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LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: 'Ready, fire, aim' on indoor range

Henderson County News

Tip results in drug bust at Southern Aire

Acting on a tip that heroin sales were occurring at the Southern Aire Motel at 2990 Chimney Rock Road, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Direct Enforcement Team along with members of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety conducted a search of the room and residence of Shannon Leigh Puttick. During the search on Feb. 22, deputies located and seized 3.5 grams of methamphetamine, 3.5 grams of heroin, 3.5 grams of marijuana, $8,250 in cash, Alprazolam and drug paraphernalia. Charged were: Tyrone Jermaine Suggs, 41 of 2990 Chimney Rock Road, was arrested and charged on February 22, 2017 with: felony possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver marijuana, felony maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of controlled substances, misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of Schedule IV controlled substance. Suggs was released from the Henderson County Jail after posting a bond of $71,500. Shannon Leigh Puttick, 43, of 2990 Chimney Rock Road, was arrested and charged on March 1, with the following: felony maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of a controlled substances, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver marijuana, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts misdemeanor probation violation. Puttick is still incarcerated in the Henderson County Jail under a $55,000 bond and is also being held on a probation violation for the state of Utah. In an unrelated event on March 19, while conducting patrols in a high crime area, Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle on North Allen Road for a motor vehicle violation at 1:30 a.m. The vehicle was operated by Lucas M. Spatuzza, 19, of 154 North Clear Creek Road. After further investigation, deputies charged Spatuzza with felony possession of cocaine, felony maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia. Spatuzza was jailed on a $40,000 bond. Spatuzza was out on bond for prior felony drug charges at the time of his arrest on March 19.     Read Story »

Laurel Park News

Laurel Park sets drop-ins on U.S. 64, greenway studies

LAUREL PARK — Laurel Park has scheduled separate drop-in meetings next week to hear feedback on its corridor and greenway studies.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Sierra Nevada buys local for Taproom

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is reporting a big success in its goal to locally source products served in its Taproom at the Mills River brewery. The Chico, Calif.-based brewer surpassed its goal of sourcing at least 55 percent of total purchases locally in 2016, hitting 62 percent of all goods sourced from the surrounding region in some months. The wholesale purchases translated to nearly $1 million in food products spent locally this past year, the company said. The Mills River Taproom and Restaurant maintains Sierra Nevada’s “quality first” emphasis, pairing beers with artful, chef-driven food in farm-to-table, small plate, sharable, whole animal dishes sourced mainly from local, conscientious suppliers. Lamb, beef, pork and poultry all come from local farms, and even tempeh— a popular vegan-friendly protein served in the Tap Room —is sourced from the region. “We source locally because it’s the right thing to do,” says Executive Chef Jessie Massie. “It’s right for the environment, our community, the company and our values. I have a great passion for seeing local farmers not only survive, but prosper in such a hard business. I believe our food should be made from the finest and freshest ingredients, just like our award-winning beer.” With a dinner crowd that can reach 2,000 plates on a Saturday night alone, sourcing enough local food takes planning and coordination. Taproom chefs work with local farmers and onsite gardener Kate Renner to plan crops, proteins, dairy and other products by forecasting capacity to meet demand, while always seeking new local suppliers. By tracking the amount of local food used every month, the Taproom can work with area farmers to schedule season extension programs to produce crops that are in demand in a typical off-season. The planning provides the restaurant with more local food to feature on the menu and provides farmers a market for their crops in a traditionally slow time.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Ask Matt ... about stink bugs

