NC Justice Center against “Arizona-style discrimination” in drivers’ licenses

From the NC Justice Center: RALEIGH (April 4, 2013) — North Carolina lawmakers should drive policies that make roads safer for all, without steering us towards Arizona-style discrimination. We understand the desperate need to legally drive that people in our communities have and would support a measure that provides the same type of access to […]

Road construction and maintenance workshop for landowners

From the Land Trust for Little Tennessee Private landowners are invited to register for a one-day workshop on “Low-Volume Private Access Road Construction and Maintenance” to be held June 6th, 2013 at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in Otto NC. The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee (LTLT) is sponsoring the event in partnership with Coweeta […]

North Carolina Press Association urges opposition to electronic notice billl

From the NC Press Association: Senate Bill 186 comes up for a hearing next Tuesday, April 9, at noon at the Statehouse in Raleigh. PLEASE contact your local senators on this committee (http://ncleg.net/gascripts/Committees/Committees.asp?sAction=ViewCommittee&sActionDetails=Senate Standing_72) and ask them to vote AGAINST this bad bill. Please also be ready, if you are able, to travel to Raleigh […]

Emotions high as Asheville City Council raises specter of sharp service cuts

To hear Asheville City Council and city staff tell it, a manageable budget gap is now a potential crisis, thanks to proposed state legislation affecting areas from the water system to business licenses. To close the $5.9 million gap, staff have proposed sharp cuts in everything from public safety to transit to parks and recreation. At a special town hall meeting today, city residents exhorted Council against certain cuts and criticized state legislators (and occasionally the city too).

Old disputes at heart of bill that transfers water system to MSD

About seven years ago, the Regional Water Authority of Asheville, Buncombe and Henderson County fell apart. The creation of what had been an historic agreement involving the three governments, ongoing disputes and frustrations led Asheville officials to end the partnership in 2005. Fast-forward to the March 28 filing of House Bill 488, which transfers the Asheville water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Trash and treasure

Last week, Asheville City Council members approved fee changes that could pump more than $2 million into the city coffers. Today, April 3, Council dives deeper into the city’s budget challenges, hosting a budget worksession and town hall at 2 p.m. in the second-floor banquet room of the U.S. Cellular Center.

Former APD evidence-room manager pleads guilty to embezzling drugs

Former Asheville Police Department evidence-room manager William Lee Smith has pleaded guilty to a federal charge for embezzling $10-$30,000 in drugs from the evidence room, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. According to the indictment, Smith "surreptitiously opened envelopes containing controlled substances after their return from the SBI lab, where they had […]

Council member Bothwell will speak at April 1 Dinner w/ Progressives

Full announcement from Cecil Bothwell’s re-election campaign: Asheville, NC— City Councilmember Cecil Bothwell will address the April meeting of Dinner w/Progressives, tomorrow, April 1 at Firestorm Cafe and Books. Bothwell will outline pending legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly that will do serious financial harm to this and other municipalities in the state. “When […]

NC Justice Center highlights Asheville in unemployment analysis

From the NC Justice Center: RALEIGH (March 22, 2013) — The Division of Employment Security released new January unemployment numbers for each of North Carolina’s metro areas this morning. While the rise in unemployment across all 14 metros from December to January is somewhat concerning, seasonal fluctuations in hiring make the year-over-year comparisons from January […]

University Business magazine: A-B Tech a “model of efficiency

From A-B Tech: A-B Tech Community College is one of seven colleges and universities nationwide being honored by University Business magazine in its spring 2013 “Models of Efficiency” national recognition program. The Models of Efficiency program recognizes innovative approaches for streamlining higher education operations through technology and/or business process improvements.
 “Slow, manual processes similar to […]

APD will hold prescription drug drop March 29

From the Asheville Police Department: ASHEVILLE – Operation Medicine Drop is a partnership of Safe Kids North Carolina, the Riverkeepers of North Carolina, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of North Carolina and local law enforcement agencies working together to encourage the public to safely dispose of unused and unwanted medication. By providing safe and secure ways for […]