Students at Warren Wilson College delivered a contentious 18 vote win to Ellen Frost in 2012, giving Democrats a one seat majority on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. She faces a rematch with Republican opponent Christina Merrill this year for control of District 2, and the two candidates returned to the decisive campus in Swannanoa for an Oct. 29 forum. (Photo by Petras Barcas)
I have practiced law in the criminal courts of Western North Carolina for a quarter of a century and, in that time, have worked with more than a few prosecutors. Perhaps I have gained some useful perspective on the qualities of integrity, experience, humility and common sense which make a good prosecutor. I am writing … Read more
I’m very disappointed in your sparse coverage of Swannanoa in your “Spotlight on Small Towns” [Oct. 8, Xpress]. I was left wondering if Swannaoa boasts only the one business you mentioned and not much else going on. Let’s see: Neighborhood Gathering Spot: Lake Tomahawk Park in Black Mountain made it to your list, but missing … Read more
At first glance, Shawnee, Oklahoma-based singer-songwriter Samantha Crain makes an unlikely front woman. She might not be a boho trendsetter like Johanna and Klara Söderberg, the sisters of Swedish folk-pop outfit First Aid Kit for whom Crain is currently opening. But, even alone on stage (except for her guitar), Crain quickly proves why she’s warming … Read more
Beth Revis was having trouble getting her novel published. That may seem like an odd reversal for the author, who will be at Malaprop’s on Monday, Nov. 3, with a slate of other YA authors for the Compelling Reads Tour. She had just concluded her New York Times best-selling Across the Universe series. Her new … Read more
It’s election season — time to pay attention to candidate platforms, get educated on the issues and let your voice be heard … right? Though many dedicated voters go to the polls term after term, hoping to bring about the world they want to see, many are still asking: Is it enough? Are “we the … Read more
Early voting has started, and this election I will be voting for Matthew Martin for Buncombe County’s District Court Judge. It is no secret that budgets across the state have been slashed, and that includes the budgets for our courts. In this budget cycle alone, the judicial branch had to absorb a $3.4 million cut. … Read more
