From North Carolina News Service: As the school year begins, North Carolina’s rural school districts are struggling to find teachers, particularly in the math and science subject areas. The Warren County School District, one of many in the state reporting problems finding quality teachers and retaining them, relies on the organization Teach for America to […]
News Bulletins
Fall-color forecast is mixed, WLOS reports
WLOS: “It’s a mixed fall foliage forecast for the Western North Carolina mountains this year. Foliage expert and biology professor Dr. Kathy Matthews of Western Carolina University says locations north of I-40 should have a better than average fall color season, because of a drier than normal summer and recent cool mornings. However, areas south […]
Human remains found in national park might be those of missing hiker
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports: “Human remains found about a mile from the Sugarlands Visitors Center are thought to be those of a missing hiker, park officials said Tuesday. The remains — a partial human skull — might be those of Michael Giovanni Cocchini, a man thought to be missing in the park since March 18, […]
Socks and sundries drive to support the homeless
Full announcement from the city of Asheville: ASHEVILLE – Project Connect brings the full community together to address the root causes of homelessness by providing tools and supports to individuals and families seeking to stabilize their housing. Now, more than ever before, the community is recognizing that collaborative problem solving is the only way to […]
APD Sgt. Tomasetti gets “NC gang investigator of the year” award
Full announcement from the Asheville Police Department: Sgt. Louis Tomasetti of the Asheville Police Department received the “2012 Gang Investigator of the Year” award from the North Carolina Gang Investigators Association (NCGIA). The award was presented to him at the association’s annual awards banquet on August 14, 2012 in Greensboro. The NCGIA award criteria for […]
WNC Alliance: REI grant helps expand French Broad River Trail
Full announcement from WNC Alliance: ASHEVILLE – More than 60 people have ventured down the world-class French Broad River Paddle Trail and stayed at one of six campsites established by the Western North Carolina Alliance since the trail’s official opening this summer. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from REI, work on the paddle trail will […]
Forest Service unveils leaf viewing website
Full announcement from the U.S. Forest Service: ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service today unveiled its “Leaf Viewing in Western North Carolina” webpage for 2012 that features scenic drives and areas in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests for enjoying fall foliage. The feature is posted on the National Forests in North Carolina website, […]
NRCC hits Rogers on Democratic endorsements, economy
Here’s the message from Meagan Holder, deputy press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee. The committee is supporting Republican candidate Mark Meadows over Democrat Hayden Rogers in the race for the 11th Congressional District: Good Morning, It is quite the understatement to say that North Carolina has suffered from the failed economic agenda of […]
Whilden attending Aug. 21 campaign house party in Fletcher
Here’s the info via the Jane Whilden campaign website. Whilden is a Democrat who is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Tim Moffitt in the District 116 Statehouse race. Mills Gap House Party for Jane August 21, 2012 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm The Home of Jean Parks and Art Grand 455 Concord Road Fletcher, NC, 28732 See […]
PARC: Poll shows city voters oppose transfer of water system
Here’s the information and graph from the People Advocating for Real Conservancy PAC, via its email newsletter. A poll* of Asheville voters shows that 82% oppose the transfer of the City’s water system to an unelected board. The poll was conducted among all City voters who voted in at least two of the last three […]
Radical Reels Sept. 10 fundraiser to support Buncombe greenways
Here’s the message via Pollinate Collaborations: REI is hosting Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tours’ Radical Reels at Carolina Cinemas on Hendersonville Road. All proceeds from the event are going to making greenways happen in Buncombe County through Connect Buncombe. The Radical Reels program is made up of short, action-packed climbing, paddling, mountain biking, BASE […]
Rogers whacks Meadows over education policy
Here’s the press release from 11th District Democratic candidate Hayden Rogers: Meadows: Still Failing on Public Education Brasstown, NC – As thousands of K-12 and college students across Western North Carolina head back to school, Mark Meadows continues to stand by his radical plan to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and gut critical federal […]
Senator Burr urges Akin to withdraw from Mo. race after rape comments
The office of N.C. Senator Richard Burr released the following statement on Congressman Todd Akin and the Missouri Senate Race: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-North Carolina) issued the following statement regarding Republican Congressman Todd Akin and the Missouri Senate race: “Congressman Akin’s comments about rape were outrageous, offensive, and, simply put, […]
Rep. Moffitt releases defense of airport changes
From nc116.com: There was no independent regional board, complicating decision-making and raising expenses. Neither Buncombe or Henderson County residents were given a fair voice in this supposedly regional board. Even though several years ago the authority amended its rules to allow a member from either Buncombe County or Henderson county to be appointed. Representative Tim […]
Jupiter Road closed due to motor vehicle accident and power pole involvement
From the Buncombe County EOC: MVA, North Carolina, Buncombe, Jupiter rd, MVA, St 16, Car vs. Power Pole Jupiter straight. Rd closed, 9:00 am
West Asheville wreck detours Smoky Park Highway traffic
According to the Asheville Citizen-Times: Westbound traffic on Smoky Park Highway is being detoured after an accident this afternoon. City police are diverting westbound traffic through Acton Circle, a dispatcher said. The accident was reported at 4:53 p.m. at 507 Smoky Park Highway. A vehicle involved car was on its top with people inside, a […]
Buncombe County: BCTV improves access
Over the past several months BCTV has been working to increase the quality of their productions, structure a schedule for Channel 2, and increase online accessibility for their featured productions. Visit buncombecounty.org/bctv, and you’ll notice that a larger YouTube player has been added to the homepage for easier viewing. This player features the latest video […]
Buncombe County: Take steps to prevent West Nile Virus
You’ve probably heard that the Mayor of Dallas recently declared a state of emergency in the ninth largest U.S. city to combat the spread of West Nile virus infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there have been more cases of West Nile virus reported so far this year than any year since the […]
WLOS reports a shooting in Deaverview Apartments
From WLOS.com: One man was wounded in a shooting at a West Asheville apartment complex Monday afternoon. Officers were called to the Deaverview Apartments at about 2 p.m. They say the victim was shot near one of the housing units, but made his way to the Deaverview Community Center. That’s where police found him. He […]
Commissioners to hold Aug. 21 dedication ceremony at Health and Human Services Center
The Board of Commissioners will hold a ceremony tomorrow, August 21 beginning at 2 p.m. to unveil the plaque dedicating the newly renovated Health and Human Services Center at 40 Coxe Avenue in honor of Margaret Coman. Margaret Hall Coman began her career with the Buncombe County Department of Public Welfare in 1940 as a […]
Kenmure residents donate $17,300 to Park Ridge Health for cancer care
Photo courtesy of Park Ridge Health From the press release from Park Ridge Health: Hendersonville, N.C. (August 20, 2012) – The Kenmure Fights Cancer committee presented Park Ridge Health with a gift of $17,300 on August 10 to support cancer care services. Nearly 15 members of the fundraising committee, including Committee Chair Kathrine Tims, were […]