The Waynesville-based artist discusses her challenging but inspiring past year.
City, county file class-action lawsuit against HCA/Mission
Asheville and Buncombe County filed a class-action lawsuit against HCA Healthcare and Mission Health on July 27 in U.S. District Court. The lawsuit alleges HCA is attempting to monopolize health care in Western North Carolina. “The Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners felt it was necessary to take this step to […]
Green in brief: Nonprofits plan conversion of Saluda Grade into trail
The path, running along an inactive railway, would stretch about 31 miles northwest from Inman, S.C., through Tryon and Saluda before terminating in Zirconia, about 7 miles southeast of Hendersonville. Hendersonville-based Conserving Carolina; Greenville, S.C.-based Upstate Forever; and Spartanburg, S.C.-based PAL are leading the effort.
How much solar energy does local government produce?
Both Buncombe County and the city of Asheville have resolved that, by the end of 2030, government operations will be powered entirely by renewable energy. With less than eight years until that deadline, what progress has been made toward the energy goals?
Q&A: Barbara Smith earns Girl Scouts lifetime achievement award
Barbara Smith speaks with Xpress about her work as a Girl Scout over the last eight decades, her recent lifetime achievement award and her favorite Girl Scout cookie.
Buncombe leaders talk rising poverty, county economy
According to data presented by Tim Love, Buncombe’s director of economic development and governmental relations, the county’s poverty rate went up from about 11.5% in 2018 — its lowest point in a decade — to about 13.9% in 2020, the latest year for which information was available. Poverty in both North Carolina and the overall U.S. fell over the same period.
Buncombe County announces four monkeypox cases
North Carolina has 53 cases of monkeypox as of July 29, according to a dashboard on the NCDHHS website. There have been no reported deaths from monkeypox in the U.S.
County, city strategize on opioid settlement spending
Representatives from the city and county recognize their respective spending must be intentional in focus and coordinated with each other’s work.
Gardening with Xpress: Tips for growing squash
This month’s column features tips for growing squash, as well as ways to reduce voles from eating into your bounty.
Documentary short immortalizes 1972 HHS basketball team
Director Keith Dunnavant discusses making his latest documentary sports film.
More mental health services coming to WNC
Buncombe County is one of the 91 counties the Office of Rural Health has designated as experiencing a behavioral health professional shortage. In fact, the 2022 departmental map designates all 16 counties of Western North Carolina as experiencing a shortage.
Domestic violence nonprofit opens new Hendersonville facility
Safelight, a Hendersonville nonprofit that supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new facility June 29.
Green in brief: Morrow Landing to offer new French Broad access near Brevard
The land, purchased by Conserving Carolina, falls roughly halfway between the current Island Ford and Hap Simpson Park access points, which are separated by nearly 10 miles of river. Morrow Landing’s placement will therefore facilitate shorter trips by less experienced river users and improve access for emergency responders.
Local couple collaborate on comprehensive Appalachian Trail book
Amber and Joshua Niven discuss working together on their new book, “Discovering the Appalachian Trail: A Guide to the Trail’s Greatest Hikes.”
Is the French Broad River safe for swimming?
Nothing sparks an online debate among Asheville-based social media groups faster than a question concerning the cleanliness of the French Broad River.
From NC Health News: Asheville airport therapy dogs help anxious flyers and workers
From dentist offices to chemotherapy units, health care facilities have long embraced the use of therapy dogs. Airports are starting to see how their guests might also benefit from these pooches.
Training service dogs helps veterans heal
Asheville can feel as if dogs have the run of the place. They are seemingly in every brewery and restaurant and on every trail. Nearly all of these animals are pets that might occasionally earn their keep by barking at a black bear in the trash or chasing a gopher from the tomato patch. But […]
Local food initiatives assist area veterans
Veterans Healing Farm helps vets through agritherapy while ABCCM’s culinary courses place graduates in prestigious kitchens.
RN rallies a common sight at Mission Hospital
Even at 8 a.m., June 2 was blazing hot outside Mission Hospital. Few trees lent little shade at the entrance to the complex. But the registered nurses who gathered that morning for a rally with National Nurses United are used to being on their feet for long periods of time in uncomfortable conditions. About 50 […]
Around Town: Buncombe County Special Collections blog opens to community posts
The Buncombe County Special Collections blog opens up to community submissions. Plus, local multimedia artist puts on augmented reality show, author chronicles history of the Toe River Valley, and photographers express experiences of queerness through visual autobiographies.
Natural health product sales increase during COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted more people to focus on their health, and the city’s many natural products stores rose to the occasion.