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Mills River seeks public input on NC 280 greenway

Henderson County News

Sheriff issues safety warning for Bryson vigil on NC 280

MILLS RIVER — Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald issued safety precautions people should keep in mind if they plan to participate in a vigil tonight honoring Tommy Bryson, who was murdered last week. Friends of the Bryson family organized the vigil and encouraged people to shine lights and hold candles along N.C. 280 from South Mills River Road to Westfeldt Park from 8:45 to 9 tonight. "Put your light out like Mr. Bryson's family has been to us that went through this tragedy, but yet they've still been a beacon. And I feel like the lord has done that for that family, and he can do that for this community," Stephanie Parton said. "And as much as it's affected the community and all of us, we want to give that light back." Here is the sheriff's office news release about the vigil. Bryson family is appreciative of the vigil that has been organized to honor the legacy of Tommy Bryson. They are humbled and touched, but last thing they want to see is any tragedy or injury to come out of this grassroots and heartfelt vigil. In order to maintain safety for vigil attendees, the Bryson family indicated they would be pleased to have law enforcement’s recommendation regarding the route and proposed safety procedures. The recommended route in Henderson County stretches along Boylston Hwy from South Mills River Road to Westfeldt Park. The event has been scheduled to occur on Wednesday, August 2nd from 8:45pm-9:00pm. Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald has the following recommendations: · Park in business parking lots wherever possible· Carpool to reduce congestion· Turn on hazard lights· If motorists must park along roadways, find areas with ample shoulder space and pull completely off the roadway· Pedestrians should remain alert and vigilant to traffic and stay off the roadway· Motorists are encouraged to exercise caution, remain alert for pedestrians and travel at a safe speed After speaking with a representative from the NC State Highway Patrol, Henderson County Sheriff Charles McDonald and Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan recommend the public refrain from assembling along any two-lane roads. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family of Tommy Bryson.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Railroad spraying overgrowth along tracks

Henderson County began receiving calls from some very observant citizens about a month ago regarding the overgrowth of vegetation along railroad lines in the county. County Engineer Marcus Jones spoke with the roadmaster for Watco, the company that owns those lines, and received the news that spraying for the overgrowth began Tuesday. According to the Watco spokesperson, the unwanted vegetation should begin to die off in one to two weeks. Residents can call Watco’s customer service line at 866-889-2826 if they have questions regarding the spraying.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Funeral set for Thomas Bryson

A funeral service has been scheduled Saturday for Thomas “Tommy” Andrew Bryson, the Mills River man who was kidnapped and murdered last week. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Hendersonville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Scoggins officiating. Here is the obituary from Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors: Thomas Andrew “Tommy” Bryson, 68, went home to be with Jesus on July 30, 2017. He was born May 12, 1949, in Hendersonville, to the late Robert and Aileen Sitton Bryson. In addition to his parents, Mr. Bryson was preceded in death by his brother Arnold T. Bryson and his sister Sarah Bryson LaBerge. He graduated from West Henderson High School in 1967 and was a lifelong resident of the Mills River Valley. He was the co-owner of Appalachian Stove & Fabricators, in Asheville, for 40 years, until his retirement, in 2012. Tommy is survived by his his wife, of 48 years, Allison Lynette “Lynn” Bryson; his sons, Richard Bryson of Greenville, SC, and Joseph Bryson of Mills River; sisters Elaine Bryson Pettit of Mills River and Marguarite Bryson McGraw of Mills River, brother Robert Forrest Bryson of Fruitland; and six beautiful grandchildren. The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at Hendersonville First Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Scoggins officiating. The family will receive friends, at the church prior to the service from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Tommy’s memory be directed to CAMS/Haiti Mission Service, P.O. Box 111, Hendersonville, NC 28792.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Vote for Hendersonville as South's Best City

The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority is encouraging residents and fans of downtown to vote for Hendersonville as the South’s Best City in the annual South’s Best contest sponsored by Southern Living magazine.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Accused killer made victim's truck a two-tone

The man charged with murdering a Mills River man last week turned the victim's silver SUV into a two-tone silver-and-black two-tone while he was on the run from the law, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. At some point in Phillip Michael Stroupe II’s run from hundreds of law officers, Thomas Bryson’s 2007 silver Honda Ridgeline was painted with black spray paint on the bottom half of the vehicle. Investigators continued to ask witnesses to come forward if they had seen the vehicle and urged businesses in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina to review any surveillance footage for images of the altered Honda. Investigators asked the public to call the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 697-4911 with any relevant information. The body of Mr. Bryson was located on the evening of July 30 in Buncombe County. Charged with kidnapping, first-degree murder and other felonies, Stroupe remains in the Henderson County jail without bond.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Industry recruiters announce officers, new board members

