Haywood County is currently the only mountain county using federal pandemic relief dollars to support local community colleges.
Tag: Haywood County
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From CPP: A good problem to have: Managing the ARPA windfall in a small NC county
Madison County’s ARPA manager says his job could wind down soon based on most uses of ARPA funds, but using them for broadband complicates things.
From CPP: Haywood residents continue recovery from storm devastation
As residents of severely flooded areas rebuild and repair, long-awaited federal funds have proven difficult to nail down.
From CPP: NC counties base jail decisions on controversial consultant work
Recommendations to build bigger jails in North Carolina often come from the same firms that land jail design contracts, reports Jordan Wilkie of Carolina Public Press. Consultant methods may stack the deck in favor of big investments in jail construction.
Double debacle
Canton and Maggie Valley consider additional occupancy tax
House Bill 412 would enable the two Haywood County municipalities to levy a 2% occupancy tax on accommodations like hotels, motels and Airbnbs, which would then be managed by new town-specific tourism development authorities.
From CPP: Haywood County seeks to build jail, grassroots group seeks to stop it
County officials say new jail is an issue of simple math. Opponents say money is better spent elsewhere.
From NC Health News: COVID funds to fix NC’s rural internet ‘dead zones’ likely won’t be used
More than nine months into a pandemic that underscored deficiencies in rural broadband, many remote communities still lack access to the internet.
COVID-19 roundup: Cases rising across the state, on college campuses
For the second day in a row, North Carolina set a record for the most COVID-19 cases reported in a single day. With numbers rising both across the state and in Buncombe County, here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus as the weekend approaches.
Author Leah Hampton examines modern life in Appalachia
On July 14, Waynesville resident and former Western Carolina University instructor, Leah Hampton, will celebrate the release of her debut book, “F*ckface: And Other Stories.” Several of the book’s tales take place in and around the Asheville area.
Buncombe revises tourism limits as state moves into Phase 1
The county, which had previously prohibited all leisure travel, will now limit reservations to “staycations” for Western North Carolina residents with an 828 area code. Occupancy is restricted to 50%, and visitors who are not part of the same family or household cannot occupy adjacent rooms.
County clarifies ‘essential’ business, travel rules under stay-home order
“Yes, ABC [Alcoholic Beverage Control] stores are considered essential retail. You’re welcome,” deadpanned Fletcher Tove, Buncombe County’s emergency preparedness coordinator, during a March 26 press briefing on the county’s COVID-19 response.
Three WNC counties to be removed from vehicle emissions program
As of Saturday, Dec. 1, vehicle owners in Haywood, Henderson and Rutherford counties will no longer have to submit their cars and light-duty trucks to an annual emissions inspection. Inspections remain in place for Buncombe and 21 additional counties, while the three other counties bordering Buncombe — Madison, McDowell and Yancey — have never required them.
WNC sees big turnout despite statewide decrease in early voting sites
Despite concern that a state law passed in June could stifle early voting numbers, counties in Western North Carolina have seen turnout more consistent with a presidential election than a midterm.
Homebuyers stymied by Asheville’s high cost look beyond the city limits
With the real estate market in Asheville becoming tighter and more expensive, homebuyers are increasingly looking outside the city, and oftentimes Buncombe County, to find a home that fits their budget.
UPDATED: Racial tensions mar WNC holiday events
Separate incidents in Canton and Buncombe County over the past week highlight the racial tensions that have dominated headlines throughout 2017 in WNC and across the country.
Local activists strive for social change
In Western North Carolina, homegrown activists of all stripes are working to effect change among an increasingly divided populace, drawing on historical ideals and using new technologies to spread their messages. Xpress reached out to local activists from across the political spectrum to share their motivations, challenges and techniques.
Book Review: “Cripple Joe: Stories From My Daddy,” by Donald Davis
Davis will visit Malaprop’s on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. to tell stories and sign copies of his new book.
Mélange of the Mountains highlights the flavors of Haywood County
Haywood County’s thriving food and beverage scene will be on full display at the upcoming 12th annual Melange of the Mountains, planned for Thursday, March 10.
WNC farm found in violation of improper animal waste disposal
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released a statement, video and photo gallery (link below) claiming a Western North Carolina dairy farm mistreats its animals. The video showed cows on the farm knee-deep in their own manure, trudging through the sludge while feeding, sleeping and before milking. PETA reported many of […]
Land of Sky Regional Council hosts a community meeting
Land of Sky Regional Council is currently shepherding a 20-year planning process for the five county region of Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Madison and Transylvania called GroWNC. By looking at existing regional and local plans and extensive public input, this initiative strives to look for implementable action in the fields of Economic Development, Energy, Health, Housing, […]