Home Care In Weaverville, NC

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Two dead ducks found at Lake Louise in Weaverville that were sent for testing were confirmed to be infected with Avian Influenza, Weaverville town officials said Friday, Feb. 16.

Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey said in a news release Friday the two ducks were sent for testing on Jan. 26.

Several viewers reached out to News 13 over the past few months concerned about the amount of ducks that were dying at Lake Louise.

In early January, News 13 was told that officials involved with Lake Louise were considering testing the water. At the time, a final decision to do so had not been made, but Coffey said the consideration had nothing to do with wildlife.

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Coffey also told News 13 that there had not been a decline in ducks at the lake and that if any were dying, the more likely solution would be from people feeding the birds, which was strongly discouraged.

District 9 Biologist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Justin McVey said Avian Flu is not a hazard to humans who are around the infected waterfowl or who are in and around the water. However, the disease can be serious and even fatal for domestic poultry, including backyard flocks and other waterfowl.

Oftentimes, waterfowl can be infected with Avian Flu and not show signs of illness. They can then carry the disease to new areas through fecal material or oral discharges when migrating.

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Suspected sick waterfowl or domestic poultry should be reported to the N.C. Wildlife Helpline at 866-318-2401 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by email at [email protected].

For more information, click HERE.

Sick or dying captive birds should be reported to the owner's local veterinarian, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Science (NCDA&CS) Veterinary Division at (919) 707-3250 or the North Carolina Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System at (919) 733-3986.

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Weaverville is one of those towns where everybody knows everybody, and a lot of people like it that way.

It’s also an area that doesn’t have many places for visitors to stay.

“In Weaverville, in particular, we only have one hotel,” Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey said. “We don’t have any bed and breakfasts anymore.”

With short-term rental properties, people could have new neighbors every weekend or even every day.

But some don’t see the need for more people in the town.

“I hear people talk about how Asheville is sold out with tourism,” former Weaverville short-term rental manager Mary Logsdon said. “I don’t want that to happen in Weaverville.”

That’s why Weaverville town officials are seeking the community’s thoughts on the matter.

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Websites like Airbnb and VRBO have popularized homestays in local neighborhoods for those visiting the area.

“Short-term rentals are beneficial for those folks that want to visit, and we don’t have enough hotel space,” Coffey said. "Or they don’t want a hotel. They want to stay in a place with a more home feel."

Coffey said the income made by the rental property owners plays a big part in their lives also.

However, some worry about never knowing who’s living in their neighborhood.

“If someone bought the house next door to me, and there were strangers in it all the time, I probably wouldn’t like it, especially if I had kids,” Logsdon said.

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Tuesday night was the second time Weaverville Town Council gauged the community’s thoughts about short-term rentals in the area. These sessions could bring change. If residents want modifications to or enforcement of ordinances regarding noise and trash collecting, according to Coffey, that’s a possibility, too.

“If it’s a noise issue coming from a short-term rental, maybe what we need to do is strengthen our noise ordinance to protect the neighbors,” she said.

There’s a question that remains in the minds of many -- Is Weaverville the type of town for a big short-term rental presence?

“I think there’s a market for it,” Logsdon said. “People should be allowed to do what they want to make a living and make investments. Controlling it to some extent is reasonable.”

The next community hearing on the matter is set for 6-7 p.m. Jan. 17 via Zoom. Click here to learn more about the meeting.

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Two ducks found dead at Lake Louise in Weaverville tested positive Jan. 26 for avian flu. Biologists with North Carolina’s Wildlife Division report transmission to humans is rare but advise people to steer clear of wild birds and any dead fowl.

“That’s good to know,” said Michelle Metcalf, who regularly walks around the lake with her mother. “The birds are usually in the water just dipping in it, trying to eat.”

Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey said a public works staffer found one deceased duck and a visitor found a second. Coffey said there’s been a recent report of a third bird found dead but town staff were unable to locate the bird.

“People are concerned, worried if it’s transferrable to their dogs, cats, humans, which it can’t be,” said Jill Anderson, manager of the Appalachian Animal Hospital in Weaverville. “We’re hearing throughout the community people’s concerns.”

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“It’s just another virus,” said veterinarian Dr. Katherine Brunson, who also works at Appalachian Animal Hospital. “And it is in the flu family of viruses. But the thing about this virus is that it is particularly transmissible amongst and between birds.”

Brunson reiterated dogs and other animals can’t contract it.

“Especially in the wintertime in the southern part of the country, you’re going to get more wild birds on migration paths going through these lakes and large waterways. This is something that we track as a country," Brunson said.

“If you’re coming to Lake Louise anytime soon, make sure to change your shoes,” said Kelsey Ruehl, who was visiting the lake Monday and lives in nearby Flat Creek.

Ruehl, who has chickens, said there are important guidelines to follow to reduce transmission to other fowl since the virus can be transmitted through fecal material.

“As someone who keeps birds, you have to be conscientious of it," Ruehl said.

Experts advise steering clear of wild birds and any that appear sick. If you see a sick or dead bird contact the state Wildlife hotline at 866-318-2401 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday–Friday or by email at [email protected].

MAY 1, 2023 - Part of a sign calling for the community in and around Weaverville to learn more about a proposed affordable housing project near Lowe's. (Photo: WLOS Staff)

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Buncombe County has tapped into county tax dollars to do smaller affordable housing projects with 60 and 70 units. But now $8.4 million of the $40 million taxpayer-approved bond funds dedicated to affordable projects is going for the biggest project yet.

The project is moving forward with zoning approval for the site near Weaverville, off Interstate 26.

"It's really taking a big step," Buncombe County Commission Chairman Brownie Newman said of the project. Newman has been vocal in his support of affordable housing projects and taxpayer dollars going toward them.

