Press release from the North Carolina Justice Center: Local labor market data released today show the economic firestorm unleashed by COVID-19 continues to rage across most of the state. Even as North Carolina’s most affluent cities and people have recovered, the economic harm is continuing for communities and families who were already struggling to make […]
News Bulletins
Inmate at the Haywood County Detention Center tests positive for COVID-19
Press release from the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office: The Haywood County Detention Center has confirmed that an inmate has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is currently in isolation and all established COVID-19 safety and security protocols are in place and being followed. All protocols are within the recommended guidelines set forth from the CDC […]
Buncombe County Association of Educators shares statement on school reopenings
Statement from the Buncombe County Association of Educators: The Buncombe County Board of Education plans to meet this Thursday evening, February 4, at 5:30 to discuss the re-entry plan after the current plan ends on February 12. We understand how very stressful this is for everyone, and we want to be back in the classroom […]
Buncombe County Commissioners approve positions for $7.8M grant administration
Press release from Buncombe County Government: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners took an important step toward helping distribute millions of dollars in COVID-19 emergency funds. During their meeting on Feb. 2, Commissioners unanimously approved hiring four grant-funded positions to help administer the $7.8 million dollars of federal money. Up to 10 percent of the […]
Vaya Health Board of Directors releases 2021 meeting schedule
Press release from Vaya Health: The Board of Directors of Vaya Health will conduct its Annual Board Retreat on Thursday, February 11th beginning at 4:00 pm and Friday, February 12th beginning at 9:00 am via electronic communication only (real-time two-way audio and/or visual communication, i.e. telephone and webex) in accordance with Executive Orders issued by […]
Haywood County shares Feb. 2 COVID-19 update
Press release from Haywood County Public Health: In the week since the last press release, Haywood County Public Health has received notice of 194 new cases of COVID-19. As of 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2021, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has recorded a total of 3,361 cases in Haywood County since the […]
NC MedAssist teams with Humana to provide free over-the-counter medicine in Buncombe County
Press release from NC MedAssist: NC MedAssist is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in partnership with Humana in Buncombe County on February 12, 2021, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. The event will be held at Abernathy United Methodist Church (1418 Patton Ave #1722, Asheville, NC 28806) and is open to any individual or family needing […]
Buncombe County’s COVID-19 positivity rate continues to decline
Press release from Buncombe County: On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Buncombe County Public Health Director Stacie Saunders updated the Board of Commissioners on current COVID-19 metrics. The testing positivity rate fell by 1.4 percentage points to 6.1 percent. While new cases per 100,000 remains high at 255, the number of COVID-19 deaths continues to decrease and […]
Governor Cooper, state education leaders say it’s time for in-person instruction in K-12 Schools statewide
Press release from the office of N.C. Governor Roy Cooper: Top state education leaders joined Governor Roy Cooper today to call on K-12 school districts across the state to allow in-person instruction for all students. The Governor joined North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Mandy Cohen, State Superintendent of Public Instruction […]
Buncombe County Public Libraries closing at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2
Announcement from Buncombe County: Due to inclement weather Buncombe County Public Libraries will close at 5 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Our digital library is always open.
Buncombe Health and Human Services to provide COVID-19 update Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m.
Announcement from Buncombe County Health and Human Services: Health Officials in Buncombe County will be providing a COVID-19 Update during the Board of Commissioners’ pre-meeting today, Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 3 P.M. This update can be viewed via Facebook Live in English @Buncombegov and in Spanish @BCHHS. Speakers will include: · Stacie Saunders, Buncombe […]
City of Asheville staff to present updated hotel development ordinance to Planning and Zoning Commission
Press release from the city of Asheville: Following two City Council work sessions, the City of Asheville Department of Planning and Urban Design has further analyzed the proposed hotel development regulations and will be holding a public hearing to present the revised regulations at 5 p.m. Feb. 3 the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. At […]
UNC Asheville 2021 virtual homecoming happening Feb. 25-28
Press release from UNC Asheville: UNC Asheville annual tradition is re-imagined in 2021, with a virtual Homecoming Celebration, Feb. 25-28. “Homecoming at UNC Asheville is a special time of the year, providing us an opportunity to reflect on the storied history of UNC Asheville, celebrate the present moment and the impact it has on our […]
AARP of North Carolina hosts free virtual Black history events
Press release from AARP of NC: Black is joyful and brilliant. Black joy is the tenacity, resiliency and ability to thrive despite everything. Join AARP NC throughout the month of February to discover the ways that Black Americans have shaped our state and nation. AARP’s lineup of free virtual events will help you learn, explore […]
Homeward Bound will host annual ‘Open Your Heart for Women and Homelessness’ event on Friday, Feb. 12
Press release from Homeward Bound: Nearly 60% of homeless women cite domestic violence as the direct cause of their homelessness, and that number is probably low because intimate partner violence usually is under-reported. On Feb. 12 at noon, Homeward Bound is hosting its Third Annual Valentine’s Open Your Heart for Women and Homelessness Lunch and […]
Affordable Care Act special enrollment period opens Feb. 15
Press release from Pisgah Legal Services: People have a new opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2021 on HealthCare.gov, but only for a limited time. This new COVID-19 Special Enrollment period starts on February 15, 2021 and ends on May 15, 2021. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), and its enrollment partners of WNC, are once again […]
ART bus service to begin at 10 a.m., Asheville offices opening on a delay
Press release from the city of Asheville: Due to inclement weather and snowy road conditions, ART bus service is delayed until 10 a.m. today. City of Asheville offices will open at 9 a.m. Asheville Street Division crews are out clearing snowy roads. For everyone’s safety, please stay off them this morning, if possible.
Arts Impact Survey shows $23.1 million in local losses
Press release from the Asheville Area Arts Council: The Asheville Area Arts Council’s most recent arts impact survey further highlights the devastating impact of COVID on the Buncombe County creative sector. Findings show $23.1 million in lost revenue since March 2020, with 16 businesses likely to close in the next 3 months. According to Americans […]
Vance Elementary School renamed as Lucy S. Herring Elementary School
Press release from Asheville City Schools: Vance Elementary School officially has a new name! During the February 1, 2021, meeting, in a unanimous vote, the Asheville City Board of Education voted on a new name, Lucy S. Herring Elementary School. For fifty-two years Lucy Herring dedicated her life to teaching; thirty-five of these years were […]
Bill to end child marriage introduced in North Carolina
Press release from the Tahirih Justice Center: Today, companion bills to amend the lawful age to marry were introduced in both chambers of the North Carolina legislature to protect minors from the harms of child marriage by raising the state’s minimum marriage age to eighteen, without exceptions. North Carolina currently has the lowest age for marriage set […]
UPDATE: A-B Tech will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 2
Updated at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2: Due to inclement weather, all A-B Tech locations will be closed for day and evening classes on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Announcement from A-B Tech Community College: Due to inclement weather and icy road conditions, A-B Tech will operate on a 2-hour delay today, Tuesday, Feb.2. The college […]