The Partnership for Economic Development announced officers and new members of the Board of Directors for its new fiscal year. The new chair is Pat Wagner with Continental Automotive Systems. A member of the board since FY13-14, Wagner has served two terms as treasurer and for the past year has been chair-elect. Her direct experience in manufacturing provides a strong industry and employment voice to the board. Other officers are: Chair-Elect Jim Rasmussen (Morrow Insurance Agency), Treasurer Steve Gwaltney (First Citizens Bank) and Past Chair Will Buie (WGLA Engineering). Lindsay Thompson (The Van Winkle Law Firm) is serving as a new director with a three-year term, while Chris Hykin (SMARTRAC Technology Group) and Beau Waddell (Reaben Oil Company) will serve one-year chair appointments. The complete listing for our Board of Directors, including Elected, Appointed and Ex-Officio Directors, can be found can be found here. “We are pleased to welcome our new and returning Board members,” Buie said. “These individuals bring a wealth of experience and different perspectives to our organization and will be tremendous assets in furthering our mission. We are especially thankful to Pat Wagner for her willingness to dedicate time and ideas in leading the Partnership.” Outgoing Board members will be honored at the organization's annual celebration, on Thursday, Oct. 12, in downtown Hendersonville. The evening will be a chance to network with peers, celebrate accomplishments and look forward to new challenges and opportunities. Details and RSVP instructions for the event will be provided soon.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Forty years later, Edwards gets his FFA jacket

Almost 40 years later, North Carolina Sen. Chuck Edwards received his Future Farmers of America jacket.FFA is backed by the Farm Bureau, and Dana farmer Danny McConnell serves as president of the Henderson County Farm Bureau branch.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

LIGHTNING REVIEW: 'Dreamcoat' is a dazzling explosion of color

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat races by on the stage of the Flat Rock Playhouse in a dazzling explosion of color, musical power and panache.It’s a fun, sexy show that has patrons cheering from the start and on their feet for the “Megamix” finale that recaps a good portion of the music we’ve just seen.The Playhouse cast two newcomers — Jessica Crouch as the narrator and Lance Bordelon as Joseph — who do not disappoint in their Flat Rock debut.As Joseph, Bordelon is equal to the heavy load of singing and dancing the leading role demands and Crouch moves the story along with skill and a strong singing voice.Set “way, way back, many centuries, not long after the Bible began," the 1970 Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber collaboration tells the story from Genesis of Joseph from the house of Jacob. Jealous of the splendid coat of many colors Jacob has given his favorite son, Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery. He survives a bum rap and prison and wins his freedom with his extraordinary gift for interpreting dreams.He’s also very smart about food conservation and what we might today call sustainable farming. He knows to put aside a portion of the food crop for the coming years of famine. That pays off big time and leads to the final redemptive scene with the now-chastened brothers and Jacob, played by Preston Dyar.In her direction and choreography, Amy Jones has masterfully mixed the cast of seasoned professionals with this year’s solid corps of apprentices to produce dazzling ensemble numbers.The Act I ending “Go, Go, Go Joseph,” the hilarious “Those Canaan Days” (starring Jose Luaces) and Joseph’s “Any Dream Will Do” are high spots in a show packed with highlights.Costumes!!! I wrote in my notes.The costume shop headed by Ashli Arnold Crump must have scissored and stitched a football field worth of fabric to create the rainbow of clothing that lights up the stage. As always, Dennis Maulden has built an attractive, colorful and versatile set.I’m not sure if other “Dreamcoat” productions feature glow-sticks but they made for a nice addition. (Props Master Paul Feraldi first bought a supply from the Dollar store that fell apart during rehearsal. He had to special order them.)Technikids Von Alberto, Harper Callahan, Marissa Connelly, Brice Farris, Jayna Gerber, Kyra Hewitt, Riley Hewitt, Sara Jane Killian, Ezekial Mercado, Auden Pelz, Kaia Pelz, Kris Saucedo and Ava Treadway look like they’re having the time of their lives in the dance ensembles and the audience profits from that enthusiasm.From the opening curtain to the show-ending megamix, “Dreamcoat” rips through 24 songs and as many dance numbers at a breathtaking pace. The finale on Friday night clocked out at 9:47 p.m., which would be in time for a late nosh in a town that didn’t roll up its Main Street at 9.When Dreamcoat is over you might be hungry for one more helping of music or even ready to see the show a second or third time. It’s that good. * * * * * Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs through Aug. 20. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15-50 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Apple Festival names parade grand marshal (3)

J.D. Obermiller, who retired recently after 40 years of apple research at the Mountain Horticulture Crops and Research and Extension Center, has been named the Grand Marshal of this year's Apple Festival Parade. The King Apple Parade will again be held on Labor Day beginning at 2:30 p.m. Applications are still available for various categories including commercial and non-profit entries. We also have professional floats available for lease again this year. If you are interested in a professional float, please contact the office. For information on how to participate in the Parade visit ncapplefestival.org. The cutoff date for entries is Aug. 26. For more information, contact the North Carolina Apple Festival at 828-697-4557.   Read Story »

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