Buncombe County Government, NC / Buncombe News Updates

Between January 1st and April 26, 2019, there were 704 cases of measles in 22 states across the US. This is the highest number of measles cases reported in the country since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. As of Wednesday, May 1st, there are 3 cases of measles in East Tennessee.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious health issues. Measles starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Three to five days later, a rash of red spots and bumps starts on the face and spreads down to the rest of the body.
Measles spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing, and can live for up to 2 hours in the airspace where a person sick with measles has been. Measles spreads so easily that if 1 person has it, 9 out of 10 non-immune people close to them will also become sick with measles. Additionally, people with measles can spread it to others starting 4 days before their rash appears.
Measles can be serious in all age groups. One out of 4 people who get measles will be hospitalized. It can be most dangerous for children less than 5 years of age. Up to 1 out of 20 children with measles will develop pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children. One child in 1000 with measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to hearing loss or other disabilities. And 1 to 2 children with measles will die from it. In a pregnant woman, measles can cause premature birth or a low birthweight baby.
As of May 1st, we are not aware of any measles cases in Buncombe County. However, we must be prepared for measles since we know that our community has a low immunization rate. Because it is so easily spread, measles could spread like wildfire in our community.

Buncombe County HHS is sharing information with medical providers so they are ready to identify, test and appropriately manage suspected measles cases. Our Communicable Disease Control Team is monitoring the situation and is always on-call, 24/7, to respond to reports of suspected cases. Our number one goal is to protect the public’s health.

The MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. Everyone in our community plays an important role in creating and maintaining the shield of protection that immunizations provide. We continue to urge community members to be fully immunized.

The bottom line is that if your child is not fully immunized, they are at risk for getting measles. If you haven’t already, now is the time to contact your healthcare provider or our immunization clinic to find out which immunizations you or your child might need. Keep yourself and others safe by getting immunized today.

Buncombe County Schools, Buncombe County Government, YMCA, and multiple community partners gathered to celebrate the opening of the new aquatic center on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

Part One of Buncombe County Commissioner's Workshop September 26th, 2017. This section covers a community panel on early childhood education challenges and opportunities; as well as a presentation from Asheville-Buncombe Preschool Planning Collaborative.

Part two of the Buncombe County Commissioner's Workshop September 26th, 2017. This section covers the public dashboard review and next steps and a presentation from Buncombe County Public Relations.

North Carolina State Attorney General Josh Stein recently sat in on a meeting of Buncombe County’s Safety Net Coalition to talk about opioid awareness.

A unique partnership that will help bring and retain quality teachers to our community opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 30th. Community leaders and UNC’s Roy Williams were on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting at Buncombe County’s brand new Williams-Baldwin Teacher Campus. The campus is a unique project located on Erwin Hills Rd. providing 24 two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartments renting for $915 a month, available for teachers in the Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools systems.
The campus is named in honor of Roy and Wanda Williams and Buddy and Rosa Lee Baldwin, area educators who have impacted countless lives in our community and across the nation.
The Williams-Baldwin Teacher Campus is a partnership between Buncombe County, the State Employee’s Credit Union, Buncombe County Schools, Asheville City Schools, Eblen Charities, and the Eblen Center for Social Enterprise.
Local leaders offered their thanks for the partnerships that made this project possible as well as their appreciation for area teachers. “We have great teachers in Buncombe County. We need to do everything that we can to communicate to them…that we respect you, we value you and we care for you,” said Brownie Newman, Chairman, Buncombe County Commissioners.
“Through the years, we have been fortunate to participate in many programs, but none such as this. We have no stronger partners than Buncombe County and the school systems," adds William Murdock of Eblen Charities. "Everyday, we see the importance of what our educators have done in our community, and it is an honor for us to be able to help provide a wonderful place for them to live. This isn’t affordable or workforce housing- this is Smart Housing.”
For more information on the Williams-Baldwin Teacher Campus visit wbteachercampus.com

The annual Ozone Season Kickoff event serves to teach about the historic successes and current challenges to improving air quality in our region. For the 2017 Kickoff, speakers addressed the 2016 wildfires, the successes of the Clean Vehicles Coalition, and more! If you are interested in learning more, contact the Land of Sky Regional Council at www.landofsky.org or call 828.251.6622.

