The long-awaited plan to manage more than 1 million acres of national forest was released Friday by the U.S. Forest Service. The plan sets out a strategy to restore the ecological integrity of ecosystems and watersheds within Pisgah and Nantahala national forests.
New Stories
Letter: Council ‘check-ins’ are tool for understanding
“Council check-ins are a good tool for better understanding in a smaller setting.”
Letter: Thumbs-up for more eyes on the street
“We need cameras and more of them.”
Letter: WNC offers many more dance options
“I was then disheartened at the many dance options not included in the write-up.”
Quick takes: The goal is thought
Sarah Steiner, Western Carolina University’s head of research and instruction services at Hunter Library, shares her thoughts on community, uplifting fellow librarians and the importance of asking questions.
Home-based child care may help with Buncombe needs
One potential way to close the child care gap, according to a recent report commissioned by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, would be to boost the number of home-based care providers. In Buncombe County, those facilities have decreased from 48 in 2006 to only 11 in 2022.
Whose space is public space?
“The people we exclude from public spaces, and the things we refer to as worthless, say a lot about what we value as a community.”
Letter: Development is ruining North Buncombe
“This building boom is on steroids, and it’s turning what was a quaint little town and quiet rural countryside into constant traffic congestion.”
Trans women in Asheville share their experiences
Asheville has a reputation as welcoming individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations. The city has numerous gender-affirming health care providers, social groups for the LGBTQ community and inclusive arts and culture spaces. Yet the local trans women who spoke with Xpress say they’ve continued to face bigotry in their careers, health care and social lives.
Quick takes: On the importance of mentorships
Michele Cook, owner of Blaze On Creations, discusses the importance of mentorships and inspiring the next wave of female business owners.
Buncombe considers preemptive zoning for crypto mines
The county has not received any applications for cryptocurrency mines, according to a staff presentation provided ahead of a briefing scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21. But commissioners are expected to weigh in on whether county zoning should be updated in anticipation of future development requests.
Best Medicine: Cupid has left the building
Ah, February. The real start to the new year. Let’s face it, January’s a wash — a monthlong decompression session (better known as weighted blanket season) brought on from too much holiday socializing. Yes, February is a time for new beginnings. And for love. Plus, all planets are direct until April so it’s the perfect time to […]
Quick takes: Camaraderie in the arts
Rae Geoffrey, managing director of Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, discusses the power of giving, the arts and the unique superpowers women bring to leadership positions.
Therapists discuss resources for coping with birth-related trauma
As many as 1-in-5 women experience mood changes or anxiety after experiencing trauma while giving birth, with roughly 9% being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Postpartum Support International.