Free Daily Headlines

News

Set your text size: A A A

News

No change in special tax district, business panel says

Hendersonville News

Business advisers pass on crime-fighting role

Bob Papes thinks Hendersonville ought to do something about its crime rate, lack of high-paying jobs and dearth of affordable housing.Papes, a member of the city’s Business Advisory Committee, told committee members that Forbes magazine and another publication had left Hendersonville off its list of best places to retire because of the city’s crime rate.Hendersonville gets high marks for health care, job growth, transportation, airport access, volunteerism and walkability but suffers in these surveys because of low-paying jobs and property crimes, said Papes, a business consultant.Statistics the magazines use showed Hendersonville’s crime rate was 160 percent higher than national average — a figure other advisory board members viewed with skepticism.“I have a hard time accepting the information,” construction company owner Tom Cooper said. “It just doesn’t ring true to me.”Papes acknowledged that 94 percent of the crimes were property crimes like burglaries and theft.“Whether you feel it’s accurate or not, perception is reality,” Papes said. “While crime is outside the mission of our advisory board, crime rate correlates with the economy.”He got no support when he suggested that the advisory committee form a task force to recommend ways to lower crime.City Manager John Connet said the police department is already responding to a rash of car thefts, which are usually opportunistic crimes that happen because drivers leave their cars unlocked. “Not everything is apples to apples,” Connet said. “We’re on the interstate between two large metro areas. We are the urban center for the county. We serve a much larger population. Every time there’s a shoplifting at Walmart, which happens every hour on the hour, it’s considered a larceny. Also we’re high in tourism. We become a rich target for folks who are just lifting handles on doors.”The city police department launched the “Lock it up, take it or hide it” campaign to raise awareness on how to avoid becoming a victim of theft.As for lower paying jobs, Connet said that’s a partly the product of an economy with large segments in farming and tourism.“A major industry in our county is agriculture. It is what it is,” he said. “It has a lot of seasonal workers. And we have a lot of service industry — restaurants, hotels and things like that.”Cooper said Hendersonville and Brevard aren’t comparable in economic activity.“Overall, there’s nothing happening in Brevard-Transylvania County as far as economic development,” he said. “Transylvania County’s a lot different from Henderson County. … I wonder how many people are looking to move are looking at that type of information as opposed to word of mouth.”Realtor Steve Dozier offered anecdotal evidence to rebut Papes’ “perception” that Hendersonville is a crime-ridden town.“I just sold a house to a couple and they said this is the most perfect place they’ve ever lived in their life and they’ve lived in 17 towns in the military,” he said.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Kiwanis Club honors Gash with Glenn Marlow award

Eric Gash, a Hendersonville High School prep all-star who went on to play football for four years at UNC, was honored Thursday with the Glenn C. Marlow Achievement Award by the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club. Established in 1999 to honor the memory of the longtime Henderson County educator, superintendent and Kiwanis member, the award recognizes someone for outstanding athletic achievement, community service and serving as a role model for the youth of Henderson County. A native of Hendersonville, Gash grew up near Hendersonville elementary and middle schools with his mother, Betty, and brother, Sam. In his youth Gash played all sports. While in high school he played three sports and was a member of the Bearcats' 1987 state championship basketball team. He was named to the NC Shrine Bowl Football Team his senior year and was recruited by many of the top football programs in the United States before choosing to attend UNC. He started as a freshman and went on to letter all four years. After he graduated from UNC he went straight to the Washington Redskins camp where unfortunately he was injured and never got his chance to play in the NFL. After that he moved to Barbados and opened his own company.  He met his wife, Katy and they had three children; sons, Kelan and Jacob, and daughter, Maya. He started his own church where he was and still is a minister. "Fortunately for the Hendersonville community, in 2007 Eric and his wife decided to move back to Hendersonville to raise their family," Rick Wood said in introducing Gash. "He got a job at HHS as a teacher assistant and the next year he took over as a math teacher and coach." Gash was named the head women’s basketball coach in 2012 and then the head football coach in 2014. "He was successful in these positions by establishing an environment of hard-nosed love and high expectations no matter what obstacles were placed in his way," Wood said. In 2016 he was named assistant principal and athletic director at HHS. "Eric is great individual who makes our school and community a better place each day," HHS principal Bobby Wilkins said.  “I respect and love him as my own brother or should I say son!" Gash returned the admiration. "I truly see it as a privilege and honor to come back here and work side by side with you every day," he said. "We came back because I wanted my kids to experience the family atmosphere, the camaraderie. This is a great community. We joke around, we play but in the end we're all one."   Read Story »

