🌱 APD Arrest 2 Locals For Drugs + Crime Up In Asheville's Southside

Hello all. It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Asheville Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Warmer; frost in the morning. High: 51 Low: 20.
• Thursday: Milder with sun and clouds. High: 62 Low: 39.

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Here are the top three stories today in Asheville:

1. On Monday, Mar. 13, Asheville police arrested two men during crime prevention efforts in west Asheville. Willie James Davis, 47, now has a $20,000 secured bond after he was arrested for failing to appear in court on drug trafficking charges. Keith Diondre Green, 26, was released under a written promise after he was arrested on drug and weapon charges. (WLOS)
2. Asheville's Southside residents are complaining about the increase of prostitution, theft, and other crimes on South French Broad Avenue. The quiet, historic neighborhood is the meeting place for prostitutes and johns, even during the day. Southside resident Helen Hyatt said "it's very, very sad and unfortunate to watch." Hyatt understands that the Asheville PD staff is down 40 percent and said that “they just don't have the personnel" to investigate prostitution. (WLOS.com)
3. Liza Burke, a University of Georgia (UGA) student from Asheville, is back in the U.S. with her family after suffering a brain hemorrhage while on spring break in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The UGA community raised more than $100,000 to help get Burke back to the states after an emergency surgery in Mexico. (WSOC-TV)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Wednesday, March 15

• An Abundance of Riches: The North Carolina Arboretum At Baker Exhibit Center (All Day)
• Well-Crafted Music with Matt Smith At Taproom At Highland Brewing Co. (6:00 PM)

Thursday, March 16

• Hops Around Comedy: Katie Hughes At Eurisko Beer Company (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office reported that missing 15-year-old Johnny Gyska was found safe. (WLOS)
• The local real estate scene is never boring, and there are a variety of homes to browse these days. Check out the latest homes for sale in the Asheville area, including a new three-bedroom on Unaka Avenue for $460,000! (Asheville Patch)
• Asheville Fire Department welcomed nine new firefighters to the department! The recruits graduated over the weekend after completing AFD's 95th academy. (Asheville Fire Department via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Homebuyer Blueprint Live Webinar (March 16)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox soon with a new update!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!