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 Tuesday may be the official first day of spring, but temperatures will not feel like it. With the potential of temperatures dipping into the 20s, farmers in the mountains are preparing.

Henderson County Cooperative Extension Director Terry Kelley said this is always a nervous time of year for farmers.

“Spring in the mountains is unpredictable,” he said.

He said the weather this time of year is always uncertain, but he believes apple farmers are in better shape now than they were this time last year because of the warm February.

With a milder winter this year, Kelley said the blooms are a little further behind, which is good when it comes to dealing with freezes.

But, that’s not to say farmers couldn’t see some damage come out of this freeze.

“We’re very hopeful, particularly in apples, that we’re still in pretty good shape right now. Peaches may be a little more susceptible,” Kelley said.

He said it really just depends on how cold it gets and how long the temperatures stay there.

“That’s the equation. Every year is, you know, temperature and time,” Kelley said.

Kelley said it’s also important to note that when talking about an orchard, you can’t go out there and throw a blanket over your crops.

“It’s just a lot harder with an orchard. You’re just covering a lot of territory. You’ve got tall trees, and it’s just a different animal,” he said.

Kelley said apples are in their in-between time. Farmers would, of course, prefer they not get a freeze, but they’re not far enough along yet to receive too much damage.

He said there may be some open blooms but not a lot, and, at the end of the day, cooler weather is better right now to help slow down the bloom.

“We don’t want to pop out there and then get a late freeze that really kills everything,” he said.

Kelley said it’s also important to remember it only takes about 20% of the blooms on an apple tree to make a full crop.

“If we lose a few here, it’s not going to be the end of the world,” he said.

Trey Enloe, a longtime apple farmer in Henderson County, said he’s optimistic going into the freezing temperatures.

He said that while the recent sunny days have made things bloom a bit quicker, we’re still in the normal timeframe.

“If the wind keeps moving, that cold air will kind of move out and we’ll be OK. But if it sits there, I think 30 minutes is kind of the timeframe. If it’s below 28 for 30 minutes is where you start getting some damage,” Enloe said.

“You get about a 10% loss at that rate. At a 25-24 range, some varieties you can lose up to 90 percent,” he said.

He said it depends on the bud stage and, right now, buds are still pretty tight and hardy. But, as they open, they become more exposed and that’s where they can take damage.

Enloe said this cold snap is no surprise.

“It’s something you see almost every year, and that’s kind of a blessing and a curse in North Carolina. We have a lot of microclimates and a lot of different weather,” he said.

Overall, Kelley and Enloe said it's better to get a freeze now rather three weeks from now.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSMountain farmers prepare for spring freeze, remain hopeful despite uncertain weather (wlos.com)

 

A Hendersonville man was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking on a highway Wednesday night, officials say.

A trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol tells News 13 the department responded to a report of a pedestrian struck in the Eastbound passing lane on U.S. 64 near the intersection with Cornwallis Lane around 10:21 p.m. on March 13.

The pedestrian, later identified as 32-year-old John William Spinks III, was walking in the middle of the road when he was struck and killed by a vehicle, the trooper says.

There were no other injuries reported in the incident.

No charges are expected in this case.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSMan struck and killed while walking in the middle of U.S. 64 at night, troopers say (wlos.com)

 Fletcher police arrested one person and seek two others after a stolen hot tub turned up at an Asheville home.

Police say they received a report on Feb. 18 about a $9,000 hot tub that was stolen from behind Aqua Living Factory Outlet along Brian Boulevard.

 On Feb. 21, authorities say the stolen hot tub was found in the front yard of a home belonging to Douglas Gaylon Applebee along Morris Street in Asheville.

Police say Applebee and Bryan Seth Letterman are accused of felony larceny and conspiring to commit felony larceny in connection to the incident. A warrant was also issued against Jennifer West for conspiring to commit felony larceny.

 Police say Letterman has been arrested on his warrant. However, Applebee and West have yet to be taken into custody.
Anyone who knows Applebee and West's whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency.
 

The City of Hendersonville has scheduled its seasonal mulch giveaway program to begin on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Mulch will be available for pick up on Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. This schedule will continue until May 30th or until the material is gone.  

The mulch will be distributed at the old Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 80 Balfour Road in Hendersonville. The Public Works Department will have a staff member on-site to operate the backhoe and load the material. 

In addition to mulch, the City will be offering composted leaves as a separate material. These leaves were collected during the fall of 2022, ran through a grinder, and composted for a year. This compost should be an excellent addition to your vegetable and flower gardens.  

