Press release from HCA Healthcare: The State of North Carolina recently expanded Medicaid eligibility, and Mission Health will host several open houses to help community members verify their eligibility and apply for benefits. Please join us for these free events on Dec. 6 from 5-7 pm and on Dec. 7 from 2-5 pm at the A-B […]
News Bulletins
Energy assistance available to qualifying households beginning Dec. 1
Press release from Buncombe County Government: Do you need help paying for winter heating bills? The Low Income Energy Assistance Program is available to eligible households beginning December 1, 2023. Low Income Energy Assistance provides a one-time annual vendor payment to help eligible families pay their heating expenses. Households containing a person aged 60 or […]
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners budget planning
Press release from Buncombe County Government: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners kicked off the budget planning process for the 2025 fiscal year (FY25) with a review of capital planning, fleet budgeting and electric vehicle infrastructure, the reserves policy, recurring expenditures and revenues, and current community commitments. After reviewing capital planning projects, Commissioner Jasmine […]
Medicaid expasion goes into effect: Pisgah Legal Services helps with applications year-round
Press release from Pisgah Legal Services: Medicaid expansion is here, and more than 500,000 North Carolinians stand to gain free health coverage in the coming months. Medicaid expansion will make low-income adults ages 19-64 who have incomes up to 138% of theFederal Poverty Level eligible to enroll in Medicaid. This is roughly $20,000 for a […]
Buncombe County Planning & Development: Notice of special public meeting
Press release from Buncombe County Planning & Development: Notice is hereby given that the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment (the “Board”) will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 at 12:00 pm (the “Meeting”), at the Commissioners Chambers on the third floor of 200 College St, at which the Board will hold public […]
State Board opens public comment period on temporary election observer rules
Press release from N.C. State Board of Elections The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on three proposed temporary rules: two governing challenges and appeals regarding political party-appointed election observers, and one addressing the requirement for observers to wear identification at the polls, so voters and election officials are aware of the observer’s […]
BCTDA approves $100,000 of investments to 25 local festivals and cultural events
Press release from Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) has approved a total of $100,000 of investment for local cultural events and festivals celebrating Asheville and Buncombe County communities. The financial support sanctioned during the Nov. 29 board meeting aims to foster community connections and enhance local experiences for both […]
UNC Board of Governors elects Kimberly van Noort as the ninth chancellor of the University of North Carolina Asheville
Press release from University of North Carolina Asheville Kimberly van Noort has been named the ninth Chancellor of the University of North Carolina Asheville, following a vote by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors on November 29, 2023. The nationwide search attracted more than 130 applicants and nominees from 28 states and the District […]
Brian Turner to run for newest version of NC House District 116
Press release from Turner for NC Former Representative Brian Turner is announcing a run for the newly redrawn NC House District 116. Turner previously represented HD 116 for four terms after first being elected in 2014. “No matter who wins across North Carolina in 2024, we will have new folks in most of the leadership […]
Open burning ban lifted for Buncombe County effective 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30
Press release from Buncombe County With fire weather conditions improving, Buncombe County’s open burning ban will be lifted as of 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30. “While drought conditions have not changed, the forecasted weather pattern will not be favorable for fire spread and development,” says Buncombe County Fire Marshal Kevin Tipton. The local forecast […]
Caleb Rudow announces NC-11 congressional run
Press release from Rudow for Congress State House Representative Caleb Rudow held a press conference Nov. 28 to announce that he is running for Congress in the NC-11 district. Surrounded by supporters and local elected officials at the event, Rep. Rudow said “WNC deserves representation that works for working families and, after serving the people […]
Code Purple in effect for Thursday, 11/30/23
Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition: Code Purple for Thursday, 11/30/23. Additional weather information found at weather.gov Purpose of Code Purple: Code Purple is a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness during extremely cold weather (at or below 32 degrees, including […]
Buncombe Commissioners, Asheville City Council joint work session set for Dec. 4
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County Commissioners and the Asheville City Council will hold a joint work session beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 4, 2023 at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood Street, in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. This is a follow-up to the joint work session on homelessness in January and will focus on […]
City of Asheville to host open house to create long-term vision for downtown Patton Avenue
Press release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville will host an open house to introduce a new planning project for the downtown Patton Avenue Corridor. This study will create a long-term vision for the area of Patton Avenue that runs from the Jeff Bowen Bridge to its endpoint at Pack Square Plaza. […]
Code Purple in effect for Wednesday, 11/29/23
Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition: Code Purple for Wednesday, 11/29/23. Additional weather information found at weather.gov Purpose of Code Purple: Code Purple is a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness during extremely cold weather (at or below 32 degrees, including […]
Eblen Charities and Ingles to hold 2023 Toy Drive
Press release from Eblen Charities: This week marks the Twelfth Annual Ingles Magical Toy Drive, a three-day event in partnership with Ingles Market, WLOS and iHeart Media. The Toy Drive will help provide gifts to thousands of children this holiday season. The event will be held at the Ingles Store #31 at 151 Smokey Park […]
Code Purple in effect for Tuesday, 11/28/23
Press release from the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition: Code Purple for Tuesday, 11/28/23. Additional weather information found at weather.gov Purpose of Code Purple: Code Purple is a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness during extremely cold weather (at or below 32 degrees, […]
Code Purple in effect for Monday, 11/27/23
Press release from the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition: Code Purple for Monday, 11/27/23. Additional weather information found at weather.gov Purpose of Code Purple: Code Purple is a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness during extremely cold weather (at or below 32 degrees, […]
Jackson County Chamber postponing holiday fireworks due to drought
Press release from Jackson County Chamber of Commerce: The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce has postponed the holiday fireworks planned for Friday, Dec. 1 due to the current drought situation. After discussions with Chief Mike Beck of the Sylva Fire Department, my office cannot issue the permit for fireworks for downtown Sylva this Friday night, […]
Notice of BCTDA Regular Meeting
Press release from Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority: NOTICE: REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | 9–11 a.m.Explore Asheville Board Room | 27 College Place, Suite 200, Asheville WHAT: The regular monthly joint board meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a Public Authority and a Nonprofit Corporation. […]
State of Emergency rescinded for Buncombe County, effective Nov. 23
Press release from Buncombe County: Due to recent rainfall in our area, decreasing wind speeds, and higher humidity, the Local State of Emergency issued for Buncombe County on Nov. 6 is terminated effective Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8 a.m. The Local State of Emergency is also terminated in the municipal limits of the City of […]