Among the junk that Buncombians throw away, perhaps nothing is more persistent than old tires. And lately, someone has been dumping them, each cut neatly across the tread with a saw or similar tool, in secluded spots such as Asheville’s River District. Photos by Bill Rhodes.
In the wake of a raid at the Shogun Buffet on Brevard Road that sent 12 immigrant workers to jail earlier this month, a Raleigh-based nonprofit is sponsoring a series of billboards across the state that aim to put a human face on immigration.
With asbestos abatement completed, a Buncombe County contractor began demolishing the former CTS of Asheville plant in south Asheville earlier this month. But while neighbors of the derelict structure have applauded the move as a long-overdue first step in cleaning up the contaminated site, resident Tate MacQueen, who’s played a key role in efforts to […]
After a final inspection, project leaders anticipate that the new, six-acre “solar farm” at the Biltmore Estate will begin delivering power to Antler Hill Village next week.
Photos by Bill Rhodes.
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the Western North Carolina mountains today, Dec. 7, beginning at 4 p.m. Last night, NOAA meteorologist Tom Ross presented a look at the long-range winter forecast for WNC: Ashevillians may enjoy (or complain about) plenty of snow again this winter.
While area residents applaud the CTS building demolition as a positive step, resident Tate MacQueen argues that Buncombe taxpayers will be picking up a tab that should rightfully be paid by the company responsible for contaminating the site and nearby ground water.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are known the world over for the quality and diversity of their plant life, particularly ornamentals and medicinal herbs. Harvesting these treasures has been a fixture of life here for centuries, but assorted experts at the recent Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Conference in Asheville said our forest products are […]
On Dec. 5, two scientists with the Forest Service’s Southern Research Station, including Assistant Director Kier Klepzig, received an agency award for their work to prevent attacks of the Southern pine beetle — a pest that’s responsible for annual losses estimated in the billions of dollars.
Members of Occupy NCSU and Occupy Raleigh targeted Wells Fargo CEO in a protest last week, using a “mic check” decrying the bank’s business practices.
A property manager for Wells Fargo recently told local environmental groups that the bank would plant three young trees to replace the “Treasured Trees” it cut near its new sign on Patton Avenue. Meanwhile, the city and Asheville Greenworks are looking at some changes that could prevent cases like these from happening in the future.
Buncombe County officials want to inspire community members and local governments to make sustainable practices a priority, strengthening the local environment, community and economy. See within for a link to the draft plan, and a chance to comment.
Last Thursday, Nov. 17, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is providing loan guarantees to a series of projects to convert biomass to energy through USDA’s Rural Energy for America program. One of the award recipients is local and it’s led by Asheville Vice Mayor Brownie Newman.
There’s no shortage of green-friendly businesses in Asheville, and this year’s Environmental Excellence Awards spotlight some notable examples.
When white folks arrived on these shores, American chestnuts were the dominant tree from Georgia to Maine; then in the early 1900s, an imported disease virtually wiped them out — an estimated 4 billion trees. Now, thanks to the American Chestnut Foundation—and its genetic improvement program—the trees are positioned to make a comeback. Here, ACF President Bryan Burhans and Natural Landscape Crew Leader Tony Morrison pose with one of the newly planted, blight-resistant young trees.
The North Carolina Writers’ Network brings its fall conference to the Doubletree Hotel in Biltmore this weekend, Nov. 18 – 20, attracting hundreds of writers from around the country and providing a rich slate of activities, including a keynote presentation by award-winning author and activist Silas House, perhaps best known for his opposition to the mountaintop removal mining.
In its first monthly meeting since July, Asheville City Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee will convene on Nov. 15 to consider a group of environment-related policies, including changes to development review in the River District.
Local activists reacted with guarded relief as the Obama administration this afternoon announced that it is requesting a 12- to 18-month review and delay on a decision regarding the Keystone XL pipeline. (photo by Bill Rhodes)
Author and activist Wendell Berry addressed an overflow crowd at the Warren Wilson College chapel last evening, Nov. 9, where he gave a reading from a collection of his short stories and took questions students had submitted in advance. Photo by Bill Rhodes.
Recent attempts to undermine air-quality protections at both the federal and state levels could increase health risks for North Carolina residents, especially those with asthma and other lung conditions. Earlier this month, seven Southern states joined other states in filing a brief urging a federal court to delay a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule […]
It was a gorgeous fall day Saturday, November 5, so hubby and I got out the bikes and rode downtown with our nine-year-olds to catch a session of Occupy Asheville’s General Assembly. It’s not your textbook parliamentary procedure, mind you, but there’s an organic flow that works; and there’s something for everyone in this movement.
Environmental concerns are important to many Ashevillians, but how deeply has the green ethic permeated local leadership? Here’s what the six candidates vying for three seats on the City Council had to say. Photo by Susan Andrew.
