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Top Army general salutes Honor Air founders Miller and Morse

Hendersonville News

School Board candidates largely agree on saving Stillwell, arming teachers

School Board candidates are broadly in agreement on the major issues the elected leaders will face in the months ahead, including support for saving the historic classroom building as part of the Hendersonville High School and opposition to allowing teachers to carry firearms.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Ask Matt ... if Asheville's parking meters are smarter than ours

Q. Asheville has replaced their downtown parking meters with stand-alone smart meters that take both cash and credit cards. Did Hendersonville ever consider these high tech meters? Yes, they did but the decision was to go with the kiosk system. Asheville paid about $900 for each unit including installation. Asheville officials told me that even with paying the meter company a modest monthly fee they expect the average “pay off” for each smart meter is about one year. Asheville will eventually have 700 downtown meters that take credit or debit cards plus coins. The cost to park is $1.50 per hour which is slightly more than their downtown parking garages. “It’s all about manpower,” said Hendersonville Public Works Director Tom Wooten. He has seven kiosk machines right now which cost about $16,000 each. The City likes the reduced maintenance the kiosk system offers compared to the old “lollypop” type meters. So where are those antiques now? All sold by the City and I suspect in somebody’s man cave. Asheville’s smart meters may serve their needs but at almost a full grand each, a would-be Cool Hand Luke should think twice before topping those meter heads. Q. The daily newspaper no longer posts police, fire and EMS calls for the prior 24 hours. Is there a place where we can see those reports? Yes, but not in printed form. According to Henderson County officials, the 911 center faxes daily incident reports to the Times-News every day just after midnight. The reports include law enforcement, fire and EMS response calls. You can get some of the same information by tuning in to WHKP at 6:00 am when the County’s 9-1-1 Center calls them in. If you are a late riser, try logging on to the Sheriff’s website and click on the “Crime Reports” link then drill down to the county map. This is a neat site that shows the exact time and location of recent thefts, burglaries, assaults, etc. You can customize your search by street address, search distance and time frame. Incidents reports are updated every 24 hours. You can also sign up to get online alerts as well. EMS calls however are not posted to this site. For Hendersonville residents, city police post monthly crime reports on its website and on Facebook. The city’s fire department keeps a detailed summary of calls on its website broken down by date, fire district and neighborhood. Q. Now that the Kellogg property on Broyles Road is being leased to the YMCA, will walkers still be able to use the trails? Officials from the YMCA of Western North Carolina confirmed that public use of the trails will be continued. In fact, the Y plans to organize hiking and gardening groups to better utilize and maintain the grounds. Nothing but deer and friendly bears in them woods. * * * * * Send questions to askmattm@gmail.com.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

FOUR SEASONS POLITICS: Campaign sign on senior steps doesn't last

HHS sign too close for comfort Jay Egolf admits to planting a campaign sign at a prominent corner of Hendersonville High School and says if that was wrong he’s an equal opportunity offender. “I planted one by every school,” he said. “I’m trying to get every school’s vote.” The campaign sign by the Senior Steps was up on Friday but gone by Monday morning. Egolf said he had heard nothing about the sign until the Lightning called. “I don’t know why they took it down.”   City sets 'Council Conversations' In an effort to improve communication between the City Council and Hendersonville residents, the City Council is hosting five community meetings throughout the city this fall.The “Council Conversations” will be held at strategic locations in Hendersonville.“The Council has made it a priority to meet with our citizens to discuss our vision for the community and receive feedback about what we are doing well and what we can improve on,” Mayor Barbara Volk said. “We believe the best way to do this is to get out of City Hall and meet our residents in or near their neighborhoods.”Each meeting will be hosted by an individual council member with City Manager John Connet and staff in attendance to help answer questions or provide information. Out of respect to everyone’s time, each “conversation” will be limited to one hour.“We hope these meetings will be well attended, because we want to hear from our residents,” Mayor Pro Tem Ron Stephens said.
Here’s the schedule:• Oct. 15 – Union Grove Baptist Church, 901 Robinson Terrace, – 7 p.m. Hosted by Mayor Barbara Volk.• Oct. 29 – Hendersonville Church of Christ, 1975 Haywood Road – 7 p.m. Hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Ron Stephens.• Nov. 5 – Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2557 Chimney Rock Road – 6 p.m. Hosted by Councilman Jeff Miller.• Nov. 19 – Henderson County Health Sciences Center, Room 2003 – 801 Sixth Avenue West – 6 p.m. Hosted by Councilman Jerry Smith.• Dec. 3 – Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, 204 Kanuga Road, 7 p.m. Hosted by Councilman Steve Caraker.The City Council has made an effort to locate a meeting in close proximity to all Hendersonville residents. However, residents are welcome to attend the meeting that is most convenient for them. For more information contact Connet at (828) 233-3201. School Board forum 
is Tuesday night The League of Women Voters Henderson County and the Henderson County Retired Teachers Association will host a forum for the School Board candidates from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the city Operations Center, 305 Williams St.
Paul Goebel, a retired Henderson County teacher and a member of both organizations, will be the moderator. All of the candidates have been invited. The questions will address the topics of academic standards, school safety, Hendersonville High School, and the non-partisan status of the School Board election. After the questions, attendees will have time to speak individually with the candidates. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.lwvhcnc.org.School Board candidates have also been invited to the monthly Republican Party Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Dixie Diner in Laurel Park. Candidates will be invited to introduce themselves and say why voters should choose them. The candidates will field questions from those attending. Appeals court candidate
 speaks at Republican club Chuck Kitchen, a Republican candidate for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, will be the guest speaker at the Henderson Country Republican Women’s Club luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Cedars. Kitchen began his legal career as assistant county attorney for Durham County following his graduation from UNC Law School. He moved to Alamance County and became the county attorney in 1986. He then returned to Durham County as county attorney in 1996 where he remained until his retirement from the county in 2009. He has practiced law for 37 years. He is running for the seat held by Judge Rick Elmore, who is retiring. To reserve a seat at the luncheon, write a check for $15 to The Cedars and mail to HCRWC PO Box 2734, Hendersonville, NC 28793. Reservation checks must be received by Oct. 19.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

