Community News

Local musicians are suffering financially during this COVID-19 crisis, but local music advocate Jessica Tomisan, founder of Asheville Music Professionals is trying to help. Earlier today she spoke with News Team Correspondent, KP Whaley, about a fund established to help musicians who’ve lost money due to COVID-19 cancelations.

The Asheville Music Professionals is asking that individuals in the music industry please email [email protected] for support if you have lost income due to COVID-19. 

The MusiCares Relief Fund was created by The Recording Academy and its affiliated charitable foundation, MusiCares, to established a COVID-19 fund to help the struggling music community. 

Listen to the full interview here:

To donate to the fund please go to grammy.com/musicares 

Follow @Asheville Music Professionals on Facebook for more information.

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

News Team Correspondent, KP Whaley spoke to Brandon Cordery of VAE Raleigh to discuss the group’s efforts to help the arts community during COVID-19 cancellations.

Cordery, from VAE Raleigh, discussed the NC Artist Relief Fund created by a collaboration of organizations including, Artspace, PineCone, United Arts Council, and VAE Raleigh to support artists and the arts. The fund is a money-in money-out fund and it will be dispersed as donations come in.  

Any artist, arts presenter, or arts venue in need of support due to cancellations from the outbreak of COVID-19 is encouraged to fill out the application in the link here: 

• Applications will be reviewed by a panel of staff from all collaborating organizations.
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• The fund will not award money based on “merit.”
• Priority will be given to artists in the Triangle region and the most vulnerable artists among us: artists of color, queer artists, and artists with disabilities. (note: we will try to help as many artists with need in North Carolina as we can).
• The fund will be open as long as artists have financial needs related to the outbreak of COVID-19 and donations are being made.

Listen to the full interview here:

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

March 19 Updates on COVID-19 in Asheville (According to a post created by Jasmine Beach Ferrera on Asheville Politics) –

1) Our school systems have delivered more than 10,000 free meals in two days – tremendous leadership and effort have gone into making this possible. School Social Workers are also staffing food pick up locations to support families around other needs.

2) Almost 200 people have been tested for COVID-19 at the county’s new drive through testing sites (Biltmore Church and UNC-A). Thank you to everyone who has led this effort. This ramp up of testing means that in 3-4 days, a lot of people will be getting results and can get the care they need. We’ll also know more about the current status of COVID-19 in Buncombe County at that time: https://www.buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=18547

3) More people in our community are going to need help as we start to feel the secondary economic impacts. For a current list of resources and services (e.g. unemployment benefits, public assistance), go to this county page: https://www.buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=18552.

Also, please remember, water and power will not be cut off and you cannot be evicted at this time.

4) The county is preparing an order to mandate the closure of gyms, spas, and pools, expected to be finalized tomorrow. This is the next step in social distancing and mitigation efforts to flatten the curve. Any place where people are congregating is increasing the risk of transmission and although each of these decisions is tough, it is the right thing to do to protect community health.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 97 cases of COVID-19 statewide as of March 19, an increase of 34 from the day before. Cases closest to Buncombe are in Watauga and Lincoln counties. The department updates the number once daily.

Here’s the latest on the impact to Asheville, Buncombe County and WNC:

• state officials said they are not ruling out a shelter-in-place order, now consider pregnant women a high-risk group and are not sure how many people infected with the virus have been hospitalized.

• the American Red Cross is reporting a severe shortage of blood due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Healthy individuals are urged to donate blood. If you have traveled overseas, you should wait 28 days following said travel to donate. People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or who have had contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed case, also cannot donate blood at this time.

• all restaurants and bars in North Carolina must limit operations to take-out and delivery only. This went into effect at 5 p.m. March 17.

• Buncombe County Health and Human Services is now operating two drive-through COVID-19 testing sites at Biltmore Church (35 Clayton Road, Arden) and UNC Asheville Campus (in parking lot P28 on University Heights off W.T. Weaver Boulevard).

  BCDHHS said in an email the sites will operate 2-6 p.m. on March 18.

  Testing is available to all members of the community, regardless of income or ability to pay.

  Tests will be done on those who:

  • Have a fever combined with either a cough or shortness of breath or
  • Have contact with someone with known COVID-19 and are experiencing any of the symptoms: fever, cough or shortness of breath.

  The sites opened March 17 and will operate weekdays based on the availability of supplies.

  https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/18/asheville-coronavirus-update-need-know-wnc-march-18/5072894002/

Blood donors are urgently needed!

