The approved projects include upgrades to the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville and an outdoor covered equestrian arena for the WNC Agricultural Center as well as new turf, lighting and a playground for the Enka Recreation Destination.
HCA’s independent monitor faces tense public meeting
Ronald Winters, CEO of the independent monitor for HCA Healthcare, faced an unhappy crowd at a community meeting Oct. 19. Current and former physicians, nurses and patients from Mission Hospital implored Gibbins Advisors to monitor the health care system’s quality. Throughout the 90-minute public meeting, Winters repeatedly told the audience that quality of patient care […]
Reparations commission releases initial recommendations
After 18 months of meetings and nearly $500,000 spent, Asheville’s reparations commission — tasked with making recommendations for restitution for generations of racial injustice — has now lost its second project manager in a year. Additionally, the commission is asking for more time to draft its final recommendations.
Council to hold public hearing for South Slope Vision Plan
The plan aims to channel the growth and development of the area, located south of the downtown core and its surrounding neighborhoods, including South French Broad, East End Valley Street and Oakhurst.
Local women make strides in male-dominated industries
You might think that Allison Walker’s love of cars was handed down from a family member or mentor. “I’ve always been a car fanatic,” remembers Walker. “I would ask my friends’ parents about their cars: ‘What kind of gas mileage are you getting? Do you have the four-cylinder or the six-cylinder?’ And they were happy […]
Community build
More than 1,000 volunteers gathered Oct. 4-9 near Ira B. Jones Elementary School in North Asheville to rebuild a community park, organizers estimated. The site, formerly known as Jones Park, has been renamed Candace Pickens Memorial Park. In 2016, Pickens was shot and killed at the location. Her 3-year-old son, Zachaeus, was injured during the […]
WTF: Bail bond intricacies explained
In March, the Asheville Police Department reported a nearly 20% increase in violent crime between 2021 and 2022. This, along with numerous instances of repeat offenders committing more crimes while out on bail has led some people to question the effectiveness of the judicial system in Asheville.
Downtown car-bike lane project divides Council
After nearly two hours of public comments and somewhat fervent discussions between council members, the council approved the College Patton Complete Streets project, 4-3, with council members Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith and Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore opposed.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Moog lays off staff
According to a statement from the company, Moog plans to continue to be headquartered in Asheville, where it will continue to design, engineer, service and manufacture instruments, although a selection of instruments will be produced by “trusted partners.”
Manheimer updates CIBO members on the state of the city
“COVID was the most disruptive thing that cities in America have ever experienced. It had a devastating effect on cities and to right that shift has really been a tremendous struggle,” Mayor Esther Manheimer told members of CIBO.
Community members debate new microhousing developments
Two microapartments developments, with individual housing units averaging about 250 to 350 square feet, have been approved for nearly $2.5 million of Land Use Incentive Grant funding. The developments have sparked debate among city officials and residents over whether microhousing is truly a solution to the affordable housing crisis.
One resident’s unique bond with area waterfowl
James Hewitt, a local Black Mountain resident, is known by many as Duck Whisper. But he says he’s had several other bird-related nicknames over the years, on account of his friendship with the ducks and geese at Lake Tomahawk.
Development Roundup: Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss new 279-unit development
City of Asheville The public will be able to provide input on two zoning map amendments at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, which will be in person at City Hall’s first-floor North Conference Room at 70 Court Plaza. A meeting of the same body to review the agenda, […]
Support wavers for BCTDA-Sports Commission merger
Despite a consultant’s recommendations to merge the Buncombe County Tourism and Development Authority and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, BCTDA President and CEO of Explore Asheville Vic Isley said at the Sept. 27 BCTDA board meeting she intends to vote to keep the Sports Commission independent.
Council to vote on Pack Square Vision Plan
After months of planning and community engagement forums, Asheville City Council is set to vote on the renovation plans for Pack Square Plaza at its Tuesday, Sept. 26 meeting. The plan has 10 main areas of focus, including creating new spaces for civic engagement and expression, repositioning the elevated lawn and redesigning South Market Street as an active cultural corridor to The Block.
Messino Cancer Centers to stop providing acute leukemia chemotherapy at Mission
Messino’s decision not to provide acute hematology chemotherapy at Mission comes five months after a National Nurses United union nurse flagged concerns about potential cancer patient harm to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Green Roundup: Karen Cragnolin Park officially opens after 17 years of restoration work
After 17 long years of removing toxic soil and replanting native grasses and flora, the greenway phase of Karen Cragnolin Park officially opened with a dedication ceremony Aug. 25. The park was dedicated to and named after Karen Cragnolin, the founder and former executive director of RiverLink who died in 2022.
Groups scramble to help residents meet new voter ID requirement
The N.C. Supreme Court ruled recently that Senate Bill 824, a voter ID law originally passed in 2018 by the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly, is constitutional, meaning photo identification will be required for the upcoming municipal elections in Woodfin and Weaverville
BCTDA annual meeting hosts speaker on economy’s future
Despite a 30-minute evacuation due to smoke from caterers, the annual meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Sept. 19 was deemed a huge success, with more than 350 business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders in attendance.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Cherokee votes to approve recreational marijuana
The measure would make the Qualla Boundary, which is about 46 miles west of Asheville, the only place in North Carolina where marijuana can legally be purchased for recreational use.
County struggles to find foster homes for kids, many of whom have mental health needs
As of late August there were 337 children ages 0-17 in the Buncombe foster care system and another 43 who are 18 or older, according to data provided to The Watchdog. There were 60 foster homes licensed by DSS in Buncombe and 34 licensed relatives as of early September.