After nearly four decades of planning and discussions, the N.C. Department of Transportation has a contractor for the two main sections of the Interstate 26 Connector.
New Stories
BREAKING: Amanda Simpkins resigns from Buncombe County Board of Education
In a statement to the board at a special called work session May 15, an emotional Simpkins said she was stepping down for “personal reasons” and because of “some changes going on.”
As NCDOT buys land for I-26 Connector, negotiation can pay off for property owners
After 35 years of talking, planning, designing and redesigning, the Interstate 26 Connector project is finally underway, and the N.C. Department of Transportation or its contractors are buying land to accommodate the north-to-south downtown bypass.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Bear cub pulled from tree ‘doing well’
Asheville made national headlines last month after a video that showed people pulling two bear cubs from a tree to take photos with the animals went viral.
ACS asks who will pay to revamp school site
Recent comments by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has some members of the Asheville City Board of Education questioning the future costs associated with the former Asheville Primary School site on Haywood Road.
Why I volunteer: Giving back to the Appalachian Trail
Sarah Jones Decker, a volunteer at Carolina Mountain Club, discusses the joys of being outside with like-minded hikers.
New study explores connections between craft and community health
Artist Luis Alvaro Sahagún Nuño, student Kerstan Nealy and professor Ameena Batada reflect on their experiences with the project.
Honeycrisps bring community baseball to Hendersonville
The Hendersonville Honeycrisps are a summer league baseball team that soon begin their third season playing at historic Berkeley Mills Ballpark.
Teachers’ mental health gets new focus
Kate Wargo moved to Asheville in fall 2021 with hopes for a fresh start. Teaching elementary school during the COVID-19 pandemic had left her exhausted, anxious and depressed. “It was the first time I felt dehumanized,” she says of the previous two years teaching fourth grade in Pennsylvania.
Laura Jones discusses quilting’s legacy in WNC
The president of the nonprofit Western North Carolina Quilters Guild has been quilting since childhood.
Reparations commission continues flurry of recommendations as deadline looms
The Community Reparations Commission of Asheville and Buncombe County passed three education-centric recommendations May 13, adding to the four endorsed earlier this month, informing how the city and county can make amends for generations of discrimination towards Black residents.
Why I volunteer: Helping those who need it
Ted Bytes, a volunteer at Meals on Wheels of Asheville & Buncombe County, encourages everyone to jump into the volunteer experience.
Why I volunteer: Keeping trails in shape
Stefan Israel is a volunteer with Rock Crushers, which maintains hiking trails, particularly in the Gerton-Lake Lure area.
What’s new in food: Wine & Roses bar opens at Zelda Dearest hotel
A new bar is now open to the public at the downtown boutique hotel. Also in local food news: French Farmhouse Dinners with Susi Seguret, AVL Food Series’ Wing Wonderland, an Ashley English workshop on preserving strawberries and more.
Around town: ABSFest turns 15
ABSFest celebrates 15 years, Womansong unveils spring concert, Dirty Logic performs benefit concert at Salvage Station and more!
Why I volunteer: Creating a safe place for individuals to address their social service needs
David S. Leader, a volunteer at Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina, discusses the organization’s clinical and social support services.