The American Red Cross is reporting a severe shortage of blood due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during the coronavirus outbreak. Healthy individuals are urged to donate blood, though overseas travelers should wait 28 days following travel to donate. People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or who have had contact with anyone with a suspected or confirmed case, also cannot donate blood at this time.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/19/coronavirus-what-you-need-know-asheville-wnc-march-19/2867511001/

Grocery stores across WNC are changing their hours to implement new cleaning procedures, protect the safety of their employees and give seniors a safer time to shop. The Citizen-Times created a master list of each chain’s policies:

Ingles: All stores close at 10 p.m., with 24-hour stores opening at 6 a.m.

• Starbucks locations are open, but close at 8 p.m.
• Staff will use the additional time to clean and stock.
• Freeman said management is considering offering special hours for seniors.

Publix: As of March 17, all Publix locations are open 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Effective March 24, Publix will designate Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, 7-8 a.m., as hours for customers aged 65 and older. The pharmacy will also be open to seniors at that time.

Harris Teeter: Stores close at 9 p.m. nightly for cleaning and restocking.

French Broad Food Co-op: Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. until further notice, giving employees time to clean and stock.

Whole Foods Markets: Whole Foods stores nationwide will allow customers aged 60 and older to enter one hour before stores regularly open to the general public.

• Whole Foods will close up to two hours early to give employees more time to restock shelves, sanitize stores and rest.
• Stores will remain open for pickup and to fulfill Prime delivery orders.

Prime delivery has been greatly delayed, but there’s a plan for that, said a Whole Foods spokeswoman in an email. She said the company plans to hire 100,000 full- and part-time positions across the fulfillment and delivery network.

citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/19/coronzavirus-what-you-need-to-know-asheville-wnc-march-19/2867511001

For questions and concerns regarding the virus you can contact the NC COVID-19 hotline at (866) 462-3821.

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

Here are more resources relating to COVID-19 in Asheville and surrounding areas in Buncombe County. Thank you to Courtney Garcia for additional information.

Effective today, March 18, lasting until further notice – Buncombe County stated that all nonessential, public functions are closed at this time. County officials will reevaluate these changes as more information becomes available. You can find more detailed information at buncombecounty.org or email [email protected] for help

Buncombe County is now taking the following measures until further notice:

• Some nonessential employees will temporarily telecommute and/or be in emergency on-call status.
• For essential employees unable to work remotely, increasing physical working space between employees and modifying operations are among the options being evaluated.
• Public access to county facilities that house nonessential functions will be restricted or closed.
• All public libraries will be closed.
• All County parks and fields will be closed – Sports fields permits are canceled until March 31.
• Permitting Office will be closed, but permitting remains available.
• All Buncombe County Recreation Services programming and special events are canceled or postponed.
• All picnic shelter rentals are canceled until April 30 and no new bookings will be accepted – Existing rentals can be rescheduled for a date after April 30 or credit or refund issued.

Buncombe County Health and Human Services will begin operating two drive-through COVID-19 testing locations on March 18, from 2 – 6 p.m. Testing will be located at Biltmore Church in Arden and at UNC Asheville off of W.T. Weaver Boulevard. Based on the availability of testing supplies, the sites will continue to operate throughout the week from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm each day.

Health officials ask that community members be patient throughout the screening and testing process. Testing is available to all members of the community, regardless of their income or ability to pay.

This COVID-19 drive-thru testing is specifically available for community members who:

• Have a fever combined with either a cough or shortness of breath.
• Have contact with someone with known COVID-19 and are experiencing any of the symptoms: fever, cough or shortness of breath.

Community screening drive-thru testing instructions:

1. Drive to one of the following locations:
   1. Biltmore Church at 35 Clayton Road, Arden, North Carolina 28704
   2. UNC Asheville Campus, parking lot P28 on University Heights off of W.T. Weaver Boulevard
2. Follow the signs for the parking lot where testing will be conducted.
3. Stay in your vehicle. An employee will direct where to go and will give you the necessary paperwork before conducting testing and guide you throughout the entire process.

The latest information on local government preparation and COVID-19 news can be found at  www.buncombecounty.org/bcready.

 

Spectrum announced Friday (March 13) that it will offer free access to broadband and WiFi services to homes with students who do not yet have the services – The services will be available for 60 days for homes with K-12 students and/or college students who do not yet have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any level of service up to 100 Mbps – Call your local provider for help. 

https://www.wkbw.com/news/national/coronavirus/spectrum-to-offer-free-broadband-and-wifi-to-students-without-it?fbclid=IwAR3KLtSC6gzDu_F-fvx5FIxl6TWoWN88SHbZ0OfKtxG4mJJySabeC1YGERY

 

Food Options:

