News

This fall the City of Hendersonville is launching a new brush collection pilot program, with the goal of using technology to make operations more efficient and environmentally conscious. Brush trucks will run on an ‘as needed’ basis, lowering fuel consumption demands and eliminating unnecessary trips.  

“We are rearranging our brush collection service to save fuel, time, and wear and tear on our equipment,” stated Public Works Superintendent Brandon Mundy. “We will still be collecting brush each week, but it may not be on the same day as the customer’s garbage service.” He explained that City residents should still have their brush on the curb line prior to their scheduled garbage collection day, as the trash trucks will be marking the location of the piles for the brush collection trucks to pick up. Brush collection will occur later in the day after piles have been marked. This collection process is expected to prevent a brush truck from driving around looking for brush piles and instead will let the truck go directly to the piles later in the day. 

In addition, customers can track garbage, recycling, brush, and leaf collection trucks on the website using the ‘Track-A-Truck’ interactive dashboard. This online application shows the near real-time location of trucks as they drive along their collection routes. It is also a way to see what day of the week garbage will be collected in an interactive way. This online map was made possible by the Public Works and Engineering Departments to give customers additional information on their collection routes. To view the dashboard, please visit https://www.hvlnc.gov/trackatruck.

On November 7th, 2023, the Henderson County Drug Task Force with assistance from the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, the Asheville Police Department, the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed multiple search warrants in Henderson and Buncombe county. Executed search warrants were related to Operation Drip Pressure, a ten (10) month investigation by Detectives into the sell and delivery of illegal controlled substances by Zachery Micah RICE.

On November 7th, 2023 at approximately 8:30pm, Detectives with the Henderson County Drug Task Force, and members of the Henderson County Special Weapons and Tactics Team initiated a vehicle stop on a vehicle being operated by RICE. A short pursuit ensued around the area of Bob’s Creek Rd and US Highway 25S. Following the conclusion of the pursuit, RICE and two (2) other occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody; Darion Laquinton DAVIS, age 28 of Asheville, NC and Mahogany Shanice ALTMAN, age 23 of Atlanta, GA were taken into custody with RICE.

Following the vehicle stop of RICE, Detectives with the Asheville Police Department and Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office executed three (3) separate search warrants at homes in Buncombe County. Search warrants were executed at the following locations:
275 Deaverview Rd Apt 18, Asheville, NC
88 Sky Exchange Dr Unit 202, Asheville, NC
128 Briar Glenn Dr Apt 303, Arden, NC

As a result of these search warrants and the vehicle stop on RICE, Detectives located and seized the following items:
Approximately 28 pounds of Methamphetamine
Approximately 4 pounds of Fentanyl
Approximately 4 pounds of Marijuana
Approximately 11.0 grams of Crack Cocaine
24 dosage units of Ecstasy
72 dosage units of Oxycodone
1 dosage unit of Xanax
$62,977.00 of United State currency
6 firearms (1 fully automatic Glock pistol)
1 bulletproof vest

Zachery RICE, Darion DAVIS, and Mahogany ALTMAN were all taken into custody in Henderson County. They were all three (3) charged with the following:
Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Possession lvl 3
Trafficking in Methamphetamine by Transport lvl 3
Maintaining a Vehicle for the purpose of sell/deliver a controlled substance
Possession of weapon of mass destruction

RICE and DAVIS are currently being held at the Henderson County Detention Center under a $2,500,000.00 secured bond. ALTMAN is currently being held at the Henderson County Detention Center under a $2,030,000.00 secured bond.

The following individuals were also taken into custody as a result of the executed search warrants:
Charmaine Vapreece FAIR:
Trafficking in Opium/Heroin by Possession lvl 3
Currently held at the Buncombe County Detention Center under a $100,000.00 secured bond

Gerome PARHAM:
Trafficking in Opium/Heroin by Possession lvl 3
PWISD Schedule II Controlled Substance x3
PWISD Schedule I Controlled Substance
PWISD Methamphetamine
Currently held at the Buncombe County Detention Center under a $200,000.00

Additional search and arrest warrants may be forthcoming as Detectives continue their investigation. The estimated street value of the illegal controlled substances seized as a result of this operation is approximately $1,634,100.00.

Mary Virginia Barnett Ashe died on November 5th after a long illness.

