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BRCC administrators endorse training center

Henderson County News

McGrady hedges on state control of city water

State Rep. Chuck McGrady says he is not committed to filing legislation that would give state regulators control of the Hendersonville’s water system. Instead, he said, is talking with officials about numerous water issues in Henderson and Buncombe counties.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Playhouse announces Theatre with the Stars celebrities

The Flat Rock Playhouse announced this year's lineup for its annual Theatre with the Stars fundraiser. Five local celebrities are signed up to compete in this song dance and theatre extravaganza for the winning title and $1,000 towards their selected charity. The celebrities, their professional partner and charity are: John Connet, Hendersonville City Manager, Scott Treadway, HopeRx. Noah George, Keller Williams Realty,Victoria Dunkle, Henderson County Education Foundation. BJ Ramer, Team ECCO Ocean Center & Aquarium,Lisa K. Bryant, Team ECCO Ocean Center and Aquarium. Sherri Holbert, Park Ridge Health Foundation, Dave Hart, Park Ridge Health Foundation. Julia Hockenberry, Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County,Dane Whitlock, Boys & Girls. The competition performance will be at the Playhouse Downtown on April 25 with a reception one hour before show time. dance and theatre extravaganza in which local “stars” partner with Flat Rock Playhouse “pros” and compete with the hopes of raising the most votes to win the title, as well as $1000 for their selected non-profit of choice. Sponsored by Executive Producer Horizon Heating and Air, the who is hosted by WTZQ’s Mark Warwick with “Color Commentary” by Tiffany Ervin. To vote for your favorite star and charity click here. The star with the most donations combined with highest judges’ score wins $1,000 for the selected charity. Online pre-voting will end midnight April 24. Voting can also take place via phone or in person by calling or visiting either of the Flat Rock Playhouse box offices in Flat Rock or at 125 South Main Street. The performance is at 6 p.m. at the Playhouse Downtown after a pre-show reception at 5. Tickets are $50, which includes food, festivities and reserved seating. There will also be a cash bar. Tickets can be purchased online, in person, or by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

