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Developers propose multi-story hotel on Dogwood lot downtown

Fletcher News

Park Ridge breaks ground on Arden urgent care practice

Leaders of Park Ridge Health (which becomes AdventHealth on Jan. 2) and AdventHealth Centra Care broke ground on an urgent care facility that will expand the health care system’s network to better serve people across our communities in Buncombe and Henderson counties. AdventHealth Centra Care Arden is an affordable alternative to the emergency room for urgent, non-life-threatening medical care. Its team of board-certified physicians, with advanced training in adult and pediatric care, will offer convenient, $30 flu shots, and treat broken bones, infections, allergies and pediatric concerns as well as orthopedic conditions and stomach problems. They provide x-ray and stitches onsite, most insurances are accepted, and will take walk-ins or online reservations available seven days a week. “We are pleased to add this new, convenient access to care for our friends, family and neighbors who live and work in this growing area of our region,” said Jimm Bunch, President & CEO of Park Ridge Health. “AdventHealth Centra Care Arden will bring you the same level of whole-person care – mind, body and spirit – you have come to expect from Park Ridge Health. And we are bringing it to you when and where you need it.” AdventHealth Centra Care Arden will provide instant access to quality physician care for newcomers, travelers, people without a primary care physician or who can’t get an appointment with their physician. It is equipped with the latest urgent care equipment, we can treat urgent, non-life-threatening medical conditions for adults and children. It is slated to open in spring, 2019. AdventHealth Centra Care Arden will provide high-quality, comprehensive care for patients and is slated to open in spring, 2019. AdventHealth Centra Care Arden will be located at 436 Airport Road, Arden, at the intersection of Airport and Rockwood roads. Also coming to the new building along Airport Road is the newest PT Solutions practice, Park Ridge Health physical therapy group partner. The team delivers research-driven treatments to promote relief and help people experience a return to wholeness.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Sworn in as sheriff, Griffin names chief deputy, district captains

Lowell Griffin was sworn in as Henderson County sheriff Monday night before a nearly full house at Living Water Baptist Church. Henderson County Clerk of Court Kimberly Gasperson-Justus performed the swearing-in of the all the Sheriff's employees. Retired Superior Court Judge Zoro Guice Jr. administered the oath of office for Griffin.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Supporters of 287g urge county to keep ICE partnership

A church organization's effort urging new sheriff Lowell Griffin to drop a partnership with ICE, the federal immigration enforcement agency, is drawing fire from supporters of the program. Nine residents of the county urged the Board of Commissioners on Monday night to do everything in their power to stop Griffin from walking away from the county's 287g agreement, which speeds identification and deportation of undocumented immigrants wanted for crimes. The Compassionate Action Group and Church Council of the First Congregational United Church of Christ approved a resolution and letter that it called "an essential step for safeguarding our immigrant community in WNC" and urged Griffin to end the partnership. "In the recent elections, Sheriffs of the other five NC counties that have ICE agreements lost their elections and offices," the Action Group said. "We're told that incoming Henderson County Sheriff Griffin wants to know the community's feelings about whether to continue the County's agreement with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. We want him to know our feelings and will deliver this petition to him shortly after his swearing in." "Rigid interpretation of the 287g forces many of our immigrant friends, neighbors, and school children into the shadows," the church's resolution said. "It creates a toxic climate of mistrust of law enforcement and fears of uncertain consequences for those who are often already in precarious socioeconomic situations. ... We are troubled by the costs to Henderson County taxpayers incurred by 287g stipulations for local law enforcement to assist in federal immigration practices (which we believe are separately long overdue for review and revision)." The resolution called for "more humane treatment of our local immigrant/migrant community and immediate cancellation of agreement 287g." Monday night's show of support before the Board of Commissioners suggests that the debate is far from one-sided. Nine speakers who rose during the board's public comment time strongly supported the 287g program. None stood to oppose it. “I’m concerned about the illegal criminals that are in this county," said Harvey Sankey of Horse Shoe. "I think it’s important that the commissioners tell everybody how do you feel about extending 287g. It’s a safety issue. I think the people in Henderson County would like to know how you feel, individually, your opinion about 287g. Tell them that you care about their safety. You don’t want to harbor any illegal criminal aliens in this county." So far this year the sheriff's office had made 44 identifications under 287g resulting in nine deportations, down from 82 uses of the program and 30 deportations last year, said J.P. Bailes III, of Hendersonville. Although the number may seem small in a county with an estimated immigrant population of 10,000, “what we do need to talk about is the deterrent factor,” Bailes said. “There’s a reason the numbers in 2018 were smaller than the 2017 numbers.” "The 287g program allows for swift identification of these illegals when they are processed into the jail," Paul Rebuck told the board. "The 287g program is a wise and effective use of our tax dollars." Griffin said in an interview with the Lightning last week that he plans to evaluate the program between now and June 30, when the current agreement expires. “I do have some concerns about the cost that the citizens of Henderson County are actually carrying because there is a duplication of services," he said. "With the technology today, when we make an arrest, fingerprints are submitted and federal agencies can submit detainers in a matter of minutes so it’s no longer critical to have officers to do that same identification inside the detention center." The ICE agreement, he said, also adds requirements that cost money without increasing security. "While we’re under federal contract there are certain standards that are not a safety enhancement, believe me, it’s more of a burden that we have to abide by with the operation of the detention center, from the way we clothe inmates to issues with the diet," he said. "There’s a lot of things that burden the taxpayer with continuing this program in Henderson County. I’m not sure it’s providing any extra safety aspects for the citizens of Henderson County.”       Read Story »