Mary was a lifelong resident of Henderson County, known and loved by many.

She was employed by WHKP RADIO in Hendersonville from 1952 until her retirement in 2019, a total of 67 years.

Mary was the daughter of Allen Francis Barnett and Frances Irene Taylor Barnett of Mills River.  Her family inclluded brothers Jimmy, Jack, Joe and  an infant Johnnrnett. Her sister, Shirley Dockery, preceded her in death on January 6th of 2023.  She is survived by three sons - Dennis Marvin Ashe of Hendersonville; Daniel Allen Ashe of Ollympia, Washington and David Lee Ashe of Rutherfordton along with two great grandchildren, four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was employed by WHKP RADIO in Hendersonville from 1952 until her retirement in 2019, a total of 67 years of the station's 77 year history and was one of the stockholders for a number of years. She was a faithful member of Refuge Baptist Church for many years and later attended Sunday School at Hendersonville First Baptist Church. 

Mary was a faithful servant of the Lord all her life and a wonderful mother and homemaker.  She loved working in her home and yard as well as being a gracious hostess to both newcomers and family members, equally welcome in her home.

A memorial service will be held at Mills River Presbyterian Church at 10 AM on Wednesday, November 15th.  

In lieu of flowers, the familly requests that donations be made to Four Seasons Hospice.

TODD STARNES RADIO SHOW HEARD WEEKDAYS 12 til 3 PM ON WHKP AM 1450 & FM 107.7

Newsmax Launches Todd Starnes Show
Newsmax launched “The Todd Starnes Show” last week. The one-hour show will be broadcast on the network’s N2 platform. Viewers will be able to watch live at 3 p.m. eastern on Newsmax.com and the network’s social media platforms.

Newsmax also announced plans to simulcast the third hour of “The Todd Starnes Radio Show.” Viewers will be able to watch that show on Newsmax.com at 2 p.m. eastern.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to be a part of the great team at Newsmax,” Starnes said. “Chris Ruddy has built an incredible brand – a truly fair and balanced network.”

Printpack is set to permanently close its facility in Hendersonville at the end of the year, according to paperwork filed at the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

The closure will mean 90 employees will lose their jobs.

A similar announcement was made in 2012 when employees were told by officials that the plant would be closing, but it never happened.

Printpack still has a facility in Madison County.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSClosure of Hendersonville plant by year's end will leave 90 without jobs | WLOS

Over 200 people packed the Thomas Auditorium at BRCC Thursday night for the Henderson County Planning Board vote to approve or deny Tribute Development Company's proposal at the Etowah Valley Golf Course.

Voting to approve the project's master plan to build 200 homes on Etowah Valley Golf Course was Hunter Marks, Jared Owenbey, Linda Bradley, Jim Miller and chairman Steve Dozier. Voting to deny the project was Rick Livingston,Bruce Hatfield and Robert Griffin.

The developers application to build a 200 lot subdivision primarily on what is now the South Course at Etowah can move forward now and all three nine holes at Etowah will most likely remain open for at least a year.

 Emergency crews  were called to the scene of a Henderson County home after two people were trapped Thursday afternoon in a partial retaining wall collapse.

Officials at a home on Lindsley Court tell News 13 crews were repairing a retaining wall on the property when part of it collapsed, trapping two people.

One person was transported to the hospital with minor injuries with the second extricated and airlifted to Mission Hospital around 11 PM

Some of the agencies assisting include Edneyville and Dana Fire departments, Henderson County EMS, Henderson County Rescue Squad and Henderson County Sheriff's Office.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS1 person rescued after part of retaining wall collapses, crews trying to free 2nd person | WLOS

NORFOLK, Va. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Beddingfield, a native of Zirconia, North Carolina, serves aboard a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Norfolk, Virginia.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Beverly Taylor,
Navy Office of Community Outreach

Beddingfield graduated in 2018 from East Henderson High School.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Zirconia.

“I credit my hometown for my work ethic,” said Beddingfield. “It also taught me to be a team player and to care about others, not just about myself.”

Beddingfield joined the Navy five years ago. Today, Beddingfield serves as a fire controlman aboard USS Ross.

“I joined the Navy because my brother was in the Navy and I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” said Beddingfield. “I also wanted to do something to better myself and help others.”

