Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Fletcher police chief cleared
WLOSer Sheraldo said Fletcher police Chief Landgon Raymond has been cleared of charges that he assaulted a couple of officers he worked with by shoving one and grabbing the ballsac of another.
Four months ago, Raymond was charged and the SBI came in and investigated. A special prosecutor assigned to the case said there wasn’t enough evidence to proceed. An attorney for Raymond said his client was happy with the decision. Sheraldo talked to two people on the street, one who said the investigation is over and we should abide by that, and another who said there should be more investigation. WLOSers said they contacted an officer who lodged the charges and the officer said he was “disturbed” by the decision.
In other news…
There was a big brush fire in McDowell County… An audit in Henderson County shows that two parks and rec department employees may have mishandled taxpayer money. There’s an investigation… And WLOSers said there’s a scam on Leicester Highway – somebody is going around saying that Brown’s Auto Service is offering special services for under 70 bucks, but Brown’s Auto says there’s no such deal.
Wild, wicked wind whips Western North Carolina
Say that five times fast. WLOSer Julie Blunder brought us the story of how a screen porch was blown up and over a couple’s house out in Sandy Mush. The porch ended up in the backyard pool, but amazingly, Blunder said, the screen porch furniture was untouched. Wow.
Breaking news…
Progress Energy is looking at energy conservation programs, WLOSers said. It’s about time.
No four-year-olds in kindergarten?
A new state law would ban from kindergarten children who aren’t age 5 by October of their kindergarten year. WLOSer Cherub Charu talked to parents and administrators, who said even few months in a child’s life can make a huge difference in whether or not their ready for the rigors of academic life. They also noted that kindergarten today is a lot harder than it used to be, with some kids reading and doing math and shit.
Snakes on a Jane
A Haywood County girl taking a stroll outside her grandma’s house was bitten by a timber rattler and survived, WLOSers said. WLOSers never said when the snake bite happened, or where the grandparents live. But o well.
Note to Pat – know what you’re reading
In reading some so-called news about Brad and Angelina thinking about adopting another child, WLOSer Pat “Simple” Simon credited the magazine Us Weekly. Only Pat pronounced it “U.S.,” like it was short for United States.
Trains
WLOSer John “Punnyman” Le went to Haywood County to tell us about a model train show put on by the WNC Model Railroaders Club. Nothing new here.
Great promo…but for such a lame story
Arrrrgh!
Snakes on a Promo!
The way it was hyped during the week "Snake Attack" looked to be a big special report. Not so.
It aired at 6 on Friday. Funny thing was Pat teased it at 5:30 calling it "Snake Bite."
Either he somehow misread it or someone typed it up wrong. But how can you mess that up when you’ve promoted it most of the week?
Fletcher chief "cleared?"
Not finding enough evidence to proceed is not the same as cleared.
Or at least it should not be for public officials.