News

Travelers who are enrolled in TSA Pre✓® or one of the other trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS are permitted to keep on their shoes, belts and light outerwear jacket, and they can leave their laptops and liquid 3-1-1 bags inside their carry-on bags when they go through the checkpoint while the program is being run. Wait times are typically five minutes or less

Interest in the Transportation Security Administration's TSA Pre✓® program has been so strong that the program is now available at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) during peak hours.

Local travelers who are not yet enrolled in the program can look for a location to enroll at https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/workflows?servicecode=11115V&service=pre-enroll. A special on-site enrollment event will be held at Asheville Regional Airport in late March, and details will be available soon about how to sign up for this event.

Enrollment must be completed in-person at the TSA Pre✓® application center. The application fee is $85 and is good for five years. It can be paid at the time of your appointment by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier's check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. Enrollees will need to bring documentation proving identity and citizenship status. And fingerprints are collected during the in-person enrollment session.

After completing enrollment, successful applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via U.S. mail within a few days that is valid for five years. The enrollee should enter the provided KTN in the "Known Traveler Number" field when booking airline reservations. The KTN can be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, via phone call to the airline reservation center, or with the travel management company making your reservations. Additionally, the KTN can be entered and saved in participating airline frequent flyer profiles, where it will be stored for future reservations made directly from your profile.

More than 200 airports are participating in TSA Pre✓® nationwide and more than 56 airlines participate in the program including American, Delta and United. You may also be able to use your TSA Pre✓® privileges at your destination airport on your return journey to AVL.
https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/map

The Transportation Security Administration was created to strengthen the security of the nation's transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA uses a risk-based strategy and works closely with transportation, law enforcement and intelligence communities to set the standard for excellence in transportation security. For more information about TSA, please visit our website at tsa.gov.

Asheville Regional Airport was named as the second fastest growing airport in the country by Bloomberg News in 2018, and the growth is continuing. With 29 consecutive months of passenger growth, and thirteen consecutive months of double-digit growth, AVL has moved comfortably into the small-hub category of airports in the U.S.

The Highland Lake Inn & Resort in Flat Rock has been listed for sale for $6,650,000 by Beverly-Hanks Real Estate firm, with main office in Asheville.

According to WHKP sources, the Inn is currently owned by the Grup family and historically dates back to 1789 when John Earle received a Land Grant, and established the first grist mill and opened the first road to the area. 

The real estate firm and Highland Lake Inn web sites proudly exhort the property as containing some 26 acres with a variety of buildings featuring 47 rooms in an array of cottages, main lodge, Woodward House and homes along with meeting space, reception facilities and award-winning Seasons Restaurant.

The property was formerly owned and operated by the Lindsey family from 1985 until it was sold to the current owners in 1999.

It is located between the Spartanburg and Greenville highways, across from Flat Rock Park, formerly the Highland Lake Golf Course.  It is only minutes from the Flat Rock Playhouse and the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic site. 

The resort's web site states that in 1872, the Inn was sold to George Trenholm, Secretary of the Confederate Treasury, who lived there one year and sold it. In 1873, William Aiken, Governor of South Caroina purchased the property and passed it on to his daughter, Mrs. A. Burnet Rhett, whose father-in-law, Robert Barnwell Rhett, owned "The Charleston Mercury" and was the author of the first draft of the Ordinance of Secession. 

In 1910, Joseph Holt and a gorup of Columbia and Charleston, SC businessmen organized the Highland Lake Club buying nearly 500 acres of lane in the Flat Rock area and enlarged the lake to the largest in the county at that time. 

In 1915 Fleet School for Boys operated there and in the summer operated as a hotel, which later burned. 

In 1941, Robroy Farquhar opened "The Old Mill Playhouse" in the mill, starring actresses Kim Hunter and Joanne Woodward.  It would later move and become known as the Flat Rock Playhouse. 

It's history continued and in the late 1940's and 1950's operated as a summer camp and school for young people of the Jewish faith and later as Our Lady of the Hill's Camp, a Catholic camp for boys and girls on Madonna Lake, now Highland Lake. 

A call by WHKP to the current owner for comment on the listing was not returned.