The large tract of land near Lowe's is under contract for $ 2.2 million. If things go as planned, Louisville-based affordable apartment development company LDG will break ground in January 2024.

The development is expected to have 156 units of one, two, and three-bedroom units ready to rent from $700-$1,300 by 2025.

"The developer will repay the loan to Buncombe County," Newman said. "So, we can re-invest these funds into future projects."

LDG is getting the $8.4 million, but it's just a part of the funding for the nearly $50-million project.

"We would begin to lease units in February 2025," said Landon Cox, a development manager with LDG.

Cox said the company is experienced in the complicated process of raising public fund dollars to make projects like this happen.

"It's not easy," said Cox of the capital cost fundraising, which includes funds called tax credits the company then sells to real estate bundling syndicates that then sell them to companies looking for tax credits.

In Asheville and Buncombe County, bond monies like the $40 million in the bank can help get projects across the finish line for a developer like LDG. In return, the county will get affordable units.

News 13 has reported on the struggles many working-class people face when looking for affordable housing in Buncombe County.

"I grew up in Weaverville, I grew up in Asheville," said Claire Burnett, a 28-year-old who bought a townhome about a year ago for just under $300,000. It's in development with about 70 units just like hers and sits right across from where LDG will be doing its affordable projects.

"I'm not looking forward to it devaluing my property," Burnett said, worried about what an affordable complex site nearby would mean for her neighborhood.

Right now, though, she knows it was challenging and expensive to buy her own townhome. Burnett said she was one of the first who bought in the complex.

"I still can barely figure out how to do it without the help of my dad," said Burnett. She credits her father with her being able to buy the townhome she otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford. She says she works as a certified nurse assistant at Mission Hospital.

"I still have to have roommates to make it work," Burnett said.

LDG's Cox said the company's complexes are well-maintained and well-built, adding that the company has a similar 156-unit complex being built in Raleigh.

Chairman Newman said he's gotten to know the company well and has confidence it's a quality builder.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A Weaverville family is desperate for help as a 35-year-old husband and father is in the hospital, trying to recover from a brain injury.

His doctors believe he could get better if he moves to a specialized rehab facility, but his health insurance won't pay for it.

Ryan Richards has two young daughters and a wife and loved playing music at church.

But on Feb. 17, his whole world changed with an ear ache that turned into an infection and then much worse.

Amber Richards, from Weaverville, NC, says her family's world suddenly changed when her husband, 35-year-old Ryan, got an ear ache on Feb. 17, 2023, which turned into an infection, then developed into a small brain injury. Now, in August 2023, she's fighting to get him moved into a specialized rehab facility, but his health insurance won't pay for it. (Courtesy: Amber Richards)

"He developed a small brain injury, still in the hospital, minimally conscious, part of a brain injury," said his wife Amber Richards. "It's a very slow going recovery."

He's been in the hospital for about six months now.

Amber Richards, from Weaverville, NC, says her family's world suddenly changed when her husband, 35-year-old Ryan, got an ear ache on Feb. 17, 2023, which turned into an infection, then developed into a small brain injury. Now, in August 2023, she's fighting to get him moved into a specialized rehab facility, but his health insurance won't pay for it. (Courtesy: Amber Richards)

During that time Amber has tried over and over again to get him into a rehab facility designed to help patients like Ryan.

One of those facilities even said "he most definitely meets medical necessity criteria."

"Surgeons, hospitalists, doctors at Mission have said that is what he needs, that type of rehab, but insurance has denied, because I guess they don't have enough proof that would be helpful," said Amber.

Documents from his medical team in June show "his labs are improving... He turns his head to voice..."

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Amber Richards, from Weaverville, NC, says her family's world suddenly changed when her husband, 35-year-old Ryan, got an ear ache on Feb. 17, 2023, which turned into an infection, then developed into a small brain injury. Now, in August 2023, she's fighting to get him moved into a specialized rehab facility, but his health insurance won't pay for it. (Courtesy: Amber Richards/photo credit: WLOS Staff)

The same month, a letter from United Healthcare says "your doctor has requested admission to an acute impatient rehabilitation hospital... For strength and activity."

Amber Richards, from Weaverville, NC, says her family's world suddenly changed when her husband, 35-year-old Ryan, got an ear ache on Feb. 17, 2023, which turned into an infection, then developed into a small brain injury. Now, in August 2023, she's fighting to get him moved into a specialized rehab facility, but his health insurance won't pay for it. (Courtesy: Amber Richards/photo credit: WLOS Staff)

It goes on to say "we reviewed the health plan criteria for admission. The admission is not covered... Because you are not able to tolerate the amount of therapy required."

News 13 asked what the hardest part of all this had been for Amber:

Not seeing him get the help he needs," she said.

After appealing the decision, United Healthcare denied the request again, saying "your health plan does not consider your transfer to be medically needed."

Ana Prendergrast is now representing the family, and says she's shocked by the process.

"It's awful, it truly feels impossible," she told News 13.

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The latest healthcare denial on Aug. 3 said, "we cannot approve this because it is not medically needed....the requested hospital rehabilitation is not shown to be helpful for your condition."

"He needs this specific type of care and United Healthcare as an entity is saying, 'nah, we don't think it's worth paying for.' I don't know why they get to decide that," Prendergrast said.

Amber said she doesn't know where else to turn or what else to try as she clings to hope that her husband will someday get better.

"Everyone should be given a chance," she said. "He's 35 years old and needs some help."

News 13 did reach out to United Healthcare.

A representative tells us they are working to get more information on this case.

We will follow up when we get a response from United Healthcare.

If you have a help desk idea, you can email it to [email protected].