Media advisory from A-B Tech: A-B Tech Community College will resume its Spring Semester online Monday, March 30, after an extended spring break. During the last two weeks, A-B Tech has converted most of its curriculum classes to online and virtual instruction. Students enrolled in spring classes should check the college website for critical updates […]
News Bulletins
Tryon International Equestrian Center to close Sunday ahead of stay home, stay safe order effective date
Press release from Tryon Resort: Mill Spring, NC – March 28, 2020 – In response to the Governor of North Carolina’s Stay At Home Order issued on March 27, 2020, Tryon Resort and Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) will discontinue its resort operations Sunday, March 29 at 8:00pm, until the order is lifted, including restaurant […]
First COVID-19 fatality recorded in Buncombe County
Press release from Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services: Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) is reporting the first COVID-19 associated death in a Buncombe County resident. The elderly individual died from complications associated with the virus on March 28, 2020 at Mission Hospital. To protect the privacy of the family, no […]
Dogwood Health and Kitsbow partner to manufacture face shields for health workers
Press release from Dogwood Health Trust: Asheville, N.C. (March 27, 2020) – The Board of Directors for Dogwood Health Trust recently approved the allocation of $10 million to address COVID-19 needs throughout the 18 county and Qualla boundary region of Western North Carolina. The funds are to support the goal of “flattening the curve” in the COVID-19 epidemic here locally. […]
BCTDA contributes $50K to One Buncombe
Press release from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority: The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority has announced a contribution of $50,000 to One Buncombe, the community fund designed to help individuals and locally owned small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The funding is made available through revenue earned from advertising on the ExploreAsheville.com website. The BCTDA […]
Hendersonville police take explosion suspect into custody
Press release from the city of Hendersonville: On Friday, March 27, 2020, shortly after 11am, the Hendersonville Police Department was contacted about an incident occurring at the UPS store on Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville, NC. Two males entered the store and following an exchange with UPS associates, one of the individuals physically activated an unknown […]
City of Hendersonville closes public restrooms
Press release from the City of Hendersonville: In line with the Stay at Home order announcements by Henderson County and the State of North Carolina, the City of Hendersonville has closed the downtown public restrooms located at 125 5th Avenue W., as well as restroom facilities located within City of Hendersonville parks. Ongoing updates from […]
Local sewers move mask-making effort into high gear
Press release from Masks of Love: ASHEVILLE – Dr. Carly Brown has organized Masks of Love WNC, an emergency effort to bring sewers and businesses together to tackle the dire shortage of face masks threatening Western North Carolina (WNC) medical workers and citizens caught up in the coronavirus pandemic. “We have to stand up for […]
Warren Wilson College closes trails, campus to visitors
Press release from Warren Wilson College: Due to the current situation regarding Covid-19 and the Buncombe County “Stay Home-Stay Safe” declaration, the College finds it necessary to close down the College Trail System, College Farm, College Garden and Main Campus to all non-Warren Wilson College users. The closure begins immediately. It pains us greatly to make this announcement, […]
Air quality forecast for Asheville, Saturday, March 28: Moderate (YELLOW and GREEN)
Saturday, March 28, is a code green air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. For the ridge tops, it is a code yellow air quality forecast day. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. This forecast is based on ozone levels. […]
Buncombe County launches One Buncombe Fund for COVID-19 relief
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County is strong and resilient. When times are hard, we look out for those with less and pool our resources to make sure our neighbors are getting by. Even though we are apart, we can come together as One Buncombe. And that’s why Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, […]
Cooper announces statewide stay-home order until April 29
Press release from the Office of Gov. Roy Cooper: Governor Roy Cooper ordered people in the state of North Carolina to stay at home for thirty days, until April 29, 2020, in another step to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121 takes effect on Monday, March 30 at […]
NC Navigators offer free ACA guidance in wake of COVID-19
Press release from the NC Navigator Consortium: March 23 marked the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act’s passage into law. Over the last ten years, the law has provided comprehensive, affordable health coverage for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians. North Carolinians who have lost their coverage due to the Coronavirus pandemic are eligible to […]
Pardee UNC Health announces positive COVID-19 patient
Press release from Pardee UNC Health: As of today, Pardee UNC Health is currently caring for a patient in our hospital who has tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is in isolation. Staff who are on the patient’s care team have been notified of the positive test result and continue to follow CDC guidelines for […]
N.C. Forest Service asks residents to refrain from debris burning through May
Press release from the N.C. Forest Service: N.C. Forest Service officials urge citizens to reconsider burning yard debris through the end of May, which historically marks the end of spring wildfire season in North Carolina. Consider alternatives to burning. Some types of debris, such as leaves, grass and stubble, may be of more value if […]
Suspicious package explodes at Hendersonville UPS
Update with additional information from the City of Hendersonville at 3:16 p.m. on March 27: Shortly after 11 a.m. on March 27, two males walked into the UPS store on Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville, NC. Following an exchange with UPS associates, one of the individuals set down an unknown object that he physically activated that […]
Black Mountain College Museum and Art Center offers home-based programs
Press release from Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center: We’re joining museums and galleries around the world in offering remote alternatives to our in-person exhibitions and programs. We’ve created a new resource where you can find ways to experience art and performance, learn more about Black Mountain College and its artists, and even participate in […]
Blue Ridge Humane extends closures, still providing adoptions
Press release from the Blue Ridge Humane Society: Blue Ridge Humane Society will remain closed to the public for the immediate future due to the ongoing developments of the spread of COVID-19 and at the recommendations of local and national experts. The closures will continued to be evaluated by BRHS staff to determine a safe […]
Asheville closes parks as part of “Stay Home, Stay Safe” effort
Press release from the City of Asheville: In compliance with the Stay Home, Stay Safe declaration issued by Buncombe County on March 25, effective immediately all City of Asheville parks, including dog parks, playgrounds, and outdoor courts, are closed until further notice. Failure to comply with the Buncombe County Stay Home/Stay Safe declaration is punishable […]
2020 Saluda Arts Festival cancelled
Press release from the Saluda Downtown Foundation: After careful consideration and for the health and safety of our community, it is with heavy hearts we announce that the 2020 Saluda Arts Festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19. The Saluda Arts Festival is one of the city’s premier events showcasing its historic downtown. The festival […]
Forestry Camp to serve 100 free prepackaged meals
Press release from Burial Beer Co.: Saturday (3/28) from 12-2pm we will be serving 100 prepackaged to-go meals at Forestry Camp (10 Shady Oak Drive) free of charge for displaced front of house workers and our greater community. In further support of our community, we’ve purchased the items we’ll be serving from our local farmers. People are […]