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Henderson County News

Donation moves Cancer Center close to $6M goal

Pardee Hospital Foundation moved closer to reaching its goal of $6 million with the news that it had received a $100,000 grant from the Cannon Foundation to support the hospital's new Cancer Center. Home to Pardee's medical oncology, radiation oncology, cancer navigation and cancer research, the Cancer Center has several unique features: an infusion bay with 16 private and semi-private rooms; advanced technology, such as the ultra-precise linear accelerator, a CT simulator that uses lasers to map tumors inside the body; and a phlebotomy lab that can complete tests in less than two minutes, all of which helps to reduce waiting and anxiety for patients. "We are so grateful for the generous support of The Cannon Foundation," said Kim Hinkelman, executive director of Pardee Hospital Foundation. "Their grant provided funding to help complete the new Cancer Center at Pardee, giving more patients access to advanced, compassionate cancer care.” The Cannon Foundation, Inc. is part of the philanthropic legacy of Charles A. Cannon, industrialist and humanitarian, who was president and chairman of Cannon Mills Company for more than half a century. The Foundation continues Mr. Cannon’s philanthropy through funding in health care, higher education, human services and community. The Pardee Foundation reported good news, too, on the philanthropy front. Hinkelman told the Pardee Hospital board last week that 270 donors have moved the foundation close to its $6 million goal for the Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The campaign was not just about raising money but also about planting seeds and preparing for what comes next,” she said. “It was a three-year campaign but we’re going to bring it in in two years. Half of the donors were first-time donors. That’s extraordinary.” Going into the campaign in April 2015, she predicted that most donations would come from “loyal donors and older donors.” Instead, donors skewed younger than the usual pattern, many in their 50s and 60s. “That’s great news for us. That gives us the opportunity to work with these people who continue to grow as donors and continue to support the hospital.” Pardee board Chair Bill Medina, who also serves as co-chair of cancer center fundraiser, praised the effort. “This has been one of the most successful marketing campaigns we’ve ever had,” he said. Pardee Memorial Hospital Foundation was approved as a nonprofit Foundation in January 1996. The Foundation exists to educate and inspire the community to support Pardee Hospital. Since its inception, the Foundation has generated more than $30 million in pledges and cash gifts for Pardee services. For more information, visit www.pardeehospitalfoundation.org or call (828) 233-2700. Pardee UNC Health Care is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1953 and is managed by UNC Health Care. The hospital is licensed for 222 acute care beds. Pardee has several locations separate from the main campus, including a comprehensive physician practice network, two urgent care locations and five orthopedic clinics. For more information or to find a physician, visit www.pardeehospital.org.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (126)

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

Henderson County News

Joseph's Center celebrates two years of helping needy

Joseph’s Center marked its second year of operation at 701B Seventh Avenue East on March 6, celebrating thousands of hours of volunteer help for needy people by more than 200 volunteers. “We started with a small group of neighbors in the area who came for a meal on Sunday evenings,” said the Rev. Phillip Allen of Providence Baptist Church. “We had been serving about 30 friends for over 5 years and had outgrown our space at Cherry Street Baptist Church.” Now, two years later, Joseph’s Center has four teams from First Methodist, Grace Lutheran, First Congregational, and Providence Baptist churches that take turns on Sunday nights to serve between 60 and 80 people with much of the food donated by Fresh Market.Joseph’s Center provides a place to be during the day for those who are out of work, disabled, or just having a string of bad luck. Guests can take a shower, wash their clothes, store their belongings and enjoy fellowship. Center volunteers refer guests to appropriate social services to help them find housing, get medical care and deal with their personal needs. Since opening in March of 2015, Joseph’s Center has served 1005 individuals, provided over 1838 showers and helped guests do 2074 loads of laundry on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.Some guests live in their cars, camp in the woods or move from place to place with friends. Says Terri, one of the Center guests, “Joseph’s Center is like coming home. Being homeless is bad enough, but if I can’t shower and be clean, I feel like I’m not human.”Austin Watson, Joseph’s Center board chair says, “We are a community of people who look after each other and care about each other. We are delighted when we can celebrate a guest moving to housing or getting a new job.” Joseph’s Center has trained 223 volunteers who logged 6,523 hours in 2016. Some guests come in for a cup of coffee or just have a place “to be” during the day. James says: “I had a stroke and seizures and lost my career as a truck driver. Joseph’s Center gives me a place to go where I can work on job applications. I plan to go back to school to learn a new trade.”Many volunteers tells us this is uplifting and rewarding for them. “I really did not understand homelessness. Now I have new friends who I care about.”Joseph’s Center is a non-profit organization and operates a community resource center for those in need. It was launched as a mission of First United Methodist Church. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.JOMMinistries.org or contact Robin Corbin at rrcorbin@morrisbb.net or Chuck White at chuck.white@jomministries.org.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Dollar Tree joins battle for shoppers at south gateway

