The North Carolina Smokefree Restaurants and Bars law went into effect in January, and complaints about Buncombe County businesses allowing smoking have dwindled. [more]

Project ASSIST Coalition Wins Prize for National Video Contest

Project ASSIST Tobacco Prevention Coalition won 2nd place in a national video contest sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The “Celebrating Smoke-free Voices Video Contest” was an opportunity to motivate women to quit smoking and remain smoke-free. The video, “Because!” was produced by the Coalition with help from BCTV, the county’s Government Access Channel. [more]

Buncombe County receives Eat Smart Move More NC grant to help youth move more and sit less

Buncombe County has received an Eat Smart, Move More NC Community Grant for 2010-2012 to fund local physical activity projects targeting youth ages 9 to 14.

Buncombe Safe Routes Safe Rides (BSR2) will promote increased physical activity among youth 9-14 in Buncombe County's Erwin School District. BSR2 will bring a successful bicycle education curriculum to the physical education program and implement a safe-routes-to-school program supported by a school-based challenge to promote healthy active lifestyles. [more]

Paul Van Heden is a bus guy.

The chair of the Asheville Transit Commission relies almost exclusively on the bus to get around Asheville and is a strong advocate for growing the city's public transportation system.

But, although buses are his first love, Van Heden also realizes there's more to having a good transportation system than just pushing for more public transit. [more story]

Video: Mayor's Leadership Ride that includes City and County leaders.

[Video from Mountain Xpress]

ASHEVILLE — Local women elected officials will be joining together for a six-month public awareness campaign to showcase many of the innovative solutions happening in Buncombe County that address childhood obesity. [more]