News release from Buncombe County: At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene’s anticipated impacts. The Local State of Emergency applies within the municipal limits of the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the Town of Woodfin, the Town […]
News Bulletins
UPDATE: Code Purple available at ABCCM locations Friday, Sept. 27
News release from the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition: UPDATE: Code Purple is ONLY available at ABCCM locations. The Salvation Army is NOT a Code Purple location. Code Purple for Friday, 9/27/24 due to upcoming inclement weather. Additional weather information can be found at weather.gov Purpose of Code Purple: Code Purple is a coordinated effort among Asheville […]
Blue Ridge Parkway initiates preemptive, temporary closures along southern portion of route
News release from the Blue Ridge Parkway: National Park Service officials are closely monitoring the projected path of Hurricane Helene, a “predecessor” rainfall event ahead of Helene, and preparing for a range of potential impacts across the Blue Ridge Parkway. Based on expected periods of heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong wind, and the projected course of […]
Broad River Basin Plan available for public comment through Oct. 17
Press release from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is accepting public comment through Oct. 17, 2024, on the 2024 Broad River Basin Plan. Basin plans help state and local leaders identify areas needing additional protection, restoration or preservation to ensure waters of the […]
YWCA of Asheville hosts health and wellness open house on September 28
Press release from the YWCA of Asheville The YWCA of Asheville is excited to welcome the entire community to its Health and Wellness Open House on Saturday, September 28, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This event is open to the general public and offers a unique opportunity to explore a variety of wellness options in a […]
Whooping cough cases rise dramatically in Buncombe County
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County Health and Human Services is issuing a public health alert in response to a multi-school outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) spreading across Buncombe County. Currently, 18 cases have been confirmed since August 12, 2024, with many cases still under investigation. At this time, spread is primarily occurring in school-age […]
Dogwood Health Trust partners with MANNA FoodBank
Press release from Dogwood Health Trust: Dogwood Health Trust and MANNA FoodBank (MANNA) are partnering to improve and strengthen Western North Carolina’s food system. MANNA connects the food industry, partner food pantries and other human service organizations to get food to thousands of families’ tables. Due to increasing community need, MANNA and partnering pantries are purchasing […]
APD seeks public’s help after deadly Monday shooting
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville Police Department Detectives are investigating a Monday evening shooting that left one man dead. APD officers responded to a report of a gunshot wound at a residence on Allen Avenue around 5:44 p.m. on September 23. There, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The man […]
T.C. Roberson High School principal named Principal of the Year
From Buncombe County Schools: Principal Nathan Allison of T.C. Roberson High School was honored at a pop-up ceremony at the school this afternoon. Mr. Allison was surprised to hear the school’s marching band playing outside the main office. When he came to investigate, he found his wife and sons, along with BCS Superintendent Dr. Rob […]
Nesbitt Discovery Academy named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School
From Buncombe County Schools: Buncombe County Schools is once again celebrating a national honor. The U.S. Department of Education has named Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. For the first time, the school system has received the distinction in back-to-back years, with Fairview Elementary School honored as a National […]
Six North Carolina schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools
From U.S. Department of Education: The U.S. Department of Education today recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of the National Blue Ribbon Schools, including six schools in North Carolina. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. The North Carolina […]
Drilling work for I-26 connector begins in French Broad River
From NC Department of Transportation: he lead designer for the Interstate 26 Connector project plans to begin geotechnical drilling operations in the French Broad River next week. Crews from RK&K/S&ME will place two mobile drill platforms in the French Broad River between the Bowen Bridges and Pearson Road Bridges beginning on Sept. 30. Each 9-foot-wide […]
Regular monthly meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
From Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority: The regular monthly joint board meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, a Public Authority and a Nonprofit Corporation. WHEN: Wednesday, September 25, 9–11 a.m. WHERE: IN PERSON: At The Explore Asheville Board Room, located onthe First Floor at 27 College Place, Suite 200 Asheville, NC 28801. VIRTUAL: Streamed live […]
Air quality forecast for Monday, Sept. 23
From Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality: Monday, September 23, 2024, is a code GREEN air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. For the ridge tops, it is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged […]
APD to realign patrol districts starting Sept. 30
From Asheville Police Department: The Asheville Police Department will realign existing patrol districts beginning September 30th. The realignment is designed to enhance service to the Asheville community and address the evolving public safety needs of residents and visitors by optimizing the allocation of resources. These changes will impact the department’s ability to deliver public safety […]
Fall bulk leaf collection for City of Hendersonville residents begins Oct. 14
Press release from City of Hendersonville: Hendersonville, NC (September 17, 2024) – On October 14, 2024, the City of Hendersonville will begin its fall bulk leaf collection service for City residents. Bulk leaf collection will continue throughout the fall season and conclude on December 31. During bulk leaf collection, City residents should pile loose leaves at the […]
City of Asheville launches competitive process for downtown Business Improvement District (BID) service provider
Press release from The City of Asheville: The City of Asheville is pleased to announce the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a service provider to manage the services and operations of the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). This step marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the BID, which will provide […]
Asheville Police seek armed robber of West Asheville gas station
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville, NC (September 20, 2024): Asheville Police Investigators are seeking an armed robber who held up a west Asheville gas station at knifepoint Wednesday afternoon. APD officers responded to a gas station in the 100 block of Smokey Park Highway around 4:45 p.m. on September 18th to investigate an […]
I-40 East weekend closure in Asheville to start Friday night
Press release from N.C. DOT: ASHEVILLE – A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will install a familiar detour on Interstate 40 East in Asheville this weekend, weather permitting. Crews from DBA Harrison Construction Company of Asheville plan to close I-40 East from the I-240 East/I-26 West interchange (Exit 46B) to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) […]
In NC, absentee voting begins Friday for the 2024 general election
News release from the N.C. State Board of Elections: Absentee ballots will be sent on Friday to military voters and citizens living outside the United States who requested them, marking the official start of the 2024 general election in North Carolina. Following a court decision two weeks ago requiring 2.9 million prepared ballots to be […]
OPINION: North Carolina’s old-growth forests need your help
by Sam Evans, leader of the Southern Environmental Law Center’s National Forests and Parks Program Western North Carolina is lucky to be home to some of the South’s oldest forests. These awe-inspiring places can be hundreds of years old and provide some of the most unique outdoors opportunities in the South. Even those who haven’t […]