COVID-19 ravages Asheville nursing home; 4 dead in 11 daysMay 22, 2020
Coronavirus is sweeping through North Carolina nursing homes, claiming an astonishing toll of more than 375 dead.
Asheville restaurant defies public health orders, opens for dine-in customersMay 18, 2020
Asheville police issued Rise 'n Shine Cafe a citation Monday morning for defying local public health orders aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19.
Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Bull & Beggar, The Admiral feature online menus, moreMay 16, 2020
Also, Asheville pastry chef Ashley Capps has launched a new meal delivery service, and more.
Asheville small biz owners promote wearing of masks with new public awareness campaignMay 15, 2020
The group's slogan: "Pro Mask = Pro Asheville."
Asheville Regional Airport considers new safety measures in wake of coronavirusMay 13, 2020
One change under consideration: pumping hydrogen peroxide molecules into the air of the airport terminal to act as a disinfectant.
Asheville summer festival organizers get creative as coronavirus concerns lingerMay 13, 2020
Festival organizers say its all about staying engaged with audiences. This weekend, Downtown After 5 kicks off a new streaming series, and LEAF goes virtual this weekend as V-LEAF.
Some Asheville small business owners opt to stay closed despite easing coronavirus restrictionsMay 11, 2020
Buncombe County public health officials are easing up coronavirus restrictions, but some small business owners remain wary, even as they struggle financially.
Asheville’s Manna FoodBank CEO: Food donation chain in near gridlockMay 8, 2020
For Manna FoodBank in Asheville, the pandemic has The pandemic has amplified the scope of the poverty and hunger it sees in Western North Carolina like nothing before.
Drive-thru food giveaway and music concert Saturday in Asheville, SwannanoaMay 8, 2020
The Asheville nonprofit Food Connection is partnering with Wicked Weed Brewing and its Cultura restaurant, the YMCA of Western North Carolina, and Red Wing Enterprises for the event aimed at helping service industry workers.
Asheville Humans and Poetry collective moves poetry slam online during coronavirus crisisMay 7, 2020
Check out the video submissions of the top four winning poets in the online version of Humans and Poetry's Asheville slam series.
U.S. airport music programs, including Asheville Music on the Fly, featured in virtual JetStream Music FestivalMay 6, 2020
The JetStream Music Festival will feature Asheville songstress Jane Kramer, the first musician featured in the four-year-old Music on the Fly program at the Asheville Regional Airport.
Asheville restaurant newcomers: Some of what’s still coming, and whenMay 6, 2020
New Asheville restaurants still in the works include Tacos El Gallo, Pachamama5, Jettie Rae's, Asheville Proper and more.
Pandemic speeds action on criminal justice reforms in AshevilleMay 4, 2020
One of the biggest immediate impacts has been the release of about 200 people from the Buncombe County jail, a long-sought after goal by some local officials who want to convert the county jail from a holding pen for low-level, nonviolent, poor suspects to a lockup reserved for serious offenders.
Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Dining In for Life, Food Connection collab donation, more Asheville food newsApril 27, 2020
Also, the Freez (formerly Tastee Freez) on Patton Avenue has announced plans to reopen on Friday, May 1, and more.
- Series of online Asheville town hall meetings will focus on coronavirus recovery, reopening
April 27, 2020
If you're unable to attend but still want to offer input, email business@buncombecounty.org
Campaign season and COVID-19 in Western North Carolina: Political candidates are staying home, tooApril 27, 2020
Social media outlets and virtual town halls meetings have become critical communication tools for candidates navigating the 2020 election season.
Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Canton chicken sale, Daddy Ds in West Asheville, moreApril 25, 2020
Also, Sunshine Sammies is open and serving ice cream sandwiches and other treats curbside from their ice cream truck, which is parked in front of their South Lexington Avenue shop, and more.
Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Pupuseria Patty’s, Tortilleria Molina now open, more Asheville food newsApril 25, 2020
Silverball Subs has opened on New Leicester Highway and are slinging to-go sandwiches, and much more.
- $5 million in Asheville area hotel room tax money to go toward coronavirus relief under proposed legislation
April 24, 2020
The proposed legislation, titled the "Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Act," must be approved by the N.C. General Assembly.
Listen: Asheville musician Morgan Geer’s melancholy meditation on coronavirus isolation, ‘Crazy Alone (Quarantine)’April 22, 2020
Listen to "Crazy Alonge (Quarantine)", Asheville musician Morgan Geer's melancholy meditation on isolation during the novel coronavirus.
Scared of Losing Everything: Asheville chef Katie Button on surviving the coronavirus crisisApril 22, 2020
Spending too much time thinking about the worst case scenario can become crippling, says Button, who adds that she's just doing her best to react and adjust day by day.
The Long Road Back: A post-pandemic Asheville faces daunting returnApril 20, 2020
From budding artists to the tapas bars, here are predictions for how the pillars of Asheville’s once-thriving economy could fare.
East Fork Pottery launches pandemic pottery raffle series to aid hardest hitApril 19, 2020
The beneficiary of the first raffle will be Haywood Street Congregation. The fundraising goal: $20,000.
- Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Smoky Park Dunkin’ shop remodeled, Bottle Riot offers online ordering, more Asheville food news
April 19, 2020
Also, Asheville Chef Katie Button continues to call for federal aid specifically targeting independent restaurants, and more.
- Ashvegas Virus Hot Sheet: Mission Hospital to hold coronavirus public forum Monday
April 18, 2020
Also, the One Buncombe emergency relief fund for Asheville and Buncombe County has topped $1 million in donations, and more.
- Asheville city budget takes hit from coronavirus crisis
April 17, 2020
City officials currently have no plans to lay off or furlough city staff during the coronavirus crisis.
McCall: It’s time to face the reality of an Asheville without touristsApril 14, 2020
With the city's tourism industry in stasis, local small business owners must start getting creative, while local residents should consider doubling down on the "buy local" movement, McCall writes.
- Ashvegas Hot Sheet: Curbside ice cream at The Hop, Sunny Point Cafe reopens with to-go menu
April 11, 2020
Also, in case you missed it, the James Beard Award nominations have been postponed (there are several Asheville chefs in the running) and more.
- Ashvegas Virus Hot Sheet: Second COVID-19 death in Buncombe County reported
April 11, 2020
Also, the Asheville Ballet has announced it is canceling a concert during its main season for the first time in its 60-year history.
- Ashvegas Hot Sheet: WLOS television news anchorwoman Darcel Grimes is OK
April 10, 2020
Also, Asheville area photographer Mike Belleme documents Western North Carolina residents' response to the coronavirus outbreak for Rolling Stone magazine, and more.
