🌱 Water Outage Report Released + Hospital Delay + Movies In The Park

Hi all. I'm back with your new edition of the Asheville Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening around town.

But first, today's weather:

Rain at times. High: 60 Low: 49.

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Here are the top four stories in Asheville today:

1. The City of Asheville has released its internal "After Action Report and Improvement Plan" following the Christmas 2022 water outages that impacted tens of thousands of people. The 72-page report includes an overview of the incident with a detailed timeline. It also contains five objectives which include determining the need to take the Mills River Water Treatment Facility offline, investigating the loss of water pressure in certain areas, and setting goals to increase the water system's resilience in cold weather. The report is being reviewed by an independent review committee that was created in January 2023. (Citizen Times)
2. Plans that would expand hospital beds and serve those in Buncombe, Madison, Yancey and Graham service areas are facing delays. Previously, the state chose AdventHealth to expand by 67 acute care beds, but that decision is being appealed by Mission Health. Plans with AdventHealth included the construction of a new facility to be located at the Enka Center that would have included an emergency department, labor and delivery area, as well as in-patient beds. Mission Health has appealed, and a statement from a hospital spokesperson said they believe Mission Health can best meet the region's need for complex medical care. A hearing for the appeal process is set for September in Waynesville. (ABC 13 News)
3. Buncombe County health officials have responded after an Asheville woman raised concerns about used syringes in her neighborhood. Buncombe County Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Matheson provided statistics for the county's Syringe Services Program, which tracks how many syringes are handed out and returned as part of a larger harm reduction strategy. Since 2020, the return rate for syringes has increased from seven percent to 38 percent. (ABC 13 News)
4. Asheville Parks & Recreation is bringing back Movies in the Park beginning on May 12! Located at Pack Square Park, this summertime series will kick off with a showing of "DC League of Super-Pets." Movies begin at dusk, although there will be Rec n Roll Fun Zone activities available an hour before showtime. Vendors will be available with food and treats, and attendees can bring their own blankets or folding chairs. (Mountain Xpress)

Tomorrow in Asheville:

Thursday, April 27

• Black Experience Book Club At Noir Collective AVL (6:30 PM)
• Project Mind Lab At DSSOLVR (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Registration is now open for the May 8 meeting of the Green Thumbs Garden Club. Attendees will create a pressed flower bookmark and can join in the plant exchange. Visit this link to learn more or register. (Asheville Parks & Recreation via Facebook)
• For the second time in just over a month, the Northern Lights were visible in the Blueridge Parkway Area near Asheville. The sky turned shades of green, pink, and purple due to a geomagnetic storm that pushed the aurora south. (Fox Carolina)
• Asheville City Schools has announced the date for its 2023 Art Show, which showcases student art from throughout the school year. The event is set for May 24 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Mission Hospital/AB Tech Conference Center. (Asheville City Schools via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. See you all soon for another update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!