Q. Why do I see so many stink bugs at my house? For the record, your insect is called the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Just in case you hear it at a cocktail party, the word “marmorated” means marbled or veined. Anyway, these little critters have been a nuisance since they found their way across the Pacific 20 years ago and made a home in Pennsylvania. Now they’re in 41 states and the numbers have been increasing every year. Why? They have no natural predators largely because they can release a foul odor.Steve Pettis of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service says that stink bugs show up in early spring and they seek warm places, thus finding their way into our homes. What to do? “Catch them and set them free,” says Pettis. If they keep getting in, you probably have a crack somewhere.The proliferation of the stink bug is unwelcomed news for our fruit growers. Researchers at NCSU’s research facility in Mills River are beginning to see damage to our apples crop beginning in late summer. According to Pettis, the insect stabs the fruit with its sharp mouth parts. This creates large dead spots on the apple which ruins the fruit. Both federal (USDA) and State (NCSU) scientists are working hard on the problem trying to design a program to stop the infestation. Q. Why do trucks salt our roads when there is no chance of freezing and almost no chance of precipitation? Roger Ayers, NCDOT maintenance engineer, explained DOT’s two scenarios in their road salting policy — before a snow and after a snow. In the event of a pending snow or ice event, DOT alerts their private contractor who has five trucks that service a three-county area. Each truck has a spray bar affixed to a tank filled with a brine solution. Trucks are filled at DOT’s Mountain Road maintenance yard. The brine mix is 11.5% salt and can be applied to roads 48 hours in advance. DOT’s contractors did apply brine before the Jan. 28-29 snowfall and the northern part of Henderson County did in fact get snow.After a snowfall, DOT uses its own trucks to spread rock salt on the highways. First priority is the interstate highway, then the primary roads, followed by subdivision roads on the state road system and lastly unpaved roads. Highway maintenance crews sometimes apply a mix of salt and sand if needed on steep roads to provide added traction. The mix also works best for black ice.Salt lowers the freezing temperature of water. It’s a relatively cheap commodity but it is corrosive. AAA recommends that you wash your car, the undercarriage, suspension, brakes and all after a snowstorm. Send questions to askmattm@gmail.com.         Read Story »

Henderson County News

Kanuga fatalities trigger speeding crackdown

A third fatality on Kanuga Road in the past four months has triggered a cooperative speeding crackdown effort by the State Highway Patrol, Hendersonville Police Department and Henderson County Sheriff's Office. The agencies are pooling their resources to target impaired drivers, speeders and aggressive driving. As team leaders from each agency come together to plan and strategize for this campaign, they will be using data to specifically target days of the week, times of day and locations of the most dangerous sections of roadway to guide and direct enforcement efforts. Data from the Hendersonville Police Department shows there have been 42 accidents with property damage and two accidents with personal injury in the past twelve months on the part of Kanuga Road inside the city limits. The police department will be deploying their radar equipped motorcycle unit to target speeding and aggressive drivers in this area. The Sheriff's Office will be using high visibility saturation patrols as well as utilizing the VIPs (Volunteers in Partnership) to regularly and strategically place the radar speed trailer. The State Highway Patrol, the lead agency on the three fatal collisions, has investigated 49 crashes in 2016 and 50 crashes in 2015 on Kanuga Road. While they have already increased patrol efforts on Kanuga Road, the Highway Patrol is also working with the N.C. Department of Transportation to lower the speed limit in certain areas. They are also discussing engineering aspects that could include well placed rumble strips that may further reduce collisions and fatalities when drivers are distracted or inattentive. With summer fast approaching, traffic will increase significantly on Kanuga/Crab Creek Road. All three agencies are united and committed to working together with extra patrols, speed enforcement and checkpoints to focus on meaningful solutions to traffic safety problems affecting Kanuga/Crab Creek Road, the sheriff's office said.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

BRCC administrators endorse training center

Blue Ridge Community College officials say the proposed law enforcement training center would benefit the college curriculum that trains police officers.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

McGrady hedges on state control of city water

State Rep. Chuck McGrady says he is not committed to filing legislation that would give state regulators control of the Hendersonville’s water system. Instead, he said, is talking with officials about numerous water issues in Henderson and Buncombe counties.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Playhouse announces Theatre with the Stars celebrities

The Flat Rock Playhouse announced this year's lineup for its annual Theatre with the Stars fundraiser. Five local celebrities are signed up to compete in this song dance and theatre extravaganza for the winning title and $1,000 towards their selected charity. The celebrities, their professional partner and charity are: John Connet, Hendersonville City Manager, Scott Treadway, HopeRx. Noah George, Keller Williams Realty,Victoria Dunkle, Henderson County Education Foundation. BJ Ramer, Team ECCO Ocean Center & Aquarium,Lisa K. Bryant, Team ECCO Ocean Center and Aquarium. Sherri Holbert, Park Ridge Health Foundation, Dave Hart, Park Ridge Health Foundation. Julia Hockenberry, Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County,Dane Whitlock, Boys & Girls. The competition performance will be at the Playhouse Downtown on April 25 with a reception one hour before show time. dance and theatre extravaganza in which local “stars” partner with Flat Rock Playhouse “pros” and compete with the hopes of raising the most votes to win the title, as well as $1000 for their selected non-profit of choice. Sponsored by Executive Producer Horizon Heating and Air, the who is hosted by WTZQ’s Mark Warwick with “Color Commentary” by Tiffany Ervin. To vote for your favorite star and charity click here. The star with the most donations combined with highest judges’ score wins $1,000 for the selected charity. Online pre-voting will end midnight April 24. Voting can also take place via phone or in person by calling or visiting either of the Flat Rock Playhouse box offices in Flat Rock or at 125 South Main Street. The performance is at 6 p.m. at the Playhouse Downtown after a pre-show reception at 5. Tickets are $50, which includes food, festivities and reserved seating. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased online, in person, or by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

