From Buncombe County Health and Human Services press release: BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. – Effective January 1, 2016, the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) will be the sole agency investigating alleged child abuse and neglect in licensed child care settings. These changes are included in Senate Bill 578 (www.ncleg.net). Prior to this change […]
Author: Virginia Daffron
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New Isaac Dickson elementary school home to 66-million-year-old dinosaur
From Innovative Design’s press release: Discovered in 2014 by a paleontological team lead by Dr. Steve Nicklas, a professor at the University of North Georgia-Gainesville, the 66-million-year-old Hadrosaur was installed several days before Christmas in the new Isaac Dickson Elementary School. In describing the dinosaur installation, Dr. Nicklas said he believes that “This is the only […]
Buncombe #35 on list of bankruptcy rates by N.C. county
A recent analysis by Lexington Law ranks Buncombe County #35 on a list of N.C. counties by personal bankruptcy rates. With 14.16 bankruptcies per 10,000 residents from March 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015, Buncombe ranks worse than McDowell (#44) Henderson (#48), Transylvania (#60), Madison (#80) and Polk (#85) counties. Five other western counties — Avery (#90), […]
RiverLink Awarded $510,000 from NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund
From RiverLink press release: RiverLink is pleased to announce that it has received three grant awards from the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF). The organization will use the funds for three projects: a research-based stormwater management project, a stream restoration project and a watershed master plan. The research-based stormwater management project will […]
Rainy Wednesday, clearing on New Year’s Eve
As you make your resolutions or set your intentions for the coming year, plan for rain off and on throughout Wednesday, Dec. 30, with the possibility of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Except for possible isolated storms, the new rainfall totals won’t amount to much during the day and overnight — less than 1/2 an inch is forecast before tomorrow morning.
Beyond belief: Faith communities embrace environmental stewardship
While there are as many approaches to environmental stewardship as there are churches dotting our region, more and more local faith communities are investing time, money and effort to align their buildings and practices with their spiritual commitment to caring for creation.
Flash flood watch in effect on Christmas Eve
Will you allow today’s rivers of rain to turn your holiday cheer to drear? We hope not, because the forecast is for wet, wet and more wet all day Christmas Eve and into Dec. 25. At 10:30 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch, advising that some locations in the southern North Carolina […]
Biltmore landscape historian releases book on estate gardens and grounds
Landscape and forest historian Bill Alexander has released a third book. The Biltmore Estate: Gardens and Grounds uses historical photographs, including some that have never before been published, to tell the story of the conception, planning, design, construction and maintenance of the estate, which at one time encompassed 125,000 acres.
Scholarship applications being accepted by Community Foundation of Henderson Co.
From the Community Foundation of Henderson County: The Community Foundation of Henderson Countyi s now accepting applications for 2016-2017 academic year scholarships. The generosity of donors is making it possible for CFHC to offer more than 70 scholarships this coming year for individuals pursuing higher education. Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., […]
WCU selected to join national Pathways to Innovation Program
From Western Carolina University: CULLOWHEE – Western Carolina University is among 14 higher education institutions in the U.S. selected to participate in a National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation program that is designed to help schools fully incorporate innovation and entrepreneurship into undergraduate engineering education. Titled the Pathways to Innovation Program, the initiative is […]
Secret Santa brings gifts to 140 area kids
From CARING for Children: From late November to mid-December, there’s a secret that keeps growing in Asheville. It started about 15 years ago with just 8 little children in a residential foster care group home. It has continued over the years – without a lot of publicity or fanfare. Last year it touched the lives […]
After the big day, City to collect Christmas trees curbside
From the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville will collect Christmas trees according to the routine brush collection schedule. Residents are asked to remove lights, tinsel, ornaments, and stands prior to placing the trees to the curb for collection. Residents can drop off Christmas trees for recycling at the following locations: Buncombe County Landfill […]
Star Wars in academia: local prof writes on blockbuster
From Lenoir-Rhyne University Dr. Amy Sturgis, adjunct professor of Liberal Studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University, recently published an essay entitled, “Star Wars, Remixed: George Lucas’ Universe Is a Mashup Masterpiece.” It is featured in the January 2016 issue of Reason Magazine, both in the hard-copy edition and online format. Sturgis has been a contributor to the […]
“He was a genius”: Julia Wolfe talks about her son Thomas
You might need headphones to hear this seven-minute audio recording of Julia Wolf speaking in 1945 with radio host Tom Breneman, but it’s worth plugging in to catch her wonderful speaking voice and accent. Wolfe, the mother of eight children including Thomas, expresses some surprising thoughts, including this one that seems to suggest an early feminist sentiment: […]
State legislative update presented at United Way briefing
At a recent legislative briefing, Annaliese Dolph, registered lobbyist for the United Way of North Carolina, outlined the status of issues within the United Way’s focus areas of health care, education and financial stability.
Fix the system: nonprofits urged to become policy advocates
When we think of helping others in need in Asheville, it’s natural to picture direct, practical actions, such as providing food, building houses, donating warm coats or mentoring young people. But speakers at a recent briefing challenged nonprofit volunteers and leaders to expand their notion of service to include advocating for public policies that address the systemic issues affecting those in need.
State seeks public input on stormwater permit for Duke Energy’s Asheville Plan
From the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: RALEIGH – State environmental officials on Thursday announced that the draft stormwater permit for a Duke Energy Carolinas’ facility is available for public review and comment. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has drafted a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES, permit for stormwater discharges at […]
Under pressure: Amid legal maneuvering, Dundas sets water department’s course
New water resources director Jade Dundas runs an organization of almost 150 employees with an annual budget of over $35 million. But how does the Kansas native stay focused on the daily work of serving the water needs of over 124,000 customers amid the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of Asheville’s water system?
City Council to take steps on expanding Homestays, planning for park
In its first full meeting since three newly-elected Council members were seated, City Council moved in new directions on a public space for a city-owned lot on Haywood Street and on including some accessory dwelling units in the city’s homestay ordinance for short-term rentals. Council also considered downtown development review standards and passed a resolution on the I-26 connector project.
St. Lawrence Green supporters plan Council appearance
Supporters of a public park on the site of a city-owned lot across the street from the Basilica of St. Lawrence and the U.S. Cellular Center are gearing up to present 4,389 signed petitions in favor of a park at the Dec. 8 meeting of City Council.
City Council to take fresh look at downtown development
With four cranes silhouetted against the skyline, construction fencing blocking sidewalks and hundreds of construction workers on the job every day, downtown Asheville is buzzing with development activity. Despite the blazing pace of new construction, City Council has reviewed only four downtown projects since 2010. At its Dec. 8 meeting, City Council will reconsider the thresholds that trigger Council review.