All Buncombe County Government Offices and libraries will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Day at the Buncombe County Landfill will be cancelled Friday, July 6 due to the Fourth of July Holiday. The Landfill and Transfer Station will be open regular hours on […]
News Bulletins
Andy Griffith: “Everything that was good about N.C.,” says Gov. Perdue
Shortly after the news that actor Andy Griffith had died, North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue released this statement: “North Carolina has lost its favorite son. Andy Griffith graciously stepped into the living rooms of generations of Americans, always with the playful charm that made him the standard by which entertainers would be measured for decades. […]
An ‘Independence Day Message’ from Patsy Keever
Here’s the message sent out via email from the Patsy Keever campaign: United We Stand! I am really looking forward to Independence Day in North Carolina! I will be attending 4th of July events throughout the 10th Congressional District, sharing barbeque and watermelon and cold clear water, and probably looking for a shady place to […]
Senator Richard Burr responds to Andy Griffith’s death
Here’s the press release: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) released the following statement on the passing of Andy Griffith: “Brooke and I were very sad to learn of the passing of Andy Griffith today. Andy was a true North Carolina icon who introduced many people across the country and across […]
Chimney Rock offers free tower climbs, family fun and hiking for Fourth of July
Here’s the press release from Chimney Rock: CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (July 3, 2012)—Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park’s climbing tower on the Meadows will be open to guests for a free climb on Wednesday, July 4 and the following weekend, July 7 and 8, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. with paid Park admission, weather […]
Grandfather Mountain’s ‘Jane the Bear’ passes away
GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN’S JANE THE BEAR PASSES AWAY GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC – Jane the Bear, age 29, passed away late in the evening this past Friday. Trainers noticed the bear wasn’t feeling well on Thursday and she finally succumbed to old age the following night. Jane came to Grandfather Mountain on January 22, 1993 after being […]
Electric vehicles and the power grid: Dave Erb to Speak July 19 at UNC Asheville
“Electric Vehicles and the Power Grid” – Dave Erb to Speak July 19 at UNC Asheville Dave Erb, who has worked on developing electric and hybrid electric vehicles for more than two decades, will give a talk, “Making a Case for the DG PV EV: Electric Vehicles and the Power Grid,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, […]
Twang On Festival: Two days of free live music at lake Lure
Twang On Festival is set for two days of free live music at Geneva Riverside Lodging, Tiki Bar & Grill (3147 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure). The lineup includes The Whiskey Gentry (pictured), Have Gun Will Travel, Black Iron Gathering and DJs Rhine Stones and Kevy Duty. The event runs Friday and Saturday, July 20 and […]
Veto overrides keep N.C. legislators up late
Veto overrides on the state budget, natural gas exploration in the state (fracking), and a rewrite of the Racial Justice Act were the final touches for the historic 2011-2012 Republican-led N.C. General Assembly yesterday during a session of heavy maneuvering and an all-important voting mistake that sealed the fate of fracking.
Fracking veto overridden on mistaken vote
According to the Raleigh News and Observer: Republicans successfully overrode Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of a fracking bill during a quick vote taken just after 11 p.m. Monday. The override effort gained the 72 votes necessary only because a Democrat accidentally voted for it and was not allowed to change. Immediately when Rep. Becky Carney […]
Air quality forecast: Tuesday, July 3 — MODERATE (yellow)
The WNC Regional Air Quality Agency says: Tuesday, July 3, 2012 is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville. This means that unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. Ashley Featherstone WNC Regional Air Quality Agency 49 Mount Carmel Road Asheville, NC 28806 Phone: 828.250.6778 […]
Charlotte-based Air National Guard plane downed in S. Dakota wildfire UPDATED
UPDATE: WLOS reports that four of six Charlotte-based Air National Guards members died in a Sunday, July 1, crash in South Dakota where crews are fighting wildfires. UPDATE: The Charlotte Observer reports that at least one crew member is dead and three survivors were taken to a nearby hospital: “While the Air Force has declined […]
Racial Justice Act revamp Veto overridden by NCGA
According to the Raleigh News and Observer: The state House on Monday afternoon overrode Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of the bill rewriting the Racial Justice Act. The 72-48 split followed a 31-11 vote earlier in the day in the Senate. The Republican-led General Assembly’s rejection of the governor’s veto means the bill becomes law and […]
Mission Health senior leadership team donates $120,000 to help emoplyees in tough financial times
From the press release from Mission Health: ASHEVILLE, N.C. (July 2, 2012) – Mission Health Foundation is proud to announce Mission Health’s senior leadership team has contributed $120,000 to the Foundation’s employee emergency grant program. This program is designed to assist employees who are experiencing unexpected financial problems, so they may continue to serve patients […]
Moni Hill’s new exhibition, Lap Swimming, opens at The Artery on Friday, June 6
“Summer 2012 is all about sunlight traveling through water and the beautiful lines and shapes that occur on the bottom of pools,” writes local artist Moni Hill. To celebrate that idea, her new show, “Lap Swimming,” will be on display at the Artery, Asheville Area Arts Council’s exhibit space, through July. An opening will be […]
N.C. Senate overrides Gov. Perdue’s veto of fracking bill
From the Raleigh News&Observer: The state Senate voted to override Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto of legislation that would legalize fracking in the state, setting up a showdown in the N.C. House. The Senate voted 29 to 13 after a brief discussion. A three-fifths majority is required to override a gubernatorial veto. … Read more here: […]
Area students earn scholarships from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
PRESS RELEASE The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina recently approved scholarships totaling $360,450 to 94 students from Western North Carolina. The Foundation administers approximately 60 scholarships funds, about 40 of which run a spring cycle offered to high school seniors each year. “The students we talked with are an interesting group, who want to […]
Storms across N.C. kill 3 in east; many WNC residents without power
The Associated Press reported earlier today, July 2, that three were killed in last night’s severe thunderstorms. The deaths occurred in the east part of the state. In Western North Carolina, most of the remaining power outages appear to be in Mitchell County, with scattered outages in Buncombe and surrounding counties.
At least 50,000 without power in Carolinas
According to the Hendersonville Times-News: At least 50,000 customers are without electric service in the Carolinas after storms swept across the area. Duke Energy reported about 23,000 customers without service Monday. The biggest outage in North Carolina was in Forsyth County, where about 4,000 customers were without service. In South Carolina, about 2,000 customers were […]
Asheville’s Minority Business Program lacks recent reports
According to Carolina Public Press: City administrators are unable to tell whether Asheville’s Minority Business Program met its participation goals for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 because the required annual reports for those years have not been completed. The program seeks to ensure an equal opportunity for minority and women-owned businesses to participate in city […]
Monday numbers from NC Policy Watch
Today’s numbers from the progressive blogger are all about the Supreme Court’s decision last week on the Affordable Care Act. Some highlights: 1.584 million—number of uninsured people in North Carolina who may be eligible for coverage under Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last week .03—percentage of […]