Asheville City Council held a special called meeting March 5, 2018, in which the Council went into closed session to consult with the City Attorney about the Aug. 24, 2017, use of force incident involving former Asheville Police Senior Officer Chris Hickman. This incident follows the March 1, 2018, media release of body-worn video footage of [...]
Asheville City Council will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. March 5, 2018, in the Council Chamber, Second Floor of City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to hold a closed session. “The purpose of this meeting is, in part, to discuss the release of additional information related to a former APD officer’s use of [...]
Please note revised timeline below. A statement by Asheville Police Chief Tammy Hooper regarding the video below: The acts demonstrated in this video are unacceptable and contrary to the Department’s vision and the progress we have made in the last several years in improving community trust. Officers know that they must earn the trust of our community [...]
On behalf of City Council, I apologize to Mr. Rush, an African American resident, regarding his treatment by Asheville Police on Aug. 24, 2017. The City Council first learned, last night, from local media, about a highly disturbing video of an Asheville Police Officer assaulting Mr. Rush over jaywalking on Aug. 24, 2017. The City Council and [...]
Please note revised timeline below. In response to the violent acts against a city resident, Mayor Esther Manheimer, Vice Mayor Gwen Wisler, and Police Chief Tammy Hooper met with the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) and the Baptist Ministers Union (BMU) the afternoon on March 1. The participants had an open dialogue about the video and agreed to [...]
The Asheville Police Department has released its 2017 Professional Standards annual report. The Professional Standards report is released yearly to provide a comprehensive picture of the Asheville Police Department’s performance. The report analyzes the department’s vehicle pursuits, use of force, assaults on officers, bias-based policing and administrative investigations for calendar year 2017. “One of [...]
Large construction projects continue to dot the downtown Asheville skyline. At right, the 45 Asheland Condominiums are under construction. At left in the background are the twin cranes erecting the Mission Hospital for Advanced Medicine addition. Developers, online applications for development review have come to the City of Asheville. Now you can file your applications for development review from the [...]
Photo courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Evangelist Billy Graham died Feb. 21 at his home in Montreat. He was 99. A message from Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer: As Mayor of the City of Asheville, I would like to express my deep condolences to the Graham family on the passing of the Rev. Billy Graham, at age [...]
With the announced retirement of City Manager Gary Jackson at the end of this year, I wanted to make our residents aware of the early planning stages City Council has identified in recruiting qualified candidates and eventually hiring a city manager. The City will launch a national search with the assistance of an executive recruitment firm. [...]
John Himmelheber of West Asheville charges his Ford C-Max energi hybrid at the top of the Wall Street Parking Garage. He said he is pleased to learn of its installation. Need a jolt? If you park your electric vehicle at one of three City of Asheville parking garages you can charge your car while you are dining [...]
Gary Jackson today is publicly announcing his retirement as City Manager of Asheville. Gary has served Asheville faithfully and effectively since June 27, 2005. He has served with dignity and integrity. The City of Asheville owes Gary a huge debt of gratitude for his leadership and effectiveness throughout his tenure. We will miss Gary greatly and [...]
Asheville Fire Department Division Chief Joy Ponder, third from left, stands with her crew, which has been very supportive as she battled cancer herself. Update: On Feb. 24, 2018, Asheville Fire Department Division Chief Joy Ponder finished the Black Mountain Marathon in 7 hours, 26 minutes, 13 seconds. Related coverage, Citizen-Times video of Joy Ponder and AFD Chief Scott Burnette: