Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County Government and Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) will offer community-based COVID-19 testing in the coming weeks for people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. This is an important and necessary step in understanding and addressing the spread of COVID-19 in Buncombe County. Due to historic and […]
News Bulletins
Henderson County to host free COVID-19 testing June 2
Press release from the Henderson County Department of Public Health: Henderson County Health Department has partnered with Blue Ridge Health to offer a COVID-19 testing site for the public. A third day of testing has been added for Tuesday, June 2, from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Testing will take place at the campus of East Henderson […]
NCDHHS releases updated COVID-19 case counts in congregate care facilities
According to data released May 29 by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the following Buncombe facilities are reporting cases of COVID-19: Aston Park Health Care Center: 45 staff, 77 residents and 19 resident deaths Carolina Pines at Asheville: four staff Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community’s Simonds Health Care Center: six staff, three residents […]
Hendersonville leaders anticipate Open Streets Weekend May 29-31
Press release from Hendersonville Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Smith and Council member Lyndsey Simpson: We are very excited about the Open Streets Weekend. The streets are closed this weekend so that visitors to Downtown Hendersonville can safely shop and dine while having enough room to be socially distant. We do not encourage gatherings other than […]
Asheville resumes parking meter fees and enforcement June 1
Press release from the city of Asheville: Beginning Monday, June 1, the City of Asheville will resume collecting regular parking fees for on-street, metered parking. Enforcement of fee payment will also resume. Garage parking in City and County garages will remain free until further notice. City monthly parking permit fees will also continue to be […]
Nominations open for Sauer Charitable Leadership Award
Press release from the Community Foundation of Henderson County: Community Foundation of Henderson County is currently accepting nominations for the Richard C. and Vina L. Sauer Charitable Leadership Award. The Sauer Award celebrates individuals who provide exceptional contributions and outstanding leadership through their personal philanthropic efforts in Henderson County. Having made the difficult decision as […]
May 29 drive-in movie at UNC Asheville postponed by weather
Press release from UNC Asheville: UNC Asheville’s scheduled May 29 drive-in screening of Disney-Pixar’s Onward has been postponed due to the threat of inclement weather. The outdoor movie screening vendor utilizes weather.com to make inclement weather decisions, and the prediction for rain from 5-8 p.m. tonight is 50%. This timeframe is when they would set […]
73rd Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands goes virtual
Press release from the Southern Highland Craft Guild: In order to uphold the mission of providing a marketplace for the creative community in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern Highland Craft Guild is attempting to continue their 73-year old tradition by hosting their first-ever virtual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands, July 16-19, […]
Asheville mayor, members of City Council, release statement on death of George Floyd
Statement from Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and City Council members Gwen Wisler (Vice Mayor), Brian Haynes, Vijay Kapoor, Julie Mayfield, Sheneika Smith and Keith Young: George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer is deeply felt throughout our country, including our community here in Asheville. There is no reasonable explanation for what we […]
Buncombe sheriff issues statement on death of George Floyd
Statement from Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller on the death of George Floyd of Minnesota: Asheville, N.C. (May 29, 2020) – Law Enforcement should not and cannot condone the abuse of authority by fellow officers. When an officer acts in a way that clearly violates the law as with the death of George Floyd, they […]
Blue Ridge Honor Flight postpones 2020 flights
Editor’s note: Xpress flew along with last year’s Blue Ridge Honor Flight, as reporter Brooke Randle detailed in this article and photo gallery. Press release from Blue Ridge Honor Flight: Blue Ridge Honor Flight is carefully monitoring developments concerning coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. In order to maximize the safety and health of all participants […]
WNC Regional Air Quality Agency opens public comment on Amcor permit
Press release from the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency: The Western North Carolina Air Quality Agency (WNCRAQA) hereby gives notice of its intent to issue an Air Quality Permit to: Amcor Flexibles, Inc. 3055 Sweeten Creek Road Asheville, NC 28803 Permit No.: 11-539-19 This facility applied for a renewal and modification of its […]
Girl Scouts holds virtual summer camps
Press release from the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont: Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) is continuing to keep girls connected and engaged throughout the summer by offering virtual camp sessions during the months of June and July. GSCP2P knows there are many things that make the camp setting special and are preparing […]
Family Estrangement Book Group holds virtual meeting, June 2
Press release from the Family Estrangement Book Group: Family Estrangement BOOK Group is hosting an online session on June 2, 2020 @ 6:30 pm on ZOOM. Family Estrangement Book Group: This book group will be a resource and support for Parents of Estranged Adult Kids (PEAK) to move forward into a life of compassion, acceptance, and healing. Anyone experiencing family estrangement […]
Asheville-Buncombe 2020 Point-in-Time count completed
Press release from the City of Asheville: As part of the nationwide 2020 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, the Asheville-Buncombe County Homeless Initiative has completed its report of the community’s one-night count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The final report was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) on May 15. Asheville’s […]
Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store announces reopening
Press release from Blue Ridge Humane Society: The Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store will reopen to the public on Friday, May 29th at 10:30am. New reduced hours for the Thrift Store are 10:30am-4:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday. In preparation for the reopening staff and volunteers are implementing additional cleaning, sanitizing, scheduling, and social distancing practices as recommended […]
Small Business Center expands services during COVID-19
Press release from Blue Ridge Community College: The Small Business Center (SBC) at Blue Ridge Community College announced today an expansion in their business services. Beginning June 1, the SBC will begin offering free counseling services to local small business owners affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. The Reboot, Recover, Rebuild or R3 Program for […]
Election workers needed for the second primary
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County Election Services is now recruiting poll workers for the second primary which will take place on Tuesday, June 23. The contest is between Republicans Lynda Bennett and Madison Cawthorn, who are vying for the GOP nomination for U.S. House District 11. The election process needs you North Carolina […]
Asheville Outlets to host American Red Cross blood drive on Friday, May 29
Press release from Asheville Outlets: Asheville Outlets (ShopAshevilleOutlets.com) will host a blood donation drive in partnership with the American Red Cross on Friday, May 29, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The blood drive will be held indoors in the storefront between Famous Footwear and VF Factory Outlet. The American Red Cross will establish […]
2020 Blue Ridge Pride Festival cancelled
Press release from Blue Ridge Pride: Blue Ridge Pride’s (BRP) all-volunteer board and leadership team have voted unanimously to cancel this year’s June Pride Party, Blue Ridge Pride Festival, Welcoming WNC Procession, MX Pride Pageant, LGBTQ Story Slam, and Movies & Mixer Series. “We are heart-broken,” says Executive Director Tina Madison White. “But community safety […]
Hendersonville welcomes new city clerk
Press release from the City of Hendersonville: The City of Hendersonville will be welcoming a new face to the team. Angela Reece will begin serving as Hendersonville’s City Clerk on June 1, 2020. “The role of City Clerk is of utmost importance to a municipality and Angela’s experience and education make her uniquely qualified to serve […]