• Ay Caramba Mexican Grill & Bar – East Asheville – one free meal per kid under the age of 10 – Mon-Fri – This meal will be a taco/enchilada/quesadilla with rice and beans/ French fries. This offer will go until Monday, March 30th. 
• Biscuit Head – one free biscuit to any school-age child who comes in each day the schools are closed, starting this coming Monday. 
• Cantina Louie – South Asheville – Monday-Friday (March 16 – 20) – Lunch or dinner – one free kid’s taco (choose from shredded chicken, ground beef or bean) to any school-age child.
• Celebrity’s Hot Dogs – Brevard – Friday from now until the end of the month – free hot dog lunch for school-age children.
• ConoSur – Mills River – one free burger and fries to kids while schools are closed – Children have to be present – Takeout only. 
• Copper River Grill – From Monday, March 16, through Friday, April 30 – complimentary lunch for school-age children – Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. – any item from our Kid’s Menu. No purchase will be necessary.
• El Charro Mexican Restaurant – FREE kids meal for any school-age child, daily – voucher sheets at the register starting March 16, 2020 – four options to choose from listed on the bottom of the sheet – offering temporary curbside service to increase the amount of social distance in the community.
• Fuddruckers of Asheville – Starting Monday, March 16th, and as long as school is out, Fuddruckers Asheville will be extending their Kids Eat Free (17 and under) to ALL DAY, Monday through Friday –  *Purchase of one adult meal required per free kids meal 
• Inspired Change Yoga w/Best Self Wellness Coaching & Movement – Will be setting up a collection & pick up table outside of Inspired Change Yoga on Wednesday morning (March 18) from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm (or until all the food is gone).
• Old Europe – downtown – free breakfast pastry and juice to any school aged child from 7 a.m. to noon –  walk-in or call for curbside pickup, said an employee at the store.
  
• Pescados Burritos – Brevard –  free tacos for kids in need while schools are closed – The restaurant is asking diners to “pay it forward by and donating what you can spare.
  
• Rosetta’s Kitchen & The Buchi Bar – offering their ‘everyone eats’ beans and rice plates, available FREE for those in need – from their take out window. 
• Sand Hill Kitchen – Call 828-633-6868 to request a free bagged lunch – Lunches include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple, house-fried chips, and pickles – Pick up in the drive-thru at 491 Sardis Road.
• Strada Italiano – Through the end of March – every Monday-Friday – free slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza to grade school students during lunch. 
• Wordly Weiners Wings & Things –  free hotdog and chips to children who need lunch through the school closings.

 

• Buncombe County Schools is hosting drive-thru pick up stations for breakfast and lunch in all of their districts at
  • Oakley Elementary
  • Johnston Elementary
  • Emma Elementary
  • West Buncombe Elementary
  • Hominy Valley Elementary
  • Pisgah Elementary
  • Owen High School
  • Black Mountain Primary
  • Weaverville Elementary
  • North Windy Ridge Intermediate
  • Estes Elementary

• Asheville City Schools
  • Monday-Friday – Asheville City Schools will deliver meals from 11:30 am-1:30 pm to …
    • Pisgah View Apartments
    • Hillcrest Apartments
    • Klondyke Apartments
    • Livingston Apartments
  • Isaac Dickson Elementary School will have a drive-thru option should families prefer a grab and go meal (2:00pm-4:00pm)

• Meals On the Bus mobile food site will operate Monday-Friday, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, stopping in these four neighborhoods:
  • Wellington
  • Rock Hill Road
  • Whispering Pines
  • Pine Valley

• Food Pantries
  • 12 Baskets Cafe: A PRogram of Asheville Poverty Initiative – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, until April 1st – Here’s what to expect: Show up with your container/s (Pots, pans, Tupperware, bags, whatever container you have will do) – We will have a menu posted at the door of the Cafe – A companion will take your order and your container inside to fill it with the food you’ve chosen – You won’t be able to stay and eat there – Order as much as you need to get you through and even share with those where you are headed – We will also be providing food to the Rescue Mission and Learning Centers and Battery Park.
  • Beaverdam Community Center – 3rd Wednesday of Every Month, 9:00 am – Hosting a “drive-through” pantry – Pull up in front of the building and a volunteer will run a box or two out to you – All volunteers will have clean and sanitized hands and will be wearing gloves while packing your groceries. 
  • Bounty & Soul – Black Mountain – Hosting drive-thru pick up sites Tuesdays at St. James Episcopal Church Parking Lot from 11 am-1 pm and Fridays at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church Parking Lot from 4-6 pm – No cost – No eligibility requirements – Please stay in your car and do not arrive to the site prior to the scheduled times.
  • Trinity of Fairview – Tuesdays, 9:00 am-12:00 pm – Drive-thru food pantry – Get in line, stay in your car and they will assist you.
  • Western Carolina Rescue Ministries – Public Meals Daily 11:30 am-12:30 pm & 4:30 pm-5:30 pm – Food Boxes through a drive-thru service on Tuesdays, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm Western Carolina Rescue Ministries will be serving public meals to the Asheville community from outside of the building until further notice. Additional Changes are NO Clothing closet, NO public showers, and NO public restroom. 
  • YMCA Mobile Markets – Beginning Monday, March 16th they will hand out pre-packaged bags for pick up – Normal mobile market operating hours – Distributions are FREE and open to ALL! – The YMCA is also offering help to people who are quarantined and need food resources. Call 828-775-7081 for assistance.
  • MANNA Food Banks – Contact your nearest or preferred site for instructions on pick up.

