Press release from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will launch its new electronic system to streamline the process for creating death records with a staggered rollout beginning on October 19 in eight counties (Buncombe, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Johnston, Mecklenburg, Orange and […]
News Bulletins
City of Asheville to reopen offices to the public Monday, Oct. 12
Press release from the city of Asheville: On Oct. 12, the City of Asheville will re-open its public-facing offices. This decision is the result of significant planning, consulting with public health officials, and implementing COVID-19 transmission mitigation efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, City staff has continued to provide a majority of services, although modified, such […]
Asheville home price are increasing 2.3x faster than wages, report says
Press release from Construction Coverage: Despite decades of record-setting home sales, owning a home has become increasingly difficult for the average worker. Mortgage interest rates are historically low, yet hourly earnings have failed to keep pace with rising housing costs. Data from the federal government indicates that although earnings for production and nonsupervisory workers increased […]
Nominations open for American Red Cross Salute to WNC Heroes
Press release from the Western North Carolina chapter of the American Red Cross: Throughout our community, ordinary people perform extraordinary acts every day. The American Red Cross serving Western North Carolina needs your help in identifying and recognizing our local heroes. Award categories include: Blood Services Community Impact Disaster Services Emergency Medical Assistance Firefighter Good […]
Haywood County reports COVID-19 death associated with cluster
Press release from the Haywood County Department of Health and Human Services: Haywood County Health and Human Services is reporting a COVID-19 death from among the cases associated with the Enchanting Hair Fashions salon cluster. The individual died on October 1, 2020, at Haywood Regional Medical Center. The death certificate lists Pneumonia due to COVID-19 […]
Buncombe County and Hendersonville financing proposals on agenda of state LGC meeting
Press release from the North Carolina Department of the State Treasurer: The Local Government Commission (LGC) is scheduled to approve more than $1 billion in financings for transportation, school and housing projects in the Triangle, Triad and Charlotte areas at its meeting at 1:30 p.m. today. The full agenda including numerous other financing projects around the […]
Registration open for UNCA virtual ‘Turning of the Maples’ 5K
Press release from UNC Asheville: The Turning of the Maples has long-been an annual fall tradition at UNC Asheville, but this year it’s on the move and coming to you, for a celebration wherever you are. UNC Asheville has announced the inaugural Turning of the Maples Virtual 5K. Complete your 3.1 mile run/walk the weekend […]
Buncombe County Public Libraries will open at 50% capacity for grab-and-go services
Press release from Buncombe County Government: Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, most Buncombe County Public Library branches will reopen to the public with limited hours and services. The safety of our patrons and staff is our highest priority, and our General Services staff has been working diligently to finish precautions to allow metered access in accordance with the Governor’s orders for […]
Asheville City Schools to continue remote learning
Announcement from Asheville City Schools Superintendent Gene Freeman: (Oct. 5, 7:43 p.m.) Good Evening Students, Staff and Families. This is Dr. Gene with a return to learn update. As you know, my original intention was to make a recommendation regarding the second quarter during tonight’s meeting of the Asheville City Board of Education. I know […]
As bear activity increases, be BearWise
Press release from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: With fall temperatures falling, bear activity is increasing, and biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are reminding people to protect themselves and bears by following the six BearWise® Basics to reduce potential conflicts. Bears’ appetites are biologically programmed to go into hyperdrive in the fall […]
Asheville named a top city to celebrate a COVID-19 friendly Oktoberfest
Press release from Booking.com: When the weather starts to change and the sun begins to set a bit earlier, it means fall is finally here. The mark of the changing seasons also ushers in another harbinger of cooler temps: Oktoberfest. Held annually in Munich, this famous festival is a weeks-long event dedicated to food, fun […]
2020 Maui Invitational bracket released
Press release from the Maui Invitational: The Maui Invitational today released the 2020 Tournament bracket, setting the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime Tournament in Asheville, N.C As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Maui Invitational has relocated to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center- Asheville and will be held Nov.30 – Dec. 2, 2020. Monday’s […]
Friday, Oct. 9 is North Carolina voter registration deadline
Press release from the North Carolina State Board of Elections: Eligible individuals who want to cast their ballot on Election Day 2020 have until Friday, October 9 to register to vote. To register, eligible individuals have the following options: Complete a North Carolina Voter Registration Application and return it to their county board of elections […]
Asheville Holiday Parade canceled for 2020
Press release from the Asheville Downtown Association: The Asheville Downtown Association today announced that the Asheville Holiday Parade is canceled for 2020 due to public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to cancel the parade was based on North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s September 30thannouncement moving North Carolina into Phase 3. Phase 3 continues […]
Asheville City Council candidates debate set for Oct. 13
Press release from Carolina Public Press: Carolina Public Press and 103.3 Asheville FM will host on Oct. 13 a debate featuring the five contenders for three Asheville City Council seats. The forum, which starts at 12 noon, will be broadcast on Asheville FM and available at carolinapublicpress.org. Frank Taylor, managing editor at Carolina Public Press and […]
COVID-19 cluster confirmed at Oakley Elementary School
Press release from Buncombe County Schools: Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS), in conjunction with Buncombe County Schools (BCS), has been monitoring the status of lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 associated with Oakley Elementary School. To date, five staff members associated with the school have been confirmed COVID-19 positive, meeting the North Carolina Department of Health […]
Tickets available for 6th annual WWBC Conference, Nov. 18-19
Press release from Western Women’s Business Center: The WWBC has big news for our October newsletter, as tickets are now available for our 6th annual Western Women’s Business Center DIGITAL Conference, November 18th and 19th! We at the WWBC believe that networking with other like-minded women and entrepreneurs is more important now, than ever. We have partnered […]
APD responds to shooting on Crest Avenue
Press release from the Asheville Police Department: At approximately 12:20 a.m. on October 6 the Asheville Police Department responded to multiple reports of gunshots in the area of Crest Avenue. Upon arrival officers located 13 shell casings on Crest Avenue and 1 on Booker Street. No injuries have been reported as a result of this incident. […]
Roadway death rates drop across North Carolina
Press release from NC Department of Transportation: RALEIGH – Road safety in North Carolina took a turn for the better in 2019. North Carolina’s traffic deaths decreased by 4.4 percent in 2019, according to data recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This decrease is nearly twice the national rate. According to the report 1,373 people […]
Asheville teacher selected for NASA space education ambassadors program
Press release from NC Space Grant: An Asheville City Schools science teacher, Gretchen Ross of Montford North Star Academy, has been selected to participate in a brand-new STEM training opportunity from NC Space Grant, offered in collaboration with NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, the NASA Office of STEM Engagement and other NASA centers. Ross is […]
ACAE opposes in-person school, releases recommendations for hybrid learning plan
Press release from Asheville City Association of Educators: Asheville City Association of Educators is our district’s largest association of public school staff, including teachers, administrators, custodial workers, instructional assistants and other school employees. Like everyone else in our community and our nation, we have been thinking nonstop about the terrible tension around school reopening. Over the last few […]