Press release from North Carolina Department of Transportation: As of 3:15 p.m., NCDMV’s connection to the NCDIT mainframe was restored and NCDMV was able to resume processing transactions in-person, online and at its self-service kiosks. NCDIT will continue to monitor its systems. ROCKY MOUNT – N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles operations are being severely impacted by […]
News Bulletins
Additional Western N.C. state parks to reopen Nov. 15, three state parks face long-term closures
Press release from North Carolina State Parks: Elk Knob, Lake James, New River, and Stone Mountain state parks will reopen at least partially on Nov. 15, the Division of Parks and Recreation announced. These parks have been closed entirely since Sept. 27 due to Hurricane Helene. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is anticipated to reopen […]
Tropical Storm Helene water recovery updates
Press release from The City of Asheville: Water Resources launched an investigative sampling program focused on testing for lead and copper from 25 locations across the distribution system, in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lead exposure is particularly hazardous to pregnant women, breastfeeding […]
Report finds $1,697 median Asheville rent, below national median
Press release from Construction Coverage: Inflation data released last month revealed that, while the Consumer Price Index overall was up 2.4% year-over-year, the index for shelter had risen 4.9% over the same span. Increasing rent prices have been a major reason why: limited supply and high demand have driven the national rental vacancy rate—a key […]
Asheville City scchools update on water quality testing
Press release from Asheville City Schools: This letter is to update you on recent water quality testing conducted at our elementary schools by the City of Asheville Water Resources Department. We understand the importance of clean drinking water, and we want to assure you that the health and safety of our students and staff is […]
NCDMV services being impacted by NCDIT mainframe issues
Press release from North Carolina Department of Transportation: Division of Motor Vehicles operations are being severely impacted by N.C. Department of Information Technology mainframe computer connection issues. After dealing with sporadic connections to the mainframe for the last 24 hours, NCDMV has stopped processing transactions at the state’s 112 driver license offices until the problem […]
Second Harvest Food Bank partners with groups to deliver Thanksgiving meals in Asheville
Press release from MANNA Foodbank: WHAT: Thanksgiving Meal Box Distribution Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, in partnership with 23XI Racing and The Bubba Wallace Live to Be Different Foundation will be delivering Thanksgiving meals for 1,500 families in Asheville, North Carolina. WHEN: Thursday, November 21st from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. WNC Farmers Market […]
Water treatment system returns safe drinking water to UNC Asheville campus
Press release from UNC Asheville: All testing to ensure the water is safe and free from contaminants is complete, and today the campus community was notified of the change. As reestablishing safe, drinkable water was quickly identified as a critical need, UNC Asheville began working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers roughly four weeks […]
Asheville Art Museum and Big Crafty collaborate for Artist Market
Press release from Asheville Art Museum: WHAT: The Asheville Art Museum partners with The Big Crafty and Horse & Hero to host Little Crafty at the Museum: Artist Relief Edition. This special artist market supports Western North Carolina (WNC) artists impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. The Museum invites visitors to browse and shop locally made […]
MANNA Foodbank receives truckload of fresh eggs
News release from MANNA Foodbank: Dutt & Wagner and Green Valley Poultry Farm have generously donated one full truckload of fresh eggs—equivalent to 21,600 dozen—to MANNA FoodBank in Asheville, N.C., as a direct response to the urgent need for nutritious food following recent hurricanes. This contribution is part of an ongoing effort to support communities […]
NCDOT’s flood warning system predicted highway flooding during Helene
News release from the N.C. Department of Transportation: As Hurricane Helene barreled toward the Southeast, Chad Franklin received a warning from his colleagues who specialize in stormwater and flooding management for the N.C. Department of Transportation. The NCDOT engineers with the agency’s Hydraulics Unit were poring over data, and they didn’t like what they saw. […]
Asheville City Board of Education announces closed meeting Friday, Nov. 15
At a regular Asheville City Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Nov. 12, Board Chair George Sieburg said the board would be discussing Superintendent Maggie Fehrman’s annual evaluation at a special closed meeting on Friday, Nov. 15. The below agenda was posted Nov. 13. News release from Asheville City Schools: NOTICE OF SPECIAL CALLED CLOSED MEETING […]
WNC Mountain Strong job & resource fair comes to Hendersonville Tuesday, Nov. 19
News release from the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board: WNC Mountain Strong Job & Resource Fair will be Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Blue Ridge Mall (1800 Four Seasons Boulevard) in Hendersonville, NC from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm. This hiring event will continue until 6:00 pm to allow more job seekers to attend. […]
Approval sought for a diagnostic center in Buncombe County
News release from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services: Novant Health Asheville Imaging Center LLC and Novant Health Inc. have filed a certificate of need application with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to develop a diagnostic center in Asheville, N.C. The project is expected to cost $8.3 million and […]
Asheville Tropical Storm Helene recovery updates for Nov. 13
News release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville continues to provide Tropical Storm Helene recovery resource updates on a daily basis. Water Service Restoration As of Wednesday, November 13, the turbidity reading at North Fork had fallen below 15. The third round of in-reservoir treatment will begin today. North Fork’s capacity to […]
APD seeks public’s assistance locating missing woman
News release from the Asheville Police Department: The Asheville Police Department is requesting the public’s help in their continued efforts to locate a missing person. This week marks two years since Keri Lynn Buckner’s disappearance. Keri Lynn Buckner, 32, was last seen on November 11, 2022, on Biltmore Ave in the Biltmore Village area. She […]
Haywood Community College students support local community
News Release from Haywood Community College: As students prepared to return to the classroom following the campus closure from Hurricane Helene’s impacts, they not only worked to help their own family and friends but also to help neighbors and community members. HCC and Tri-County Community College students in the Nursing program were eager to start […]
Buncombe County gives grant updates at Tropical Storm Helene briefing Nov. 13
News release from Buncombe County: Homeowner Grant Applications Buncombe County residents have until this Friday to apply for the 2024 Homeowner Grant Program. Applications can be obtained at buncombecounty.org/homeownergrant or by calling (828) 250-5500. Phone support is available in any language. Qualified homeowners can receive financial assistance for housing-related costs such as property tax bills and other […]
Winter Lights display opens Friday, Nov. 15 at The North Carolina Arboretum
News release from the N.C. Arboretum: The 11th annual Winter Lights returns to The North Carolina Arboretum on Friday Nov. 15, with the show running nightly through Dec. 31. This year, Winter Lights is unveiling “Seasons of Light,” a celebration of the four seasons interpreted in more than one million lights. From the towering flowers of […]
Helene victim assistance center announced in Yancey County
News release from the N.C. Department of Insurance: North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has announced that a Victim Assistance Center (VAC) will be open in Yancey County to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene. The VAC will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Yancey County Annex […]
Hendersonville announces Home for the Holidays event
News release from Visit Hendersonville: In a season known for giving presents, the biggest gift people can offer Hendersonville this year is simply their presence. The annual Home for the Holidays celebration will be the town’s first large-scale event after reopening following the damage from Hurricane Helene. Activities take place from late November to New […]