ASHEVILLE, N.C.
In photos: Asheville Climate Strike turns out hundreds for Green New Deal
As world leaders met in Spain for a United Nations conference on climate change, Western North Carolina residents converged on Pack Square for their own environmental action on the morning of Dec. 6. Organized by Sunrise Movement Asheville in conjunction with six other area nonprofits, the Asheville Climate Strike for a Green New Deal called for government leaders “to take bold action and treat this like the climate emergency that it is.”
Health roundup: Buncombe receives early childhood health report, musical garden opens at Charles D. Owen Park
While 12.7 African American babies die during the first year of life per 1,000 live births on average in North Carolina, that number is 19.6 per 1,000 in Buncombe County. Moreover, the county’s rate has doubled since 2012, when it was 9.8 per 1,000.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County holds seventh annual Holiday Book Drive
Press release from United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County: The seventh annual Holiday Book Drive, held by United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is underway, rallying community support to gather new books for local elementary and middle school students for the holidays. Held from November 1-December 31 in partnership with Barnes & Noble Asheville, […]
A Variety of A Tax
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Snap Judgement
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
West Asheville group proposes changes to state needle exchange legislation
A group of West Asheville residents proposed changes to House Bill 972, the law that legalized needle exchanges throughout the state, that would greatly restrict where and the programs operate.
Life and hard times in the Buncombe County jail
Nearly 70% of those confined at the Buncombe County Detention Facility are there awaiting trial. While Buncombe County aims to cut its pretrial jail population by 15% by next September, compared with 2018 figures, the numbers are actually up slightly in 2019 to date. We wanted to know: What is the jail experience like for the 536 individuals (on average) at the jail on any given day?
Council denies tiny home zoning expansion
On Nov. 26, Asheville City Council declined to allow tiny home communities in Highway Business zoning districts, saying those areas should be reserved for higher-density, transit-oriented forms of development. Activists with the Sunrise Movement urged Council to pass a climate emergency resolution advanced by the group without changes of any kind. And a group of bear advocates asked the city to help investigate whether local black bears are being caught in illegal snare traps.
Council to consider request to expand Highway Business zoning to allow tiny homes
Asheville City Council will consider a zoning change that would allow tiny homes on wheels to operate as permanent residences within the city’s Highway Business zoning district during its Nov. 26 meeting.
In photos: 73rd Asheville Holiday Parade
Both marchers and attendees braved the wind and rain to celebrate the 73rd Asheville Holiday Parade in downtown Asheville on Nov. 23. Xpress was on scene to capture the festive displays.
Cold Turkey
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Holiday Lights
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Asheville Regional Airport receives $10 million for expansion, improvements
The Asheville Regional Airport received a boost from the federal government to update its infrastructure and expand the airport’s terminal.
On the defensive: TDA board members react to criticism
“In my opinion, there are no problems with the TDA. The problems lie elsewhere,” said Vice Chair Himanshu Karvir during the tourism authority’s Nov. 20 meeting. “The problem lies with individuals that have nothing to do with our industry and have no idea how hotels operate, how the TDA operates and what the occupancy tax does for our community.”
Community Growth
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Council, activists at odds on climate emergency resolution
Asheville City Council announced that it would consider on a resolution to declare a climate emergency during its upcoming meeting. But representatives from the Sunrise Movement feel that the vote is being pushed through without proper vetting from activists and city staff.
Dogwood Health Trust CEO Antony Chiang talks philanthropy
Perched atop an estimated $1.5 billion endowment — the proceeds of the sale of nonprofit Mission Health to for-profit HCA Healthcare — Antony Chiang talked with Xpress after his first couple of weeks in Western North Carolina. The new leader of Dogwood Health Trust reflects on his approach to philanthropy, what it takes to make a real difference on some of our toughest social and health issues and how he maintains his own physical and mental wellness.
UPDATE: Asheville City and Buncombe County schools CLOSED Tuesday, Nov. 12
Asheville City and Buncombe County schools have updated their weather-related closure information. Both systems are closed Tuesday, Nov. 12.
House Warming?
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
In photos: Extinction Rebellion WNC holds Nov. 5 March on City Hall
Roughly 75 people, including Asheville City Council member Brian Haynes and Council candidate Shane McCarthy, took part in demanding that local government take stronger action in response to climate change. Extinction Rebellion chose the date of the march to coincide with the time local elections would have been held before they were moved to 2020 through the passage of Senate Bill 813.