Press release from the Blue Ridge Parkway: Additional time and public cooperation with closures is needed As of Friday, August 20, 2021, most sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway previously closed due to downed trees and debris from Tropical Storm Fred have reopened. Road status information is updated daily on the park website. Road status […]
News Bulletins
CIBO approves resolution of support for Asheville City of Police
Press release from Council of Independent Business Owners (CIBO): At the Friday, August 20th CIBO Issues meeting, the CIBO Issues Committee unanimously approved the following resolution in support of the men and women of the Asheville Police Department. CIBO calls on the Asheville City Council, along with all citizens, businesses, and non-profit organizations, to show […]
NCDOT crews continue repairing damage from Fred
Press release from NCDOT: CANTON — About 70 N.C. Department of Transportation workers from across the state have traveled to western North Carolina to help respond to the devastation left by Tropical Depression Fred. The employees left this week from state transportation offices and maintenance yards near Rocky Mount, Durham, Greensboro, Albemarle, Carthage, Winston-Salem and […]
Emergency shelter initiative continues, Ramada Inn vote delayed
From the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville continues to work toward establishing a high access emergency shelter to alleviate homelessness in our city. This is a complex project with many moving pieces and stakeholder participation along the way. While we had anticipated that City Council would vote to purchase the Ramada Inn at […]
Tropical Storm Fred update #3 – Haywood County
From Haywood County Emergency Services: As day three of search and rescue efforts gets underway skilled teams from as far away as Wilmington, NC are continuing intensive efforts to help search miles of riverbank and rugged terrain. Drone and K9 teams are assisting ground and swift water rescue teams today. There are a total of […]
Emergency shelter initiative continues, Ramada Inn vote delayed
Press release from the city of Asheville: The City of Asheville continues to work toward establishing a high access emergency shelter to alleviate homelessness in our city. This is a complex project with many moving pieces and stakeholder participation along the way. While we had anticipated that City Council would vote to purchase the Ramada […]
Statement from Commissioner Troxler regarding agricultural damage in Western N.C. from Tropical Storm Fred
Press release from NCDA&CS: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler released the following statement after touring storm damage today in Western N.C. and meeting with farmers who suffered crop and infrastructure damage and losses. “The crop, nursery and infrastructure damage I saw today was very reminiscent of the damage we saw in the 2004 floods, especially in […]
City Council agenda August 24
From City of Asheville: City Council will hold a worksession beginning at 2:30 p.m. on the American Rescue Plan Act summary plan. This worksession will be remote. Public comment is not allowed at worksessions. The electronic agenda for the August 24, City Council formal meeting is now available by clicking on the link below. If you […]
Asheville City Council returns to remote meetings and here’s how to participate
Press release from the City of Asheville: For safety and to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, Asheville City Council meetings will return to virtual format and be accessible to the public in accordance with N.C. General Statute § 166A-19.24(f) . This includes the 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24 Council work session on the American Rescue Plan […]
Wolfe Memorial announces the 2021 “Telling Our Tales” student writing competition
Press release from the Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site: In anticipation of Thomas Wolfe’s birthday celebration in October, the Thomas Wolfe Memorial invites students and teachers to participate in the 2021 “Telling Our Tales” Student Writing Competition. Thomas Wolfe, while best known for his novels, also wrote many short stories for magazines. In this […]
Openings on City of Asheville Civil Service Board
From the City of Asheville: There are currently openings on the City of Asheville Civil Service Board for two seats to be elected by City Employees. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 6. More information may be found on the City Board & Commission webpage.
Folkmoot director announces plans to return to Louisiana
Press release from Folkmoot USA: (Waynesville, NC) Folkmoot Executive Director Glenn Fields has announced his plans to return to Louisiana in a memorandum to the Folkmoot Board of Directors this week. In his announcement, Fields related having received an offer for a position with The Acadian Center for the Arts in Lafayette as the programming […]
Happening Sept. 1: Information session on Buncombe County TDA grant program for local festivals and cultural events
Press release from Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau: Grant applications due Sept. 28 for events taking place in 2022; awards announced in late October ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 20, 2021) – Organizers of local events and festivals that showcase and preserve the cultural identity of the community are invited to attend an information session to learn […]
Buncombe County announces dedicated phone line for flood damage reports
Press release from Buncombe County Government: As our local leaders are assessing the damage to Buncombe County in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Fred, Buncombe County Emergency Services is standing up a call center to connect residents to resources and information. To assist with disaster recovery, Buncombe County has activated a dedicated line for those […]
Low supply and rising prices cause home sales to cool across the Asheville region
Press release from Canopy MLS After June’s record number of transactions, residential home sales across the Asheville region cooled in July 2021, with sales dipping 4.5% year-over-year as 1,240 properties sold across the western North Carolina mountains. Canopy MLS data showed month-over-month, sales were down 4.3% compared to June 2021. These are completed transactions that include single […]
MerleFest details COVID-19 safety protocol for 2021 festival
Press release from IVPR Festival organizers for MerleFest have announced updated safety protocol for this year’s event, which takes place Sept. 16-19 in Wilkesboro, NC. MerleFest prides itself on being a safe environment for music fans to experience the joy of collectively celebrating the very best in Americana, bluegrass folk, and roots music in a […]
Asheville Parks & Recreation fall program guide available
Press release from the city of Asheville Asheville Parks & Recreation announces that the fall 2021 program guide is now available! The guide contains information on all the great programs the department offers between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31. Programs include outdoor skills workshops, holiday events, exercise classes, card playing groups, field trips and much […]
Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey to set up Victims’ Assistance Center, visit areas hit by floods in N.C. mountains
Press release from North Carolina Department of Insurance North Carolina insurance commissioner Mike Causey will visit western North Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 19, to tour areas devastated by floods earlier this week and to visit a Victims’ Assistance Center set up by the N.C. Department of Insurance to answer questions of flood victims. Commissioner Causey, […]
Buncombe County positivity rate up to 8.5%, Board of Commissioners declare state of emergency and require masks indoors
Press release from Buncombe County Buncombe County continues to see a significant growth in the number of positive COVID-19 cases. Since Aug. 3, trends have not improved. The local cases per 100,000 per week has increased six-fold compared to one month ago with current rate at 261 cases per 100,000 people per week. About 90 […]
Asheville City Schools hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday, Aug. 19
Press release from Asheville City Schools Asheville City Schools will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic TOMORROW, Thursday, Aug. 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. In partnership with Buncombe County Health & Human Services and StarMed (a state mobile vaccine provider), the no-cost, walk-up clinic will be held under the walkway near the main […]
The Center for Art & Entertainment in Hendersonville reinstates #safetheatre protocols
Press release from the Center for Art & Entertainment Originally granted monies by the City of Hendersonville and Community Foundation to provide attendees with a “Safe Theatre,” in addition to six-foot seat distancing, The Center for Art & Entertainment at 125 S. Main has elected to reinstate all safety protocols including social distanced seating and […]