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The deal is expected to close later this year, pending regulatory approval.   

STAY TUNED FOR MORE ON HOW LOCAL BRANCHES WILL BE AFFECTED.   

Following the original announcement of the merger, David White of BB & T told WHKP News ro expect a new name and brand for the banks...and that will come prior to closing which is set for later this year:  "In a reflection of the equal contribution both banks bring to the new institution, the combined companies will operate under a new name and brand, which will be determined prior to closing. The combined company’s board of directors and executive management team will also be evenly split between the two institutions. A new corporate headquarters will be established upon close of the transaction in Charlotte, N.C., including an Innovation and Technology Center to drive transformative initiatives."

Two of the largest US regional banks are joining forces in a bid to compete with the nation's biggest players.

BB&T (BBT) and SunTrust (STI) on Thursday announced a $66 billion merger, forming the sixth-largest US bank based on assets and deposits.

"It's an extraordinarily attractive financial proposition that provides the scale needed to compete and win in the rapidly evolving world of financial services," BB&T CEO Kelly King said in a statement.
The combined company will operate under a new name, though the banks have not yet decided what it will be called. Its headquarters will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, but the bank will also have significant operations in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Atlanta.

Together, BB&T and SunTrust will have about $442 billion in assets, $301 billion in loans, and $324 billion in deposits, the companies said.

The deal is expected to close later this year, pending regulatory approval.

King will serve as chairman and CEO of the new company until September 2021, but will stay on the board through 2023. William Rogers, SunTrust's CEO, will serve as president and chief operating officer until September 2021, then he will step into the CEO role and later the chairman position.

The merger marks the first major banking sector deal since the 2008 financial crisis. But analysts and industry members have predicted mergers and acquisitions would soon heat up in the financial industry.
Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last month that it would take a round of US bank mergers to produce a new rival to his firm.
Large US banks keep growing. JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), Wells Fargo (WFC), Citigroup (C), Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) brought in more than $120 billion combined in profit last year, the result of President Donald Trump's corporate tax cuts and a booming economy.

Banks also have to contend with rising technology costs, which can make scale look more appealing.
Mary Callahan Erdoes, JPMorgan's head of asset and wealth management, noted at Davos that her bank has 50,000 people working in technology, which is "the size of most firms, in total."
"Today, it is really hard to imagine not being a bank at scale," she said. "I can't imagine having to figure out how to protect yourself from a cyber perspective, or a technology perspective. We spend $10 billion a year on technology."

Hendersonville Fire Department Announces Medium Rescue Certification

The Hendersonville Fire Department has been certified as a Medium Rescue Provider through the North Carolina Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (NCAREMS). This designation certifies that the department is operating with the required number of personnel holding rescue certifications as well as operating with the complement of technical rescue equipment outlined by the NCAREMS.

“We continue to enhance our service delivery to the Citizens of Hendersonville and surrounding communities through a continuous improvement process,” said Hendersonville Fire Chief Joseph Vindigni. He explained the decision to pursue the Medium Rescue certification resulted directly from community input.

During the creation of the fire department’s strategic plan, a business and community feedback session was held in 2016. Community members were asked to rank what services were most important for their fire department to provide. Fire and EMS service ranked number one, but the category receiving the second highest number of votes were basic and technical rescue services.

“We want to be able to provide the services our citizens expect from us,” said Chief Vindigni. “We have been pursuing this certification because it is important to the community, and it allows our members to be better prepared to respond to a wider variety of emergencies.”

The Hendersonville Fire Department was congratulated by Stephen C. Smith, Membership Coordinator of NCAREMS for meeting the high professional standards required by this certification. Smith said, “Your department, personnel, and the citizens of Hendersonville and Henderson County should be very proud of this high achievement. It is indeed an honor to be recognized at this level of professional Rescue and EMS Service.”

The Hendersonville Fire Department has been actively working for more than a year toward this certification. Some of the requirements include having a minimum of eight personnel who hold rescue certifications in disciplines such as Emergency Response Training or Vehicle Machinery Rescue. In order to be certified, a department must also have an extensive list of equipment and tools such as hydraulic rescue tools, pulling equipment, harnesses, ropes, protective clothing, lighting equipment, ladders, water rescue equipment, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units, medical equipment and more.

Being certified as a Medium Rescue Provider ensures that personnel have the equipment and training necessary to provide for safe and effective victim management related to highway vehicle accidents, high and low angle rope rescue and water rescue.

