Press release from Buncombe County: Open Burn Ban in Effect An open burn ban is in effect for Buncombe County until Saturday, December 7, at 9 a.m. This ban prohibits the burning of yard waste, debris, or land-clearing materials. Burning anything other than naturally occurring vegetation is always illegal. The ban was enacted due to […]
News Bulletins
Chief Justice Paul Newby appoints Chief District Court Judges in districts 9 and 43
Press release from North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts: Chief Justice Paul Newby announced the following appointment effective December 4, 2024: Judge Donna Forga has been appointed to serve as chief district court judge for Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties (Judicial District 43). Judge Forga was first elected to the […]
Golden LEAF announces $2 million in funding at December meeting, celebrates 25 years, welcomes new Board member
Press release from Golden Leaf Foundation: Yesterday, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded a total of $2 million in funding to support workforce preparedness and job creation and economic investment projects. The Board awarded $378,200 to support three projects through the Open Grants Program and $1,549,400 to support two projects through the SITE Program. […]
Code Purple announcement
Press release from Homeless Coalition: 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 sites will also work […]
Buncombe County Board of Elections completes partial hand-to-eye recount for NC Supreme Court Seat
Press release from Buncombe County: The Buncombe County Board of Elections completed a partial hand-to-eye recount of three randomly selected precincts and early voting sites on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 11:32 a.m. The recount showed zero discrepancies from the machine recount and this data will be submitted to the State Board of Elections. Republican candidate […]
The Asheville Area Business Association launches
Press release from AABA: The Asheville Area Business Association (AABA) is excited to announce its official launch, marking the beginning of a transformative effort to empower local businesses and foster meaningful connections across our community. As part of this milestone, AABA is hosting its inaugural event, bringing together influential community leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners […]
Air quality forecast is green for Thursday, Dec. 5
News release from the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Thursday, December 5, 2024, is a code GREEN air quality forecast day for the valleys and ridge tops of Asheville and Buncombe County. No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range. https://xapps.ncdenr.org/aq/ForecastCenterEnvista
Open burning ban in effect for Buncombe County
News release from the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: Due to high fire danger, low humidity, and strong gusty winds, the Buncombe County Fire Marshall’s Officehas issued a ban on open burning for all of Buncombe County starting at noon on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. During this ban, there is to be no burning of: Yard waste […]
Warren Wilson College receives $10 million gift, the largest in its history
News release from Warren Wilson College: Warren Wilson College, a private liberal arts college in Swannanoa, N.C., has received a $10 million gift, the largest in the College’s history. Made by anonymous donors whose values around education and environmental sustainability align with the College’s, the gift will support the endowment, increasing it by nearly 20%. […]
FEMA hosts disaster response webinar for small businesses
News release from Explore Asheville: The Disaster Response: Small Business Resources, Insurance, and Claims session on December 10, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EDT, is a part of the ongoing Small Business Disaster Preparedness Series aimed at sharing critical information and resources for small businesses to successfully navigate disaster recovery situations and build […]
Bulk leaf collection for City of Hendersonville residents begins in December on a modified schedule
News release from the City of Hendersonville: This week, the City of Hendersonville has kicked off bulk leaf collection service for City residents. Typically, fall leaf collection starts in October; however, due to hurricane Helene’s impacts and ongoing storm debris collection, leaf collection has been delayed and will follow a modified schedule running through the […]
Helene recovery updates from Buncombe County for Wednesday, Dec. 4
News release from Buncombe County: Open Burning Ban Issued Effective today, Wednesday, Dec. 4 at noon, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued an open burning ban due to adverse atmospheric conditions including high fire danger, low humidity, and strong gusty winds. The ban applies to all open burning, including yard waste, debris, and […]
Buncombe County launches Helene recovery housing assistance grant
News release from Buncombe County: Buncombe County Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for the County’s Helene Recovery Housing Assistance Grant, providing financial support for rent, mortgage, or utility payments. Eligible applicants can get help to cover up to three months of bills, helping them in their path toward recovery from the storm. Applications […]
Appalachia Funders Network asks for Congressional action for Helene relief
News release from the Appalachia Funders Network: Appalachia Funders Network (AFN) Executive Director Rev. Ryan Eller has released the following statement calling on Congress to immediately pass a supplemental Hurricane Helene Relief package before both houses begin recess on December 23, 2024. AFN is the only network of funders in central Appalachia and stands among […]
UPDATE: Haywood County temporary warming station now closed
UPDATE News release from Haywood County: UPDATE: The power outage in Haywood County has been resolved, and the temporary warming station at Haywood Health and Human Services is now closed. Thank you for your patience, and please stay safe. Original News release from Haywood County: Haywood County is opening a temporary warming station to assist […]
City Council to consider contract for downtown Business Improvement District service provider at upcoming meeting
News release from the City of Asheville: The City of Asheville is pleased to share the latest updates and next steps for services and operations of the recently approved Downtown Business Improvement District (BID). City staff are moving forward with contract negotiations with the highest-ranking proposal received as part of a competitive process to identify […]
Child care therapist brings holiday celebration to hurricane-affected families Saturday, Dec. 14
News release from the National Emergency Child Care Network: Hive Mind Therapy, led by Sherree Turcott, LCSW, in collaboration with National Emergency Child Care Network and Asheville City Schools is proud to host a community event on Saturday, December 14th to bring comfort and joy to families affected by the recent hurricane. With the generous […]
Code Purple called for Thursday, Dec.5
Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition: Code Purple is 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 […]
Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Board meeting dates 2025
Press release from Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency: AIR QUALITY BOARD MEETING DATES 2025 January 16, 2025 March 13, 2025 May 8, 2025 July 10, 2025 September 11, 2025 November 13, 2025 These meetings will be held in the meeting room at the Buncombe County Permit Office, 30 Valley Street, Asheville, NC 28801. The Agency will […]
Holiday open house at N.C. Governor’s residence
Press release from N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources: Celebrate the holiday season at the Governor’s Western Residence Holiday Open House, Dec. 7-8, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Due to some property damage on the grounds caused by Hurricane Helene, guests will travel to the Western Residence via shuttle bus. Please do not […]
Heartfelt Haywood hosts a holiday grief gathering for families and children
Press release from Heartfelt Haywood: Heartfelt Haywood: Living, Grieving and Dying Well is a newly formed 501(c)3 whose mission is to build a community where no one dies alone, no one grieves alone and caregivers are supported and valued. This year we hosted our first four Healing Hearts Half-day Camps for grieving children. We formed […]