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For more information about Buncombe County Government, visit http://www.buncombecounty.org/.

Last year, the Hemlock Restoration Initiative released a predatory beetle to fight the Hemlock Woolly Adelgids in 17 locations across Buncombe County. In this news update we'll join them in Montreat in at one of these locations to get an update on their progress.

County and school board officials met on August 26, 2016, to dedicate the new Enka Intermediate School facilities. The school is approximately 116,000 sq. ft. and contains 54 classrooms for a capacity of about 850 Grade 5 and 6 students. Enka Intermediate School not only relieves crowding in local district schools, but provides students with modern technology and premises to help facilitate learning.

City, county, and school board officials met for the grand opening of Issac Dickson Elementary School's new facilities on September 2nd, 2016. The new building features a media center, amphitheater, outdoor learning spaces and more (more being a 65-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton!). The facility is also designed to be as green as possible; the school features geothermal heating and cooling, daylighting, and rainwater collection.

Full speeches at the opening of the Family Justice Center. For more information, please visit buncombecounty.org/fjc. If you're currently in need of assistance from domestic or sexual violence or elder abuse, please call 828.250.6900.

The Council on Aging of Buncombe County recently celebrated their first annual Senior Breakfast of Champions in honor of some outstanding seniors in our area. After an extensive nomination process, eight were chosen for the 2016 celebration. Chosen were: Bob Tomasulo, Chris Moutos, Eugene "Bob" Carr, Jeanne Bowman, Judith Cheney, Maggie "Queen Mother" Belle Gladden, Oscar Wong, and Captain Walton Boyer.

Air quality officials from local and state levels recently held an "Ozone Season Kickoff" at the Land-of-Sky Regional Council. Ozone season begins in April and lasts throughout the summer. Topics discussed include air quality conditions and emission control programs in NC. For more information about the kickoff and air quality in Buncombe County, contact the Land-of-Sky Regional Council at 828.251.6622 or info@landofsky.org.

Do you think you're prepared in case a disaster strikes? Do you have a plan of action, a preparedness kit, or even know what to do if you lose power or water for days at a time? If you're not 100% ready, then check out this news update featuring Angie Ledford with Buncombe County Emergency Services. She's going to talk about Nixle, what's important to put in your preparedness kit, emergencies to prepare for, and establishing a plan of action.

For more information about disaster preparedness, visit readync.gov.

At a recent press conference, Commissioner Chairman David Gantt announced he will not seek re-election for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in the 2016 elections.

Gantt has been on the board for 20 years, and has been chairman since 2008. Also speaking at the event to Gantt's character were Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, County Commissioner Ellen Frost, and Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan.

Every year the Land-of-Sky Regional Council holds an Ozone Kickoff event to let people know when ozone air quality forecasts begin, and the current state of air pollution in our region. This video is a news update featuring the speakers of this event, summarizing our current state of air quality in Western North Carolina.

To see the entire Ozone Kickoff Event, visit the following link:
http://youtu.be/B4YKygrWbsk

Here is the entire Land-of-Sky Regional Air Quality's Ozone Kickoff 2015 press conference.

To view the news update which summarizes it, visit:
http://youtu.be/KdUKEGU65BI

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has implemented body cameras for their officers in the field. Learn all about them and why in this news update.

Blossman and Alliance Autogas recently celebrated the opening of their new facility in Asheville with a press conference and ribbon-cutting. To view the press conference in its entirety, visit:
http://youtu.be/NuSIBtqsRSA

Full Press Conference from the Grand Opening of the Blossman/Alliance Autogas new facility in Asheville.

To see the short news update, click:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAtqF9xOXyY

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office held a media event August 27th at the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, located at 202 Haywood Street in Asheville. The purpose of the event was to introduce our newest canine Sampson, who has been trained in Person-Borne weapons and explosive detection, and allow him to demonstrate his abilities. Sampson is the first canine trained in person-borne weapon detection in the entire country, and will be the first canine trained in this manner used in a school setting. When deployed, Sampson scans the air around persons, stationary or moving and will indicate with a positive alert by trailing a moving person or by sitting at the source of odor. Sampson has been trained to detect burnt powder, fresh powder and cleaning agents when looking for weapons. Sampson’s primary function at the schools he visits will be to deter and or detect any person who is illegally in possession of a weapon or explosive device. He is for the safety and well-being of each and every person in the building. He will scan during school hours as well as be utilized at sporting events and other large functions. The overall goal of Sampson’s presence is to support our school resource officers as they keep our schools safe.