BRCC announces finalists for president

Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees announced the six finalists it has selected to be the next president of the community college. The six finalists are Wendy Frye, director of high schools at Henderson County Public Schools; Laura B. Leatherwood, vice president of student services at Haywood Community College in North Carolina; Jeff McCord, vice president of economic and workforce development at Northeast State Community College in Tennessee; R. Chad Merrill, vice president for general administration at BRCC; Matthew R. Meyer, associate vice president of educational innovations at North Carolina Community College System; and Rebekah S. Woods, provost at Jackson College in Michigan. Wendy Frye is currently director of high schools for Henderson County Public Schools. She has also served as director of career and technical education, career development coordinator, and classroom teacher with Henderson County Public Schools. Additionally, she was regional coordinator for career and technical education for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Frye holds a bachelor's degree in business education from David Lipscomb University, a master of arts in business education from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership, also from Western Carolina University. Laura B. Leatherwood is currently vice president of student services at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. She has also served as vice president of student and workforce development, executive director of Haywood Community College Foundation, and director of institutional advancement at Haywood Community College. Dr. Leatherwood holds a bachelor’s degree in business law, master’s degree in human resource development, and a doctorate in university and community college leadership, all from Western Carolina University. Jeff McCord is currently vice president for economic and workforce development at Northeast State Community College in Kingsport, Tennessee. Before joining Northeast State, he held various management positions such as manager of learning and performance improvement, manager of project management, and supervisor of enterprise-wide systems training with Eastman Chemical Company. Mr. McCord holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Georgia Institute of Technology, a master’s degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University, and is a doctoral candidate in learning and leadership at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. R. Chad Merrill is currently vice president of general administration at Blue Ridge Community College. He has also served as vice president of technology and development, chief of staff, chief institutional advancement officer, dean for transylvania programs, and cooperative education director at Blue Ridge Community College. Dr. Merrill holds a bachelor’s degree in literature/language from University of North Carolina at Asheville, a master’s degree in two-year college administration from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate in educational leadership, also from Western Carolina University. Matthew R. Meyer is currently associate vice president for educational initiatives for North Carolina Community College System and vice president and co-founder of Workforce Credentials Coalition. He also served as associate vice president of STEM education initiatives and strategic planning, director of BioNetwork at North Carolina Community College System. Additionally, he was dean for workforce and economic development for Community College Workforce Alliance and dean for corporate and economic development at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Dr. Meyer holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Dayton, a master’s degree in bioengineering from Clemson University, and a doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University. Rebekah S. Woods is currently provost at Jackson College in Jackson, Michigan. She also served as executive dean of instruction, dean of instruction for arts and sciences, special assistant to the president, and adjunct faculty at Jackson College. Additionally, she served as dean for student and academic support and director of student success at Lansing Community College and assistant dean for school of law/dean of student and director of career and alumni services at Regent University School of Law. Dr. Woods holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College, a doctor of jurisprudence from Regent University, and a doctorate in organizational leadership, also from Regent University. The finalists will visit the BRCC campuses in April and interview with the trustees. Each will also participate in a community forum on the day they visit and will be given an opportunity to discuss their preparation for the position, their education and leadership philosophy, and respond to questions from community members. Attendees will be given the opportunity to provide feedback that will be given to the Board of Trustees. The community forums will be open to the public. The community forums will be held at the Health Sciences Center located at 805 Sixth Avenue West in Room 3003 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. on the following dates: Monday, April 10: Dr. Matthew R. MeyerTuesday, April 11: Dr. Laura B. LeatherwoodTuesday, April 25: Mr. Jeff McCordWednesday, April 26: Dr. R. Chad MerrillThursday, April 27: Dr. Rebekah S. WoodsFriday, April 28: Dr. Wendy Frye "Our goal is to find the best possible leader for Blue Ridge Community College," said BRCC Chair John C. McCormick Jr., who is leading the presidential search process. "These finalists are experienced and knowledgeable. We're looking forward to their participation in the next level of review." The Board of Trustees plans to name the successful candidate in late May. Current President Dr. Molly A. Parkhill is retiring on June 30 after more than 30 years of service to Blue Ridge Community College, 10 as college president.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Kiwanis Club honors 'Caring and Sharing' law officers

A police detective who is also an ordained minister, a K9 officer whose partner is named Snoopy, an evidence processor with the sheriff’s office and a state trooper who is a former high school athlete of the year were recognized Thursday by the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club during the annual Morris Kaplan Caring and Sharing Award.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

McGrady seeks reg reform of breweries

RALEIGH — Craft beer is on tap at the state legislature, where state Rep. Chuck McGrady and other lawmakers have introduced three bills to roll back laws that theynsay stifles growth in the burgeoning brewing industry. On Tuesday, McGrady, a Hendersonville Republican, announced House Bill 500, which would allow local beer operations to self-distribute up to 200,000 barrels of their product. Current law mandates that any brewery producing more than 25,000 barrels must sell its product through a wholesale distributor. Two other similar bills were introduced earlier this month. House Bill 67, sponsored by Rep. Michael Speciale, R-Craven, would increase the cap from 25,000 barrels per year to 100,000 barrels. Senate Bill 313 allows brewers to self-distribute if they produce fewer than 103,091 barrels. Sens. Jeff Tarte, R-Mecklenburg; Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth; and Jeff Jackson, D-Mecklenburg; are primary sponsors. Breweries such as Olde Mecklenburg — which projects that it will exceed the 25,000-barrel cap this year — will suffer if forced to lay-off its distribution staff and sell its delivery trucks, said founder John Marrino. The average distributor carries about 900 types of beer, making it difficult for smaller breweries to compete when forced to channel their products through a wholesaler, Marrino said. Red Oak Brewery in Whitsett, near Greensboro, and NoDa Brewery in Charlotte, are also approaching the production threshold. It’s time to ease-off regulations for craft brewers bringing jobs to their communities, McGrady said. H.B. 500 clarifies some of North Carolina’s most complex alcohol laws, McGrady said. The legislation permits breweries to provide tastings for customers during tours, for instance. “The more I handle alcoholic beverage legislation, the more clear it has become to me that we need regulatory reform,” he said. “Prohibiting distribution at an arbitrary limit and forcing breweries to hand over their brand, layoff their distribution employees and sell their trucks when they want to expand just doesn’t make any sense to me.”   Read Story »

