Press release from Buncombe County Government: Due to reports of scheduled protesting downtown, all downtown Buncombe County facilities will close today, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. All facilities will re-open after the Veterans Day Holiday on Monday, Nov. 13. These closures include Elections, Planning, Permits, the Register of Deeds, the Family Justice Center, Tax Office, […]
News Bulletins
Blue Ridge Parkway implements fire ban
Press release from National Park Service: With increased fire danger in western North Carolina and southwest Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway istemporarily banning backcountry campfires effective immediately. To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, this fire restriction will be in effect until further notice. Fire restrictions apply to […]
CFWNC’s Pigeon River Fund Awards $285,190 in Water Quality Grants
Press release from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina The Pigeon River Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) awarded 10 grants totaling $285,190 to environmental groups working to improve surface water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitats, expand public use and access to waterways and increase water quality awareness in Buncombe, […]
Haywood County announces official burn ban
Press release from Haywood County In response to ongoing dry and hazardous conditions, The Haywood County Fire Marshal’s Office has implemented an official burn ban for Haywood County under the authority of the Haywood County Fire Prevention Ordinance, NC Fire Code Section 307, to include the towns of Maggie Valley, Clyde, Canton, and Waynesville effective at 5 p.m. today, November […]
The Buncombe Rental Assistance Collaborative: Asheville’s innovative initiative to bridge the gap between nonprofits, renters and landlords
Press release from Buncombe Rental Assistance Collaborative The Buncombe Rental Assistance Collaborative is a partnership of five non-profits in the county committed to mitigating housing insecurity. The collaborative recruits and incentivizes property managers to accept federal rental subsidies and educates and supports tenants, fostering successful landlord-tenant relationships. The organizations involved include Thrive Asheville, Homeward Bound, Asheville […]
Efforts are underway to restore the waterways in Haywood County
Press release from Haywood County Efforts are underway to restore the waterways in Haywood County, which suffered the effects of Tropical Storm Fred. The Emergency Watershed Protection Debris Removal Program is now in operation in the areas of East Fork of the Pigeon River and Hominy Creek. Phase One is solely debris removal and is set to begin […]
Preliminary Woodfin, Weaverville election results are now available
Press release from Buncombe County Buncombe County’s Municipal Election for the Town of Weaverville, Town of Woodfin, and Woodfin Water & Sewer District has ended with more 1,885 people coming out to cast their votes and 618 people voting early. So far 44 absentee ballots have been processed, with the expectation there may be more […]
Commissioners honor veterans with Operation Green Light, provide additional funding for affordable housing project and more
Press release from Buncombe County More than 16,000 veterans call Buncombe County home, according to the latest numbers available from the Census Bureau. During their meeting on Nov. 7, Commissioners declared a proclamation recognizing Operation Green Light in conjunction with the upcoming Veterans Day holiday on Nov. 10. Operation Green Light is an effort aimed […]
Dogwood Health Trust’s 2024 grant opportunities available Nov. 13
Press release from Dogwood Health Trust: Dogwood’s 2024 Strategic Priority Grant opportunities will be available on November 13, 2023, on our website, and we’d love to hear from you. This grant opportunity focuses on specific areas within our Housing, Education, Economic Opportunity and Health & Wellness strategic priorities. The initial “Engage With Us” phase of this opportunity closes on January 26, 2024. In […]
Matt Kern announces candidacy for Buncombe County Commission District 1
Press release from the Commission to Elect Matt Kern: Homebuilder and Community leader Matt Kern, a longtime resident of Riceville community, is announcing his candidacy for the Buncombe County Commission for District 1. “I am committed to being a good listener and collaborative problem-solver who delivers common sense solutions to meet the needs of fellow residents […]
Acceleration lane addition from I40 East to U.S. 74A starting soon
Press release from N.C. Department of Transportation: Work will start soon to add an acceleration lane from Interstate 40 East to U.S. 74A for $1.3 million. The N.C. Department of Transportation contractor, IPC Structures LLC, may begin mobilizing equipment and heavy machinery this week near the affected I-40 interchange at Exit 53A. The contractor has until […]
Code Purple for Nov. 7-8 due to Burning Ban
Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition: We are at extremely high fire risk right now because of such dry conditions, and the city and county have activated the Emergency Operations Plan and initiated a Burn Ban. AFD shared the following information: City staff wanted to give you an update on the dangerous fire conditions as well […]
ABCCM’s Honor A Veteran event set for Nov. 10
Press release from Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry: ABCCM is pleased to announce its annual Honor A Veteran™ event for Veterans Day 2023, on Friday, 11/10 at 11:30 a.m. at Veterans Restoration Quarters (VRQ), 1329 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805. The event will feature special guest speaker Kevin Rumley, Director of Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Buncombe […]
Today’s air quality forecast: Yellow and Orange — NO BURNING
Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Tuesday, November 7, 2023, is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys and northern ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activities. For the southern ridge tops, it is a code ORANGE air quality forecast day. Air quality […]
I-240 exit ramp expanding at Charlotte Street
News release from N.C. Department of Transportation: N.C. Department of Transportation crews will close an Interstate 240 ramp at Charlotte Street two nights this week as part of an interchange improvement project. Crews will close the I-240 East exit ramp at 8 p.m. on Tuesday to pave a new lane on the exit ramp. Drivers will be […]
Buncombe County issues state of emergency banning burning due to extreme fire risk
News release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County has issued a state of emergency banning burning effective at 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6 due to the extreme risk of fire. The declaration applies within the municipal limits of the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the town of Woodfin, the Town of Black Mountain, […]
WNC wildfires prompt code red air quality
News release from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality: Wildfire smoke in western North Carolina may be producing unhealthy air quality in at least five counties, and residents are urged to take precautions. Cherokee, Clay and Macon counties may experience Code Red air quality conditions, defined as air that is unhealthy for anyone to breathe. […]
City of Asheville Business Inclusion Office to Host Small and MWBE Vendor Outreach Event in Asheville
News release from the City of Asheville: The Asheville Business Inclusion (ABI) office is excited to announce it will host a Small and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) outreach event on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event will take place at 8 River Arts Place and the doors […]
Sweeten Creek Mental Health and Wellness Center now open
News release from Mission Health: The behavioral health team at Mission Hospital completed a successful opening of the new Sweeten Creek Mental Health and Wellness Center (SCMHWC) this weekend. This $65 million, 82,000 square foot facility will care for patients age four through geriatric and offer 38 additional beds. “We are so excited to be […]
Stay home for the holidays with Asheville Parks & Recreation seasonal celebrations and festive fun
News release from the City of Asheville: In Asheville, home for the holidays is the best place to be! Explore Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) community events that connect neighbors and encourage locals to discover the spirit of the season starting Thursday, Nov. 9. These are just highlights with additional events throughout the city through […]
The Leapfrog Group releases fall grades for patient safety at WNC hospitals
Three of seven WNC hospitals reviewed received a grade of A from The Leapfrog Group in its fall 2023 grades for hospital safety. Regional hospital grades: AdventHealth Hendersonville: A 100 Hospital Drive Hendersonville, NC 28792-5272 View the full Score Mission Hospital: A 509 Biltmore Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-4690 View the full Score Margaret R. Pardee Memorial […]