Here we go:
Sylva Wal-Mart blast
Police said they still need the public’s help in finding out who’s responsible for bringing a bomb into the Wal-Mart in Sylva a couple of weeks ago. The bomb blew and injured five people.
The cops said they’ll pay a $10,000 reward to information leading to the arrest and conviction of who did it. The police have received some 300 tips, but no luck so far. They also released video showing a 1995 or 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Terrie Foster told us the story.
In other crime news…
The man wanted for the Sept. 25 BB&T bank robbery in Hendersonville was arrested Monday in Florida.
Michael’s store hit with BBs
Jeremy Butterfield, reporting from Ashvegas and not bureauland, said somebody used pellet guns to fire BBs into the front plate glass windows of the Michael’s craft store at the end of Tunnel Road. The shooting happened Monday night, and one woman was hit in the chest.
A store manager told Jeremy this was the second time this year she’s had to replace windows because they’ve been shot out. Jeremy talked to customers, who said they won’t come to the store after dark because they’re scared.
In other crime news…
A man wanted in Ohio was arrested in Ashvegas and the cops found marijuana candy on him.
Commissioners approve zoning changes
Kassandra Pride told us that Buncombe County commissioners approved changes to their zoning rules that will allow trailers into a couple of zoning districts. The mobile homes had been banned back in April when commissioners adopted their zoning rules, but they promised back then that they would loosen the regs to allow mobile homes, which is all that many people can afford these days.
The Ellington vote
Charu told us that Asheville City Council planned to vote on the Ellington hotel/condo proposal.
The Fitzgerald
Speaking of Grove Park Inn developments, WLOSers updated us on construction on the Fitzgerald, a new building that will house 24 luxury condos in the space where the former Battle House used to be. The condos start at $1 million. The project should be finished in 2009.
Bellamy on the state of downtown
Ashvegas Mayor Terry Bellamy delivered what sounded like a boring “state of downtown” speech on Tuesday at the Ashvegas Civic Center. Bellamy said the city’s working on improving Pritchard Park and the city has increased trash pick-up downtown, WLOSers said. Sounds like Bellamy ignored everything else that’s going on, from the Ellington to the Pack Square Park construction to all the other growth.
Marshall’s mandatory water restrictions
Sheraldo went up to Madison County to tell us that the town of Marshall had issued mandatory water use restrictions. Woodfin, Tryon, Robbinsville, Andrews and Cherokee are all also under mandatory restrictions. That means no lawn watering or car washing.
In Marshall, a restaurant owner said she’s cut back on dish washing and floor mopping. Residents can get find if they’re caught wasting water, Sheraldo said.
In a related story, Pat Simon went out to see what businesses are doing to conserve water. He talked to a car wash that says it recycles the water it uses (Auto Bell Car Wash.) And Pat talked to a BB Barnes dude who gave him a sales pitch on products that drip out water onto your yard.
In other news…
WLOSers said the state DOT might stop funding the Apple Country Transit blue route from Hendersonville to the Asheville Regional Airport for lack of ridership.