Today, Sept. 6, Xpress and the other media outlets involved an an open-records lawsuit against the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office and the city of Asheville received word that Judge Bradley Letts had dismissed their push for the release of an audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room.
Tag: City of Asheville
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Attorneys lay out arguments in evidence room audit lawsuit
Attorneys for an alliance of local media (including Xpress), the city of Asheville and Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore laid out arguments before Judge Bradley Letts this morning over whether or not an audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room should be released. Letts will likely issue a ruling within the next 30 days. Photo by Max Cooper.
District attorney, evidence room auditor file affidavits in open records case
Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore and Mike Wright, who audited the Asheville Police Department’s old evidence room, have filed affidavits in response to the open records lawsuit from local media (including Xpress), seeking the release of the audit.
City opts not to change water referendum language
On Tuesday, Aug. 28, Asheville City Council continued their regular meeting until today, Aug. 30, to consider a possible change in the wording of the November water referendum. However, after a closed session briefing from legal staff, Council opted to leave the referendum the way it is.
Affidavit filed as evidence room lawsuit nears its day in court
Lawyers representing a coalition of local media (including Xpress) have filed an affidavit to bolster the case for the release of an audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room. The lawsuit goes before a judge Sept. 4.
Fire Chief: Asheville well-prepared for possible fuel shortage
After the 2005 and 2008 gas shortages due to hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast, the city of Asheville developed reserves and a conservation plan. With Hurricane Isaac moving towards the same area, Asheville Fire Department Chief Scott Burnette says the city is well-prepared. It was a common sight on I-26 during the 2008 gas shortage – tourists bringing extra gasoline with them to Asheville. (photo by Bill Rhodes)
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the Aug. 28 Asheville City Council meeting
Follow live Twitter coverage of the Aug. 28 Asheville City Council meeting, including interviews with candidates for the Planning and Zoning Commission beforehand.
Asheville City Council preview: plans within plans
The appointment of two members to the powerful Planning and Zoning Commission and a slew of reports are on the agenda for Asheville City Council’s meeting tomorrow night, Aug. 28.
Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy talks about evidence room issues
In this interview with Xpress Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy talks about the state of the Asheville Police Department evidence room situation, oversight issues, and if the city will be able to hire the number of staff recommended to keep the same problems from re-emerging. Photo by Max Cooper.
Asheville City Council preview: beneath the water line
Putting a referendum on the fate of Asheville’s water system on the November ballot is front and center at tomorrow’s Asheville City Council meeting.
Council will vote on binding Asheville water referendum Aug. 14
At its Aug. 14 meeting, Asheville City Council will vote on placing a binding referendum on the sale of the city’s water system on the ballot this November.
City Attorney’s request for APD audit recommendations
In this July 26 letter, City Attorney Bob Oast requests that Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore release part of the undisclosed Asheville Police Department evidence room audit containing recommendations for improving the facility’s practices.
Asheville evidence room public records lawsuit goes to court Sept. 4
The lawsuit filed by five local media outlets, including Xpress, to obtain the Asheville Police Department evidence room audit will go before Judge Bradley B. Letts on Sept. 4.
McKibbon Hotel Group unveils plans for Haywood Street project
At an Aug. 7 informational meeting at the U.S. Cellular Center, the McKibbon Hotel Group laid out its plans for a hotel and plaza on city-owned property across from the St. Lawrence Basilica in downtown Asheville. The city is considering McKibbon’s proposal, but hasn’t endorsed or committed to any project yet.
A look inside the APD evidence room in 2009
In March 2009, the Asheville Police Department gave a tour of the evidence room as part of the Citizens’ Police Academy program. Xpress has obtained photographs from one of those citizens, providing a glimpse inside what would later become ground zero of a major scandal.
More information emerges about APD evidence room situation
More information has emerged about the oversight of the APD evidence room and what might be required to solve its current disarray. Also: Mayor Terry Bellamy has not replied to questions about when she became aware of a contract clause mandating that the city receive a redacted copy of the evidence room audit.
Fountain returns to Pritchard Park
On time and schedule, work has been completed on the fountain areas of Pritchard Park by Downtown Asheville Resident Neighbors (pictured are Trina Mullen, DARN president and fountain designer Jill Haynie, right; photo by Bill Rhodes)
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the Asheville City Council water system worksession
Follow live Twitter coverage of Asheville’s City Council’s worksession on the fate of the city’s water system, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Reluctant Partners: Water system/MSD documents
The city of Asheville, the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County, and Henderson County officials have been negotiating and discussing the possibility of merging Asheville’s water system with MSD. Here are a few documents related to the topic. For more information, see “Reluctant Partners: Asheville, MSD Take Tentative Steps Toward Merger” in the Aug. 1, 2012 issue of Xpress.
Fountains in Pritchard Park to get makeover – after Bele Chere
The Downtown Asheville Resident Neighbors will repair the fountains in Pritchard Park, starting next week. This duo played cards on the rocks where the improved fountain will be installed. (Photo by Bill Rhodes)
Unanswered questions about APD evidence room mess
After a report earlier this week revealed an Asheville Police Department evidence room in deep disarray, it still remains unclear how it got that way, and how it escaped the notice of department officials.