Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Fired deputy
WLOSers talked to the James Allen, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department deputy that Sheriff Bobby Medford fired this week, and Allen gave them an earful.
Here’s the deal – Allen was the first officer to respond to a call from Northview at Biltmore Lake Apartments. Allen says a woman reported a break-in, saying she found a man hiding in her closet. Allen says he consulted with higher-ups, and that he got only basic information after two hours on the scene.
The woman says she was nearly raped, and that the deputy didn’t do his job. He didn’t collect evidence, including a scarf she found in her closet that the suspect apparently masturbated with, according to the woman.
Medford said the deputy didn’t do his job, and fired him. Allen told WLOSers that he’s been with the sheriff’s department since 1997 and has a spotless record.
Ashvegas smells something more to this story, but can’t really put a finger on it. All of this, of course, is playing out against the background of this being an election year and Medford facing voters in November.
Ashvegas cop shoots suspect
WLOSers had some more detail on an early morning shooting out Candler way, in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel on Smoky Park Highway.
The cops told WLOS that they spotted a car driven by a dude wanted on drug charges. They followed the car into the parking lot. When the suspect realized that two cops were after him (Chad Bridges and Danny Holder), he tried to run one police officer down, WLOSers said. The cops opened fire. The suspect is in critical condition at Mission.
The cops didn’t offer up many details, not the least of which is – how many times was the suspect shot? Was the suspect armed? The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating, as is standard procedure in a shooting involving a police officer.
Controlled burn
WLOSers said there will be a controlled burn Saturday morning starting at 8 a.m. on Riceville Road, so people shouldn’t freak out. It’s all just practice for the fire guys.
Merrimon Avenue interchange
Michelle Boudin brought us a story about work to fix that wacky Merrimon Avenue/I-240 interchange – you know, that intersection by the Best Western, the one that dumps onto Woodfin Street.
The state Department of Transportation is installing a traffic light and cutting off access to Woodfin at the interchange. Motorists say it’s a good thing.
One guy arrested for break-in
Police are on to two men they say are responsible for stealing thousands of dollars of stuff from construction sites and homes. Madison County Sheriff John Ledford said one guy’s been arrested and they’re looking for the second suspect. The two would steal stuff in Buncombe, Madison and Yancey counties, then drive to someplace near Charlotte and sell it for money to buy drugs.
Another shooting
Ashvegas police arrested a suspect wanted in a shooting at Pisgah View on Thursday. The woman was shot four times in the neck, but the injuries were apparently not life threatening.
Graham to preach
The Rev. Billy Graham is still going, WLOSers told us. Graham will attend his son, Franklin Graham’s, crusade at Baltimore’s Camden Yards this weekend. Graham is expected to preach on Sunday.
Check your graphic
Larry “Gloryhole” Blunt introduced a story about North Korea with an on-screen graphic, “Missle testing.” Oops. a couple of weeks ago about a drowning, they had an onscreen graphic that read, “rip tied.”
In other news
A tree fell on Brevard Road, knocking out power to about 600 people Friday morning. Power’s back on… Brevard, which postponed its July Fourth fireworks show because of rain, is set to have the big show on Saturday… Jon “Punnyman” Le talked to competitive eaters taking part in a rib-eating contest… And Julie Blunder says we’ve had some crazy weather. Heavy rains. Hot weather. Then cooler, and no rain. Isn’t that just called summer?
