Press release from Dogwood Health Trust: Buncombe County and Virtelle Hospitality announced today its partnership with Dogwood Health Trust to pilot a lodging program for healthcare workers, first responders, and other front line community members working to prevent communicable diseases and that require a safe residence to self-isolate if they were to contract the novel […]
News Bulletins
Nantahala Health Foundation launches COVID-19 Recovery Fund
Press release from Nantahala Health Foundation: Because the current pandemic facing us is certain not to be the last, Nantahala Health Foundation has launched a COVID-19 Impact Recovery Fund to match charitable donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000 and better position itself to bring organizations together to prepare for a post-COVID future. “The immediate threat […]
Upcoming City Council public hearings for May 12
Press release from City of Asheville: The following are City Council public hearings scheduled for the next formal meeting – May 12. This listing is for information only and is subject to change. Please call City Clerk Maggie Burleson at 259-5601 if you have any questions. A. Public hearing to consider a land use incentive […]
WWC professor helps Olympic table tennis team during COVID-19
Press release from Warren Wilson College: Warren Wilson psychology professor Bob Swoap, Ph.D., has found a creative way to use his skills to make a difference during COVID-19 — helping the U.S. Olympic table tennis team deal with coping in isolation. USA Table Tennis has hired Swoap to serve as the sport psychologist for the […]
Hendersonville Fire Department names Justin S. Ward new Deputy Fire Chief
Press release from City of Hendersonville: The City of Hendersonville welcomes a new Deputy Fire Chief who is no stranger to the fire service or the Hendersonville Fire Department. Justin S. Ward, who previously held the position of Fire Marshal of Hendersonville, was promoted to the Deputy Chief position earlier this month. “Deputy Chief Ward […]
Haywood County announces sixth confirmed COVID-19 case
The individual is a resident of Haywood County with no out of state travel history. Haywood County Public Health nurses are identifying close contacts of these persons.
Local testing laboratory agrees to pay up to $43 million to resolve allegations of medically unnecessary tests
Press release from the office of United States Attorney Andrew Murray, Western District of North Carolina: Genova Diagnostics Inc., a clinical laboratory services company based in Asheville, North Carolina, has agreed to pay up to approximately $43 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, including claims that it billed for medically unnecessary lab […]
Mission Health announces phased approach to caring for non-COVID-19 patients
Press release from HCA Healthcare: Within the next several days Mission Health plans to begin phasing back in certain services and procedures that were temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. To date, Mission Health has not seen the surge of COVID-19 patients initially anticipated when the pandemic first began to spread across the country. There have […]
City of Asheville gives notice of special meeting
Notice from the City of Asheville: The Asheville City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located on the 2nd Floor of City Hall, to consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for and receive funds from Federal Emergency Management Agency […]
VA offers mental health care to veterans during the COVID-19 outbreak
Press release from Charles George VA Medical Center: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Now more than ever, the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System is committed to providing high-quality mental health care while keeping Veterans safe from exposure to the coronavirus. To help reduce the risk of infection at the facility, Charles George VA […]
Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund announces $104,830 in grants
“The Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund is here to support nonprofits by providing local dollars for local programs,” said Advisory Board Chair Chip Craig. “Especially now, when the COVID-19 pandemic is changing demands on organizations, these permanent charitable resources devoted to supporting Swannanoa Valley nonprofits are crucial. These awards are possible because people who care about this community built a fund over time to help in challenging situations. These grants support important community organizations as they continue the work we all depend on them to do.”
ASPCA provides free pet foods and urgent veterinary care for Buncombe County residents impacted by COVID-19
Pet food and supplies are available for appointment-requested pick-up and curbside delivery. Pet wellness services include urgent veterinary needs on an outpatient basis, such as treatment for ear and eye infections and acute illness.
Asheville airport updates community on operations
Message from Lew Bleiweis, executive director of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority: We’re all in this together — including the team of dedicated professionals at Asheville Regional Airport. I’d like to take a moment to help you understand what’s happening at AVL. Airports are considered part of the nation’s critical infrastructure – important to the […]
City of Asheville joins amicus brief objecting to EPA power plant rule
Press release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville continues its support of the creation of clean energy by signing an Amicus brief criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. The rule, we believe, fails to reduce dangerous air pollution and address climate change, increasing health and safety risks […]
Buncombe chief deputy under SBI investigation
Statement from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: Asheville, N.C. (April 25, 2020) – Chief Deputy Don Eberhardt has been placed on paid administrative leave effective April 24th while the North Carolina SBI conducts an investigation involving him. Chief Deputy Eberhardt and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are fully cooperating with the SBI. The Sheriff’s Office will […]
Organic Growers School director Lee Warren to leave post in June
Announcement from Lee Warren, executive director of Organic Growers School: Dear OGS Family, I will be leaving OGS on June 5, 2020 after more than six years in the Executive Director role. I am so very grateful for having had the opportunity to serve the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians. […]
Virtelle Hospitality partners with county, Dogwood to house health care workers
Press release from the Dogwood Health Trust: Buncombe County and Virtelle Hospitality announced today its partnership with Dogwood Health Trust to pilot a lodging program for healthcare workers, first responders, and other front line community members working to prevent communicable diseases and that require a safe residence to self-isolate if they were to contract the novel […]
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission closes Big Bradley Falls trail over COVID-19 concerns
Press release from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission: The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is temporarily closing the Big Bradley Falls Trail on the Green River Game Lands through May 8. Over the last two weeks, a significant increase in use at this area and limited adherence to social distancing protocols have been observed. Closure is […]
Asheville City Council to hold April 28 special meeting
Press release from the City of Asheville: The Asheville City Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located on the 2nd Floor of City Hall, to consider a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for and receive funds from Federal Emergency Management […]
Asheville City Schools responds to Cooper guidance on remote learning
Press release from Asheville City Schools: As you have probably heard, Governor Cooper announced just moments ago that public school districts across the state will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. We recognize that the current situation presents many challenges for educators, students, parents and families. No matter how difficult and […]
Remote learning to continue in N.C. schools through end of academic year
Press release from the Office of Gov. Roy Cooper: Governor Roy Cooper today announced that North Carolina K-12 public schools will continue remote learning through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Cooper was joined by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson and the Chair of the State Board of Education Eric Davis […]