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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s more of what’s going around, including details of a quarterly report from Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper. Here we go:

-Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper, delivering a quarterly report to Asheville City Council’s public safety committee on Monday, told committee members Vice Mayor Gwen Wisler and council members Brian Haynes and Sheneika Smith that four of five current hot spots for violent crime in the city are public housing complexes. People are getting shot and killed in the public housing complexes, and the Police Department and community must respond, she said. Smith cautioned that placing more police officers in public housing complexes might not be the right response, especially considering the recent controversy over the case of a now-former Asheville police officer seen beating and choking a man last August in body cam video that was leaked to, and published by, the Asheville Citizen-Times. Hooper invited City Council members to schedule ride-alongs with beat officers. She also invited them to attend Police Department meetings where officers take deep dives into recent crime statistics.

-On a separate topic, Hooper reported that Asheville’s opiod abuse crisis is getting worse, not better. Overdose calls are increasing; andNARCAN usage has increased by emergency responders, Hooper said.

-“Overtourism” is a buzzword these days as top tourist attractions around the world grapple with being overrun by visitors. This Wall Street Journal story is a fascinating examination of the tourism backlash.

-Award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa is in Asheville today for the annual Power of the Purse fundraising event for the WNC Community Foundation. The event showcases the power of female-led philanthropy.

-Marilyn Ball, the host of the Speaking of Travel radio show/podcast on iHeartRadio’s AM 880 The Revolution and 570 WWNC, has been interviewing guests now for a handful of years and has a great collection of stories from guests who have “shared their life-changing experiences and magical moments to prove how travel changes you.” Shameless plug: Ball recently interviewed Asheville songstress Jane Kramer (my wife) about her travels and music. Pretty cool. Check it out.

-Speaking of podcasts, Greg Vaeth, the owner of NCLINE Adventures, recently interviewed me about my work with Ashvegas as part of his podcast series. Greg is passionate about all things Asheville and entrepreneurship. Check out Greg’s podcasts here.

-Get by The Satellite Gallery on Broadway Street before May 27 to check out the work of three Asheville artists who are on the rise: Mary Cozens Art, Megan Kelly, Kathryn Crawford and Laura Sellers. The name of the exhibition is Raw Exhibition.

-A metal sculpture called “Lexington Life Column” by artist Beatrice Coron has been selected by a jury team appointed by the City’s Public Art & Cultural Commission as the newest piece of public art to be commissioned in town. The architectural column is designed to honor Lexington Avenue’s history and highlight its eclectic vibrance, according to a press release. The new public artwork will be installed at 65 N. Lexington Ave., a spot adjacent to several retail establishments. Lexington Avenue was chosen because of its designation by the American Planning Association as one of five great streets on the organization’s 2016 Great Places in America list, according to the release.

-Fashion designer Leanna Echeverri was the winner of this year’s Color Me Goodwill fashion show, which was held last month at the Orange Peel. Leanna was selected as the top designer by a panel of judges, and she also received the Audience Choice Award, according to a press release.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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