Press release from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission: FLETCHER, NC (June 8, 2022) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will recognize Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. as North Carolina’s first BearWise business tomorrow, June 9. Brewery representatives will receive official signage from Wildlife Commission officials signifying their commitment to securing trash, limiting potential attractants for black bears […]
News Bulletins
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office offers $5,000 hiring bonus for detention officers
Press release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is now offering a sign-on bonus for the next twenty Detention Officer positions that are filled. For individuals who are DOCC certified, the bonus will be $5,000 paid out in three installments: $1,000 after 30 days and successful completion of FTO training. $1,000 […]
Board of Commissioners holds public hearings on general obligation bonds, approves resolution setting special bond referendum
Press release from Buncombe County: At its June 7 regular meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held public hearings on the proposed general obligation bonds for open space and housing. If approved by voters in November, the two bonds would: Generate $30 million for the capital costs of acquisition and improvement of land or […]
Commissioners on track for budget approval after public hearing
Press release from Buncombe County: Work is wrapping up on the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget as the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the spending plan during its meeting on June 7. While there have been some minor changes since its last presentation, the FY23 budget still holds the property tax […]
Board of Commissioners approves letter of support for new hospital
Press release from Buncombe County: Citing a desire to increase choices for patients to receive high-quality healthcare and more opportunities for medical professionals to build careers, the Buncombe County Commissioners approved a letter of support for an alternatively owned hospital during their regular meeting on June 7. The 2022 State Medical Facilities Plan has identified […]
Commissioners issue Pride proclamation, approve bonds for school projects, more
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County Commissioners kicked off June with a proclamation recognizing Pride Month during its meeting on June 7. Accepting the proclamation was County Information Technology Technician Cata Bulai, stating, “I’d like to take the opportunity to acknowledge Buncombe County’s ongoing efforts to make sure its policies represent all citizens, including […]
Buncombe County Board of Elections holds preliminary voter challenge hearing, finds no probable cause
Press release from Buncombe County: At a June 7 Board meeting, Buncombe County Board of Elections (CBE) reviewed evidence regarding challenges to the voter registration status of Ernest Jeffrey Worley, Republican candidate for Buncombe County Sheriff. Five voter challenges, all submitted with the same evidence, were filed on May 31. Board members reviewed the evidence […]
Opportunity Appalachia announces 9 projects to bring development to WNC communities
Press release from Mountain BizWorks: Opportunity Appalachia and Mountain BizWorks today announced the selection of nine projects to participate in a program to bring jobs, business support, and investment to the Appalachian communities of western North Carolina. The selected projects propose to create nearly 350 jobs and attract nearly $70 million in financing, and range from […]
Elevated COVID-19 rates move Buncombe to Medium community level
Press release from Buncombe County: In Buncombe County, there have been a total of 56,424 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic’s start. Like many counties in the state, Buncombe County Community Level is now Medium (Yellow). The recommendations at this level are: -Stay up to date on vaccines -Get tested if you have symptoms -If at […]
APD seeks person(s) who vandalized business with threatening graffiti
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville Police are seeking the person(s) who vandalized a west Asheville business by spray-painting threatening graffiti on the building and breaking windows. APD Patrol Officers were called to the Mountain Area Pregnancy Services business on 1710 Old Haywood Road around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday morning to investigate the report of […]
True Ridge receives grant from Henderson County Community Foundation
Press release from True Ridge: “True Ridge has been awarded a grant of $10,000 by the Community Foundation of Henderson County,” True Ridge’s Executive Director, Lori Garcia-McCammon, said today. According to Garcia-McCammon, the grant will be used to develop and implement presentations to local government organizations about cultural and linguistic considerations when working with members […]
Asheville Art Museum recognized as a 2022 recipient of nation’s highest museum and library honor
Press release from Asheville Art Museum: The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced the Asheville Art Museum of Asheville, NC as one of six recipients of the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Over […]
Minutes from Community Reparations Commission meeting on June 6
Press release from City of Asheville: The Community Reparations Commission is empowered to make short, medium, and long-term recommendations that will make significant progress toward repairing the damage caused by public and private systemic racism. The task of the Reparations Commission is to issue a report in a timely manner for consideration by the City, […]
UNC Asheville faculty Rebecca Helm Is mobilizing citizen marine scientists
Press release from the University of North Carolina at Asheville: UNC Asheville Assistant Professor of Biology Rebecca Helm is co-leading a global quest to map life on the ocean’s surface. With much of the earth’s oceans largely unexplored, Helm and a team of marine biologists have developed The Global Ocean Surface Ecosystem Alliance (GO-SEA), an […]
WNCHA presents Outstanding Achievement award to the RAIL Project
Press release from the Western North Carolina Historical Association: The Western North Carolina Historical Association’s (WNCHA) 2021 Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to The Railroad and Incarcerated Laborer (RAIL) Memorial Project for their work telling the story and memorializing the work and sacrifice of the thousands of incarcerated laborers who were forced to build […]
NC House 115 District hand-eye recount complete, Bhakta gains one vote
Press release from Buncombe County Government: Buncombe County Election Services staff have finished the hand-eye recount of the 20 precincts that included the NC House 115 district. The Buncombe County Board of Elections called to order a meeting at 3 p.m., on Friday, June 3, to certify the recount results. The hand-eye recount showed candidate […]
Splasheville opens on Saturday, Pritchard Park closes next week for repairs, and other Asheville Parks & Recreation updates
Press release from City of Asheville, Parks and Recreation: Asheville Parks & Recreation has completed repairs and enhancements to Splasheville in Pack Square Park and plans to open the popular splash pad on Saturday, June 4. At the same time, the department announces a planned closure of Pritchard Park for repair to its iconic brickwork. Updates […]
2022-23 Buncombe County Schools principal and administrator assignments
Press release from Buncombe County Schools: Superintendent Dr. Tony Baldwin today announces 20 new administrative assignments for Buncombe County Schools (BCS) for the 2022-23 school year. Seventeen principalships, two director positions, and one specialist position were approved by the school board on Thursday, June 2. Several principals announced their retirement earlier this year, creating many […]
Biltmore Lake Charitable Fund awards $70,324 in grants
Press release from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: Biltmore Lake Charitable Fund at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) recently awarded nine grants totaling $70,324. The Biltmore Lake Charitable Fund was established to improve the quality of life in the Enka-Candler community by supporting education, economic development, health care and community […]
Buncombe protects a century farm: 90-acre Hart & Currie Family Farm permanently protected in South Turkey Creek Community
Press release from Buncombe County Government: On April 28, 2022, the Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Farmland Preservation Program closed on five conservation easements, protecting a total of 90 acres in the South Turkey Creek Community in Leicester. The properties were awarded both NCDA and USDA funding as they are considered desirable for […]
Buncombe County Board of Elections completes recount, numbers remain the same
Press release via Buncombe County Government In less time than anticipated, Buncombe County Election Services staff and volunteers have finished a machine recount of slightly more than 54,000 ballots following a tie and close margin in two races from the May 17 primary. The Buncombe County Board of Elections (CBE) convened today at 1:20 p.m. […]