Heads up for anyone who lives in or around Brevard: the Police Department is evaluating Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) — three fixed Axon cameras around the city — as an investigative tool. It's already gone to the Public Safety Committee and goes to City Council on September 8.

There's already one Flock camera at the end of the Estatoe trail over near the new Ace Hardware.

Before Council decides, BPD and city staff are holding an open information and listening session to walk through how the tech works, how the data would be stored and managed, and what safeguards have been recommended. It's a chance to actually ask questions and give input directly rather than after the fact.

Details:

When: Tuesday, Sept 1, 6:00–8:00 PM Where: Mary C. Jenkins Community Center, 221 Mills Ave, Brevard City's FAQ on the program: https://www.cityofbrevard.com/1546/ALPR-Program Event page: https://redwineblue.controlshift.app/events/what-the-flock-public-question-session

Whether you're for it, against it, or just want to understand what's being proposed, this is the meeting to show up to.

Is anyone interested in helping lead a campaign to get Flock out of the county for good?

The ACLU has a great toolkit that could help us get started. We'd need a few people to divy up the work but could start right away. ACLU toolkit

Hi all,

I'm a sales rep for a brewery in eastern NC, will be visiting Brevard next month. I figured if there were any bottle shop type places that liked to carry cans of beer, I could bring some cases with me to sell to them. Broad Street Wines is the only place i can turn up myself. other breweries generally won't buy cans from other breweries, but if one of them in Brevard does then that'd also be good to know. Long story short, just looking for any local establishments that carry cans of good NC craft beer. We do kegs too, but am avoiding that because we'd need to get our kegs back at some point and who knows when I'll be back out this way.

And hell, if you're a beer person, let me know who you think has the best beer in town. I love lagers and west coast IPAs most of all.

Thanks in advance!

The people of western North Carolina have made very clear to me that the level of care they're getting at Mission Hospital is not acceptable.

When I became AG, I reviewed the evidence, and I agreed.

That's what our case is about, and I’ve got a good update for you.

Quick recap: In 2019, HCA bought Mission Health, but the sale came with conditions. One of them was that HCA would not discontinue emergency, trauma, or cancer services at Mission Hospital until at least 2029.

We allege HCA broke that promise.

HCA asked the court to throw the case out before trial. That motion is called summary judgment. Their argument was that there's nothing here worth putting in front of a judge, so the case should just end.

This week, the court said no. That means all of our claims will go to trial.

In addition, the court agreed with us on what a key part of the 2019 agreement actually means: HCA has to take all steps necessary to actually provide emergency and cancer care at Mission.

That matters more than it might sound. HCA had argued that the agreement only requires it to keep the hospital doors unlocked, even if actual care isn't being provided inside. The court didn't accept that. Keeping a department open on paper is not the same as actually providing the care, and the agreement requires the care.

Up next is the trial, but no date yet.

I'll keep you posted.

- AG Jeff Jackson

Another reason to resist Flock AI cameras being seen as normal. They don’t make us safer. They make us easier to track.

Watch for reckless driver in new red Jeep Cherokee around Lowe's Brevard. Almost killed 4 people in the parking lot. White male driver solo with NC plates.

Official reports have been filed. Was told "we can't use flock camera data unless a car is damaged". So again I ask, what good are they in our daily lives?

GET FLOCK OUT OF BREVARD AND TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY!

I’m looking for a licensed general contractor for some home renovations, anyone have suggestions or recommendations?

I got it 3 months ago so it’s still practically brand new

In case you want to hear what we sound like, here's a stinky, little video: https://youtu.be/cUvbqOeWLrk?si=0foUbfQSCgO-G5PS

Anyone have any suggestions for a nursery that sells native plants. New Leaf was the go-to place for natives, but they went out of business.

Tough to find out here, give me some insight please. Thanks.

Interesting article & maps from Esri regarding the connections between AI & our rising electricity costs.

“The scale of modern data center energy use is reshaping utility load profiles across the country.

For example, in an area stretching from North Carolina to Pennsylvania to Michigan that is served by one regional transmission organization, the PJM Interconnection, data center demand has become a dominant source of new load growth. This has prompted significant investments in generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. Recent results from PJM capacity auctions, which ensure that enough electricity is available for future demand, reflect tightening supply relative to demand, signaling upward pressure on future electricity costs.”

https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/arcnews/how-ai-is-reshaping-us-electricity-rates