Free Daily Headlines

News

Set your text size: A A A

News

Don't miss this week's Hendersonville Lightning (111)

Henderson County News

Commissioners predict Clemson v. Alabama outcome

The annual college football national championship predictions was a rerun of last year’s, when Henderson County commissioners broke 4-1 for Clemson and only one got it right. This time three commissioners said Clemson would win and two went for Alabama. Only Grady Hawkins called it a year ago, predicting Alabama's win over the Tigers in the national championship game. The same two teams play on Jan. 9 for the college football championship. Chairman Michael Edney, a South Carolina graduate with a son who roots for Clemson, said this year the matchup was "close enough that I can go for the Clemson Tigers this one time,” Edney said. (Actually, he also predicted Clemson a year ago.) “All I can say is my money and my no. 3 son went to Clemson so I have to go with Clemson,” said Commissioner Bill Lapsley.Hawkins again went with Alabama. “I’m going to pull for Alabama because I haven’t seen them play yet,” he said. Commissioner Charlie Messer, the only commissioner to predict Florida State’s win over Auburn in the 2015 championship, said, “My heart is with Alabama and my brain is with Clemson so I’m going to go with Alabama." Commissioner Tommy Thompson, who likes to say that he knows fishing better than football, was the only one to predict a point spread. "I say Clemson my 3 points," he said. County Manager Steve Wyatt, the instigator of the annual picks, suggested it's Clemson's time. "If they play five times Alabama wins four but I think Clemson’s going to win this one," he said.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

County SWAT team assists in Rutherford arrest

The SBI is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Rutherford County on Thursday during which sheriff's deputies shot at a man who fired at them. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service regarding a domestic disturbance with weapons in the Bostic area of Rutherford County on Thursday afternoon. Responding deputies encountered Tony Brandon Lane. During the course of the encounter, an armed confrontation ensued. Initial reports indicate deputies encountered sporadic gunfire from Lane, the SBI said in a news release. Four Rutherford County deputies fired at Lane during the armed confrontation. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team was requested to respond to assist in approaching Lane and determine his status. Lane was located some time later with a gunshot wound to the torso and was transported to a medical facility. The four deputies who discharged their weapons during the incident were identified as Andrew Weathers, Zachary Walker, Tyler Greene and Jeffery Smith. The independent SBI investigation is ongoing, and the SBI will provide the criminal investigative report to the district attorney when complete, the news release said.   Read Story »

Flat Rock News

LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Four stories to watch in ’17

As soon as they ring in the New Year, Hendersonville and Henderson County leaders will confront plenty of leftover issues and new challenges. Here are four things to watch in 2017:   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Ask Matt ... about ups and downs of 2016