Henderson County News

Commissioners elect Hawkins as chair, thank Thompson, welcome McCall

Henderson County commissioners on Monday night unanimously elected Grady Hawkins as chair, thanked outgoing Commissioner Tommy Thompson for his 40 years of public service and welcomed a female aboard for the first time since 2002.Commissioners voted to hand the gavel to Hawkins and elected Bill Lapsley as vice chair after the swearing-in of the three board members elected on Nov. 6. Commissioners Lapsley and Michael Edney won re-election and political newcomer Rebecca McCall took the District 4 seat Thompson filled for two terms before his retirement.Hawkins, 76, thanked Edney for his service as chair during a year when he had to deal with his daughter Megan’s heart transplant. Hawkins welcomed McCall and praised Lapsley for his work on the board during his first term. A retired Air Force colonel, Hawkins served on the board from 1996 to 2004 and got back on the board in 2012. Thompson, who served as Clerk of Superior Court for 28 years before winning a seat of the Board of Commissioners in 2010, grew emotional when Hawkins presented him with a large framed photograph of the Historic Courthouse.“I have wanted one of these pictures ever since I came in office," Thompson said. He coveted the one he saw last week in Commissioner Charlie Messer’s office. “I thought to myself, I hope they give me one of those, and if you weren’t going to I was going to see to it that I got one,” he said. “My 40 years have been absolutely wonderful. I have had a tremendous at team at home. If it wasn’t for them I couldn’t have done it. They took a lot of the brunt when I had to go to a meeting, or quite frankly came home mad or whatever, but I’ve enjoyed every moment. I hope the Lord will bless all of you because I have been truly blessed with the things the Lord has given me the opportunity to do.”He praised his fellow commissioners and the county staff.“I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of wonderful people, here and at the other courthouse, chief justices, governors, all sorts of people and I can tell you that the group of people you have here in Henderson County working for your benefit and welfare is just as smart as any of those, just as worthy as any of those. They just cannot be matched. I have enjoyed every day of my service whether it be as a county commissioner or in my previous job as Clerk of Superior Court.”     Read Story »