Mills River News

Mills River kills southern segment of NC 280 greenway

The Mills River Town Council on Thursday essentially killed a greenway along N.C. 280 from N.C. 191 to the Transylvania County line, deciding instead to concentrate the town’s efforts on a trail going north toward the French Broad River near Broadpoint industrial park. The council’s vote came after a presentation by Town Manager Jeff Wells about various options for multi-use paths in Mills River, including segments that would connect with bicycle lanes that are part of a widening of N.C. 191 from Mountain Road to N.C. 280. “We’re not going to support it,” Councilman Wayne Carland declared of a southern segment of an N.C. 280 greenway, triggering applause from residents who opposed the greenway.  “I can tell you that I think I can safely say that most of the concern about the project does fall in that area of town from the former Food Lion site down to the county line,” Wells told the board. “And it makes perfect sense. That’s the area where people live. There’s only one residential driveway all the way up to the airport. But south of that it’s very different. That’s where people live and they have a lot of concerns about a path that would go down in that direction.” The town council agreed tentatively to consider a greenway from N.C. 191 to the Broadpoint area, either along N.C. 191 or along an old road right of way. THIS A DEVELOPING STORY. RETURN TO THE HENDERSONVILLE LIGHTNING FOR MORE.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

United Way installs new board members, officers

The Board of Directors of United Way of Henderson County elected new members and officers on Wednesday for 2018. Joining the Board of Directors are Elisha Freeman, Executive Director of Children and Family Resource Center (non-voting agency representative); Kristen Freeman, Special Events Manager at Pardee Hospital Foundation; Judy Hansen, retired, formerly with the US Agency for International Development; Lew Holloway, Director of Downtown Economic Development with the City of Hendersonville; and Johnna Reed, Chief Administrative Officer with Pardee UNC Health Care.Officers elected for this were Board Chair Debbie Wilkinson, Wells Fargo; Vice-Chair John Bryant, Henderson County Public Schools; Secretary Ernest Humphries, Kimberly-Clark Corporation; and Treasurer Patti Baker, BGW Certified Public Accountants.“We are honored to have these community leaders join us as new members and officers of the United Way board of directors,” said Denise Cumbee Long, Executive Director United Way of Henderson County. “Their collective wisdom and leadership help us become an even stronger organization. I’m looking forward to working together as we make our community a better place.” Newly elected Board Chair Debbie Wilkinson said: “I am delighted that our newly elected Board members have previously been involved in United Way in various capacities. They each have unique skills and talents and are excited to serve and help United Way make a difference in our community.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Parkway names new superintendent

National Park Service Southeast Regional Director Stan Austin announced the selection of J.D. Lee as superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia.  Lee, currently the deputy superintendent of Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve, will assume his new role on Feb. 18. “J.D. is a valuable member of the Southeast Region and we are pleased to welcome him as the new superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway,” said Regional Director Austin. “J.D. is a proven leader with vast experience managing complex operations, building strong teams and collaborating with community partners.”  For the past eight years, Lee has served as deputy superintendent of Big Cypress National Preserve in southern Florida.  A graduate of Ball State University in Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree, Lee is a 30-year veteran of the NPS, beginning his career as a seasonal park ranger and wildland firefighter at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He has extensive experience working with NPS staff, partners, concessioners and contractors to provide essential visitor services and a comprehensive understanding of resource preservation.  Prior to his tenure at Big Cypress, Lee was Chief Ranger at the NPS Intermountain Regional Office in Denver, Colorado, leading a program staff that supported over 90 national park sites and provided technical assistance on a variety of operational issues, including law enforcement, emergency response, wildland and structural fire, and a comprehensive fee program. He has served on multiple incident management teams and is currently a Liaison Officer with the Southern Area Type 1 Red Team, which manages wildland fire, natural disaster relief efforts and other incident management activities. Lee has held management positions at Natchez Trace Parkway and Gulf Islands National Seashore, and has completed temporary assignments as Acting Superintendent of Big Cypress National Preserve, Canaveral National Seashore, and, most recently, at Blue Ridge Parkway. “I am thrilled to have such an incredible opportunity to work with dedicated people in an area known for boundless scenic beauty,” Lee said. “I look forward to building strong and lasting relationships with Blue Ridge Parkway staff, friends and partners.” Both Lee and his wife, Stephanie, look forward to relocating to Asheville, North Carolina. They have two daughters living in Naples, Florida, and a son in the United States Coast Guard.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (159)

