Here’s the press release from the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy: Rep. Chuck McGrady honored by NC land trusts for promoting conservation MORGANTON— State Rep. Chuck McGrady is the recipient of an award given by North Carolina’s 24 land trusts to a public official who has been a critical part of land and water protection in […]
News Bulletins
Greenpeace targets electric utilities in campaign launched in Asheville Monday
From an article in the Charlotte Observer: Greenpeace, the environmental group known for facing off against whalers on the high seas, has targeted its own behemoth in Duke Energy. The group said Tuesday it has launched a campaign to make Duke “the clean energy company that North Carolina and the United States deserve.” Greenpeace faults […]
DOT finally allows Hendersonville sidewalk project to proceed
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, A few weeks ago, construction began on a new sidewalk on the south side of 191 from Justice Street — a block west of 25 — down to the Brookside subdivision just past Blythe. City of Hendersonville Engineer Brent Detwiler said the project was the catalyst for a sidewalk bond […]
Chapel Hill enacts protest/camping ordinance
According to the Raleigh News and Observer, The Chapel Hill Town Council approved new rules 8-1 Monday night that will prohibit overnight protests on public spaces like the recent Occupy Chapel Hill-Carrboro encampment downtown. The ordinance asks groups to get a permit two days in advance to use Peace and Justice Plaza, the space outside […]
Learning from raptors — kids and hawks in school
On February 17th Asheville-based conservation organization, Wild South, will host Save Our American Raptors’ (S.O.A.R’s) outstanding educational program at Dana Elementary (10am) and Bruce Drysdale Elementary (2pm) Schools in Hendersonville, NC. These unique and experiential programs will introduce school children to the wonders of nature through an up close and personal experience with birds of […]
Ashvegas: Exec with Asheville Area Center for the Performing Arts got $217K salary in 2009-‘10
Ashvegas reports on the remuneration for the executive director of the group that aims to build a multimillion-dollar center near city hall: One of the highest paid arts professionals in Asheville got a raise in the 2009-’10 tax year, according to tax records, although the project remains far from completion. James Baudoin, executive director of […]
Moffitt says legislative demands kept him away from LWV water meeting
Asheville Citizen-Times reports: Moffitt said Tuesday he wanted to attend [the Feb. 13 League of Women Voters public forum on the state House committee evaluations of a plan that might seize Asheville’s drinking water system], but legislative work on groundwater contamination issues was scheduled at the same time in Raleigh. That work had to do […]
Progress Energy urges stiffer penalties for Greenpeace action
Hendersonville Times-News reports: …“We believe the laws and regulations need to be a stronger deterrent … [Greenpeace’s] actions jeopardized a vital part of infrastructure that serves 160,000 in Western North Carolina,” said Martha Thompson, Progress Energy manager of community relations for the western region. However, Greenpeace Media Officer Keiller MacDuff said the group’s efforts to […]
Occupy Asheville issues statement on Council’s vote to evict
Full statement from Occupy Asheville’s media working group: Asheville NC – It might have been Valentines Day but the City of Asheville still voted to break up with Occupy Asheville by passing a series of proposed ordinances that expand city park boundaries (6-1 vote) to the land used by the 24/7 occupation as well as […]
Urban News publishes cover story on Buncombe Commissioner candidate Keith Young
Here’s an excerpt from the Urban News cover story on commissioner candidate Keith Young: President John F. Kennedy once said that those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. Keith Young takes that belief seriously. He understands that change is the inescapable driver of history in the United […]
Mike Clampitt announces run for Statehouse in District 119
Here’s the press release from Clampitt: BRYSON CITY, NC-It’s now official, Mike Clampitt of Bryson City, NC filed yesterday for the NC House of Representatives 119th seat as a Republican. Clampitt arrived at the Swain County Board of Elections at the beginning of filing, which was at 12 noon. The filing period for all candidates […]
Air quality forecast: Wednesday, Feb. 15 — MODERATE (Yellow)
From the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys of Buncombe County. This means that unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Please call our office if you have any questions. WNC Regional Air Quality Agency Phone (828) 250-6777
Sisters of Mercy funding expands math education for Middle School youth
Seventh grade math instruction at Erwin, Enka and Owen Middle Schools is going high-tech this spring, thanks to a $75,000 Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation grant awarded to Buncombe County Schools. Grant funds have enabled the district Mathematics Department to enter into a two-year partnership with Texas Instruments for the implementation of a […]
Asheville Earth Day 2012 to take place April 21
Here’s the press release: ASHEVILLE EARTH DAY 2012 TO TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 21ST February 14, 2012 (Asheville, NC) – The Asheville Earth Day Festival is proud to announce their 2012 annual event will take place on Saturday, April 21st, 2012. The free daylong festival featuring music, arts, local food, and environmental education will take […]
Moog Foundation needs IndiGoGo donor support to bring Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool to life
Here’s the press release from The Bob Moog Foundation: Asheville, NC – While Michelle Moog is touched by her father’s enduring legacy as the godfather of modern electronic music, she is driven to see that legacy expand by inspiring children to learn the science of sound through the magic of his music. She’s looking to […]
Local teenage Republican group seeking business sponsorship
The Asheville-Buncombe Teenage Republicans (ABTAR.org) are seeking business sponsorship to support their group’s objectives: to bring high school students into the Republican Party and mobilize them to volunteer now and vote in November. T-shirts will be given to ABTAR members and sold at Republican events, including the upcoming Congressional forum at AB Tech. Their website, […]
Daylight savings change on March 11 at 2 a.m.
Astronomers at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) in Rosman remind the public that at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 11 Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the United States begins and we set our clocks forward one hour. Some people get a bit confused by these changes between Standard and Daylight times thinking that somehow […]
Wingfield: I stand with citizens of Newland in defense of Ten Commandments
Here’s the press release from the congressional campaign of Ethan Wingfield: Arden, North Carolina – A Wisconsin-based organization is demanding the city of Newland, North Carolina, immediately remove the Ten Commandments on display outside of the clerk’s office. The Ten Commandments have been proudly presented outside of the clerk’s office since the construction of the […]
Local coffee shops host Java for Justice event
Here’s the press release from the Asheville Radio Group: Local Coffee Shops Host Java for Justice Event 1st Annual Fundraiser will Support Pisgah Legal Services ASHEVILLE, NC – On Wednesday, February 22nd, five Asheville coffee shops will host the 1st annual Java for Justice event to raise money for, and awareness of, Pisgah Legal Services’ […]
Henderson County school board backs sales tax increase
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, Henderson County School Board members voted unanimously Monday to support putting a proposed quarter-cent sales tax increase referendum on the November ballot. Chairman Ervin Bazzle told board members the proposed sales tax increase would help the school system pay down its debt service in addition to providing funds for future […]
Blue Ridge Community Colllege closed on February 21st for staff training
All locations and sessions of classes at BRCC will be closed on Tuesday, February 21st to students while the college conducts staff professional development.