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Music community mourns death of Terry Wetton

Hendersonville News

Downtown getting ice skating for Christmas

Local residents, kids out of school and tourists will get a new treat this holiday season: ice skating at the Visitors Center downtown. A partnership of the America In Bloom Committee and the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority, the surface of artificial ice will be open for two weeks — Dec. 19 through Jan. 2.“We’re going to be open at the time children are going to be home, during all the tourist season, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve,” said Mia Freeman, chair of the America in Bloom Committee. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children. “They get the ice skates and everything. They’re going to be able to lace up their shoes and go out there.”The TDA welcomed the opportunity to add an attraction to fill the downtown with local shoppers and tourists.“Travel and Tourism has been working on this whole program of ‘Home for the Holidays,’” Freeman said. "I think it's a great new activity that we'll have," said Lew Holloway, downtown development coordinator for the city of Hendersonville and a member of the Tourism Development Authority. "It adds a really neat activity right around Christmas. I hope it's very successful that that it will draw more activity into the district. We've never had a specific dedicated attraction beyond the downtown itself." The ice rink is another example of the increasing partnership of the city and county that has not always been the case. America in Bloom and the TDA are the main sponsors of the ice rink; they city is erecting extra decorations around the rink and in the Visitors Center block.On the America In Bloom Committee, Freeman led efforts to incorporate as a nonprofit organization. The ice rink is a fundraiser for the local American In Bloom effort. America In Bloom sends judges to towns that want an expert evaluation on their outdoors look and commitment to beautification, from landscaping to public art to volunteerism.The skating rink is made of 44 panels roughly 4 feet-by-8 feet each. It’s made by Ice Rink Engineering and Manufacturing, a Greenville, S.C., company that says it is the largest manufacturer of synthetic ice in the world.“I even went down there to South Carolina to talk to the manufacturer,” Freeman said. “It’s actually safer than ice because it’s not wet. I really wanted the hockey part. It’s just too expensive. So I’m hoping next year, if we make good money, we might be able to introduce the hockey. … If it works, we’re going to do it every year.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

New director homes in on affordable housing

Sarah Grymes felt blessed to grow up in Hendersonville with “a wonderful life with two wonderful parents.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Pardee ends fiscal year with $15M loss

Pardee Hospital closed its 2015-16 fiscal year with a $15.2 million loss attributed to installation of a new systemwide computer system, hiring new physicians and operations and capital investments that are expected to pay off in the coming months and years, hospital officials told Pardee’s Board of Directors last week. Pardee CEO Jay Kirby had first reported on the expected loss for the year during the board meeting in September.A loss of productivity during the introduction of the EPIC health care records system dropped revenue for the year by roughly $13.5 million. Also dragging down the hospital financial performance for the year was patients’ inability to pay co-pays or cash requirements of high-deductible insurance plans such as those offered by the Affordable Care Act and some employer plans.Despite the minus 8 percent margin for the year ending Sept. 30, the hospital had a strong year in revenue overall. Its revenue gain of $75 million overall came in at 16 percent over 2014-15 — the highest increase among the hospitals affiliated with UNC Health Care. Hospital officials also emphasized that the fiscal year results are so far unaudited numbers that could change.“As you can see, these are numbers that we’re not accustomed to seeing,” Kirby told the board at its regular meeting on Oct. 26. “Clearly, this has been a challenging financial year.”Pardee made investments over the past year that should position it for greater revenue in 2017 and beyond. It hired 24 new physicians or other health care providers. It spent $3.7 million on new equipment and upfits at orthopedic facilities in Henderson, Buncombe and Haywood counties. Among other one-time costs for the year were $3.4 million for the EPIC system, $3.8 million for the new Comprehensive Cancer Center, $1.7 million to buy property in Mills River for future development and $2.26 million at the Mission Pardee Health Campus.EPIC training from April through July pulled physicians and nurses from patient bedsides and surgeons from operating rooms, plunging revenue well below budgeted projections. The 24 new providers in specialties including oncology, orthopedics, cardiology and vascular surgery “are expected to generate a greater level of return over time” while expansions in general surgery, pulmonology, radiation oncology and anesthesiologists “were critical to meet the needs of our increasing volumes,” the hospital said.As higher copays and deductibles have brought a burden to patients, the hospital has committed to “increased dialogue with patients” to urge them to pay their bills. “Pardee will be more intentional in collecting these obligations moving forward from both the patients and their insurance carriers,” administrators reported to the board.Previously on an Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fiscal year that matched the federal schedule, Pardee is switching to a July 1-June 30 fiscal year that matches the budget year of UNC Health Care and the state of North Carolina. Pardee has projected a break-even margin for the shortened nine-month fiscal year ending on June 30, said Johnna Reed, Pardee’s chief administrative officer.Pardee remains strong and with the backing of UNC Health Care system, Kirby said, “we are stronger and able to bounce back from this setback.” The new cancer center, improvements to the hospital’s catheterization lab and other facility and equipment investment will help the hospital provide the best care for patients, he added.     Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Atha Plaza building moving to Sugarloaf Road

