Press release from Buncombe County Schools: The Buncombe County Board of Education has called an Emergency Called meeting on October 18, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. in the Minitorium at 175 Bingham Road, Asheville for the purpose of discussing Buncombe County Schools’ response to Tropical Storm Helene and the reopening of schools. The Emergency Called Meeting […]
News Bulletins
Application fees waived for students in hurricane-affected counties
Press release from The University of North Carolina System: University of North Carolina institutions will waive application fees for all students from 39 disaster-declared counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians during College Application Week, Oct. 21-27. College Application Week is a statewide initiative to encourage high school seniors to pursue higher education, […]
New Belgium Asheville to host public distribution for potable and non-potable water
Press release from New Belgium: In partnership with Wine to Water, New Belgium Brewing Asheville will host a public FLUSH distribution and sanitation education center onsite. Description: New Belgium will host a bulk Wine to Water FLUSH water distribution site for community members impacted by Hurricane Helene every week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 12:30-6 pm […]
Updates from MANNA FoodBank on operations, distribution, baby supplies event and D-SNAP
Press release from MANNA FoodBank: 1. Final Distribution Date at WNC Farmers Market – Saturday, October 19, 2024 The last day of distribution at the WNC Farmers Market will be Saturday, October 19, 2024. MANNA is resuming regular distribution operations, delivering much-needed food, water, and supplies to our network of over 220 partner agencies across 16 counties […]
Goodwill offering Helene Recovery assistance at community hubs in Buncombe and Haywood
Press release from Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina: Individuals and families needing assistance recovering from Hurricane Helene are encouraged to visit community hub sites offered by Goodwill Industries of North Carolina and its community partners. Services available at the hubs will include assistance filing for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), FEMA claims, and other benefits. […]
Davidson River Campground and select Pisgah National Forest sites reopening after Hurricane Helene
Press release from Naventure: Pisgah, NC, October 17, 2024 – Naventure, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, is pleased to announce the reopening of several campgrounds and recreation areas in Pisgah National Forest starting Friday, October 18, 2024. After temporary closures due to Hurricane Helene, visitors can now enjoy these beloved natural spaces once […]
Stories from Mission
Press release from HCA Healthcare: Our Western North Carolina communities felt the full-force of Mother-Nature’s fury when Hurricane Helene wreak havoc on our part of the state. No matter how prepared you think you are, you are never prepared enough for what we witnessed and for what some are continuing to endure. Our neighbors and […]
Buncombe County restaurant reopening process
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County has an expedited process for reopening food service establishments. Restaurant operators should complete the Emergency Operations Plan for Food Service Establishments. Once a form has been submitted, food service operators will receive notification if a visit from Environmental Health is required before reopening. An inspector will reach out […]
UNC Asheville vs. App State at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville postponed to 2025-26
Press release from UNC Asheville: ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville vs. App State men’s basketball contest scheduled for November 14, 2024, at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, has been postponed to the 2025-26 season as the Western North Carolina region continues to recover following Hurricane Helene. The announcement was made on Wednesday (Oct. […]
Center for Craft relaunches craft futures fund for Hurricane Helene relief to Western North Carolina
Press release from Center for Craft: The Center for Craft is reactivating the Craft Futures Fund emergency relief grant program to direct essential resources to the artists and community of Western North Carolina (WNC) in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The Craft Futures Fund’s relaunch is made possible by initial crowdsourced funding and major gifts […]
Recycling collection to resume Monday, Oct. 21, garbage and debris collection reminders
Press release from City of Hendersonville: Starting Monday, October 21, recycling collection will resume for all customers on their regular pick-up day. As we return to normal service, we urge residents to be mindful of what items can and cannot be recycled. Proper sorting is crucial for the recycling process, and any carts found with […]
Buncombe County Board of Elections approves changes to some election day polling locations
Press release from Buncombe County Despite the effects of Tropical Storm Helene Buncombe County Election Services will maintain 80 Election Day polling locations with Buncombe County voters seeing changes to 16 of those venues. The Board of Elections unanimously approved a resolution on Wednesday, Oct. 16 revising Election Day polling locations. As part of the […]
A message about welcoming visitors back to Haywood County
Press release from Haywood County: In the three weeks since Tropical Storm Helene fell upon Western North Carolina, Haywood County has seen incredible progress across our five mountain communities – Maggie Valley, Waynesville, Canton, Clyde, and Lake Junaluska. With the continued support of visitors like you, we are rebuilding and emerging stronger every day! We’re excited […]
City of Asheville Tropical Storm Helene recovery resources for Oct. 17
Press release from The City of Asheville: City Offices and Parks will be closed until further notice. Curfew hours are 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. We continue to encourageour community – if you see something, say something & report illegal activity to 911. LOCAL UPDATES Public officials are holding news briefings each day at 11 […]
Buncombe County residents can apply for money for food after Helene
News release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County residents can apply for help buying food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). From Oct. 18 through Oct. 24, individuals and households not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits who were impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for D-SNAP. People can start applying for assistance […]
Candlelight Vigil at Pack Square Park, Oct. 22
“We’ll join as one and remember,” writes Asheville City Council member Maggie Ullman. “We’ll remember what was here before. We’ll remember when life seemed simpler somehow. We’ll remember and reaffirm how important it is to care for each other.”
City of Asheville Water Resources update for Wednesday, Oct. 16
North Asheville and West Asheville began receiving water on Tuesday, providing water service to the two areas of the city that had not previously received service.
Buncombe County briefing updates for Wednesday, Oct. 16
News release from Buncombe County: Property Reappraisal Delayed Last night, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to delay the 2025 reappraisal until January 1, 2026. At this time, it is unknown how market values across the county will be impacted by the damage to real estate and personal property. The Property […]
Buncombe Commissioners delay 2025 property reappraisal and more
News release from Buncombe County: At the Oct. 15 regular meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution delaying the 2025 reappraisal deadline until January 1, 2026. At this time, it is unknown how market values across the county will be impacted by the known and anticipated severity of damage to real estate […]
Portions of Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed
News release from the Blue Ridge Parkway: The entire North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed due to portions of the roadway that have been compromised by flooding and tree hazards. Crews continue with emergency stabilization and damage assessments following Hurricane Helene. For safety reasons, park managers are asking the public to […]
SoCon Volleyball Championship moves from Asheville to Spartanburg, S.C.
Press release from the Southern Conference: SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 2024 Ingles Southern Conference Volleyball Championship, originally slated for Asheville, North Carolina, will be contested on Nov. 21-24 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. “We heard very clearly from some of our closest partners – Ingles Markets, Explore Asheville, Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville, and […]