 

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

Posted 3/17/2020 @4:o0pm

Throughout the wake of COVID-19 and practicing social distancing, information and resources will be posted here under “What You Need to Know: COVID-19 in Buncombe County. It will be updated as we monitor Asheville and Buncome County relating to COVID-19. Here is some basic information and resources.

Food Options:

• Buncombe County Schools is hosting drive-thru pick up stations for breakfast and lunch in all of their districts at
  • Oakley Elementary
  • Johnston Elementary
  • Emma Elementary
  • West Buncombe Elementary
  • Hominy Valley Elementary 
  • Pisgah Elementary
  • Owen High School
  • Black Mountain Primary
  • Weaverville Elementary
  • North Windy Ridge Intermediate
  • Estes Elementary
• Baked Pie Company will be giving out free bagged lunches that include PB&J on wheat bread, an apple, white milk, and a cookie. They will be doing this from 10am to 8pm Tuesday thru Saturday. 
• White Duck Taco in Asheville will be giving away 1 free regular taco to students K-12 Monday thru Friday
• Biscuit Head will be offering one free biscuit to school age kids
• Boondocks Sports Bar and Grill of Marion is offering a free kids meal to students everyday until 5pm until school is back open.
• YMCA will use its mobile food markets to hand out prepacked take home dinners. 11:30 am to 1 pm. Located at:
  • Oakley Elementary
  • Estes Elementary
  • Black Mountain ELementary
  • Pisgah Elementary
  • West Buncombe ELementary
  • Weaverville Elementary 
• WLOS has information on locations providing free breakfast and/or lunch

 

Buncombe County Health and Human Services will begin operating two drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites, starting Tuesday, March 17. Testing sites will be located at Biltmore Church in Arden and at UNC Asheville off of W.T. Weaver Boulevard.

http://coronavirus.unca.edu

North Carolina’s number of known COVID-19 cases (positive and confirmed) stood at 33 cases at the end of this weekend. Nationally, there are around 3,800 confirmed cases. There have been 69 deaths in the United States, none in North Carolina. At least 20 states have closed all schools. Buncombe County had a visitor from Macon County that tested positive for COVID-19. 

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/16/coronavirus-what-you-need-know-asheville-nc-march-16/5057074002/

BCHHS gave the following guidelines for seeking medical evaluation and advice: 

• If you or a family member has a fever AND cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider, or an urgent care if you do not have a health care provider. DO NOT show up at your health care provider’s office or the urgent care without calling first.
• Do NOT go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve the most critically ill.
• If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 and tell them your symptoms.
• If you do not have a health care provider and cannot afford to be seen at an urgent care, call 828-250-5109 to speak with a Communicable Disease nurse at BCHHS. Leave a message and a CD nurse will return your call as quickly as possible.
• People with symptoms should NOT come to the health department.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/16/coronavirus-buncombe-county-wnc-confirms-covid-19-positive-macon-county-asheville/5058530002/

Test Information:

• What to do if you experience symptoms
  • People struggling to breathe should call 911 and communicate with the EMS dispatcher about what is going on so they can make appropriate decisions
  • People who are not critically ill and have a primary care provider should call that provider before going to the office and prevent unnecessary exposure to others
  • If you do not have a primary care provider can call an urgent care facility or call the Buncombe health department at 828-250-5109 ONLY IF NECESSARY
• Your Primary Care Provider
  • Local physicians can order a COVID-19 test. Dont go to the local DHHS in person
  • Tests will be taken in your health care facility and sent to a lab, you will NOT be routed to a lab
• Testing is free of charge, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay
• People are eligible for testing if they:
  • Have a fever combined with cough or shortness of breath
  • Have had contact with someone with COVID-19

All NC restaurants and bars go take-out and delivery only, no dine in services as of 5 pm today 

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/16/coronavirus-how-get-tested-asheville-how-long-takes/5058117002/

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour