“Transylvania County could become home to a bio/renewable diesel fuel plant, the first of its kind in Western North Carolina,” the Hendersonville Times-News reported on April 3. Local residents have organized a campaign to fight the proposal, noting that a facility that generates power by burning MSW (municipal solid waste) could turn mar an otherwise pristine valley near Brevard, possibly diminish air and water quality and bring unwanted industrial traffic to the valley.
Tag: Western North Carolina
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Eyes on ozone: Land-of-Sky launches annual ozone season
With today’s sunshine and warmer weather, ozone season — and local forecasts — begin in Western North Carolina.
Western Carolina University’s trail system now open
Nearly 7 miles of Western Carolina University trails are now open for bikers, hikers and runners. About 100 people celebrated on Feb. 23. (photo courtesy of WCU)
Stunning sunset: Another day in Western North Carolina’s winter weather
Timing is everything, especially when weather conditions change as quickly as they do in the mountains. Tuesday morning, Feb. 19, brought huge fluffy snowflakes to the higher elevations, quickly adding up to a couple of inches of snow. The whiplash of a day ended with a stunning sunset that was enhanced by concentric halos around the setting sun. 
Got broadband? If not, local nonprofit MAIN wants you to map it
Although broadband or high-speed Internet access is fairly common in Asheville, many Western North Carolinians can’t get it if they wanted to, largely because the infrastructure doesn’t exist. Thanks to a grant, MAIN has a mapping tool that could help get access to the nearly 48,000 WNC residents who are missing out on the digital revolution.
Ice, then fire. Be prepared for the clash of the Titans (and a High Wind Warning)
Last week’s ice-and-sleet storm left a mess in several counties across Western North Carolina. The complex temperature structure in the atmosphere resulted in a thick coating of ice in some areas, but produced just rain in others. Now, after several days of spring-like temperatures, spring-like thunderstorms will impact the region on Wednesday, Jan. 30. A High Wind Warning has been issued by the NWS.
What will 2013 bring?
Weather conditions in our region so far this year have been described as “mild” — with average temperatures at Asheville Regional Airport running slightly above normal for all but three days since the start of the New Year. And, while it’s hard to find too many folks who complain about mild temperatures in January, it does force the question: How will the weather of 2013 compare to that of 2012?
Small-business snapshot
Four years after the economic collapse we’ve dubbed the Great Recession, how is the Western North Carolina economy doing? Mountain BizWorks checked in with some local Chamber of Commerce directors to get their big-picture take on the past year and their predictions for 2013.
My, how things change: The weather
One of the most amazing things about living in Western North Carolina is the ability to watch the Earth system move through its annual climate cycles. That is especially true for those of us who have moved here from other regions, especially those that, perhaps, do not progress through these cycles in such grand fashion.
The images below highlight how fast the changes occur in our mountains. Frozen Knob is a mountain in Madison County that shows great color each fall. Color had just started to appear on the mountain on October 11th, but by this week, the greens are giving way to the yellows, oranges and rusts of fall.
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Campaign calendar: Forums, forums and more forums
‘Tis election season, and local organizations want voters to be informed. Here’s a list of upcoming forums and such for the week ahead.
The cost of opportunity
Mountain BizWorks supports small businesses in Western North Carolina through lending, consulting and training. Here’s one in a series of advice columns from one of the nonprofit’s local experts.
Minority Enterprise Development names 2012 award winners
All year long, the Minority Enterprise Development nonprofit helps minority business owners get their feet on the ground and their ideas to the next level. And once a year, they recognize what those entrepreneurs have accomplished. Said one winner, Roman Marin-Vera, “This country gives opportunity to everyone.”
WNC does the DNC
Now that the Democratic National Convention is over, Xpress reporter Caitlin Byrd has rounded up tweets, photos, video and more from the local voices at the Democratic National Convention this week with Storify. These are their stories and experiences on the ground. (Photo by Jake Frankel)
Mars Hill, A-B Tech Community colleges report record fall enrollment
A record number of students have enrolled this fall at both Mars Hill College and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Crafty: AWE teaches women artisans business savvy
Western North Carolina is no stranger to the craft biz: We have more crafters per capita than almost any other region in the country, and an Appalachian tradition that pairs creativity with hard work. But how does that passion for crafts translate into good business practices? Regional nonprofit Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs provides a helping hand.
The mysterious disappearing rain
The scattered thunderstorms this week have created several opportunities to witness a weather phenomenon that you may have seen a number of times, but didn’t quite know what to call it.
When it rains, it pours (at least for some)
The stalled frontal boundary that is lingering over the Southeast U.S. has provided some much needed rainfall from Texas to the Atlantic Ocean — but some folks in Western North Carolina saw too much of a good thing on Wednesday, July 11, when more than 3 inches of rain fell in areas of both Buncombe and Madison Counties.
Food on the table
As Asheville’s rates of hunger increase, local agencies are trying to keep pace. Standing in MANNA FoodBank’s warehouse holding a small bag of groceries, Beth Stahl, the nonprofit’s youth program coordinator, reflects on the value of food to the many Buncombe County children facing crippling hunger. “It’s kind of scary that this little bag of […]
Local impacts of global warming
Do you love North Carolina, its unique mountain forests, stellar beaches and productive farms? If so, actively support legislation to stop global warming, because our natural heritage is at risk. Local damage is already occurring from increasing temperatures, changing rain patterns and rising seas. Western North Carolina's mountains feature unique and beautiful plant communities evolved […]
Agree to disagree: Brevard College hosts 11th Congressional District candidate debate
The Brevard College Jazz Ensemble played in the lobby before two of the three Democratic candidates for the 11th Congressional District, Cecil Bothwell and Tom Hill, tried to hit all the right notes with voters during a March 22 debate. The third candidate, Hayden Rogers, was unable to attend. Hosted by the Brevard College Debate […]
Case dismissed, but it’s not over yet: Small growers vow to fight Monsanto
In her essay on the hazards attending genetic engineering, author Barbara Kingsolver raises the question: “What will it mean for a handful of agribusinesses to control the world’s ever-narrowing seed banks?” Asheville’s Sow True Seed has an idea, and they’re ready to fight back. (Cathryn Zommer shows off Sow True Seed’s “Harvest Goddess” street puppet, above.)