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. OK, 2016 wasn’t all that bad. We had new industry, a new cancer center, new schools, old schools, elections, wildfires, snakes and the construction of two supermarkets within an avocado’s throw of each other. No lack of good material. Here’s my annual pick of the best and worst. \/ A foot of snow closes schools for four days in January. DOT snow plows were AWOL. /\ Flat Rock Park neighbors whine about playground noise but Village Council stands its ground. Kids rule. \/ Paychecks to ex-staffer put Rep. Meadows in hot water with ethics panel. It’s our money Mark, not yours. <> City announces water restrictions during drought and cuts off water to downtown’s “mountain fountain.” Who noticed? /\ FernLeaf Academy opens as new Fletcher charter school. Note to teachers: FernLeaf is misspelled. (sideways) Unaffiliated voters overtake the GOP on county rolls. We know you’re just dodging robocalls. \/ Lake Osceola owner drains lake but drags feet on dam repairs. Summon the beavers. /\ Million Dollar Quartet rocks the Playhouse with Carl, Johnny, Elvis, and Jerry Lee. Great balls of fire! <> Trump stumps in Fletcher but leaves huge 757 jet behind. No matter, we’ve already seen the Concorde. \/ City loses yardage with Mill building preservation deal, tries a hail Mary for a hotel but the fans are leaving the stadium. /\  Laurel Park passes leash law for dogs. Cats get a pass. But no more shooting the birds in town. Tweet that. \/ Bengal tiger escapes from Edneyville petting zoo. Can’t be fake news if it’s on Facebook. \/ Garden Jubilee goers hit for cash by parking lot entrepreneurs. Come on folks, can’t you just sell donuts? \/ Orange barrels gone at the airport interchange but they will be back for I-26 widening. Enjoy. /\ Old Quality Inn morphs into cool resort with 3 hot tubs and indoor pool slide. Wheee! /\ How much law could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Well, how about two Chucks. Voters elect Chuck Edwards to the state Senate and return Chuck McGrady to the House. Good luck down there at the sausage mill boys, there’s a new boss in town. But when it comes to our delegation, we’ll find out if two Chucks are better than one. \/ Publix and Ingles get into a food fight to open new stores. Motor mile mentality comes to cabbage corner. /\ Dirty Dancing producers snub Asheville and open studio near 7th Ave. Who were those Hollywood stars anyway? <> Apple Festival attendance tops 285,000. Crowd avoidance option: Saluda’s Coon Dog Day. <> Henson beats Copelof for State House seat. Newbie with old family name trumps former Navy officer. Thanks for your service, Captain. /\ GF Linamar to build $217 million plant in Mills River. Etowah gets Domino’s Pizza. Hey, all jobs are good jobs. <> Gov. McCrory observes firefighting in Bat Cave after dealing with down east floods. Yes, he’s seen fire and rain. /\  City moves Rhythm & Brews concerts to Main Street. Beer lines are shorter. Homer Simpson salutes you. /\ County Schools rated 4th best in the state. Warning to Chapel Hill preppies: don’t look behind you. \/ Illinois stalker assaults Kelly McGillis in her Edneyville home. Actress saved by 9-1-1 call. Memo to NRA: phones do work. <> Mills River raises taxes to pay for police contract. Attention city fathers, you’re getting too big to be outsourcing. /\ Pardee, Wingate, BRCC settle into new Health Sciences Center. The City and County got the traction. High fives all around. <> First Baptist Church buys eyesore post office for more parking. Guess it couldn’t be...saved. /\ County Commissioners nix mega housing project on Horse Shoe Farm. Score one for community planning. <> Serpentarium opens in Mills River. Great for kids but not a charmed life for 200 snakes. /\ Local filmmaker David Weintraub rolls out doc on the 1916 flood. What have we done 100 years hence? Uh, well we paved paradise. \/ Carriage Park developer files for bankruptcy. Dang, we thought the recession was over. /\ National magazine taps H’ville as a top 8 retirement spot. Cool, but little ol’ Knoxville made the list too. Really. /\ Weather Channel star Jim Cantore does apple country broadcast to usher in autumn. Thanks buddy but this drought’s on you! \/ Seven Falls lot owners in stalemate on next steps to get their phoenix to rise from the ashes. It’s your funeral. <> County forges ahead with new HHS with not a penny for Stillwell building. Not to worry, the old courthouse was fixed in just 13 years. \/ Massive 3-day search ends for Pisgah hikers. Couple, dog, guitars found safe busking on Asheville street corner. Throw the bums a dime. Enjoy the rest of the year. If you still have shopping to do, forget the smoked sausage log. A gift subscription to the Lightning is a great idea and there is never ever any fake news.   * * * Matt Matteson writes the Ask Matt column for the Lightning.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Kids' events, Apple Drop highlight New Year's Eve celebration

Henderson County is putting on its first New Year's Eve event with children's activities early and an Apple Drop at midnight. Sponsored by Park Ridge Health, Wingate University, Downtown Hendersonville and Henderson County, the framily-friendly celebration will start with the children's activities from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Historic Courthouse plaza. Activities include:• New Year’s Resolution Board – a large board with various colored markers will be set up for people to write down and share their New Year’s resolutions. After the event, the board will be displayed in the Historic Courthouse lobby.• Musical Chairs – using the Billboard 100’s list of top music for 2016, we will have several musical chairs competitions with prizes for the winners.• Predict the Future 2017 Board – a large board will be set up for people to write down their predictions for 2017. The board will be on display in the Historic Courthouse lobby.• Decorate a New Year’s Hat – Colored markers and other decoration supplies will be provided for children and young at heart adults.• Lip Synch Battle – a la Jimmy Fallon, we will use the Billboard top 100 list for 2016 to have lip synch battles.• GMT New Year’s Countdown at 7:00 p.m. – We will have a countdown to midnight in London at 7:00 p.m.• Corn Hole – There will be three corn hole boards set up for children and parents to play.After a recess, the Apple Drop ceremonies will begin at 11 p.m. This part of the evening’s events will include:• Music playing as people gather to await the Apple Lighting/Apple Drop.• Coffee and hot chocolate will be available to keep the revelers warm• Wingate University will have a tent/photo booth• A local celebrity will emcee the Apple Drop and usher in the New Year• Warming stations will be providedMain Street will be closed between First and Second avenues from 10 p.m. till midnight. In case of inclement weather (rain or snow) or extreme cold (subfreezing temperatures/high wind-chill) the event will be cancelled.   Read Story »