North Carolina News

Elite riders will race at Jackson Park this weekend

Two-time U.S. cyclocross national champion Stephen Hyde and ProCX points leader Kerry Werner lead a group of elite riders who will be racing at Jackson Park for as North Carolina Cyclo-Cross closes its 2018 season with the ProCX UCI C2 North Carolina Grand Prix Saturday and Sunday. For the Elite Men, look for ProCX points leader Werner, of Advance, N.C., and Hyde, the two-time national champion, who who lives in Easthampton, Mass. Expected to race for the Elite Women are Asheville’s Lily Williams and Emily Werner of Advance, N.C. Werner swept both days of racing in Hendersonville for elite men last year, while Williams captured silver medals both days for elite women. The 14th Annual Hunter Subaru NCGP is the final east coast stop for ProCX points before the 2018 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships takes place in Louisville, Kentucky. Henderson County Parks & Recreation Department will partner with North Carolina Cyclo-Cross to host the family-friendly event in Jackson Park. The race course takes advantage of the varied terrain at the venue. Racing will start at 8:30 a.m. both days, with the featured UCI Elite Women starting at 1:20 p.m. and the UCI Elite Men starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.  The event is free for spectators. The Vendor Zone will be located near the infamous “wall” on the course and features a children’s cyclocross course and displays, including vehicles from Hunter Subaru. There will also be food available from Hubba Hubba Smokehouse and the Flat Rock Village Bakery. Jackson Park will remain open all weekend for public use, but there will be no through traffic during the event. Juniors can race for free at Hunter Subaru NCGP this year. There are three events each day for mixed (boys and girls) age groups 9-12, 13-14, and 15-18. Registration for collegiate, masters and elite racers ranges from $25 to $45, and is open online until Thursday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. (https://legacy.usacycling.org/register/2018-3014). Day-of registration is available for non-UCI races and closes 30 minutes prior to the start of each designated race. There is an additional $10 fee for day-of registration, which opens daily at 7 a.m. and closes 3:15 p.m. at Shelter #4.  “I am excited to have our presenting sponsors OrthoCarolina and BMW Southern Regional Centers partnering with NCCX to enhance the racer and spectator experience” says Tim Hopkin, the founder and organizer of NCCX. “Cyclocross racers both new and returning can look forward to enjoying the competition, camaraderie and fun which is the NCCX series. From start to finish this will be an awesome season. The racers, families and our NCCX community will ensure that.”Cyclo-cross is a fast-paced, spectator-friendly cycling discipline that combines road and mountain bike aspects, requiring riders to switch terrains and at times dismount and run or carry their bikes. Racers range from junior riders to master’s categories with beginner-expert races offered.For more information regarding the NCCX series visit the NCCX website at www.nccyclocross.com or contact series founder Tim Hopkin at (828) 674-9782.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Command staff will come from within agency, new sheriff says

Incoming sheriff Lowell Griffin says he plans to keep the command staff when he’s sworn in tonight, although four captains are being reassigned to lead four geographic districts that he has formed and other positions "may be moved around a little bit."   Read Story »

Henderson County News

'Stay safe and God bless,' sheriff says as he signs off

Wishing his successor and sheriff's deputies "safety and wisdom in all the uncertain days ahead," Henderson County Sheriff Charlie McDonald signed off for the last time through his monthly newsletter, The Guardian. In a message released just before 10 p.m. Sunday night, McDonald recounted the department's achievements under his leadership since 2012, thanked his wife, Jennie, who has "sacrificed more than I in this endeavor," and ended with six verses from Paul's letter to the Philippians. ("Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.") "While I am sad to be leaving this great community, and while I certainly had greater plans for the future of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, it was decided by a fair and honest election, that my time was done," McDonald said. "I have come to terms with that." McDonald said he was referring to the community of deputies in the department, not to relocating from his home in Mills River. "We don't know what we're going to do," he said. "I could easily move, I could easily stay. We're just going to take the next couple of months to just kind of see where we land. I don't have any job prospects and I'm not really looking for anything. I know the right thing will come along just like this job did." McDonald's term ends at 6 p.m. Monday when Lowell Griffin is sworn in as sheriff in a ceremony at Living Water Baptist Church on Sugarloaf Road. Here is the message: "Hello for the last time from my desk at the Sheriff's Office. This is the final Guardian Newsletter. I appreciate all who looked forward to the messages and agency news that it provided. As I look over the archived past letters, even I am in awe of all that has been accomplished by the men and women who have served my administration the past six years and nine months. These newsletters have captured the highlights of a collective journey made by dedicated public safety servants, through difficult challenges, change, and the pursuit of excellence in every endeavor undertaken. What a journey it has been. "By embracing new technology and the most current 'best practices' in law enforcement crime reduction, we reduced breaking and entering and property crimes five years running by nearly 50% from when we started. By implementing vigorous promotional processes and leadership development, we were able to hire and promote quality employees. Our deputies, staff, and our volunteers embraced increased professionalism and took great pride in being recognized by all of our peers, as one of the very best agencies in North Carolina. As a result, we have had an easier time recruiting than most, attracting higher caliber and dedicated men and women to fill our ranks. It also made it easier for our County Board of Commissioners to raise deputies' salaries and allow better pay for higher levels of responsibility and training a few years back."Our commitment to accountability, our emphasis on ethical and transparent operations, and our dedication to professional public service and community partnerships inspired many in our community to offer their help and expertise for the public good. "I have been able to do so because I know that as a result of the effort and commitment of all who served my administration, I leave the ship in far better shape than when I first came aboard. My administration forged a path separate from the 'good ole boy' system and restored the public trust in the time honored and esteemed Office of the Sheriff. We have proven that agency success is guaranteed when leadership sets and holds the highest reasonable standards of ethics, morality, compassion and justice. Our men and women know this and the public we serve expects this. I am proud to know that I, and the personnel that will stay behind to serve the incoming sheriff, have given every ounce of effort we could muster to serve this agency and our community. In so doing, we have left a lighted pathway for success. I wish the incoming sheriff and every member of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, safety and wisdom in all the uncertain days ahead."I have been so honored by God to have been given the time I have served as your sheriff. It was brutal at times, but so humbling and rewarding as well. I am a better man for the friends and leaders I have had the privilege to have worked alongside. My wife, Jennie, sacrificed more than I in this endeavor, yet she never regretted a moment, and stood by me through it all. We are still blessed to be very best friends and only grew closer through this time. Whatever the next mission is, we pray that it will be something we can do together. Thank you all. Stay safe and God bless."   Read Story »

