The first installment in the 2018 Community Engagement Social series takes place June 14 at Pisgah View Apartments.
UNC Asheville students and faculty seek out Cherokee history
In late February Trey Adcock was one of seven national recipients of the White Public Engagement Fellowship. The UNCA assistant-professor will use the $50,000 grant to uncover the story of the Snowbird Day School.
Walking in Montford
Author and journalist Carol Polsgrove kicks off our series on urban rambles in Western North Carolina with a paean to her personal walking nirvana: Asheville’s Montford neighborhood.
Pigeon River Fund pumps big bucks into local water quality efforts
With the help of money from the Pigeon River Fund, Asheville GreenWorks has lifted more than one thousand pounds of trash from Mud Creek in Hendersonville.
Mission Health sale could create massive community nonprofit
HCA’s purchase price for the system, plus Mission’s remaining net cash and investments, would fund a nonprofit foundation specifically devoted to boosting public health in the region. At a meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners, President and CEO Ron Paulus claimed that the new organization’s assets, which could range from $1 billion to $2 billion depending on the final sale price, would make it one of the three largest foundations in North Carolina and the richest foundation per capita anywhere on the planet.
County approves GE incentives, launches new early childhood ed initiatives
Though breaking news about new Wanda Greene indictments made it hard for elected officials and members of the public to focus on anything else, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved $685,000 in incentives for a planned local investment by GE Aviation and announced two new early childhood education initiatives during its meeting on June 5.
County releases more details about alleged Greene insurance scheme
An indictment returned June 5 brings new charges against former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene and alleges that she used $2.3 million of county money to purchase life insurance policies in her name as well as the names of her son Michael Greene, who worked for the county, and eight other county employees.
Feds file new fraud and money laundering charges against Wanda Greene
New fraud charges — in addition to previous charges related to improper use of county credit cards — have been filed against former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene. In an indictment, federal officials allege that Greene “defrauded Buncombe County by misappropriating approximately $2.3 million of Buncombe County funds to purchase whole life insurance policies for herself, her son Michael Greene, and eight other County employees, and to purchase an annuity for another county employee who did not qualify for a whole life insurance policy.”
Asheville Archives: Electric lights shine on Asheville, 1886
On Oct. 21, 1886, downtown Asheville was aglow.
Public invited to comment on county budget, economic incentives for GE
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold two public hearings at its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 5.
Conscious Party: The Mane Event
The fundraiser for Heart of Horse Sense takes place June 9 at Horse Sense of the Carolinas’ Marshall farm.
Stop, in the name of obstructionism
ASHEVILLE, NC
MountainTrue to host BioBlitz at Pinnacle Park in Sylva
On Saturday, June 2, local nature lovers seeking the thrill of discovery can take part in the Blackrock BioBlitz, a citizen science program that will pair residents with more than a dozen expert naturalists to document the diverse flora and fauna of Sylva’s Pinnacle Park and its highest point, Blackrock Mountain.
White named Volunteer of the Year
East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association President Renee’ White has been named the second recipient of the city of Asheville’s Volunteer of the Year award. White received the recognition during the May 22 meeting of Asheville City Council.
Asheville ramps up search for next city manager
The Asheville City Council will make one of its most consequential decisions when it hires its next city manager, a powerful administrator with broad authority for most aspects of city government. To inform its search, the Council is gathering input from residents.
WNC environmental programs and agencies could see more cuts in new state budget
Local legislators and environmental advocates share their thoughts on which state budgetary and policy decisions could have a big impact on WNC’s environment in the coming fiscal year and beyond. They cited issues including the state’s response to novel contaminants like GenX chemicals, the budget for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and funding for the Clean Water Management, Parks and Recreation and Farmland Preservation trust funds.
Asheville City Council member Vijay Kapoor issues statement on policing changes
In the letter, Kapoor writes that he will ask Council to “reconsider” its actions at the upcoming meeting on Tuesday, June 19. Speaking with Xpress, he clarified that he’ll be calling for the motions to be rescinded and their substance explored through the normal committee process.
Asheville Archives: Prohibitionists seek to reform Asheville, 1907
On Oct. 8, 1907, Asheville residents voted in favor of Prohibition.
Conscious Party: Re:Views of Asheville & WNC
The exhibition and sale of revisioned vintage postcards by Terry Taylor benefits the Friends of the North Carolina Room projects and will be held June 1-2 at 305 Hillside St.
Re-education may be necessary
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?