Henderson County News
N.C. Department of Transportation officials have revised plans for a proposed project on a Henderson County corridor in order to reduce the impact from original plans while still reducing congestion and improving safety.
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Henderson County News
Alison Jones Rushing, the 36-year-old East Flat Rock native nominated for a seat on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, faced questions about her relative lack of experience when she sat for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
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Flat Rock News
The Henderson County Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously on Wednesday to deny a non-profit organization’s application for a drug treatment center on Erkwood Drive, ruling that the commercial use was incompatible with the surrounding residential use.The board’s action came after six hours of testimony over three days from witnesses who debated whether the residential treatment center would be appropriate for the 1.3-acre property across from Mud Creek Baptist Church. In the final hour of the special-use permit hearing, which had stretched over three days, neighboring homeowners begged the board to deny the zoning permit while advocates for the center urged a yes vote.The applicant, First Contact Ministries, argued that the facility would be secure, would serve people who were seeking treatment voluntarily and would address an urgent need in the community. Neighboring property owners said they feared the treatment center’s clients could leave voluntarily and threaten their safety, that the commercial use would harm property values and that traffic and noise would increase.
"Obviously, we're very disappointed," said Craig Halford, First Contact's founder and president. "We'll take some time and think about it and discuss whether we want to appeal or not. It's hard to find any words beyond extremely disappointed. The community has said, Nope, we don't want it."
After the public hearing part of the three-day meeting ended at 6:20 p.m., the Zoning Board of Adjustment asked questions of First Contact’s officials and began deliberating. Board of Adjustment members asked questions about water runoff, based on concerns raised by a homeowner who lives next to a small creek downstream from the facility, about the security of the facility and about whether the facility would admit people with a diagnosed mental illness such as bipolar. Board Chair Ron Kauffman challenged one of First Contact’s expert witnesses, an appraiser who compared a smaller facility in Mills River to the Mud Creek area facility for purposes of property valuation. The two projects seemed too dissimilar to be a meaningful real estate comparable.The opponents, who took up about half the meeting room, applauded when the board voted to deny the special-use permit.An appeal of the zoning board’s decision would go to Henderson County Superior Court.
Residents of Dunroy, Chanteloup, Estate Drive and other neighborhoods had contributed to the cost of an attorney who led the opposition, Brian Gulden of Asheville. Board members asked Craig Halford, First Contact’s president and founder, why the nonprofit had not looked at other sites.“We do not have the ability to go out and buy land at the current market value,” he said. “This is available now. We can dramatically cut the amount of time that would be required to raise funds for the property” if it can use the property donated by Mud Creek Baptist Church.In a closing statement, Gulden said that an assisted living residential center would be required to offer mental health services, even though First Contact officials said they would only treat drug and alcohol addiction. He also challenged the use of the Silver Ridge retreatment facility in Mills River as a comparable use.First Contact attorney Derek Jones emphasized that the applicant was seeking a special-use permit, not a rezoning. “We’re looking at meeting the criterion in the application here,” he said. “We provided competent evidence for each point.”Board members repeated that many residents had said. In a climate of serious opioid addiction, a treatment center is desperately needed. But an area with 540 homes in a half-mile radius is not the place for it. “Like you, I would like to see more treatment program in our county” to address the serious drug and alcohol addiction, Kauffman said. “However, I’m not necessarily sure that the good Lord requires it to be built right there.”He also expressed doubt about the staffing ratio, saying it would not be strong enough to keep up with the 42 residents if some decided to voluntarily leave the facility in the middle of the night. First Contact has said that they expect no trouble.“Do we assume the risk that it will never happen?” he said.“Fear of unknown operating procedures,” Fishburne said, accounted for a lot of the opposition.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. RETURN TO THE LIGHTNING FOR MORE.
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Saluda News
Mineral industry is focus at Saluda Train Tales
SALUDA — Laura Fields will talk about the mineral industry in North Carolina during Saluda Train Tales at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main St., Saluda. Although the topic may seem a little “off track,” the mineral industry is one of the reasons the railroads were built to Western North Carolina. Laura will explore the NC mineral industry over the past 200 years till today. She will show some of the rocks our mountains produce and how they are used. After a successful career in real estate and serving as the town’s commissioner, Laura now has time to turn her passion for collecting unique rocks, minerals, and gems into a business on Main Street in Saluda. The Mineral Spirits gallery has evolved with this need in mind and the collection is not only beautiful but presented in groups by their Chakra Colors. Saluda Train Tales is a free monthly event to educate the community about the importance of Saluda’s railroad history and the Saluda Grade. For more information, contact Cathy Jackson at 828-817-2876 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Art League show honors Etheredge
The 2018 Annual Member Show of the Art League of Henderson County will pay tribute this fall to its founder, Grace Etheredge. Sixty years ago Etheredge organized a public exhibit of her students’ work in the lobby of the Skyland Hotel. Subsequent exhibits moved to the sidewalk and were open to all artists, growing over the years to the exhibit now known as Art on Main. The Member Show will return this year to its roots, downtown Hendersonville, and will be hosted by CANVAS Artspace at 212 S. Church St.
Categories for professional and non-professional artists will showcase the artistic talent of the area. The show will include a wide variety of subject matter and medium. The judge this year is local artist and teacher Cathyann Burgess.
