Press release from Buncombe County: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is putting $3.1 million toward housing assistance and small business grants. During a special meeting on Nov. 1, Commissioners approved reallocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The loss of businesses and damage to hundreds of homes and other […]
News Bulletins
Additional six miles open on Blue Ridge Parkway near Mount Pisgah Friday
Press release from National Park Service: Asheville, N.C. – On Friday morning, November 1, 2024, the National Park Service restored access to an additional six miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 405.5, near NC Route 151, to Milepost 411.8, at NC Route 276. This extends an open section of the Parkway announced earlier […]
Asheville Police interrupt breaking and entering
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville, NC (November 1, 2024): Asheville Police officers apprehended a man who had forced entry into a home in north Asheville attempting to steal items overnight. Officers responded to a call of someone breaking into a home on Glen Falls Road around 1:47 a.m. on November 1st. Upon arrival, […]
Now accepting applications for the Always Asheville Fund
Press release from Explore Asheville: Today, Explore Asheville launched the Always Asheville Fund to support small, independent travel and hospitality businesses throughout Asheville and Buncombe County in reopening after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. More than $750,000 will be available in microgrants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. “Assisting our small businesses with emergency grants, […]
$6.9 million distributed to nonprofits for regional Hurricane Helene relief
Press release from The Community Foundation: The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) continues to raise funds and distribute grants to nonprofit organizations providing relief and recovery services in Western North Carolina. As of October 31, $6.9 million has been awarded from the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund (EDRF). Initial grants supported frontline nonprofits […]
Buncombe County commissioners’ meeting
Press release from Buncombe County: The Agenda and meeting materials for the upcoming November 7, Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting has been posted online and can be found, here. Please note this meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7 in the Commission Chamber, located on the 3rd floor of the Buncombe County Administration Building – 200 College […]
Air quality forecast
Press release from N.C. Division of Air Quality:
Thanksgiving meals, supply distributions & elections updates
Press release from Buncombe County: Hearts with Hands is doing a Thanksgiving meal and supply distribution on Nov. 27 from noon to 4 p.m. This will be a drive-thru event at the Hearts with Hands Warehouse, 850 Warren Wilson Road in Swannanoa. Register heartswithhands.org or call 828-667-1912 by Monday, Nov. 25 at noon. Each registered […]
Halloween babies in Mission’s NICU
Press release from HCA Healthcare North Carolina Division, Mission: Some of Mission Hospital’s youngest patients would like to wish you a Happy Halloween! 🎃 Celebrating Spooky Season in Mission Hospital’s Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a favorite tradition, and not even Hurricane Helene could stop them this year! In fact, the baby dressed […]
Stories of hope from disaster: Behind the scenes of God’s Pit Crew’s Hurricane Helene relief efforts
Press release from God’s Pit Crew: All eyes were on Hurricane Helene as it made landfall as a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane along the Gulf Coast of Florida. However, no one was prepared for the widespread damage the storm would bring to the mountain towns of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia – as well as […]
Tropical Storm Helene recovery resources
Press release from The City of Asheville: LOCAL UPDATES Public officials will hold news briefings Monday – Friday at 11 a.m. The briefings are streamed live at facebook.com/buncombeGov and broadcast on Blue Ridge Public Radio 88.1 FM. You can also listen on the Asheville Media Group stations at 105.9, 96.5, 98.1, 105.5 and 97.3 (Spanish) […]
Partnerships with Diaper Bank of NC & Feeding the Carolinas helps families impacted by Hurricane Helene
Press release from N.C. Department of Health and Human Services: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating the partnership with Feeding the Carolinas and Diaper Bank of North Carolina. Together, these groups are providing essential items to individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Helene in 28 western North Carolina counties. NCDHHS […]
DuPont State Recreational Forest to partially reopen
Press release from N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services: Following weeks of recovery efforts, damage assessment and removal of storm debris in the wake of Hurricane Helene, DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) will partially reopen Friday, Nov. 1, allowing visitors to enjoy limited recreational opportunities. “We’re incredibly thankful to the numerous professionals who came […]
Armstrong state fish hatchery severely impacted by Hurricane Helene
Press release from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s (NCWRC) Armstrong State Fish Hatchery in McDowell County north of Marion sustained significant damage as a result of flooding and landslides during Hurricane Helene. Some of the hatchery’s trout escaped during the flooding; however, most of the 600,000 fish of various […]
Advocacy group to call on Gov. Roy Cooper to enact eviction moratorium at press conference
News release from Just Economics of WNC: What: November rent is due for tens of thousands of Western North Carolinians who have been out of work or had a significant loss in income due to Hurricane Helene. In light of the North Carolina General Assembly’s failure to enact an eviction and foreclosure moratorium or provide […]
Air quality for Thursday, Oct. 31: Yellow
News release from AirNow: Forecast for Buncombe County, NC Tomorrow’s Forecast Thursday, Oct 31: 56 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) 40 AQI Good Ozone Extended Forecast Friday, Nov 1: 56 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) Saturday, Nov 2: 51 AQI Moderate Particle Pollution (2.5 microns) For additional information concerning the air quality forecast […]
City of Hendersonville reschedules affordable housing listening sessions
News release from the City of Hendersonville: The City of Hendersonville’s Affordable Housing Listening Sessions, postponed due to Hurricane Helene response efforts, have been rescheduled. As the community recovers, addressing the housing crisis remains a top priority. These sessions will gather valuable input from residents to shape the City’s Strategic Housing Plan. “The impact of […]
Nine facts about the vote counting and reporting process in North Carolina
News release from the N.C. State Board of Elections: As Election Day nears for the 2024 general election, the State Board of Elections wants to make sure voters and news reporters understand what to expect on November 5 and beyond, including how the vote counting and results reporting process works in North Carolina. In part, […]
Buncombe County Tropical Storm Helene updates for Wednesday, Oct. 30
News release from Buncombe County: Due to a visit to the area this evening from Gov. Tim Walz, expect traffic and delays near the airport and downtown Asheville. Residents should allow more time for travel and watch out for traffic. This week Waste Pro will access normal routes where accessible. Bagged trash drop off is […]
Small business info session scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1
News release from Asheville Downtown Association: Go Local Asheville, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR), and the Asheville Downtown Association present the 4th in a series of informative sessions for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. The next session will focus on grant availability updates, potable water status and business options, Explore AVL marketing, Downtown events and […]
Henderson County Tropical Storm Helene updates for Wednesday, Oct. 30
News release from Henderson County: The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is open daily at 2111 Asheville Highway, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The DRC will provide federal, state and local resources for county residents as they apply for FEMA assistance from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The DRC is a one stop shop for […]