“Being a Medium Rescue Provider allows us to be a more operative department when we collaborate with other agencies on technical rescue incidents,” said Chief Vindigni. He explained that our area is fortunate to have agencies such as the Henderson County Rescue Squad responding to calls involving swift water, confined space and trench rescues. By expanding HFD’s rescue capabilities, the department will be able to further supplement personnel during technical rescues occurring within the city limits, assist other departments through mutual aid agreements and work jointly to complete rescues when multiple calls happen simultaneously, as in the case when multiple areas within the county and the city flood following large rain events.

In the future, Chief Vindigni hopes to pursue the Heavy Rescue Provider certification which allows the capabilities to respond to more technical rescue incidents. On behalf of the fire department, he also recognized Captain Dustin Nicholson and Fire Engineer Paul Kaplan for their invaluable assistance in achieving this certification.

Burntshirt Vineyards' Eric Case wins NC Winegrower of the Year!

Eric Case of Burntshirt Vineyards became the first winegrower in the Western Mountains of North Carolina to be honored with the Wine Grower of Excellence Award during the 2018 banquet of the North Carolina Winegrowers Association (NCWA) annual conference on Feb 1. Vineyard Manager Eric Case accepted the award with Derek Pross - GM/Winemaker - in attendance.

UNC Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Hoffman presented the award in recognition of Eric’s leadership and dedication to North Carolina’s grape growing and wine industry. Dr. Hoffman commented that Eric Case has one of the most meticulously cared for vineyards he has seen in the state. He added that Eric is teaching others how to grow wine and goes out of his way to help the extension service.

Winning a winegrower of the year award is a high honor for Burntshirt Vineyards and a win for the new American Viticultural Area of the mountains of Western NC as it enters its final part of the approval process.

Derek Pross stated that linkage between the vineyard and winery cellar is crucial to crafting a high quality wine program. The quality grapes that Eric’s vineyards delivers to the cellar gives the winemaker a strong foundation to build upon and express the terroir utilizing modern methods with minimal intervention.

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The Oates Family’s Burntshirt Vineyards is an award winning winery utilizing 100% estate grown grapes from their two vineyards which are among the highest elevations on the East Coast. Featuring two tasting locations, one in Hendersonville NC offers grounds, tasting room, event spaces for rent and food truck while the Chimney Rock, NC loaction offers a bistro, large deck with stunning views of Chimney Rock State Park. There’s something for everyone.

About NCWA

The North Carolina Winegrower’s Association was formed in 1993, primarily through the efforts of people like Steve Shepard, then at Westbend Vineyards and Earl Mitchell, Professor of Physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The focus of the group was then, and remains today, the open interchange of information among both professional and amateur winemakers, with a focus on education, research, and professional development. To learn more please visit www.ncwinegrowers.com.

9.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago.     

Gasoline prices inHendersonville and  Asheville have fallen 1.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.25/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 259 stations in Asheville and Hendersonville. This compares with the national average that has increased 0.7 cents per gallon versus last week to $2.28/g, according to GasBuddy.

Average gasoline prices on February 11 in Western North Carolina have ranged widely over the last five years:
$2.54/g in 2018, $2.25/g in 2017, $1.76/g in 2016, $2.19/g in 2015 and $3.30/g in 2014.

Including the change locally during the past week, prices yesterday were 28.4 cents per gallon lower than a year ago and are 9.4 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has increased 3.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 28.8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago.

Areas near Asheville and their current gas price climate:
Spartanburg- $1.95/g, down 0.8 cents per gallon from last week's $1.96/g.
Knoxville- $2.00/g, up 4.0 cents per gallon from last week's $1.96/g.
Greenville- $1.95/g, unchanged from last week's $1.95/g.

"The national average price of gasoline barely nudged higher last week, driven primarily by stations hiking prices notably in the Great Lakes early last week, pushing the national average to $2.30 per gallon mid-week before those states saw stations again cutting prices and chiseling away at the nation's average price over the weekend," said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. "With oil prices sinking last week to $51 per barrel on concerns over a slowdown in trade talks with China, many states saw a respite in gas prices. However, as pipeline specifications begin to shift towards the first step towards summer gasoline requirements in the weeks ahead, the overhang in gasoline inventories will likely start to dry up and push gas prices higher."

