The Beat

The upcoming budget year, a raise for city employees and sending a lobbyist to Raleigh were key topics in the wide-ranging discussion at Asheville City Council's annual retreat. Held Feb. 3 in UNCA's Sherrill Center, this year’s session gave Council members a chance to hear briefings by staff and ponder goals for 2012. The budget: […]

PHOTOS: UNC Asheville dumpster dives into waste reducing competitio­n

Coming down the stairs of Ramsey Library, students and faculty faced the unmistakable smell of UNC Asheville’s trash.  Despite the cold, grounds workers and the recycling coordinator, Zig, searched for recyclable and compostable items discarded in trashcans and sorted them on a large blue tarp on the quad.  The demonstration was part of Recyclemania, an international competition to increase recycling and reduce waste.

Love Asheville

Dear Asheville, At the risk of sounding gushy, I want you to know that you’re amazing. Gorgeous, smart, lovable: in short, everything I could ever ask for in a town. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. But while some may love you for your beauty (and your incredible food), I […]

No decisions yet on Charlotte Street corridor improvemen­ts, city staff say

The Jewish Community Center gymnasium was full tonight, Feb. 6, with residents and Asheville City staff and City Council members. The topic: Transportation issues — particularly bicycling infrastructure — for a half-mile stretch of Charlotte Street. Several residents dispatched live updates via Twitter from the meeting.
(photo by Asheville City Council member Gordon Smith)

Food and shelter

Asheville City Council Jan. 10, 2012 meeting Charlotte Diocese offers $2 million for downtown property City considers permits for Occupy Asheville campers In a short but busy Jan. 10 session, Asheville City Council members approved a number of changes to the Unified Development Ordinance. One took center stage: allowing fresh-food markets in residential areas. The […]

Legislativ­e committees focus on Asheville, Buncombe County

With constitutional arguments concerning the Jan. 4 and 5 convenings of the N.C. Legislature now in the court system and the next scheduled session a month away on Feb. 16, the legislative calendar is currently dense with committee activity. And three committees specifically affecting Asheville and Buncombe County are part of the out-of-session action.

UNC Asheville to host second annual Health Fair this Thursday, open to the public

After 370 students showed up to the first UNC Asheville Health Fair, senior health and wellness student Emily Pineda decided to not only organize the event again, but to open it to the Asheville community this year. The fair will feature about 40 local health organizations and businesses in addition to about $500 worth of free health assessments ranging from therapeutic massages to eye care.