Cars on highway

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.

Rutherford Electric files to build power lines through Box Creek Wilderness

Months of debate, studies and discussion about where Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation should build 2.5 miles of power lines have come to a halt: In January, REMC filed a 25-page request for an easement that would let the utility build power lines through Box Creek Wilderness, a 5,100-acre forest tract that straddles the county line between Rutherford and McDowell. Local groups and the property owner have launched a campaign against it, including a petition, Facebook page and video. (Image courtesy of Unique Places to Save)

Looking down that lonesome road

I feel sad about the dialogue that isn’t happening concerning choices that have lasting, detrimental effects on our children and the planet. Sad that environmentalists are seen as a threat. Sad that the environmental community remains stuck in its own groups and doesn’t pool resources, efforts, hearts and hands to create the future we want […]