Press release from the Asheville Police Department: On June 30 and July 16, employees at both Walmart locations in south Asheville reported incidents to the Asheville Police Department (APD) involving a customer communicating threats to staff and in one case, assaulting a staff member. The suspect in both cases was identified as James Lawrence Owensby, […]
News Bulletins
Ginger Cunningham of Brevard sentenced to 14 months for insurance fraud
Press release from the office of U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray: U. S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Ginger Lynn Cunningham, 39, formerly of Hendersonville and currently residing in Brevard, to 14 months in prison yesterday, for selling fake title insurance policies, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. In addition […]
NCDHHS to deploy up to 300 free COVID-19 testing sites in underserved communities
Press release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today launched the Community testing in High-priority And Marginalized Populations (CHAMP) Initiative to increase access to no-cost COVID-19 testing for African American, LatinX/Hispanic and American Indian communities that currently have limited testing sites. A disproportionately high […]
Asheville Parks and Rec hosts esports leagues starting Aug. 3
Press release from the City of Asheville: Unusual times call for innovative programming! Whether you’re brand new to eSports or an experienced gamer, there’s a spot for you in Asheville Parks & Recreation’s brand new AVLPARKS eSports programs. Every Monday through Friday, you’ll have a chance to compete against other local players in NBA2K, Madden […]
William Keith Leonhart sentenced to over 12 years for Asheville bank robbery
Press release from the office of U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray: Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced William Keith Leonhart, 41, of Franklin, N.C., to 154 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for robbing at gunpoint an Asheville bank, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. […]
Carol Spagnuola offers free headshots to Asheville-area unemployed
Press release from Carol Spags Photography: Nothing says “I’m ready to work” more than a freshly pressed suit, an updated resume, and of course, a professional headshot. Regardless of profession, COVID-19 sent millions of Americans to the unemployment line without warning. That is why local photographer Carol Spagnuola of Carol Spags Photography is participating with […]
Haywood County confirms 14 new COVID-19 cases
Press release from the Haywood County Emergency Management Team: Haywood County Public Health received notice of 14 new cases of COVID-19 since our last press release on July 14. This brings the number of cases recorded in Haywood County as of 4 p.m. July 16 to 146. The individuals reside in Haywood County and are […]
Asheville region reports positive June home sales
Press release from Canopy MLS: With businesses reopening across the state, home sales across the 13-county Asheville region recovered in June, according to data from Canopy MLS. Sales were up 3.4 percent compared to a year ago as buyers purchased 1,011 properties. Sales were up by a whopping 47.6 percent compared to May 2020 due […]
New reading initiative brings literature to children who are receiving free summer meals
Press release from the University of North Carolina Asheville: With nearly $10,000 in grant funding secured by UNC Asheville faculty members Tiece Ruffin and Agya Boakye-Boaten, a new reading initiative is being launched this summer. The initiative, “Relevant, Responsive & Fun Family Literacy Toolkits,” takes the form of distributing books and activities specially designed to […]
Air quality forecast for Asheville, Friday, July 17: Moderate (YELLOW and GREEN)
Friday, July 17, 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. […]
MountainTrue releases the latest swim guide results for the French Broad River
Press release form MountainTrue: Each Thursday afternoon throughout the spring, summer and fall, the French Broad Riverkeeper releases new, up-to-date bacteria monitoring results for approximately 30 of the French Broad River’s most popular streams and recreation areas. Results are posted to the Swim Guide website at theswimguide.org — the public’s best resource for knowing which […]
UPDATED: Missing juvenile Jeremy Howell located
Update from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, July 20 at 10 a.m.: Jeremy has been located and is ok and back with his family. Press release from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a missing juvenile from the West Asheville area of Buncombe County. Jeremy Howell is […]
COVID-19 community testing site for Henderson County, July 21
Press release from Henderson County Department of Public Health: The Henderson County Health Department will offer another COVID-19 testing site for the public on July 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East Henderson High School, 150 Eagle Pride Drive, East Flat Rock 28726. The testing site will be set up at 85 Stadium […]
Gov. Cooper appoints Adriana Chavela to the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force
Press release from the Office of Governor Roy Cooper: Today, Governor Roy Cooper named the members of the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force. The Task Force, established by the Governor’s Executive Order 143, will address the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color that have been exacerbated […]
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers for farmhouse tours
Press release from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to be the non-profit partner of the 2020 Southern Living Idea House. Proceeds from ticket sales are expected to raise enough to build an entire Habitat home! Built by Buchanan Construction in The Ramble Biltmore Forest, this 3,500 square foot, […]
Gov. Cooper announces NCDHHS Spanish language website and tools to check for COVID-19 symptoms
Press release from the Office of Governor Roy Cooper: Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) launched new online tools to help Spanish-speaking North Carolinians to determine if they should consider being tested for COVID-19 and help individuals monitor their symptoms if they have tested positive […]
Asheville City Schools responds to questions about the upcoming school year
Press release from Asheville City Schools: The following message is from Gene Freeman, new superintendent of Asheville City Schools, addressing community questions about plans for the upcoming school year. First and foremost, thank you to several of our families who reached out, asking for more details following yesterday’s communication. In response to your questions, we’ve […]
Historic Flat Rock Inc. opposes proposed construction of new asphalt plant in East Flat Rock
Message from Historic Flat Rock Inc.: The Village of Flat Rock is the largest historic district in the state of North Carolina. It includes many lovingly restored and protected historic landmarks and woodlands. Generations of families, counting many from the lowcountry of South Carolina, have worked endlessly to preserve and protect Flat Rock. At one […]
Buncombe County Health and Human Services to host Facebook Live community update at 2 p.m.
Press release from Buncombe County Health and Human Services: Buncombe County will be providing a Community Update today at 2:00 pm via Facebook Live @Buncombegov. The Spanish version will be aired via Facebook Live @BCHHS. Speakers for today’s update include: Dr. Jennifer Mullendore, Interim Public Health Director and Medical Director for Buncombe County Dr. William […]
New digital signs installed on the Old Fort Mountain section of Interstate 40
Press release from NC Department of Transportation: New signs with instant information have already provided benefits to drivers on the Old Fort Mountain section of Interstate 40. A pair of dynamic message signs activated early this summer played a role in informing drivers of a roll-over crash last week that closed two eastbound lanes. The […]
MountainTrue joins lawsuit against Trump administration’s moves on National Environmental Policy Act
Press release from the Southern Environmental Law Center: The Trump administration in an announcement today hobbled the nation’s bedrock environmental protection, the National Environmental Policy Act, a law that has given marginalized communities a say in what happens to them when governments propose life-altering projects like highways and pipelines. In doing so, the administration illegally […]