Tax records examined by Asheville Watchdog reveal that in the decade leading up to the $1.5 billion sale of Asheville’s community-owned hospital system, a steadily increasing amount of Mission’s revenue went to salaries and bonuses for an increasingly crowded suite of non-clinical executives.
Cooper announces modified stay-at-home order effective Dec. 11
Starting Friday at 5 p.m., North Carolina will move into a modified stay-at-home order, requiring most people to remain in their homes from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. All businesses will be required to close by 10 p.m.; all on-site alcohol consumption must end by 9 p.m.
New commission to tackle county land use
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman lists land use policy as a top priority for the new commission, sworn in on Dec. 7. Board members will likely revisit the county’s land use plan, a document originally developed in 1998 and last updated in 2013, in response to rapid community growth.
WNC’s state legislators talk 2021 challenges
Chief among the issues facing the General Assembly next year, said Sen. Chuck Edwards, would be balancing the state’s next budget to reflect pandemic-driven downturns in revenue. He estimated that the shortfall compared to current spending levels could be as much as $8 billion.
Food is the universal language at Asheville specialty markets
Asheville chefs discuss local specialty markets that bring globally sourced products close to home.
Food roundup: Cúrate at Earth Fare, a new lunch option and leadership change at Benne on Eagle
Asheville’s December food news includes Spanish specialties, fried fish and a kitchen leadership changeover .
Chef J. Chong toasts camaraderie
“Launching my own business during a global pandemic was one of the best things I have done. It has taught me a great deal about who I am and ignited my admiration and passion for Cantonese food all over again. I am most grateful for the camaraderie and meaningful relationships among our Asheville restaurant industry […]
Gene Ettison feels blessed to unite
“Grind is grateful for the opportunity to hold space in such a historic spot [on Depot Street, which runs through the historically Black Southside community]. For years, our people have struggled and shed tears because of disenfranchisement. Our community was hurt from redevelopment. Gentrification is real. But we have been blessed to open a business […]
Food news roundup: Buddha bowls, KC barbecue and more
Chef Randy Dunn opens Zen Hen in Hendersonville, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ offers Kansas City ‘cue, HomeGrown and Proving Ground Coffee join forces, and more local food news.
Aaron Grier is thankful for new bonds
“It’s been a rough and scary year with the normal avenues for selling our produce turned on their ear. But the meaningful relationships we had with some of our chefs before the pandemic have grown unbreakably stronger. To quote chef Kikkoman Shaw at Southside Kitchen, ‘It has brought a lot of us together who might […]
Short-term rentals lead Buncombe tourism recovery
While overall hotel revenue was down more than 27% year-over-year in September, the latest month for which data is available, overall vacation rental sales that month increased by about 55% year-over-year, according to Explore Asheville interim CEO Chris Cavanaugh.
Chef Dan Silo is grateful for smiles
“I’m incredibly grateful for the community that Sawhorse has managed to cultivate, both among our guests and our staff. Our guests have been overwhelmingly supportive and understanding throughout the pandemic, and our staff has somehow managed to maintain a smile and a work ethic I’ll never forget.” – Dan Silo, chef and owner of Sawhorse
Chef Jamie Wade celebrates the sunny side
“Gratitude is something that takes cultivating in times like these when business owners like me are navigating huge changes. It is good to have people around you to help you see the sunny side of things and the realistic side of things, and for those people, those conversations, my staff and the community support for […]
Unanimous approval for $27M Pratt & Whitney subsidy
No Buncombe County commissioners addressed why the subsidy was necessary for the company to make its investment during their Nov. 17 meeting. P&W is a division of Raytheon Technologies, a Fortune 50 company with approximately $10 billion in cash reserves.
Small is the new big for Thanksgiving in the age of COVID
From work pod parties to outdoor dining with friends, Asheville chefs and restaurant owners are finding new ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020.
Charitable organizations swamped with donations
For many area nonprofits, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a unique problem: Too many donations are coming in to secondhand resell stores, leaving staff scrambling to process a flood of items.
Regional businesses share success with nonprofits
For many WNC nonprofits, business support and partnerships comprise a significant part of their budgets. And while Asheville has a comparatively large number of nonprofits per capita, area businesses rise to the need.
Grocery stores give more during the holiday season
Food Lion and Ingles are increasing their support of WNC food banks as food insecurity grows and the holidays approach.
WNC food banks gear up for winter
The directors of MANNA FoodBank, Bounty & Soul and Beacon of Hope say their organizations are persevering to meet the community’s ongoing need in an ever-shifting landscape.
Council to consider $1M reparations fund, changes to LUIG
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, members will consider a resolution to establish a reparations fund with $1 million. As of Nov. 6, meeting documents did not indicate where the money would come from or what initiatives would be funded first.
Buncombe proposes $27M subsidy for Pratt & Whitney
Under a proposed economic development incentive agreement, Buncombe County taxpayers would subsidize the division of military contractor Raytheon Technologies, which made over $77 billion last fiscal year, to the tune of $27 million.