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'Hendersonville's dog' rescued, living the good life

Henderson County News

No charges in fatal dog mauling, sheriff says

After completing an investigation into the pit bull attack that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy on Tuesday, investigators have decided not to bring charges against anyone.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Apple Festival names grand marshal

The 69th North Carolina Apple Festival has chosen a longtime city public works employee as the grand marshal of the King Apple Parade on Labor Day in a nod to the contribution the city work force makes during the four-day festival. John H. Rhinehart Jr., known as Big John, will ride in the grand marshal's car during the traditional festival-ending event on Labor Day on Sept. 7. "For many years, he has assisted the Festival in many ways," the Apple Festival said in a news release. "We also felt that it was important to recognize the entire City Staff for all the work done by all of the departments in the city. Without Mr. Rhinehart and the city staff, we would not be able to operate our community’s largest event." As property maintenance supervisor, Rhinehart was responsible for the mowing city parks, lawns around city buildings, Oakdale Cemetery and around the Oklawaha Trail. He recently retired from the city job. “They helped take care of downtown every Friday morning, making sure any weeds were cut and trash was picked up and the parking lots were clean,” said Public Works Director Tom Wooten. Wooten said he was pleased that the Apple Festival had chosen to honor Rhinehart and the city public works crews. Big John knew the Apple Festival well. “In any special event that we had downtown where we had to have trash collection where crews worked all weekend he basically managed all that from start to finish,” Wooten said. Parade entries available The festival also invited the community to participate in this year’s King Apple Parade. Categories including commercial and non-profit entries. Professional floats are available for lease. Applications to participate in the Parade are available at www.ncapplefestival.org under the Events tab. The cutoff date for entries is Aug. 28. For information, contact the North Carolina Apple Festival at 828-697-4557.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Cradle of Forestry looks at night-flying critters

PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST — The Cradle of Forestry invites nature enthusiasts of all ages to learn more about night-flying animals during a program on Winged Creatures of the Night at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Bring a flashlight and a sense of wonder to enjoy a special focus on nocturnal life in the summerwoods.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

TD Bank partnership benefits local youth club

TD Bank will kick off a "Bring Change" partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County on Friday with a check presentation for $2,000.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

WEEKEND TIPOFF: Beach music, horses and coon dogs

A beach music festival, Saluda's Coon Dog Day, the Songcatchers Music Series and the traditional Friday night and Monday night music events downtown highlight weekend offerings.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Paving to start today on city streets

Fifth Avenue from Fleming to Church, Fourth Avenue (the city's downtown bikeway) from Justice to Blythe and streets around Hendersonville High School are among the roads that will be repaved over the next four to five weeks.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (56)

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

6-year-old mauled to death by pit bull

MOUNTAIN HOME--A 6- year-old boy was mauled to death by a pit bull on Tuesday afternoon after the child climbed fence to visit a playmate, the Henderson County Sheriff's office said.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Ask Matt ... about ridgeline development

Q. How did they get permission to build homes right on the ridgeline near Bearwallow Mountain? I thought there was a law that prohibited that. There is. Remember the controversial high-rise condos on Sugar Top Mountain in Avery County — development that led to the 1983 Mountain Ridge Protection Act? That law, which was spearheaded by the late State Senator Bo Thomas of Hendersonville, allows local governments in 24 mountain counties to pass laws to protect the ridge tops rising over 3,000 feet in elevation. Henderson County has such an ordinance and it covers Bearwallow Mountain (4,232 feet) plus several others. On a defined protected ridge, one may not build a structure more than 40 feet in height so a three-story home could easily be permitted even if it straddles the ridgeline. There are exemptions for radio towers, poles and steeples.But you have opened another door – windmills. Industrial wind turbines can reach 400 feet in height and they are most efficient when sited on ridgelines. Our state’s legal scholars have debated whether the ridge law exemption would allow windmills. The legislators in Raleigh actually drafted a bill in 2009 that would have amended the Mountain Ridge Protection Act but that effort died. I asked D.J. Gerkin, an attorney with Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), about tinkering with the 32-year old ridge law. “There is no movement now,” he said. “This is a testament to strong bipartisan support for the law in its current form.” Gerkin added that the present uncertainty of how wind turbines are classified probably keeps wind farm developers from looking seriously at WNC. The Southern Environmental Law Center also has a balancing act to perform. It supports renewable energy but also works for viewshed protection. Gerkin said that in the case of wind turbines, “They should only go where they are appropriately sited.” Talk about straddling the ridge line.On a related subject, there are companies that make small wind turbines for home use. They are typically wired to a battery and are great for cabins on a hilltop with no nearby power source. I spoke with Ole Sorensen, founder of Solar Dynamics Inc. of Asheville. He said that his company handles these units but it has been several years since he installed one. “You have to have a very site specific piece of land to make it worth the investment,” said Sorensen. “Plus, there is too much competition with solar panels these days.”Hey, want to see how they erect those monster wind turbines? Search online for “YouTube MidAmerican Energy wind turbines.” It’s an awesome video. * * * Send questions to askmattm@gmail.com.   Read Story »

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