Citing potential violations of federal civil rights laws, the U.S. Department of Justice has sent a letter to Buncombe County threatening to investigate and take enforcement against the county if it approves recommendations from the Asheville-Buncombe Community Reparations Commission, according to a DOJ letter obtained Friday by Asheville Watchdog. The letter from Harmeet K. Dhillon, […] The post U.S. Department of Justice threatens Buncombe County with investigation over reparations recomm...| Asheville Watchdog
Before we get to today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers, let’s handle an update on a story I wrote in mid-August about the city of Asheville’s Holiday Parade being in jeopardy this year. Early this year, the Asheville Downtown Association, which produces the parade, approved a budget that included a […] The post Answer Man: Holiday parade saved? What’s cofferdam in the French Broad for? Will bridge to WNC Nature Center be replaced? appeared first on ...| Asheville Watchdog
The ideal habitat of the Eastern hellbender that Tracy Davids described was pretty much what she saw on Tuesday morning as she stood ankle-deep in the Davidson River. “Relatively shallow, fast-moving, highly oxygenated water because (hellbenders) breathe through their skin,” said Davids, senior southeast representative for the Defenders of Wildlife environmental organization. “They also need […] The post Planned environmental rule changes threaten beloved Eastern hellbender’s possib...| Asheville Watchdog
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers: Question: I have walked regularly at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery for years and have noticed that the landscaping and road around the cemetery are in shambles. I talked with one of the grounds people and he said they are down to two […] The post Answer Man: Veterans Cemetery looking kind of run down? Spotty bus service in Asheville? appeared first on Asheville Watchdog.| Asheville Watchdog
Here’s what I consider to be a universal fact of life: No one likes looking at a badly damaged, flooded-out building. They’re ugly, sad reminders of Tropical Storm Helene’s devastation, and most people just want them gone. But they remain, and you do not like looking at them. I know this because I keep getting […] The post Opinion: If you’re looking for flood-damaged buildings to get torn down fast, you might be waiting a while appeared first on Asheville Watchdog.| Asheville Watchdog
Mission Hospital CEO Greg Lowe has told employees the company wants to hire 200 employees over just more than three months beginning on Sept. 22, according to a document obtained by Asheville Watchdog. “You asked, we listened,” Lowe said in a newsletter sent to staff and dated Aug. 21. “Starting Monday, we are going all-out […] The post Mission Hospital CEO announces goal to make 200 hires in 100 days, half of them nurses appeared first on Asheville Watchdog.| Asheville Watchdog
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers: Question: At the corner of Charlotte and Chestnut streets, what’s the story of the big beautiful parking lot that is chained and locked up? A few years ago it was said that affordable housing would be going in on the lot previously held by […] The post Answer Man: Apartments at former Fuddruckers site still a go? Why is Brevard Road traffic so bad? appeared first on Asheville Watchdog.| Asheville Watchdog
After three decades of studies, false starts and continued deterioration of the aging Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, the City of Asheville announced this morning that it will pursue a new 2,500-seat downtown performing arts center in partnership with a private company. In a press release, the city said it’s “closer than ever to realizing a new […] The post City of Asheville signs deal to work with private company to pursue building a new performing arts center downtown appeared first on Ashev...| Asheville Watchdog
Among military strategists, a major doctrine is expressed by reciting an instruction given by Napoleon to his generals before a great battle: “Don’t interfere with your enemy when he is in the process of making a mistake.” For mistake-prone Democrats this is a time to take Napoleon’s advice and avoid interrupting Republicans as they self-destruct […] The post Democracy Watch: Democrats should stand by as Trump pursues misguided plan to ban absentee votes appeared first on Asheville ...| Asheville Watchdog
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers: Question: Earlier this year, Asheville City Schools faced a $4 million budget deficit, Buncombe County schools a $7 million deficit. Each year schools are begging communities and families for basic classroom supplies. So what are the North Carolina “Education” Lottery proceeds doing for Asheville […] The post Answer Man: How much lottery money do Buncombe County, Asheville City Schools get? Why doesn’t the Bunc...| Asheville Watchdog
Among the many topics that draw continued interest — and ire — from you good readers, the I-26 widening project has to be right at the top of the list. No, not the I-26 Connector project, which we will get to complain about for roughly the next decade. I’m talking about the widening of I-26 […]| Asheville Watchdog
In my career, I’ve often considered myself a professional pesterer. As journalists, we have a license — and a responsibility — to pursue information vigorously, to the point of being obnoxious at times. Often, it takes a while to get said information, but that’s part of the job. I bring all this up because back […]| Asheville Watchdog
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers: Question: Regarding the bear situation, my concern is that nothing kills these bears. Did you ever see a roadkill bear, like a deer, raccoon, possum or squirrel? So, every year these mamas are producing one or two more cubs, so every year the population […]| Asheville Watchdog
When Andrew Crater was a young professional cyclist, riding and racing all over the world, he settled in Asheville to train. It’s no surprise, he said, that Jake Hill and Lennie Antonelli did the same. “There might be equally beautiful places, but they’re not going to be any better than what we have here,” said […]| Asheville Watchdog
Today’s round of questions, my smart-aleck replies and the real answers: Question: I have yet to see a single bike rider on Merrimon Avenue. Meanwhile, the car traffic continues to get worse. When will city officials admit making a mistake and go back to two lanes each way? My answer: I’m pretty sure if I […]| Asheville Watchdog
Ask just about any regular cyclist out there about their close calls or abusive encounters with motorists, and you’ll get an earful. “Everybody I talk to — almost everybody — has been hit by a car,” cyclist Abby Walker told me last week. “You couldn’t find a cyclist in Asheville that doesn’t have at least […]| Asheville Watchdog
Just more than a month after judges made what some saw as the final decision in a case over new hospital beds for Buncombe County and the surrounding region, Mission Hospital signaled in the state’s highest court that it’s not giving up a nearly three-year fight over which health system gets to expand in western […]| Asheville Watchdog
The North Carolina Supreme Court has granted Mission Hospital’s request for a temporary stay of a lower court’s decision to grant 67 acute care beds to AdventHealth nearly three years ago. The order, delivered without comment, came just two days after attorneys for Mission Hospital filed a motion seeking the temporary stay and arguing that […]| Asheville Watchdog
A Candler woman’s overdose death three years ago led investigators to a North Carolina dealer peddling illegal drugs through the mail to addicts nationwide. But the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the wrong man and failed to pursue leads that could have put James Adam Earwood out of business, according to federal court testimony. Seven […]| Asheville Watchdog
