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 […]
News Bulletins
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 […]
Asheville’s Got Talent! Local Clogging company to audition for “America’s Got Talent”
From the press release ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Casting producers from “America’s Got Talent” have hand-picked Asheville Clogging Company to audition for season 7 of the popular television show. Seventeen girls from Hendersonville, Asheville, Arden and Fletcher will travel to Charlotte on Saturday for the select audition. The girls, ranging in age from 7 to 17, […]
Asheville Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven’s Pastoral on Feb. 11
On Saturday, Feb. 11, the 51st season of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra continues with a performance of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony. The concert will be accompanied by visual images provided by the Asheville Art Museum as well as music by Liszt and Wagner. Daniel Meyer conducts; pianist Jeanette Aufiero is the featured soloist. 8 p.m., $20-$55. […]
Wine and Design fundraiser to help cure cancer-stricken canine
From the press release ASHEVILLE, NC – February 2, 2012 – Wine and Design Asheville recently hosted a fundraiser for Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to protecting and enhancing the lives of companion animals and the people who love them. The three-hour painting event attracted 23 attendees and raised over […]
Author of “Moral Minority: Our Skeptical Founding Fathers” to Speak at UNC Asheville
From the press release Brooke Allen, author of “Moral Minority: Our Skeptical Founding Fathers” (2006, Ivan R. Dee), will lecture about the religious beliefs (or lack thereof) among our nation’s founders. Her talk is free and open to the public, and begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in UNC Asheville’s Humanities Lecture Hall. Allen’s […]
Archers of Loaf coming back to Asheville on May 10
The cult-fave indie rock band will play again at the Grey Eagle on May 10. The details, from Merge Records: “To celebrate the release of ‘Vee Vee’ on Feb. 21 as well as the reissue of ‘All the Nation’s Airports’ and ‘White Trash Heroes’ which will follow later this year, Archers of Loaf have added […]
Pure Pilates open for business
From the press release: (Asheville, NC, February 2, 2011) – Pure Pilates Studio, a classical Pilates certification, continuing education center, and TRX Suspension Training facility, is now open. The studio is located at 59 Charlotte Street in downtown Asheville. Penelope Wyer Barrow, a nationally recognized Pilates instructor, opened Pure as a classical Pilates studio dedicated […]
Expect increased traffic in Asheville area due to debris clearing project
Full announcement from North Carolina Department of Transportation: RALEIGH — 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 […]
Pelly talks about Haw Creek plans
Full announcement from Asheville City Council member Chris Pelly: Dear Neighbor, Thanks to all who attended last night’s city council meeting in Haw Creek Elementary School. On month’s when there is a fifth Tuesday, city council takes our meetings on the road and last night was east Asheville’s turn. Linked below is an informed summary […]
Mission Health affirmed for ‘AA’ rating for management practices
From the press release: Asheville, N.C., Feb. 2, 2012 – Mission Health announced today that Fitch Ratings, one of the four major rating agencies in the country, affirmed their rating of ‘AA’ on approximately $325 million revenue bonds issued by the NC Medical Care Commission Health System on behalf of Mission Health. Fitch has also […]
Jobs at what price? Jackson Co. loan program faces possible $900,000 in losses
Smoky Mountain News reports: Supporters of Jackson County’s revolving loan program describe the financial give-outs as a tool in the county’s economic toolbelt, a boost to deserving businesses that can’t receive critical, even lifesaving, financial help through banks. But five defaults since 1993 when the loans started, out of a total of nine loans, raises […]
Pain laid bare at eugenics hearing in Raleigh
Charlotte Observer reports: Tense moments and tears – that’s what happened Wednesday night when politicians, professionals and upset citizens gathered to talk about the history of North Carolina’s eugenics program and what to do for the victims of it. … One woman who said she was sterilized in 1979 – after the state’s program was […]
Erskine Bowles considering run for Governor
According to the Hendersonville Times-News, Erskine Bowles served as chief of staff in Bill Clinton’s White House, led the prestigious University of North Carolina system and headed a bipartisan commission that recommended tough choices to reduce the U.S. deficit. The Charlotte investment banker is being asked to consider public service again — this time by […]
Tennessee DOT awards emergency contract for I-40 rockslide cleanup
Tennessee Dept. of Transportation announces: KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) today awarded an emergency contract to remove debris and unstable rock from Interstate 40 West in Cocke County. Currently, the westbound lanes of the interstate are closed at Mile Marker 451. The Department received bids from four different contractors, with Phillips […]