Announcement from Charles George VA Medical Center: May 21, 2020 — The Western North Carolina VA Health Care System is continuing its reputation for innovation by coordinating with the Mayo Clinic in a national program to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Health experts believe that people who recover from COVID-19 can do so, in part, because they […]
News Bulletins
Fran Nelson named Henderson County Teacher of the Year
Announcement from Henderson County Public Schools: HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (May 22, 2020) — Fran Nelson, an English teacher at North Henderson High School, was named Henderson County Public Schools’ 2020 Teacher of the Year on Friday, during a surprise ceremony outside her home that was broadcast live on the district’s Facebook page. This year’s annual recognition […]
Rockslide closes US 25/70 in Madison County, says NCDOT
Announcement from North Carolina Department of Transportation: MARSHALL –Geotechnical engineers from the N.C. Department of Transportation are examining a rockslide location on U.S. 25/70 in Madison County that occurred Saturday afternoon. Engineers immediately closed both directions of the highway and crews established a detour utilizing Interstate 26 and N.C. 213 that will remain in place […]
Buncombe TDA to hold virtual meeting May 27
Announcement from Explore Asheville: WHAT: The monthly joint meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Public Authority, and Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Nonprofit Corporation. WHEN: Wednesday, May 27, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Due to social distancing orders and to keep everyone safe and healthy, this meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar. […]
Asheville Chamber releases toolkit with guidance for business reopening
Announcement from Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce: With Phase 2 now in place, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has released a Smart Restart Toolkit with guidance for businesses opening and operating in Phase 2. Compiled in partnership with MAHEC, Buncombe County, City of Asheville, Explore Asheville and others, Smart Restart – Buncombe offers comprehensive […]
NC reports highest one-day increase of COVID-19 positive tests
Announcement from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is reporting the state’s highest one-day number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,107 cases reported. “This is a notable and concerning increase. As we head into a holiday weekend, please practice the three Ws […]
Henderson County to offer COVID-19 testing May 26
Announcement from Henderson County Department of Public Health: Hendersonville, NC (May 24, 2020). Henderson County Health Department has partnered with Blue Ridge Health to offer a COVID-19 testing site for the public on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Testing will take place from 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm at the campus of East Henderson High School, […]
City of Asheville launches curbside pick-up program
Press release from the City of Asheville: With public health considerations guiding our work, the City is advancing ways to use shared public and private spaces differently to support economic recovery and other community needs. Curbside Pick-up Zones The City of Asheville is launching shared Curbside Pick-up Zones to support local restaurants and retailers in […]
Breweries now permitted to open in Phase 2
Press release from the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild: Raleigh, N.C. – In accordance with new guidance issued by the Governor’s Office, North Carolina’s breweries, taprooms, and brewpubs will be able to open at 5:00PM today. We’d like to thank Governor Cooper and his staff for working with the NC Craft Brewers Guild to provide […]
Asheville to delay opening of swimming pools and Splasheville
Press release from the city of Asheville: The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County, continues to take proactive steps to keep our community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. In support of that effort, the opening of the three City of Asheville pools located at Recreation Park, Malvern Hills Park and […]
ASAP announces new program to feed rural families
Press release from ASAP: ASAP’s Appalachian Farms Feeding Families program gets fresh, healthy food to people who need it—while also fairly compensating farmers. Through this new initiative, ASAP is facilitating direct connections between farms and relief efforts that might not otherwise be logistically feasible and helping to offset costs. The first phase of the project […]
May 26 Asheville City Council meeting will be held remotely
Press release from the City of Asheville: The May 26 Asheville City Council meeting will be held remotely. Due to the locally declared State of Emergency and the State Phase 2 Safer at Home order, there will be no public attendance at this meeting. This includes news media. The agenda is posted at this link. […]
Asheville Regional Airport announced health and safety changes
Press release from Asheville Regional Airport: Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is preparing for the return of more significant numbers of air travelers in a post- Covid-19 environment, which will look different from what we have all known in the past. The airport team developed a comprehensive plan to promote safety and health at the airport, so […]
Asheville Cares- Stay Safe pledge supports community safety
Press release from Explore Asheville: The health and safety of everyone who lives, works, and visits our community is a top concern as restrictions are lifted and Buncombe County slowly reopens. How do businesses communicate their compliance with public health recommendations to keep employees, customers and guests safe? In return, what responsibility do customers and […]
Concerts on the Creek series postponed until June 26
Press release from Concerts on the Creek: On Thursday, May 21, 2020, the organizers of Concerts on the Creek in Sylva made the difficult decision to postpone the beginning of the 11th season of performances until at least June 26, 2020. Concerts on the Creek organizers (the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of […]
Mercy Urgent Care offers COVID-19 viral and antibody testing
Press release from Mercy Urgent Care: Mercy Urgent Care is now offering two types of COVID-19 testing, viral testing and antibody testing, at all eight of its urgent care facilities across Western North Carolina. By offering both tests, Mercy hopes to improve tracking of the virus and slow its spread throughout the region. The viral […]
Asheville City Schools announces motorcade graduation plans
Announcement from Bobbie Short, interim superintendent of Asheville City Schools: Thank you to the more than 200 Asheville High/SILSA Seniors and your parents for ensuring your feedback about graduation was heard. We so appreciate and value your input. Please know it was key in helping us finalize graduation plans. A recent article from The New […]
MAHEC awarded $40,560 for SistasCaring4Sistas doula program
Press release from The Community Foundation: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) recently approved a $40,560 Early Childhood Development grant to Mountain Area Heath Education Center (MAHEC) for the SistasCaring4Sistas Community Based Doulas program. The Dogwood Charitable Endowment Fund partnered with CFWNC to fund this grant. The disparity in infant mortality between black […]
Local groups promote safety and social connection for seniors
Press release from Buncombe County Health & Human Services: With older people accounting for nearly 90 percent of COVID-19 related deaths in North Carolina, and thousands of individuals over the age of 65 socially isolated for almost two months due to the State’s stay-at-home order, a team of Buncombe-area community organizers, agencies, and providers are collaborating […]
Haywood Community College hosts free webinar series
Press release from Haywood Community College: The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College will offer a free live webinar series, The Small Business Journey-Building Business Resiliency, Making an Impact, 9-10:30 a.m., Fridays, May 29 through June 19. This new interactive virtual training opportunity was created with the needs of existing small business owners and […]
YMCA to open pools and summer day camp on June 1
Press release from the YMCA of Western North Carolina: A statement from Paul Vest, president and CEO of the YMCA of Western North Carolina: Today we learned that gyms will not be included in North Carolina’s Phase 2 of easing restrictions. We are disappointed because we know our wellness centers improve health and give us the […]