For more information about Cycle to Farm, please visit cycletofarm.org

For more information about Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District or Farmland Preservation, please visit buncombecounty.org/soil

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office selected six individuals from different divisions of the agency to comprise a team for thirty days to address an ill structured problem. This team was assigned to address the problem with absent parents not paying their child support. The Child Support Enforcement staff assisted the team in collecting money owed. The team is made up of self motivated, hard working, and knowledgeable individuals. They work as a team and independently. Team facilitators assisted as needed.

To view the entire press conference, go to the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_EjURVde8A

The full press conference for the grand opening of the Humane Alliance Training Center that took place on Monday, July 28 at 10:30am.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office selected six individuals from different divisions of the agency to comprise a team for thirty days to address an ill structured problem in South Asheville community. The team is made up of self motivated, hard working, and knowledgeable individuals. They work as a team and independently. Team facilitators assisted as needed.

Students, Faculty, Garden Clubs, Volunteers, and Community Organizations were all involved in making the wetland at Pisgah Elementary School a reality. This project was coordinated by the Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Buncombe County Education Professionals and Politicians gathered together to celebrate the future new S.T.E.M. school opening in August.

The Land of Sky Regional Council hosted the 2014 Ozone Season Kickoff Event and Press Conference on March 27, 2014. The event was sponsored by the Regional Clean Air Campaign, NC Division of Air Quality, WNC Regional Air Quality Agency and Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition. Speakers include Sheila Holman, NC Division of Air Quality Director; Ashley Featherstone with WNC Regional Air Quality; Jason Walls, District Manager with Duke Engery and Bill Eaker, Clean Vehicles Coalition Coordinator. For the daily Ozone Forecast, visit ncair.org.

Through the efforts of state grants, Asheville Greenworks, Buncombe County Solid Waste, and Biltmore Iron and Metal, the junk yard of 60 years on Riverside Drive has been cleaned up!

Learn about the new Sheriff's Office Executive Reserve Volunteer Program in this News Update.

Jacob Holm Industries held a press conference announcing their groundbreaking for an expansion of their production. This expansion will add 66 new jobs with this $45 million dollar investment. Jacob Holm Industries has been in Asheville for 10 years producing nonwoven materials for the home care, personal hygiene and industrial markets.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Juvenile Justice Division - Buncombe County District 28 kicked off their new program - Graduated Sanctions and Rewards. They are partnering with community program providers to build the continuum of rewards to offer for short, moderate, and long-term goals that will seek and reinforce the desired behaviors for court involved youth. District 28/Buncombe County is particularly excited about their partnership with Eliada in the Graduated Rewards and Sanctions Program. Eliada has offered their facilities to the staff to use as rewards for juveniles that have achieved both short term, moderate and long term goals. Eliada has opened up opportunities for rewarding experiences that will allow juveniles the chance to experience some things they may not normally have the opportunity to do. If you are interested in mentoring or donating to the program, contact Sylvia Clement at sylvia.clement@ncdps.gov or call 828-225-7330.

The Buncombe County Judicial Complex has its Grand Opening!

News Update on the press conference concerning the completion of the Cassidian Communication technology upgrade to the Emergency Services radio system in Buncombe County.

GE Aviation has it's groundbreaking ceremony for it's new CMC production plant in Asheville.

Honoring Captain Jeff Bowen for his ultimate sacrifice when there was a fire back in 2011 at 1 Hospital Drive. After the ceremony Mission Hospital opened it's door to an open house to the renovated facility.

News Update on the Special Olympics Sourwood Community Classic. This event is a Special Olympics soccer match with the assistance of Owen High School and Asheville Christian Academy.

