Henderson County News
You won't want to miss this week’s Hendersonville Lightning.
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Henderson County News
Clear Creek Elementary School was named the 2017 N.C. National Title I Distinguished School for High Progress at a ceremony in Greensboro on Friday, making it the top school among 1,443 Title I schools in North Carolina. As part of the designation, Clear Creek was awarded $12,500 to support the continued education of its students.
“This recognition truly honors the dedication of Clear Creek’s administrators and teachers, who daily provide all students with equal access to a high quality, engaging education,” said schools Superintendent Bo Caldwell.
The National Title I Distinguished School designation recognizes high student achievement in schools that have substantial poverty rates, high end-of-grade success rates, and significant growth in scores. Each year, two Title I schools from North Carolina are chosen to represent the state as National Title I Distinguished Schools in the “High Performance” and “High Progress” categories.
Approximately 10 percent of Title I schools in North Carolina – 140 schools – were eligible to be included in the Distinguished Schools process; schools in the top 10 percent of those eligible schools – the top 1 percent of Title I schools statewide – were asked to submit portfolios for consideration for the prestigious N.C. National Title I Distinguished School Awards.
This is the fifth year in a row Clear Creek has received recognition as a top ranking Title I school eligible for a National Title I Distinguished School Award, and the first time it has represented North Carolina as a National Title I Distinguished School. The most recent school in the district to be named a N.C. National Title I Distinguished School was Dana Elementary in 2012.
“Many individuals become teachers because they want to change the world and believe educating the next generation is the way to do it,” said Director of Student Services Matt Gruebmeyer. “Clear Creek's selection as an N.C. National Title I Distinguished School is only the most recent sign that Clear Creek staff, families and community are succeeding in that effort.”
“This is a recognition of our teachers’ hard work to meet the academic, emotional, physical, and social needs of every Clear Creek Cub –every day,” said Principal Marcie Wilson. She said the designation also highlights the collaboration among the school and local community and business leaders, who engage with and mentor Clear Creek students. “We’re so fortunate to have such great community partners,” she said.
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Laurel Park News
One moment in a lively public comment period last week crystallized the gulf between the group that vociferously opposes the Kanuga Road widening and the group that rallying for U.S. 64 improvements.
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Henderson County News
Q. Why do bikers always back their motorcycles into parking areas?
I asked a Harley owner who had just parked his bike on Main Street. He said, “Motorcycles don’t have a reverse gear. When you park on a downward slope it’s hard to back up your bike when leaving but much easier to pull straight out under engine power. It’s also a safety thing.”The Moto Cafe on NC191 (formerly Carolina Roses greenhouse) attracts a lot of bikers. Actually, it’s a really cool watering hole. Owner Jeff Herold agreed that when bikers are parked close together, it’s easier to leave pulling out head first, particularly into traffic.
Q. How do emergency responders get access into gated communities and how many are there in the county?
There are more than 30 gated communities in Henderson County. The largest ones are Carriage Park, Cummings Cove, Kenmure, Wolfpen and Windstone (Fletcher). Four have gate attendants and the rest have gates that are are opened electronically by residents either with a key pad or an electronic device in their cars commonly known as a “clicker.” So how do law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, etc. gain access? Don’t laugh but they do it with a siren. County emergency response vehicles can switch to an alternate siren tone different from the siren sound you hear on the highway. When they approach the gate, the tone’s frequency opens it. It’s that simple...when it works, and it works most of the time. Some gates can also be opened with a key pad and if necessary, response units can get gate access codes from the 9-1-1 emergency communications center.
The County has specific rules regarding entry gates. Plans for entry gates must be approved by both the Fire Marshal and the Sheriff’s Department. Emergency and law enforcement vehicles shall be provided “unfettered access to all private streets.” This is usually through the subdivision’s homeowners association. The law specifies an access control device approved by the County. The law also states that the gates be set back from the main road thus allowing vehicles to pull safely off the main road while waiting for the gate to open.
The N.C. Department of Transportation will not accept streets into their system that are in a gated community. And county school buses are not permitted to enter one either. Buses stop outside the gate for pickups and dropoffs. Based upon the data I found, there are some 2,600 residences behind locked gates in our county. At an average of two persons per unit, that’s the equivalent of 5,200 residents.
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Henderson County News
Henderson County's animal enforcement squad brought animal cruelty charges after investigating separate cases residents keeping dogs and cats in unhealthy and unsanitary living conditions, the sheriff's office said.
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Henderson County News
The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development has named Brittany Jones Brady, the jobs-creating agency's second-in-command, as president of the organization effective today.
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Henderson County News
You won't want to miss this week’s Hendersonville Lightning.
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Henderson County News
EAST FLAT ROCK — Dodd Meadows, a single-family home neighborhood developed by Henderson County Habitat for Humanity with support from the City of Asheville, is one of four developments that serve as models for other communities across the state.
Sponsored by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, the Housing North Carolina Awards were presented at the N.C. Affordable Housing Conference, which hosted nearly 1,000 housing industry professionals at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Winning developments were selected for affordability, design, sustainability, community contribution, resident services and creative partnerships. The other three were:
Mother Teresa Villa, Charlotte, a home for adults with developmental disabilities that was created by the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Housing Corporation with support from the City of Charlotte and co-sponsored by InReach, a local nonprofit that provides residential support for people with disabilities.
Hope Court, Greensboro, a permanent supportive housing facility for formerly homeless individuals, persons with disabilities and working families developed by Affordable Housing Management with support from the City of Greensboro.
Parkside Commons, Greenville, a rental development offering 98 apartments for Greenville’s seniors, developed by Taft Development Group with support from the City of Greenville.
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Henderson County News
Henderson County has hired away Transylvania County's parks and recreation director.
Carleen Dixon, of Brevard, will join the team at Henderson County Parks and Recreation beginning Nov. 27, the Henderson County manager's office annnounced.
Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in natural recreation and tourism from Colorado State University. She is also a certified parks and recreation executive, the highest level of certification from the National Parks and Recreation Association. She has worked in the parks and recreation field since 1999, most recently for Transylvania County as director.
“Transylvania County appreciates all that Ms. Dixon has contributed professionally during her time with the county," Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter said. "Her enthusiasm for Parks and Recreation is inspiring and we know she will be an asset in her new role at Henderson County. We hate to lose her from our organization, but we are excited for her to take the next step in her career in our region. It couldn’t be a better situation to have her serving our sister county next door."
“I am very excited to be joining the Henderson County team," Dixon said. "The County has great natural resources and an amazing group of people to work with. I feel blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to all the great things to come for Henderson County."
Henderson County Manager Steve Wyatt said: “We received a good response from qualified candidates for the position. Carleen rose to the forefront of the group through the process and was the Selection Committee’s unanimous recommendation to me. My meeting with her, and our subsequent conversation regarding the needs and potential of the department, led me to the same conclusion. She can be an asset to the organization and the community for years to come. We look forward to working with her.” Read Story »
