Press release from Polk County Government: COLUMBUS, NC. – Polk County Local Government encourages everyone in Polk County to sign up for Everbridge emergency alerts, an improved way of receiving vital information through a more enhanced version of the Nixle system. Polk County is transitioning from the Nixle system to Everbridge. People who previously signed […]
News Bulletins
Mars Hill University prepares for in-person semester starting Feb. 2
Press release from Mars Hill University: Following a successful and healthy fall semester of primarily in-person, on-campus classes, Mars Hill University is carefully planning for the upcoming spring semester. University leaders anticipated a surge in COVID-19 cases as winter and the typical flu season arrived, so they strategized to delay move-in and in-person learning during […]
Veterans for Peace host Jan. 22 vigil honoring nuclear weapons treaty
Press release from Veterans for Peace: Friday, Jan. 22, will be a historic day for nuclear weapons. On that day, at midnight, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will enter into force, establishing in international law a categorical ban on nuclear weapons, seventy-five years after their development and first use. The momentous occasion […]
Conserving Carolina launches Flying Squirrel Outdoor Challenge
Press release from Conserving Carolina: The Flying Squirrel Outdoor Challenge is Conserving Carolina’s newest outdoor challenge, starting in January 2021 and springboarding off the success of our previous White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 5. We invite people of all abilities in this challenge to explore eight places that Conserving Carolina has helped protect or open to […]
Buncombe County offices share MLK schedule
Press release from Buncombe County: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Schedule for Buncombe County Offices All Buncombe County Government offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Buncombe County Public Libraries: All libraries are closed on Monday, Jan. 18. Recreation Services: All Buncombe County Parks are open regular hours […]
Asheville Habitat accepting applications for WAVL neighborhood
Press release from Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: Far too many people, locally and around the county, find the cost of home to be unaffordable. Nearly half of local renters pay more than 30% of their income on rent, and 20% pay more than half of their income on housing. And now, between pandemic-related job […]
Asheville city offices to close for MLK, buses on holiday schedule
Press release from the City of Asheville: Asheville city government offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Here is a look at city services affected by this holiday. Trash and recycling Though city offices will be closed, Sanitation Services will run on schedule. Residential trash and […]
Haywood County issues update on COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Press release from Haywood County: This week Haywood County finished the bulk of those in vaccination group 1A which included doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and doctor and dentist office staff members, and vaccination for those in the over 75 group (known as 1B) began. The first mass vaccination clinic was held Wednesday with a goal […]
Mountain BizWorks, DHT partner to increase federal business loan access
Press release from Mountain BizWorks: Mountain BizWorks is once again partnering with Dogwood Health Trust in a targeted effort to provide increased access to another round of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for nonprofits, small businesses, sole proprietors and independent contractors in the region, with a focus on rural and minority […]
DEQ holds Feb. 2 online hearing on state groundwater standards
Press release from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality: The Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources will conduct an online public hearing Tuesday, Feb. 2, on proposed revisions to the N.C. Groundwater Quality Standards. Written public comments are being accepted through Tuesday, March 16. State law requires a review of its groundwater water quality […]
CommunityLab launches community COVID-19 testing in RAD
Press release from CommunityLab: CommunityLab launched a new mobile COVID-19 testing site open to the public starting Jan. 13. The testing site is stationed in the parking area at 401 Depot St. in Asheville and will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Testing performed will be gold-standard […]
Asheville has 8th fewest minority-owned startups among midsized metros
Press release from Self Financial: In addition to being a critical driver of growth in the economy overall, entrepreneurship is one of the many ways that individuals can build wealth in America. But as 2020 has illustrated, opportunities to participate and succeed in the entrepreneurial economy are not equally distributed by race and ethnicity. This […]
UPDATE: Buncombe fills all additional COVID-19 vaccination appointments
Update from Buncombe County at 3:39 p.m.: All appointments have been scheduled, and the portal has been closed. Press release from Buncombe County: At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, Buncombe County Health and Human Services will open additional appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine for those 75 and older. These additional appointments will be open through February […]
United Way of Henderson County adds six new board members
Press release from the United Way of Henderson County: United Way of Henderson County (UWHC) has added six community leaders to its 2021 Board of Directors: Kirsten Bunch, Pauline Carpenter, Pam Combs, Sonia Giranda, Kimbela McMinn and Carol Stefaniak. “We are thrilled to welcome these new members to the United Way Board,” said Sherri Holbert, […]
UPDATED: Asheville announces Boards and Commissions meetings through Jan. 22
Update from the City of Asheville at 4:06 p.m. on Jan. 15: The Vance Monument Task Force specially scheduled meeting for Thursday, Jan. 21, has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4, at 4:30 p.m. Press release from the City of Asheville: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the following committees will hold remote meetings during the […]
Hendersonville taps Blair Myhand as new police chief
Press release from the City of Hendersonville: After an extensive search and selection process spanning five months, the City of Hendersonville has selected its next Chief of Police. In a virtual meeting held on Jan. 15, City Manager John Connet announced that Blair Myhand has been selected to serve as Hendersonville’s Police Chief. Statement […]
Buncombe schools to stay online through at least Feb. 12
Press release from Buncombe County Schools: Here’s a look at the BCS Board Briefing for Jan. 14. Among the important items on the action agenda, the board voted to modify the BCS Return to Learn Plan. The BCS Board of Education met for a regular board meeting on Thursday and made the decision to continue remote […]
Chief Justice Paul Newby issues emergency directives on COVID-19
Press release from North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts: Chief Justice Paul Newby issued an order containing emergency directives related to COVID-19. The order replaces the expired order issued on December 14, 2020, and is effective today, January 14, 2021. In this new order, Chief Justice Newby has allowed several of the emergency directives in […]
Construction-related accident leads to one death and several injuries among Hendersonville work crew
Press release from the City of Hendersonville government: At 9:28 a.m. on January 13, 2021, emergency services personnel were dispatched to a wall collapse with entrapment in the Hajoca parking lot located at 1027 Spartanburg Highway in Hendersonville. When first responders arrived, they encountered a retaining wall that had fallen and trapped construction crew members […]
Henderson County opens COVID-19 vaccinations to individuals 65 and older
Press release from Henderson County Department of Public Health: All individuals 65 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in Henderson County, following new state guidelines announced today. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) today announced new priority groupings that includes all adults 65 over in the current vaccination group – […]
Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Celebration to be held virtually
Press release from Community Foundation of Henderson County: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast Committee has announced that the 2021 MLK, Jr. Unity Celebration will be held virtually. Due to current health conditions, the traditional breakfast held at Blue Ridge Community College was moved to a virtual format that includes a video showcasing some […]