To thank their local community, the new Leicester Volunteer Fire Department held an open house with food, fellowship, and fun for their community. Hear from fire chiefs and board members about the importance of this new fire station, and how thankful they are for the community of Leicester.

The press conference unveiling Buncombe County's Project X with General Electric Aviation. It took place on Monday, June 17th, 2013.

In this Buncombe News Update you'll find out who the winner are from the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency's 2013 Clean Air Awards.

The Buncombe County Detention Center and Pre-Trial services recently presented the Smart Justice Fair for National County Government Month. The purpose of this fair was to go over all the aspects of recidivism in the county justice system, giving you all the information needed to navigate through the programs.

For those who weren't able to make it to the fair, this video interviews representatives from each booth on their services they offer, and their importance to the community.

For more information, please visit buncombecounty.org.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Detention Prevention Program and the Arrive Alive Program of UNITE International recently toured high schools throughout Buncombe County. They were all-day events that gave students real-life experiences of drunk and distracted driving with a DUI/DWI simulator, and a mobile jail cell to show its consequences.

Partnership for Substance Free Youth in Buncombe County is a coalition of schools, businesses, non-profits and government agencies in the Asheville area committed to keeping children in Asheville and Buncombe County away from drugs and alcohol. For more information, please contact Natalie Bailey at 828.250.4469.

The BUNCOMBE COUNTY Sheriff's Office selected five individuals from different divisions of the agency to comprise a team for thirty days to address an ill structured problem in the Emma Community. The team is made up of self motivated, hard working, and knowledgeable individuals. They work as a team and independently. Team facilitators assisted as needed.

Michael Vernon Fryar was sworn in Wednesday, January 9, 2013 as commissioner for District 2.

Buncombe County Sheriff's Office and Asheville Police Department in coordination with the District Attorney's Office will resume enforcement of the video gaming law outlined in NCGS 14-306.4 as of Monday, January 14, 2013. Anyone found in unlawful possession of video gaming machines will be subject to arrest and prosecution as well as seizure of any related devices or proceeds.

The newly elected and incumbents were sworn in as Buncombe County Commissioners today in the Buncombe County Commissioners Chambers located at 200 College Street, Suite 326. Incumbent David Gantt was re-elected as Chairman of the Board along with incumbent Holly Jones for the Commissioner who will represent District 1.

The Department of Social Services holds a Foster Adopt Fall Festival annual to recruit for foster and adoptive parents. This event provides all the information you need to determine if you would like to provide a home for the more than 250 chilldren in Buncombe County alone that needs a home and family to love. Department of Social Services from the surrounding area and private organizations are on hand to assist with questions and guide you.

Commissioners Bill Stanley served on the Board of Commissioners for 24 years - 1988 - 2012. The Board of Commissioners name the building at 35 Woodfin Willam H. Stanley Center in honor of Mr. Stanley and his dedication to Buncombe County and Western North Carolina.

The press conference for the grand opening of the Public Safety Training Facility located here in Buncombe County took place on Tuesday, October 16. Members from state and local fire departments, EMS, Sheriff, police, local officials, and more gathered to celebrate the impact this facility will have on providing top-notch training for emergency workers.

Asheville Greenworks, in cooperation with the Buncombe County Solid Waste Department and many local sponsors featured in the video came together for Tire Amnesty Day on Saturday, October 13. Set up at the Asheville Mall, Tire Amnesty Day is a way for all the citizens in Buncombe County to come out and get rid of their tires safely, and legally, at no charge. So if you have tires that are sitting around your barn or on your property and want a safe, easy way to dispose of them, check out this video, and keep tuned in to find out when the next event will take place.

The BUNCOMBE COUNTY Sheriff's Office selected four individuals from different divisions of the agency to comprise a team for thirty days to address an ill structured problem. The team is made up of self motivated, hard working, and knowledgeable individuals. They work as a team and independently. Team facilitators assisted as needed.

Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District held an Environmental Field Day on Warren Wilson College property for area fifth graders. Students visited stations that presented macroinvertebrates from Cooperative Extension, water cycle from Montreat College students, soils from NC Department of Agriculture, wildlife/nature from WNC Nature Center, solar from Sundance Power Systems, weather from The Colburn Earth Science Museum and agriculture from Warren Wilson College students. At each station, students learned by playing games and hands-on activities.