Ross, a guided-missile destroyer, provides a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.

A destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The ship is equipped with tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a phalanx close-in weapons system.

More than 300 sailors serve aboard Ross. Their jobs are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill. Their jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry, alongside a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times, according to Navy officials.

Serving in the Navy means Beddingfield is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is important to national defense because it is a global force for good that extends beyond just protecting our country,” said Beddingfield. “We can deploy anywhere in the world that suffers from war or humanitarian crisis.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.

Beddingfield has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment was being a part of my ship’s mission in Rota, Spain,” said Beddingfield. “I had the honor of helping refugees process into Spain from Afghanistan.”

As Beddingfield and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the U.S. Navy.

“Serving in the Navy has given me a way to better myself,” said Beddingfield. “I wouldn’t be where I am now without being in the Navy.”

Beddingfield is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my family,” added Beddingfield. “My mother, brother and wife have supported me through so much.”

 A North Carolina audit has uncovered several school districts -- including Henderson County -- failed to comply with student attendance laws during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In November 2021, the General Assembly passed a law requiring the state Department of Public Instruction to contract with the auditor’s office to analyze data on six districts — two large, two medium and two small. The auditor’s office chose Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Winston Salem/Forsyth, Johnston County, Robeson County, Henderson County and Hyde County.

According to the report released earlier this month, state attendance data was “not complete or accurate” for five of the six districts, leaving Henderson County as the only one to be fully analyzed.

During the 2020-21 school year, many students took online classes because schools weren't providing in-person instruction.

State Auditor Beth Wood’s report has sparked debate among state and school officials even as attendance and test scores have been improving.

"Instead of recommendations to get students back to school, our agency and six of our school districts have been unnecessarily reprimanded," state Superintendent Catherine Truitt said in a news release.

Henderson County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Garrett also took issue with the report.

"It is disappointing to go through an audit only to feel as though it was a wasted opportunity for improvement," Garrett said in a statement. "We would recommend that any future analysis pf student attendance be constructed in a manner that is beneficial to the organizations being monitored."

The audit found that 87% of the students in the Henderson County schools identified as chronically absent during the 2020-21 school year and didn't otherwise leave the system before the year's end were either promoted to the next grade or graduated from high school. Chronically absent was defined as someone who missed 10% or more of the days in which they were enrolled.

Auditors analyzed the attendance data for 13,044 students who attended district schools during the 2020-21 school year and determined that 7,071 of 13,044 (54%) students had three or more unexcused absences during that time.

According to the report, 2,563 (20%) of all students had between three and five unexcused absences, 1,620 (12%) of all students had between six and nine unexcused absences, and 2,888 (22%) of all students had 10 or more unexcused absences.

According to the report, Henderson County Public Schools had 1,647 (13%) chronically absent students during the 2020-21 school year, representing an increase from 4% of all students chronically absent in the 2019-20 school year and 8% in 2018-19.

Not only were 1,647 of 13,044 (13%) students chronically absent, 481 of 1,647 (29%) chronically absent students missed more than 45 days (more than a quarter) of the 2020-21 school year -- a significant increase compared to school years 2019-20 and 2018-19 when 34 (6.8%) and 91 (8.6%) chronically absent students missed more than 45 days of the school year.

Auditors analyzed 1,522 chronically absent students and determined 1,327 (87%) were either promoted to the next grade or graduated.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSState, Henderson County educators blast COVID-19 school attendance report | WLOS

The League of Women Voters of Henderson County (LWVHC) will
host Dr. Amanda Sturgill, author of Detecting Deception - Tools to
Fight Fake News, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 4 pm on
Zoom.
Fact checking and verification is an essential part of journalism.
Dr. Sturgill draws from present day news examples to help people
recognize the most common bad arguments public figures make.
Detecting Deception is an essential tool for training citizens,
including future journalists, to build stories that recognize faulty
arguments and hold their subjects to a higher standard.
Dr. Sturgill is an Associate Professor of Journalism at Elon
University, teaching storytelling to undergraduates, content
marketing and digital strategy to interactive media graduate
students and undergrad analytics students; and performs
research in emerging communication technologies.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information
and to register on Zoom go to our website: www.lwvhcnc.org.
LWVHC welcomes all members of our community.