News - Articles, Content and Blogs
Incumbent Reisinger Seeks Election to Buncombe County Register of Deeds in 2012
Current Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger announced today he will seek election to the office in 2012. Read more...
Asheville named a finalist to host USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships
Asheville has been selected as one of three finalist to host the 2014 and 2015 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, USA Cycling announced Wednesday. The three potential host cities are Asheville, N.C. (Biltmore< Estate), Austin, Texas (Zilker Park) and Boulder, Colo. (Valmont Bike Park). Read more...
2012 SoCon Basketball Championship Ticket Sales are Underway
City of Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy along with members of Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commissioners will be the first in line to purchase tickets at 10 am on Friday, November 11 for the 2012 SoCon Basketball Championships to be held March 2-5, 2012. Read more...
FREE EVENTS IN ASHEVILLE SHED LIGHT ON ADULT ADHD
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LazyBirds perform their ragtime style of American roots music at MoDaddys on Friday, September 23, 2011
Lazybirds is a classic American roots band from the mountains of North Carolina. Specializing in good time music that is just about impossible not to move to, there is also a depth to the band that faithful fans have treasured over the years. Read more...
Chyten invites area students to take a free ACT vs SAT Comparison Test
Students in Asheville are invited to take Chyten's revolutionary 'ACT vs SAT Comparison Test' to determine which test represents their best match! Read more...
Attractive kitchen and bath remodeling with JONESCO
JONESCO has proved why it is the best General Contractors In North Carolina because, construction is our passion. Never compromise in quality when they build a new home or remodeling. They are dedicated to maintaining quality and integrity on every project and to achieving the utmost in client satisfaction. Read more...
Register of Deeds to begin new Online Marriage Application
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds office, in an effort to reduce wait time for couples getting married, has begun an Online Marriage Application. Read more...
Welcomemat Services Announces Growth Plans for Asheville
Welcomemat Services, the nation's leading franchise system specializing in helping businesses turn new movers into loyal customers, has announced expansion into Asheville, North Carolina. Read more...
U.S. Cellular Recognized As A J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion
U.S. Cellular was recognized at the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Service Roundtable in Las Vegas as a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion one of only 40 companies to have earned this distinction this year. Read more...
U.S. Cellular Invites Western North Carolina Residents to Sign Up for Free Wireless Amber Alerts
As the 15th anniversary of National AMBER Alert Awareness Day approaches on January 13, U.S. Cellular invites customers to sign up to receive free AMBER alerts via text message. Since its inception, the AMBER Alert program has led to the safe recovery of more than 500 children, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Read more...
Tourism Officials Award $2.25 Million to Community Projects
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) announced today that it is awarding more than $2.25 million to three community projects through its Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF). Funding will assist with construction of projects that are expected to further enhance the community while also driving more overnight hotel stays and pumping additional dollars into the local economy. Read more...
Helping Haiti's Homeless
Sean Penn is still in Haiti six months after the devastating 7.0 earthquake that claimed the lives of at least 300,000 men, women and children. Another 1.5 million were left homeless. Read more...
U.S. Cellular Expands Network In Buncombe County
U.S. Cellular recently completed construction of additional cell site in Buncombe County to improve call quality for its customers. The new site increases U.S. Cellular's coverage along Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 19 and state Route 151. In addition, it provides in building coverage for Enka High School, Hominy Valley Elementary School and surrounding residential communities and commercial locations. This site complements U.S. Cellular's statewide network of more than 460 towers. Read more...
Mountain Dwellers Evacuated After NC Mudslide, Urged to Stay Away for Weeks Due to Danger
Emergency workers evacuated about 40 people from a dozen homes near Maggie Valley in western North Carolina after the Friday mudslide. Read more...
Retired NC fire department worker wins $47 million
Retired Asheville Fire Department employee Frank Griffin is $47 million richer, but he has few grand plans for the money. He mainly wants to spend more time with his wife. Read more...
