News. Now.

Jason Sandford

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

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Well, after a long, relaxing weekend, we all ready to get back to work? We didn’t think so.

So for a little distraction, get caught up on your news, WLOSer style:

Memorial Day
Jon “Punnyman” Le delivered a report about the “fallen heroes” from the mountains – four local men who died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the biggest Memorial Day events Monday was held at the Black Mountain Veterans Cemetery, and the families of the four men were honored.

Mitch Carver Jr., an Erwin High graduate, died in a helicopter crash. Le said his parents believe he tried to maneuver the helicopter away from Iraqi civilians as it was going down. Kenneth P. Hess, 26, was killed by a suicide bomber. Joseph Ray of Candler, 29, was killed by a roadside bomb. And William Scott Kinzer died after an RPG hit him.

Russ “Beefcake” Bowen, who held down anchor duties with Diva Darcel, noted that there was a somber ceremony held on the steps of Ashvegas City Hall. And at Edneyville Elementary School in Henderson County, an honor guard “displayed the colors” for students during a Memorial Day program. Henderson county schools were in session Monday to make up for a snow day.

And speaking of Henderson County, Sheraldo attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with some 300 others, including a few who had to have special attention because of the blazing heat (highs on Monday hit 87 degrees – when did it suddenly become summer???).

Sheraldo talked to a widow who remembered her husband, who died in the Korean War. Sheraldo’s video had someone mentioning the attack on Pearl Harbor. And Sheraldo interviewed an Iraq war veteran. He had all the bases covered.

Back at the anchor desk, the diva noted that the American Red Cross in Ashvegas held a blood drive. They need Type O blood.

Gruesome murder case
Russ mentioned that there will be a court hearing coming up for Gail Gash, charged with murder in the death of her husband in 2004. Her trial may be coming up. Various parts of Don Gash’s body were found in the couple’s Etowah home and strewn along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Primary run-off
Michelle Boudin reminded us that there’s a primary election run-off today (Tuesday) between Democrats Walt Robertson and Van Duncan, who want to be sheriff in Buncombe County. The candidates said the same old crap. And so did Michelle, who noted that “it will come down to voter turnout.” Noooo. Is that how they decide elections? By seeing who got the most votes? We’re shocked.

Powerball starts
Tuesday’s also special because Powerball lottery tickets go on sale. Yes! No more long trips to Georgia or South Carolina. No more trips to Virginia or Tennessee. We can now buy ’em right here, folks. The minimum you can win is $15 million. Your chances – one in 146 million. Good luck!

UNCA baseball in tourney
UNCA’s baseball team got together down at Wild Wings to watch the NCAA baseball tournament selection show on Monday and found out that they’ll play Clemson on Friday. The UNCA Bulldogs got into the tournament by winning a game last week by coming back from 10 runs down. Incredible.

In other news of note…
That Ingles truck driver that was missing last week was found dead on Saturday. His truck apparently ran off the road in Georgia… There was a murder-suicide in McDowell County on Sunday in which a man shot and killed a woman, then killed himself.