Phi Theta Kappa honor society welcomes new members at Blue Ridge Community College

Sixty-six students from Blue Ridge Community College were recently inducted into the Alpha Rho Upsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at Blue Ridge Community College.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has become one of the largest and most prestigious honor societies in higher education. PTK is the only honor society that serves two-year colleges offering associate degree programs. Membership is based primarily on academic excellence and is extended by invitation only.

“We are very proud of the accomplishments of these Blue Ridge students. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is a way for us to honor students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement,” said Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood. “In addition to the recognition, PTK offers students opportunities to develop leadership skills and contribute to the betterment of their communities.”

The inductees are listed below by county of residence.

Buncombe County
Laura Moore
Bonnie Olterman
Jamie Piastuch
Tierney Pineda
Madison Tipton
Sara Young

Haywood County
Brooke Cogburn
Zachary Ingle

Henderson County
Sarah Ausburn
Cesilia Baltazar
Joshua Black
Lilly Blankenship
Chloe Bosshard
Sadie Bowen
Jessica Calvillo Molina
Franco Carrasco
Sara Cochran
Emily Crettol
Rebecca Duncan
Karlee Fish
Hannah Flanagan
Monica Frasure
Ellen George
Abigail Ghrist
Howard Green
Micheal Hicks
Savannah Huscusson
Jennifer Kennedy
Jared Lafave
Nicholas Lewis
Samantha Lughart
Ulises Martinez
Tiffany McCall
Sharon McGraw
Mackenzie Moore
Devin Murphy
Alexa Nesbitt
Audrey Parker
Kristina Richardson
Rosario Rodriguez Morales
Carlyn Shaw
Matthew Singleton
Taya Waldrop
Kathryn Williams
Madelaine Williams

Polk County
Tanya Goodwin
Mary Henneke
Ruth Morton
River Trent

Transylvania County
Lisa Bolt
Memory Fizer
Priscilla Godfrey
Jeremiah Godfrey
Wren Harry
Garret Heinemann
Emily McCall
Harrison Meadows
Erin Norton
Christen Owen
Tanner Queen
Alex Ritchey
Alex Strickland
Zachary Suelflow
Jacquelyn Tompkins
Julia Ubaldo
Suzanne Valdez

THE COUNTY'S PROPERTY TAX BASE CLIMBS TO $13.5 BILLION   

Henderson County commissioners spent much of their meeting on Wednesday looking at taxing and spending priorities that will likely span the next four years.   

After well over a hundred budget requests, commissioners zeroed in on about $63 million in spending priorities...including education, law enforcement, public health, the environment and other local issues and priorities.

An immediate priority, county commissioners took the first step in an estimated $4 million emergency request from the county public school system to replace the heating and cooling systems at Flat Rock and Rugby middle schools, voting to move forward with designing plans to replace the failing HVAC systems over the summer break.

Superintendent Bo Caldwell addressed commissioners at their Wednesday meeting about the need, saying the roughly 40-year old galvanized pipes in the HVAC systems at the two schools are in imminent threat of failing altogether.
Caldwell said the repairs had been scheduled in the schools’ regular maintenance schedule with its capital improvement dollars without having to come to commissioners.

“Unfortunately now our time is running short,” he said, adding that the projects would otherwise have to be completed over a phased period of several years without this influx of funding, and “I’m not guaranteeing those pipes can make it.”
School maintenance crews are continually repairing those pipes which are now so corroded, Caldwell said, that it’s difficult to find a strong enough piece of pipe to attach the repair to. That’s what led the school board to rank this project at the top of its priorities for when it came back to the board of commissioners in May to request the funding.

“We need these dollars now,” he said. “We need to start the planning process, the bidding process so we’re ready to roll as of June and do some work while the children are not there.”
The request was for $2 million at each school to replace the HVAC systems.

It was reported at Wednesday’s meeting that the county’s property tax base has risen to $13.5 billion....up $2 billion over the tax base prior to the recent re-valuationl.

BEGINNING FEBRUARY 23RD   

“The Story of Barbecue in North Carolina” Traveling Exhibit
On Display at DNCR Western Office Beginning Feb. 23

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has created a new traveling exhibit that examines the history of barbecue and its continuing place in North Carolina culture. The exhibit will be on display at the department's Western Office in Asheville beginning Feb. 23.   

