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McGrady explains missed vote on HB2

Henderson County News

Local craft pioneer SAB adding stage, kid zone

Southern Appalachian Brewery is celebrating its fifth birthday by adding a new music stage, covered seating and a designated kids’ zone.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Ask Matt ... how much property is tax exempt

Q. How much of the property in the City of Hendersonville is exempt from taxation?Let’s start with the big number of $1.5 billion, the total 2015-2016 assessed valuation of real property (as opposed to personal property) that lies within the city limits. Of that, about $369 million or 24.6 percent is classified as exempt from taxation. State law requires that each county’s assessor must review one-eighth of the exempted property in the county each year.It was difficult to come up with an exact categorical breakdown of the $369 million for exempt properties because over the years some government land tracts were titled differently. Nevertheless, here’s my best effort. Government buildings were the largest exempt group with $102 million of value. Churches and church schools came to $72 million. Pardee Hospital’s dozen tracts totaled $62 million but the new Pardee-BRCC-Wingate Health Sciences Center (what I call “The Big Glass House”) could add another $20 million next year. Carolina Village (yes, it’s a nonprofit) property was $38 million, and the four public schools in town plus the administration building totaled $28 million in value. Public housing units list at $13 million, elderly and disabled exemptions came to $10 million, and all other exemptions, including nonprofit organizations, totaled $44 million.Yes, our County Seat does carry the load for tax-exempt properties. That’s kind of the way it is all across the fruited plain. Q. How long has the Christian Science Reading Room been on Main Street and how can they afford such prime real estate?The Reading Room has been on the corner of Main Street and Fifth Avenue perhaps 30 years occupying what was formerly a shoe store. The Reading Room is fully supported by the local Christian Science Church in Hendersonville. Some funds are also raised from the sale of books and Bibles. Marjorie Krueger, the head librarian who spends Fridays at the reading room explained the church’s mission. “We don’t do soup kitchens,” said Krueger. “This is how we give back to the community.” Krueger said that many patrons drop by to pick up a copy of the Christian Science Monitor, one of the most respected national publications. Krueger added, “We have a back room where there is a quiet space. Anyone, not just church members, may come to read, study, pray or just sit by our fireplace and take a break.” They have now added a new flat screen TV so they can offer media programs developed by their Mother Church in Boston. Send questions to askmattm@gmail.com.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Blue Ridge Ringers to perform in May

Blue Ridge Ringers will perform several concerts during the month of May in Hendersonville, Tryon and Brevard and Greenville, S.C.Fifteen ringers will perform with 61 handbells and handchimes, spanning five octaves. A wide range of music is offered by Blue Ridge Ringers, from jazz to gospel to classical. The program will appeal to listeners of all ages.Under the direction of Robert Currier of Brevard, ringers from Henderson, Transylvania, Buncombe and Polk counties and Spartanburg County, S.C., will present a hour of handbell music.Locations and dates are:• First Baptist Church, Brevard, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1.• Woodlands at Furman, Greenville, S.C., 7 p.m. Friday, May 13.• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Brevard, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 15.• First Baptist Church, Tryon, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22.• Grace Lutheran Church, Hendersonville, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24.The group will also perform for residents of College Walk in Brevard and Lake Pointe Landing in Hendersonville. Residents can check the schedule in their local newsletters for the date. For more information call 828-692-4910 or email blueridgeringers@gmail.com   Read Story »

Henderson County News

CiderWorks buys here, makes here, sells here

Jim Sparks, a native of Hendersonville, prides himself on local everything when it comes to Naked Apple Hard Cider and its new tasting room downtown, Flat Rock CiderWorks.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

McCrory budget includes 5% teacher pay raise

Gov. Pat McCrory announced a state budget Friday that includes a 5 percent teacher pay raise and bonuses averaging 3 percent  for all state employees and school support staff.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

EARTH DAY: Co-Op celebrates year of success

One might not have thought that the Hendersonville Community Co-Op could just parachute into a well-to-do market and immediately prosper.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Teachers of the year announced

The Henderson County Education Foundation, teachers, principals, administrators and education supporters on Thursday honored teachers of the year from 23 public schools.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Ed Foundation honors Hall of Fame inductees

More than 250 people turned out on Thursday night to honor the 2016 Education Hall of Fame inductees during the 14th annual Education Celebration at Blue Ridge Community College.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Local man sent to prison for elaborate pot growing operation

A federal judge sentenced a 48-year-old Henderson County marijuana grower to 4½ years in prison on Thursday after his conviction on charges that he operated a pot farm with high-tech lighting, air filtration and hydration systems. U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger handed down the sentence for Gary Maxwell Lee, of Hendersonville. Jill Westmoreland Rose, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, announced the sentence. Lee was also ordered to remain under court supervision for three years after his release from prison. Rose was joined in the announcement by Daniel R. Salter, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office; Janie Sutton, Acting Director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; and Sheriff Charles S. McDonald of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. According to filed court documents and sentencing hearing, in May 2015 law enforcement began their investigation into Lee, after receiving information that he was operating an extensive indoor marijuana growing operation behind his home on Stardust Lane off Evans Road in southern Henderson County. Investigators say Lee ran the marijuana grow house from two structures located next to the main home owned by Lee. Court records indicate that as part of the investigation law enforcement searched Lee’s house and the two structures located on the property, seizing 66 marijuana plants, 10.4 pounds of marijuana in various stages of drying and processing, and $4,245 in cash. One of the structures was used as a “nursery” for the younger plants, whereas the larger, more mature plants were stored in the second structure. Lee had set up in the structures extensive lighting, air filtration, and hydration systems to assist in the growth of the plants. Law enforcement also seized numerous firearms, including shotguns and semi-automatic rifles, as well as twelve ammo cans containing thousands of rounds of ammunition, authorities said.According to court records, Lee took steps to avoid detection of his marijuana grow operation by law enforcement, including taking his trash to the dump or burning it, and using carbon filters to cut down on the odor emanating from the grow. Court records show that Lee has a previous conviction in Florida related to the manufacture of marijuana.Lee pleaded guilty in December 2015 to manufacturing marijuana and being a felon in possession of firearms. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to custody of the Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. Federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole.DEA, SBI, and the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville handled the prosecution.   Read Story »

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