Edneyville News

Detectives seize drugs, make arrest in Edneyville

EDNEYVILLE — Detectives with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office seized 22 ounces of marijuana, 10.5 grams of cocaine, 60 Percocet tablets, 19 doses of 10mg Oxycodone, cash, a rifle and four handguns, including one with an altered serial number, when they executed a search warrant at a Gilliam Mountain Road home on Thursday. Detectives arrested Lashonda Lorraine Clayton, 30, of 1178 Gilliam Mountain Road, on the following eleven charges: Trafficking Opiates, Conspiracy to Traffic Opiates, PWISD Marijuana, Conspire to sell/deliver Marijuana, PWISD Cocaine, Conspire to sell/deliver Cocaine, PWISD Sch II (Opiates), Conspire to sell Sch II (Opiates), Maintaining a Dwelling for Controlled Substance, Alter/Remove Gun Serial Number and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She is currently being held in the Henderson County jail under a $50,500 secured bond. Detectives are attempting to locate Mackell Charvarius Williams, 29, also of Gilliam Mountain Road on similar charges. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mackell Williams is asked to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 697-4911.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

LOCAL BRIEFS: DAR Good Citizen, Kiwanis surprise, Frostbite race

DAR Good Citizen The Abraham Kuykendall Chapter, NSDAR, of Flat Rock, honored the 2016 DAR Good Citizen Winner Hana Barazi , a senior from Veritas Christian Academy, on Dec. 8. Shown, from left, are Veritas Christian Academy guidance counselor Margo Prechter, Barazi and Nedra Moles, chair of the DAR Good Citizens Committee. The award winner was nominated by her guidance counselor for her leadership, dependability, service and patriotism. Her essay was on the topic of “Our American Heritage and our Responsibility to Preserve It.” She presented her essay at our chapter meeting and received $100 and her certificate. The DAR Good Citizen Award was also presented to Addie Elizabeth Lynch, of Polk County High School, and Michael Scott Woolard, of East Henderson High School.   Library launches program to encourage early reading The Henderson County Public Library is partnering with Smart Start of Henderson County to launch its 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program in January. The program is geared toward increasing the early literacy skills of preschool children in Henderson County. 1,000 Books before Kindergarten is the result of numerous studies that demonstrate the connection between reading and early stimulation in improving brain development. The program helps guide parents to “grow a reader” by making reading a regular part of the day. All babies, toddlers and preschoolers are encouraged to participate and invited to the program kickoff from 10:30 a.m. until noon Jan. 3 at the Main Library and at the Etowah branch. Every attendee will get their first reading log and a bright balloon. If parents read just one book a day with their child, they’ll reach the 1,000 book goal in less than 3 years. For more information, please contact Kathy Kirchoefer at 828-697-4725 x. 2313. Thrive director speaks at Democratic breakfast The Henderson County Democratic Party will hold its monthly breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Democratic headquarters, 905 Greenville Hwy. Guest speaker is Kristen Martin, executive director of Thrive, a local mental health agency. All-you-can-eat buffet is $9 for adults $4.50 for children under 10. First time attendees eat for free. Frostbite race set for Sunday, Feb. 19 Henderson County’s annual 25th annual Frostbite Races will take place on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m. at the Leila Patterson Fitness & Aquatics Center, 1111 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher. Presented by Trace and Company, the Frostbite event is oldest and largest footrace in Henderson County. The distance events provide views of Hutch Mountain and are on hilly to challenging terrain, with some steep inclines on both the 10k and 5k courses. A flat and fast 1-mile course makes this premier racing event an opportunity for all running levels and ages.Registration is now open at https://racesonline.com/events/frostbiteraces. Those who register three or more family members online (at one time) get 15 percent off you’re the entry fee.A portion of event proceeds will be used for the benefit of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and their mentor programs for underprivileged kids in our area.For more information, or to volunteer to help out, contact events@idaph.net or visit http://idaph.net/events/frostbite-races/. Kiwanis Club gets Christmas surprise   The Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville received an unexpected Christmas gift at its weekly meeting last week it announced the winner of its first “Drawing for Kids” raffle. On Dec. 8, the club drew the winning name for the $5,000 prize. The winner was Worthy Association Management LLC, which manages the Wolfpen subdivision on Chimney Rock Road.Kiwanis member Dick Lepak, a resident of Wolfpen, had sold the winning ticket to Worthy Association Management’s manager, Marion Bachand. Lepak was present at the drawing and called Bachand to let her know her company had won the ticket.When Kiwanis President Elizabeth Moss presented Bachand the $5,000 check, she accepted it, then told the club she had something she would like to present. Bachand handed over $5,000 check from Worthy Management to Moss. Her generous act brought the Kiwanians to their feet in a raucous ovation.Thanks to Worthy Management and Bachand, the Kiwanis Club raised more than $10,600, doubling the funds raised for Kiwanis programs that help local children such as Terrific Kids, the Shoes and Socks program and need-based scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Credit Union raises $1,385 to ‘pay forward’ United Federal Credit Union donated $1,385 to local families and organizations across North Carolina during the 2016 Pay It Forward initiative. As part of the Pay It Forward program, UFCU provides $15 to every employee to give to a needy individual, family, or organization of their choice. Many times departments and branches combine funds to create a more substantial donation.Employees in Fletcher, Hendersonville, Asheville and Statesville raised money to benefit local families—some dealing with medical or financial difficulties—as well as a variety of institutions that help local children like Hall Fletcher Elementary School in Asheville and the Blessings in a Box program held in Hendersonville.In 2016 through the Pay It Forward initiative, UFCU collectively donated more than $11,500 to 34 different individuals and community organizations across the six states where branches are located.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Baker Barber photos going on display