Asheville Greenworks and WNC Alliance held their 2012 NC Big Sweep River Cleanup on September 29, 2012. Volunteers met up and cleaned 15 miles of the French Broad River and its tributaries.

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners dedicated the Health and Human Services Building at 40 Coxe Avenue in memory of Margaret Hall Coman. Mrs. Coman began her career with the Buncombe County Department of Public Welfare in 1940 as a caseworker. She was promoted to supervisor in 1945, acting superintendent in 1946 and then appointed as the Director of the Department in 1961. She served as Director until 1983 when she retired with a 43 year career in public service.

WNC Regional Air Quality Agency (WNCRAQA) and the Buncombe County Solid Waste Department hosted a FREE gas can exchange program at the Buncombe County Landfill at 85 Panther Branch Road in Alexander. The exchange coincided with the weekly Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Friday August 10th from 9am to 3pm, while supplies last. Citizens brought their old EMPTY gas cans (that are not equipped with new spill and vent-proof features) to the event and exchanged each one for a new, environmentally friendly, Briggs and Stratton gas can. The new cans were available in 2-gallon and 5-gallon sizes, and there was a limit of 5 new cans per person. This purpose of this project is to reduce air pollution emissions. The WNC Regional Air Quality Agency has entered into an agreement with a corporate donor to receive and exchange the lower emitting gas cans for the benefit of the citizens in our area.

The BUNCOMBE COUNTY Sheriff's Office selected four individuals from different divisions of the agency to comprise a team for thirty days to address an ill structured problem. The team is made up of self motivated, hard working, and knowledgeable individuals. They work as a team and independently. Team facilitators assisted as needed.

Congregate nutrition services promote the health and well-being of older adults through the provision of a nutritious meal and programs, usually five days a week at convenient locations within the county. Services are available to persons 60 years of age and older and their spouses regardless of age.

For more information or a list of sites and times, visit coabc.org

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners honored the Friends for Animals founders by displaying a plaque in the lobby of the Buncombe County Animal Shelter. Commission Chair David Gantt and Commissioner Carol Peterson were there to thank those that started Friends for Animals and that have made the animal shelter what it is today.

This year, thanks to the collaborative effort of Buncombe County Schools, Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Department, YMCA of WNC and others, approximately 2000 children will have the opportunity to enjoy free meals daily at over 20 sites throughout the county. Buncombe County Schools is one of 12 out of the state's 115 school districts to serve as a pilot for expanding summer meals. The pilot program is a collaboration between No Kid Hungry NC, the NC Department of Public Instruction, and the NC Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health. The US Department of Agriculture has granted a special waiver to the pilot participants that allow them to waive some of the administrative requirements and receive the highest reimbursement rates for meals served. Buncombe County Schools is receiving a mini-grant from No Kid Hungry to help defray operational expenses.
Sites include many YMCA of Western North Carolina summer camp locations, as well as four Buncombe County pool sites (Erwin, Owen, Hominy Valley Park and North Buncombe Park pools) and additional faith-based locations.
Having the meal sites at locations where children WANT to come and enjoy the outdoors has the added value of encouraging participation in the program and fighting obesity. There will be no paperwork to fill out and no questions asked. Anyone under 18 is welcome to pick up a lunch.

Since 2004, the Western North Carolina Regional Air Quality Agency (WNCRAQA) has been giving special recognition to local businesses and other organizations that have gone above and beyond air quality rules and regulations to implement voluntary, innovative programs that reduce air pollution in our region. This year, with the assistance of the Agency's Advisory Committee, the awards program was updated and expanded to include more detailed guidelines and generate more interest from the local community. The recipients of the ninth-annual Clean Air Excellence Awards go to Bill Eaker, Environmental Services Manager at Land-of-Sky Regional Council, and to Mountain Mobility, Buncombe County's Community Transportation System.

