At last Thursday’s meeting the Jackson County Commission voted to oppose the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, for natural gas in North Caroiina. This video report from the meeting was produced by The Canary Coalition, an environmental nonprofit:
News Bulletins
Jackson County NAACP to sponsor MLK Day celebration
Announcement: All organizations and individuals performing service projects on January 19th are invited to a 3-5pm celebration of the “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Gratitude” at Sylva’s Bridge Park.
Hendersonville Times-News has new ownership
Excerpt from the Hendersonville Times-News article: New Media Investment Group Inc. completed its purchase Friday of Halifax Media Group, which owned the Times-News and 35 other newspapers across the country. … With the purchase, GateHouse Media will operate newspapers in 27 states, reaching about 14 million people monthly. … New Media is one of the […]
Air quality forecast for Monday, Jan. 12: YELLOW
Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville. 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 […]
Wallethub ranks North Carolina low for teacher pay
From WTVD (Channel 11) “Using statistics compiled from the National Center for Education Statistics, the U.S Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other groups, WalletHub analyzed factors like public school per student funding, ten-year change in teacher pay, safety of schools, and teaching wage disparities. Among the study’s findings, North Carolina ranked 51st in […]
Southern Living names Highland brew among South’s Best Winter Beers
Highland Brewing Co. describes their Oatmeal Porter as “robust … black in color, very malty with hints of chocolate-roasted flavor and a well balanced hop character.” This brew, nominated by beer blogger Nick McCormac, was highlighted in a roundup of “The South’s Best Winter Beers” by Southern Living’s Hannah Hayes on Saturday, Jan. 10. McCormac’s […]
WLOS: Bone marrow drive for 3-year-old Xander continues today
From WLOS: Xander, 3, has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. A drive began Thursday at CarePartners in hopes of finding a match. … The bone marrow drive continues Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CarePartners Health in the Homecare IDG Room of the CarePartners Health Services main building and the Seymour […]
Predator beetles released in Sandy Mush to combat hemlock woolly adelgid
A combination of chemical and biological controls is being employed to combat woolly adelgid infestation of WNC’s hemlock trees — with some optimistic results — according to a report from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
Asheville Humane: Stray dog delivers eight puppies during single-digit temperatures
With temperatures dangerously low in the single digits on Wednesday night, this sweet mother dog wandered the streets looking for a safe place to have her babies. She crawled up onto the porch of a home in the Emma neighborhood of West Asheville and delivered eight, tiny puppies.
N.C. designates breastfeeding-friendly child care facilities
Press release: The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health (DPH) launched its first North Carolina Breastfeeding-Friendly Child Care Designations this week, awarding the distinction to eight child care facilities.
Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn to offer free samples, specials for National Popcorn Day
PRESS RELEASE from Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn Friday, January 19, is National Popcorn Day! Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn wants to help Asheville celebrate! Poppy will be on location in downtown Asheville on Monday, January 19th from 12-2 pm and again from 5-7pm at the following locations: Corner of Biltmore Avenue and Patton Avenue in front of Bamba and the […]
Blue Kudzu Sake Co. featured in Japanese culinary magazine
The Blue Kudzu Sake Co. says that not only is its sake being talked about in Japan, but that its line of sake will be on sale in Florida next month and in five other states by the middle of 2015.
North Carolina native comedian Paul Hooper at The Millroom, Jan. 16
From a press release: North Carolina native comedian Paul Hooper at The Millroom, Jan. 16 Comedian Paul Hooper, a North Carolina native and nationally-touring comedian, brings his R-Rated comedy show to Asheville at The Millroom for one show on Friday, January 16th. This native of Charlotte, North Carolina, now residing in New York City, has […]
BREDL locates abandoned clay mines targeted for possible coal ash disposal
Press release: Today the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League revealed the locations of clay mines across North Carolina which could be targeted for coal ash disposal if abandoned clay mine dumping is approved by the state.
Annual Django Reinhardt birthday celebration, Jan. 23
Additional funds awarded to WNC projects on Clean Water Management Trust Fund waiting list
NC Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources announces grants, including grants to Buncombe, Haywood, Polk and Swain counties.
Asheville artist Alice Scott is a Niche Award finalist
From a press release: Asheville artist Alice Scott is a Niche Award finalist Artist Alice Scott of Asheville, N.C. has been selected as a finalist in the 2015 Niche Awards for the piece entitled Sacred Constellation Pendant, in the Jewelry: Fashion Category. Only 170 entries out of more than 1,000 submission were named as finalists […]
Parkway Playhouse students attend national theater festival
From a press release: Parkway Playhouse students attend national theater festival On Friday, January 16, 2015, 24 students from Parkway Playhouse Junior will head to Atlanta, GA for the 2015 Junior Theater Festival. The National Junior Theatre Festival hosts 5000 performing arts students from across the country. At the festival, in addition to performing selections […]
NC Courts: Grandfather Mountain subject to property tax
From Lexology: The North Carolina Supreme Court has declined to review a Court of Appeals decision holding that one of North Carolina’s most recognizable tourist attractions, Grandfather Mountain, is subject to property taxes in Avery County.
Modern Farmer photo essay features Pisgah View Peace Garden
UNCA student and photographer recently had a photo essay on Pisgah View Apartment Community Peace Garden published in Modern Farmer.
Brian Turner sworn in as new state representative for Buncombe
PRESS RELEASE Brian Turner sworn in as new state representative for Buncombe County Asheville, N.C. – Today, Brian Turner was officially sworn in as the new State Representative for Buncombe County’s House District 116 at the Enka campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Buncombe County Commission Chair David Gantt administered the oath of office in […]