From its early history to modern day “East versus West” style discussions, barbecue is alive and well in our state. From the earliest history of cooking meats over flames and coals to modern methods, North Carolina has a proud barbecue tradition. Whether at a backyard grill, a community event, or a traditional wood fire pit at a local restaurant, delicious barbecue can be found in every corner of our state.

Tall illustrated fabric panels comprise the traveling exhibit highlighting the social importance, cultural adaptations, methods of preparation, dessert options and the science behind barbecue. In addition to the panels, the exhibit includes display materials, t-shirts and sauces from various pits across the state.

This free exhibit will be on display at the DNCR Western Office Feb. 23 to March 23, Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A special RSVP lecture program is scheduled for March 6, and sample BBQ from local restaurants will be available for tasting on Feb. 23 and again on March 23.

The Western Office of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is located at 176 Riceville Road, Asheville, N.C. For additional information about the exhibit please call (828) 296-7230 ext. 221, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit http://www.ncdcr.gov/westernoffice.

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S "VINTAGE CAROLINA"    MARCH 4TH   

The Community Foundation of Henderson County’s annual gala, Vintage Carolina, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 4 at the Hendersonville Country Club.

This year’s Vintage Carolina theme “Heroes of Hope” is focused on celebrating community heroes. The foundation will honor the late Dot Marlow this year by announcing the recipient of the Dot Marlow Philanthropic Catalyst Award during the gala.

Vintage Carolina will feature small-plate offerings from Budy Finch Catering & Revelry, Champion Hills, Chef Michael’s Catering, Gateaux Cakes and Pastries, Hendersonville Community Co-Op, Hendersonville Country Club, Harvey’s at The Henderson B&B and Van’s Chocolates.

Guests will pair the food with tastings of wine and beer from Advintage Distributing, Empire Distributors, Freedom Beverage Company, Point Lookout Vineyards, Sanctuary Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Southern Appalachian Brewery, and Tryon Distributing.

Wine Sage & Gourmet will sponsor a TapSnap photo booth for the evening. Sound Extreme will provide musical entertainment downstairs at the gala.

Space is limited and can be reserved online by visiting CFHCforever.org or by calling the Community Foundation at 828-697-6224. More information about the local nonprofit is available online as well.

The cost is $125 per person. Proceeds will help support the work of CFHC, a local public charity that has helped people make lasting contributions to causes that matter since 1982, the release states.

The City of Hendersonville is welcoming a new Environmental Services Coordinator to the team as they send well wishes to the outgoing coordinator.

Amy Huffman has been the City’s Environmental Services Coordinator for the past two and a half years. This position is part of the Water and Sewer Department and is responsible for monitoring industrial and commercial sewer users as well as administering a variety of programs that help protect the city’s water and sewer systems. The City’s Environmental Services Coordinator oversees the industrial pretreatment program, FOG (fat, oils and grease) program, backflow and cross-connection control program, water conservation program and septage permitting program.

“You’re the protector of the sewer and instructor to the public,” said Amy Huffman when describing what an Environmental Services Coordinator does. “We make sure that industries, businesses and residents are utilizing the sewer system correctly.”

“As far as the industries are concerned, we have three significant sewer system users,” said Huffman.” She described how the City works with these industries to ensure the effluent being discharged into the system has been pretreated and meets the standards outlined in the Sewer Use Ordinance and other state and federal regulations. Huffman explained that the industries send in reports every month and annual inspections are completed to make sure they are in compliance.

“Amy has done a wonderful job,” said Lee Smith, Utilities Director with the City of Hendersonville. “She is very good with our industrial customers and restaurants. She holds people responsible but does it in a very professional way.” Lee explained that the new Environmental Services Coordinator has been training with Amy for the past two weeks and is expected to do a great job administering the various programs, including the City’s relatively new backflow prevention program.

The City of Hendersonville’s Backflow Prevention Program was initiated in 2018 with the approval of a new section to the Utilities Ordinance (Chapter 52, Article VIII) in September. This involves classifying the degree of health hazard risk of new industrial and commercial customers regarding chemicals and processes on their sites that could affect the City’s water system. Those with low to moderate health hazards may only be required to install a double check valve assembly, while those with a high health hazard risk would be required to install an above ground reduced pressure zone double check valve (RPZ) assembly. Once approved for installation, the customer is responsible for the installation, maintenance and annual testing of the assembly. These assemblies help to ensure that water from the customer’s side of the meter does not flow back into the City’s water supply system.

