Free Daily Headlines

News

Set your text size: A A A

News

City moves to ease zoning on pet sitting

Laurel Park News

Local roaster plans coffee, beer and wine bar on Fifth

A coffee roaster plans to open a coffee shop and beer and wine bar on Fifth Avenue West at the Hendersonville city limits by spring.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Guidance counselor sent to prison for Medicaid fraud

ASHEVILLE — A 47-year-old elementary school guidance counselor from Tryon was sentenced to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to billing Medicaid for more than $450,000 in false claims for mental and behavioral health services he did not provide,  U.S. Attorney R. Andrew Murray announced.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Valley Hill fire rating improves

Valley Hill Fire & Rescue has been awarded a Class 3 rating from the North Carolina Department of Insurance based on such factors as proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and the availability of water, Fire Chief Tim Garren announced. The inspection, conducted by officials with Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal, is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System. The Response Rating System ranges from a Class 1(highest) to a Class 10 (not recognized as a fire department by the state). “I’d like to congratulate and thank the employees of Valley Hill Fire & Rescue,” Garren said. “Without the dedicated and highly skilled employees we have this achievement would not have been responsible."     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Police identify officer, suspect in shooting death

A Hendersonville police detective shot and killed a suspected drug dealer in the Walmart parking lot after the suspect resisted arrest and appeared to be reaching for a .40-caliber pistol in his waistband, police said. "When you try to make an arrest sometimes those arrests don't go well," Police Chief Herbert Blake said at a news conference Friday morning, 12 hours after the shooting death. "A suspect at that time may decide that he does not want to be arrested. And that's basically what happened. When the officer on scene tried to effect an arrest, use of force was necessary and it led to him discharging his firearm." Officers performed first aid on the suspect, Rufus Cedric Baker, until medical personnel arrived and transported him to Pardee Hospital, where he died, police said. Later Friday, police identified the officer as Detective Brandon McGaha, a 12-year veteran of the department and the supervisor of its ACE team, a special unit responsible for addressing street level crimes including drugs, prostitution and theft. The incident occurred during an active drug enforcement operation. Detective McGaha and other members of the ACE team were in uniform and easily identified as police, the department said. Baker never got out of the 2016 Ford Focus he was driving. Instead, he drove away, crashing into other cars. "That was the suspect, trying to get away," Blake said when asked about the wreck cars. He defended the officer's deadly use of force. "If there's a drug deal and a gun's involved you have to support the officer and assume that he out there knows what he's doing and knows what he's up against," he said. The supect was "transported to Pardee Hospital after the officers on scene rendered medical aid," Blake said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. In a statement, police said the officer shot the suspect when he "appeared to be reaching for a weapon in his waistband." "He was in his car. He never got out of the car and it went downhill when the officer tried to arrest him," Blake said. "He tried to drive off. He was blocked in. I think this officer did what was appropriate to save lives, including his own." Baker, 32, of Buncombe County, has a record of convictions dating back 14 years. He was sentenced to seven years and five months in prison in July 2012 on charges that included larceny, credit card fraud, obtaining property by false pretense and being a habitual felon. He was released from prison on July 24 of this year, according to the state Department of Public Safety records. Since 2003, when he was 18, Baker had been convicted of larceny, injury to property, possession of drug paraphernalia, receiving a stolen vehicle, speeding to elude arrest, armed robbery and other crimes. He served nine months of a 10-month sentence on the earlier charges and was released in June 2010. Blake said if there is dash cam or body cam footage or parking lot security video, investigators would want to see it. "We're looking into that to see if any of that may be available and if it is that would be obviously something that the SBI would have," he said. The SBI has taken over the investigation of the shooting. The Hendersonville police department is conducting its own internal investigation. McGaha has been placed on paid administrative leave, following the protocols and procedures of the Police Department. Investigators recovered a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun and 14 bags of "what we believe to be crystal meth and methamphetamine," Blake said. "This was a seller." Asked whether there was a buyer, he said, "There was an informant involved and that is as much as I'll say about that." Information regarding the number of shots fired, a specific timeline of events and location of involved vehicles remains under investigation, the police said.       Read Story »

Saluda News

Saluda depot receives $20,000 grant to support 'Train Tales'