Democratic Candidates File for November Election on Monday
Democratic candidates gathered at the board of elections, last Monday afternoon, to file their candidacies for various regional and state elections later this year. Candidate hopefuls, who officially filed at the time of this report, include Steven Cogburn, Chris Dixon, Rep. Susan Fisher, Rep. Jane Whilden, Rep. Bruce Goforth and Disctric Court Judge Marvin Pope and Patsy Keever. Read more...
Domestic Partner Benefits Council Meeting
The Asheville City Council face a tough decision after council member Gordon Smith's domestic partnership benefits presentation tomorrow. Read more...
Attorney General Cooper Wants to Expand DNA Sampling
N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper wants to expand the state's DNA database by taking swabs from anyone arrested on a felony charge. Read more...
Asheville City Schools Foundation Presents 2nd Annual Tour of Excellence
The Asheville City Schools Foundation will present the Tour of Excellence on Thursday, February 18th from 9AM-12PM. Participants will meet at Asheville High for a light breakfast and then take a school bus to three sites where the ACS Foundation has implemented innovative programs that address challenges facing our schools. Tour participants will see programs at Hall Fletcher Elementary School, Asheville Middle School and Asheville High School. Read more...
Palace Sports & Entertainment Sells Minor-League Baseball Team in Asheville
Auburn Hills-based Palace Sports and Entertainment has reportedly sold the Asheville Tourists minor-league baseball team. Read more...
American to add service to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Asheville, N.C.
Beginning April 6, American Airlines will add seasonal service between South Carolina's Myrtle Beach International and Dallas/Fort Worth. AA subsidiary American Eagle will fly one daily round-trip flight on the route through Oct. 31. The flights will be on 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 regional jets. Read more...
Two Weeks to Get It Right: Behind the Scenes at Asheville Lyric Opera's Fast-Paced Rehearsals for 'Don Pasquale'
The singing is rich; the costumes are extravagant. Even the plot of the Asheville Lyric Opera's upcoming show, "Don Pasquale," is brimming with excessive passion and comedy. Read more...
Local and State Governments are in Trouble...
Republican Governor Arnold 'The Terminator' Schwarzenegger has a new nickname these days - 'The Debtinator'. One of our favorite screen superheroes has proven to be a major disappointment in his equally fanciful role of pretending to be a conservative Republican in public office. At the forefront of an entertaining but unprincipled parade of RINO's (Republicans in Name Only) betraying America over the past decade, Schwarzenegger has sealed his credentials through a federal rescue request for the beleaguered socialist republic he struggles to manage. Read more...
Balanced Growth: Expansion vs. Retraction
This post is ripped directly from Asheville, NC 2010: A Financial Crossroads, a report prepared by Asheville City Staff to put our current economic position in perspective. I'll be featuring excerpts from the report from time to time. Read more...
Casino Still Safe Despite Stomach Bug
A virus more commonly found on cruise ships is to blame for an outbreak of intestinal illness in hundreds of guests and staff at Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel. Read more...
Masters of the Fiddle
The Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place presents "Masters of the Fiddle," a whirlwind evening of fiddle-driven music, dance and song with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Feb. 1 and 2. Read more...
Art Classes: Winter Writing Workshops Open
Local writers will have the opportunity to hone their skills with UNC Asheville's Great Smokies Writing Program's winter workshops. Read more...
Not Again! Another Rockslide On I-40
Another rockslide is causing problems for workers on the closed section of Interstate 40 in North Carolina near Tennessee. The latetst slide happened sometime late Friday or early Saturday morning. Rocks and rock material slid onto a section of the westbound lanes. Read more...
Confronting Date-Rape Drugs With Citizen Reports
Date-rape drugs, or so-called "roofies," are making the rounds in Asheville bars, according to recent reports that have cropped up on the Internet and in local conversations. Read more...
Flood Advisory Issued For Asheville Citizens Near Swannanoa River
A flood advisory has been posted for citizens along the Swannanoa River in the city of Asheville until Monday afternoon. Read more...
