🌱 Asheville Water Crisis Report + Neighborhood Matching Grants

Good morning, everybody! Rose Mendez here with your fresh copy of the Asheville Patch newsletter, full of all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 60 Low: 32.
• Thursday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 64 Low: 41.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Asheville who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories today in Asheville:

1. On Mar. 28, the Asheville City Council received its first update on the water crisis evaluation from the Independent Review Commission. South Asheville and western Buncombe County experienced low pressure or no water for days between Dec. 25, 2022 and Jan. 3, 2023 due to more than a dozen water main breaks and a failure at the Mills River Water Treatment plant. The City of Asheville will release its own report on the water crisis near the end of May or the beginning of June. (WLOS)
2. The City of Asheville announced that the third phase of the Neighborhood Matching Grants applications is now open. Applicants can apply for up to $5,000 in funds from Mar. 27 to May 27. If accepted, neighborhood organizations will have to match the funds through volunteer time, fundraising, and in-kind donations. (City of Asheville)
3. The black bear population in and around Asheville is booming, and bear sightings have become common for many. NC Wildlife Resources Commission Biologist Colleen Olfenbuttel said about the increase in bear sightings, "Buncombe County is definitely a hot spot, specifically Asheville, and the reason why is that there is a lot of unnatural food attracting bears," as well as green space and creeks in the city. (WLOS)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Wednesday, March 29

• Berklee Indian Ensemble At AyurPrana Listening Room (7:30 PM)

Thursday, March 30

• Hops Around Comedy: Nathan Owens At Ginger's Revenge South Slope Lounge (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Asheville dentist Dr. Perry Stamatiades is offering free dental care to the community at his annual event Servants of Smiles on Apr. 22. Patients can choose between a free cleaning, extraction, or filling. (Mountain Xpress)
• Asheville police arrested Calvin Tyler Dion on Mar. 27 for allegedly hitting and killing a bicyclist, 28-year-old James Shearon, with his vehicle on Grove Street on Mar. 1. Dion has been charged with second-degree murder, hit and run inflicting serious bodily injury, reckless driving-wanton disregard, and more. (ABC 13 News)
• Looking for your next dream home or just want to stay up-to-date on your local housing market? Check out the latest homes for sale in the Asheville area, including a 17-bedroom on Powers Road for $2,200,000! (Asheville Patch)

You're all caught up 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!