Laurel Park
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Answer Man: Does Asheville have a composting program for food waste? Does YMCA accept clamshell containers?
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies, and the real answers:. Question: I have a burning question about food waste. I know it’s not as exciting as HCA or some of the other topics you have reported on, but I’d love it if someone would investigate and report the results in The Watchdog. I got my information from the internet, and I’m by no means a subject expert. Landfill food waste contributes 8 percent of the world’s greenhouse warming effect due to methane released. It doesn’t last as long as carbon dioxide, but it is over 20 times more potent in its effect on the atmosphere. Landfill food creates methane when it is put in the landfill and is not aerated. A lot of progressive cities have started composting food waste to prevent methane production, and to reduce landfill volume. Approximately 20 percent of landfill is from food waste. Home composting is often difficult and in our neighborhood would attract bears, etc. I wish Asheville would create a food waste program. Seattle has a bin that customers can put compostable yard debris and food waste into. This would be separate from brush collection, but they could alternate every other week. Questions: 1. Has Asheville ever considered a composting program for food waste? UNCA Asheville had a program but is trying to secure a new private vendor. 2. Is yard waste composted (bags of leaves, brush, etc. picked up biweekly)? I hope they don’t just put it in the landfill? 3. Is the landfill equipped with methane detection devices? 4. What percent of the Asheville landfill is from food waste ?
Laurel Green Park and playground reopens after year-long stream restoration
LAUREL PARK - Laurel Green has reopened after a year-long closure for an extensive stream restoration project and a thorough cleaning of its popular playground. Laurel Park officials closed the town’s park and playground facility in May 2023 to begin the project. A grand re-opening was held in May 2024 with a ribbon cutting officiated by Mayor Carey O’Cain and Republican N.C. Sen. Tim Moffitt. ...
North Carolina Mom Sparks Debate By Sleeping In Daughter’s Dorm Her 1st Night At College
A North Carolina mom recently took her daughter to college for her freshman year, but instead of driving away after delivering the last box to her dorm room, she stayed. According to Today, Lori Miggins brought her 18-year-old daughter, Taylor, to Appalachian State University early for cheerleading practice and her roommate wasn’t arriving until the next week. So the mom spent the night with Taylor in her dorm room.
'Evidence destroyed': Audit finds mold, 'serious issues' in Buncombe Sheriff evidence room
ASHEVILLE - A recent assessment found the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office evidence room is over capacity and auxiliary storage areas have a worsened mold issue, which was first discovered in 2019. While pursuing accreditation from the Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Sheriff Quentin Miller requested a third-party assessment of the evidence room. CALEA sets standards for every aspect of law enforcement agencies, from training to the use of deadly force to evidence keeping. ...
NC Arboretum founding director George Briggs honored with Order of the Long Leaf Pine
ASHEVILLE - George Briggs, founding director of The North Carolina Arboretum who recently retired after 37 years of service, has been awarded membership in North Carolina’s highest honor society, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The designation, awarded by the Office of the Governor, was announced by UNC President Peter Hans, represented by incoming executive director Drake Fowler at a July 19 banquet held in observance of Briggs’ retirement. ...
Your guide to family fun in Asheville and WNC this week
It’s a packed calendar this week, but don’t miss the upcoming events and programs that require tickets or registration now. August means all the things get back on the schedule, so you will want to plan ahead. Happy back to school! Find the tips you need to make it a wonderful year at wncparent.com. Does your organization or business offer family-friendly events? Let us know! Stay in touch on social media @wncparent and get your events on...
HCA chased Mission doctors away and made a ‘debacle’ of emergency department, draft academic report says
A new working draft study out of Wake Forest University is the most comprehensive analysis of the personnel crisis at Mission Hospital to date, using hundreds of interviews, documents and media reports to tell the story of a mass exodus of doctors, a poor working environment for nurses and a dangerous situation for patients, all brought on by profit-centered management.
North Carolina police officer charged with felony in Capitol breach
EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA — Federal authorities have arrested a North Carolina police officer on charges related to the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol breach. 41-year-old John Joseph Carl of Pinetops faces charges of felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, parading, picketing, and demonstrating in a Capitol building.
NCDHHS announces NC Medicaid Managed Care Children and Families Specialty Plan
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced Blue Cross Blue Shield NC was selected to operate the Children and Families Specialty Plan. A first-of-its-kind initiative, the CFSP is a single, statewide NC Medicaid Managed Care plan that will wrap Medicaid-enrolled children, youth and their families in the child welfare system with seamless, integrated and coordinated health care.
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