Asheville Police Chief Mike Lamb wants to increase the number of places designated as High Traffic Zones, areas where it is illegal under city code for a person to verbally solicit and/or panhandle. Solicitation with a sign is still permitted in these areas.
New Stories
Playbill picks: July local theater highlights
Beloved musicals and new original works fill area stages this month.
AdventHealth, Novant Health, Mission again vie for hospital bed expansion
A public hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 19 in the Ferguson Auditorium of AB-Tech Community College, 340 Victoria Road in Asheville.
YWCA acknowledges financial woes, closes pool
The organization cited lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, shifts in funding priorities and the need for facility repairs as reasons for the shortfall.
Homes bought by NCDOT for I-26 Connector becoming havens for drug users
Residents of East West Asheville say vacant homes now owned by the NCDOT to make way for the upcoming I-26 Connector project have become havens for drug users and people experiencing homelessness, the Asheville Watchdog reports.
Around town: Inaugural Black Mountain Blues festival takes center stage
Black Mountain hosts inaugural blues festival, the Sanctuary Series concert returns, local publisher holds fundraiser and more local arts news.
What’s new in food: Regina’s kicks off sophomore year with big changes
All-female ownership, a fresh menu and the addition of evening hours mark the beginning of the West Asheville restaurant’s second year. Also this week, Bountiful Cities’ annual Urban Garden Tour and Tasting, Ultimate Ice Cream passes the torch to The Mad Dipper, a Bastille Day event at the new Quench! wine bistro and Heritage Fire hits Hendersonville.
Letter: Building Bridges owes debt to Greenlee
“Tyrone has helped not only Buncombe County through his facilitating of the practical and visionary aspects of Building Bridges, but he has also helped an awful lot of kids who might not have ‘made it’ were it not for Tyrone Greenlee.”
Letter: Support local troops in harm’s way
“Regardless of how you feel about this war now, I hope you will help and support the troops and write letters and send care packages to those on ships in harm’s way.”
Letter: The crisis in K-12 public education
“Today, North Carolina ranks 48th in the country in per-pupil funding ($4,655 below the national average and dead last when it comes to school funding effort).”
Golden Agers: For the love of gardening
For the past four years, local resident Glenn Jolappa has given back to his community by creating a series of gardens in his apartment complex.
Veterans find healing by working with horses
The equine-human bond underpins U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jake LaRue’s own healing journey. Working with horses and other veterans “is what keeps me sane,” he says.
Dialing for dollars: Artist grants can offer key support
The grant application process can be time-consuming and frustrating for artists. Is it worth the effort?
Churches welcome homeless families in Safe Shelter initiative
On April 29, Grace Episcopal opened its doors to Safe Shelter and provided overnight accommodations to five families and six adults who were homeless, says Safe Shelter director Christian Chambers. Among them were four working adults and a senior couple on disability, who stayed at Safe Shelter until an apartment became available.