From WRAL.COM A report in the September issue of Consumer Reports is taking a look at how nearly 2,500 hospitals in the United States rank when it comes to patient success after surgery. Based on nearly three years of Medicare billing claims, Consumer Reports looked at how patients fared after 27 kinds of common procedures, […]
News Bulletins
Smoky Mountain Times: MedWest hospitals dealing with major cuts
From Smoky Mountain Times: MedWest, which operates three hospitals including one in Swain County, is already coping with a $600,000 loss in revenue due to federal sequestration.
Tryon Daily Bulletin: Polk County expresses concern of DSS building repairs
From Tryon Daily Bulletin: Polk County Commissioners expressed their concern this month over repairs to the department of social service (DSS) meeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and generally being done correctly.
The News Herald: Hendersonville woman facing charges after filing fake sex slave report
From The News Herald: Burke County Sheriff’s officers were treated to a story that sounded like something from a dramatic novel Thursday night when they were called to hear a young woman’s claim of being sold into slavery in Burke County. Heather Clarice Harvey Reyes, 25, of Zelda Court, Hendersonville, was at Frye Hospital in […]
The Mountaineer: Maggie Valley hosts Popcorn Sutton Summer Jam
From The Mountaineer: The fourth annual Popcorn Sutton Summer Jam, or “Hillbilly Woodstock,” will return to Maggie Valley this weekend.
C-T: Man charged after over 20 years
Citizen-Times reports that a Mills River man has been charged with murder over 20 years after the incident.
Heavy rains blamed for wastewater spill
From Hickory Record: An estimated 140,000 gallons of wastewater were spilled from the Burke County Sewer Collection system into the Catawba River basin on Saturday, according to a public notice issued by the county.
AP: Law allows hunters to use suppressors
From The Associated Press via WLOS: A new North Carolina law allows hunters to install noise suppressors on their rifles and shotguns, making North Carolina the 40th state to legalize suppressors.
International award goes to WCU professor
From The Sylva Herald: Western Carolina University psychology professor Harold Herzog recently received the 2013 Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations and the International Society for Anthrozoology.
Smoky Mountain News: New crime lab coming to WNC
From Smoky Mountain News: The recently signed state budget bill will fund the hiring of 19 toxicology analysts for a new western crime lab, expanding available evidence testing in Western North Carolina.
Nicholas Sparks turns focus to Black Mountain College for latest book and film
From Black Mountain News: A Sparks book and movie focusing on the college will remind the public of how the institution helped transform art and architecture, Alice Sebrell, Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center program director, said.
WNCN: State health director cites differences with McCroy administration for her resignation
From WNCN From WNCN staff reports: RALEIGH, N.C. -The State Health Director and Director of the Division of Public Health cited differences with Pat McCrory’s administration in announcing her resignation in an official letter dated July 30. Dr. Laura Gerald wrote, “I acknowledge that I have significant differences and disagreements with many of the policy […]
Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference scheduled for Oct. 11-13
Press release From Southeast Wise Woman: (Black Mountain, NC) Focusing on herbal education, nourishing foods and women’s empowerment, women from across the Southeast gather for the 9th annual Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference October 11-13, at Lake Eden in scenic Black Mountain, NC. The conference, which has grown to over 1,000 participants will host special national […]
Park Ridge Health named one of the nation’s ‘Most Wired’ hospitals
Press release From Park Ridge Health:
Sundance Power Systems to donate 2 percent of solar sales to RiverLink
Press release From RiverLink: Sundance Power Systems is proud to partner with RiverLink in a summer SunLink benefit, donating 2 percent of residential solar sales to support RiverLink’s efforts protect the French Broad River and the vibrant community that has developed around it. This 2 percent donation will apply to local residential solar systems that […]
Auto parts manufacturer expanding facility in Fletcher
A press release from Gov. McCrory’s office: Automotive Parts Manufacturer to Expand in Henderson County Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. will expand its manufacturing facility in Henderson County. The company plans to create 40 jobs and invest more than $35 million over the […]
Southern Highland Craft Gallery Opening in Biltmore Village
The Southern Highland Craft Guild has renovated a building in Biltmore Village and will open a gallery there on Friday, Aug. 2. Details here: The Southern Highland Craft Guild, with headquarters at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, has a rich heritage. The Guild was formed in 1930 to promote […]
PHOTO: Overturned tractor-trailer snarls I-240 traffic
A tractor-trailer jackknifed on Interstate 240 westbound off Patton Avenue, snarling traffic for Wednesday-morning commuters. WLOS reports there were no injuries and that lanes have now been cleared around Jackson’s curve, where the truck overturned. Below is a photo of the wreck.
Forest Service updates recreation map of Nantahala, Pisgah Forests
From the U.S. Forest Service: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The U.S. Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina has updated the recreation map of the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. The map is posted online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5425097.pdf. The map identifies the locations of the many recreation sites in the two national forests, as well as the […]
Cantina Fresh Mex and Tequila Bar donates $5,000 to Children First/Communities in Schools
Press release From Children First/Communities in Schools: (Asheville, NC) This past spring, The Cantina Fresh Mex and Tequila Bar in Historic Biltmore Village launched a ‘giveback’ on their new menu, where restaurant-goers could choose to donate one or both of their sides – with the cash value of the sides going to a local nonprofit […]
Air Quality forecast: MODERATE for Wednesday, July 31
Wednesday, July 31, 2013 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. 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 […]