The steel bones of a retail building removed from Atha Plaza may get new life at a commercial area on Sugarload Road.Atha Plaza owner Larry Baber is seeking permission from the Hendersonville City Council to re-erect the steel for a new 3,150-square-foot building at a 4.9-acre light industrial site on Sugarloaf Road at Waddell Drive in the city’s extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. Although the current commercial zoning allows the use, Baber needed to amend a special use permit to allow the additional building. The council approved it Thursday night.“I have plenty of room, I have plenty of parking, I have plenty of open space, I have plenty of sewer,” Baber said. “I don’t know why anyone would object to it.”Served by city water and an on-site septic system, the Sugarloaf Commercial Center currently has five buildings in commercial, retail and office use. Baber’s site plan shows 127 parking space, eight more than the code requires. The Atha Plaza building next to the El Paso restaurant was one of several structures contractors took down to make way for the new Publix on Greenville Highway at White Street.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Dog lovers sponsoring big adoption event

The newly formed Friends of Jackson Dog Park is sponsoring Hendersonville’s largest dog adoption and education event of the year from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.Adoption agencies include Blue Ridge Humane Society, Brother Wolf, Charlie’s Angels, Foothills Humane Society, Sarge’s Animal Rescue and Yancey Humane Society. Event speakers include Dr. Don Zehr of Hendersonville Animal Hospital, on first aid for dogs, Karen Comstock of Aunt Karen’s Lucky Dogs, on how dogs learn, Nicole Watts of Zen Puppy, demonstrating how to use acupressure and massage to improve longevity and health, and Nita Hunt of Pure Pets in Brevard, answering questions about diet.Also at the event will be (people) food vendors, tables selling dog-related items and free dog treats provided by WAG, Pet Source, Purrfect Bark, Pure Pets and the soon-to-open Hendersonville Pet Smart. As the event’s grand finale, the Henderson County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit will do a demonstration with trained police dogs. A multi-prize raffle will be held by the Friends of Jackson Dog Park with proceeds going to support this year’s event plus to make upgrades to the park—the community’s largest off-leash dog area.The event will be held at the brick building next to the tennis courts. Since a large amount of adoption dogs will be in the parking area in front of the building, guests are asked to consider leaving their dog at home. For those who wish to bring their dog, the off-leash dog park will be available. The event and raffle are sponsored by more than 25 area merchants who have donated raffle prizes and free handouts. This year’s Platinum Dog Rescue sponsor is HOM Realty Group. Rain date is Nov. For more information, visit friendsofjacksondogpark.com.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Let market decide

The consultants’ report on a downtown hotel in Hendersonville should be regarded as good news even if the Grey Hosiery Mill is not ultimately the choice of a hotel developer.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Shriner's children's orthopedics clinic opens here

Officials dedicated a new Shriners Hospitals for Children Orthopaedics Clinic Thursday in a partnership among the Greenville, S.C.,  Shriners Hospital, Blue Ridge Health and Park Ridge Health. “Our office in Hendersonville is the third offsite clinic of its kind for Greenville Shriners Hospital,” Greenville Shriners Hospital Administrator Randy Romberger said in a news release.  “This office will ultimately be open on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, reducing the travel burden for existing patients who drive the distance for regular appointments, and new patients alike.” Greenville Shriners Hospital opened a similar clinic operating once a month in Bluffton, S.C., three years ago and last month launched a daily clinic in Johnson City, Tenn. “We recognize that access to care is extremely important, so we are doing our best to make the services we offer available to more kids,” said Dr. Michael Wattenbarger, chief of staff of the Greenville hospital. “Our team of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons is the largest in the history of the hospital, and that depth will enable members of our team with different specialties to rotate through the Hendersonville office.” Blue Ridge Health, a non-profit community health center that provides general pediatrics as well as family medicine, behavioral health and dental services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, is also proud to partner to bring the new clinic to Hendersonville. “We are committed to providing comprehensive access for some of the most medically vulnerable in our region,” said Dr. Richard Hudspeth, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Ridge Health. “Reducing travel barriers for children in need of specialty services aligns well with our mission to provide affordable and accessible care for all, and we are excited to be partnering with Shriners Hospitals for Children to further that mission.” Officials at Park Ridge Health say they are excited to have played a role in establishing this partnership to help families in the community have more convenient access to the comprehensive care offered by Greenville Shriners Hospital. “Park Ridge Health is dedicated to providing whole-person care,” says Jimm Bunch, Park Ridge Health CEO. “That includes developing partnerships to help alleviate some of the added strains on families, such as travel and lodging costs.” “Through our Imaging Center, that shares a building with Blue Ridge Health, we are providing X-rays for the Greenville Shriners Hospital patients who live in this community,” adds Todd Guffey, Director, Park Ridge Health Diagnostic Imaging. “It will give them the information their physician needs to help them establish and reach the goals to experience their healthiest lives possible.” The clinic is located in the Blue Ridge Health Center, 2579 Chimney Rock Road. Appointments can be made by calling 866.459.0013. For more information about Greenville Shriners Hospital, visit GreenvilleShrinersHospital.org.   Read Story »

North Carolina News

Tryon Equestrian Center wins world games, worth up to $200M

MILL SPRING — Tryon Equestrian Center will host the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018, an event that's expected to have an economic impact of up to $200 million over two weeks.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Early voting ends at 1 p.m. Saturday

Female voters outnumbered male voters by 3,159 after 10 days of early voting in Henderson County, election figures show, and more Republicans had voted than Democrats and independents.   Read Story »

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