“[Distributing papers] is like putting gumballs in a jar,” Cindy Kunst explains. “Everyone has a different jar. My job is to spread the gumballs out over all the jars.”
Buncombe considers funding for more low-barrier shelter beds
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners reviewed $3.6 million in funding requests that would expand low-barrier homeless shelters, which do not require ID or sobriety, and are open 24/7.
Publisher Jeff Fobes’ path to the Mountain Xpress
Jeff Fobes reflects on how his life led him to a 30-year career as a newspaper publisher, first of GreenLine, now the Mountain Xpress.
From CPP: Nurses strike vote passes at Mission Hospital with 97% in favor
This vote has the potential to give the union much more leverage in its negotiations with HCA, the Tennessee-based for-profit hospital chain that acquired the hospital’s parent company, Mission Health, in 2019.
In photos: Donald Trump campaign rally
Xpress captured the scene outside the event, including those who protested the Republican presidential nominee.
Communities throughout WNC embrace outdoor recreation projects
From Woodfin to Canton, Hendersonville to Brevard, local communities are embracing outdoor recreation as a way to drive economic growth and provide recreational opportunities for residents.
City program offers ‘carrot’ to hotel developers
Since 2021, 13 hotel projects have gone through the by-right process, with 11 committing more than $2.7 million toward city priorities, according to a newly released City of Asheville public dashboard.
Several downtown roads will temporarily close for Donald Trump campaign event, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 13
All roads are anticipated to reopen on Wednesday, Aug. 14 around 10 p.m.
Golden Agers: A calling to be a voice for the voiceless
“From the age of 8,” local resident Glenda McDowell says, “my mom would take me to Sunday services at our neighborhood church. St. Matthias Episcopal Church became my anchor, my outlet, a place where strong leaders and powerful women took an interest in me.”
Confusion abounds in Buncombe about what trash can be recycled. Here’s why.
Most Buncombe County residents, and most Americans, assume that anything with a little triangular recycling symbol on it is recyclable. But that’s not the case.
Buncombe residents use millions of recyclable plastic bags a year; nearly all end up in landfills, Watchdog finds
“Based on national numbers, we think there are about 132 million plastic shopping bags [used] per year within Buncombe County,” said Anna Alsobrook, the French Broad watershed science and policy manager at MountainTrue.
From CPP: Dogwood warns HCA of potential violations of terms of Mission Health deal
If the parties are unable to come to a resolution through dialogue after HCA receives official notice, then Dogwood has the right to move toward resolution through the courts.
New independent monitor finds HCA in potential noncompliance with Mission asset purchase agreement
The 32-page report from Boston-based Affiliated Monitors Inc. detailed three areas where in 2023 HCA potentially did not honor commitments it made five years ago as part of the Asset Purchase Agreement.
UNC System approves van Noort’s plan to eliminate 4 UNCA academic departments
While the programs will be eliminated, classes in those areas will still be offered, van Noort repeatedly told the board’s Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs before the board’s action.
Xpress wins multiple awards
The Association of Alternative Newsmedia recently announced its 2024 award winners. Xpress staff won first place in the Special Publication category for its Best of WNC guide. The paper also won multiple North Carolina Press Association awards.
ABCCM breaks ground on Safe Haven shelter
Safe Haven will be an emergency shelter operating 24/7 and year-round with 36 beds for single women, women with children and up to two intact families.
The Porchlight Project offers safe haven for abuse survivors
“The reason that we ask businesses to be involved is because [going to these places] is sometimes the only opportunity that people have to speak at all about what’s happening at home,” says Caitrin Doyle of Helpmate.
Working Together: Sweet, sweet friendship
One of The Hop and Lee’s One Fortune Farm’s favorite collaborations is their peach ice cream, which was released last week.
Working together: Eye-catching, business-building
“We’re a spectacle. Sometimes people are rubbernecking as we drive down the road,” says Move It Or Lose It owner Amalia Grannis.
From CPP: Transylvania health care woes. Leaders voice frustration with HCA hospital management in NC mountain community.
A new independent monitor, selected by Dogwood Health Trust to gauge the communities’ opinions of HCA and the company’s ongoing compliance with the terms of its acquisition of the Asheville-based Mission Health chain, is already losing the trust of Brevard’s leadership.
County makes progress toward affordability goals
Amid a housing crisis that has seen costs continue to skyrocket as supply can’t keep up with the rising demand, many families are just one bad break away from becoming homeless. But this fiscal year, Buncombe County is making its biggest investment yet in affordable housing. For the first time in years, county commissioners are sounding an optimistic note.