Edneyville News

Sheriff holding town hall in Edneyville on Thursday

EDNEYVILLE — Sheriff Charlie McDonald will host a town hall at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Edneyville Community Center for residents of Edneyville, Bat Cave and Gerton.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (125)

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

Henderson County News

Honor Flight stars in 'NCIS' episode tonight

An Honor Flight trip to Washington for World War II veterans is the setting of an episode tonight of NCIS, CBS's top-rated primetime drama.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Ed Foundation announces 2017 Hall of Fame inductees

The Henderson County Education Foundation will honor five longtime teachers during the 15th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony, presented by Pardee Hospital, on May 11 at the Boone Building at the WNC Ag Center. In addition, Henderson County’s Principal of the Year, Bobby Wilkins, and Teachers of the Year will be honored at the event. A reception will begin at 5:30 with dinner and program to follow at 6 p.m. Each year, individuals who have made significant contributions to local education are honored with the Hall of Fame Award. Since 2003, 119 individuals have been honored with induction into HCEF Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include: June Barnwell, Henderson County native, worked for 34 years as a Chemistry teacher and Math teacher with the Henderson County Public Schools. Mrs. Barnwell’s service included a stint at Flat Rock High School (1958 – 1962) and then she began at East Henderson High School where she taught until her retirement in 1986. Mrs. Barnwell was a sponsor of many school activities and received several awards during her career, including Henderson County Teacher of the Year in 1986. Lynn Carter began her teaching career in Henderson County in 1979 after several years in the Wake & Swain County School Systems. She taught English and Social Studies at Rugby Middle School (formerly Rugby Junior High) from 1979 until her retirement in 2005. In 1990 Mrs. Carter received Teacher of the Year at Rugby Middle and in 1995 she received her National Board Certification - Early Adolescence/Language and was the first teacher in Henderson County to receive this very prestigious honor. Robert Joubert had an exemplary 35 year career with the Henderson County Public Schools. He started in June 1970 as a Special Education teacher at Edneyville High school where he worked until the school closed in 1992. Mr. Joubert worked briefly at North Henderson High School until he became Assistant Principal at Flat Rock Middle in 1993 where he worked until his retirement in 2005. Mr. Joubert was known for his leadership and his heart for all students. Michael Pressley began his career in Henderson County Public Schools in 1973 as a Mathematics teacher at Rugby Junior High School. Mr. Pressley became Assistant Principal at Rugby from 1985 to 1988 before becoming Principal at Fletcher Elementary School (1988 – 1991), Balfour Elementary School (1991 – 2002) and Clear Creek Elementary from 2002 until his retirement in 2009 after 35 years of service. Mr. Pressley was recognized as a leader among his peers and received Henderson Couny Principal of the Year two times in his tenure, 1992 and 1995. Beverly Wood, a native of Western North Carolina, was a physical education teacher for 41 years, 19 of those years in Henderson County Public Schools. She began at Edneyville Elementary in 1988 before becoming the first physical educator for the new Glen C. Marlow Elementary School in 1999 until her retirement in 2007. During her career she received number awards including 1995-1996 Edneyville Elementary Teacher of the Year and 2002 recipient of the Kiwanis Club Lou Ann Morgan Leadership Award. Reservations and tickets can be purchased through the Foundation office at 414 4th Avenue West or online at hcefnc.org/events/educationcelebration. For more information about the 2017 Education Celebration, please contact Summer Stipe at 828.697.5551 or summer@hcefnc.org.     Read Story »

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