Asheville City Council member Bill Russell tells Xpress he will run for a second term. Russell is the first incumbent in this cycle to announce he’s running for re-election. Filing begins today at noon.
Author: David Forbes
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LIVE: Coverage of tonight’s economic development announcement
Live Twitter coverage of tonight’s awaited economic development news from the Asheville Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m.. Reportedly, the deal involves Canadian auto-parts manufacturer Linamar occupying the old Volvo plant, recently purchased by the county.
Barred
The U.S. has the world’s largest prison population; in North Carolina alone, according to the state Department of Correction, about 26,000 released prisoners return home each year — some of them to Asheville. All too often, they wind up back in prison again: Between 2004 and 2007, North Carolina’s recidivism rate was 41 percent. But […]
Weaverville man charged in gunshot incident
The Asheville Police Department has charged Phillip Harris, 54, of Weaverville, with discharging a firearm in city limits and violating a domestic protection order, in relation to yesterday’s incident in the River District.
City, county call for public access proposals
Tonight, Asheville City Council will consider issuing a call for proposals, partnering with Buncombe County, for an outside group to provide “community media development” following the collapse of the WNC Community Media Center. However, the proposal does not specify that a public access television channel to replace the defunct URTV must be part of the deal, and the funding the governments would provide expires after three years.
APD Investigates gunshot incident in River District ***UPDATED 4:25 p.m.***
The Asheville Police Department continues to investigate the report of a shooting earlier today in the River District. Now the APD is reporting that, while a gun was involved, no shots were fired, and the victim was instead injured in a fall.
Who’s in charge?
Most states place some limits on what their legislature can do to the localities under its jurisdiction, delegating broad authority to city and county governments. But in North Carolina, things are different. “The Legislature has absolute control over local governments,” says Frayda Bluestein of the UNC School of Government. “They're created by the state Legislature; […]
Ruled from Raleigh?
Relations between Raleigh and the city of Asheville are strained, to say the least. “Our relationship, historically, with our local delegation has been very open,” notes Asheville City Council member Gordon Smith. “What's changed with this session is seeing bills that don't have consensus from the local delegation and seeing legislation move forward without any […]
Hillcrest bridge fears unwarranted?
Asheville City Council June 14, 2011 meeting June declared LGBT History Month URTV producers not giving up P&Z gets expanded powers Asheville City Council’s June 14 meeting was relatively short, but it covered a lot of ground. One major item, however, concerned something that didn’t happen. Despite predictions of increased crime when the city reopened […]
Asheville federal building evacuated due to bomb hoax, suspect arrested ***UPDATED***
The federal building in downtown Asheville was evacuated around noon today, June 21, due to a suspicious package with a “cryptic note” directed at federal law enforcement agencies. Asheville Police Department officers disrupted the package with high-powered water and a blank round. The APD has arrested Ernest McDonald, 66, in connection to the hoax.
Lt. Wally Welch talks to press outside the federal building. Photo by Jonathan Welch
City seeks consultant to help with police chief recruitment
The city of Asheville has put out a request for proposal seeking a consultant to help with the selection of the next chief of the Asheville Police Department. According to the proposal, the final police chief candidate will be chosen by January 2012. The expected cost of the consultant is not specified.
Asheville water study, airport transfer bills in limbo until next year
Two pieces of legislation affecting the city of Asheville — studying the transfer of the water system and giving the Asheville Regional Airport to an independent authority — won’t become law this year. Sen. Tom Apodaca‘s office confirms that, with the end of the session looming, neither bill will get through the Senate this session.
Asheville City Council — And the kitchen sink…
It’s a particularly eclectic meeting tonight for Asheville City Council, with matters including a proclamation recognizing LGBT History Month, an update on the re-opened Hillcrest Bridge, expanding the power of the planning commission, establishing an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and transferring housing investigations to the NC Human Rights Commission. For live coverage, follow @DavidForbes on Twitter with #avlgov.
An asset of the people?
A bill proposed by state Rep. Tim Moffitt that called for seizing Asheville's water system and transferring it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District has undergone a sea change. Referred to the House's Government Committee May 25, the bill emerged the next day looking quite different. “The Legislative Research Commission shall study whether requiring large cities […]
Kudos
Crime down on Burton Street Sulphur Springs pavilion restoration? It must have been a relief. Just emerged from budget battles and well aware of the rancor that sometimes bubbles up in community meetings, Asheville City Council members had to appreciate their warm reception at the May 31 session in West Asheville. About 50 people gathered […]
Bear sighting at AB-Tech, Asheville High, lockdown lifted after animals leave
The Asheville Police Department and AB-Tech security are monitoring a bear sighting on the campuses of Asheville High School and AB-Tech. A lockdown of the school has ended, as the bears appear to have left the area. N.C. Wildlife Management has been notified.
Asheville area unemployment declined in April, among lowest in state
Driven by gains in the leisure and hospitality sector, Asheville metro area unemployment declined in April to 7.7 percent, down from 8.2 percent in March, according to numbers from the state Employment Security Commission. Buncombe County’s unemployment rate declined to 7.3 percent, the fifth-lowest in the state.
City Council West Asheville community meeting tomorrow night
Tomorrow, May 31, Asheville City Council will hold a community meeting at Vance Elementary. Topics of discussion will include plans for the Haywood Corridor, initiatives in the Burton Street neighborhood and transit route changes affecting the area.
Rep. Moffitt defends Asheville water system bill, says critics mistaken
State Rep. Tim Moffitt tells Xpress that a bill studying the possible transfer of Asheville’s water system will involve local input, and asserts critics are mistaken in declaring he intends to seize the system without compensation. The bill initially called for taking the water system and giving it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District, but was revised yesterday.
Bill for seizure of Asheville’s water system drastically revised, now calls for study
A controversial bill proposed by state Rep. Tim Moffitt that would originally have seized Asheville’s water system and transferred it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District has been drastically revised. The current version of the bill calls for studying the efficiency of moving the water systems of large cities to a MSD.
Council member, Democratic chair rally opposition to Moffitt’s water system bill
In response to word that Rep. Tim Moffitt‘s proposed legislation to seize the city’s water system will goes to committee tomorrow, May 26, Asheville City Council member Gordon Smith and the Chair of the Buncombe Democratic party are trying to rally opposition to the bill’s progress.