Notice from French Broad River MPO: Our region is in the midst of a surge of interest in providing a safe place for people to walk and bike. Many of our communities have undertaken bicycle and pedestrian plans and we are seeing an uptick in bicycle and pedestrian projects moving into design and construction. As […]
News Bulletins
Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership seeks public support for increased forest restoration, resources
Announcement from Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership: In February, the U.S. Forest Service released the draft of their land management plan, which will provide a framework for how the 1.1 million acres of Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests and their resources will be managed for the next twenty years. As the June 29 deadline for public input […]
NC Nurses Association encourages people to wear face coverings
Announcement from North Carolina Nurses Association: RALEIGH, NC – The North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA) strongly encourages people to wear face coverings in public whenever possible, while continuing to practice social distancing and appropriate hand hygiene. The association is asking the public to voluntarily help control the spread of coronavirus by wearing face coverings in […]
Buncombe County TDA to hold regular meeting June 24
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, June 24, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. WHERE: Due to state and local social distancing orders and to keep everyone safe and healthy, this meeting will be held […]
Exotic Animal Rescue & Sanctuary to open in Asheville
Announcement from Appalachian Scientific: Asheville is about to get a little wild with the establishment of the new Exotic Animal Rescue & Sanctuary (EARS). The new sanctuary stems from the recognition of several problems that exotic animals and wildlife have faced over the years. In the entertainment industry, the use of animals in circuses and […]
Girl Scout Council offers virtual camp sessions, on-site horse programs this summer
Announcement from Girl Scouts Carolinas: Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) is continuing to keep girls connected and engaged throughout the summer by offering virtual camp sessions, daily badge workshops and even on-site horse programs during the months of June and July. GSCP2P knows there are many things that make the camp setting special […]
Local artist honors Black queer voices in downtown projected works
Press release from Campaign for Southern Equality: On June 19 (Juneteenth), Liz Williams projected a gorgeous video and other art work on Vance Monument and the Asheville Art Museum. The project is intended to honor the lives of Black folks stolen through police brutality and transphobic violence. Liz Williams is a Black and queer artist who […]
Anthony E. Ponder releases new novel, The Appalachian Cowboy
Press release from Anthony E. Ponder: The Appalachian Cowboy is a new paperback novel written by Anthony E. Ponder. He is a Madison County native and author. The book was recently published by YAV Publications. This story begins in 1879 in the fictional West Texas town of Los Villas. Junior Justus is the main character. […]
Air quality forecast for Asheville, Monday, June 22: Moderate (YELLOW)
Forecast for Monday, June 22, 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. WNC Regional Air Quality Agency 52 Coxe Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: 828.250.6777 Air Quality Forecast for Monday, 06/22/2020
Nina Simone Project announces campaign to construct the Nina Simone Archive
Press release from the Nina Simone Project: The Nina Simone Project (NSP) is proud to announce a $2 million capital fund campaign to underwrite the construction of the Nina Simone Archive. Planned since 2006, the archive will be built at 65 S. Trade St., Tryon, directly across from Nina Simone Plaza, which features the 2010 […]
NCDHHS releases updated COVID-19 case counts in congregate living facilities
According to data released June 19 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: 52 staff, 82 residents and 30 resident deaths Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation/Weaverville: two staff and one resident Carolina Pines at Asheville: four staff Deerfield Episcopal […]
Buncombe County offices to resume in-person operations Monday, June 29
Press release from Buncombe County: On Monday, June 29, Buncombe County will open the majority of its public-facing offices. This move is the result of significant planning, consulting with public health officials, implementing disease transmission mitigation efforts, and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, County staff continued to provide services for the community while also responding to the crisis. County staff provided […]
Fire breaks out at housing development construction site
Press release from the City of Asheville Fire Department: AFD companies responded to a structure fire off Hilliard Ave at around 1:30 a.m. this morning. The 3-story unoccupied apartment building under construction was fully involved causing AFD companies to use a defensive attack and to call a 2nd alarm. Several units of a condo complex […]
NC Board of Elections seeks polling place workers
Press release from the N.C. State Board of Elections: North Carolina elections officials are looking for “democracy heroes” to work at polling places and early voting sites in 2020. These local heroes will protect democracy, learn about the elections process, serve their communities and get paid in the process. The State Board of Elections encourages […]
Asheville City Council to meet remotely on Tuesday, June 23
Press release from the City of Asheville: The June 23 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. City Council […]
COVID-19 Testing Site for Henderson County Wednesday, June 24
Press release from the Henderson County Department of Public Health: Henderson County Health Department will offer a COVID-19 testing site for the public. Testing will occur on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Testing will take place at the campus of East Henderson High School, located at 150 Eagle Pride Drive, East Flat […]
Vance Birthplace, Mountain History and Culture Group create installation to honor Juneteenth
Press release from the Vance Birthplace State Historic Site: In honor of Juneteenth this year, Vance Birthplace staff and members of the Mountain History and Culture Group have installed a temporary display and audio tour on the grounds of the Vance Birthplace. The installation, which will remain on the grounds through the summer and fall, […]
Gov. Cooper proclaims Juneteenth in North Carolina
Press release from the office of Gov. Roy Cooper: RALEIGH: Today, June 19, 2020, Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed Juneteenth in North Carolina, the oldest known celebration honoring the end of enslavement in the United States. It was on this day in 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, that Union General […]
Head Start registration now open in Buncombe and Madison counties
Press release from Community Action Opportunities: To learn more, visit communityactionopportunities.org
The Mothlight announces its closure
The following statement comes from The Mothlight’s Facebook page: With heavy hearts, we have decided that it is time to close The Mothlight’s doors. Over the past few months, we have made the hard decision to permanently close our beloved Mothlight. While Covid-19 played a large part in this process, many factors have impacted this […]
YMCA feeding programs continue into summer
Press release from the YMCA of Western North Carolina: The YMCA of Western North Carolina’s award-winning summer feeding program is partnering with three local chefs to serve healthy, delicious food at its summer day camps. The Y’s vending partners are Chef Gene Ettison of the Ettison Investment Group, Chef Aaron Mathews of McDowell Local, and […]