Bill Eaker of Land-of-Sky Regional Council has over 30 years of experience in environmental, land use, and growth management planning at the local, regional, and state levels. He has worked at Land-of-Sky Regional Council since 1981 and provides technical assistance to local governments on environmental issues in the areas of air quality planning, clean vehicle technologies, and water resources management. Bill currently serves as the Coordinator of the Regional Clean Air Campaign, which he worked to establish in 1998, and the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition, which he established in 2004. Under Bill's leadership, the Coalition has assisted numerous public and private sector stakeholders in developing and securing grant funding for alternative fuel vehicle and infrastructure projects.

Mountain Mobility, Buncombe County's Community Transportation System, has taken proactive measures to effectively reduce the system's vehicle emissions by becoming the first community transportation system in the state of North Carolina to use alternative fuel vehicles in a paratransit fleet. A recent project funded by (ARRA) stimulus grant monies involved the conversion of 10 fleet vehicles to a dual fuel system using the PRINS Alternative Fuel System, allowing them to operate on autogas (liquid propane) in addition to gasoline. An onsite LP fueling tank was installed at the Mountain Mobility facility as a part of the project. In addition, 12 new Goshen Coach buses with dual compressed natural gas (CNG)/gasoline fuel systems were purchased to replace 11 paratransit gasoline-powered vans and one diesel-powered light transit vehicle. As a result of the project, 51% of Mountain Mobility's fleet now uses alternative fuels, which has reduced air pollution emissions, including 91.6 tons per year of greenhouse gases.

For more information about air quality in Buncombe County and Western North Carolina or for the Clean Air Excellence Program, you can visit buncombecounty.org or call 88-250-6777.

Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Landfill Gas-to-Energy Generator project that took place on Friday, April 27th at the Buncombe County Landfill.

The Landfill Gas to Energy project uses methane gas produced as trash decomposes to generate electricity. A series of methane wells and a huge generator were installed in 2011. Production began earlier this year but is only now reaching full capacity. The generator is expected to produce 1.4 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power 1,100 homes per year.

Agenda:
~Welcome - Jon Creighton
~Commissioner Chairman David Gantt
~Commissioner Holly Jones
~Commissioner Bill Stanley
~Commissioner Carol Peterson
~Randy Flack, Field Representative, Heath Shuler
~Chris Gable, CDM
~Jeff Lovin, French Broad Electric

The Buncombe County Commissioners held a groundbreaking ceremony on October 12, 2010 at 11 a.m. for the new Public Safety Training Facility on the site of the old County landfill. The facility will include a defensive driving course, fire training tower, burn buildings, rescue evolutions, and educational classroom space. The facility will be operated by Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and will provide EMS, Law Enforcement and Fire and Rescue personnel from Buncombe County and the western region access to enhanced training for all types of emergency response.

Press conference on the salmonella outbreak in Buncombe County from Friday, May 4, 2012.

Join BCTV, as we attend the 2012 Land of Sky Ozone Kickoff to find out whats going on in Buncombe's world of going green.

The Asheville Buncombe Economic Development Coalition held a press conference on April 5, 2012 announcing New Belgium's agreement to build a brewery in Asheville, North Carolina. New Belguim will bring over 100 jobs to the area starting in 2013.

Asheville Humane Society, Buncombe County Health and Human Services and the Animal Control Division of the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office combined professional services today to rescue 19 cats and kittens from a county residence.

Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services recently had their Grand Opening Ceremony to recognize the great work done in the renovations, and the hard work it took to make it a reality. This Buncombe Update highlights the presentations given and has footage of the new additions to the facility. It is now the one-stop shop Buncombe County has always envisioned it to be, and leading the way nationally for all Social Service Departments to follow.

Speakers highlighted include Bill McElrath (Health and DSS Board Member), David Gantt(Chairman, Board of Commissioners), Carol Peterson(County Commissioner), Mandy Stone(Director, Department of Social Services), and Bill Stanley(County Commissioner).

For more information check out buncombecounty.org/dss

A Ribbon Cutting was held January 25, 2012 at Land-of-Sky Regional Council for the second BioWheels RTS Brightfield Solar Integrated Electric Charging Station in the region. This was a joint collaboration between Buncombe County Government, Land-of-Sky Regional Council and BioWheels RTS.

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds office has initiated the electronic recording (eRecording) of land record documents with Simplifile. This video explains how eRecording can benefit businesses.

