Free admission for veterans Nov. 7-11 at Chimney Rock

Full announcement from Chimney Rock State Park: CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (November 6, 2013)—Veterans, reservists, retired and active military personnel are American heroes, so Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is honoring their service with a free visit during November 7-11, 2013. Fall foliage should remain near peak color in lower elevations of Chimney Rock […]

City of Asheville, NCDOT partner to bring sidewalks to Hendersonville Road

Full announcement from the city of Asheville: ASHEVILLE – At its October 22 meeting, Asheville City Council unanimously approved a partnership with the NCDOT that will result in a major sidewalk expansion in South Asheville. The project, slated to begin in 2014, will see sidewalks installed on both sides of Hendersonville Road from I-40 to […]

Battle over Chestnut developmen­t reaches city board tonight

After months of delays, a proposed housing development on East Chestnut makes its way to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission tonight. The plans for a 16-unit development have become a flashpoint about larger development concerns in Asheville. In this case the plans have drawn opposition from some neighborhood residents and preservationists who believe it’s too dense and out of character for the area, while supporters assert the need to alleviate the city’s housing crunch means such projects are necessary.

Election results: Manheimer Asheville’­s next mayor; Wisler, Smith, Bothwell win Council seats

With all precincts reporting, turnout in the Nov. 5 city of Asheville elections was low, but the results were decisive. Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer defeated former city risk manager John Miall by a considerable margin to become the next mayor. Former Coleman CEO Gwen Wisler, along with incumbents Gordon Smith and Cecil Bothwell, also won Asheville City Council seats by a large number of votes. Photo by Nick King.

Towers and sunlight

Longtime local developer and property owner Tony Fraga can picture a new building at the corner of Battery Park and Page Avenues: an upscale, 14-story hotel and parking garage, complete with a few condominiums. It’s not Fraga’s first idea for the site, which includes the now-vacant Kostas Menswear building. In 2008, he proposed a 23-story […]

In the line of duty

Around 1 p.m. on Oct. 29, an Asheville Police Department patrol car went off the Jeff Bowen bridge. Later that afternoon, APD Chief William Anderson announced that the crash had killed Senior Officer Rob Bingaman, 37, who served with the department for six years. Police officials emphasized that it’s still too early to know many […]

Activists express concerns about voter suppression

From the North Carolina News Service: Local elections take place in 200 towns and cities across North Carolina on Tuesday, and making sure every registered voter is able to cast their ballot is still a concern. Pasquotank County received national attention over an unsuccessful attempt to keep Elizabeth City State University student Montravias King from […]

APD announces details for Monday funeral of Officer Rob Bingaman

From the Asheville Police Department: Asheville – Funeral services for APD Senior Police Officer Rob Bingaman have been set for Monday, November 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden. Interment will follow at Western NC Veteran’s Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC. Morris Funeral Home of Asheville is coordinating the […]

Agenda for Nov. 12 WNC Regional Air Quality Agency meeting

From the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency: WNCRAQA BOARD OF DIRECTORS TENTATIVE AGENDA NOVEMBER 12, 2013 BOARD MEETING Public Comment Protocol Announcement Adjustment and approval of agenda Consent Agenda: Approval of minutes from September 9, 2013. Unfinished Business: Gas Can Swap Diesel Retrofit Project Update Director’s Report: Quarterly Report – 3rd Qtr. 2013 CIBO Air […]

City of Asheville announces events for ‘Recycle it!” month

From the city of Asheville: ASHEVILLE – November is “Recycle It!” Month in Asheville and throughout the month, the City of Asheville’s Office of Sustainability is offering tours and information that spotlight the city’s commitment to solid waste reduction. Halloween may be over, but the Upcycled Halloween Costume Contest continues through November 5, with voting […]

Statement from the family of APD Senior Officer Robert Bingaman

From the Asheville Police Department: We, the family of Senior Police Officer Robert A. Bingaman would to express our deepest gratitude to the Asheville Police Department and the City of Asheville for their loving assistance and generosity towards our family and friends. We also would like to express gratitude to the Asheville Community, in which […]