ASHEVILLE, NC
Storing power key to expanding use of renewable energy
The success of the county’s and city’s goals to increase their use of renewable energy, say local experts, hinges on the availability of battery storage — and lots of it. With one very small local battery installation under its utility belt, Duke Energy Progress is developing two storage projects in Western North Carolina — but will those and future projects be large enough to make a meaningful difference?
Police group threatens legal action against Asheville City Council on recent policy changes
The words City Council adopted on May 22 could land the five members who supported them in hot water, according to lawyers from the N.C. Police Benevolent Association. Language in the city’s charter suggests that the consequences could be serious, possibly even including loss of office if convicted of giving an order to a city […]
Homebuyers stymied by Asheville’s high cost look beyond the city limits
With the real estate market in Asheville becoming tighter and more expensive, homebuyers are increasingly looking outside the city, and oftentimes Buncombe County, to find a home that fits their budget.
18th annual Mountain Sports Festival returns Memorial Day weekend
The Mountain Sports Festival returns to Asheville’s Carrier Park from Friday, May 25, to Sunday, May 27, for its 18th year.
Asheville GreenWorks dishes the dirt on home composting
The monthly events, offered at various local locations, provide useful information on outdoor and indoor composting methods, including composting with earthworms.
City Council drives through policing changes in contentious meeting
By the end of a six-hour session, Council had approved multiple items showing an unprecedented level of urgency for policing reform. Multiple split votes, however, showed the concern of some members over the process of making those changes.
Discussing MX election coverage with WPVM’s Mark Lieberman
Three Xpress reporters joined WPVM 103.7 FM radio host Mark Lieberman for a chat about our primary election coverage — among other topics — on May 15.
Asheville Archives: The Lost Cause narrative
From textbooks to newspapers, from monuments to public orations, the Lost Cause narrative sought to present the Confederates’ wartime efforts, not as one of defeat, but heroism in the face of great odds. The campaign also aimed to reimagine slavery as both a benign and beneficial institution.
A tussle in your hedgerow
ASHEVILLE, NC
Budget public hearing to take place at May 22 Council meeting
City residents will comment on Asheville’s $180 million spending plan at Council’s regular meeting in council Chambers at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22. Police equity concerns and Strategic Partnership Fund grants are also on the agenda.
Conscious Party: Live@Aloft
The monthly summer concert benefit series kicks off May 27 with performances by Rock Academy NC’s bands.
Growing Asheville’s tourism industry
Qualitative findings, paired with broader, quantitative surveys, support Explore Asheville’s ongoing quest to better understand its expanding roster of target markets. Because while Asheville’s total visitation numbers continue to rise, so do those of other destinations that are competing for the same tourist dollars.
Planning, permitting focus of spring city manager’s development forum
Roughly 80 attendees had lunch on the city while hearing updates related to development, design and construction at the May 17 city manager’s development forum. City officials said permitting activity is significantly lower in the current fiscal year than last year.
Historian Karen Cox confronts Confederate monuments
On Saturday, May 19, historian Karen Cox will present “Confederate Monuments in the Jim Crow South” in the Lord Auditorium at Pack Memorial Library.
Creative local students help MANNA FoodBank achieve a food drive milestone
By linking donations to friendly competitions and events and publicizing efforts on social media, Western North Carolina schools brought in more food and funds than ever before in this annual collection drive.
Commissioners laud budget transparency, choose new clerk
During the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 15, commissioners took time to applaud Stone and county staff for the transparency of the budget process this year, noting that it was a significant improvement over the budget planning in prior years.
Police accountability and transparency focus of City Council meeting
Amid calls for increased public access to policing data, Asheville City Council left the city’s volunteer board dedicated to hearing residents’ concerns about law enforcement in place for now. At the same time, the elected officials noted many vacancies on the Citizens Police Advisory Committee and signaled their longterm intent to dissolve the body once the newly forming Human Relations Commission has gotten up and running.
Asheville Archives: ‘A growing evil’
On April 26, the the Equal Justice Initiative, a private nonprofit, opened the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala. The memorial features over 800 weathering steel monuments. According to its website, each structure represents a county in the U.S. where a “racial terror lynching” took place. Names of victims are inscribed on each […]
City to share proposed budget at May 15 meeting
For now, the work sessions and haggling are over. Interim City Manager Cathy Ball will present the city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-19 to Asheville City Council and the public at Council’s regular meeting in Council Chambers at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15. The document reflects Council’s consensus on issues such as parking […]
Growing healthy food for kids at the Shiloh Community Garden
At the Shiloh Community Garden, generations gather to connect with one another and with the environment.