“Wilma Dykeman’s shadow covered all of us and inspired us to speak out and support citizens who were becoming more and more concerned about water quality, air quality, land use, land conservation, forest management, etc., in our mountain area.”
Author: Xpress Contributor
Showing 190-210 of 858 results
From CPP: New domestic violence shelter gets boost from ARPA funds
Jackson County, home to Western Carolina University, has no domestic violence shelter, but efforts to combine federal dollars and other funding are working to change that.
From CPP: Shoring up Lake Tomahawk dam with ARPA funds
Black Mountain hopes to extend the life of a 90-year-old earthen dam using $300k from its share of federal American Rescue Plan Act money.
From UNC Media Hub: North Carolina’s mountain bike trail builders create the rides
Western North Carolina is a mountain biking hub on the East Coast. And demand for new trails is high. Since the beginning of the pandemic, mountain biking has skyrocketed in popularity nationwide.
‘Don’t Say Gay’ law denies identities and truths
“Kids’ hearts and minds are at stake, and it is not just the gay and brown ones; the richness of truth, the beauty of a diverse world is denied to every single child when gag orders are placed on shared histories and ways of being.”
From CPP: Tackling stormwater with ARPA funds in Brevard
The city in North Carolina’s rainiest county is putting much of its federal American Rescue Plan Act funds toward stormwater infrastructure.
Quo vadis, Asheville? City at crossroads must find its way
“Perhaps slash-and-burn capitalism has succeeded in changing Asheville where Raleigh hasn’t.”
Gardening with Xpress: Common missteps new gardeners make in WNC
Through September, Chloe Lieberman will be answering readers’ gardening questions. You can email all inquiries to gardening@mountainx.com.
Let’s ban open burning in Buncombe County
“Residents’ health shouldn’t have to suffer when there are practical alternatives to open burning.”
From CPP: Change in NC rent aid programs could force counties to pull from their own budgets
The state’s relief comes from the $46 billion Congress approved through federal stimulus. The assistance was created to curb evictions due to widespread income loss at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q&A: Renée White discusses the ongoing legacy of the East End/Valley Street neighborhood
Xpress recently caught up with Renée White about her latest community award, as well as her ongoing work within her neighborhood and the need for community involvement.
Amendment promotes healthy communities and the environment
“Development in places with preexisting infrastructure is a crucial strategy for combating sprawl.”
From CPP: ARPA funds helping Buncombe nonprofits recover from pandemic
Eighteen nonprofits aiding mountain residents with services like housing, diapers, food, the arts, education and advocacy receiving more than $13.9 million of Buncombe County’s ARPA funding.
From CPP: Connecting some rural areas of WNC to high-speed internet getting boost from ARPA
Many areas of rural mountains in NC have limited internet access or people are forced to rely on satellites. Infusion of funds may change that.
From CPP: Details of WNC national forest plan drawing objection
The Southern Environmental Law Center plans to file an objection over acreage perceived as being left at risk under U.S. Forest Service plan for Western North Carolina’s national forests.
Women’s empowerment: Inspiring confidence and unity
Porsha Carter of SILSA’s Glitter Sisters discusses working together with fellow women of color to build each other up.
Women’s empowerment: Turning classroom inspiration into action
Trinity Brown, co-president of Mars Hill University’s National Organization for Women chapter, discusses creating the campus group, feminism’s global nature and her ongoing work.
Women’s empowerment: The importance of inclusion
Cara Bridgman, a senior at Warren Wilson College who’s studying social work and outdoor and interfaith leadership, shares her thoughts on “pink suit” jobs and the importance of inclusion.
Women’s empowerment: Feminism as a way to elevate all
Rebecca Hart, a senior at Western Carolina University and the student body president speaks to the leadership roles that women hold at WCU, the goals of inclusivity and the threats women face on campuses across the nation.
Women’s empowerment: Uplifting one another
Zanaya Salaam is a senior at Western Carolina University, who says she’s worked on issues around diversity and inclusion since her arrival to campus in 2018. Here, she speaks with Xpress about overcoming obstacles, organizing conferences and speaking up.
Women’s empowerment: A better tomorrow
Sarah Boler, co-president of Mars Hill University’s National Organization for Women chapter, discusses role models, racial equity and taking back the night.