Press release from the City of Asheville: City Council members, voting 4-to-3, approved the fiscal year 2024-25 annual operating and capital budget tonight at the June 11 City Council Meeting. Council members heard a revised option addressing staff compensation increase. A 8.8-percent increase in compensation for starting sworn firefighters was approved. Police Department staff will […]
News Bulletins
Asheville Business Inclusion community outreach and networking event set for June 29
Press release from City of Asheville: The City of Asheville Business Inclusion Office (ABI) announces it will be hosting a Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) community outreach and networking event this month. June 29, 2024 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Asheville Fire Department (AFD) Station #1 100 Court Plaza The event will take place in the fourth floor […]
Two Asheville hotels awarded Adaptive Reuse honors
Press release from blue hominy public relations: The Radical and Zelda Dearest, Asheville, North Carolina hotels owned by commercial real estate development firm Hatteras Sky and and capital partner Somera Capital East and operated by Lark Hotels, have each been awarded a 2024 Griffin Award from the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County (PSABC) in […]
Buncombe County Schools announce administrator appointments
Press release from Buncombe County Schools: Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson has announced five school administrator assignments for the 2024-25 academic year. “Each of these new principals brings a wealth of high-quality expertise and experience, coupled with a genuine desire to serve students and families,” said Dr. Jackson. “I am excited about their commitment […]
Asheville Humane Society hosts Pigapalooza 2024
Press release from Asheville Humane Society: Pigapalooza is a recurring Asheville Humane Society event that waives all pig adoption fees in the hopes of finding them all loving and appropriate forever homes. Asheville Humane Society has over 20 pigs in their care, and they are housed at the Buncombe County Farm. Pigapalooza will take place […]
Air quality forecast Tuesday, June 11 – green and yellow
From Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Tuesday, June 11, 2024, is a code Green air quality forecast day for the valleys of Asheville and Buncombe County. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. For the ridge tops, it is a code Yellow air quality forecast day. Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting […]
Three overnight I-26 closures this week
From North Carolina Department of Transportation: A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will utilize overnight closures of Interstate 26 three nights this week to safely conduct a variety of operations in Buncombe County. On Monday and Wednesday nights, I-26 East from Brevard Road (Exit 33) to Long Shoals Road (Exit 37) will close […]
Poll worker information session Thursday, June 13
From Buncombe County Election Services: Are you interested in earning money while supporting the democratic process? Buncombe County Election Services is looking for poll workers for the 2024 General Election. It’s a rewarding way to serve our community while supplementing your income. If this sounds interesting, join us for an in-person information session to learn more about the […]
MountainTrue urges public to use swim guide app To find clean swimming areas this summer
From Mountain True: MountainTrue, a leading local environmental group, is encouraging the public to use the Swim Guide app before heading out onto the water to ensure healthy and happy summer weekends. MountainTrue is the home of the Broad Riverkeeper, French Broad Riverkeeper, Green Riverkeeper, Watauga Riverkeeper, and a Western Clean Water Team based in […]
Application period reopens for Haywood County homeownership program
From Haywood County government: The Haywood County Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) has reopened the application period for eligible storm-displaced homeowners and first-time homebuyers seeking financial help with purchasing a home in Haywood County. The program, which is administered in partnership with the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), paused applications in late April to […]
Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office seeking help identifying suspect
Press release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: Detectives with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are attempting to identify this person, a suspect in a felony larceny. He may drive a dark-colored Dodge Dakota and be in the Leicester community. We ask that anyone with any information contact Detective Jones at (828) 250-4467.
Three arrested by APD, one wanted on federal indictment
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville, NC (June 7, 2024): Asheville Police Detectives arrested three felons on drug charges during proactive enforcement on Thursday afternoon. While conducting proactive enforcement, detectives made contact with Darion Armon Smith (09/10/1999), who was wanted for Federal Probation Violations and taken into custody near the 100 block of Atkinson […]
Local government commission approves nearly $1.3 billion in financing requests
Press release from North Carolina Dept. of State Treasurer: The city of Charlotte (Mecklenburg County) operates the largest public water and wastewater utility in the Carolinas. With water accounts and sewer accounts expected to increase by 1.9% and 1.8%, respectively, in 2025, the city filed an application with the Local Government Commission (LGC) for more than […]
APD seeks person who vandalized vehicle with graffiti and slashed tires, seeks information from public
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville Police are seeking the person(s) who vandalized a vehicle in the driveway of a downtown residence by spray-painting graffiti and slashing tires. The Asheville Police Department is investigating a report of vandalism at a residence on Adams Street. On the morning of June 6, a resident discovered that their […]
Weekend closure coming to I-40 East in Asheville
Press release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation: A stretch of Interstate 40 will close this weekend, weather permitting, allowing contract crews to rehabilitate and resurface a bridge between I-26 and Hendersonville Road (Exit 50). Crews from DBA Harrison Construction Company of Asheville plan to close I-40 East from the I-240 East/I-26 West interchange […]
Buncombe County educators to hold rally for increased funding
Press release from the Buncombe County Association of Educators: The Buncombe County Association of Educators is organizing a “Save our Schools” rally tomorrow at Pack Square Park, urging County Commissioners to fully fund the school board’s budget request of $13.5 million. This funding is critical to ensure that every child in Buncombe County has access […]
Buncombe County announces new Identification Bureau director
Press release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County’s ID Bureau is responsible for handling a high volume of sensitive and important information, and this effort will now be spearheaded by Oscar Wooten IV. During an extensive search for a new Director of the ID Bureau, he emerged as the top candidate for this crucial role in […]
Commissioners hear update from Asheville Airport, consider public-private partnership to increase affordable housing, approve funds for conservation easements
News release from Buncombe County: The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners addressed several key issues during their June 4 meeting, including updates from the Asheville Airport, considerations for a public-private partnership to increase affordable housing, and the approval of funds for conservation easements. The Board officially recognized June as Gun Violence Prevention and Awareness Month […]
Public hearing held on Buncombe County’s proposed fiscal year 2024-25 budget
News release from Buncombe County: At its June 4 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the proposed FY25 budget. No speakers registered for the public hearing. The FY25 budget across all annual funds is recommended at $628 million. The General Fund, the largest annual fund recommended at $441.9 million, […]
USDA Secretary to visit Weaverville Primary School
News release from United States Department of Agriculture: On Friday, June 7, 2024, representatives from USDA will visit Weaverville Primary School (Buncombe County Schools), in Weaverville, North Carolina, to uplift healthy school meals for our students; and summer feeding programs for kids when school is not in session. The representatives will experience students eating healthy […]
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy hosts jamboree Saturday, June 15
News release from Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy: On Saturday, June 15, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) welcomes the public to explore conserved land in the Highlands of Roan during a day of FREE, guided hikes. SAHC will host its annual June Jamboree event at a variety of locations in the Roaring Creek area; these […]