News

Senate budget funds Edneyville crime lab

By Bill Moss, Published: June 3, 2014

The budget approved by the Senate includes $15.4 million to build a new crime lab at the Justice Academy in Edneyville.

State Sen. Tom Apodaca said the money would pay for construction as early as the upcoming budget year once plans are drawn. The budget will has more votes to clear before it is enacted by the Legislature and sent to Gov. Pat McCrory. Apodaca got money in the budget last year for planning for the facility, which state law officers and prosecutors say it needed to speed up analysis of crime scene samples.

Apodaca also got money in the state budget for the Hands On! children’s museum in Hendersonville. That money had been going to the Park Ridge-sponsored Health Adventure at the old Biltmore Mall, state Rep. Chuck McGrady said. Health Adventure closed last year.