🌱 Asheville's Hit-And-Runs Spark Roadway Debate + City Offices Closed

Hello again, friends. It's Wednesday in Asheville and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in the community.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Some sun, then clouds; warm. High: 80 Low: 60.
• Thursday: Cloudy with a thunderstorm. High: 77 Low: 54.

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Here are the top three stories in Asheville today:

1. Asheville Police Lt. Jonathan Brown urged drivers to be "aware and attentive" after the two recent hit-and-runs in Asheville. Brown said Asheville is seeing "an increase in our more serious and fatal collisions for 2023" and an increase in pedestrian hit-and-runs. Asheville on Bikes Executive Director Mike Sule believes the increase in collisions is because "Asheville is designed to be convenient for motorists." For example, Sule said crosswalks can be a quarter of a mile away from each other. He believes without changing the structure of the transportation network, Asheville will continue to lead the state in pedestrian and cyclist collisions. (WLOS)
2. All Asheville City government offices will be closed on Friday, Apr. 7, in observance of the holiday. Asheville community centers as well as park and recreation administrative offices will also be closed, except for Stephens-Lee and Temple Avery Montford community centers. ART bus service routes and facilities will operate on a holiday schedule. (City of Asheville)
3. To celebrate 10 years in Asheville, Burial Beer Co. announced a new one-day outdoor music festival, the Anno X, and a new concert venue set to open this fall. Anno X will take place at the brewery’s Forestry Camp facility in Asheville on Saturday, Jun. 24, and will feature four touring artists and new anniversary beer releases. (WLOS)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Wednesday, April 5

• Well-Crafted Music With Matt Smith At Taproom At Highland Brewing Co. (6:00 PM)
• Music To Your Ears: Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ At Asheville Guitar Bar (7:00 PM)

Thursday, April 6

• Don't Tell Comedy Asheville Show At West Asheville (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Apr. 4, several developers applied for more than $5.2 million in funding through Asheville's Housing Trust Fund program to develop 281 units of affordable housing. On Apr. 25, the city council will vote on these funding requests. (WLOS)
• On Apr. 3, Asheville police arrested Hallie Nicole Sargent, 22, and Andre Marshall Logan Jr., 38, on Merrimon Avenue near the I-240 underpass. Police found nearly 24 grams of fentanyl during their arrest. Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. (WLOS)
• It's always good to stay up-to-date on your local real estate market, even if you're not actively looking for a new home. Check out the latest homes for sale in the Asheville area, including a four-bedroom on Spivey Place for $450,000. (Asheville Patch)

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