Press release from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is providing financial assistance to help essential workers afford child care and bonuses to child care teachers and staff who provide care during the COVID-19 crisis. “Child care is an essential service as we respond […]
News Bulletins
Blue Ridge Health offers expanded access to affordable, virtual care
Press release from Blue Ridge Health: Blue Ridge Health (BRH) has an expanded network of virtual care opportunities available for all insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the uninsured. Like all BRH practices, services are universally accessible and available on a sliding fee based on income and household size. Patients with insurance deductibles over […]
Main Street Champions in Brevard, Hendersonville, Waynesville among state honorees
Press release from City of Hendersonville: The 2019 North Carolina Main Street Champions, individuals that work and advocate for revitalized downtowns, were recognized for their commitment at a recognition ceremony in New Bern last month. “Despite the short-term uncertainty in the global economy right now, vibrant downtowns will remain catalysts for North Carolina’s economic prosperity in […]
APD seeking assistance to locate Shawn Thomas Johnson, open warrant for violation of emergency restrictions
Press release from Asheville Police Department: The Asheville Police Department is seeking assistance from the public to locate Shawn Thomas Johnson. Johnson has an open warrant for violation of emergency restrictions (NCGS § 14-288.20A) as a result of repeated leasing of a short-term rental for non-essential travel in West Asheville. Johnson is described as white […]
The Writers’ Workshop announces poetry and humor contests
Press release from The Writers’ Workshop: 27th Annual Poetry Contest Deadline: Postmarked or emailed by April 30, 2020. Awards: -1st Place: Your choice of a 2 night stay at our Mountain Muse B&B (any time of the year after June); or 2 free workshops (in person or on-line); or 10 poems line-edited and revised by our […]
BRCC receives $589,464 grant from Appalachian Regional Commission
Press release from Blue Ridge Community College: Blue Ridge Community College received a $589,464 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) grant this week. Blue Ridge will use the grant to upgrade and bring state-of-the-art equipment and education to its transportation training programs to ensure graduates have the skill-sets and […]
Report released on economic impact of COVID-19 on NC small businesses
Press release from Carolina Small Business Development Fund: Carolina Small Business Development Fund (CSBDF) is a community nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs statewide though free technical assistance and low cost financing. CSBDF recently released a report (and a 2-page overview brief) that estimates the number of NC small businesses that will see an adverse impact from COVID-19. […]
Claw truck only option for brush collection in Asheville during pandemic
Press release from the city of Asheville: Asheville Sanitation continues to review ways to protect City workers from potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus and to ensure continuity of regular curbside trash collection for the duration of the pandemic. Here’s where service stands the week of April 6: Curbside trash and recycling collection continue as […]
Hendersonville City Council adds second monthly meeting to regular schedule
Press release from the city of Hendersonville: In order to expedite the public’s business and make the monthly meetings of the City Council more efficient, the Council will begin holding a second monthly meeting. The second monthly meeting will be held in a workshop format to give the Council an opportunity to receive and discuss […]
Mills River Fire Department to offer well-being checks during stay at home order
Press release from the Town of Mills River: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mills River Volunteer Fire Department is offering well-being checks to citizens in need. With social distancing a top priority, many people are unable to check on or visit their loved ones and Mills River Fire Department is looking to fill that […]
Johnson Price Sprinkle offers online discussion meeting regarding COVID-19 relief programs for businesses
Newsletter from JPS: Tune in on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, 2:00 – 3:00 pm to hear JPS Rollin Groseclose, VP of Taxation Services, and Sandra Dennison, Regional Director of SBTDC, present updates on issues ranging from PPP, to EIDLs, to tax implications for small businesses of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the […]
North Carolina COVID-19 modeling shows continued social distancing could slow virus and preserve hospital capacity
Press release from the office of Gov. Roy Cooper: A collection of North Carolina experts today released a composite modeling forecast looking at how COVID-19 could affect North Carolina in the coming months. The models, constructed by experts from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, RTI International, and others reinforced the need […]
Local 3-D printers repurposed for medical supplies
News post from UNC-Asheville: In an effort that is at once high-tech and homemade, a loose-knit group of people in the Asheville community and at UNC Asheville are working as volunteers to fabricate and donate PPE (personal protective equipment) to health care providers in Asheville and beyond to help protect against spread of COVID-19. Protective […]
New Asheville Fire Department recruits join ranks after early graduation
Press release from the City of Asheville: On April 3, fifteen new Asheville Fire Department recruits stepped up a bit early to join forces with our firefighters already on the job. The recruits of the 90th academy started their training in November and were set to graduate in May, which has been postponed for a […]
Ingles announces bonuses for staff and new hiring
Press release via Business Wire: Ingles Markets, Incorporated reports its most recent efforts to recognize and support associates during the COVID-19 crisis. Robert P. Ingle II, Chairman of the Board, stated, “During the COVID-19 crisis, the safety of our customers and our associates is our highest priority. We understand our important role in providing food, […]
HCA announces compensation measures for Mission Health’s COVID-19 affected staff
Press release from Mission Health: Mission Health, as part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, is announcing a comprehensive effort to protect its colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past few weeks, Mission Health has experienced a decrease in surgery and outpatient volume as a result of COVID-19, leading to […]
Buncombe County Partnership for Children request materials to protect essential staff
News release from Buncombe County Partnership for Children: During the response to COVID-19, childcare providers plan an essential role in supporting healthcare and emergency workers by caring for their children. Many childcare centers are struggling to remain open for this purpose alone and they need our help. By being open, child care staff are putting […]
Air Quality Forecast for Monday, April 6, Yellow — no burning in Buncombe County
Forecast for Monday, April 6, 2020, is a code yellow air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. Reminder that there is NO BURNING in Buncombe County. Due to hazardous fire conditions, the NC Forest Service called this ban until […]
ART announces temporary bus schedule reductions
Press release from the City of Asheville: The health and safety of our community is the City of Asheville’s highest priority. The ART Transit system continues to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic so we can offer transportation to first responders, health-care workers, other essential workers, and our community for urgent needs. The ART transit staffing […]
Brevard Music Center cancels 2020 summer season
Press release from Brevard Music Center: April 4, 2020 (Brevard, NC)—After careful analysis of the continued global, regional, and local impact of the Coronavirus, the Trustees of the Brevard Music Center have unanimously voted to cancel its renowned Summer Music Festival, which had been scheduled for May 30 – August 22, 2020. The Brevard Music […]
Haywood County confirms third positive COVID-19 diagnosis
Press release from Haywood County Public Health: Haywood County Public Health received notice April 5, 2020 that another Haywood County resident has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The individual is in isolation at their home. The resident of Haywood County has no out of state travel history. Haywood County Public Health nurses are […]