From WLOS Kevin Hughes and Rusty Brannigan are both dog lovers. Neither had to think twice when they got the call around 6:30pm Thursday to rescue a dog stranded on a cliff for at least two days in Emerald Mines in rural Mitchell county. “It came to us as a technical rescue,” said Hughes. “When […]
News Bulletins
News&Observer: A simple test could have caught 1950s-1970 Camp LeJeune contamination
EXCERPT from the Raleigh News&Observer “Victims: Marines Failed to Safequard Water,” By Allen G. Breed, Michael Biesecker and Martha Waggoner — Associated Press Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/05/18/2901981/victims-marines-failed-to-safeguard.html#storylink=cpy A simple test could have alerted officials that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated, long before authorities determined that as many as a million Marines and […]
C-T’s Boyle takes an in-depth look at coal-ash fill at Asheville Airport
From the Asheville Citizen-Times “Massive Coal Ash Fill at Asheville Airport to Last Years” by John Boyle 5/18/2013 excerpt For the past five years, excavators and dump trucks have been emptying nearly all of the 91 acres of two ash ponds at the Duke Energy/Progress plant in Skyland and moving the material two miles to […]
Transit rider survey May 20-May 31
Full announcement from Land of Sky: French Broad River MPO and NCDOT are sponsoring the Western North Carolina Regional Travel Survey. The purpose of this travel survey is to collect information on local household travel behaviors. Residents of Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties are being invited to take part in this important Regional […]
Erwin District Community Resource Fair May 20
Full announcement from Buncombe County Schools: Come to the Erwin District Community Resource Fair Monday, May 20, 2013 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Erwin HS Cafeteria FREE ADMISSION…PIZZA SUPPER PROVIDED…30 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS! Don’t miss this special opportunity for parents and students to learn about important community resources and pick up valuable info! Learn about summer […]
City of Asheville budget app now available
From the Asheville Code for America Brigade Citizens of Asheville now have a new online resource to view and analyze the City of Asheville’s budget. Code for Asheville, a volunteer-run “Brigade” of Code for America, released a web application for exploring Asheville’s pubished annual budget data. “Look at Asheville” (http://codeforasheville.org/look-at-asheville/ ) offers graphs and drill-downs […]
Bill restricts Buncombe picks on transportation
Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: State Rep. Nathan Ramsey has filed legislation that would restrict Buncombe County’s appointments to a local board that helps set transportation priorities. Ramsey’s move comes as he is trying to generate consensus to build the Interstate 26 Connector in Asheville, and it could lessen the city’s influence […]
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area announces grant awards
Here’s the press release from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership: ASHEVILLE, NC – May 16, 2013. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership today announced eighteen grants totaling nearly $225,000 in funding to preserve and promote Western North Carolina’s heritage. Funded by the federal dollars the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership receives, […]
UNC Asheville Dedicates “TD Bank Atrium” in recognition of financial gift
Here’s the press release from UNC Asheville: UNC Asheville Dedicates “TD Bank Atrium” in Recognition of $200,000 Gift UNC Asheville today dedicated the “TD Bank Atrium” in Rhoades Hall, in honor of a major gift from TD Bank to the university. The atrium on the first floor of the newly and greenly renovated building is […]
House passes McHenry proposal to implement JOBS Act
Here’s the press release from the office of Rep. Patrick McHenry: WASHINGTON – A bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives yesterday voted 416-6 in favor of passing a bill proposed by Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) to enforce a deadline on JOBS Act legislation signed into law last year. “To cultivate a stronger economy, we […]
Air Quality forecast: MODERATE for Friday, May 17
Friday, May 17, 2013 is a code YELLOW air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Buncombe County. This means that unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. For more information, contact: WNC Regional Air Quality Agency Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 250-6777
UNC Asheville donates office space to FEAST
The nonprofit FEAST, an offshoot of Slow Food Asheville, has a new home at UNC Asheville. Here are the details from the press release: FEAST, a program that teaches kids about healthy eating and cooking, has a new office, appropriately at the N.C. Center for Health & Wellness. The center, located on the campus of […]
Cicadas set to awaken for the first time in 17 years
From Mountain Times: “Compared to a lot insects, they are harmless,” Williams said. “An adult is about a couple of inches long and has real bright red eyes. They can be a little intimidating in that respect. In terms of damage, aside from the fact if you have an orchid — and I don’t know […]
Local religious leaders will gather May 20 to protest state laws’ impact on poor, minorities
Full announcement from First Congregational United Church of Christ: Faith Leaders of Asheville gather to call attention to low income and minority people and the impact on them by North Carolina General Assembly legislation. Topics covered will include bills on taxes, public education, the racial justice act, hindering access to the voting booth, health care, […]
Asheville School superintendent announces retirement at the end of the year
From Asheville City Schools: During a Board of Education meeting this morning, Asheville City Schools Superintendent Allen Johnson announced his retirement following the end of this school year. His last day of work is yet to be determined. Mr. Johnson has served as Superintendent of Asheville City Schools since January 2008. Prior to this date, […]
Metropolitan Sewage District due to receive notice of violation
From Carolina Public Press: An official with the state Division of Water Quality says the environmental agency is within days of issuing a notice of violation to the Metropolitan Sewage District of Buncombe County following a nearly 6 million-gallon sewage spill on April 30, though it is unclear whether — or how much — the […]
Buncombe County schools not up to code, WLOS reports
From a recent WLOS investigative report: A News 13 investigation exposes serious fire code violations at Buncombe County schools. We found violations have been reported year after year and now a former electrician for the school district is blowing the whistle, claiming school officials told him not to pull the required permits and life safety […]
Mission Health’s Heart Center receives recognition from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Press release From Mission Health: Mission Health’s Heart Center Receives 12th ‘3 Star’ Rating From Society of Thoracic Surgeons for Top-tier Heart Surgery Center Asheville, N.C. (May 15, 2013) – Mission Heart has received a “3 Star” rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), placing it once again in the top tier of heart […]
Local March Against Monsanto announced for Saturday, May 25 at 2 p.m.
Press release From March Against Monsanto Asheville March Against Monsanto Asheville announced today that 500 people will “March Against Monsanto” in the streets of Asheville on May 25. The march will start at 2 p.m. at Pack Square Park and will feature speakers, live music, local vendors, Non GMO Food and information tables in addition […]
AC-T: Asheville-area sewer rates to go up
Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: Sewer charges for a typical customer would increase 2.5 percent under a budget tentatively approved by the Metropolitan Sewerage District board Wednesday. MSD General Manager Tom Hartye attributed higher sewer rates to the need to continue efforts to rehabilitate sewer lines and higher costs for fuel and […]
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area announces grant awards
Press release From Blue Ridge National Heritage ASHEVILLE, NC – May 16, 2013. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership today announced eighteen grants totaling nearly $225,000 in funding to preserve and promote Western North Carolina’s heritage. Funded by the federal dollars the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership receives, the grant awards will help […]