Free Daily Headlines

News

Set your text size: A A A

News

No foul play suspected in death of 25-year-old

Henderson County News

Ministers bless new IAM building, which is dedicated to David Cook

Volunteers, donors, supporters and staff members blessed the work of the Interfaith Assistance Ministry on Tuesday and stood for an extended ovation when it was announced that the new $2.6 million IAM facility would be dedicated to longtime leader, David Cook.IAM President Lynn Pope thanked past presidents Bob Henson and Sherri Metzger. Metzger thanked Cook for his leadership and announced the dedication of the building in his honor.“He’s been the guiding force for this organization,” she said. “He has been the epitome of a servant leader. He cares passionately about helping those in the community who need that hand up and for this we will be forever grateful. From the beginning of the process of building this building, David has reminded us that first and foremost we must continue to take care of the needs of those in the community who need that hand up. … David was always there to remind us not to lose sight of why we were doing this. He has helped us to keep the faith on this journey.”Sherri Metzger and David Cook.Cook, who retired last summer, was succeeded by Elizabeth Willson Moss.“It’s not about me. It’s about the least of these,” Cook said. “It’s about you and your hearts. You’ve opened up your checkbooks and your heart to the least of these. That’s why we’re here. It’s all about them and it’s all about the volunteers who come here every day, and the staff and the leadership of the board of directors. Thank you all and thank the Lord and remember the least of these.”In separate prayers of dedication, the Revs. Alfredo Oviedo of Grace Lutheran; Tim Jones of the Hendersonville Rescue Mission; and Steve Scoggins of First Baptist Church; and Rabbi Rachael Jackson of the Agudas Israel congregation blessed the food pantry, intake counselors, administration and the clothing closet.“We are grateful,” Oviedo said, “that you have given us a mission: to provide emergency relief to Henderson County residents who are in financial crisis by offering food, clothing, funds, guidance and referrals in an atmosphere of compassion and respect.”Praying for administration, Scoggins asked for blessings on executive director Elizabeth Moss and her staff.“Give them wisdom,” he prayed. “You said if any lacks wisdom you would give it to us liberally. We’re going to need a lot of wisdom, wisdom to be able to discern when people come for help, wisdom to be able to keep these volunteers happy. I pray you give them great people skills as well. I pray that you would uphold their spirit. It’s so easy in a ministry like this to burn out, so Lord give them an unending supply of encouragement and strength. And Lord it would help, to continue to get them to give joyously.”Capital campaign committee members raised $2.6 million.The capital campaign committee led by Jay Thorndike raised $1.8 million to start the building.“Because of the generosity of about 800 county donors, our campaign brought in $2,623,000, exceeding our goal,” Thorndike said. The staff, board members and volunteers accounted for 32 percent of the total raised. The capital campaign committee and members like Grace Poli, a fountain of optimism when the challenge seemed at times to be insurmountable.“Grace would say, as we were concluding our meeting, God will provide,” Thorndike said, “and did he ever.”IAM plans a ribbon-cutting and will host the Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

AVL will be stuffed like a turkey; arrive early

If you're flying over the Thanksgiving holiday, expect a big crowd and plan to arrive early. The Asheville Regional Airport is reporting a high volume of scheduled passengers for the travel week — as much as a third more than last year. Airport officials urged all passengers to plan accordingly. Specifically, passengers scheduled to fly between Wednesday and Monday should arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight times to allow time to park, check-in, and go through security screening. The busiest travel days during the holiday week will be Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The Monday following Thanksgiving will also be a busy day. "We typically see about 2,500 to 2,800 passengers each day at the airport during the busiest holiday travel days," said Tina Kinsey, spokesperson for the airport. "This year, depending on the day, we are seeing a 16 to 35 percent increase in passengers compared to last year." Figures from the airport show that scheduled passengers (outbound and inbound) will be up 27 percent Wedndesday, 30 percent Thanksgiving Day, 20 percent Friday, 16 percent Saturday and 35 percent Sunday.The airport's new parking garage may be open for the holiday crush. It's not known yet. The airport will update the status of the parking garage on Monday. Regardless of the status of the garage, customer parking will be available. The airport plans to open additional lots, including an additional shuttled lot, if necessary.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

All-County chorus to perform Saturday

The Carolina Concert Choir All-County Honors Chorus will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Grace Lutheran Church, 245 6th Avenue West. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Freeman appointed to state childhood education council

Elisha Freeman, executive director of the Children and Family Resource Center, has been appointed to the state’s Birth To Third Grade (B-3) Interagency Council, Sen. Chuck Edwards announced. “It is one of my primary goals to strengthen the voice of District 48 in Raleigh," Edwards said. "The appointment of Elisha, which also came with a strong recommendation from Rep. Chuck McGrady, will certainly help accomplish this. Elisha is strong advocate for our children and her passion is easily contagious. She will no doubt be very influential in this role. Rep. McGrady and I are grateful that Elisha is willing to serve our area in such an important capacity to help make a difference.”   Freeman has been working in the administration and operation of nonprofit organizations for more than 26 years. She began her career as an intern with the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro. She became executive director of the Children and Family Resource Center in 2010. She is passionate about children and their needs, and writes a monthly column in the Times-News called Speak Out for Kids. A dedicated and involved member of the community, she serves in the Rotary Club and the WNC Early Childhood Coalition.  Freeman earned a bachelor of arts in psychology, focusing on child development and family relations, from UNC Greensboro and received a masters of business administration from Lenoir-Rhyne University. As a member of the B-3 council, she will work with the superintendent of public instruction’s office and the council to coordinate and create an interagency plan for early childhood education. The B-3 Interagency Council was created in legislation this year to design and implement a coordinated interagency plan for early childhood education. The Council will look at different agency changes that may need to occur to shift a focus on Early Childhood Education and to implement a statewide evaluation of the progress of children in Early Childhood Education programs.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (152)

You won't want to miss this week’s Hendersonville Lightning.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

GE puts lighting division on the block

Although announcement by General Electric that the company has put its lighting subsidiary up for sale had workers at GE’s East Flat Rock plant on edge about their future, company officials said no changes are planned in the short term.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Career Academy shares $2 million jobs readiness grant

Henderson County's Career Academy and Innovative High School is among six high schools across the state to share a $2 million grant to support college and career readiness through Communities In Schools of North Carolina. Gov. Roy Cooper visited Walter M. Williams High School in Alamance County on Tuesday to announce the grants from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. “Jobs for North Carolina's Graduates will help ensure that our young people have the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and live productive, rewarding lives,” Cooper said. “Employers need skilled workers, and this program strengthens our state’s workforce by giving students who need it extra help to finish high school ready for additional training and fulfilling careers.” College and career specialists trained to prepare students to achieve academic, career and life success will serve at Henderson County Career Academy and six other high schools.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

WHHS drama students win awards at theater festival

Theatre Department at West Henderson High won several top honors from the 2017 NCTC High School Play Festival, held at Greensboro College on Nov. 16.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Here's where to drop off Christmas Child shoeboxes

Drop-off sites and times are set for Operation Christmas Child, the Samaritan’s Purse project that transforms empty shoeboxes into gifts of hope filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys for needy children worldwide.   Read Story »

News Archive