News release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County Health and Human Services is issuing a public health alert in response to a continuing multi-school outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) spreading across Buncombe County. 45 cases have been confirmed since August 12, 2024, with many cases still under investigation. At this time, the spread is primarily occurring in school-age […]
News Bulletins
Buncombe County Tropical Storm Helene updates for Wednesday, Nov. 27
News release from Buncombe County: Property Tax Payments Due in January Property taxes remain due by January 6, 2025 as North Carolina law does not allow waivers or exemptions for natural disasters. For assistance, visit the Tax Office (94 Coxe Ave.) or call 828-250-4910. Payment plans and FAQs are available at buncombecounty.org/tax. Important Application Deadlines […]
FEMA flood insurance payouts exceed $1 billion from Helene
News release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA, has paid policyholders over $1.4 billion for flood losses stemming from Hurricane Helene recovery, with over 56,000 policyholders having filed claims following the storm’s landfall. FEMA estimates Hurricane Helene could potentially result in flood insurance claims losses between […]
Code purple issued for Friday, Nov. 29
News release from the Homeless Coalition Steering Committee: Purpose of Code Purple: Is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness. During Code Purple, participating shelters will provide more beds with fewer requirements than their typical programming. Code Purple sites […]
Tropical Storm Helene recovery updates for Wednesday, Nov. 27
News release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville continues to provide Tropical Storm Helene recovery resource updates on a daily basis. Preventing Frozen Pipes Below freezing temperatures are expected over the weekend. Here are some tips to prevent frozen water pipes in your home. Find more information on this page: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/water/additional-information/ Disconnect and drain all […]
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners post meeting agenda for Monday, Dec. 2
News release from Buncombe County: The Board of Commissioners’ Agenda for the upcoming meeting on Monday, December 2 has been posted and can be found here. Please note that this meeting has been rescheduled for Monday rather than the usual Tuesday.
Carl Sandburg Home issues update on clean-up efforts
News release from the National Park Service: Last week, crews removed several hundred cubic yards of debris from park grounds and trails. More debris removal is needed along Carl Sandburg Lane (the multi-use gravel road through the park) and in the hikers’ lot. Staff are also going thru the funding, compliance, and contracting processes to […]
Asheville Mayor issues Thanksgiving message and recovery guides in the wake of Helene
Press release from Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer: As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on all we have endured and accomplished together in the wake of Hurricane Helene. I am deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of our city staff, first responders, private contractors, state and federal partners, community organizations, volunteers, and each of you […]
Bear’s Smokehouse launches initiative to address ongoing food needs post-Helene
Press release from Bear’s Smokehouse: Bear’s Foundation, the charitable arm of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, has announced a critical initiative to ensure uninterrupted meal service for residents of Western North Carolina (WNC) impacted by Hurricane Helene. Building on the successful emergency response efforts with World Central Kitchen (WCK), which delivered over 1.2 million meals to date, […]
Lamplight AVL Art Remains grant applications are open
Press release from Lamplight AVL: We are committed to providing immediate and foundational support to help artists recover, rebuild, and thrive in our area. Art Remains, the second phase of our Helene recovery initiative, will offer grants of $10,000 or $20,000 to Asheville area artists, collectives, and organizations that have a broad impact on their […]
Buncombe County Sheriff’s office request for information for vehicle/storage unit break-in suspects
News release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: ***Request for Information*** (November 26, 2024) Investigators with The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are working to identify the suspects in this photo. They have been breaking into vehicles and outdoor storage buildings in the Mosswood Mobile Home Park off North Louisiana Avenue in the Emma community. The three […]
Buncombe County Sheriff’s office request information for Walgreen’s credit card fraud suspect
News release from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: ***Request for Information*** (November 26th, 2024) The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fraud case involving a stolen credit card. It happened at the Walgreens on New Leicester Highway on November 24, 2024. The suspect is pictured below. She is known to frequent the Walgreens store, […]
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners call special meeting Dec.2
Press release from Buncombe County Commissioners: NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of Buncombe County has called a special meeting in order to call a closed session of the Board pursuant to NCGS §143-318.11(a)(6) to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an […]
UNC Asheville to offer free in-state tuition for Spring 2025
Press release from UNC Asheville: As the region continues to rebound, the University of North Carolina Asheville is going the extra mile to support its students. With the generous support of the North Carolina General Assembly, UNC Asheville will offer grants for this coming spring semester that cover up to the full cost of in-state […]
$2 million grant awarded to support bridge repair
Press release from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina: Grants totaling $3,341,100 were awarded last week from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC)’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund to support continuing relief and recovery services in Western North Carolina. With this round, more than $12.8 million has been awarded to nonprofit organizations […]
Upcoming Asheville City Council public hearings: Dec.10
Press release from City of Asheville: The following are public hearings scheduled for the next formal meeting – December 10. This listing is for information only and is subject to change. Please call City Clerk Maggie Burleson at 259-5601 if you have any questions. A. Public hearing to consider adoption of a (1) resolution […]
Pisgah Legal offers free help and Medicaid sign-ups
Press release from Pisgah Legal Services: Free assistance is available for those seeking health insurance through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace, but you must enroll by December 15 to have coverage starting January 1, 2025. Pisgah Legal Services, a local nonprofit, provides free support with ACA enrollments and Medicaid for residents of Western North Carolina (WNC), including […]
City issues storm recovery updates
Media release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville continues to provide Tropical Storm Helene recovery resource updates on a daily basis Food and water distribution and community care stations will close on Dec. 2 Community Care Stations and water distribution sites will be closed on Thursday for the holiday, but they will […]
County launches storm info portal
Media release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County launched a Financial Transparency Dashboard on Helene Spend Tracking since Sept. 25. As of today, Nov. 25, the County has spent $9,074,054. The dashboard is separated into two sections including actuals, which are items that have been paid, and obligations, which are items that will be paid. Go […]
Energy bill assistance applications begin Dec. 2
Media release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Low Income Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications from older adults 60 and older or people with disabilities receiving services through the NCDHHS Division of Aging on Dec. 2. The federally funded program helps […]
Center sues U.S. Fish and Wildlife to protect species
A media release from Center for Biological Diversity: ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today [Nov. 25] for delaying critically needed Endangered Species Act protections for the southern bog turtle and roughhead shiner. Bog turtles are North America’s smallest turtles, measuring about the length of a human […]