At Dandelion diners come for the cause and come back for the food

When Mainstay started the Dandelion Eatery five years ago, the founders knew they would train women who had come to the shelter to escape trauma. They knew a little bit about running a restaurant and a lot about pimento cheese and shrimp and grits. And they knew that a dandelion was a gritty little flower that grows under adverse conditions.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Kenmure raises $41,000 to help Pardee fight cancer

Kenmure Fights Cancer Fund has donated $41,000 to Pardee Hospital Foundation — the largest gift ever given by the group.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Army chief of staff salutes Miller for Honor Flight Network

The U.S. Army's chief of staff will recognize HonorAir cofounders Jeff Miller and Earl Morse for Outstanding Civilian Service for their contributions to the Army Monday in Washington. Recipients of the Outstanding Civilian Service Award participate in an office call with the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (CSA), a wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery, a ceremony in their honor at Comny Hall and an evening engagement at Quarters 1. People can watch the event live here. Morse, a former Air Force pilot who first flew World War II veterans to see the National World War II veterans in small planes, and Miller, who took the program national with large passenger airlines, have been responsible for flying thousands of WWII veterans and veterans of other wars on free trips to Washington to see the memorials. Morse and Miller merged the Honor Flight and HonorAir organizations to create the Honor Flight Network, which has spread to dozens of cities across the U.S.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

City seeks hotel developer for Church Street parking lot

The city of Hendersonville announced Thursday that it has invited developers to submit proposals for a hotel project on the Dogwood parking lot property downtown bounded by Fourth and Fifth avenues and Washington and Church streets.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

LIGHTNING PHOTOS: Hendersonville underwater

Flooding that many local people described as the worst they had seen in Hendersonville closed roads, covered farm fields and submerged cars that risked driving through high water after the edge of Hurricane Michael dropped around 6 inches of rain on the area overnight Wednesday.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

MICHAEL'S RAIN FLOODS ROADS, CLOSES SCHOOL, BRCC; SHELTER OPENS

High water closed dozens of roads around Henderson County, schools announced a two-hour delay and then called off classes for the day, Apple Country Transit suspended bus service and power outages were reported in Polk County. Blue Ridge Community College also at first announced a delay until 10 a.m. and then called off all classes before 9:30. "Our campus is flooded like I have never seen in all my years,"  communications director Lee Anna Haney said. "Our campus is really not safe. It's across College Drive, Airport Road, it's worse than I've seen in 30 years." Urban flash flooding was widespread throughout the southern parts of Hendersonville and along King Creek in the BRCC, Emergency Management Director Jimmy Brissie said. "We're seeing flash flooding along the Mud Creek basin, King creek, Blue Ridge Community College, Bat Fork, Wash Creek," he said. Rural fire departments and the county rescue squad have made several rescues of people in high water. "They have some evacuations under way in several neighborhoods in those areas." "If folks don't need to go out, certainly it's best to stay where they are," he said. "If you live in an area that's prone to flash flooding, maintain awareness and be able to evacuate in a short period of time." The county emergency management office is opening an emergency shelter at East Henderson High School at 10:30 this morning.  The shelter will remain open only until flash flooding in the area recedes. The shelter address is 150 Eagle Pride Drive, Hendersonville. "For your safety and the safety of our first responders, please do not attempt to go around blocked area roadways," the county said in a news release. "There are currently flooded areas and downed trees around the county.  The barricades are put in place for your safety. If you have an emergency, please call 911." WLOS-TV reported 39 roads closed or made hazardous with dangerously high water in Hendersonville and Henderson County, including Spartanburg Highway at Greenville Highway, South Grove Street at Chadwick, Erkwood at Kanuga, Big Willow Road at River Road, Banner Farm Road, Dana Road at Tracy Grove Road and New Hope Road at the bridge. Other cancellations and closings: The matinee performance of "The Glass Menagerie" at Flat Rock Playhouse was called off. The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is closed until conditions improve.   The rain will continue for several more hours until tapering off later this afternoon, said Jeffrey Taylor, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Greer, S.C. Wind gusts are expected to pick up to 35-40 mph, with sustained winds of 20-25 mph. WTZQ radio reported that it had received 6.2 inches of rain since 6 a.m. Wednesday, including 2.2 inches from 6 to 10 a.m. Thursday. That total, said weather forecaster Paul Speranza, obliterates the average rainfall total for all of October of 4.08 inches. The weather will get a lot better very soon. Friday and Saturday should be beautiful, with highs of 70 and 66 respectively and lows of in the 44-46 degree range. It may even be sunny late this afternoon. The forecast Sunday is mostly sunny with a high of 64.   Read Story »

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