Hundreds of people gathered at the steps of the Buncombe County Courthouse on Saturday to protest government spending and lament what they called out-of-control government spending and a move away from the values embedded in the U.S. Constitution.
Video-a-Go-Go: The local video roundup
Local videos from bands, the Chamber of Commerce, 48 Hour Film Project contestants and parenting vloggers
Blog Log: The week in local blogging
Despite some blogs going missing, going private or just being ignored in favor of summer activities, there was some action in our little corner of the blognation this week.
WNC News Roundup
Here’s a look at some of what’s making headlines around Western North Carolina: There’s a possible serial killer on the loose in upstate South Carolina; a Florida man drowned while saving his son at a popular Macon County water hole; the venerable Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain is on the verge of bankruptcy; and more.
Views from the unemployment line
With unemployment in the Asheville area on the rise and 8,100 jobs lost since the beginning of the year, Xpress wants to hear about your experiences in these tight times.
Repairs continue at Department of Social Services offices
Crews continue to repair water damage after a storm pipe eroded over Memorail Day weekend and poured water into the offices of the Buncombe County Department of Social Services.
Coal-ash dams in Buncombe potential hazard but sound
The Environmental Protection Agency lists two coal-ash-storage dams in Buncombe among similar high-hazard structures in North Carolina and the U.S. But there’s no indication the two dams — each about 90 feet high and located just off Interstate 26 near Arden — present an immediate danger.
Filing period for local elections opens on Monday
The local political season will officially open at 8 a.m. on Monday with the start of the candidate filing period for people seeking seats on Asheville City Council and a host of other local town boards.
Puzzled? This week’s Xpress has the wrong New York Times crossword
But don’t put away that pen yet: You can download the correct puzzle here
Unemployment rises in Asheville area
Unemployment in both the Asheville metropolitan area and Buncombe County rose in May, according to state figures that show unemployment ticking up to 9.2 percent for the metro area and 8.8 percent for Buncombe County.
Asheville City Council: Seeing green
$136 million budget approved Council creates “one-stop shop” for permitting development 51 Biltmore project delayed for want of funding Besides approving a $136 million budget, Asheville City Council members also faced an agenda laden with sustainability and energy-efficiency issues at their June 23 meeting. Ground zero: With no funding yet secured for the 51 Biltmore […]
Buncombe Commissioners: Board approves $327 million budget
911 agreement with city clears final hurdle Energy Loop rides again Despite a declining economy and the need for cuts in every department, Buncombe County staff managed to deliver a budget that keeps core services intact and the tax rate unchanged. The “Loop” is back: Dirck Cruser’s “Energy Loop,” Asheville’s first piece of public sculpture, […]
WPVM starts from scratch
CORRECTION: An article in last week’s Xpress, “WPVM Starts from Scratch,” incorrectly described action taken by the MAIN board, which holds the license for WPVM. The board made a statement regarding the governing structure of the station, but did not formally approve a resolution regarding the matter. Following months of rancor, WPVM, Asheville's low-power FM […]
Glen Rock Depot project breaks ground in River District
Smiling state and local officials wielding golden shovels were among those gathered June 29 for the official groundbreaking of Glen Rock Depot in the River District. The ambitious project, which calls for renovating the old Glen Rock Hotel and constructing a new 90,000 square foot building, will combine affordable housing, office space and a bar/performance […]
Bele Chere goes back to basics
This year's festival will close at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, an hour earlier than in the past. Two main stages have been eliminated. There won’t be any ticketed musical events, and about a dozen fewer free musical acts will perform during the festival’s three-day run July 24-26. There's one less food court, and […]
This final four is all about the food
They move with precision: a huddle here, a handoff there. It's all done with single-minded purpose, keeping an eye on the prize. The only difference is the playing surface: a kitchen. Culinary kudos: A squadron of A-B Tech culinary students will be one of four teams competing in a prestigious national cooking contest. Led by […]
MAIN makes bid for rural broadband stimulus money
The competition for $7.2 billion in federal stimulus funds for rural broadband development is about to begin, and the Asheville-based Mountain Area Information Network aims to be a front-runner in securing some of that cash. Executive Director Wally Bowen says his organization will be applying as part of a coalition of locally owned Internet service […]
The Green Scene
Craig Childs loves to clean things. When the 32-year-old met Xpress at a local café recently, he looked up at the ceiling and, noting the dirty ductwork, said, “It needs cleaning again!” Restaurants and home kitchens can present the toughest cleaning challenges, says the owner of the Asheville-based Pristine Clean. And sometimes you walk into […]
Tiles go in at Pack Square Park
A Weaverville artist has begun the Pack Square Park installation of hundreds of clay stoneware tiles, including 400 brown and blue square ones created and signed by students in Buncombe County Schools.
Nickeled and dimed: Asheville fees increase
Whether you’re a an Asheville developer, a homeowner using water or dead and ready to be buried in Riverside Cemetery, the cost of living (and dying) in Asheville is going up.
Asheville fees increase for 2009-1010 fiscal year
Whether you’re a an Asheville developer, a homeowner using water or dead and looking to be buried in Riverside Cemetery, the cost of living in Asheville is going up. Wednesday, July 1, starts the new fiscal year for local government. After facing an initial budget shortfall of more than $5 million, Asheville City Council put […]