The home of Asheville FM, WSFM-LP 103.3
Join us tonight at 8 PM est on 103.3 Asheville FM, as The UnCola takes a trip back forty-five years in time to play Forgotten Top 40 from #1975 – the year that the Pet Rock appeared and Jimmy Hoffa disappeared.
Airs on WSFM-LP 103.3 in Asheville / streaming at AshevilleFM from 3am EST on April 13th through 19th, 2020 and podcasting on libsyn.com.
This week, we hear from Deja, the fiance of incarcerated cop watcher Ramsey Orta. Ramsey has been in prison since 2016 and during his short time inside has he’s been transferred around a lot and spent over a year in isolation. Ramsey’s name may be familiar as the police accountability activist who recorded the killing by police of the unarmed community member and grandfather, Eric Garner, in New York in 2014. Ramsey Orta’s video went viral and drew NYPD harassment and attention to him and his family and since his incarceration led to many threats by cop-sympathizing CO’s. Orta is currently about 90 days from his release date for his non-violent conviction and falls within the categories of prisoners that NY is considering releasing before the pandemic is in full swing. If you can help lean on the powerful in NY to get Ramsey Orta released, you can email [email protected] or [email protected]. You can learn more about Ramsey’s case at RamseyOrta.com, or the SupportRamseyOrta fedbook page, as well as WeCopWatch.org or that groups fedbook page.
News just came out that Midstate Correctional, where Ramsey is currently being held, has shown its first infections of covid-19, so this issue of securing Ramsey Orta’s release is dire. He is being denied showers, soap, tissue, enough food. Ramsey is also not being giving cleaning supplies for his cell. A source of his mistreatment is Sgt Mayo at Midstate. Supporters suggest phones contact the following officials and share freedom for Ramsey. Ramsey’s prison number is 16A4200.
Office of Special Investigations (OSI) – DOCCS
[email protected]
844 674 4697
William Burns / Deputy Superintendent for Security
315-768-8581 ext 5000
[email protected]
William D. Fennessy / Superintendent
315 768 8581 ext 2000
[email protected]
Then we hear from two activists from Unemployed Humans Organzing Help, or UHOH Asheville, talking about tenant organizing for a rent freeze and pushing the government and hoteliers to open up those empty rooms to houseless folks in Asheville. More at their fedbook page, or by emailing [email protected]. Apologies for the sound in this second portion.
Check out our podcast for a slightly longer edition and visit our website for bonus podcasts including Peter Gelderloos on the situation in Spain with autonomous organizing and words from Comrade Malik at USP Pollock in Louisiana.
As those of us in Buncombe County and the state of North Carolina are forced to stay at home, the stress and anxiety of the coronavirus pandemic have created a perfect storm for domestic violence victims.
April Burgess-Johnson Executive Director of Helpmate and Geoff Sidoli, Executive Director of Mountain Child Advocacy Center spoke with News Team correspondent KP Whaley about the significant increase in requests for services we are seeing in WNC.
Listen to the full interview below
Y’all, on Radio Active Kids this week, it’s our annual broadcast of Jan Callner’s (Three Sopranos and A Piano) #TheFrogPrince! Tune in for the awesome musical radio drama! Also, brand new sparklin’ clean tunes from Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, The Happy Racers, Laura Doherty Music, Music with Michal, Kelli Welli, Banda Porota, Hercelot, EVT Kids, ME – neue coole Kidsmusik, & Pottörhead! 8-10am ET Saturday at ashevillefm.org/show/radio-active-kids or tun.in/pjiei & listen to the podcast at anchor.fm/radio-active-kids!
Masks are now being recommended to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, but finding masks can be a challenge. A local group of activists saw the need and responded immediately by forming the group Masks Of Love, a DIY sewing group creating homemade masks for the community. AFM News correspondent KP Whaley talked to one of their organizers about their efforts.
According to the NCDHHS, as of 11 am on April 8, North Carolina tallies 3,426 lab-tested cases of COVID-19 – an increase of 205 from the previous day. 386 people with lab-tested COVID-19 are hospitalized statewide – an increase of 32 hospitalizations since April 6. There have 53 deaths across North Carolina – up 7 deaths since the April 6 report. (Deaths added to the count did not necessarily occur in the 23-hour period between reports.)
Buncombe County had a total of 33 confirmed cases of COV-19 as of April 6, according to the county’s website. There has been one death in the county due to the illness.
In a public announcement on April 8, Buncombe County officials extended its “Stay at Home” order – that was scheduled to end on April 9 – indefinitely and also gave new details that will loosen some rules, including those restricting real estate sales, landscaping and auto dealers.
The new order will begin at 6 am on April 9 and will remain in effect until “it is repealed, replaced or rescinded.”
To review some of the highlights click here. To review the new order in full, click here.
As the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 increases statewide, North Carolina’s emergency management director Mike Sprayberry has expressed the need for more medical volunteers.
According to a letter from NCDHHS Secretary, Dr. Mandy Cohen, they’re looking for medical volunteers with all requisite licenses who are willing to be deployed to the affected areas or facilities to provide patient care.
How to Volunteer:
Create a personal profile through the online portal at https://terms.ncem.org/TRS/
To cover workers comp and a small stipend, volunteers will be payed $15/hour.
Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer? Please click this link to connect with some health and safety guidelines when it comes to volunteering.
For more information on how you can help, click here.
The City government has signed off on an initiative spearheaded by Homeward Bound and several other community partners, that proposes using Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville as a shelter for about 50 people living in homelessness amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Officials greenlit the project on April 6 and by late afternoon on April 8, intake had already begun at the emergency shelter as men and women filed into the facility.
Before entering the facility, people were medically screened by volunteers with the Appalachian Mountain Community Health Center. Residents should expect daily check-ins on symptoms and can use outdoor spaces on the property, including a balcony.
https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/04/08/coronavirus-nc-harrahs-cherokee-civic-center-house-homeless-asheville/2973426001/
On April 8, Governor Roy Cooper announced a texting service for parents who need food assistance for their children. Sites have been set up across the state for families with children ages 18 and younger, including preschool children, who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school.
To locate nearby free meal sites text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877.
After entering your address, you will receive a text with the location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed.
You can also call 2-1-1 to speak with an operator who will help you locate meal sites in your community. The 2-1-1 service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Services are provided in English, Spanish and many other languages.
For more information and additional guidance on regulations and recommendations related to the health threat from COVID-19, please visit the NCDHHS website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus [ncdhhs.gov] and CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus [cdc.gov].