New Stories
Letter: BCS book ban will backfire
“By banning this book, the county schools have just made it very popular and sought after by many students.”
Letter: Haw Creek rezoning is not in community’s best interest
“As an Asheville and Haw Creek resident, I must ask our City Council members: Why would you approve a rezoning that is so openly opposed by the community and in direct conflict with a well-thought-out comprehensive plan?”
Letter: Vote — and make sure your vote counts
“Remember — your vote is your voice, and we want to make sure all voices are heard.”
By several metrics, Asheville’s living wage keeps going up
According to Just Economics of Western North Carolina, which has been calculating the local living wage since 2008, a single person working full time in Buncombe County needs to make $22.10 per hour to afford basic expenses. That’s a $2 hike over last year’s rate and more than double what it was when it was first calculated 17 years ago.
Bids for main parts of I-26 Connector project come in hundreds of millions of dollars above projected cost
The bids were for the two main sections of the project, which the NCDOT calls Section B and Section D. These sections will involve new bridges over the French Broad River and new sections of interstate to connect Interstate 26 above and below Asheville, as well as improvements to Riverside Drive.
ArtsAVL surveys the creative community
Executive Director Katie Cornell provides updates on the designated arts agency for Buncombe County.
Law enforcement undergoes crisis intervention training
The 40-hour crisis intervention training prepares first responders to interact with someone in crisis. A significant component is making them aware of local resources that exist for people with substance use or behavioral health challenges.
Asheville’s rising housing cost forces candidate out of City Council race weeks before primary
“It’s a very new feeling for me and I think I was embarrassed to let people know,” Taylon Breeden said of her difficulty in finding housing. “But it’s important that I tell the story because it is relatable and we’re all facing it so harshly right now.”
Buncombe advances school district consolidation study
While one local public school district redraws its district lines and the other considers merging its two middle schools, Buncombe County is moving forward with a study to explore consolidation of the two districts.
Reparations commission launches plan to increase engagement
Reparations commissioners unanimously approved a three-month public engagement plan to gather reactions and opinions from Black residents of Asheville and Buncombe County about the commission’s draft recommendations for local government leaders.
Around town: Story Medicine Worldwide founder passes the torch
Story Medicine Worldwide founder passes the torch to new spiritual teachers. Plus: Casting call for Asheville Musical Theatre, passion mapping at the Art Garden and more!
From CPP: Lawsuit challenges timber harvest, questions federal policy in NC national forests
The site is only 15 acres. But the lawsuit could have dramatic implications for future timber cutting in the region.
Mission sets 10-minute goal for emergency patient care, document obtained by Watchdog shows
Mission Hospital has enacted drastic operational changes, including rapid turnaround time goals for emergency department patients and their lab work and enhanced communication procedures, all as state investigators have returned to the Asheville facility this week following recent federal findings of serious deficiencies and immediate jeopardy.
Native salamander species nears endangerment
The Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander, found exclusively in a 14-mile-long gorge southeast of Asheville, is being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Scientists estimate there are only a few hundred of them left on Earth and populations have declined steeply in the past 20 years.