical yet serious math debate to be staged at UNC Asheville A comical yet serious presentation – “The Great Pi vs. E Debate” – will be staged at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 28, in UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. The event, UNC Asheville’s annual […]

Clean up and bird watching planned for Sandy Mush Game Land, Saturday, March 23

Press release from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commision ASHEVILLE, N.C. (March 14, 2013) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is planning a litter pick-up and bird-watching activity at the Sandy Mush Game Land beginning at 9 a.m. on March 23. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. in the parking area where Old N.C. 20 crosses […]

NC Warn: Progress Energy rate hike high for residents, but no increase for some industrial users

Progress Energy Residential Rate Increase to Exceed 10% – After Proposed Settlement with Public Staff Rate hike schedule penalizes the poor, seniors, and those trying to save energy RALEIGH — The effect of the proposed Progress Energy rate hike on the average residential consumer is nearly double the 4.7 percent increase that is being presented […]

Study: Asheville renters need to earn $14.94/hour to afford “basic apartment”

Press release from the North Carolina Housing Coalition Raleigh, N.C. –Renters in Asheville need to earn $14.94 per hour in order to afford a basic apartment here, according to a report released today that compares the cost of rental housing with what renters can really afford. The report, Out of Reach 2013, was jointly released […]

Junior Walk, opponent of mountaintop removal mining, speaks at UNCA March 27

Junior Walk, a West Virginia native who travels the country speaking out against mountaintop-removal mining on behalf of the Keeper of the Mountains Foundation, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union, Alumni Hall. Walk was a 2011 recipient of the Earth Island Institute’s Brower Youth Award for Environmental […]

Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation sends crews to Virginia to help restore power after storm

Press release from REMC Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation Sends Line Crews to Virginia to Help Restore Power Line crews from Rutherford EMC are joining forces with co-op line crews in Virginia to quickly restore power to the people in that state affected by a late-winter storm. Crews from Rutherford EMC, based in Forest City, N.C., […]

Leadership Asheville’s ‘Board-Ready’ program returns April 24-25

Press release from Leadership Asheville With broad community support and praise, Leadership Asheville’s Board-Ready program is returning on April 24-25th at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel. The enhanced format offers a greater depth of study and discussion on the second day of the two-day program. Participants can elect to take a deep dive into one of […]

NC Policy Watch: North Carolina ranks 46th in teacher pay

Each Monday, progressive nonprofit North Carolina Policy Watch posts the “Monday numbers” — a collection of stats on various topics. This week, it’s schools, students and teachers: 48—rank of North Carolina in per-pupil K-12 spending (NEA Rankings and Estimates, 2012-2013) 52,938—amount in dollars of average teacher salary in Georgia (Ibid) 47,428—amount in dollars of average […]

NCSEA poll: North Carolinians support increased use of clean energy

Press release from the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association RALEIGH, NC – North Carolinians overwhelmingly support the increased use of clean energy sources like solar or wind energy, according to poll results released today by the NC Sustainable Energy Association. A recent statewide public opinion survey conducted by Fallon Research found that 75.7% of Republicans, […]

Exhibitors, demonstrators and vendors sought for WNC Ecofest

Press release from the Haywood Chamber of Commerce Exhibitors, Demonstrators and Vendors sought for WNC Ecofest Waynesville, N.C. – The Haywood Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for WNC EcoFest, scheduled for Saturday, May 4 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Haywood Community College. The new festival is designed to inspire you to try new […]

Biltmore job fair:  Monday, March 11, at A-B Tech

Press release from the Biltmore Company Biltmore job fair to be held Monday, March 11, 2013 Food and beverage positions are available Asheville, N.C. – Representatives from Biltmore’s award-winning food and beverage team will be on-site at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College to interview applicants for various job openings at the estate’s restaurants including cooks, […]