Henderson County News

BRCC to award 500 $1,000 scholarships next fall

Blue Ridge Community College plans to award 500 new $1,000 scholarships totaling $500,000 to graduating seniors in Henderson and Transylvania counties starting next fall, the college announced Saturday. IMPACT scholarships are available to students graduating from a Henderson or Transylvania County public, private, or homeschool in the 2018-19 academic year and enroll at BRCC in Fall 2019. Interested high school seniors with plans to attend Blue Ridge Community College in the fall of 2019 should visit blueridge.edu/scholarships to apply. The scholarships are part of the Impact Campaign launched in May of 2018, which has a goal of raising $2 million by June 30, 2019. A quarter of the $2 million raised goes toward the 500 new scholarships announced Saturday. Another quarter of the funds will go toward addressing critical needs, and half the money raised, or $1 million, fully funds the Pay It Forward Endowed Chair position started by Ellen Perstein in 2006. Blue Ridge Community College provided more than $370,000 in scholarships to students in 2017. The Board of Directors for Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation and the Board of Trustees for the College wanted to send more local students to Blue Ridge and made a commitment to increase that amount to $500,000 through the Impact Campaign. “Our entire community benefits when we are able to remove financial barriers to higher education and training opportunities,” BRCC President Laura Leatherwood said. “We are so appreciative to our donors. They really stepped up to partner with the College to deliver on this goal.”   Read Story »

Flat Rock News

Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas opens

Featuring favorite holiday songs, spectacular dance numbers and sublime vocals, A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas had audiences a-ring-ting-tingle-ing for more last year. A new production of A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas journeys through iconic holiday scenes, including the streets of a bustling city and a wintry wonderland this year. The Playhouse launched the premiere A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas last year and broke box office records for a seasonal production. Interspersed with festive musical numbers and jovial scenes, the new show will also celebrate the serene beauty of classic songs such as “O Holy Night” and “White Christmas.” Wrapping up the best of the holiday season into one production, A Flat Rock Playhouse Christmas opened Thursday night and runs through Dec. 22. Featured performers are an all-star cast from across the nation and here at home including Studio 52 students, the Flat Rock Playhouse Chorus, Pat’s School of Dance performers and children’s choirs from four surrounding counties. Flat Rock Playhouse favorites Scott Treadway, Maddie Franke, Emily Fallon, Claire Griffin, Ben Hope, Katie Hope-Barton, Ryan Guerra and Jason Watson will bring their individual talents from dance to opera to violin to this year’s production. Performances are 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $22-57 with a child ticket at $19 for 17 and under. For tickets call 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-737-8008 or visit Flatrockplayhouse.org.     Read Story »

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