Day: October 15, 2008
Judge deals out prison sentences in corruption scandal
It worked like a charm. Video-poker-machine owners slipped the gambling devices across the South Carolina state line and into the backrooms of small restaurants and country convenience stores across Western North Carolina. The money rolled in—as much as $30,000 per machine per year—and players were lured by the prospect of winning cash, rather than the … Read more
Askville: Hiking with a purpose
Jennifer Pharr Davis’ epic Appalachian Trail trip this summer involved a lot of spirit—not to mention shoe leather. Jennifer Pharr Davis The 25-year-old Davis through-hiked the trail to honor the spirit of a woman who was killed in the north Georgia woods back in January. In the process, Davis wore out several pairs of trail-running … Read more
Campaign calendar
With the advent of Non-Stop Early Voting (Oct. 16 through Nov. 1) and its proven popularity in recent elections, the Mountain Xpress will offer its Voter Guide edition a little earlier than usual. Look for it next week, Oct. 22, with the results of our surveys of candidates for the U.S. Congress, the N.C. House … Read more
Mediation for Asheville’s Master Plan
The Downtown Master Plan Advisory Committee isn’t a governmental body: It isn’t appointed by Asheville City Council, and Council’s approval is not required before the master-plan proposal being crafted by consultants advances to Council chambers for a vote. Instead, the committee is made up of people who are interested enough to take part in the … Read more
Expanding Buncombe’s health-care safety net
How can Buncombe County expand health-care services to low-income, uninsured residents? It’s a question the county’s health-care community has long addressed—and had several notable successes in tackling. But with demand pressures increasing every day, there’s a new urgency among local leaders who are working on plans that could dramatically remake the safety net of services … Read more
Press, citizens turned away from CTS meeting
Staff of Rep. Heath Shuler turned away reporters, photographers and citizens from a meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9, concerning the issue of groundwater contamination at the former CTS of Asheville site. The meeting’s location had been changed from Shuler’s Asheville office, and his staff would not reveal the new location or who was attending. A … Read more
Former Bier Garden manager pleads guilty to lesser charge
According to his lawyer, former Bier Garden manager Malcolm Knighten pleaded guilty on Sept. 22 to assault with a deadly weapon, selling an alcoholic beverage after hours and resisting a public officer—all charges that stemmed from a fight with an ALE officer. He received a sentence of nonactive probation and will have to perform community … Read more
Bar Beat: Dirty Jack’s
The appearance from the outside isn’t the most awe-inspiring thing: Dirty Jack’s, located adjacent to Green Man brewery, is housed in a utilitarian concrete box off of South Lexington—not exactly the neighborhood you expect to find a bar in. It would be a shame to pass it by, however, as there’s a very cozy, old-style … Read more
