Press release from United Way of Henderson County: United Way of Henderson County has announced that its 10th annual Rising Leaders program will launch as a virtual program for the 2020-21 year. Participants will attend monthly sessions via Zoom, and they will not be required to attend any in-person events to graduate. Rising Leaders is […]
News Bulletins
UPDATE: Murder suspect Khalid Sharif Walker in police custody
Update from Asheville Police Department: UPDATE (August 3, 2020): Khalid Walker turned himself into the custody of the Mecklenburg County (NC) Sheriff’s Office on the evening of August 1st. The Asheville Police Department is coordinating with that agency to transport Walker back to Buncombe County in order to face the charges against him in this case. […]
N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition urge Senators Burr and Tillis to support COVID relief
Letter from North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition: N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition letter to U.S. Senators Burr and Tillis regarding COVID relief proposal by Laura Hackett on Scribd
I-26 traffic moving to new lanes near Brevard Road
Press release from North Carolina Department of Transportation: Thousands of drivers heading into Asheville will be cruising on a brand new section of interstate starting Thursday morning. A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will shift traffic on westbound Interstate 26 to newly constructed outside lanes prior to Brevard Road (Exit 33) on Wednesday night, […]
Asheville Police Department seeking information on murder of Derrick Lee, Jr
Press release from Asheville Police Department: The Asheville Police Department (APD) is seeking information on the ongoing investigation into the murder of 12 year old Derrick LaQuinn Lee, Jr. in July of 2018. On the morning of July 1, 2018, at approximately 3:07 a.m., the Asheville Police Department received reports of individuals suffering from gunshot wounds […]
Mars Hill University will begin fall semester online
Press release from Mars Hill University: Mars Hill University will begin the fall 2020 semester on August 17 with remote instruction before resuming in-person classes on September 8. Citing the continuing increase in COVID-19 cases in the Southeast and North Carolina’s current Phase 2 designation by the governor’s office, university President Tony Floyd said, “We […]
Buncombe County Board of Adjustment meeting will take place on August 12
Notice of public hearing from Buncombe County Planning & Development: This is to inform you that the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment will hold virtual public hearings on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 9:00 AM to consider the following application: ZPH2020-00013 – Pinner / Airport: Jared Merrill of the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority, on […]
George Floyd Hologram Memorial Project stops in Asheville
Press release from Change.org: Organized by Change.org and The George Floyd Foundation, the hologram is the second stop on week-long tour to temporarily replace Confederate monuments WHAT: Change.org and The George Floyd Foundation will temporarily replace Vance Monument, the 75-foot obelisk in Pack Square honoring Confederate soldier Zebulon Baird Vance, with a hologram of George […]
Buncombe County jail detainee dies after being transported to Mission Hospital
Press release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: On Tuesday, July 28th at approximately 11:17 a.m. a Detention Officer observed a detainee unresponsive in their cell. The Detention Officer immediately began administering first aid to the detainee, Hannah Guffey. EMS arrived and continued administering life-saving measures and Ms. Guffey was transported to Mission Hospital. Ms. Guffey […]
Asheville City Schools responds to families’ reopening questions
Asheville City Schools responses to questions submitted by families about reopening plans: Please see below for our latest communication, regarding answers to frequently asked questions sent in by parents since the district announced our move to Plan C. As previously communicated, Asheville City Schools will start on August 17th, with at-home remote instruction for all […]
Gov. Cooper announces new limits on the sale of alcoholic beverages
Press release from the office of Gov. Roy Cooper: With actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 beginning to have impact, Governor Roy Cooper is doubling down on prevention measures with Executive Order 153 stopping the sale of alcoholic drinks in restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries at 11 pm. North Carolina bars that are currently […]
Haywood County HHS identifies a COVID-19 cluster at Waynesville Pharmacy
Press release from Haywood County: The Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency has identified a COVID-19 cluster connected to Waynesville Pharmacy. Five current or former employees there have tested positive for COVID-19. Statement from Waynesville Pharmacy: “Waynesville Pharmacy has prided itself on providing safe and efficient service to our customers while maintaining a safe […]
Black Avl Demands Collective responds to City Council’s reparations resolution
Press release from Black Avl Demands Collective: Black Avl Demands Collective, an intergenerational collective of Black people in Asheville, would like to reaffirm our stance as a collective, due to growing media attention both locally and nationally. Our collective is composed of Black Individuals and Black-led organizations across Asheville and Buncombe County. We firmly believe that all […]
Blue Ridge Parkway increases recreational access to NC & VA campgrounds
Press release from National Park Service: Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Blue Ridge Parkway is increasing recreational access at campgrounds in both Virginia and North Carolina. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public […]
NC’s Developmental Disability Council seeks nominations for Advocacy and Leadership Awards
Press release from the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities: The Advocacy and Leadership Awards, hosted by the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD), is seeking nominations of self-advocates, professionals who work for people with I/DD and advocates and volunteers who have passionately worked and continue to work to build a better North Carolina for […]
APD responds to shots fired into residence on Druid Drive
Press release from Asheville Police Department: At approximately 11 p.m. on July 27 the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to a report of gunshots being fired into a residence on Druid Drive in West Asheville. Officers arrived to find that nine rounds had struck the home that had been fired from the street. Two residents […]
Haywood County Deputy Sheriff in stable condition after shootout with armed suspect
Statement from the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation: Early this morning, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office and the Canton Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting in Canton, North Carolina. A preliminary investigation shows a deputy and two officers were responding to a possible […]
Deadline for new PPP loan applications is Aug. 3
Press release from Mountain BizWorks: As of July 28, 2020, any new lending in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is scheduled to end on August 8, 2020. Mountain BizWorks is currently accepting and processing applications on a limited basis for WNC small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Applications must be submitted by Monday, August 3, to ensure […]
BRCC introduces new Psychiatric Technician and Substance Abuse programs
Press release from Blue Ridge Community College: As Blue Ridge Community College prepares for its fall 2020 semester, it is introducing two brand-new courses for students interested in healthcare–Psychiatric Technician and Substance Abuse Education. Funded by a grant from Pisgah Health Foundation, both courses are intended to address the growing need for mental health professionals while […]
APD responds to shooting on Virginia Ave. in West Asheville
Press release from Asheville Police Department: UPDATE (Dec. 11): Mejia has been taken into custody. —- UPDATE (Dec. 8): Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division have continued to investigate the shooting incident that occurred on Virginia Avenue on July 28, including working with the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory to analyze evidence seized by APD. […]
City of Asheville clarifies issue regarding upcoming Council vacancy
Press release from City of Asheville: The City of Asheville recently released information regarding an upcoming City Council vacancy. This will follow the upcoming resignation of Council Member Vijay Kapoor, who will be relocating outside of Asheville. In response to media inquiries, a memo about filling Council vacancies from the City Attorney was released to the […]