Amy Huffman will be stepping away from the City to take a year off to travel with her husband. She will be handing over the reins to Seth Goad. Seth is a geologist and has been a consultant in the private sector for the past eight years. Goad stated that he has always wanted to work for a public entity because of the opportunity to give back to the community and make a positive environmental impact.

Another important aspect of this position’s role is working with businesses and residents to reduce the amount of fat, oil and grease that enters the sewer system. These substances build up over time in sewer lines and cause back-ups, necessitate expensive repairs and can cause potential issues throughout the collection system and treatment plant. Huffman’s role, taken over by Goad on February 18th, is to work with restaurants and other businesses to install grease traps and implement other methods to prevent blockages in the sanitary sewer system.

“When we learn about new restaurants and businesses coming online, we touch base with them and discuss the kind of grease trap they’ll need and best practices that can help prevent blockages,” said Huffman. She explained that, although restaurants are dealing with a higher volume of fat, oils and grease, residents should also take steps to reduce the impact of these substances ending up in the sewer system from the domestic side.

“I tell business owners as well as residents, ‘If you are going to have a backup, it’s probably going to be on your end first,’” said Huffman. She explained that if people are depositing these substances into the sewer system, as they cool and solidify, they will eventually cause issues on the customer’s portion of the line or further along in the system. Either way, it comes with a cost, whether residents are paying to fix their own line backups, or the municipality is utilizing funds to fix issues throughout the collection system or at the wastewater treatment plant. One slogan that Amy likes to use is “Cease the Grease” when she is speaking with customers about proper fat, oils and grease disposal.

Below are some steps that residents can take to minimize the impact of fat, oils and grease buildup in the sewer system. These tips can also minimize malfunctions and issues in private septic systems as well.

Don’t pour fats, oils, grease or food scraps down the drain, even in small quantities and even if you have a garbage disposal.
Cover the kitchen sink drain with a catch basket and empty contents into the garbage as needed.
Place oil and grease in sealable collection containers. Once collection containers are full, dispose of properly in the trash.
Recycle used cooking oil at the Henderson County Convenience Center.
Do not rely on hot water to push fats, oil, and grease through the pipes. It won’t clear your pipes, and you will still experience clogs.

Sheriff Lowell Griffin encourages members of the community to report drug related information to (828) 694-295

In the early morning hours of February 19, 2019, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Team conducted a traffic stop on US Highway 25 South in the E. Flat Rock Community.

During the course of the traffic stop, the vehicle was searched, and detectives located approximately 474 grams (one-pound pound) of methamphetamine. One person was arrested as a result of the search.

Damian Lewis Furtch, age 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, was arrested on the following charges and remains in the Henderson County Jail under a $220,00.00 secured bond.

Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Possession
Felony Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Transport
Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver a Controlled Substance
Felony Maintaining a Dwelling Place for Controlled Substance

Sheriff Lowell Griffin encourages members of the community to report drug related information to (828) 694-295

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS

The City Council of the City of Hendersonville will hold special meetings to conduct an annual planning retreat on:

Date: Thursday, February 21, 2019

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: City Hall – Second Floor Conference Room

145 Fifth Ave. E.

Hendersonville NC 28792

[Amended 02.18.19] And to consider the following:

§ To consider and accept the low bid of Dunlap Construction for the construction of downtown restrooms and to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Contract with Dunlap Construction

§ To consider a proclamation for “the Official Football Team of the City of Hendersonville.”

§ To enter a closed session to consult with the City Attorney to consider or give instructions concerning a judicial action titled City of Hendersonville versus ELP Real Estate, LLC as provided under NCGS §143‐318.11(a)(3).

-and-

Date: Friday, February 22, 2017

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Location: Interfaith Assistance Ministry

Community Meeting Space

310 Freeman St,

Hendersonville, NC 28792

Purpose: The purpose of the special meeting is to hold a Council/Staff retreat to develop a work plan for the coming year.

Other topics may be discussed.

HENDERSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT    

The Hendersonville Police Department (HPD) is noticing an increase in calls to
our dispatch center to help find people who are reported missing who maybe
suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia or some other cognitive deficiency.
So, in an effort to resourcefully serve and protect Hendersonville area citizens, we
are offering a voluntary registry program where family members and/or care
providers can register their loved ones who are residents of the community and
are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of Dementia. This
voluntarily registry will hopefully improve officer safety; increase the speed and
efficiency in which officers are able to respond to these calls and give our
community members that are affected by having loved ones with cognitive
deficiencies more peace of mind.

This voluntary registry will provide pertinent and critical information regarding
loved ones to aid our officers, as well other first responders that may be assisting
us in identifying your family member, should they wander from their place of
residence or a business while in the city. Police Chief Herbert Blake: “Law
enforcement is absolutely receiving these types of calls. For example, some
months ago, HPD responded to an assisted living facility just outside of the city at
the request of our colleagues at Henderson County to help with locating a
resident at about 1:30 am. The 92 year old resident had walked away from the
facility. Fortunately, in this incident, Officer Jon Wing and our bloodhound
Snoopy, tracked the resident and found her at the bottom of a roughly 40-foot
ravine a short distance away from the facility. We believe this quick response
saved her life.”
According to the Western Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, more
than 170,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s disease and over 466,000
families and friends are providing care for them in our state. And forty seven
percent of people over the age of 85 suffer from some form of cognitive
deficiency. Having the information provided on this voluntary registry readily
available will allow us to provide this information to surrounding agencies in an
efficient manner in hopes of first responders quickly locating and safely returning
your loved one. The information provided will be kept at the police department
and will be used solely to aid the police and other joining emergency personnel in
locating missing or wandering people. A voluntary registry system can be equally
helpful in responding to individuals in other special needs populations; so, if you
think this program can help you, contact us.

HPD is committed to providing ease of registrations as a key consideration of this
registry program. Chief Blake: “We are prepared to assist citizens with this
registry by coming to their locations to help them fill out the registry and take a
recent photograph of the person they register.” This voluntary registry program
is free. It closely follows the guidelines recommended in the
International Association of Chiefs of Police Alzheimer’s Initiatives. We are
pleased to offer this initiative in our efforts to provide quality public safety
services to our citizens. For more information and for help with completing and
submitting the form, contact Monica Howard, HPD Communications Supervisor
at 828-697-3030 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We strongly encourage your
participation.

HPD Voluntary Registry
Name of loved one:
_______________________________________________ First Middle Last
Date of Birth: _____/_____/_________
Address:______________________________________________________
_____
Does your loved one have a nick name? If so, what:
________________________
Diagnosis of the registered person:
______________________________________
List all pertinent names and phone numbers that officers may need when
dealing with your loved one:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_________________________
Physical description of the registered person:
Height:__________________
Weight: _________________
Hair Color: ______________
Eye Color: _______________
Race: ___________________
Gender: _________________
Glasses: Yes______ No_____
Is there a special interest outside of the residence that your loved one is
drawn to?
(Trains, water, woods, parks, malls, traffic, ect.)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
Has your loved one ever ran away, wandered, or been reported as missing?
If so, where were they found?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
__________
Is the registered person verbal or non-verbal? Please explain in detail:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
Does the registered person fear Police or EMS/Fire personnel or emergency
vehicles? If so, explain in detail:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
Name of care givers, parents, grandparents, or other family members
involved in your loved ones life:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
If your loved one becomes confrontational, how could officers or rescue
personnel calm them without your presence?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
Are you willing to allow the Hendersonville Police Department to place your
address and provided information about your loved ones needs into the
system to insure that officers are better prepared to handle the situation if
they go missing?
Yes________ No__________
Is your loved one prior military or law enforcement?
Yes________ No__________
Does your loved one have access to weapons of any kind? If yes, please
explain in detail. Yes________ No__________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
Please explain in detail any other important information that we need to
know that might assist us in not triggering a violent response from your
loved one:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________Does your loved one have any triggers? (lights, sirens,
loud noise, radios)
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________
Please send us a recent photo of your loved one that will be attached to the
file in case they go missing. This will allow us to quickly get the picture to
responders and save valuable time in the search process.