Press release from 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. After reviewing guidelines from the CDC and State and local public health officials and the State’s preliminary plans for phased reopening, Asheville Parks […]
News Bulletins
APD responds to stabbing at 1460 Patton Ave.
Press release from Asheville Police Department: UPDATE 6/18: Todd Housel has been taken into custody without incident. The Asheville Police Department (APD) has charged Todd Nathan Housel with first degree murder for the death of Michael Eugene Hirt. At approximately 4:15 p.m. on June 15 the Asheville Police Department received a report of an individual suffering […]
City Council requests involvement in APD inquiry into protest response
Press release from the city of Asheville: In support of Asheville Police Chief David Zack’s recommendation of an outside independent investigation into Asheville Police’s response to recent protests, City Council has requested that the City Attorney’s Office, under the direction of City Attorney Brad Branham, lead the effort to select the investigator. This move is […]
Folk Heritage Committee to virtually broadcast Shindig on the Green, Mountain Dance & Folk Festival events
Announcement from the Folk Heritage Committee: Asheville’s Folk Heritage Committee announces changes to the scheduled 2020 season of planned events including the 93rd Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® and the 54th Shindig on the Green®. These events have always featured long-standing as well as the newest generation of traditional and mountain string bands, ballad singers, […]
Red Cross now testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies
News release from the American Red Cross: Buncombe Co.— Beginning today and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as […]
NCDHHS announces $26 million to help low-income individuals, families impacted by COVID-19
Announcement from NC Department of Health & Human Services: RALEIGH — Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced that the state’s Community Action Agencies (CAAs) have begun to receive flexible funds that can be used to help low-income individuals and families meet a variety of needs caused by the economic disruption […]
Jackson Chamber launches Wonderful Wednesdays business campaign in Dillsboro
Announcement from Jackson County Chamber of Commerce: The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is spearheading a new weekly shopping and dining campaign in Dillsboro called “Wonderful Wednesdays.” These weekly events will be held each Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. until about 7 p.m. (or later) depending on merchant participation. The chamber is partnering with the Jackson […]
APD requests assistance to locate Herschell Hamilton
Press Release from Asheville Police Department: At approximately 5:00 p.m. on June 14 the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to Pisgah View Apartments after a report of a person suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim, a 48 year old resident of the apartments, was transported by EMS to Mission Hospital for treatment of serious, […]
Buncombe County Farm Heritage Trail wins NACo achievement award
Announcement from Buncombe County Soil & Water Conservation: June 10, 2020 — Buncombe leads the state in Farmland Preservation efforts, and now their keystone project, the Farm Heritage Trail has been nationally recognized with the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2020 Achievement Award. Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Farm Heritage Trail has been honored […]
Asheville Water Resources to begin maintenance on 5 million-gallon tank
Announcement from the city of Asheville: A 5 million-gallon tank serves as a final stop before City of Asheville water is distributed through our pipes to homes, industry and businesses. It’s called a clearwell and, like other aspects of Asheville Water Resources facilities, it requires maintenance from time to time. That maintenance will begin June […]
BrightFarms breaks ground on world-class sustainable greenhouse in Henderson County
Announcement from BrightFarms: Hendersonville, NC – June 10, 2020 – BrightFarms, a leading grower of locally grown salads for supermarkets, broke ground on a new 280,000 sq. foot hydroponic greenhouse in Henderson County, North Carolina. Once complete, the facility will be the largest greenhouse for leafy greens in the state. By growing produce close to […]
Two area TV stations to change frequencies July 3
Press release from the Federal Communications Commission: Currently, nearly 1,000 television stations nationwide have or will be transitioning to new frequencies in phases through July 2020. The current transition phase includes two local TV stations in the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC-Asheville, NC-Anderson, SC area. Viewers in the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC-Asheville, NC-Anderson, SC area who watch over-the-air television with an […]
Asheville Police Department reminds public of dangers of blocking a roadway
Announcement from Asheville Police Department: Asheville, NC (June 13, 2020): The Asheville Police Department (APD) would like to remind the community that blocking a roadway is not only illegal, but dangerous for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Last evening at approximately 9pm, an APD Officer noticed several individuals unloading wooden pallets and other items in the […]
UNC Board of Governors awards $610K to UNCA COVID-19 efforts
Press release from the University of North Carolina System: The UNC Board of Governors announces that the University of North Carolina Asheville will receive $610,000 in funding, through its recently announced partnership with the N.C. Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill, to help fight COVID-19. The announcement was made during today’s meeting of the Board’s Committee […]
City of Asheville will hire independent team to review APD protest tactics
Press release from the city of Asheville: During Asheville City Council’s June 9 meeting, Asheville Police Chief David Zack reported to Council that the City of Asheville had hired a transparency engagement advisory firm to assist the Asheville Police Department with disseminating public information. These advisors from Cole Pro Media are here to help us […]
Camplify launches “Just Around the Corner” campaign for young leaders at day camps
Press release from Camplify: Campers come from around the globe to enjoy our beautiful mountain community each June, July, and August. The 55 residential summer camps throughout Western NC generate more annual revenue than our apple orchards or even the Biltmore Estate. But in addition to adding over $365 million dollars to our economy through […]
Air quality forecast for Asheville, Saturday, June 13: Moderate (YELLOW and GREEN)
Saturday, June 13, is a code green air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. For the ridge tops, it is a code yellow air quality forecast day. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. This forecast is based on ozone levels. […]
Asheville Urban Forestry Commission to meet remotely June 15
Press release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville is pleased to announce the return of board and commission meetings beginning with the Urban Forestry Committee on Monday, June 15. The City is phasing in virtual board and commission meetings. Please visit the City’s virtual Engagement Hub to view all meetings. The City’s […]
ACLU warns NC cities of constitutional rights violations
The ACLU of North Carolina sent letters to several North Carolina cities, including Asheville, warning local officials of legal and constitutional concerns to their response to ongoing protests against police brutality and violence. The ACLU will be closely monitoring the municipalities’ responses and will hold cities accountable should future violations occur. The following letter was […]
Cradle of Forestry begins partial reopening
Press release from FIND Outdoors: The Cradle of Forestry, operated by FIND Outdoors and in partnership with the US Forest Service, has made the decision to immediately open the Cradle site to the general public on a partial basis in accordance to the latest CDC guidance in regards to COVID-19 protocol. “We are so happy […]
Blue Ridge Parkway tourism creates $1.4B in economic benefits
Press release from the Blue Ridge Parkway: A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 14.9 million visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2019 spent $1.1 billion in communities near the park. That spending supported 16,341 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.4 billion. […]