Joseph Wiseman, Jr., a former Buncombe County contractor implicated in a kickback scheme that has led to charges against three former county officials, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud.
Author: David Floyd
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Buncombe appoints former New Hanover official as new county manager
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to appoint Avril Pinder, the former deputy county manager for New Hanover County, to the role of county manager during a special meeting on Feb. 5. The county anticipates that her first day will be Monday, March 4.
Commissioners consider new manager, EMS staffing, affordable housing
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will vote on the selection of a new county manager during a special meeting at 4 p.m. Feb. 5. in the third floor conference room at 200 College St. in downtown Asheville.
News briefs: Media moves, upcoming local government meetings
Five Citizen Times journalists were among dozens laid off across the company by Gannett Co. Radio station BPR announced a new development director, while Xpress added two new editorial staffers.
Former Brewers Alliance director faces embezzlement, card fraud charges
The former executive director of the Asheville Brewers Alliance was arrested Jan. 24 on charges that she embezzled money from the organization and used a credit card in the organization’s name to make more than $500 in purchases without permission.
News briefs: Merrimon project paused; county wants input on waste collection
The N.C. Department of Transportation and the city of Asheville have announced a plan to conduct a corridor study prior to planning improvements for Merrimon Avenue.
Annual prayer breakfast to feature Green of the Little Rock Nine
Observances of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. kick off with the 38th annual prayer breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 19, presented by The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County.
County corruption settlements top $3M; Greene pleads guilty
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has accepted a $189,000 settlement from former Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton, who pled guilty in October for his part in a kickback scheme involving himself and two other former managers.
As Waste Pro contract nears end, commissioners explore options
Buncombe County’s contract with Waste Pro, the company that handles trash and recycling collection in unincorporated parts of the county, will end on Dec. 31, leaving the door open for commissioners to select a new contractor.
Van Duyn details priorities for upcoming legislative session
After Democrats broke the Republican supermajority in the N.C. House of Representatives and Senate in the 2018 election, State Sen. Terry Van Duyn believes her party colleagues in the General Assembly will have more political clout during the upcoming session.
As hot real estate market moderates, county approves earlier revaluation
Like an airplane leveling off after a rapid ascent, local Realtors believe the strong upward climb in property values in the Asheville housing market could be giving way to a more relaxed rate of growth.
Wanda Greene reaches plea deal, settles with Buncombe County
Former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors and a settlement with the county.
2018 in review: Turnover at the top of Buncombe County government
As the investigation into former County Manager Wanda Greene ground on into 2018, Buncombe County witnessed steady turnover in many of its top positions.
2018 in review: Developments in the Wanda Greene investigation
Even after a full year of developments in the criminal investigation into former County Manager Wanda Greene, Buncombe County has still not reached the end of this tumultuous chapter in its history. Citizens did, however, witness many developments in the case throughout 2018.
Year in review: Local activism makes a mark on WNC
Asheville is an activist’s town, and 2018 controversies in local government, including the ongoing fallout from the investigation into former County Manager Wanda Greene and the police beating of Asheville resident Johnnie Rush, gave local residents plenty of reasons to seek change.
Settlement, revaluation to top county commissioners’ first 2019 meeting
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will discuss a settlement related to the county’s civil lawsuit against former County Manager Wanda Greene and her son, former county employee Michael Greene, on Wednesday, Jan. 2.
2018 in review: Partisanship alive and well in WNC politics
As the Democratic Party retook control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections, Buncombe Dems managed to hold onto a few key positions in local elections — perhaps most notably that of county sheriff. Politics also seeped into the Board of Commissioners race, where Republicans fell short in their bid to flip the party composition of the board.
Mandy Stone reaches plea deal
Former Buncombe County Manager Mandy Stone has agreed to a plea deal with federal prosecutors for her part in an alleged kickback scheme that has snared three former county officials.
Local agencies keep up fight to house veterans experiencing homelessness
According to the nonprofit Homeward Bound WNC, close to half of those experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County are veterans, a figure that also includes people benefiting from long-term transitional housing programs.
Ceremony honors homeless community members who died in 2018
Terry Joe Self was one of 22 homeless and formerly homeless people in Asheville remembered at an interfaith service Dec. 19 at Haywood Street. At the climax of the ceremony, organizers read the names of the dead and lit 22 candles, each representing one of the people who died. Since 2012, the annual ceremony has honored more than 100 people.
Commissioners consider county manager prospects
On Dec. 19, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met in closed session to winnow 33 applications it has received for the position to a more manageable number. The county is still accepting applications.