Dollar Tree is coming to the old Food Lion space on Greenville Highway, adding a national discount retailer to a crowded corner offering a plethora of grocery and drug choices. “They’ve signed the lease,” said real estate broker Jimmy Edney. “They’re supposed to open in April.”The area where Greenville and Spartanburg highways meet contains six drugstores and three supermarkets and Publix plans to build a supermarket with a pharmacy across the road from the new Dollar Tree spot.Carolina Specialties Construction Inc. is renovating three side-by-side spaces containing 11,800 square feet each at a cost of about $50,000 each, according to building permits issued by Henderson County.Edney, who is handling the property for owner Tony Bloemsma and registered agent J.W. Davis, said he had not yet signed tenants for the other two spaces.“Dollar Tree is very particular about who they put in there,” he said. “We’ve got several people looking at it. Hopefully, we’ll have one in there in the next few weeks.”A sign on the window says the retailer is hiring three assistant managers and 30 sales people. It’s taking applications at the Dollar Tree in Highland Square.The company, which bought rival Family Dollar in 2015, reported net sales of of $5.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016, up 5 percent over the previous year. It opened 104 outlets, expanded or relocated 27 outlets, closed 55 outlets and rebranded eight Family Dollar outlets as Dollar Tree stores in the fourth quarter. In 2016, the company opened 584 new stores, according to a report in Yahoo Finance from Zacks Equity Research.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Former Sandburg chief in spotlight with Trump paycheck

Tyrone Brandyburg, who served as superintendent of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site for more than four years, had a cameo in political theater Monday when he represented the National Park Service as it accepted President Trump’s donation of his first presidential paycheck.Trump received a paycheck for $78,333 for the period from his inauguration on Jan. 20 through March 31 and signed it over to the Interior Department. Critics pointed out that the donation would restore .005 percent of the $1.6 billion the Interior Department would lose if Congress enacted Trump's recommended budget. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the money would go to the National Park Service to make a small dent in a big backlog of work. The park service has $229 million worth of deferred maintenance at 25 national battlefields, Zinke said.Brandyburg, a 32-year National Park Service veteran, left his Flat Rock post on Feb. 24 to take over as superintendent of the Harpers Ferry historic site in West Virginia.He stood between Zinke and White House press secretary Sean Spicer during the six-minute ceremony and held the over-sized check for a photo but did not speak.During the campaign, Trump vowed that he would not take the $400,000 annual salary as president if elected and repeated that promise after his victory in November. After consulting with legal counsel, Trump agreed to make the donation to a government agency.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

WHHS names women's basketball coach

The administration of West Henderson High School has named April Bryson – a ’93 West graduate and 3-sport Varsity standout – the new head women's basketball coach, effective immediately. In her first year of teaching at West, Bryson is joining the Falcons with years of head coaching experience in club and recreation sports.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: 'Ready, fire, aim' on indoor range

The biggest news to come out of Sheriff Charlie McDonald’s public trip to the woodshed last week was how many questions remain about his $20 million training center.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Tip results in drug bust at Southern Aire

Acting on a tip that heroin sales were occurring at the Southern Aire Motel at 2990 Chimney Rock Road, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Direct Enforcement Team along with members of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety conducted a search of the room and residence of Shannon Leigh Puttick. During the search on Feb. 22, deputies located and seized 3.5 grams of methamphetamine, 3.5 grams of heroin, 3.5 grams of marijuana, $8,250 in cash, Alprazolam and drug paraphernalia. Charged were: Tyrone Jermaine Suggs, 41 of 2990 Chimney Rock Road, was arrested and charged on February 22, 2017 with: felony possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver marijuana, felony maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of controlled substances, misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia and misdemeanor possession of Schedule IV controlled substance. Suggs was released from the Henderson County Jail after posting a bond of $71,500. Shannon Leigh Puttick, 43, of 2990 Chimney Rock Road, was arrested and charged on March 1, with the following: felony maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of sale and delivery of a controlled substances, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, felony conspiracy to sell and deliver marijuana, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts misdemeanor probation violation. Puttick is still incarcerated in the Henderson County Jail under a $55,000 bond and is also being held on a probation violation for the state of Utah. In an unrelated event on March 19, while conducting patrols in a high crime area, Henderson County Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle on North Allen Road for a motor vehicle violation at 1:30 a.m. The vehicle was operated by Lucas M. Spatuzza, 19, of 154 North Clear Creek Road. After further investigation, deputies charged Spatuzza with felony possession of cocaine, felony maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia. Spatuzza was jailed on a $40,000 bond. Spatuzza was out on bond for prior felony drug charges at the time of his arrest on March 19.     Read Story »

Laurel Park News

Laurel Park sets drop-ins on U.S. 64, greenway studies

LAUREL PARK — Laurel Park has scheduled separate drop-in meetings next week to hear feedback on its corridor and greenway studies.   Read Story »

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