Two major park projects are slowly but surely coming together in Asheville. One is Overlook Park , which could provide stunning view of the city. But there's one hitch - the city has not provided any funding for the park (yet). Volunteers are looking for grants and donations currently to get the process started. Meanwhile, the city council took action on the future of the so-called 'Pit of Despair', a prominent piece of empty real estate downtown across from the U.S. Cellular Center. But the

This week, BPR gardening expert Alison Arnold explains when, how, and even whether to fertilize gardens.

Voters in the city of Asheville could have the final say as early as this fall on whether city council seats will remain elected at-large. A bill in the General Assembly filed by Republican senator Chuck Edwards would make the city draw up election districts for the six council seats. Separate of that legislation, the current Asheville city council commissioned a poll to see what voters thought of a potential switch. The conflicting results came back this week. Asheville Citizen-Times reporter

The push to ‘Raise The Age’ of juvenile jurisdiction from 16 to 18 has been a long-fought battle in North Carolina. Support for that change is growing this year, on both sides of the aisle, but it has some in Western North Carolina wary. North Carolina’s current law, passed in 1919, says that anyone charged with any crime whatsoever, will be tried as an adult starting at age 16. New York is the only other state with such a law. Critics in the Tar Heel State call this obsolete and

Community Story Telling – Listening to the personal stories of real people, facing real challenges in the community may help us better understand social conditions. Of equal importance is the opportunity for the story teller to share those challenges. Interview with JaNesha Slaughter, UNC Asheville senior, whose work at the Key Center for Community Engaged Learning is focused on grassroots activism.

The Realities of a Career in Sports – An interview with Johnny Davis, former NBA player and coach, who is encouraging young men in the African American community to temper their expectations about pro sports and better prepare themselves for a successful life in other professions.

With lawmakers back in Raleigh, we’re speaking with some of those members from out here in the west. Today, John Ager, a Democrat of Buncombe County. Ager is a farmer out of Fairview serving his second term in the North Carolina House.

With lawmakers back in Raleigh, we’re speaking with some of those members from out here in the west. Today, John Ager, a Democrat of Buncombe County. Ager is a farmer out of Fairview serving his second term in the North Carolina House. This is the full interview intended for use on the BPR News Smartphone App. See the full post here .

Impact fees are imposed by cities and counties on developers to help pay for infrastructure costs associated with new development. For example, if a hotel is built a city or county might impose a fee to help pay for any necessary traffic lights, roads, water needs, etc. HB436 would outlaw the practice. It was filed by the powerful House Speaker Pro Tem Sarah Stevens of Mt. Airy. Its only other co-sponsor is Bryson City Republican Mike Clampitt.

On Tuesday, the Asheville city council will discuss the results of a poll it commissioned regarding the creation of districts for future elections. In response to last year’s bill in the General Assembly that would have created districts for city council elections, current council members decided they would pay for a poll to gauge voter interest on a potential switch from at-large seats. The results - 54% of those polled say the city should keep its current system. But, 72% believe the issue