Help Heal Haiti
It started with two things on Thursday night January 14: A music band canceled an upcoming performance at the last minute, and we saw an Internet video of an aerial view of the Haiti devastation. Read more...
Biltmore Village Business Owners Worried About Bridge Construction's Impact on Business
Business owners in Biltmore Village are worried about the impact that a big bridge construction project will have on their businesses. Crews are replacing the Biltmore Avenue bridge over the Swannanoa River near the heart of Biltmore Village. Traffic in the area is already a mess, and the construction will make things messier for at least the next five months. Read more...
Must Haves: Your Tourism and Travel Site Needs to Keep Visitors Coming
Everyone is being more careful about how they spend their money these days and travel is no exception. Even those with higher discretionary income are feeling the pinch. Here are some tips from Synergy Point, an award winning travel/tourism web design firm, to make it easier for visitors to find you and to keep them coming back. Read more...
Spicer Easement Permanently Conserves Fairview Land
The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC), a non-profit local land trust, has partnered with Mrs. Alma Spicer of Brevard and her family to permanently conserve 161 acres of their 238-acre property on Garren Creek Road in Fairview. The Buncombe County Commissioners and their Land Conservation Advisory Board (BCLCAB) provided the grant that made the conservation easement project possible. Read more...
Media Arts Project and Orbit DVD to host Found Footage Festival
Footage Fest Returns to Asheville with All-New Comedy Show, Sponsored by The Onion. The Found Footage Festival, the acclaimed touring showcase of odd and hilarious found videos, returns to Asheville with an all-new show. Hosts Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher, whose credits include The Onion and the Late Show with David Letterman, present a new lineup of found videos and live comedy. Read more...
The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage
Many of my fellow conservatives have an almost knee-jerk hostility toward gay marriage. This does not make sense, because same-sex unions promote the values conservatives prize. Marriage is one of the basic building blocks of our neighborhoods and our nation... Read more...
A New Autism Resource in Asheville!
A new resource for people with autism is opening in Asheville, NC! The Autism Community Center of Asheville was founded by a group of parents, educators, and community support professionals as a nonprofit 501 c (3) organization intended to serve as a focal point for the autism community in Asheville, NC. Read more...
AICFF January Newsletter
We had a successful first-ever AICFF, Asheville International Children's Film Festival in November 2009. As either an attendee, sponsor, or partner, you are receiving our very first newsletter which will keep you informed of exciting AICFF events and opportunities for 2010 and a reflection on the 2009 festival. Thank you for being a part of our first children's film festival. Up to date news can also be found at our Facebook Group and Twitter page. Read more...
Mad Men Panel: A Real Life Discussion of Advertising in the 60's
The popularity of the AMC's Mad Men TV series about a New York advertising in the 1960's has inspired this real life discussion of what advertising was really like back then, offering insights into lessons learned and what is different about advertising today for better or worse. Read more...
U.S. Cellular Expands Network in Buncombe County
U.S. Cellular recently completed construction of an additional cell site near Asheville to improve call quality for its customers in Buncombe County. This site will enhance U.S. Cellular's coverage along Highway 25 and Sweeten Creek Road. In addition, it will provide in building coverage for the Deerfield and Givens Estates retirement communities. This new site complements U.S. Cellular's statewide network of more than 460 towers. Read more...
Scooter Stolen from West Asheville on NYE
Somebody stole my Scooter, a golden colored Honda Ruckus, in West Asheville on New Year's Eve. It has been in front of the Westville Pub and was stolen between midnight and 2am. There are not many Honda Ruckus Scooters around Asheville, and the golden scooter is quiet unique. Read more...
VOLVO Announces the Closure of Asheville Manufacturing Facility
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) recently announced the consolidation of its North American industrial operations. As a result of this restructuring the Asheville, NC manufacturing facility will shut its doors by March 31, 2010. The closing will eliminate the jobs of Volvo's 228 employees at the manufacturing plant. Read more...
ThermoFisher Scientific Announces Expansion and 104 New Positions
In a joint announcement with the NC Department of Commerce, Buncombe County, and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville and Buncombe County (EDC), Thermo Fisher Scientific released plans today to create 104 jobs. Read more...
Asheville Man Gets 120 Days for Shooting Cyclist in the Head
By now just about everyone in Asheville and surrounding communities has heard the story about the Asheville firefighter, Charles Alexander Diez, shooting at a cyclist, Alan Simons, on July 26, 2009. This story has received a ton of media attention both locally and nationally. We don't have anything to add to the story, but since the verdict came down last week the online coverage has been staggering. Check out these popular online websites that have picked up this Asheville news story. Read more...
Buncombe County Democratic Party to Host Health Care Political Strategy Session
The Buncombe County Democratic Party will host a political strategy session and discussion on health care reform. The event will be held Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center. Read more...
Dancing Makes You Smarter
Most people agree that dancing is a good form of exercise, but research shows other health benefits like stress reduction, increased serotonin levels, and improved well being. Read more...
Next assignment for dynamic duo of Mumpower and Boyle: Diving into Asheville's escort services
Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower calls attention to Asheville sex escort services. Read more...
Shoot A Cyclist For Safety
A few days ago outside of Asheville, NC a motorist became so enraged at a cyclist for legally riding on a public road - that he shot him in the head... with the victim's 3-year old son in the bike seat behind him. According to the police, the bullet came within an inch of killing the cyclist. Read more...
Coming soon... The Lexington Avenue Brewery (The LAB) & Sweet Peas Hostel
With each passing week, we grow closer to the much anticipated opening of the Lexington Avenue Brewery (the LAB) and Sweet Peas Hostel. Located in the TS Morrison Building on North Lexington Avenue, these two businesses, covering a total of 12,000 sq ft of space, stand to reshape the flow of nightlife and travelers in downtown Asheville. Read more...
'Beer City Bash' @ The Orange Peel
We're having a party, Asheville! Come one, come all (over 21 only) to the 'Beer City Bash' at The Orange Peel on Friday, June 26. Doors @ 7:30pm; Starts at 8pm. Yours truly will be the MC! We're celebrating Asheville's tie with Portland, OR in the 'Beer City USA' poll. $10/pp includes two beer vouchers, giveaways, and live music. Don't miss it! Read more...
23 Skidoo DVD Release Event
Local kid-hop act, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has shown again and again that he knows how to throw a party. Last Saturday's DVD release party at the Grey Eagle was no exception. 23 has an energy and stage presence that keeps your feet movin' weather you have diapers or dentures. Read more...
Bellamy Bringing the Broadband?
Hunter Goosmann, the mastermind behind the ERC's regional broadband service, twittered a link to stimulus money dedicated to expanding broadband access: Read more...
DTMP: Section Two - Parking and Moving
I've got three favorite parking places downtown. One of them remains unmetered. Each requires an extra block of walking to city center. You all have your favorite spots as well, even the cyclists and the scooterati. Anecdotes suggest that some folks have a terrible time finding a place to park whenever they come downtown. Downtown business owners want it to be easy for people to get out of their cars and move all over the city. Read more...
DTMP: Section One - Arts, Culture, History
Section One of the DTMP is focused on arts, culture, and history in downtown Asheville. Folks all have their favorite and least favorite things about going downtown. I love hearing music in the streets, seeing art wherever I look, running into friends, and the abounding culture of creativity. A combination of low property values a generation ago, relentless entrepreneurship, city planning, and a most excellent populace has created a downtown full of life, where it feels like anything could happen. Read more...
NC Legislation: 'Contraversial, Statewide Smoking Ban Passed'
I personally think that last week's passing of the statewide smoking ban is a big deal. I know that for smokers this new legislation is annoying, but personally I welcome the change. Read more...
No High-Rise in front of the Basilica!
One of the most beautiful buildings in Asheville celebrates its 100th birthday this year. The historic Basilica of St. Lawrence was built in 1909, and sits at the entrance to downtown. The City of Asheville is now negotiating with the McKibbon Hotel Group to sell them the land in front of the Basilica. Read more...