Chamber of Commerce 96th annual awards dinner at Blue Ridge Community College Friday night     

Southern Alarm & Security owner Steve Johnson was presented with the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce’s highest honor — the G. Ray Cantrell award — during the chamber’s 96th annual awards dinner at Blue Ridge Community College.

The chamber’s most prestigious award, which goes to an individual for a lifetime of service to the chamber and the Henderson County community, was presented by Michael Thompson of the Van Winkle Law Firm Friday night in the college’s conference hall.

Johnson received his award moments after longtime Lions Club member Tommy Thompson was recognized for his civic contributions by being given the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service award.

Several other chamber members received recognition as well, including Cindy Novak, Ambassador of the Year; Sanctuary Brewing Company co-owners Lisa McDonald and Joe Dinan, Small Business Leader of the Year; and Missy and Sandy Schenck of Green River Preserve, Camp Industry Leadership award.

Wendy Frye accepted the Environmental Sustainability award on behalf of Henderson County Public Schools; Dave Martin of Current, Powered by GE, was named Industrialist of the Year; and Lew Bleiweis, David King and Alexandra Bradley accepted the First Citizens Bank Forever First Customer Service award on behalf of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority

DEVELOPER SELECTED:  BLUE STAR   

SIX STORY HOTEL WITH PARKING GARAGE   

After discussing the matter behind closed doors for about an hour, council Thursday night authorized City Manager John Connet to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with Blue Star Hospitality of Fletcher to build an 88-room hotel and five-story parking garage on the 1.5-acre lot.

The Blue Star plan includes a 9,272-square-foot, 200-person conference space with 9,000 square feet of retail space, a rooftop bar and a second-story restaurant. The parking garage would have 224 spaces, with the potential to add another 53 spots.

The city wants to sell the Dogwood lot off Church Street for the hotel and use the proceeds to invest in public parking.

As part of the project, the city also wants a parking garage that could be used for hotel employees and guests, as well as public parking for the city. A similar setup can be seen at the Aloft Hotel in Asheville.

The city selected Blue Star among the two developers that answered a requests for proposals.

The City of Hendersonville recognized employees for providing exceptional service during the City Council meeting held on February 7, 2019. First, employees selected for the last quarter of 2018 were recognized followed by the announcement of the 2018 MVP of the Year.

For October through December 2018, the Service Excellence Design Team selected the following people as quarterly MVP winners for showing excellence in carrying out their day to day activities. City Manager John Connet gave background on why each person was chosen and Mayor Barbara Volk presented the individuals with a certificate.

Engine 2 responded to a reported gas leak at a residence on Blue Goose Court. An elderly couple stated that when they started their vehicle they noticed an odor of gas. Lieutenant Jon Ward, along with Engineer Paul Kaplan, Firefighter Will Justice and Firefighter Corban Hossley, could have referred the couple to someone else, but decided to fix the gas line so that the couple could drive it to a repair shop. This is a great example of excellent customer service.
Josh Hoard and Alan Cliff of the Public Works Department volunteered to travel to New Bern to assist with Hurricane Florence recovery efforts. They both worked 12-hour days for the week to load debris with the knuckle boom truck. The City appreciates their willingness to assist another municipality in a critical time of need.
After learning that an elderly, handicapped member of the Hendersonville Police Department Reassurance Program was snowed in and couldn't get his wheelchair out, Monica Howard and Amber Glisson jumped in to help. They went to man's house and shoveled out his sidewalk and drive. The Reassurance Program is designed to provide health and welfare check-ins for individuals who are elderly, sick or shut in. These ladies went above and beyond to make sure this program member got the assistance he needed.

In 2018, 140 MVP nominations were submitted and every four months, three were chosen as quarterly MVPs. From these, the Service Excellence Design Team selected the following nomination as the 2018 MVP of the Year. The three Public Works employees will share the honor of MVP of the Year as it was a group effort.

Ms. Cheryl Jones, a Town Forest subdivision resident, called in to thank Chris Merbitz, Miguel Hernandez and Anthony Schaeffer, of the Public Works Department, for going above and beyond. These three men took the time to dance and entertain her daughter while they were performing their normal duties. Ms. Jones’ daughter enjoys seeing the solid waste truck come by her house and this crew took a moment to brighten this little girl’s day.

The MVPs of the Year receive a certificate signed by the Mayor, recognition at the council meeting, a $500 reward, and their names will be included on a plaque. Between the three of them, Chris, Miguel and Anthony received eleven MVP nominations during 2018.