You won't want to miss this week’s Hendersonville Lightning. You will read about probable water rate increases for Hendersonville water customers and the reinstitution of impact fees for new development. You'll also get more information on the closing of the Black Star Line brewery downtown, read about Democrat Scott Donaldson campaign kickoff for Congress, see reaction to the acquittal of School Board member Michael Absheer and enjoy three pages of coverage of the annual Chamber of Commerce awards. There are also pages and pages of local and business briefs, the popular Ask Matt column as well as the weekly TV Guide and Sudoku.You've got to get a copy because it's only in print and it's only in your Hendersonville Lightning. Here's where you can pick up a Lightning:Downtown Hendersonville• Hendersonville Lightning Office, 1111 Asheville Hwy• Pop's Diner, 5 Points, North Main Street• Triangle Stop, 701 North Main Street• The 500 block of North Main Street(First Citizens Bank / Mast Gen. Store)• Fountainhead Bookstore, Main Street• Black Bear Coffee Co., Main Street• The 300 block of North Main Street(McFarland's Bakery / Mike's on Main)Southside Hendersonville(Spartanburg Highway)• Fresh Market, South Center• Hairstyles by Charlene, Joel Wright Drive• Carolina Ace Hardware, Hwy 225-S• McDonald's, Spartanburg Highway• Norm's Minit Mart, Spartanburg Highway• Hendersonville Co-op• Burger King/BP, Spartanburg HighwayFlat Rock/East Flat Rock• Flat Rock Post Office• Flat Rock Bakery• Zirconia Post Office• East Flat Rock Post Office• Orr's Family Restaurant, Spartanburg Hwy• Energy Mart Exxon, Upward Road & I-26• Triangle Stop, 754 Upward Road & I-26Kanuga Road• Hot Dog World, Kanuga Road• Mr. Pete's Market, Kanuga Road• Norm's Minit Mart, Kanuga Road• Bonaire Convenience Store II, Kanuga RoadLaurel Park Area• Hendersonville Post Office• Fifth Avenue Shell• YMCA H'ville, Sixth Ave & Oak Str• Laurel Park Village, Rite-Aid.• Energy Mart Exxon, Laurel ParkWest on Highway 64 (Brevard Road)• Horse Shoe Post Office• Mr. Pete's Market, Etowah, Hwy 64-W• Blue Ridge Pizza, Etowah, Hwy 64-W• Quality Plus Gas House, Etowah, Hwy 64-W• Etowah Shopping Center, EtowahNorth on Highway 191 (Haywood Road)• Joey's New York Bagels, Hwy 191• One-Stop Store #8, Haywood Road (Hwy 191)• Dollar General, Hwy 191 & Mountain Road• Triangle Stop, 4197 Haywood Road, Mills River• Mills River Family RestaurantEastside Hendersonville (Four Seasons Boulevard)• Norm's Minit Mart, Dana Road• B&W Auto Supply, Dana Road• Fatz Cafe, Dana Road & Four Seasons Blvd• Grocery Outlet, off Four Seasons Boulevard• McDonald's, Four Seasons Boulevard• Energy Mart Exxon, Four Seasons BoulevardEast on Highway 64 (Chimney Rock Highway)• Waffle House, Sugarloaf Rd & Hwy 64-E• Triangle Stop, 2545 Chimney Rock Road, Hwy 64-E• Mr. Pete's Market, East, Hwy 64-E • Griffin's Store, Edneyville, Hwy 64-E• Edneyville Post OfficeNorth on Highway 25 (Asheville Highway)• The Ugly Mug Coffee Shop, Hwy 25-N• Triangle Stop, Hwy 25-N, Balfour• Mountain Pie Company, Hwy 25-N• Mountain Home Post Office• Kosta's Kitchen, Hwy 25-N, Fletcher• Fletcher Post OfficeSouthern & Eastern Henderson County, Polk County• Dana Post Office• Rosco's Grocery, Green River• Saluda Post Office• Triangle Stop, 1487 Ozone Road, Saluda   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Coke dealer sent to prison

