Press release from Working Wheels: Asheville, NC: Working Wheels, a local non-profit that provides affordable, reliable transportation for local families in need, has raised nearly $400,000 to purchase 30 replacement cars for survivors of Hurricane Helene who lost their car in the flood. The first 7 cars are on track to be matched with local […]
News Bulletins
City of Asheville announces City Hall winter holiday closings and service impacts
Press release from City of Asheville: City of Asheville offices will be closed December 24-26, 2024 during the winter holiday break. City offices will also be closed on January 1, 2025. Helene Recovery Efforts Debris Collection: Helene-related debris collection will continue throughout the holidays. FEMA Disaster Relief Center at Asheville Mall will have holiday hours: December 24: […]
Asheville homeowners pay median $2,802 per year in property taxes
Press release from Construction Coverage: As property values continue to outpace inflation, property taxes are taking a bigger bite out of homeowners’ wallets. A new analysis from Construction Coverage breaks down property tax rates by state, county, and cityto reveal where homeowners have the greatest burden, with data specific to Asheville, NC. Key Takeaways, With […]
Code Purple announcement
Press release from Homeless Coalition: Is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness. During Code Purple, participating shelters will provide more beds with fewer requirements than their typical programming. Code Purple sites will also work with participants to refer […]
Asheville Police urge public to avoid closed parks and flood-affected areas
Press release from Asheville Police Department: The Asheville Police Department urges residents and visitors to avoid parks and flood-affected areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, as they remain unsafe due to significant hazards. Flood damage across the city has left many parks and trails unsafe, with risks including damaged infrastructure, unstable ground, hidden debris, poor lighting, […]
$3.69 million of Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together grants awarded
Press release from Mountain BizWorks: ASHEVILLE, NC (December 19, 2024) — Mountain BizWorks has announced the first round of awards from the Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund, supporting 276 small businesses with $3.69 million in grant funding. These grants are made possible by a community collaborative of funders and partners working to support local businesses […]
SECU Foundation initiates phase two disaster relief package of $1.75 million for WNC
Press release from SECU Foundation: RALEIGH, N.C. – SECU Foundation’s Board of Directors approved a phase two disaster relief package with an additional $1.75 million in grants to three organizations, providing intermediate assistance to the hardest hit residents and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Funds awarded will help address temporary housing needs, financial crises, and […]
Asheville Fire Department PIO announces retirement
Press release from Asheville Fire Department: Dear Media Partners, After proudly serving with the Asheville Fire Department for over 28 years, I am writing to share that I will officially retire on January 1, 2025. This has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I am honored to have worked with so many of you to […]
Convicted felons Arrested with firearms during APD crime prevention operation
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville, NC (December 19, 2024) – The Asheville Police Department arrested two convicted felons and seized two firearms during a crime prevention operation in west Asheville Tuesday night. While conducting proactive enforcement off of Haywood Road on the evening of December 17th, detectives observed occupants of a vehicle carrying […]
Dogwood Health Trust announces additional $20 Million for Hurricane Helene relief and recovery
Press release from Dogwood Health Trust: Asheville, N.C. – Today, Dogwood Health Trust announced an additional $20 million in commitments in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina (WNC). This third round of funding builds upon earlier combined investments of more than $50 million, bringing Dogwood’s total Helene relief funding […]
Code purple announcement for Friday, Dec. 20
News release from the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition Steering Committee: Purpose of Code Purple: Is to provide a coordinated effort among Asheville and Buncombe County shelters and other organizations to provide emergency overflow shelter to people experiencing homelessness. During Code Purple, participating shelters will provide more beds with fewer requirements than their typical programming. Code Purple […]
Buncombe County provides updates on hazard mitigation assistance and Asheville water lead test results
News release from Buncombe County: Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant Deadline Applications for the Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant, which offers up to three months of support for rent, mortgage payments, or utility bills, close today, December 17, at 5 p.m. Applications can be submitted at buncombecounty.org. Storm Debris Removal Progress 552,275 cubic yards of […]
The Duke Endowment disburses remaining Helene relief funds
News release from The Duke Endowment: The Duke Endowment announced today that it has expended nearly all $15 million its Board of Trustees earmarked in October to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Endowment officials said they have disbursed $14.4 million to relief agencies in western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. As planned, much of […]
Asheville Police seeks public’s help locating armed robber
News release from the Asheville Police Department: Asheville Police are seeking the public’s help in locating an armed robber who stabbed a woman Tuesday evening in west Asheville. Officers responded to the French Broad River Greenway near Carrier Park around 6:15 p.m. on December 17th to investigate an armed robbery and stabbing. Upon arrival, officers […]
City of Asheville provides update on advisory and quasi-judicial boards
News release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville would like to keep you informed about the latest updates regarding the City’s advisory and quasi-judicial boards. Advisory Board update Effective immediately, all advisory boards staffed by City employees will remain suspended until further direction following the City Council retreat, in mid-February 2025. We […]
UScellular donates wireless devices, hotspots and service to BeLoved Asheville
News release from UScellular: This holiday season, UScellular is giving back to the Asheville community by donating $235,000 worth of wireless phones, tablets and hotspots with two years of service to BeLoved Asheville to support its mission of to create a more just and equitable society rooted in community and creativity. This marks the third […]
One month left to apply for FEMA assistance
News release from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) : North Carolinians with disaster-related damage or loss from Tropical Storm Helene have one month to apply for federal assistance. The application deadline is Jan. 7, 2025. This applies to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina and residents of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, […]
U.S. 70 bridge in Swannanoa reopening tonight, Dec. 17
Press release from N.C. Department of Transportation: A bridge on U.S. 70 is scheduled to reopen Tuesday night and alleviate some congestion in eastern Buncombe County. The bridge, located just east of the Asheville Veterans Affairs Hospital, will carry traffic for the first time since Hurricane Helene damaged structural elements and scoured away the eastern […]
Asheville Police arrest two suspects in looting, seeking a third
News release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville Police arrested two people looting a flood-affected business in east Asheville late Sunday night, and seek another person involved in the crime. Officers responded to an Azalea Road business around 10:20 p.m. on December 15th to investigate a break-in. Upon arrival, they quickly located Samantha Diane Dockery (09/13/1993) […]
FEMA specialists offer in-person advice on rebuilding
News release from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) : In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, North Carolinians can benefit from free advice from FEMA experts on how to rebuild stronger and safer. FEMA mitigation specialists will be present in stores in Buncombe and Henderson counties to offer free home improvement tips and proven methods […]
FEMA Q&A: Public assistance debris removal
Fact sheet from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) : Assistance for Helene debris removal from private property in North Carolina may be made available through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. What is FEMA doing to expedite debris removal? FEMA has determined that Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) and Commercial Property Debris Removal (CPDR) are in the […]