If members of the public experience excellent customer service provided by a City of Hendersonville employee, they are encouraged to recognize them at: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/recognize-an-employee

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At Thursday night's City Council meeting, Council again asked that Henderson County pay for SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS in the four county schools inside the city.  

The Hendersonville City Council is once again asking county commissioners to pay for school resource officers at each public school in the city limits.

The council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday requesting an annual contribution of $201,445 from Henderson County to pay for four Hendersonville police officers at the schools in the city. This comes a year after county commissioners declined a similar request from the city for $480,000.

The resolution City Council signed Thursday points out that commissioners have committed to fund resource officers for all other schools in Henderson County.

Hendersonville city council was discussing...and moving forward with...a new facility fo the city police department Thursday night....a new police department in a strategically situated part of the city on Ashe Street in the Seventh Avenue East area.. At their February meeting Thursday night in Council Chambers in City Hall, Council was discussing $11.5 million they plan to spend in a new police department facility in the Ashe Street area, off Seventh Avenue East, near the railroad tracks.

City spokeswomaa Allision Nock says Council will also be discussing amenities in that new building, including a training room for about 80 people an “interview” rooms for conducting interviews, a polygraph room, storage space for evidence and for the department, and more.

There will be a “bullpen” area in the new building where sargeants and lieutenants can do administrative work, administrative offices, a garage, otgher needed area...and police department dispatch will be located in that new building as well.

Nock says construction on the new P.D. could start as early as November of this year and if things stay on schedule, she says the new facility could be completed by February of 2021.

The new facility is on the agenda for Council this Thursday night, so they can be updated on the costs and plans, so there can be some discussion, questions, and suggestions...and says Nock....”to let everyone know that we’re on the right page with the project.”

The Police Department has been in it’s current location in the ground floor of City Hall since moving out of the old Times-News building that’s since been torn down on Sixth Avenue East....and the H.P.D. originally shared that City Hall ground floor and King Street access with the Fire Department prior to the City Hall’s restoration and make-over about a decade ago.

It had been a goal of locating the new P.D. off Seventh Avenue East for the new facility to be a catalyst for new growth and development in the Seventh Avenue East area.

By Larry Freeman and Tippy Creswell

Questions or requests for additional information can be obtained by contacting Senior Program Officer, Lee Henderson-Hill at the Community Foundation office at (828) 697-6224 or by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CFHC accepting applications for Arbuckle Scholarship

Hendersonville, N.C., February 7, 2019 – Community Foundation of Henderson County announces the deadline to apply for The Pisgah Chapter of Trout Unlimited William L. Arbuckle Memorial Scholarship is April 1, 2019.

The scholarship is a $1,000 award and is offered for any student accepted to an accredited degree granting college or university within the Southern Appalachian Region. Recipients must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the field of fisheries and wildlife, aquaculture, freshwater biology, or other related fields. Preference will be given to those who have expressed a desire to pursue work which relates to fresh water fisheries and/or native trout populations. This scholarship is open to students pursuing community college, college or university degrees in the fields related above.
Applications are available online by visiting www.CHFCforever.org/scholarships.

Questions or requests for additional information can be obtained by contacting Senior Program Officer, Lee Henderson-Hill at the Community Foundation office at (828) 697-6224 or by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Since 1982, the Community Foundation of Henderson County has been helping people transform their philanthropic dreams into reality. Donors are able to make lasting contributions to causes close to their heart through a variety of giving methods.

REQUEST A 7.6 PER CEMT INCREASE   

Auto insurance companies ask for 7.6 percent rate increase

RALEIGH—The North Carolina Rate Bureau submitted its annual auto insurance filing with the N.C. Department of Insurance and is requesting an overall statewide average increase of 7.6 percent, announced Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey.

The NCRB represents the state’s insurance companies and is a separate entity from the N.C. Department of Insurance.

By law, the NCRB must submit auto rate filings with the Department every year by February 1.

The filing will be reviewed and if the Department does not agree with the need for the requested rates, it can negotiate a settlement or call for a hearing.

In 2017, the NCRB requested a 13.8 percent increase, but Commissioner Causey negotiated a 2.2 percent increase – which saved N.C. consumers more than $1 billion. The settlement also included an agreement the NCRB would not make a filing in 2018.

North Carolina is one of the least expensive states for car insurance. In 2018, Business Insider, Forbes and Insure.com ranked N.C. as the tenth least expensive state in the nation for auto insurance.