For the first time this year, the initial two weeks of the giveaway will be exclusively for City residents. Please have your ID ready for verification upon arrival. 

Commercial vehicles are not allowed, this includes dump trucks and any other marked commercial trucks or trailers.  

For questions about this program, please contact the Public Works Department at (828) 697-3084. 

 An investigation is underway in Hendersonville after authorities responded to a structure fire in late February.

A spokesperson for the city of Hendersonville said the incident happened on Feb. 20, 2024 around 4 a.m.

 

The Hendersonville Police Department's public report for the month of February said, "Officers responded to a fire on Oak St. Detectives initiated a joint arson investigation with the Hendersonville Fire Department and the NC State Bureau of Investigation. The investigation into this incident continues."

Hendersonville's spokesperson told News 13 the building was unoccupied at the time officials arrived and there have been no reported injuries from the incident.

The damage to the house was minimal and limited to one exterior corner of the house.

"There were combustible items around the site that had been there for some time," Hendersonville's spokesperson told News 13 in an email. "The SBI assisted HPD in processing the scene, but there are currently no viable suspects or leads at this time."

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSArson investigation underway after 'combustible items' found at scene of structure fire (wlos.com)

 

 A Hendersonville resident will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty in a double homicide investigation that began in 2022.

A release from the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that after a week-long trial, Godiet Corral, 33, of Hendersonville, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder by a Buncombe County jury.

Corral was sentenced by visiting Superior Court Judge Karen Eady-Williams to serve two consecutive terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Corral was charged in connection with the deaths of Sandy Torrey and Bryan Khopkar, who were found shot to death in a vehicle at the Shell gas station on Mills Gap Road in Fletcher on Dec. 19, 2022.

He was found close to the crime scene and taken into custody that afternoon.

Cody Dockins is also facing two counts of murder in connection with the deaths. He was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service, North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at a residence in Rutherford County two days later. Dockins' trial date has not been set.

"Because a related case is currently pending trial, the District Attorney’s Office will make no additional public comment at this time," the DA's release said on Tuesday.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville man found guilty following double murder trial for 2022 Fletcher killings (wlos.com)

 

 

 

 Starting this fall, North Carolina community college students could receive a state scholarship that fully covers education costs.

North Carolina students whose families make $80,000 a year or less should complete their FAFSA to apply for the Next NC Scholarship to fully cover their tuition and fees.

Eligible North Carolina students attending a community college will receive up to $3,000 per year, which will cover their educational expenses with funds that do not need to be repaid.

For current and incoming Blue Ridge Community College students, all you have to do is fill out your FAFSA to automatically be considered for the scholarship.

The priority filing date for incoming Blue Ridge Community College students is August 5, 2024.

Blue Ridge Community College's financial aid team is also available to help students complete the application.

Requirements to receive the Next NC Scholarship, students must be:

  • A North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition
  • A high school graduate (high school equivalency completers are eligible)
  • From a household with an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less
  • Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program for the 2024-2025 academic year
  • Taking at least 6 credit hours per semester (part-time students will receive a partial award)
  • Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the school you plan to attend
  • A student who has completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA, with a resulting Student Aid index at or below 7,500 (once completed, the financial aid office at the college/ university you plan to attend will determine and confirm eligibility)

For full information on this scholarship, visit blueridge.edu.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSFull community college scholarships offered to eligible North Carolina students this fall (wlos.com)

 

Henderson County Public Schools Students Rally Against Substance Misuse in “Week of Hope” Campaign

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (March 12, 2024) – In partnership with Hope Coalition, students in Henderson County Public Schools’ four middle and six high schools are taking a public stand against substance misuse during the “Week of Hope” campaign March 11-15, 2024.

Since 2015, the schools’ student government organizations and leaders have organized the campaign in partnership with Hope Coalition, and support has grown for the initiative among community agencies. Since the first Hope Week, City and County leaders, along with many community businesses have increased their active participation and support of this annual campaign. The Henderson County Sheriff's office is providing a wrapped patrol car for the second year in a row that will visit school campuses for students to sign.

The campaign and the students leading the substance abuse awareness events in their schools are formally recognized by government and school leaders in the community. At their Feb. 21 meeting, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners read a proclamation recognizing “Week of Hope”, as did the Hendersonville City Council at their meeting on March 7.

