🌱 Asheville Firefighters Put Out Electrical Fire + Drug Trafficking

Hello all. Rose Mendez here with your Monday edition of the Asheville Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the community information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Cloudy, a t-storm; warmer. High: 69 Low: 54.
• Tuesday: Variable clouds with a shower. High: 75 Low: 57.

Here are the top three stories today in Asheville:

1. On Sunday, May 28, the Asheville Fire Department put out a fire inside a building on the 12 block of Regent Park Boulevard. According to the fire department's tweet, it was an external electrical box on fire which extended into the interior of the building. As of May 28, no injuries were reported. (WLOS)
2. Buncombe County deputies arrested 38-year-old Daniel Smith and 23-year-old Sherry Hinson after finding narcotics during a traffic stop in Asheville. Smith was charged with trafficking in methamphetamine (possession), trafficking in methamphetamine (transport), felony possession of cocaine, driving with license revoked, reckless driving to endanger, and possession drug paraphernalia. Hinson was charged with felony possession schedule two controlled substance, possession of marijuana up to half an ounce, simple possession schedule three controlled substance, simple possession schedule four controlled substance, and simple possession schedule two controlled substance. (Fox Carolina)
3. Cats at Play Café had its grand opening in downtown Asheville on Saturday, May 27. At Asheville's first cat café, visitors can pet and play with rescued cats while enjoying coffee and pastries. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue have partnered with the cafe and use the storefront as a foster space. The owners of the cafe also plan to host events including movie night and cat yoga. (WLOS)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Monday, May 29

• Live Music With The Asheville Jazz Orchestra At The Meadow At Highland Brewing Co. (2:00 PM)
• Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic At Noble Cider Downtown (6:30 PM)

Tuesday, May 30

• West Asheville Tailgate Market At 718 Haywood Road (3:30 PM)
• Mood Ring Live At Hemingway's Cuba (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• GRINDFest 2023, a three-day festival that celebrates Black-owned businesses, was a success over the weekend. The events included activities for adults and kids, rides, and play areas in River Arts District. (WLOS)
• Asheville police identified the skateboarder who was killed in the Monday, May 22, Asheville crash at the intersection of Merrimon Avenue and Marcellus Street. Benjamin Brown was skateboarding when he was hit by a solid waste truck and landed on the exit ramp where he was hit by another vehicle. (WLOS)
• Looking for a new home in the Asheville area? Check out the link to see some new options, including a unique three-bedroom on Old Haywood Road for $590,000! (Asheville Patch)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all soon for another 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!