🌱 Asheville Homelessness Crisis + Local Teachers Demand Increased Pay

Hello, everybody! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Asheville Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cooler; rain in the afternoon. High: 58 Low: 32.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and breezy. High: 47 Low: 23.

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Here are the top three stories today in Asheville:

1. A panel at the Council of Independent Business Owners’ meeting at UNC Asheville’s Sherrill spoke about the homelessness crisis in Asheville and the rise of crime. According to Michael Woods, executive director of the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, the homelessness crisis in Asheville is really two problems. There is no safe, "deeply unaffordable" housing in Buncombe County and panhandlers. Asheville Police Department Captain Mike Lamb said the permissive environment for crime in Asheville and the staffing shortage in the police department are the key problems. People are unwilling to persecute for trespassing and unwilling to call the police when they see something. View the link to see the rest of the homelessness crisis opinions. (Asheville Daily Planet)
2. Teachers and staff of Asheville City Schools are calling for increased pay and collected more than 2,200 signatures on an online petition. Daniel Withrow, president of the Asheville City Association of Educators, said, "It’s just become increasingly difficult in Asheville and Buncombe County because of the cost of living just far outstripping the wages here." The employees are asking for a seven percent increase in take-home pay for certified staff, raising classified staff pay to a minimum of $19.60 per hour, and becoming Just Economics Living Wage Certified. (WLOS)
3. The Boards and Commissions Council Committee recently voted to change appointments to four to five times a year, instead of every month. The City of Asheville Boards and Commissions is searching to fill 30 boards and commission seats. With fewer meetings, the boards committee said it can focus more on outreach and choosing applicants for appointments. (Mountain Xpress)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Asheville:

Friday, March 17

• St. Patrick's Day In Weaverville At North Main Street (11:00 AM)
• St. Patrick's Day Music With Boys of Buncombe At Hillman Beer - Asheville/Biltmore Village (7:00 PM)

Saturday, March 18

• Don't Tell Comedy At Downtown Asheville – Location Sent At 8 a.m. On Mar. 18 (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Asheville Police Department said motor vehicle thefts have increased due to people learning how to steal cars from social media. Seventy-five incidents of motor vehicle theft have been reported in Asheville so far in 2023. (Asheville Police Department via Facebook)
• Congratulations to Asheville Middle School's speech and debate students! The team competed in the regional competition and earned enough points as a team to make it to the state finals. (Asheville City Schools via Twitter)
• Asheville firefighters assisted with live burn training for an ATF-CFI class being held at A-B Tech Woodfin and the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center. (Asheville Fire Department via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll be 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!