The North Carolina Department of Transportation recently awarded 39 contracts totaling $203.2 million for highway and bridge projects across the state. Among them are: • a contract to resurface 3.5 miles of U.S. 23/441 in Jackson County. The section to be resurfaced extends from Grasshopper Road near Dillsboro to Tatham Road in Savannah. The $5.6 […]
News Bulletins
Area churches stage ‘souper bowl’ this weekend
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, Area churches will join congregations across the country Sunday to collect cans of soup and donations for the Souper Bowl of Caring. Churches donate the soup and money raised during the day to charities that help supply food to people in need. In Henderson County, much of the money and […]
WCU African American Heritage Festival begins Monday
Western Carolina University announces: Western Carolina University’s Department of Intercultural Affairs will host an African American Heritage Festival in honor of Black History Month in the Grandroom of A.K. Hinds University Center from Monday, Feb. 6, through Wednesday, Feb. 8. On Feb. 6, events include a Langston Hughes lecture sponsored by the English and history […]
Hendersonville rebuilds its historic downtown ‘underground’
Hendersonville Times-News reports: …Fazio Design group’s Austin Fazio — who owns the basement at 401 N. Main St. — asked the city about the possibility of commemorating the below-ground historic area, which housed a poker club and later the Teen Canteen in the 1940’s and ’50’s until it was closed and covered with the sidewalk. […]
Knapp seeking District 3 seat on Board of Commissioners
Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: Local accountant Robert Knapp has announced his candidacy for Buncombe County commissioner in District 3, saying he would bring his auditing skills to bear on the county budget.
Henderson sheriff files papers for medical retirement
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, Henderson County commissioners say Sheriff Rick Davis has begun the process of seeking medical retirement, and they plan to discuss his progress in closed session during a meeting Monday. Davis has been taking sick leave since Nov. 23, when he announced he was being treated for bipolar disorder. In December, […]
Patsy Keever will remain in race for Congress in NC’s 10th Congressional District
Here’s the press release from the Keever campaign: Patsy Keever will remain in race for Congress in NC’s 10th Congressional District. Keever will not switch to NC-11 race despite Rep. Shuler’s withdrawal. Asheville, NC—Today State Representative Patsy Keever announced that, despite Rep. Heath Shuler’s decision not to run for reelection in the 11th Congressional District, […]
Wee Trade kids’ sale expands to two weekends this month at AG Center
From Wee Trade: Wee Trade may be WNC’s most anticipated childrens’ consignment sale, where over 1400 families consign goods gathered under one roof for a weekend sale event at the WNC Agricultural Center. From strollers and nursery furniture to clothing, shoes and toys, we’ve got everything you need for infants, toddlers or teens! It’s also […]
Fletcher fire and rescue to get federal grant
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, Ten North Carolina fire departments, including Fletcher Fire and Rescue, will receive money through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for safety equipment, operations or vehicle acquisitions. Fletcher Fire and Rescue will receive $48,716 for operations and safety. A total of $2,501,482 will be awarded […]
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Komen reinstates Planned Parenthood funding
From NPR After days of controversy, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation has said it will reinstate funding for Planned Parenthood. Earlier this week, the foundation moved to discontinue funding of breast cancer screening by Planned Parenthood. The Associated Press reported the change came because of a new Komen policy forbidding grants to […]
Downtown ‘smash and grab’ burglary suspect arrested
According to the Ashevlle Citizen-Times, Police made an arrest in a series of break-ins at area businesses in which the bold perpetrator would smash store windows and escape with a cash register or a tip jar. Julian McKinnley Rector, 24, was apprehended by officers Thursday night as he was leaving Hillcrest Apartments, Sgt. Ernie Welborn […]
Bicycle group decries draft legislation — looking for help
According to the website from the League of American Bicyclists, there is a crucial vote in the US Congress which could “erode all the progress we have made over the past 20 years” regarding bicycle policy. They are asking anyone who is interested in promoting bicycling to follow this legislation carefully.
USDA Announces Restoration Projects, $605,000 included for Grandfather Ranger District
USDA announces: As part of an accelerated restoration strategy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced $40 million in funding for 20 forest and watershed restoration projects nationwide for the upcoming year. The funding includes ten new projects under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, continued funding for the original 10 projects selected under […]
Hickory sees wave of counterfeit bills
According to the Hickory Record, Hickory police investigators are fighting an outbreak of counterfeit cash that’s been popping up all over town. One $20 bill was passed at Hong Kong Café in November. A second fake $20 turned up at the One Stop convenience store on Jan. 6 and they haven’t stopped since. So far […]
Coalition of environmental groups to sue EPA over coal ash
From the website of Appalachian Voices, Environmental and public health groups announced their intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in federal court to force the release of long awaited public health safeguards against toxic coal ash. The EPA has delayed the first-ever federal protections for coal ash for nearly two years despite more […]
President’s statement on Rep. Shuler’s retirement
Last night, the White House issued this brief statement on Rep. Heath Shuler’s retirement: During his five years in Congress, Heath Shuler worked to expand economic opportunity, strengthen our fiscal future, and promote much-needed civility in Washington. Michelle and I thank Heath for his dedicated service, and we wish him and his family the very […]
Asheville African-American historian Harrison dead at 64
Asheville Citizen-Times reports: …[Harry] Harrison, former executive director of the YMI Cultural Center from 2006-10, died Sunday at age 64 in Columbia, S.C. During his time leading the nonprofit group, he focused on exhibits and cultural events which captured the YMI’s history. “Harry brought a big vision to Asheville that linked art with the history […]
I-40 West near Tennessee border projected to reopen Monday, Feb. 6
N.C. DOT announces: The Tennessee Department of Transportation has awarded an emergency contract to remove debris and unstable rock from Interstate 40 West near the North Carolina border. Currently, the westbound lanes of the interstate are closed at Exit 20 in North Carolina due to a rockslide in Tennessee. Phillips and Jordan, Inc. of Knoxville, […]
Senator Richard Burr discusses STOCK Act, Economy, Housing, Syria & Afghanistan with Jerri Jameson
The office of N.C. Senator Richard Burr sent out a press release consisting of a transcript of a Feb. 2 conversation he had Jerri Jameson on News Radio 570 WWNC. You can listen to the interview online here: http://www.wwnc.com/player/?station=WWNC-AM&program_name=podcast&program_id=jerriJameson.xml&mid=21783765 FULL TRANSCRIPT JAMESON: On the phone with me, I believe in Washington, is Senator Richard Burr. […]
Asheville School Students for Environmental Awareness take Green Cup National Energy Challenge
From the press release ASHEVILLE, NC (February 2, 2012) Asheville School’s Students for Environmental Awareness (SEA) club has asked students and faculty members to participate in the 2012 Green Cup National Energy Challenge from January 18 through February 15. According to their website, the Green Cup Challenge invites all schools to measure and reduce electricity […]