Local and State Headlines for Monday, October 8th, 2018

State GOP Slamming Democrats Over Confirmation (Raleigh, NC)

The state's GOP vice chair is slamming the Democratic party for using what she calls a smear campaign during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh.  Michele Nix said yesterday that Democrats prefer mob rule over the rule of the law and accused the party of destroying Kavanaugh's name.  The comments came after Kavanaugh was questioned over sexual assault allegations.  North Carolina's Democratic Party executive director claims Kavanaugh's confirmation will now bring partisan politics into play on the Supreme Court.  

Asheville Man Fined One-Million-Dollars (Asheville, NC)

An Asheville man is fighting back against a reported one-million-dollars in violations built up over the last two years.  The city has been fining Reid Thompson 15-hundred dollars a day for operating three short-term vacation rentals.  He'll go before the city council at a Tuesday meeting in an attempt to have two properties rezoned.  He reportedly turned down the city's offer to pay half the amount he owes because he says it's still too much.    

Absentee Ballots Now Coming In For Election (Raleigh, NC)

Absentee ballots are now being accepted across the state for the election.  The cut-off date for most North Carolinians to register is fast approaching this Friday.  The state elections board is extending the last registration day for 28 southeastern North Carolina counties most affected by Hurricane Florence to next Monday.  In-person early voting begins Wednesday, October 17th.  

Professor Arrested For Removing Political Sign (Asheville, NC)

A UNC-Asheville professor is facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly stealing a political sign on Friday.  A representative of a local political action committee who put the sign out told Buncombe County deputies that he saw Amanda Wray take the sign at Mount Carmel Road and New Leicester Highway around 10 p.m.  Wray is an English professor at the school. 

Public Comments Delay Forest Plan (Pisgah Nat'l Forest, NC)

The U.S. Forest Service is sifting through thousands of public comments for the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests draft management plan.  This fall's planned release has been moved to early 2019 due to the amount of comments that have come in since last summer's public meetings.  The coalition group I Heart Pisgah says much of the feedback points to stronger protections from logging in the forests.  The plan will end up determining how much and which lands will be protected or logged.


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