Four Seasons Politics

Legislature should reclaim policy making authority

North Carolina Four Seasons Politics

BAR RESCUE: Rep. Moffitt files bill to rescind penalties

State Rep. Tim Moffitt stepped in on Wednesday to help bar owners who had their ABC licenses revoked because of overdue fees during pandemic restrictions that had forced the businesses to close altogether or greatly reduce their hours and capacity. Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Edwards: Why I'm pursuing election integrity legislation (again)

The nucleus of self-governance – the idea that the people, not some ruler, govern themselves – is voting. Read Story »

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

City, School Board near agreement on park swap

The Henderson County school system would improve the historic Berkeley Mills stadium for use by Hendersonville High School and add a softball field and tennis courts for Bearcat athletics on the property and the city would get ownership of Edwards Park under a land swap agreement the City Council will take up on Wednesday. Read Story »

North Carolina Four Seasons Politics

Bailout of reckless spenders would punish N.C.

RALEIGH — Now that Democrats control the White House and both chambers of Congress (however narrowly), they will probably approve a new round of federal borrowing to bail out state and local governments with shaky finances. Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Commissioners begin shaping 2021-22 budget

Henderson County commissioners are reviewing the county's current financial situation, getting their first look at budget requests and beginning the process to shape a new budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The Lightning will update the highlights during the daylong retreat. Read Story »

North Carolina Four Seasons Politics

'Now is the time' for big bond issue for infrastructure, Cooper says

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper is again pushing for a multibillion-dollar infrastructure bond, but Republican leaders caution that North Carolina’s still-unsteady economy makes it impossible to tell whether it would be prudent. Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

New chief justice moves swiftly to reopen NC courts

RALEIGH — Newly-sworn-in Chief Justice Paul Newby is wasting little time in getting North Carolina’s court system back up and running. In an order that went into effect Thursday, Jan. 14, Newby handed authority to local court systems to decide about reopening. Read Story »

North Carolina Four Seasons Politics

No local residents implicated in Capitol insurrection, sheriff says

Although some Republican activists from Henderson County attended the Trump rally that ended in an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, none is under investigation for any criminal activity, Sheriff Lowell Griffin said Monday. Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

GOOD JOB!/NEEDS WORK ... Jet engine plant comes in for a landing

Good job! Matt Matteson chronicled in detail in the Jan. 6 issue how industry recruiters from across the region, the North Carolina Commerce Department and Biltmore Farms owner Jack Cecil combined forces to land the Pratt & Whitney advanced manufacturing plant — a $650 million investment that will result in a 1-million-square-foot plant and 800 jobs paying $68,000 a year. Read Story »