Press release from Buncombe County: NC Attorney General Josh Stein honored Buncombe County Opioid Response Coordinator Amy Upham with a Dogwood Award in a virtual ceremony Oct. 21. The Dogwood Awards are given annually to honor North Carolinians dedicated to keeping people safe, healthy, and happy in their communities. Stein notes the award highlights the […]
News Bulletins
Food Lion announces new efforts to address food insecurity in WNC
Press release from Food Lion: Today, Food Lion is announcing local efforts to nourish neighbors in the greater Asheville, N.C., area through a new campaign aimed to help support kids and families impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Faces of Hope campaign, Food Lion Feeds is donating 9.5 million meals to Feeding America® […]
Gov. Cooper signs executive order to strengthen eviction prevention
Press release from Office of Governor Roy Cooper: Today, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 171 to strengthen eviction protections to help North Carolina renters stay in their homes. With COVID-19 case counts increasing and many people continuing to work and learn remotely, preventing evictions is critical to the state’s fight against this virus. […]
Mountain BizWorks announces new Catalyst Cohort of companies run by entrepreneurs of color
Press release from Mountain BizWorks: Mountain BizWorks, a U.S. Treasury certified non-profit community development financial institution (CDFI), today announced the cohort of fast-growing Western North Carolina (WNC) companies selected for its new, inclusive Catalyst Cohort program. The Catalyst Cohort is designed for existing entrepreneurs of color whose businesses have demonstrated strong job growth potential and […]
In-person early voting ends Saturday as NC turnout approaches 50 percent
Press release from NC State Board of Elections: Four days remain in North Carolina’s early voting period, which ends Saturday, October 31. Sometime Wednesday morning, total voter turnout in the 2020 general election will reach 50 percent in North Carolina. Statewide, all early voting sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays […]
City of Asheville highlights equity impacts of recent policy initiatives
Press release from City of Asheville: Advancing racial equity and social justice consists of many efforts working in concert with each other to promote larger societal change. This is not a one-off effort, nor the sole work of one department. It’s a team effort that has to be blended into all City of Asheville departments, […]
Dogwood Health Trust to fund development of affordable housing complex in Marion
Press release from Dogwood Health Trust: Dogwood Health Trust will contribute $204,000 in grants, $100,000 in pre-development costs and up to $18.85 million in loan guarantees, letters of credit and equity contributions to support a collaborative effort among Housing Assistance Corporation, Gateway Wellness Foundation, McDowell County, McDowell Technical Community College, McDowell Economic Development Association, and the City of Marion to develop workforce housing in […]
Just Us, a Black-led community group, files amicus brief in Christopher Hickman case
Press release from Just Us: Just Us, a Black-led community group of leaders unsatisfied with the Restorative Justice program mandated for former Asheville Police officer Christopher Hickman was joined in filing an Amicus brief with the Court. Fifteen additional Asheville organizations want to ensure that Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams requires Hickman to meaningly […]
John E. Cram, local entrepreneur and philanthropist, dies
Press release from Neal Reed: John E. Cram, gardener, entrepreneur, conservationist, and philanthropist, passed away peacefully in the company of his family on October 26, 2020, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. A native of Wisconsin, John moved to Asheville in 1971 and opened New Morning Gallery in Biltmore Village. Over the years he expanded […]
Wildlife commission anticipates seasonal increase in coyote sightings
Press release from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission: Expect to see or hear more coyotes in the coming weeks as young coyotes — those born this past spring — begin leaving their parents’ territory to find and establish a territory of their own. Biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission say there’s an annual peak […]
APD requests assistance locating missing person
Press release from the Asheville Police Department: The Asheville Police Department (APD) is requesting assistance to locate a missing person, Melissa Danell Clark (also known as Melissa Clark Munn). The reporting party has not heard from her since October 17, 2020. She is described as a white female, 46 years old, 5’4″, and approximately 100 […]
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries launches compassion kits
Press release from Western Carolina Rescue Ministries: Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (WCRM) is pleased to announce its newest response to the Covid-19 Pandemic; compassion kits. These kits are to help individuals living on the streets combat sickness and be more prepared for illness if it does occur. Each kit will contain basic PPE items such […]
Emergency Circus brings Cirque d’Vote to Pack Square Park, Oct. 30
Press release from Silver Muse Productions: This election season, the Emergency Circus will enliven polling places across the nation with Cirque d’Vote, a nonpartisan initiative to put the FUN back in FUNdamental rights. On Friday, October 30, beginning at 2:00 pm, Cirque d’Vote will host a circus celebration at Pack Square Park downtown featuring comedic juggling, […]
APD seeking help to identify assault suspect
Press release from Asheville City Police: At 11 p.m. on October 26, the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to a report of an assault on Merrimon Avenue just north of downtown. The officers arrived to find that a male victim had been struck in the head with a metal object, causing a serious, but non life-threatening […]
Nearly 100 North Carolina colleges waive college application fees through Oct. 30
Press release from College Foundation of North Carolina: College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is excited to announce that College Application Week has been extended from one week to two weeks. From October 19 – 30, numerous North Carolina colleges and universities will waive college application fees and save families money. A list of North […]
APD continues investigation into shooting in West Asheville
Press release from Asheville Police Department: At 9 p.m. on October 26, the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to Stewart Street in west Asheville after reports of two men shot behind a residence. The officers arrived to find the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds that are not believed to be life-threatening; one had been […]
UPDATED: Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office attempting to locate suspect
Press release form the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: UPDATE: Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office has taken Cesar Ernesto Gomez Jr. into custody. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is currently attempting to locate and apprehend Cesar Ernesto Gomez Jr., age 21, in reference to several outstanding warrants for his arrest. On October 26, Deputies with the Buncombe County […]
Warren Wilson to offer Challenging White Supremacy webinar Wednesday, Oct. 28
Announcement from Warren Wilson College: Join us for our next webinar: Challenging White Supremacy — Decolonization in the Era of Black Lives Matter Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 1-2 p.m. | Live on Zoom Black Lives Matter protests throughout the country are shining a spotlight on patterns of disproportionate police violence and mass imprisonment of Black […]
Land of Sky to host annual air quality briefing Friday, Oct. 30
Advisory from Land of Sky Regional Council: Annual State of Our Air Briefing and Press Conference Webinar Friday, October 30, 2020 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM AGENDA Welcome and Introductions – Bill Eaker, Land-of-Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) (3 minutes) State and Federal Air Quality Issues Update – Mike Abraczinskas, Director, NC Division of Air Quality, […]
Appalachian Barn Alliance to host virtual farm tour with Mars Hill University
Announcement from Appalachian Barn Alliance: Here’s information about a joint project that the Appalachian Barn Alliance and Mars Hill University have completed. This is an open invitation to the public for this FREE presentation: Join the Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies for an evening of song and sharing in a Zoom webinar on Thursday, November 12, 2020 […]
Asheville Habitat ReStore announces winners of 2020 ReUse contest
Press release from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: The Asheville Habitat ReStore is pleased to announce the winners of its ninth annual ReStore ReUse Contest. With over 70 contest entries, the judging panel had a tough job whittling the selections down to a handful of winners. This year saw the addition of a new category- […]