NCDOT designated a section of Highway 70 in Swannanoa from Patton Cove Road to Grovestone Road as a Blue Star Highway and also the Highway of Heroes. Swannanoa Business Association worked with NCDOT on making this a reality. A dedication ceremony was held in Swannanoa. This strip of highway is traveled daily by fallen veterans to their final resting place at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. This highway will also serve as a visual reminder of those military members who are currently serving our country.

Buncombe County Weekly lets you know all about the upcoming county-sponsored events and programs for the weeks of August 12 -- 27, 2011. Owen Park located in Swannanoa on Warren Wilson Road has a new fishing pier, picnic shelters and walking trail. They also have a playground for the kids. County outdoor pools will be closing August 14 except for Erwin pool that will stay open on weekends through Labor Day. The Sightseers will take a trip to Greenville Zoo, an Affordable Housing Fair will take place on Saturday, August 20 at the First Baptist Church in downtown Asheville and the monthly rabies clinic will take place at Lake Julian on Saturday, August 27 from 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. You'll also hear about the Mountains Most Wanted and the many programs taking place at the branch libraries. All of the information in the show can be found online at buncombecounty.org. While you are there you can subscribe to our online magazine 'Buncombe Life.'

During the Asheville Chamber of Commerces' 114th Annual Business Meeting, K. Ray Bailey, Economic Development Coalition Chair and Buncombe County Commissioner, tells how a wide range of community and business leaders worked together to bring Linamar Group to Buncombe County. Linamar is a Canadian based automotive manufacturing company that will bring 400 jobs to Buncombe County. The company will be housed in the old Volvo Construction Equipment plant in Skyland, NC. Production is to start at the end of November 2011.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office recently had various departmental participants receive identity theft training. Training was conducted by Lifelock and FBI LEEDA. With North Carolina being 24th in the nation in Identity Theft Crime, it's important for the Sheriff's Office to keep up with the technologies and methods used by fraudulent criminals. This Buncombe News Update goes over the training received by the Sheriff's office with interviews by Sheriff Van Duncan, Lifelock representative Tami Nealy, FBI LEEDA trainer H. Dean Crisp, and Dep. Robyn Michalove of the Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Unit.

If you believe you're the victim of identity theft, contact the Sheriff's Office at 828.255.5000 and contact your bank and creditors to inform them of potential fraudulent transactions. For more information you can visit the Sheriff's Office web site at buncombecounty.org/sheriff or the Attorney General's Web Site at ncdoj.gov.

Pack Memorial Library is officially renovated and reopened. This Buncombe News Update covers their recent rededication ceremony. Speakers includes Library Director, Ed Sheary, best-selling renown author Elizabeth Kostova, John Bridges and Commissioner Chairman David Gantt. Library staff and volunteers worked extremely hard to box up over a quarter of a million items for the renovation. The North Carolina Section received an upgrade, as did the Children's Department, the main floor, electrical system, layout, ventilation system, restrooms, and much more. This was the first upgrade the library received since it's opening.

After over 30 years of working as the Register of Deeds in Buncombe County, Otto DeBruhl announced his retirement effective January 31, 2011. In this press conference held in the Buncombe County Court House main lobby, colleagues and friends gather to pay tribute to this public servant.

Update on Operation Western Shield - Western North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. ICAC is a partnership of Western North Carolina law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.

Mountain Mobility and Buncombe County have reason to celebrate. They recently upgraded part of their Mountain Mobility fleet with a hybrid Propane Autogas feature which allows for better engine life, less pollution, less reliance on foreign oil and an overall savings in maintenance.

In a recent press conference, precision plastic manufacturing company, Nypro, announced they are expanding their Asheville plant. Aside from the $83 million in facility and equipment improvements, 156 new jobs will be coming to Buncombe County.

Coverage of the grand opening of the new Buncombe County Animal Adoption and Education Center.

Let's Move Buncombe is a group of women elected officials in Buncombe County who are promoting healthy eating and lifestyles. In this Buncombe News Update they promote the "Rainbow in my Tummy" program from the Mountain Area Child and Family Center that promotes healthy eating for children at school and home.

Take a look at the kick-off event for the new "Let's Move Buncombe!" movement held at Emma Elementary school.