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Thrive awarded $150,000 Melvin R. Lane grant

Laurel Park News

Broadband provider to begin direct customer outreach

RiverStreet Networks is reaffirming its interest in providing broadband service in Fletcher, Hendersonville, Laurel Park and Biltmore Forest. Over the next three months, residents will receive direct marketing information from RiverStreet about its services. If interested, residents should follow the directions on the marketing material and visit https://join.buildriverstreet.com/ to provide RiverStreet with feedback. RiverStreet will only enter the local market if it determines residents are interested in a new service provider. “We are excited to have a new provider evaluate the potential of the broadband market in Western North Carolina,” said John Connet, Hendersonville’s city manager. “There is no doubt that high speed broadband is a prerequisite for economic growth and community growth.” The arrival of RiverStreet is the result of the West Next Generation Network (WestNGN) initiative. WestNGN Broadband is a partnership of local governments consisting of the City of Asheville, City of Hendersonville, Town of Fletcher, Town of Laurel Park, Town of Biltmore Forest and Town of Waynesville (Phase I) and Transylvania, Madison, Henderson, and Buncombe counties (Phase II). These municipalities and counties are continuing their work to improve broadband access to Western North Carolina. The Phase I communities of Hendersonville, Biltmore Forest, Laurel Park and Fletcher held community meetings in November and December to gather input from their residents about current broadband service and the desire for additional broadband providers in their communities. Following these meetings, the communities followed up with local providers about citizen concerns and have continued to encourage RiverStreet Networks to enter the local market. The Phase II counties recently completed a demand aggregation study for the region. This study surveyed residents from all four counties to assess information such as service reliability, accessibility and how people used broadband services. Over 7,000 responses came in from the region indicating this issue reaches a diverse audience supporting various demographic concerns. Land of Sky Regional Council of Government is developing reports with the survey results that will be shared with providers to identify issues and opportunities. In addition,the reports will include community information, vertical assets and community assets that providers and local government officials will be able to access to assist with decision making to help deploy and improve services. In addition to working with broadband providers, the local governments are encouraging state legislators to support legislation that will allow them to work with the broadband companies to improve high speed internet throughout North Carolina. An example of this legislation is the Electric Co-Op Rural Broadband Services. This legislation will allow companies such as RiverStreet Networks to work with rural electric cooperatives to provide high speed internet to rural areas. The WestNGN partners will continue to support all legislation that improves the access to broadband infrastructure.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Edwards' bill authorizes new state park

State Sen. Chuck Edwards is seeking legislation that would authorize the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add a new park unit, Pisgah View State Park in Candler, to the state parks system.   Read Story »

Flat Rock News

Flat Rock braces for court fight over signs

FLAT ROCK — Throughout 2018, signs proliferated throughout the Village of Flat Rock as homeowners protested a proposed widening of Highland Lake Road. “Don’t urbanize Flat Rock,” “DOT: Doing Nothing is an Option,” and “Keep Big Rigs Out!” they said.   Read Story »

Laurel Park News

While tax base rises, rates remain the same or rise also

The easels, charts and spreadsheets are packed away. The spending “challenges” scrawled on sticky notes have been addressed and budget “opportunities” met or discarded. The sugar high brought on by hefty growth in the tax base has given way to a recognition by elected officials across Henderson County that they needed the higher tax base to fund capital projects and meet growing service demands.   Read Story »

Flat Rock News

Park service plans fee increase for Sandburg home tours

FLAT ROCK — The National Park Service is seeking public comments for proposed increases to house tour fees at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. The increases will be the first since 2004.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Bill Moyer, a county leader in a time of change, dies

William Llewelyn "Bill" Moyer, who chaired the Board of Commissioners as Henderson County transitioned into an era of stricter zoning and later helped thwart a back-channel effort to sell Pardee Hospital, died on Saturday at Duke Medical Center at age 80.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Robin Tolleson, drummer, music journalist and mentor, dies suddenly

Robin Tolleson, a drummer, music journalist and generous sharer of his musical gifts through his church and programs to nurture young talent, died suddenly on Friday after collapsing on stage during a performance at Asheville's Downtown After Five concert series. He was 62.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Drug squad makes arrests at Sixth Avenue West home

A joint drug squad made up of officers from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Hendersonville Police Department charged two people with multiple drug trafficking after executing a search warrant at 819 Sixth Avenue West early Friday.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

City PD announces detective bureau chief

Hendersonville Police Lt. Dale Patton has been promoted to captain over the criminal investigations bureau, Chief Herbert Blake announced.“Dale Patton has been a consummate professional during his tenure here,” Blake said. “The police captain’s position is a position of judgement and influence. Dale’s unsullied reputation as a person, a police officer, and as a supervisor bodes well for this bureau level ascension to captain.”Starting with the Hendersonville Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer in 2004, Patton quickly moved up the ranks serving as detective, sergeant and lieutenant. He has an advanced law enforcement certificate and is a state State Certified Law Enforcement Instructor as well as an Advanced Field Training Officer.   Read Story »

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