🌱 Asheville PD Seized 3 Pounds Of Drugs + Water Bill Increase Paused

Hey, everybody. It's Friday in Asheville and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cloudy. High: 64 Low: 58.
• Saturday: Windy; a morning thunderstorm. High: 73 Low: 37.

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Here are the top three stories today in Asheville:

1. On Wednesday afternoon, Mar. 29, the Asheville Police seized more than three pounds of drugs and a stolen gun while arresting 32-year-old Aaron Javon Marquise Hill on Depot Street. The police seized 1.37 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.27 pounds of fentanyl, 7.2 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms, 3.4 ounces of crack cocaine, and 109 doses of MDMA. Hill was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility on numerous drug and weapons charges. (WSPA 7News)
2. The Asheville City Council paused the proposed water utility fee increases during its meeting on Mar. 28. The fee increases would have raised single-family residential water utility rates much more than the rates for multi-family residential, commercial, and manufacturer customers. (Citizen Times)
3. Asheville City Schools' budget discussions are underway. Interim Superintendent Dr. Jim Causby presented the board with budget suggestions, including reducing staff and teachers at schools to cut down on costs. Dr. Causby said, "The board asked me to tell what areas we could look and of course in almost every school system, the vast majority of money is personnel. So really to get any significant reductions, you have to look at that area." Other budget suggestions included reducing "supplies/materials, travel/professional development, food for events, special events, and overtime." On Apr. 11, an official budget recommendation will be presented to the board. (ACB 13 News)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Friday, March 31

• Live Music: Ashley Heath & Friends At New Belgium Brewing (5:30 PM)
• Modelface Comedy: Kourtlyn Wiggins At Ginger's Revenge South Slope Lounge (7:00 PM)

Saturday, April 1

• Reedy River String Band At One World Brewing - West Asheville (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• A recent study by BeenVerified found that, despite rising rates of catalytic converter thefts in the U.S. in 2022, North Carolina saw an overall decrease in incidents between 2021 and 2022. Visit the link for more statistics on catalytic converter thefts in the Tar Heel State and across the United States. (BeenVerified)
• The 22nd annual Asheville Orchid Festival will be held Apr. 1 and Apr. 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the North Carolina Arboretum! There will be thousands of orchids on display, and many will be available for purchase. (Citizen Times)
• On Apr. 29, don't miss a free screening of the documentary "The Mystery of George Masa" followed by a Q&A session with the documentarian, Paul Bonesteel! The event will start at 10:00 a.m. at the East Asheville Library. (Buncombe County Government via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! See you 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!