You may not know it, but many Thursday afternoons there’s detective work going on in the public library. Twice a month, volunteers gather in the Kaplan Auditorium while their leader, Ron Partin, assembles a batch of 20-30 digital images to display on the giant screen before them.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

THE TOP 10: No. 1 and No. 2

2. A taxing year The Henderson County Board of Commissioners, self-styled fiscal conservatives, raised the property tax rate by 5 cents per $100 valuation and charted a course for more than $100 million worth of capital projects in the coming years. The work includes the new Innovative High School on the BRCC campus, Hendersonville High School construction, a new emergency management headquarters, Edneyville Elementary School construction and the law enforcement training center. Early in 2016 commissioners expressed support for a quarter-cent local option sales tax that they said would reduce the need to rely on the property tax. But when commissioners Bill Lapsley and Grady Hawkins failed to win a commitment from the full board to tie a property tax rollback to voter approval of the sales tax, the referendum became an orphan with no support. No one mounted a campaign in in favor of the tax. Voters defeated it by 34 percentage points. Mills River taxpayers saw an even bigger tax increase. A year-long dispute with the Board of Commissioners over the cost of police coverage by the sheriff’s office ended when the Mills River Town Council acquiesced to a new contract. The town looked at providing garbage service, at a cost of $712,000 to $950,000, but a survey found that three out of five town residents favored police coverage instead. To pay for the service, which rises to $775,000 in the third year of the agreement, the Town Council raised property taxes by 6.76 cents per $100 valuation. In December the council received a report from Sheriff McDonald that deputies had investigated 6,338 crime reports through Dec. 1, compared to 4,273 for all of 2015 and 3,586 in 2014. 1. Hendersonville High School It was clear a year ago that a major construction plan for Hendersonville High School would be a big topic in 2016. The Board of Commissioners signaled early in the year that it considered the high school a high priority. The project suddenly got fast-tracked during commissioners’ budget drafting in the spring and soon it turned into the hottest political story of the year. The controversy lasted all year and shows no sign of letting up in the new year. Led by Carey O’Cain, a retired construction project estimator and manager, and current president Bill Orr, the HHS Alumni Association pushed for a combination renovation-new construction plan that O’Cain said would preserve the historic Stillwell building for classroom use, cost less and provide more parking. Despite their efforts, commissioners voted for the new “state of the art” high school on the old Boyd car dealership property and twice more ratified the decision. After a five-hour meeting on Aug. 17 commissioners voted to stick with their original plan. After a Sept. 12 meeting, the School Board sent a letter to the Board of Commissioners making a new Edneyville Elementary School the top priority and reiterating support for the renovation option for HHS. After a joint meeting with School Board on Nov. 16, commissioners again endorsed the new construction option. On Dec. 5, commissioners demanded that the newly elected School Board conduct an up-or-down vote on HHS. A no vote, commissioners said, would mean that the county would shelve the project. On Dec. 12, the School Board voted 4-2 to endorse all-new construction. The issue goes next to the Hendersonville Planning Board and City Council.   Read Story »

News Archive