A native of Augusta, Georgia, Etheredge began work in the late ‘50s on her dream of teaching art in the Blue Ridge. Her first venture was with the Opportunity Group, formed in 1957 at the First United Methodist Church for the purpose of fellowship and to encourage the teaching and exhibiting of arts and crafts. She taught classes there and on learning that art was not taught in local schools, she volunteered to teach art on Saturdays in Henderson County schools. Soon after, the school system added art to its regular curriculum. Etheredge along with a number of local artists formed the Art League in 1960. Etheredge (1905-1993) was honored this past year with her selection to the Henderson County Walk of Fame for her founding of the Art League and helping found the Opportunity House.The exhibit will be on display Nov. 1-Nov. 10 after an opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information visit www.canvaswnc.com or www.artleague.net or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
21st Toy run is set for Saturday, Nov. 17
For the 21st year, motorcycle riders will meet at Bill Moore Community Park in Fletcher to collect gifts for the foster and underprivileged children of Henderson County and participate in the annual Henderson County Toy Run. Universal Health Care of Fletcher, 86 Old Airport Road, Fletcher, is serving as the collection site for toys Nov. 1-15. This year’s Toy Run is Nov. 17.Bring a $15 toy or $15 cash donation during regular business hours. All proceeds will be given to Department of Social Services Child Protective Services. For more information about making a donation call Lynn Cordell at 828-654-9060. For more information call Linda Wright at 828-702-2307 or visit the Facebook page.
Fall Harvest Days showcases tractors
The 33rd Annual WNC Fall Harvest Days and Antique Engine and Tractor Show will be held Oct. 18-20 at the Western North Carolina Agriculture Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Road, Fletcher, and will feature all brands of farm equipment, antique tractors, hit n’ miss engines of all sizes, tractor pulls, and a parade at 2 p.m. daily weather permitting. More than 250 vendors/exhibitors, tools, antiques, collectibles, toys and more will be on hand. Sponsored by the Apple Country Engine and Tractor Association, the festival is held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. all three days. Admission is $8 a day or $20 for a 3-day pass. Children under 12 are admitted free with paid adult.
Rotary Club announces charity golf tournament
The Rotary Club of Hendersonville will host a Captain’s Choice 18-hole golf tournament Friday, Oct. 26, at Cummings Cove Golf Club. The tournament includes a hole-in-one opportunity to win a car, courtesy of Hendersonville Dodge, Ram, Jeep dealership, prizes on all par 3 holes, door prizes, goodie bags and surprises along the way. Tee time is noon. Lunch will be provided and a buffet dinner served at the awards celebration.
The club’s goal is to raise $10,000 to fund a variety of programs benefiting children in Henderson County including educational grants to classroom teachers and the Gift of Knowledge dictionary project. To be involved as a hole sponsor, golfer or volunteer, contact Kim Hinkelman at 828-233-2700 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Henderson County News
After too many communications breakdowns and political squabbles to count, the Henderson County School Board is off to a promising start on the Hendersonville High School construction.
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Henderson County News
Demand by travelers interested in enrolling in the Transportation Security Administration's TSA Pre✓program has been so strong that a temporary application center will be offered weekdays at the Asheville Regional Airport Oct. 29-Nov. 9.
The TSA Pre✓ temporary application center will be in the IdentoGO TSA Pre✓ RV in the parking lot of the Asheville Regional Airport Department of Public Safety on Wright Brothers Way 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, through Thursday, Nov. 8, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM and 9 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 9 (closed Saturday and Sunday).
Local travelers can make an appointment for TSA Pre-check enrollment online by completing the initial enrollment information, then selecting Asheville from the drop-down menu (on the last screen of the initial enrollment) to make an appointment. A link to the on-line application is provided at flyavl.com.
Applicants may then complete their enrollment in-person at the TSA Pre✓ application center during their appointment. The application fee is $85 and is good for five years. It can be paid at the time of your appointment by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier's check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. Enrollees will need to bring documentation proving identity and citizenship status. And fingerprints are collected during the in-person enrollment session.
In addition to the temporary application center at AVL, travelers can also enroll at one of the on-airport locations at several airports around the country.
After completing enrollment, successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via U.S. mail within a few days that is valid for five years. The enrollee should enter the provided KTN in the "Known Traveler Number" field when booking airline reservations. The KTN also can be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, via phone call to the airline reservation center, or with the travel management company making your reservations. Additionally, the KTN can be entered in participating airline frequent flyer profiles, where it will be stored for future reservations made directly from your profile.
More than 200 airports are participating in TSA Pre✓® nationwide and more than 50 airlines participate in the program including American, Delta and United. While the program is not yet at AVL, expedited screening is offered (no need to remove light jackets, shoes or belts). Also, you may be able to use your TSA Pre✓® privileges at your destination airport on your return journey.
TSA Precheck can be used at any of the airports in the program. Travelers who are enrolled in TSA Pre✓® or one of the other "trusted traveler" programs such as Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS are permitted to keep on their shoes, belts and light outerwear jacket, and they can leave their laptops and liquid 3-1-1 bags inside their carry-on bags when they go through a checkpoint while the program is being run. Wait times are typically five minutes or less.
The Transportation Security Administration was created to strengthen the security of the nation's transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA uses a risk-based strategy and works closely with transportation, law enforcement and intelligence communities to set the standard for excellence in transportation security. Read Story »
Henderson County News
Henderson County sheriff’s deputies charged two people with multiple drug felonies after investigating a tip that methamphetamine was being distributed from a house at 3290 Asheville Highway.
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Mills River News
Residents along N.C. 191 have stepped up their opposition to a project that would transform the road into four-lane divided highway, organizing an alliance of neighborhoods and calling for a second look at the need now that the Balfour Parkway is dead.
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Henderson County News
If you want to know who's on the ballot and their positions on the issues, you'll want to pick up a copy of this week's Hendersonville Lightning.
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