🌱 Asheville Tree & Sidewalk Project + Possible Plastic Bag Ban

Good morning, everybody. It's Friday in Asheville and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in the community.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 80 Low: 56.
• Saturday: A t-storm; breezy in the p.m.. High: 76 Low: 45.

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Asheville, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Asheville Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top four stories in Asheville today:

1. On Monday, Mar. 27, the City of Asheville Street Department will begin a tree and sidewalk improvement project along Charlotte Street near the Biltmore Avenue intersection. During construction, daily lane closures will occur and the sidewalk will remain closed. Construction is expected to last about three weeks. (Asheville NC Gov)
2. The local environmental nonprofit MountainTrue is suggesting the ban of plastic bags and adding a 10-cent charge to paper bags at grocery stores to help the City of Asheville reduce single-use plastic. Asheville officials are seeking public input on banning plastic bags to help the environment. Click here to learn more information and to find the survey. (ABC News 13)
3. The Asheville City Council is expected to approve the Municipal Climate Action Plan at its meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 28. Asheville's Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment unanimously recommended the adoption of the plan on Feb. 21. The three main goals of the plan include "making sure city-owned assets are resilient, sustainable, and efficient, embedding sustainability and climate priorities into city operations, participation, and decision-making, and supporting sustainability and resilience for residents and businesses." (Mountain Xpress)
4. The Asheville Police Department is searching for a suspect or suspects in a Friday, Mar. 17, shooting at Brooklyn Road and White Avenue where nearly 20 shots were fired. The department released surveillance camera photos of a possible suspect, an unidentified man, and a white truck with a blue front plate. No one was injured during the incident, but there was property damage. (ABC News 13)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Asheville Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Asheville Patch newsletter possible.

Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Friday, March 24

• Double Feature: God Hates Figs & How The Grinch Reversed Racism At Fleetwood's (7:00 PM)
• Modelface Comedy Presents: Ashevillians Comedy Showcase At Ginger's Revenge - South Slope Lounge (7:00 PM)

Saturday, March 25

• Asheville Fringe Arts Festival: Love Potion At The Magnetic Theatre (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Mar. 30, the community is invited to celebrate older athletes and artists during the opening ceremony for this year’s Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and SilverArts at Carrier Park. There will be music, refreshments, brief remarks, and giveaways at the event. (Asheville NC Gov)
• The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Mobility and Safety Division is using a $1.5 million federal grant to create a program that will alert drivers about real-time road conditions by using smartphones, navigation apps, and other technologies. The system will be installed in two work zones by next year, I-40 construction in Haywood County west of Asheville and I-95 widening around Lumberton and Fayetteville. (ABC News 13)
• Due to Western North Carolina's black bear population becoming more active, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's assistant black bear and furbearer biologist Ashley Hobbs provided the Asheville community with tips on how to be more conscious about nearby bears. Hobbs said residents should not intentionally feed or approach bears, remove bird feeders when bears are active, secure garbage, and more. (ABC News 13)

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

— 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!