Columbia Journalism Review correspondent Corey Hutchins discusses what happened after the Murphy, N.C.-based Cherokee Scout asked the local sheriff for a list of concealed carry permits on Feb. 19: Request denied and publicized on Sheriff Keith Lovin’s Facebook page; the Scout publisher David Brown threatened, retracting the request and apologizing; national media roasting Brown for […]
News Bulletins
AC-T: Ice causes power outages in Buncombe County
Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: An ice storm that swept through Buncombe County and parts of Western North Carolina this morning is causing downed branches, power outages, treacherous driving conditions and school delays. … Progress Energy reported that there were 2,538 customers without power in Buncombe County at 11:15 a.m. That’s down […]
WNC Alliance to hold training session ahead of Progress Energy rate hike hearing
Here’s the info via the WNC Alliance email newsletter. For more on the local public hearing on Progress Energy’s proposed rate hikes see previous Xpress coverage here. On March 5, the Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing in Asheville on Progress Energy’s proposed rate hikes. They want to raise our rates to pay for […]
Sprinkler system extinguishes Caledonia Road fire
From the Asheville Fire Department: On February 25, 2013 at around 11:00 p.m. the Asheville Fire Department was dispatched to 60 Caledonia Rd. in response to a fire alarm activation. In route, the call was upgraded to a possible structure fire due to the report of an activated sprinkler system. Crews arrived on the scene […]
Greensboro News & Record Op-Ed: In water seizure by state, Asheville’s ‘only the first’
Op-ed: “Municipal water systems in power grab” From the Greensboro News&Record Last summer, the General Assembly stripped the city of Asheville of its airport, placing it under an independent authority. Recently, Charlotte has learned that it, too, may lose control of its airport in much the same fashion. The fact that it’s been done in […]
David Byrne and St. Vincent to play Thomas Wolfe on June 15
If you haven’t listed to “Love This Giant,” the collaborative album from David Byrne and St. Vincent, it’s pretty fantastic. The two will play together on June 15 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Here’s the full press release: “David Byrne & St. Vincent will hit the road together again this summer for two months of North […]
Buncombe Young Republicans chair: A new ‘three-legged stool’ will lead to GOP victory
Here’s an excerpt from an opinion piece by Matt Hoagland, chair of the Buncombe County Young Republicans group, originally published in the Asheville Tribune (click the link at the bottom for the whole article). A few weeks ago, Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus released his vision to renew our party and propel us toward future […]
Local group Wild South announces Conservation Awards nominees
Here’s the press release from Wild South: ASHEVILLE, NC – Regional environmental conservation nonprofit Wild South announced today the Nominee Finalists for its 5th Annual Roosevelt-Ashe Conservation Awards. The awards will recognize and honor outstanding work in 2012 to protect wild places and wild things in the South. This year’s nominees represent five states and […]
Registration for College for Seniors program starts tomorrow
Press release From UNC Asheville News Services The spring course catalog for the nationally renowned College for Seniors is now available online. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in person at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center. The College for Seniors courses are offered by OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville. Spring […]
Air Quality MODERATE today (Monday, Feb. 25)
Monday, February 25, 2013, is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for area valleys. This means that unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. For the ridge tops, it is a code GREEN air quality forecast day. This means there are no health impacts expected when air quality is in this range. […]
McHenry announces congressional art contest
Here’s the press release from the office of Rep. Patrick McHenry: Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) announced submission deadlines for the 2013 Congressional Art Contest. The Congressional Art Contest began in 1982, and, since then, over 650,000 high school students have participated in this nationwide event enabling high school students to showcase […]
North Carolina middle-schoolers participate in Students@Work Week
Press release from North Carolina Business Committee for Education Students@Work Week is February 25 – March 1, 2013 Raleigh, NC, February 25, 2013 – North Carolina’s schools and businesses are kicking off the third annual Students@Work Week. The goal of the week is to raise North Carolina’s graduation rate by offering middle school students a […]
Citizen-Times: off-duty Buncombe deputy shot, killed dog
From the Asheville Citizen-Times: A Durham man claims a Buncombe County sheriff’s deputy used excessive force when the off-duty officer shot and killed his dog at Catawba Falls in McDowell County. Deputy Jason Honeycutt has not been charged in the Feb. 10 incident and was not disciplined by his employer. The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office […]
White House releases report focusing on impact of sequester in NC
From the White House: Unless Congress acts by March 1st, a series of automatic cuts—called the sequester—will take effect that threaten hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs, and cut vital services for children, seniors, people with mental illness and our men and women in uniform. There is no question that we need to cut […]
West Asheville Watch: Collection for homeless on Patton may not be what it seems
Here’s an excerpt from the West Asheville Watch post, written by Bill Rhodes: If you were passing through Patton and Louisiana Avenues today you probably saw them. Men in yellow vests with buckets saying “help the homeless, New Life Church.” Lots of people gave them money, some even pulled into the KFC or K-Mart parking […]
NC League of Conservation Voters scores state delegation; McHenry near bottom
Here’s the press release from the NC League of Conservation Voters: RALEIGH, NC –NC League of Conservation Voters today unveiled scores for the North Carolina delegation released this morning as part of the national League of Conservation Voters 2012 National Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard reflects the U.S. Senate’s work in defending against the U.S. House […]
PARI to offer public program on upcoming comet
Here’s the press release from the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute: Rosman, NC (February 20, 2013) – The public is invited to a special program concerning the Comet PanSTARRS Friday, March 8 at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI). The evening’s activities will include a tour of the PARI campus and celestial observations using PARI’s optical […]
Hendersonville Adopt-A-Stream Workshop set for March 9
Here’s the press release from the Environmental & Conservation Organization: ECO Hands-on Adopt-A-Stream Workshop- Saturday, March 9, 2013 ECO Office, 121 Third Ave. West, Suite 4 Hendersonville, NC 28792 10am – 2pm, donations accepted Registration required! Please call 828-692-0385. Looking for ways to help improve and protect local waterways? Become an environmental steward of a […]
Second annual Asheville Beer Week scheduled for end of May
Here’s the press release from the organizers of Asheville Beer Week: ASHEVILLE, NC—The Second Annual Asheville Beer Week is scheduled for May 25 through June 1, 2013, culminating with the Beer City Festival on Saturday, June 1 in downtown Asheville, NC. Organized by a beer-loving committee of regional beer industry people, Asheville Beer Week will […]
New leaders named for Blue Ridge Music Trails project
Coordinator, Consultant Selected for Blue Ridge Music Trails Project Two professionals with extensive experience in music, arts education, marketing and fundraising have been selected by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership (BRNHA) to guide the development of the Blue Ridge Music Trails project, a joint initiative of the BRNHA and the NC Arts Council. […]
Council member Bothwell calls for enforcing Asheville ordinance banning guns while picketing
Press release: Statement from Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell Councilmember Cecil Bothwell calls for enforcement of Asheville ordinance banning carrying of guns while picketing. Asheville, NC— Today City Councilmember Cecil Bothwell called for enforcement of Asheville’s ordinance banning the carrying of guns while picketing in the city (see below for pertinent sections of the […]