City Attorney: ordinance generally allows personal megaphones

Street preachers using personal amplification are a regular sight at Bele Chere, but an Occupy Asheville protester was told by an Asheville Police Department officer that city ordinance requires them to put away their megaphone. However, according to City Attorney Bob Oast, the city generally allows the use of personal amplification in public space.

Break the cycle of corruption in Asheville

It appears that the employees of the entire Buncombe County criminal “justice” system are afflicted by a particular pathology that makes it virtually impossible for them to conduct themselves in an honest and legal manner. I for one am sick and tired of corrupt local police, sheriffs and district attorneys running riot in the judicial […]

Local Matters: Tattoo safety, new APD chief, Moffitt’s water plan and County health changes

In this edition of Local Matters: reporter Christopher George talks about the Buncombe County Department of Health’s recent warning about the dangers of unlicensed tattoo artists; reporter David Forbes updates us about Capt. Wade Wood’s new role as interim chief of the Asheville Police Department and the breaking news that state Rep. Tim Moffitt has filed legislation that would seize Asheville’s water system, turning control over to the Metropolitan Sewerage District; and reporter Jake Frankel discusses the transfer of services from the County’s Department of Health to Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) and funding cuts to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

Donation push, Gideon sermon at city United Way presentati­on raise questions

A city staff member has questioned what he says was a mandatory meeting at which United Way representatives made a funding pitch, followed by a Gideons member distributing Bibles, giving a sermon and leading staff in prayer. City representatives say the United Way presentation was not mandatory and Police Chief Bill Hogan says he’s apologized for the Gideons presentation.

Haywood benches reversed “to deter criminal activity” ***updated 12:26 p.m. Tuesday***

Two benches at the intersection of Haywood and Walnut streets were reversed last week: They’re now back to back instead of facing each other. A city spokesperson says the step was taken when, after investigating complaints of drug dealing and other criminal acts, the police “found that certain people were using the positioning of the benches to view and discreetly communicate police activity to one another.”