PRESS RELEASE, N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources: North Carolina’s coal-fired power plants have cut their toxic mercury emissions by more than 70 percent since the General Assembly enacted the Clean Smokestack Act in 2002, according to a study the N.C. Division of Air Quality presented Thursday to the state Environmental Management Commission. The […]
News Bulletins
Study documents large cut in N.C. mercury emissions from industry, power plants
Here’s the press release from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources: RALEIGH – North Carolina’s coal-fired power plants have cut their toxic mercury emissions by more than 70 percent since the General Assembly enacted the Clean Smokestack Act in 2002, according to a study the N.C. Division of Air Quality presented Thursday to […]
Charlotte Observer: Vibrant Cúrate in Asheville can cure a jaded palate
Helen Schwab, restaurant reviewer for the Charlotte Observer, recently visited Asheville where she ate at Cúrate, giving the restaurant a stellar review: “Cúrate – say KOO-rah-tay – means “cure yourself” in Spanish. And it’s not a lolling infinitive, a you-might-want-to-think-eventually-about-curing-yourself idea. No, it’s imperative: KOO-rah-tay! Do it! And so you should: Drive to Asheville and […]
City of Asheville seeks volunteers for Bele Chere
From the press release: ASHEVILLE, NC – The City of Asheville invites the community to “Chere the Fun” by volunteering for the 2012 Bele Chere Festival Friday, July 27 through Sunday, July 29. Now in its 34th year, Bele Chere is a celebration of the region’s art, music, and culture in downtown Asheville. The festivities […]
Carolina Mountain Ribfest starts today, July 13
From a press release: “The Carolina Mountain Ribfest will return for our sixth year to the WNC Agricultural Center Fairgrounds in Fletcher, N.C. July 13, 14, 15, 2012. The event features mouth watering BBQ ribs, chicken, brisket and pulled pork prepared by world class, award winning barbecue competition chefs from around the country. Savor all […]
GroWNC offers July 30 scenario-planning workshop
From a release from GroWNC… GroWNC has collected and synthesized data, run scenarios, and developed alternatives based on the goals you set and the opinions offered by the community. Now it’s time to look at the alternatives that have been developed, tell us what works, what doesn’t, how they can work together (or not), and […]
Grandfather Mountain director receives national award
Here’s the press release from the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation: GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC– The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is proud to announce that Director of Education and Natural Resources, Jesse Pope has been selected as a member of the “Forty for the Future,” travel’s leading talent project by the Southeast Tourism Society. The purpose of […]
Duke University installs weather research equipment at A-B Tech
Here’s the press release from A-B Tech: Working in partnership with A-B Tech’s Institute for Climate Education, Dr. Ana Barros of Duke University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has installed three pieces of equipment to conduct research on precipitation for NASA at A-B Tech’s Madison site. Duke and A-B Tech are supporting the NASA […]
Rick Santorum endorses Mark Meadows
Here’s the press release from Patriot Voices: Verona, PA – Patriot Voices Chairman and former Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum announced today that Patriot Voices has endorsed Mark Meadows for Congress (R-NC/11). Rick Santorum said, “As chairman of Patriot Voices, I am pleased to announce our support for Mark Meadows, candidate for Congress in North […]
The Asheville Area Arts Council’s Tangerine Ball is set for Sept. 15
The Asheville Area Arts Council’s annual color ball fundraiser has been around since 1952 (then known as the Beaux Arts Ball). The year’s color is tangerine, and this year’s event will be held at the Orange Peel on Saturday, Sept. 15. According to the event’s website, “Proceeds from the Color Ball directly support AAAC’s year-round […]
Twelve Cherokee high school students dig into their culture with archeological program
From the press release: KNOXVILLE — Twelve Cherokee, N.C., high school students are digging up clues to their ancestral past at an archaeological field program now under way in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, oversees the program in conjunction with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park […]
Rep. Heath Shuler releases statement on ACA repeal bill vote
From the office of Rep. Heath Shuler: Washington, DC — Today U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) released the following statement following the vote on H.R. 6079, a bill to repeal in full the Affordable Care Act : “I see today’s vote as a pro-life issue and one of great moral consequence. Do we turn our […]
Want more on Trader Joe’s? Here’s a press release
Trader Joe’s, as you may already know, is coming to Asheville. Here’s the press release, which is beginning to make the rounds: “Trader Joe’s, a unique, neighborhood grocery store with foods and beverages from the exotic to the basic, has signed a lease to open a new store in Asheville located at 120 Merrimon Avenue. […]
Riverfront Redevelopment Commission regular meeting rescheduled as an annual retreat
Here’s the announcement from the city of Asheville: ASHEVILLE – The regular monthly July meeting for the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission has been cancelled. There will be no meeting on Thursday, July 13 at 4 p.m. Instead, the commission will meet Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 as a 2012 annual retreat and […]
ADA to host Aug. 11 “Heroes Celebration and 25th Anniversary Gala”
Here’s the info via the Asheville Downtown Association press release and email newsletter: The Asheville Downtown Association (ADA) will host its 2nd Annual Downtown Heroes Celebration on Saturday, August 11 from 6-10pm in the Banquet Hall of the U.S. Cellular Center. The evening also marks the 25th Anniversary of the Asheville Downtown Association. “In our […]
Mountain bog preservation proposed in Transylvania, Henderson counties
excerpt from BlueRidgeNow.com (Hendersonville Times-News): A proposed national wildlife refuge that would protect rare mountain bogs could potentially include 12,592 acres in Transylvania County, commissioners heard Monday. Gary Peeples, of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, told commissioners his agency is looking at creating a 23,000-acre Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge that could eventually include […]
Serious West Asheville accident results in charges to driver for speed violation
Full release from APD: APD Investigates Serious Traffic Collision On Smoky Park Highway Asheville – On 07/11/2012 at approximately 1:06 PM the Asheville Police Department received multiple calls describing a serious collision on Smoky Park Highway near Brookside Circle. Traffic Safety Unit personnel responded to the scene and discovered a 2009 Kia 4-door operated by […]
United Airlines to cut Asheville-Houston direct flight in dispute with Houston City Council
United Airlines announced today, July 11, that the direct Asheville-Houston flight will be cut. The move is part of a dispute between United Airlines and the Houston, Texas, over city officials permitting rival Southwest Airlines to operate and expand international flights out of Hobby Airport. The date of the last direct flight between Asheville and […]
Duke CEO tells utilities commission about “loss of confidence” in Progress Energy CEO
From the Charlotte Observer: Progress Energy CEO Bill Johnson condoned a culture that clashed with the one he was intended to lead at Duke Energy, Jim Rogers said Tuesday. Johnson wasn’t clear about the status of insurance coverage for a crippled nuclear plant. Progress’ earnings had slumped. Under skeptical questioning by a clearly irritated N.C. […]
Sierra Nevada outlines more details for Mills River brewery
Here’s an excerpt from the Hendersonville Times–News article: The company recently purchased an additional 80 acres of property, giving Sierra Nevada now 184 of the park’s 262 acres on which to craft not just beer but a recreational haven for its customers. Two weeks ago, landscape architect Glenn Walters of the Asheville-based firm Design Workshop […]
City of Asheville Water Department recognized for exemplary air quality standards
Here’s the press release from the city of Asheville Water Department: ASHEVILLE – The City of Asheville Water Resources Department has received a Clear Air Compliance Award by the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency for meeting or exceeding air quality regulations at its two primary water treatment plants in 2011. The North Fork […]