Downtown Master Plan - An Overview
The Final Draft of the Downtown Master Plan is a creation of consensus and compromise. Dedicated people from every cranny of our community devoted 5,000 hours of their time to hammer this thing out. Public input sessions were frequent and very well attended. So no matter where you land in assessing the DTMP, you can respect the process that went into creating it. Read more...
Parkway Opens at Craggy Gardens May 15th
Parkway Opens One-Lane Traffic on May 15, 2009, Through Craggy Gardens Area. Blue Ridge Parkway officials are pleased to announce the opening of the Craggy Gardens Area to alternating one-lane traffic beginning on May 15, 2009. The Parkway detour between US 70 at Milepost 382.5 and NC Route 226 at Milepost 330.9/Gillespie Gap will be discontinued. However, retaining wall reconstruction will continue until the estimated completion in mid-June when this section of Parkway will be fully opened for two-lane visitor traffic. Read more...
Asheville City Chickens Meetup
Now that Asheville's Animal Control Ordinance has been changed to be more permissive of urban chickens, it's time to shift Asheville City Chickens from a grassroots political group to a group of engaged urban chickeners interested in raising chickens in a city setting and dedicated to helping others in their endeavors. In order to facilitate that, Cathy has set up a MeetUp.com account to allow us to arrange get togethers among those interested in urban chickens in the Asheville area. Read more...
Asheville's Downtown Master Plan
Tomorrow the Goody Clancy team, who paid $170,000 to collect, synthesize, and present the work of the Advisory Team, will present it's Final Draft Downtown Master Plan (DTMP) to City Council. The plan is a result of 5,000 hours of volunteers' time and an enormous amount of input from every corner of downtown. Two weeks from tomorrow, on May 26, City Council will hold a public hearing on the Plan. Between now and then there's going to be a lot of wrangling over this vision for Asheville. Read more...
Parkside: Appeals Court To Hear Case May 19
Here's a great chance for the multiple civic organizations who opposed the Parkside boondoggle to come together one more time. According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, 'The state Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments May 19 in a lawsuit over Buncombe County's 2006 sale of property just west of City Hall to developer Stewart Coleman...' Read more...
Tied with Portland! Asheville is Eastern 'Beer City, USA!'
'Over 16,000 people from 46 countries cast votes between March 18 and May 7 for their favorite Beer City USA. In the end Portland, Oregon and Asheville, North Carolina gathered the most votes. It was close right up until the end. Philadelphia came in third with 1,103 votes and cities with over 100 votes were:' Read more...
Media Arts Advantage Fund Open Now
The MAP has been supporting artists, innovation, and the regional economy since 2001. As a member of the Board of the MAP, I can attest to the passion and talent that goes into this Media Arts Advantage Fund. Please help spread the word about this excellent opportunity Read more...
Good Shuler!
Heath Shuler is making some positive headlines on climate change and his support of The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act HR 2057. Read more...
Patsy Keever to Challenge Bruce Goforth in 2010
Bruce Goforth has served four terms as the NC representative for House district 115. His record on the environment and other issues have been less than stellar. When a recent poll showed that 80% of Watauga County residents want more landslide regulation and warnings for people buying homes in landslide prone areas, Goforth said, 'I have about as much confidence...' Read more...
Hampton Inn Biltmore Square Completes Renovations
Hampton Inn Biltmore Square Completes Renovation of Entire Hotel totaling 3.5 Million Dollars. South Asheville Hotel Associates today announced that it has completed a renovation of Hampton Inn Biltmore Square located at 1 Rocky Ridge Road in Asheville, NC. Read more...
Carl Mumpower to Run For Re-election
He's been coy for some time on the subject, but this piece from the Buncombe County Republican Party site puts an end to the wondering. Carl Mumpower will be in the race for Asheville City Council this year, and his announcement is vintage Carl - refusing money and calling the other Council members vain, irresponsible, criminal child abusers: Read more...
