Press release from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) approved focus area grants totaling $408,113 in Early Childhood Development, Food & Farming, and Natural & Cultural Resources. Co-investors contributed $114,000, or 28%, of the total dollars awarded. “CFWNC strives to be an effective and creative regional […]
News Bulletins
Temporary after-hours closure of Wall Street Parking Garage extended through May 25; alternate parking arrangements available
Press release from the city of Asheville: The Wall Street Parking Garage temporary night closures have been extended through May 25, 2023. During this period, the garage will remain open between 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Temporary evening closures are in place to ensure the community’s safety while improvements are being made. More information […]
Planning & Zoning Commission – special meeting June 21
Press release from the city of Asheville: The Planning & Zoning Commission will hold a special meeting to review Project Aspire (1 Oak St) on June 21st. The meeting will be held in person at 5:00 p.m. in the First Floor Conference room of City Hall, located at 70 Court Plaza. For more information, please visit […]
Buncombe County uses $2.5 Million in Awards to Address Community Violence
Press release from Buncombe County: Following the award of $2.5 million from the Office of Justice Programs and American Rescue Plan Act, Buncombe County is launching a community safety initiative with public health components to bring healing and support where it is needed. Following a competitive search, Buncombe County Justice Services announces the following organizations […]
North Henderson High School to hold ‘Knights Vs Cancer’ event May 26
Press release from the North Henderson High School’s Student Government Association: North Henderson High School has joined forces with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Vs. Cancer program to defeat childhood brain cancer – the deadliest disease affecting children in the United States. North Henderson High School will hold a community-wide ‘Knights Vs Cancer’ event on […]
City of Asheville, Buncombe County and Veterans Council to host Memorial Day Ceremony
Press release from the city of Asheville: The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 2:00 p.m. May 29, 2023, at the Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park. The ceremony will feature a short reading by Jim Hernandez, USAF, Vietnam, Pilot. Lt. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin (Ret.), USMC, […]
Air Quality Forecast – Yellow
Press release from the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Monday, May 22, 2023, is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. For the most recent forecast and discussion, go to: https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/
Overnight resurfacing plan reduces closures in Asheville
Press release from NCDOT: ASHEVILLE – A resurfacing operation to improve U.S. 25 (Broadway Avenue and Biltmore Avenue) through the heart of downtown will require complete closures of short sections of roadway on a nightly basis. The N.C. Department of Transportation, its contractor, and City of Asheville officials have agreed on a construction plan that reduces […]
Buncombe County wins four awards from North Carolina City & County Communicators Association
Press release from Buncombe County: Returning with an armful of awards, Buncombe County had another successful run at the annual North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) awards reception. This year’s haul totaled four awards for the Communication and Public Engagement (CAPE) team, including two first-place wins. CAPE placed in the following categories: First place […]
Keeping our children safe town hall
Press release from AwakeAndBlog.org: WHO: Awake and Bold (AwakeAndBold.org) What: Town Hall Bringing Awareness to Child Trafficking Where: Doubletree Hotel, Biltmore Village, 115 Hendersonville RD, Asheville, NC, 28803. When: Sunday, May 21, 2023. 1 pm to 4 pm Why: North Carolina ranks in the top 10 of missing children. Awareness of the issue and prevention […]
Opioid settlement funds create platform for connection and recovery
Press release from city of Asheville: The Buncombe County Opioid Settlement Overview and Discussion was held on Thursday, May 18. Community partners gathered to focus on substance use disorder and overdose deaths due to opioids and learn about the progress of the Opioid Settlement Steering Committee. This committee began its work in September 2022 in […]
City of Asheville files petition requesting release of police bodycam video of APD arrest
Press release from city of Asheville: City Attorney Brad Branham, in consultation with City Manager Debra Campbell and the Asheville Police Department, is moving immediately to seek the required Court Order to release body camera footage of the arrest of Devon Whitmire. Whitmire was involved in an incident Saturday, May 13, which led to the […]
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office updates policy on victims of human trafficking
Press release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller signs and releases policy to support victims of human trafficking and other crimes. This policy represents our commitment to participating in the law enforcement certification process that is part of federal visa programs available to immigrant victims of crimes. This new policy was […]
Two opportunities to observe Memorial Day on May 29
Press release from Asheville Veterans Affairs Medical Center Western North Carolina residents have two opportunities to observe Memorial Day May 29. There will be a ceremony at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain at 10 a.m. and at the Roger McGuire Green (Pack Square) in Asheville at 2 p.m. Retired Marine […]
City of Asheville updates on the Carter-Ann-Patton stormwater improvement project
Press release from City of Asheville Work progresses steadily on the Carter-Ann-Patton Stormwater Improvements Project, with construction on the S. Ann portion nearing completion. City staff want to update the community on what to expect as the project enters its next phase. Phase 2 – Turning the corner (literally) As construction moves toward Patton Avenue […]
Ten facts about NC’s photo ID requirement for voting
Press release from NC State Board of Elections: Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina, starting with the 2023 municipal elections. Those elections occur in September, October, and November, depending on the town or city. (Find your local election details at ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election.) Most voters will simply show their NC […]
HIAC Shelter work group request for partnership
Notice form Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee: Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee has formed several work groups in response to recommendations from the National Alliance to End Homelessness to develop and implement strategies to decrease unsheltered homelessness in our community. The Shelter work group is charged with creating 95 new emergency shelter beds as recommended. Following a recent invitation for […]
Buncombe’s proposed budget keeps current property tax rate, continues community investments, & more
Press release from Buncombe County Government: Buncombe County Commissioners are in the homestretch for creating a budget for fiscal year 2024, which runs from July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024. During their meeting on May 16, County Manager Avril Pinder presented her recommended budget featuring no increase to the property tax rate. The $423,560,422 proposed spending […]
Board of Commissioners approves Buncombe 2043 Comprehensive Plan
Press release from Buncombe County Government: Following a public hearing at its May 16, 2023 meeting and prior unanimous approval by the Planning Board, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the 20-year Buncombe 2043 Comprehensive Plan. North Carolina requires local governments to adopt and reasonably maintain a plan to retain authority to adopt […]
Commissioners approve funding to extend public transit, get Land of Sky Regional Council update, & more
Press release from Buncombe County Government: Commissioners received an annual update from the Land of Sky Regional Council that touched on multiple projects. The Council’s goal is to provide creative regional solutions to current and emerging issues in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties. Some highlights of the presentation included: Council staff manage more than […]
Summary of Reparations Commission meeting, May 15
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, […]