Former Asheville Police Department evidence room manager William Lee Smith has pleaded guilty to a federal charge for embezzling $10-30,000 in drugs from the evidence room, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Tag: City of Asheville
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Asheville City Council approves fee increases
At an early meeting with only five of its usual seven members, Asheville City Council approved increases in water, trash and parking fees, among others.
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the March 26 Asheville City Council meeting
Fee increases for trash, water, parking, and more are on the agenda at Asheville City Council’s March 26 meeting, held earlier than usual at 2:30 p.m. Follow live Twitter updates.
Final impact report on Asheville water merger presented to MSD
The hefty final version of an impact study assessing the potential merger of Asheville’s water system with the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County was presented to the MSD board on Wednesday. The short version: potential net savings to water customers of $1.1 to $2.2 million per year over the next nine years.
Asheville downtown BID proposes budget, revised bylaws
The Asheville downtown Business Improvement District has released its proposed budget, as required by Asheville City Council, and revised bylaws in an attempt to address concerns that led to harsh words from some members of the two organizations last week.
A place at the table: Art and commerce collide in Asheville
As the local creative sector gains financial clout, tensions loom between art as a business, an economic-development tool and a means of personal expression.
Asheville BID Board blasts Council over skepticism, delays
At a meeting Thursday morning, March 14, members of the downtown Asheville Business Improvement District board harshly criticized Asheville City Council for delaying approval of the BID’s proposed bylaws and expressing “disappointment” that the board hadn’t also submitted a detailed budget. Many board members said they were almost ready to walk away from the project.
APD Chief Anderson apologizes for handling of son’s car crash
Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson publicly apologized today for “a poor decision” in directing the APD, rather than the State Highway Patrol, to handle the initial investigation of a March 9 accident involving his son, Chad Anderson.
Guastavino Plaza? Effort under way to build ‘major’ new downtown public space
Led by the Asheville Design Center, a grass-roots effort is under way to build a new public plaza near the Haywood Street entrance of the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville, named for the famed architect/builder of the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Rafael Guastavino.
Density, money, state politics on Council’s radar for this year
At their retreat yesterday, Asheville City Council members discussed a variety of topics facing the city, focusing especially on density, budget issues, the effect of state legislation, and even a possible overhaul in the way city government deals with the arts.
Future of city’s cultural art program in question; some push for changes
With a key position still vacant after six months, major changes could be in the works for how the city of Asheville deals with the local arts community and tries to facilitate growth in the creative sector.
Back to the Future: Two men, two buildings, two feuding local governments
This year, both Asheville City Hall and the Buncombe County Courthouse turn 85. The two classic buildings are both undergoing renovation or expansion, part of an effort to keep them a center of civic life for the next 85 years. A look at their history, their future, and the end of the old feud that created them. Photos by Max Cooper.
Mayor Bellamy won’t run for re-election, will run for Congress
At the end of her State of the City address tonight, Mayor Terry Bellamy announced she won’t seek re-election, instead running for Rep. Patrick McHenry’s 10th district congressional seat once again in 2014. Photo by Max Cooper.
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the State of the City speech
Follow live Twitter coverage as Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy delivers the State of the City speech beginning at 5 p.m.
‘A pyramid instead of a rake’: City reorganizes senior staff, creates new department
Asheville City Manager Gary Jackson has undertaken a major staff reorganization: Three senior staff members will oversee “functional groupings” that put multiple, related departments under one umbrella, and a new “general services” department will oversee building and vehicle maintenance. Jackson claims the changes will make for better coordination and efficiency,
Asheville City Council preview: Signs and drive-thrus
After the analysis of its financial dilemmas before, Asheville City Council’s formal meeting tonight sees the return of a controversial proposal for drive-thrus on Merrimon Avenue and expanded signs in Biltmore Park.
Asheville City Council’s tax dilemma
Some of the biggest news in city government this week isn’t happening at Asheville City Council’s formal meeting, but at a presentation to the Finance Committee at 2 p.m. this afternoon. There, staff will lay out the effects of rising property values in the city, and the details of Council’s challenges will become more clear.
APD: evidence room situation improving; “we know what happened”
The situation of the Asheville Police Department evidence room has improved, with a new manager and better systems, Chief William Anderson told media today. He also says he’s better informed about what led to missing evidence, and who was responsible, but refused again to reveal further details. Photo by Max Cooper.
Opposition to seizure of Asheville’s water system gains statewide momentum
The local fight over the legislative push to forcibly transfer the city of Asheville’s water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District has helped spur a larger statewide reaction. Last week, the League of Municipalities adopted the defense of local utilities as one of its top priorities, and 40 cities and towns across North Carolina have passed resolutions against state government taking municipal infrastructure.
City: unauthorized work led to Carolina Lane building collapse
The work that caused the collapse of 15 Carolina Lane Thursday afternoon was never authorized by the city of Asheville. The Building Safety department is currently investigating the incident. Photo from the Asheville Fire Department.
Ice Storm Warning for WNC, schools and bus service closed
The whole region is under an ice storm warning today, as the National Weather Service cautions residents about a “wintry mix” of ice and snow through this afternoon.