From Asheville Fire Department: The Asheville Fire Department (AFD) is excited to announce significant developments that align with its commitment to continuously improve services and expand capabilities. In response to community feedback gathered through various sessions and surveys, AFD recognizes the need for increased community risk reduction efforts. In January, Fire Chief Mike Cayse outlined […]
News Bulletins
City of Asheville offices to close July 4 in observance of Independence Day
From City of Asheville Government: City of Asheville offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, in celebration of Independence Day. Some City services will be impacted. Parks and greenways are open on a regular schedule, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Splasheville, the free splash fountain in Pack Square Park, is open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Pools at Recreation Park and Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. […]
Urgent need for blood donations during July 4 holiday
From The Blood Connection: The need for blood products as vital parts of life-saving medical procedures and treatments is constant. As summer begins to hit its stride, the need for these blood products in the community significantly increases while blood donor turnout typically drops. The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center which serves […]
Air quality forecast: green and yellow
From Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Monday, July 1, 2024, is a code Green air quality forecast day for the valleys and northern ridgetops of Asheville and Buncombe County. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. For the southern ridgetops, it is a code Yellow air quality forecast day. Unusually sensitive people […]
Asheville Police investigating assault at ACAB seminar
From Asheville Police Department: Asheville Police are investigating an assault that occurred during an ACAB seminar held Saturday afternoon at the West Asheville Library. APD officers responded to reports of a fight in progress around 2:57 p.m. on June 29th at the West Asheville Library, where between 80 and 100 people were attending an ACAB […]
Ernest Sessoms Jr. appointed as elementary and federal program director for Asheville City Schools
From Asheville City Schools: Asheville City Schools is pleased to announce that Ernest Sessoms Jr., has been selected to serve as Elementary and Federal Program Director, effective July 15. As the Elementary and Federal Program Director, Mr. Sessoms will lead efforts to ensure that curriculum and instructional programs incorporate the best and most advanced educational […]
Community Entertainment Facilities Commission meetings rescheduled
From City of Asheville Government: The Community Entertainment Facilities Commission‘s regularly scheduled meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 5th are being rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 10 and Tuesday, Nov. 12 respectively. The meetings will still take place at 12 noon in the Banquet Hall at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, 87 Haywood St, Asheville. In addition, […]
Celebrate the Fourth of July safely: Leave fireworks to the professionals
From City of Asheville Fire Department: Each Fourth of July, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks, which include devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death. That’s why the Asheville Fire Department (AFD) recommends leaving the […]
Asheville Police seek help locating Asheville Humane Society trailer and suspected thief
Press release from Asheville Police Department: Asheville, NC (June 28, 2024): Asheville Police are asking for the public’s help locating a trailer stolen from the Asheville Humane Society and the suspect charged with stealing it. Following an investigation into the theft of an Asheville Humane Society trailer from the non-profit’s premises on the morning of […]
Buncombe County Family Justice Center launches PorchLight Project
Press release from Buncombe County: The PorchLight Project is a collaborative initiative of the Buncombe County Family Justice Center (FJC) partner agencies Helpmate and Our Voice. The project aims to create a network of local businesses that have agreed to present themselves as a place for survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and/or Sexual Violence to […]
Drought, dry conditions impacting 99 North Carolina counties including WNC
Press release from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality: The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council (DMAC) has classified all or part of 99 counties as in moderate drought or abnormally dry, with high temperatures and low precipitation driving the rapid deterioration of conditions across the state. DMAC classified 57 counties as in moderate drought, […]
UPDATE: Buncombe Sheriff’s Office attempting to locate missing Asheville woman
June 27 update from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: This person has been located. Original June 25 press release from Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office: The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a missing woman from the Asheville area of Buncombe County. Jessica Blankenship Age: 43 years old Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown Ms. Blankenship was last […]
Buncombe County offices will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day Holiday
Press release from Buncombe County On Thursday, July 4, all Buncombe County administrative offices will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Offices will be open on their regular schedule on Friday, July 5. Please see more information on County schedules below. Buncombe County Animal Shelter The Buncombe County Animal Shelter will be closed […]
Asheville City Council’s Action Agenda from June 25, 2024 meeting
Press release from the City of Asheville Action Agenda for June 25, 2024 City Council meeting The action agenda is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the council meeting and any decisions that were made. For detailed information on this meeting, please either view the video of the meeting or the minutes of the meeting […]
YMCA and Hopscotch partner to enhance healthy aging programs
Press release from YMCA of Western North Carolina: The YMCA of Western North Carolina today announces a strategic partnership with Hopscotch Primary Care to improve the lives of older adults throughout the region. Hopscotch Primary Care is now the presenting sponsor of healthy aging programming at eight YMCAs in Buncombe, Cleveland, McDowell, and Mitchell counties. […]
City of Hendersonville awarded AARP Community Challenge Grant
Press release from City of Hendersonville The City of Hendersonville is excited to announce it has been selected for a 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant. Out of over 3,300 applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hendersonville is one of only 343 grantees chosen for this grant. […]
Asheville Police Department requesting public’s help after Haywood Road shooting on June 24
Press release from Asheville Police Department Asheville Police are investigating a shooting on Haywood Road in west Asheville Monday afternoon. Officers responded to a report of a gunshot wound victim at Mission Hospital around 3:22 p.m. on June 24th. When officers arrived, they located a victim with what appeared to be a singular bullet hole […]
City Board & Commission vacancies
Press release from City of Asheville: Since our last mailing, we have added the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville. Please visit the Boards and Commissions Homepage for a complete list of current Board and Commission vacancies. The deadline for applications is August 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Please share this information with your networks. Application Instructions are available on our website. Please note: […]
Leading with Race Summit set for July 20
Press release from Buncombe County: Mark your calendars for Buncombe County’s Racial Equity Action Plan Leading with Race Summit on July 20. Almost four years after the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners declared racism a public health and safety crisis, named equity a foundational value, and adopted a Racial Equity Action Plan, we’re sharing our […]
Student artwork goes from schoolhouse to State House
Press release from Buncombe County Schools: Two Buncombe County Schools students have had their artwork go from the schoolhouse to the state house. Vivian Hoffman, a fourth grader at Haw Creek Elementary, traveled to Raleigh last week with her piece entitled “CityScape.” It was chosen at the North Carolina State Art Educators Conference to be […]
APD seeking information on Monday night shooting
Press release from Asheville Police Department: ***UPDATE*** APD Detectives are releasing the name of the homicide victim from Monday night following next of kin notification and have charged and arrested one of the shooters. Ashley Ryan Waddell (11/29/1983) has been identified as the homicide victim; next of kin has been notified. Investigators have arrested one […]