Each year, the schools’ student governments plan awareness activities that stress the importance of remaining substance free, and high school leaders collaborate with their feeder middle schools’ student leaders to organize activities for the younger students. This year, motivational speaker, Joey Negron, will be speaking to students at school assemblies.

Throughout the campaign, students at each school will sign pledge banners bearing the school’s mascot and a pledge to be substance-free. Provided by Hope Coalition, “Week of Hope” T-shirts will be printed for student leaders planning the awareness activities at their schools.

Students will sign the banners this week, and “Week of Hope” will culminate at 12 p.m. Friday, March 15, when the middle and high school banners will be hung from the Henderson County Historic Courthouse pillars. Community leaders including Henderson County Manager John Mitchell, Henderson County Board of Commissioner Chairman Rebecca McCall, Chief Blair Myhand of the Hendersonville Police Department, and City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk will share remarks.

About Hope Coalition

Hope Coalition is a grassroots effort initiated by the Henderson County Partnership for Health in 2013 as a community collaborative to educate, evaluate, and implement evidence-based models on substance misuse and underage drinking in Henderson County. In addition to several support and recovery groups for youth, adults and families, the Hope Coalition is home to the Henderson County Youth

Statewide St. Patrick’s Day ‘Booze It & Lose It’ Campaign Underway
Increased patrols on rural roads March 11-17 to deter impaired drivers
RALEIGH – Luck won’t be on the side of those who choose to drink and drive as St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated over the coming week.
From today until March 17, statewide law enforcement officials will increase saturation patrols and driver checkpoints, with a focus on rural roads, to keep travelers safe.
“Alcohol and other impairing substances tend to be a part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, so we implore everyone to consume responsibly and avoid getting behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking,” said Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White.
Sheriff White’s office hosted the statewide kickoff event Friday in Louisburg for the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.
“Having a plan in place to get home safely is imperative to avoid seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else in a car crash,” White said.
A total of 229 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities occurred on North Carolina roads during last year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign period. These numbers are a sobering reminder that there are severe consequences for reckless behavior.
“Because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, we anticipate that alcohol consumption will increase both on the 17th and the weekend leading up to the holiday,” said GHSP Program Director Mark Ezzell. “Don’t take a chance. Designating a sober driver or using ride-sharing services and public transportation is the only safe alternative.”
There were more than 12,000 alcohol-involved crashes in North Carolina in 2023, resulting in 367 deaths.
The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign complements the greater effort of NC Vision Zero – a traffic safety initiative focused on eliminating deaths and serious injuries on North Carolina roadways while improving access to safe, sustainable and equitable mobility for everyone.
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The Hendersonville Police Department announces its historic achievement as the first police department in North Carolina to successfully fulfill the requirements for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Trust Building Campaign. This trust-building campaign shows commitment to enhancing trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and is an initiative spearheaded by the IACP, the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. To join the Trust Building Campaign, law enforcement agencies must pledge to implement 25 key policies and leading practices within a 36-month period. 

Police Chief Blair Myhand presented the IACP Trust Building Campaign Certificate at the March 7th Hendersonville City Council meeting. 

“Having a solid framework in place to build on will benefit the Hendersonville Police Department for years to come,” said Chief Myhand. “Completing this pledge sets a powerful precedent. My vision is that our officers embrace and uphold the highest policing standards that ensure lasting positive change and trust within our community.”   

Chief Myhand decided to pledge the Trust Building Campaign because a culture that promotes transparency, accountability, and community involvement is critical for 21st century policing. The department started the application process back in March of 2023. 

By completing the Trust Building Campaign Pledge, the Hendersonville Police Department established policies and trainings, conducted assessments, and developed strategies within six key focus areas (bias-free policing; use of force; leadership and culture; recruitment, hiring, and retention; victim services; and community relations). These efforts are designed to encourage positive community-police partnerships that promote safe and effective interactions, prevent and reduce crime, and improve the well-being and quality of life for all.  

The IACP is encouraged by the efforts of agencies as they incorporate the pledge’s concepts into their everyday operations. When trust building is prioritized, community members and the police benefit from relationships focused on unified visions, goals, and values. Building and strengthening trust in the community is critical and must remain a primary objective.  

For more information about the Trust Building Campaign, visit the IACP’s website at http://www.theiacp.org/iacp-trust-building-campaign  

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Photo: Officer Garcia, Sgt. Gyurina, Officer Tinoco, Lt. Smith, and Police Support Specialist Swain with the IACP Trust Building Campaign Pledge Certificate at the Hendersonville Police Department