Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Rep. Heath Shuler are both pressing the issue of groundwater contamination at the former site of CTS of Asheville on Mills Gap Road. Dole’s office announced that she’s written a letter to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency “demanding answers,” while Shuler’s staff is holding a meeting on the topic Thursday morning.
Asheville and environs are no longer seeing the hour-plus-long gas lines and severe shortages that forced colleges and municipal offices to close their doors recently. Gov. Mike Easley‘s office announced Oct. 2 that the pipelines and refineries sending fuel to the area were once again operating at normal capacity, though it would be another week […]
Before a crowd estimated at more than 20,000 by law enforcement at Asheville High School on Sunday, Oct. 5, Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama outlined a health-care plan he says will cover all Americans and attacked the campaign of his rival, Republican Sen. John McCain, as “out of touch, out of ideas and running […]
A federal judge sentenced former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford to 15 years in prison on corruption and extortion charges on Oct. 6. The sentence came after a day of objections (97 in all) from defense attorney Stephen Lindsay. Judge Thomas Ellis overruled many of the objections and said that he believed Lindsay was re-arguing […]
The sentencing of ex-Sheriff Bobby Medford‘s deputies finished this morning, as a federal judge sentenced former reserve Capt. Guy Penland to five years in prison and former Lt. Ronnie “Butch” Davis to 40 months on corruption charges.
After much controversy, the Buncombe County Commissioners will appoint five new members to the powerful county planning board at their meeting Tuesday, Oct. 7, according to the agenda.
A federal judge sentenced former Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford to 15 years in prison on corruption and extortion charges this afternoon.
Before a crowd estimated at more than 25,000 at Asheville High School this afternoon, presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama outlined a health-care plan he says will cover all Americans and attacked the campaign of his rival, Sen. McCain, as “out of touch, out of ideas and running out of time.”
Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama will speak at a campaign rally this Sunday at Asheville High School, according to a statement from his campaign. The event will be free and open to the public.
A statement from the office of Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Gulf Coast pipelines are operating at normal capacity, though it will take a week for the new fuel to reach North Carolina. Meanwhile, 50 to 100 extra tankers a day continue to come into Western North Carolina and Charlotte to deal with the shortage.
Sen. Barack Obama will be in Asheville to prepare for next Tuesday’s presidential debate with Sen. John McCain, his campaign confirmed today. No location or public appearance has been announced yet.
Gas station after gas station with plastic bags tied over the pumps. Tense drivers stuck in hours-long lines. Packed buses and nearly empty restaurants. These have become familiar sights in Asheville and environs over the past two weeks during the area’s worst gas crisis in decades. Drained dry: Cars line down the street near a […]
Go to Temptations on a weekday and you’ll experience the charm that’s made this Asheville bar noted as a low-lit drinking den. Mondays can be a particularly good day for a visit, because of the $5 martini specials (they usually run $9). It’s one of the better deals out there and a great opportunity to […]
The office of Gov. Mike Easley announced that additional fuel tankers carrying hundreds of thousands of gallons from Wilmington, Tennessee and South Carolina are being sent to the gas-starved region, as the major oil companies agreed to release more supplies.
A host of county, city and state officials asked citizens to stay calm at a press conference this afternoon, stating that while steps are being taken to relieve the gas shortage, supplies would be spotty for at least another week, though more fuel is coming into the region. Mayor Terry Bellamy also criticized the state government for slow action, while state Rep. Charles Thomas said large oil companies “are begging us to regulate them.”
Out of gas? Waited in line for two hours to fill up? Finding other ways to get around? Working from home? The Xpress wants to hear your tales of getting through the gas crunch.
County grapples with gas crunch Commissioners get earful on Parkside Despite the current national economic crunch and continuing bleak financial news, the Buncombe County commissioners made a tentative commitment to borrow up to $37 million to fund capital projects. In the pipeline: An artist’s rendering of the proposed Coxe Avenue parking deck. The commissioners initiated […]
The public parkland Buncombe County sold to developer Stewart Coleman may not be used for private development, Judge Marlene Hyatt declared in a written ruling released Sept. 15. Coleman intends to appeal the ruling, his attorney said. But the county, which argued the case along with Coleman’s company, Black Dog Realty, will not appeal. (See […]
The last time consultants and city staffers working on the Downtown Master Plan met with the African-American community, in late July, it was a tense affair, with residents lobbing criticisms and pointed questions. As the Rev. John Grant of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church put it, they have “planning fatigue” and want to see action […]
Long gas lines and hours of waiting to fill up aren’t over yet. According to a release from Buncombe County this morning, “local distributors report that it will be at least another week before fuel is flowing regularly in our area.” The release also asks citizens to not panic and conserve when possible.
Summary of the Sept. 16 Buncombe County Commissioners meeting
