Safe Space: Renovations in public housing aim to reduce crime
Volume
28
/ Issue 19
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
Cindy Kunst
Only 3.4% of Asheville’s population lives in public housing, yet the communities are the location of nearly one fifth of Asheville’s gun violence and other crime. But the redevelopment of Lee Walker Heights and other public housing communities to emphasize neighbor relations and better living conditions may create safer places for their residents.
arts
Jordan Scheffer, Juan Holladay, Thieves Like Us and eleventyseven release new albums
This month's New Record Roundup includes Afro-soul and reggae covers, lush soul soundscapes, '80s-inspired post-punk and Part Two in an experimental folk series.Around Town: Wreath-making workshop focuses on Appalachian folklore, yuletide celebrations
The Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center presents a wreath-making workshop focused on Appalachian traditions. Plus, Citizen Vinyl explores classic Isaac Hayes album, the African American Heritage Trail takes shape,…food
Beer Scout: Catawba acquisition results in job loss
Catawba employees navigate distrust in the workplace, Hoppy Trees opens in Weaverville and Chemist collaborates with Green Man on a whiskey.What’s new in food: Smasheville food truck brings the beef
Smasheville sets up shop at Wedge Brewery Co. Also: Nine Mile wins big with hot sauce; Katie Button debuts on Magnolia Network; and plenty more!living
Green in brief: State budget brings millions in environmental funding to WNC
Among the largest allocations are $12.2 million to accelerate the purchase and opening of Pisgah View State Park in Buncombe County, $7.2 million for the removal of hazardous dams in…Q&A: Charlie Jackson, founder of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
At many grocery stores in the area, consumers can find at least some local produce, meat or dairy products. Plenty of restaurants tout local ingredients on their menus and farmers…news
Asheville Archives: Black residents testify in suit over the obstruction of popular pathway in Stumptown, 1909
In 1909, a fence disrupted a pathway in Stumptown, a Black neighborhood near Riverside Cemetery. Initial complaints eventually led to a lawsuit.Could holistic redevelopment reduce crime in public housing?
The Asheville Housing Authority is charged with maintaining secure and livable public housing communities. But is the authority doing enough to protect residents against gun violence and other crimes? Could…Warren Wilson professor’s new book explores eco-conscious death
As a professor of environmental education at Warren Wilson College, Mallory McDuff is experienced in teaching the next generation about environmentalism. “Climate is front and center for them,” she says.…Former Asheville Council member sues city, Asheville City Schools Foundation over scholarships
A $10,000 scholarship for local Black students is the subject of a lawsuit by a group headed by a former Asheville City Council member. Carl Mumpower, president of WNC Citizens…Volunteers operate Code Purple emergency shelter for six nights
For more than half of nights in November, the Asheville-Buncombe Homeless Coalition called Code Purple: an emergency protocol, triggered when temperatures drop below freezing, to increase space in homeless shelters…opinion
Letter: A vote for Buncombe’s branch libraries
"Please keep the small branch libraries open!"Letter: Animal rescue groups have big impact on WNC
"Our community is fortunate to have so many impactful groups working on behalf of animals, as the need for help is large in Western North Carolina."Letter: The rest of the Pratt & Whitney story
"While the information and footage of the plant were welcome, what was missing made the segment little more than a puff piece of promotion for the company."Letter: Why should city residents pay extra taxes?
"Paying taxes to the county for services which it does not provide city residents and paying twice for some of them is outrageous."Letter: Thumbs-ups for AVL Shares Space program
"If we want our favorite restaurants to be there for us, we need to be accommodating of them during these complicated times."Down for the Count
Letter: Where’s the ‘charity’ in Afghans’ resettlement?
"What I take issue with is the fact that it is made to sound like the Catholic Diocese is providing this as a charitable activity."Pavement or paradise? Asheville’s future is yours to decide
"The name of the proposal is the 'open space amendment,' and the goal is to dramatically slash, and in some cases, eliminate, the open space that developers are now required…Letter: Live events must be done safely
"If an event cannot be held in a safe manner, it should not be held. Pretty simple, right?"Letter: Poorly managed growth costs us
"The primary purpose of zoning laws should be to mitigate these externalized costs, to prevent development from being a burden on the community."Fanning the flames