BRCC announces finalists for president

Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees announced the six finalists it has selected to be the next president of the community college. The six finalists are Wendy Frye, director of high schools at Henderson County Public Schools; Laura B. Leatherwood, vice president of student services at Haywood Community College in North Carolina; Jeff McCord, vice president of economic and workforce development at Northeast State Community College in Tennessee; R. Chad Merrill, vice president for general administration at BRCC; Matthew R. Meyer, associate vice president of educational innovations at North Carolina Community College System; and Rebekah S. Woods, provost at Jackson College in Michigan. Wendy Frye is currently director of high schools for Henderson County Public Schools. She has also served as director of career and technical education, career development coordinator, and classroom teacher with Henderson County Public Schools. Additionally, she was regional coordinator for career and technical education for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Frye holds a bachelor's degree in business education from David Lipscomb University, a master of arts in business education from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership, also from Western Carolina University. Laura B. Leatherwood is currently vice president of student services at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. She has also served as vice president of student and workforce development, executive director of Haywood Community College Foundation, and director of institutional advancement at Haywood Community College. Dr. Leatherwood holds a bachelor’s degree in business law, master’s degree in human resource development, and a doctorate in university and community college leadership, all from Western Carolina University. Jeff McCord is currently vice president for economic and workforce development at Northeast State Community College in Kingsport, Tennessee. Before joining Northeast State, he held various management positions such as manager of learning and performance improvement, manager of project management, and supervisor of enterprise-wide systems training with Eastman Chemical Company. Mr. McCord holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University, and is a doctoral candidate in learning and leadership at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. R. Chad Merrill is currently vice president of general administration at Blue Ridge Community College. He has also served as vice president of technology and development, chief of staff, chief institutional advancement officer, dean for transylvania programs, and cooperative education director at Blue Ridge Community College. Dr. Merrill holds a bachelor’s degree in literature/language from University of North Carolina at Asheville, a master’s degree in two-year college administration from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership, also from Western Carolina University. Matthew R. Meyer is currently associate vice president for educational initiatives for North Carolina Community College System and vice president and co-founder of Workforce Credentials Coalition. He also served as associate vice president of STEM education initiatives and strategic planning, director of BioNetwork at North Carolina Community College System. Additionally, he was dean for workforce and economic development for Community College Workforce Alliance and dean for corporate and economic development at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Dr. Meyer holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Dayton, a master’s degree in bioengineering from Clemson University, and a doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University. Rebekah S. Woods is currently provost at Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan. She also served as executive dean of instruction, dean of instruction for arts and sciences, special assistant to the president, and adjunct faculty at Jackson College. Additionally, she served as dean for student and academic support and director of student success at Lansing Community College and assistant dean for school of law/dean of student and director of career and alumni services at Regent University School of Law. Dr. Woods holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College, a doctor of jurisprudence from Regent University, and a doctorate in organizational leadership, also from Regent University. The finalists will visit the BRCC campuses in April and interview with the trustees. Each will also participate in a community forum on the day they visit and will be given an opportunity to discuss their preparation for the position, their education and leadership philosophy, and respond to questions from community members. Attendees will be given the opportunity to provide feedback that will be given to the Board of Trustees. The community forums will be open to the public. The community forums will be held at the Health Sciences Center located at 805 Sixth Avenue West in Room 3003 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, April 10: Dr. Matthew R. MeyerTuesday, April 11: Dr. Laura B. LeatherwoodTuesday, April 25: Mr. Jeff McCordWednesday, April 26: Dr. R. Chad MerrillThursday, April 27: Dr. Rebekah S. WoodsFriday, April 28: Dr. Wendy Frye "Our goal is to find the best possible leader for Blue Ridge Community College," said BRCC Chair John C. McCormick Jr., who is leading the presidential search process. "These finalists are experienced and knowledgeable. We're looking forward to their participation in the next level of review." The Board of Trustees plans to name the successful candidate in late May. Current President Dr. Molly A. Parkhill is retiring on June 30 after more than 30 years of service to Blue Ridge Community College, 10 as college president.     Read Story »

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