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Area wildfires deemed highest priority in the U.S.

Four Seasons Politics

NC Senate leader proposes more flexible school calendar law

For years now, the Senate’s been the place where bills that would give school districts flexibility to start classes in early or mid-August go to die.   Read Story »

A city camera aimed south at Honor Air Park shows Mud Creek flooding on South Main at 6:50 a.m. on Sept. 27.

News

BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER HELENE: 'They're using the word catastrophic'

John Mitchell was gazing out at the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, Sept. 25, when he felt a gust of wind on his back. “I’ve got to go home,” he told a friend standing beside him.   Read Story »

Your Town

Here's where to get Lightning's special edition on Helene

For this special edition, we conducted dozens of interviews, compiled photos from our coverage, first responders, city and county officials and Lightning readers. To a person, every fire chief, rescue technician and emergency manager said, in one way or another, we knew the storm was going to be bad — even very bad — but it was much worse than we thought. The trauma, damage and destruction was far worse than anything these veteran rescuers had ever seen. The power of Hurricane Helene, they seemed to all agree, was unimaginable.   Read Story »

News

Area is under Code Red air quality alert

Henderson County is experiencing unhealthy air quality due to heavy smoke from the ongoing wildfires, the Henderson County Department of Public Health said in an alert urging residents to stay informed and monitor air quality updates.   Read Story »

News

Tickets available for Pardee's Spring Soiree

Tickets are now available for Pardee Hospital Foundation’s Spring Soiree, on Friday, April 11, at Kenmure Country Club.   Read Story »

Four Seasons Politics

Four Seasons Politics

NC Senate leader proposes more flexible school calendar law

Visit to hurricane-damaged counties kicks off Budd's 100-county tour

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Community News

Here's where to get Lightning's special edition on Helene

Education Foundation announces class of 2025 Hall of Fame inductees

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News

Wildfire burned Rosy and Matthew's cabin to the ground

Matthew Rogers had no access to his cabin in Big Hungry for almost six months after Hurricane Helene, yet he felt blessed that the cabin survived and that a couple from church offered him and his wife, Rosy, their Airbnb in town.   Read Story »

Bat Cave Fire Chief Steve Freeman talks to U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (left) as Henderson County Manager John Mitchell looks on.

Four Seasons Politics

Visit to hurricane-damaged counties kicks off Budd's 100-county tour

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd kicked off his third 100-county tour last week with visits to 10 counties in Western North Carolina, including  Henderson County.   Read Story »

Four Seasons Politics

Moffitt a primary sponsor of bill creating N.C. version of DOGE

State Sen. Tim Moffitt is signed on as a primary sponsor of a bill that would create North Carolina's version of DOGE, the Trump administration's government efficiency effort.   Read Story »

N.C. Forest Service announces meeting Tuesday on Big Hungry wildfire

County urges voluntary evacuation in areas near Polk wildfires

Sheriff's office seeks clues in shooting into home in River Stone

Historic Saluda depot to reopen after Helene repairs

City's mulch giveaway starts this week

Woman charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty in hoarding case

Dry conditions trigger statewide burning ban

Legislature adopts $311M disaster relief bill for farms