Short-term rental listening session yields conflictin­g views

The proposed regulations would ban future short-term rentals, both whole-house and rentals within the owner’s primary residence, in unincorporated parts of Buncombe County unless they were located within commercial zones or in an open-use district, among other changes. Existing short-term rentals would not be impacted by the changes.

Poet Brandon Amico on capitalism­, time and why you should ignore everything your high school teacher taught you about poetry

“I think there’s a sense from those newer to the form that poetry is something to be ‘solved’— that there’s a hidden meaning to a poem that requires the reader to find a clue or key and it unlocks,” says local poet Brandon Amico. “It’s hard to say where that sense comes from, but almost every young person seems to be taught that.

Dogwood requests independen­t monitor proposals for HCA

Dogwood Health Trust announced Jan. 2 it is seeking a request for proposals to provide independent monitor, or IM, services to oversee HCA Healthcare. HCA purchased the nonprofit Mission Hospital for $1.5 billion in 2019, and the nonprofit Dogwood Health Trust was formed as part of the sale. In its asset purchase agreement, HCA made 15 commitments […]

Help Buncombe County vote: Become a poll worker

News release from Buncombe County: Are you interested in earning money while helping support the democratic process? If so, join Buncombe County Election Services as a poll worker to support the 2024 Primary and General Elections. It’s a rewarding way to help our community while supplementing your income. If this sounds interesting, read on to learn more […]

Absentee ballot request portal now open for 2024 presidential primary

News release from the N.C. State Board of Elections: Any registered and eligible North Carolina voter may now request an absentee ballot for the 2024 primary election online through the North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal, available at votebymail.ncsbe.gov. The absentee ballot portal is the simplest, most efficient, and most accessible way to request an absentee ballot in […]

‘I was beginning to feel like I was on a sinking ship,’ says former Mission hospitalis­t

Dr. Scott Joslin is one of more than 130 doctors who signed a public letter in October decrying HCA Healthcare for “gutting” the local health care system and is the physician most cited — 17 times — in a lawsuit against HCA filed by Democratic gubernatorial candidate and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein in December.

Asheville Parks & Recreation is city’s New Year’s Resolutions HQ with #LandOfSkysTheLimit

Press release from Asheville Parks and Recreation As the city’s New Year’s Resolutions HQ, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) invites community members to browse hundreds of activities, classes, and special events in its latest program guide, covering January-May 2024. The free guide is available at community centers and online at ashevillenc.gov/apr-guide in English and Spanish: View program guide as a PDF in English and español or […]

WNC Double SNAP Network to expand farmers market SNAP incentives

Press release from Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project: Beginning in January 2024, ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) will partner with Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and MountainWise to expand Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables programs to more farmer’s markets, farmstands, and groceries in Western North Carolina. This group has established the WNC Double SNAP Network […]

City of Asheville announces winter holiday closings and ART bus holiday schedule

Press release from City of Asheville: City of Asheville offices will be closed December 25-27, 2023 during the winter holiday break. City offices will also be closed on January 1, 2024. The following City services will be affected by the holiday closures. ART bus service Asheville Rides Transit (ART) holiday schedule  will be as follows: […]