The Saluda Historic Depot has been awarded a $20,000 incentive grant from the Polk County Community Foundation to support the depot’s mission in 2018. “Having met the requirements for the 2017 PCCF grant, we are excited to announce that the Foundation trusts our hard work and has awarded us another incentive grant for 2018," Judy Ward, chair of the Saluda Historic Depot board, said in a news release. "This grant will make it possible for us to continue the growth in operations of the Saluda Historic Depot and museum. This support by PCCF hallmarks the importance of the depot to the Saluda community, its heritage, and as a tourist destination." "Grants like this one from the Polk County Community Foundation along with individual donations, sponsorships, and fundraisers is key to helping us reach our financial goals,” added treasurer Bruce Hunt. “Saluda Train Tales has grown in popularity and we are pleased that the Polk County Community Foundation will be the sponsor for this monthly event,” says Mary Meyland Mason, secretary of the board. The grant will be used for administrative expenses and specifically a new security system, lighting, video recording of Saluda Train Tales and other improvements. The Saluda depot sits on historic Main Street at the crest of the steepest mainline standard gauge railroad in the United States, and is a contributing structure on the National Register of Historic Places in the listing for the Saluda Main Street Historic District. A group of citizens formed a 501(c)3 non-profit and purchased the building in June 2016, and has created a railroad and heritage museum to celebrate and memorialize the town’s railroad history and its beginnings. The museum is open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. It features seasonal exhibits, Saluda Grade “O Grade” Diorama and “G Grade” train dioramas of the different railroad eras in Saluda. There are also running videos of trains that came up the Saluda Grade and a gift station. Admission is free and voluntary donations are always appreciated. The Saluda Historic Depot is located at 32 W Main Street, Saluda, NC 28773. For more information, please contact Judy Ward at 828-674-5958 orjudyward@charter.net or Cathy Jackson at 828-817-2876 or cathy@saludalifestyles.com.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Brooks Tavern is packed and getting rave reviews

When he wasn't sweating in the kitchen to shore up the short-staffed cook staff, Mark Lowe was greeting customers and reveling in the apparent instant success of his new venture, Brooks Tavern.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Whooping cough outbreak now up to eight cases

The number of cases of highly infectious whooping cough has grown to eight in Henderson County, the Health Department reported. Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a serious respiratory infection caused by the pertussis bacteria that affects the lungs and breathing tubes. The health department and school officials have identified approximately 1,000 close contacts to students in school who have come down with the infection. Symptoms can begin up to 21 days after exposure, starting much like the common cold with sneezing, runny nose and mild cough. Coughing fits that may cause vomiting and make it hard to breathe can begin one to two weeks after first symptoms and can last for months. Anyone can get whooping cough. Even those who have been fully vaccinated can get the infection but will have milder symptoms.Whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, the health department said. If the person who had contact with a case has symptoms,stay home to prevent others from getting sick, the health department urged. If the doctor thinks you may have whooping cough and gives you an antibiotic, you should stay home until you finish taking the medication. If the person who had contact does NOT have symptoms but has an infant, pregnant woman or someone with a weakened immune system in their home, contact the health department or school nurse.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (153)

You won't want to miss this week’s Hendersonville Lightning.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Sanctuary Brewing Co. announces nonprofit rescue farm

Hendersonville is now home to its very own animal sanctuary: Sweet Bear Rescue Farm, a non-profit started by Sanctuary Brewing Company owners Lisa McDonald and Joe Dinan. Passionate animal activists, McDonald and Dinan two quit the corporate world with the goal of starting a brewery and a sanctuary, all with the overall mission of saving both animals and humans — and extending kindness, compassion, and love at every opportunity. Sanctuary Brewing Company, located in downtown Hendersonville, just celebrated its two-year anniversary. Since its launch, brewery has used proceeds to fund the farm — a three-acre haven for rescued animals just two miles from the brewery. The farm is home to 12 animals with a constant revolving door of foster pets, most recently including a dog rescued from Hurricane Irma. Permanent residents include Ollie the pot-bellied pig and Charlotte the chicken (who are best friends); Oskar the cat; dogs Harry and TT; and numerous other chickens and other furry/feathered inhabitants. There are currently fundraising efforts and volunteer days to help ready their barn and property for two goats and two tom turkeys. “This is something Joe and I have been dreaming about for years,” says McDonald. “We believe in the inherent value of all life, and we want to save every animal we possibly can. This is an essential piece of our life’s mission to be kind to all living beings, and Sweet Bear Rescue Farm is a place where all animals will be safe and loved for their entire lives.” Dubbed Sweet Bear after McDonald and Dinan’s late dog, Nala, who inspired their work in animal advocacy, the rescue just received its 501-3 status, so all donations are tax-deductible. The farm will also host regular volunteer work days in order to help keep the property in top shape for the residents. Sanctuary Brewing Company has raised thousands of dollars for charitable causes since its opening, offers free Sunday meals for anyone in need, and has a Kindness Wall outside the main entrance that’s always stocked with essentials bags for the local homeless population. Recently featured in Paste, Thrive and Our State magazines, Sanctuary has even garnered the attention of big names like comedian Ricky Gervais, racecar driver Leilani Münter, and filmmaker Kip Anderson. Ongoing events at the brewery include Saturday morning Yoga with Cats, adoptable pet nights, Puppy Bowl festivities on Super Bowl Sunday (to be hosted in 2018 by the world-famous Vegan Bros), Taco and Trivia Tuesdays, karaoke parties, and regular fundraisers for local charities including Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Farm Sanctuary, and Full Circle Farm Sanctuary, among others.   Read Story »

News Archive