After a contentious public hearing, Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission couldn’t come to an agreement about proposed rules allowing food trucks in downtown, splitting 3-3 last night. The new rules still go to City Council (after a stop at Council’s Public Safety Commission), probably on Aug. 23, but with a negative recommendation.
Author: David Forbes
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Council campaign heats up as five candidates woo Young Dems
Sure, Council elections aren’t partisan, but there are many Democrats in Asheville, and five of the nine candidates vying for City Council seats made their pitches last night, Aug. 2, at a Young Democrats meet-and-greet. The event was the first of the campaign season to get multiple candidates at the same event.
OM Sanctuary buys Richmond Hill Inn site
The Oshun Mountain Sanctuary, a nonprofit “dedicated to creating a center for rejuvenation,” has purchased the site of the former Richmond Hill Inn. The group, in partnership with RiverLink, announced the purchase today, Aug. 1, and noted the intent of raising $5 million more to complete construction of the project.
Who’s afraid of hip-hop? City thought DJ Kool “too big a risk” for Bele Chere
City staff considered DJ Kool, a 53-year-old hip-hop performer famous for his 1996 hit “Let Me Clear My Throat,” too much of a risk to play Bele Chere, emails obtained by Xpress reveal. The emails also illuminate a deeper conflict concerning hip-hop acts playing Bele Chere, which critics say revealed outdated prejudices.
UPDATE: AFD’s Capt. Jeffrey Bowen fatally injured in Biltmore Ave. fire
UPDATE: Asheville Fire Department’s Capt. Jeffrey Bowen, a 13-year veteran of the department, died today, July 28, after battling a blaze at 445 Biltmore Ave. Another firefighter, Jay Bettencourt, was taken to Augusta, Ga., for treatment. According to information released at a 5 p.m. press conference, the building was older and not required to have a sprinkler system. Bettencourt and Bowen were working as a team in the incident, and six other firefighters were also injured.
Photo by Katy Brooks
APD releases details of four West Asheville home invasions, looking for suspects
July 28: The Asheville Police Department released details late last night, including suspect descriptions, for six recent home invasions, four of them in the West Asheville area, some of which may be related. Public speculation and concerns about home invasions in the area have increased in recent days.
Arrested development
When Juan Holladay walked away from the Pritchard Park drum circle the evening of June 3, he had no idea he was about to be arrested — much less that the ensuing events would launch an internal police investigation. Here’s the Asheville resident’s account of what happened: Holladay, a guitarist and singer for local band […]
Due to new state law, Asheville can’t require inspections for rental properties
Due to a new state law limiting local authority over housing codes, the city of Asheville can no longer require the inspection of rental properties before their occupation by tenants.
APD announces second arrest in hate crime assault
The Asheville Police Department has announced a second arrest in the July 14 assault on Luke Hankins. A group of people surrounded Hankins, shouting homophobic slurs before one, later identified by police as Lamon Hopkins, punched him in the face. The APD has arrested Hopkins, and today announced the arrest of a juvenile on assault charges.
BREAKING: APD apprehends suspect in hate crime assault
The Asheville Police Department has arrested Lamon Lewis Hopkins, 25, and charged him in the July 14 assault on Luke Hankins. The APD has qualified the attack as a hate crime, with a group of people shouted homophobic slurs at Hankins before Hopkins punched him in the face hard enough to cause three fractures.
APD looking for suspects in hate crime assault
Early July 14, a group of teenagers, shouting homophobic slurs, surrounded Luke Hankins in the parking lot of the Patton Avenue Ingles; one hit him hard enough to cause three fractures. The Asheville Police Department is looking for the suspects. While the APD has reported the attack as a hate crime, attacks based on sexual orientation aren’t covered under North Carolina’s hate crimes law, so no additional penalties are possible.
City Council filing closed: Newman not running, Thomasson joins race
Nine candidates, including two incumbents, will vie for three seats on Asheville City Council this year, as the filing period ended today at noon. Vice Mayor Brownie Newman will not run for re-election, and LGBT activist TJ Thomasson joined the race, filing earlier today.
Davis running for another term; Pelly, Gray file for Council
With one day left in the filing period, the Asheville City Council race is heating up, as the field has grown to eight candidates vying for three seats. After remaining publicly noncommittal for months, Council member Jan Davis filed for another run. Haw Creek Community Association President Chris Pelly and activist Lael Gray also officially joined the race.
APD investigates allegations of excessive force in local musician’s arrest
Local musician Juan Holladay says handing out a flier ended up getting him choked, restrained and arrested by Asheville Police Department officers. The APD claims he was belligerently interfering with an investigation. The APD’s internal affairs division is looking into the allegations.
N.C. Senate redistricting maps released; Nesbitt’s district grows
The proposed North Carolina Senate redistricting maps grow Democratic Sen. Martin Nesbitt‘s 49th District to encompass most of Buncombe County. Republican Sen. Tom Apodaca‘s 48th District meanwhile, loses Polk County but gains Transylvania. His district also expands slightly to include all of Henderson County and part of southern Buncombe.
General Assembly redistricting maps delayed until tomorrow
With the controversy over redistricting hotter than the summer temperatures, renewed furor over the state legislative districts will have to wait a day. News 14 Carolina reports that the assembly won’t release the proposed district maps today, but tomorrow, July 12.
Asheville City Council field grows to five
With two incumbents still undecided and one week left in the filing period, five candidates — Tim Peck, Saul Chase, Marc Hunt, Mark Cates and current Council member Bill Russell — are officially running for Asheville City Council.
Buncombe County’s removal of newspaper boxes may violate First Amendment
Last week, Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene‘s office ordered the removal of 17 newspaper boxes in front of the courthouse, claiming they were unsightly. The move, according to North Carolina Press Association attorney Amanda Martin, was illegal and violates First Amendment protections on newspaper racks on public property.
The newspaper boxes after their removal. Photos by Jeff Tallman
Asheville area unemployment down slightly in May, but rising in Buncombe
Unemployment in the Asheville metropolitan area declined slightly in May, dropping from 7.8 to 7.7 percent, according to figures from the state Employment Security Commission. Job losses in construction in manufacturing were somewhat offset by gains in the business and hospitality sectors. However, Buncombe County saw a slight rise in unemployment, from 7.4 to 7.5 percent.
The dividing line: On Raleigh’s rules and local rancor
Standing in that room, surrounded by angry local government officials, I realized that the dividing line — or lack thereof — between state and local power would remain an issue for years to come. It still is.
Filing day
The election season for Asheville City Council, and several other municipalities, kicked off today as the official filing period opened at noon. Incumbent Council member Bill Russell and candidate Marc Hunt both showed up at the Board of Elections to file.
Hunt and Russell talk to an onlooker who’s just snapped their photo. Photo by Jerry Nelson.