Hendersonville Lightning

Farmland preservation bond issue sprints toward Nov. 3 ballot

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:53:11 +0000

Henderson County voters would open a path for landowners to permanently protect farms from development if they approve a bond issue headed for the Nov. 3 ballot.

Here's this year's Chalk It Up! winners

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:52:00 +0000

This year’s Chalk It Up! might have been the best yet, says Barbara Hughes, the Narnia Studios shop owner who started the sidewalk art drawing contest in 1996 as a way to occupy her three young kids.

In shadow of idle job site, neighbors hope Cedars can be rescued

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:40:12 +0000

The removal last spring of the crane that towered over the Cedars Lodge & Spa construction site served as an emphatic signal for neighbors of the stalled development on North Church Street at U.S. 64.

New state budget contains $700M in Helene aid

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:54:58 +0000

The last time North Carolina had a state budget, Hurricane Helene hadn’t happened yet.

After developer addresses traffic concerns, planning board endorses 102-unit townhome project

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 02:25:02 +0000

Henderson County’s Planning Board on Thursday evening voted to recommend that county commissioners approve a proposed townhome development off U.S. 25 near its intersection with Interstate 26.

Dana man charged with 26 counts of animal cruelty

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 22:11:43 +0000

Animal enforcement officers with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office charged a 68-year-old Dana man with 26 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty on Monday after responding to a call in reference to a welfare check on animals.

Voters likely to decide farmland preservation bond issue on Nov. 3

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:37:48 +0000

Henderson County residents who have opposed high-density development in rural communities, implored county commissioners to preserve forests, fields and orchards and called for sustainable farms will almost surely get their chance to help make those goals happen.

At a campaign stop in Edneyville, Whatley vows to work for farmers

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:03:25 +0000

Like walking in a parade or pitching themselves to the public in a 30-second TV spot, milling around a barn with apple growers is a time-honored tradition in local politics.

Ager maintains lead over Edwards in fundraising, cash on hand

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:13:13 +0000

Jamie Ager continued his fundraising advantage over U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards as the battle for 11th Congressional District seat enters the final 15 weeks, campaign finance reports for the second quarter show.

Farmers market celebrates Tomato Day on Saturday

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:34:26 +0000

As peak tomato season nears, the Hendersonville Farmers Market is celebrating one of its favorite annual traditions.

LOCAL BRIEFS: New nature area in Saluda, Honeycrisp pitcher drafted, Rotary grants

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:50:35 +0000

Sheetz opens Airport Road store this week

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:28:51 +0000

Sheetz, the fast-growing mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain, continues to expand its Western North Carolina footprint this week with the opening of a store at 21 Airport Park Road, Fletcher.

Farmland preservation program records 100th easement to save ag land

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 01:28:50 +0000

The Farmland Preservation Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have reached a significant milestone with the closing of their 100th jointly funded agricultural conservation easement.

China expert to speak at annual Republican dinner

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:02:01 +0000

Henderson County’s Republican Party will host China expert Gordon G. Chang as the keynote speaker at its annual Lincoln Reagan Trump Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Three local growers sign on to 'Farmers for Jamie'

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:10:03 +0000

Democratic candidate Jamie Ager on Friday announced the formation of Farmers for Jamie, made up of more than 60 farmers in the 11th Congressional District supporting his campaign.

Rudi the Goldsmith honored on his 90th birthday

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:46:13 +0000

Do you fancy a personal design on a piece of your jewelry?

Fletcher mayor chosen for Exceptional American Leaders organization

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:55:06 +0000

Fletcher Mayor Preston Blakely is one of 22 leaders chosen to join NewDEAL, a national network of elected local and state Democratic leaders that works to expand opportunity and spur economic growth.

Sheriff Griffin endorses Hensley for mayor

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:09:22 +0000

Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin has officially endorsed Jennifer Hensley in her campaign for mayor of Hendersonville, citing her leadership, commitment to public safety and dedication to serving the community.

Chalk It Up! celebrates 30 years this weekend

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:26:52 +0000

Barbara Hughes is keeping Hendersonville’s America 250 celebration going as her annual Chalk It Up! sidewalk art show takes place this weekend.

Preservation Celebration features two historic homes, St. John in the Wilderness

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:07:05 +0000

Preservation North Carolina is hosting an event next month that will give tour-goers an up-close look at historic Flat Rock as it was in the late 1820s, when wealthy Charlestonians made it a colony for escape from Low Country summer heat.