Mountain Xpress

The American Red Cross declares an emergency blood shortage News release from the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is declaring an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay. • The shortage comes during the height of trauma season, when hospitals frequently see increasedemandforbloodduetoseriousinjuriesandothermedicalemergencies.

Eight N.C. counties in exceptional drought Press release from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality: Drought conditions continue across North Carolina, with recent rains having a minor impact on the precipitation deficit that has been worsening since last fall.

Press release from Buncombe County: The Board of Commissioners’ July 21 meeting agenda and materials have been posted online and can be accessed here. Please note that the agenda and presentations for the Briefing Meeting, which begins at 3:00 p.m. on July 21, will be posted this Friday.

The city should consider smaller, more efficient buses! Check out the Ohio Valley Regional Transit out of Wheeling, W.Va.

I am shocked that the downtown library (Pack Memorial Library) is closed on weekends. It’s a real bummer. That used to be my go-to Saturday morning outing with my kids when they were younger, and I absolutely love walking downtown to peruse the books and maybe buy something from the Friends of Pack Library bookshop. But I struggle to make it to the library after work and have to carve out time or leave my job early just to pick up a book on hold.

Letter: Downtown library should open on Saturdays “Surely Buncombe County can afford to open Pack Library on Saturdays again — right? Please?” Categories Letters, Opinion Tags Buncombe County, Buncombe County Public Libraries, Pack Library Letter: County borrowing plan doesn’t add up “I think the county either needs to get a new adding machine or a new money source.” Categories Letters, Opinion Tags bond referendum, Buncombe County Commissioners, housing bond, open space bond

There’s a reason why I’m not a mathematical genius —- cuz me an’ math just don’t add up too well. But I recently read Xpress’ June 18 e-newsletter, and the part about Buncombe County commissioners OK’ing two Nov. 3 ballot questions — well, I think the county either needs to get a new adding machine or a new money source [“County Approves Resolution for Special Bond Referendums to Appear on November Ballot,” June 24, Xpress].

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the over 30 years, has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we’ve never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. needs help, too.

Road rules Categories Humor, Opinion How Asheville City SC put WNC on the soccer map Asheville City SC has grown from a conversation among friends into one of the nation’s top pre-professional soccer clubs, building nationally recognized men’s and women’s teams while helping dozens of players reach the professional ranks. As the club looks toward an even bigger future, its ambitions are tied to one unresolved question: finding a permanent home with room to grow.

For a team that represents Beer City USA, Asheville City SC has an appropriately hoppy origin story. The idea for the semipro soccer club was hatched during a conversation among friends who were throwing back a few cold ones in 2016. A decade later, Asheville City SC has grown into one of the nation’s most successful preprofessional soccer organizations.