Press release from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality: RALEIGH – March 1 marks the beginning of the 2021 ozone season, as state and local environmental agencies renew their daily air quality forecasts for ozone across North Carolina. From now through October 31, the daily air quality forecasts from the North Carolina Division of Air Quality […]
News Bulletins
Blue Ridge Parkway saw more than 14 million visitors in 2020
Press release from National Park Service: (NC/VA) – Blue Ridge Parkway managers announced today that an estimated 14,099,485 recreation visitors enjoyed the park in 2020. Despite impacts from road closures and the coronavirus pandemic, Parkway trails, overlooks and open spaces provided safe ways for visitors to recreate responsibly, get outside and stay active. Visitation highlights […]
Buncombe Board of Education to meet Thursday, March 4
Notice from Buncombe County Public Schools: The Buncombe County Board of Education will meet in regular session on March 4, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. in the Minitorium at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville, NC via Electronic Means. Board updates and closed session will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the Beaucatcher Room for the purpose of discussing confidential […]
Just Economics reopens application for living wage certification
Press release from Just Economics of WNC: Just Economics has relaunched its Living Wage Certification program and reopened the application for Buncombe County Living Wage Certification. Just Economics’ board and staff spent the last several months evaluating the certification program and making some changes to address combined needs of a workforce fighting to keep up […]
Haywood HHS appoints new public health director, Sarah M. Henderson
Press release from Haywood County Emergency Management Team: Following a competitive selection process, Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency is pleased to announce Sarah M. Henderson, MSN, RN as its new Public Health Director, beginning mid-March 2021. Henderson is well acquainted with public health in Haywood County having served the county previously (2015-2017) as […]
CommunityLab to offer free COVID-19 testing for qualifying residents Thursday, March 4
Press release from Sanesco Health: CommunityLab will be offering a COVID-19 testing event open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 4. The testing event venue is hosted by Biltmore Church (Arden Campus) at 35 Clayton Rd. in Arden. Testing performed will be gold-standard PCR testing for COVID-19 via nasopharyngeal […]
N.C. to receive 80,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson one-shot COVID-19 vaccine
Press release from N.C. Department of Health and Human Services: RALEIGH — North Carolina has another tested, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine to protect against virus-related hospitalization and death. The federal government authorized the distribution of Johnson & Johnson’s (Janssen) one-shot vaccine and more than 80,000 doses are expected to arrive in the state this […]
UPDATE: Runaway teen found
Update from Henderson County Sheriff’s Office: Juvenile has been located and is safe! Press release from Henderson County Sheriff’s Office: On 03/01/2021 the Sheriff’s Office took a report of a runaway juvenile, Khloe Beth Ivy Gomez. Khloe was last seen at 9:00 p.m. on 02/28/2021. She was last seen at her residence in the Flat […]
Asheville Downtown Association offers free one-year memberships to downtown businesses
Press release from Asheville Downtown Association: The Asheville Downtown Association (ADA) today announced that it is offering complimentary one-year memberships to businesses located within Asheville’s downtown. “We know how difficult the Covid-19 pandemic has been on downtown businesses,” said ADA Executive Director Meghan Rogers. “This is a gesture of support we can offer to help […]
William T. Stetzer named acting U.S. Attorney for N.C.’s Western District
Press release from the U.S. Department of Justice: William T. Stetzer has been named as the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, following the departure of U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray on February 28, 2021. Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer is a career prosecutor who has dedicated his professional life to public […]
SoCon basketball tournaments to allow limited attendance
Press release from Southern Conference: SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Earlier this week, the State of North Carolina made adjustments to the mass gathering limitations for arenas with a seating capacity over 5,000 to allow for 15 percent of the stated capacity. The Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville sold out the men’s title game of the 2020 Ingles Southern […]
Newfound Gap Road designated an ‘All-American Road’ by National Scenic Byways Program
Press release from the N.C. Department of Transportation: CHEROKEE – Newfound Gap Road in Swain County is now considered one of the nation’s most scenic byways, thanks to its new designation as an All-American Road. The 31-mile corridor, split between North Carolina and Tennessee, traverses a beautiful stretch of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as it […]
NC ranks first in nation for COVID-19 vaccinations in older residents
Press release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services: Kaiser Family Foundation ranks North Carolina as first in the nation for vaccinating the largest share of its 65 and older population at 49%. This rate does not include those in long-term care facilities.“Our goal is to administer vaccine quickly and equitably, and I’m […]