🌱 Two Major Healthcare Providers Breached + Cyclist Struck By Pickup

Hey, neighbors. It's Wednesday in Asheville and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in our community.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 87 Low: 61.
• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 85 Low: 65.

Here are the top three stories today in Asheville:

1. Both Charles George VA Medical Center and Mission Hospital have experienced “a significant data breach” of patient information. Patient names, social security numbers, ages, genders, and medical diagnoses were among the shared data from the VA Medical Center breach. The Mission Hospital breach included names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and dates of birth. Both healthcare providers are offering credit monitoring to those who have been affected. (WLOS)
2. A local cyclist has serious but non-life-threatening injuries after being hit by a pickup truck on Merrimon Avenue. The collision happened early Monday morning and the driver has since been charged with careless and reckless driving and driving without a license. Merrimon Avenue is known to have 150 percent more collisions than any other road in the state, and the accident happened close to where a skateboarder was just struck and killed in May. (Citizen Times)
3. A local swift water rescue team has been dispatched to Vermont in the wake of serious flooding. Buncombe County Emergency Services along with other North Carolina departments are currently stationed near the Green Mountain Range in Vermont where life-threatening flash flooding has been reported. The teams are planning to assist and remain in Vermont for the week while the rain is ongoing. (WLOS)

Are you a real estate agent in Asheville struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Asheville newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Wednesday, July 12

• Preschool Story Time At Pack Memorial Library (3:30 PM)

Thursday, July 13

• Meet K9 Officer Kora At West Asheville Library (2:00 PM)
• The Sanctuary Concert Series At Central United Methodist Church (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Asheville Fire Department is hosting its Explorer Program on Jul. 17 at 6:00 p.m. for ages 14 to 18 interested in fire service. Learn more about a career in firefighting and enjoy a free dinner with AFD. (Asheville Fire Department via Facebook)
• Were you able to catch author Megan Shepherd at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe? She stopped by to sign her book The Nightmare Before Christmas! Limited signed copies are still available. Don’t miss out! (Malaprop's Bookstore/Cafe via Facebook)
• Asheville City Schools are serving free lunch to children at three different locations! Find meals at Hillcrest Apartments, Klondyke Apartments, and Pisgah View Apartments. See the full schedule here. (Asheville City Schools via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Prime Day Is Happening Now — Shop & Save! (July 12)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.