Boxed in

At a sometimes tense Feb. 2 meeting, representatives of more than a dozen local publications (including Mountain Xpress) met with city staff concerning possible restrictions on newspaper boxes in downtown Asheville. The meeting, held at City Hall, was called by city staff and members of the Downtown Commission, who claimed they’d received many complaints, both […]

The Beat

The upcoming budget year, a raise for city employees and sending a lobbyist to Raleigh were key topics in the wide-ranging discussion at Asheville City Council's annual retreat. Held Feb. 3 in UNCA's Sherrill Center, this year’s session gave Council members a chance to hear briefings by staff and ponder goals for 2012. The budget: […]

Asheville murder suspect apprehended in Cincinatti

Full announcement from the Asheville Police Department: On Wednesday, 02-08-12, at approx. 11:45 pm; Detectives from the Asheville Police Department, in conjunction with the Cincinnati, OH P.D. and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force; located and arrested the listed suspect in this matter, Devon Armond Gayles, in Cincinnati, OH. The capture of Mr. Gayles required […]

Occupy Asheville drafts demands for vacating City Hall camp

From the Occupy Asheville General Assembly: Dear Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commission, The City Council is preparing to demand that we, Occupy Asheville, remove our occupation from in front of Asheville’s City Hall. Our terms for the peaceful and cooperative dissolution of the current occupation are as follows: Safe haven for the houseless […]

City staffer received no complaints about newspaper boxes during past year *UPDATED*

According to the results of an open records request from Xpress, Marsha Stickford, the city of Asheville’s neighborhood coordinator, only received one email about the state of newspaper boxes during the past year, and that wasn’t a complaint. At a Feb. 2 meeting with newspaper publishers discussing possible restrictions on the boxes, Stickford claimed that she received numerous complaints, but couldn’t produce them because she deleted the emails.
(photo by Bill Rhodes)

In open letter, Asheville Council member seeks to address concerns about Basilica land offer

Full letter from Asheville City Council member Marc Hunt below: Many citizens have written me recently regarding the future of the City-owned area across from the Basilica of Saint Lawrence. I appreciate and share the concerns being expressed. The Basilica is a historical and architectural treasure we must protect, and the Catholic Church has always […]

No Fanaticon this year

From Fanaticon’s website: Thank you for your interest in FANATICON™! There are currently no plans for a future show. The organizers and planning team wish to thank all the artists, vendors, organizations, volunteers and attendees who made FANATICON and FANATICON2 so successful. And our deepest thanks to the Asheville Art Museum who made it all […]

APD touts use of technology, crime data

Full announcement from the Asheville Police Department: ASHEVILLE – The Asheville Police Department recently took steps with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to increase the amount of crime data available online. Other new services include an iPhone app and the ability to anonymously submit tips online and through texting. “Providing reliable, timely information to our […]

Sunday open thread

Interstate 40 was cleared, Asheville City Council retreated, the downtown Bank of America closed up, the role of religion was fiercely debated at the Buncombe County Board of Education, Shuler bowed out, the city looked at restricting newspaper boxes, Council headed to East Asheville, and a deal over the Occupy Asheville camp remained out of reach. Whew. It was a busy, busy news week in Asheville.

President’s statement on Rep. Shuler’s retirement

Last night, the White House issued this brief statement on Rep. Heath Shuler’s retirement: During his five years in Congress, Heath Shuler worked to expand economic opportunity, strengthen our fiscal future, and promote much-needed civility in Washington. Michelle and I thank Heath for his dedicated service, and we wish him and his family the very […]

Expect increased traffic in Asheville area due to debris clearing project

Full announcement from North Carolina Department of Transportation: RALEIGH — The Tennessee Department of Transportation has awarded an emergency contract to remove debris and unstable rock from Interstate 40 West near the North Carolina border. Currently, the westbound lanes of the interstate are closed at Exit 20 in North Carolina due to a rockslide in […]

Impasse over Occupy Asheville camp continues

Last night, Occupy Asheville’s coordinating council agreed on a letter asserting its camp in front of City Hall is “a representation of the people’s natural rights.” While not explicitly rejecting a proposal by Asheville City Council to voluntarily decamp, the letter didn’t accept it either, leaving an impasse over the fate of the camp heading into Council’s Feb. 14 meeting.