🌱 Face-To-Face With Bear At Asheville Home + APD Seizes Guns & Drugs

Hi all. Rose Mendez here with your weekend edition of the Asheville Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 80 Low: 50.
• Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant. High: 82 Low: 56.

Here are the top three stories in Asheville today:

1. On Wednesday, May 31, Asheville resident David Oppenheimer was relaxing in his carport when a bear walked right up to him, undetected. The incident was captured by Oppenheimer's home security camera and showed the bear calmly approaching Oppenheimer, who was scrolling on his phone. Oppenheimer jumped in his seat and then told the bear, "We’re going to be famous." (Fox 29)
2. On Tuesday afternoon, May 30, the Asheville Police Department seized seven guns and over 15 ounces of drugs after executing a search warrant at an Asheville home. Valachie Wendell Hendon, 40, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, trafficking in opium or heroin (Level 3), possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a park, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, and possessing drug paraphernalia. (WYFF4 Greenville)
3. The North Carolina Department of Transportation started an asphalt paving project on Broadway Street and Biltmore Avenue in Asheville on Wednesday, aiming to improve U.S. 25 through downtown. The project will be completed over eight nights in four sections, with milling and repaving taking place on separate nights. The phased approach of the project was designed to minimize disruption to drivers and businesses, with detours and restricted parking in place during the overnight closures, while pedestrian access to businesses along the corridor will not be affected. (WLOS)

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Today and tomorrow in Asheville:

Friday, June 2

• The Discs (Album Release Show) At Grey Eagle Patio Stage (5:00 PM)
• Comedy At Catawba: Charlie Vergos At Catawba Brewing Company South Slope (7:00 PM)

Saturday, June 3

• Stephen Evans & The True Grits (CD Release Show) At Grey Eagle Patio Stage (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Former special education teacher at Erwin High School, Albert Pavon, pleaded guilty to five sex offense charges related to the sexual abuse of a student. Charges included indecent liberties with a child, indecent liberties with a student, and three counts of felony dissemination of obscene material to a minor. (Buncombe County DA via Twitter)
• The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles driver license office on Patton Avenue in Asheville will be open on Saturdays during the busy summer season! From Jun. 3 through Aug. 26, the office will be open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (WLOS)
• The Asheville Museum of History is expected to open in late September! The museum will be located inside the oldest surviving house in Asheville, the historic Smith-McDowell House located at 283 Victoria Road. (AVLtoday)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next 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!