A Tryon man was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to cocaine trafficking. Superior Court Judge Jeff Hunt sentenced Reggie Jamont Hannon to 99 months on Dec. 12 after he pleaded guilty in Polk County Superior Court to charges of trafficking in cocaine, sale and delivery of cocaine, and possession with the intent to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance. Hunt ordered active prison sentences of 35-51 months, 15-27 months and 10-21 months respectively, and ordered consecutive sentences in each case. Hannon will be eligible for parole after serving five years. Hannon’s arrest resulted from a joint investigation of illegal narcotic activity by the Polk County Sheriff, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, the SBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Spartanburg County Sheriff.  The investigation took place from December 2016 through February 2017.  On four separate occasions, Hannon communicated with, and sold illegal drugs to an undercover ALE agent, authorities said. The drug sales were observed by law enforcement surveillance teams.  On Feb. 1, a fifth undercover drug sale by Hannon to the ALE agent was arranged. Hannon and a co-defendant were stopped in a vehicle by members of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and illegal drugs were discovered hidden in Hannon’s pants. Both suspects were arrested and taken into custody at that time.  “Hannon has an extensive misdemeanor criminal history and has always been involved in the periphery of drug investigations,”  District Attorney Greg Newman.  “I appreciate the teamwork used in obtaining the evidence in this case.  The problem with drug dealers is that they do not know, or care, who ends up using the illegal substance.  It could be kids or addicts who steal in order to support their habit.  This activity weakens a community, so it is gratifying to my office to successfully prosecute someone like Hannon.” In other Superior Court dispositions, Judge Marvin Pope sentenced the following individuals in Henderson County during the Jan. 2 term: Richard Collins, 14 Fairfax Avenue, Asheville, 45 days county jail for Misdemeanor Larceny; Ramel Harper, 99 Captain Circle, Hendersonville, 27 months prison for Attempted Trafficking in Opium; David Heatherly, 2929 Terry’s Gap Road, Hendersonville, 48 months prison for Possession of Methamphetamine and being an Habitual Felon; Ellen Hoppes, 142 McDaniel Street, Forest City, 45 days county jail for Misdemeanor Larceny by Trick; Daniel Landreth, 558 Vineyard Loop, Pisgah Forest, 51 months prison for  Conspiracy to Commit Breaking and Entering, Larceny of a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon; James Pierce, 115 Green Hill Farms Drive, Mills River, 46 months prison for multiple counts of Larceny from a Merchant; Saylor Shope, 143 Gilliam Mountain Road, Hendersonville, 42 months prison for Larceny of a Motor Vehicle; Michael Snyder, 33 Darity Drive, Fletcher, 23 months prison for Larceny of a Store Security Device; Eric Taylor, 410 Corbly Drive, Hendersonville, 120 days county jail for Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods;       Read Story »

Henderson County News

Signup open for Henderson County history course

People interested in the history and heritage of Henderson County may still register for a spring semester course that begins this week through at Blue Ridge Community College. The classes are open to the public.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Reflective marker installation will slow I-26 traffic

A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will be installing reflective markers between lanes on Interstate 26 in Henderson County starting on Tuesday and continuing through Thursday. The installation between mile markers between mile markers 40 to 50 — Airport Road and one mile east of Four Seasons Boulevard — will require temporary lane closures of up to two miles in both directions between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Installing the markers — which are designed to work with snow plows during winter weather — is one of the final items to finish the entire rehabilitation project in Henderson County. The $12.5 million project included repaving and improving bridges along the 10-mile stretch of interstate. Transportation officials advice drivers allow for extra time when travelling on I-26 this week, slow down in work zones, and to obey all traffic signs. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.     Read Story »

News Archive