The rancor over last year’s vote to approve a quarter-cent sales-tax increase is continuing to play out, developing into a major issue in the Republican primary race for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
Tag: a-b tech
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Spring storms create a foggy morning
Spring brings the return of afternoon thunderstorms, but the impact of the rain can last long after the storms move on.
Spring’s scattered thunderstorms return to the mountains
For many of us in the mountains, it seems that spring has sprung almost overnight as trees are flowering, birds are singing and allergies have hit full force (cough, cough). Another sure sign of spring: Scattered thunderstorms that pop up in the heat of the sun.
The weather seesaw returns
Many of us woke up Thursday morning to widespread fog across the French Broad River Valley, thanks to rains overnight that caused the layer of air at ground-level to become saturated – producing a cloud on the ground – or fog. Big changes are on the way with a strong cold front bringing an end to the mild weather on Friday.
Where is winter? Look to the polar vortex
Snowflakes were flying earlier this week, as Valentine’s Day started off white at the higher elevations.
Snowflakes were flying earlier this week, as Valentine’s Day started off white at the higher elevations. This image of Max Patch in western Madison County shows the short-lived snow. So – what has happened to this winter? Why has it been so different than the last two years?
W is for water – not winter (apparently) in WNC
As we head into February, Western North Carolina continues to see plentiful rain as a steady stream of weather systems spread rainfall across the southern plains and into our area.
Our planet – A unique view of a truly unique place!
From the first full image of our planet shot by Apollo astronauts to the latest full disk image produced by NASA’s Suomi NPP satellite — we continue to marvel at the beauty of our unique planet as we gather critical data about its weather and climate.
Tomorrow’s solstice marks the first day of winter
The solstice occurs in Asheville at 12:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, Dec. 22, marking the beginning of winter. At that moment, the Earth’s axis will tilt the Northern Hemisphere at its largest angle away from the sun, according to Pamela McCown, coordinator at the A-B Tech Institute for Climate Education.
NOAA meteorologist offers seasonal forecast for WNC winter
A winter weather advisory has been issued for the Western North Carolina mountains today, Dec. 7, beginning at 4 p.m. Last night, NOAA meteorologist Tom Ross presented a look at the long-range winter forecast for WNC: Ashevillians may enjoy (or complain about) plenty of snow again this winter.
Buncombe Commissioners pass quarter-cent sales-tax increase
Among other actions, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 6 to levy a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech.
LIVE: Coverage of the Dec. 6 Buncombe Commissioners meeting
Follow live Twitter coverage (using the hashtag #avlgov) of the Dec. 6 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting beginning at about 4:30 p.m. Commissioners will vote on the controversial measure to levy a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech.
Referendum results highlight city-county divide
The rancor over the quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech didn’t end when the polls closed on Nov. 8.
$228 a year to Duke Energy is OK, but $45 to A-B Tech is not?
Asheville, let’s use our powers for good! Duke Energy wants to raise the rates for homeowners and businesses by about $19 for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours. Let’s look at other numbers. The monthly energy usage of a large place of worship is 83,000 kHw and a small business is 41,000 kwh. This would account for an […]
Local Matters: The lopsided fundraising battle over the A-B Tech tax referendum
In this podcast, Xpress reporter Jake Frankel talks about a recently released report detailing the fundraising efforts of groups on both sides of the proposed 1/4 cent sales tax increase to support A-B Tech.
Sales-tax hike supporters have big fundraising advantage
Supporters of the referendum to raise Buncombe County’s sales-tax by a quarter-cent to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech have a huge fundraising advantage going into the campaign’s final days.
Tax increases should benefit all of the people who pay them
It seems that the vote for the A-B Tech sales-tax increase is occurring at the proper time: when fog and cobwebs cloud our vision [“School or Scandal?” Oct. 19 Xpress]. Is it really the average county resident’s duty to provide money for the school to repair "crumbling staircases" and sidewalks on campus? Are we really […]
ABC News segment will feature A-B Tech workforce-development program
White House Correspondent Jake Tapper interviewed A-B Tech student Michael Rosemond for a segment scheduled to air Thursday, Oct. 20, on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.
Local Matters: A-B Tech Sales Tax Referendum
In this edition of the Mountain Xpress’ local news podcast, reporter Jake Frankel talks about Buncombe County’s proposed—and controversial—1/4 cent sales tax to benefit A-B Tech.
A-B Tech’s quarter-cent sales tax doesn’t sound like much
You know it’s more than just the money we‘re talking about. It’s about making sure we have a healthy local economy. It’s about making sure Buncombe County is a place where business can prosper and people can afford to live. It’s about making sure the leadership in our community is responsive to our needs and […]
Sunday open thread
The City Council primary election, the fight over the A-B Tech sales tax, candidate cash, Occupy Asheville demonstrations, Oktoberfest and our annual Best Of rankings. It’s been a busy week here in Asheville, readers, what’s on your mind?
Opposition mounts campaign to STOP A-B Tech sales-tax referendum
Opposition is mounting against a Nov. 8 referendum that would pave the way for a 0.25 percent sales-tax increase in Buncombe County to fund $129 million in building improvements at A-B Tech.