News

LOCAL BRIEFS: School mask order, charity golf, Mud Creek cleanup

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 5, 2021

School Board tightens indoor masking rules

Henderson County public school students, staff and visitors are now required to wear face coverings in all indoor settings, including indoor extracurricular activities on school grounds.
The new order is a change to the Henderson County School Board’s decision on Aug. 9 requiring face coverings indoors only when students were scheduled for instruction and not during indoor athletic events.
Based on the School Board’s authority, Superintendent Dr. John Bryant updated the administrative expectations for the district, which will now require students, staff and visitors to wear face coverings indoors at all school system locations and properties, except for those with legal exceptions already established by the state’s StrongSchoolsNC Toolkit.
District administrators and school board members remain committed to monitoring community health trends and adjusting school system operations in the interest of student, staff and public health, the school system said in a news release.
Instructional “Return to Learn” plans will continue to be evaluated and refined based on current health data, as well as federal, state and local guidelines. Any additional changes will be communicated to HCPS families via SwiftK12 emails and phone calls. Current district plans are also updated online at www.HCPSNC.org/ReturnToLearn.

Saluda Historic Depot hosts golf tournament

The Saluda Historic Depot’s will host its sixth annual golf tournament on Oct. 11 at Kenmure Country Club.

Built by renowned Florida-based architect Joe Lee, the bent-grass Kenmure course features 6,509 yards of golf for a par of 72. With a PGA course rating of 71.1 and a slope rating of 140, Kenmure’s course layout is a stern test of skill but still a golfer-friendly course. Officially opened in 1982, the course offers a unique experience on each of its 18 holes. There are no hidden hazards and a golf cart is not required. From breathtaking course views to the stunning beauty of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s no wonder that this private golf course is top rated.
Besides first, second and third prizes, the tournament awards “closest to the pin,” and “longest drive” prizes for both men and women. There will also be two special “Hole-In-One” opportunities to win a new car, courtesy of Bryan Easler Toyota, and $10,000 cash, courtesy of Mike Gilliam Agency in Hendersonville.

To register visit SaludaHistoricDepot.com and go to Events. You can download the entry application and send to savesaludadepot@gmail.com. There is a PayPal option to pay with a credit card. Golfers can also send completed forms and payment to Saluda Historic Depot, P.O. Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773. Registration deadline is September 20, 2021. You can also sign up as a sponsor of this event until September 7 on the same website. For more information on registering, contact Judy Ward at 828-674-5958, judyward538@yahoo.com.

City sets Mud Creek cleanup on Sept. 18

The city of Hendersonville’s stormwater program is hosting the annual Hendersonville Big Sweep event on Saturday, Sept. 18. This year’s river clean-up event will be focusing efforts on the Mud Creek.

“Participating in the Hendersonville Big Sweep is a great opportunity to get outside and clean up our waterways,” said city Stormwater Administrator Michael Huffman. “Picking up trash while paddling down Mud Creek for a few hours is a fun and meaningful way to spend a Saturday.”

Hendersonville’s event is a continuation of the N.C. Big Sweep and focuses on litter removal along our waterways and roadsides.

The cleanup will occur from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Mud Creek and the Oklawaha Greenway. The city has a limited number of boats available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own canoes or kayaks to allow even more people the opportunity to participate.

Volunteers must register before the event. Meet-up location and details on what to bring are available on the registration form available at www.hendersonvillenc.gov/stormwater. For more information, visit the City of Hendersonville website or contact Michael Huffman atmhuffman@hvlnc.gov or by calling 828-697-3013.