Local Fire Investigator Death Ruled Line-of-Duty Death
The North Carolina Industrial Commission has ruled Fire Investigator Dewayne Fender’s death from cancer as a line-of-duty death, according to a press release from the Asheville Fire Department. “Dewayne became a member of our department on January 31st, 1994, and took great pride in being an Asheville firefighter. He died on January 8, 2022, after […]
Fire Marshal Issues Open Burning Ban, But Didn’t Stop One Fire
A small brush fire on Lower Sherpherds Branch Road had the Jupiter Fire Department working to extinguish the blaze. Earlier in the day, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal had issued an open burning ban: “effective at noon on March 7, the Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office, in accordance with North Carolina State Building Code: Fire […]
APD Chief Zack Discusses Staffing, Reputation
Asheville City Council's annual retreat provided an unexpected opportunity for Police Chief David Zack to discuss what he thinks he needs to get the force adequately staffed.
Citizens Speak Out About Safety and Homelessness, Present Plans
Homelessness and crime in Asheville have been in the news a lot lately, especially since the Washington, DC-based National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) made its $73,000 recommendations to the Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee (HIAC), Asheville City Council, and Buncombe County Commissioners on January 25th. The plan, called Within Reach, for all of its cost, […]
Catch-22 in Patrolling US 23/Future 26
At a meeting with the Woodfin Town Council, Police Chief Michael Dyke was questioned about his department's response to accidents and speeding drivers on the section of US 19/Future I-26 that passes through Woodfin.
Town Tackles Stormwater, Query Police Patrols On Future I26
At Woodfin's February monthly meeting, the council took on their police department's patrolling of US 19/Future I-26 and implemented a new stormwater ordinance, among other items.
The Asheville Coalition for Public Safety Speaks Out
Editor’s Note: This was written by Bailey Stockwell. Good afternoon, Council and Commissioners, We hope the below will effectively convey some of our thoughts on the latest National Alliance to End Homelessness presentation. The recommendations are printed in bold, and our collective thoughts are highlighted afterwards in yellow. We feel this appears to be an […]
Council Takes Money, Debates How It Was Obtained
Members of Asheville City Council used the opportunity presented by having to approve recommendations for asset forfeiture allocations as an opportunity to publicly criticize the federal policy.