News

One mountain school is celebrating a national award it recently received!

Hendersonville Elementary School is one of 37 Special Olympics Unified Championship schools in the country to make the 2022 ESPN Honor Roll, and the only school in North Carolina.

The school was selected based on the active involvement of the PawPal program.

It's where 5th grade students apply for and spend time with students in the special needs classroom.

To earn the recognition of a National Banner School on the ESPN honor roll, schools must demonstrate inclusion through 10 standards of excellence.

STORY COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville Elementary celebrates 2022 ESPN Honor Roll award | WLOS

 Some city and county leaders in Western North Carolina recently teamed up to take part in a statewide litter sweep.

Henderson County Board of Commissioners and Hendersonville City Council joined forces on Saturday as part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Spring Litter Sweep, which runs from April 15-29.

The litter sweep is part of NCDOT's biannual statewide roadside litter removal initiative, with residents across the state devoting their time to help clean up North Carolina's roadways.

Rebecca McCall, chairman of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, talked about the importance of keeping the community clean in a video.

"First impressions go a long way," the chairman said. "And especially since we're a community where we have a lot of visitors coming to see our area and enjoy our area, we need to be proud of who we are and share that pride with others."

In a video from the county, city councilmember Jennifer Hensley simply encouraged people not to litter.

"I grew up in the 80s and it was the thing, like, 'don't litter, don't throw things out of your car window,'" Hensley said. "I know that trash haphazardly ends up some places, like blowing in the wind and bears getting into the trash. But there are people who generally still throw trash out their window, and it's just unacceptable."

"We encourage residents to volunteer and do your part to keep Henderson County litter free," a spokesperson for Henderson County said.

City and county workers cleaned up areas along Dana Road and Four Seasons Boulevard on Saturday.

Click here to learn more about NCDOT's litter sweeps.

STORY COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSCounty, city officials join forces to take part in statewide 'Spring Litter Sweep' | WLOS

The City of Hendersonville’s Walk Hendo Steering Committee invites the community to provide a second round of input on the City’s new pedestrian plan.

On May 2, and throughout the month of May, the City of Hendersonville will be hosting public input opportunities for anyone who lives in, works in, or visits Hendersonville. A drop-in-style public meeting will be hosted on May 2 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM where the community can share their thoughts about the proposed set of pedestrian projects. An online survey will be launched that day and will run throughout May to collect similar feedback.

The Walk Hendo Steering Committee developed the set of pedestrian infrastructure projects out of last summer’s community input sessions in collaboration with the transportation consulting firm Traffic Planning & Design. Walk Hendo is Hendersonville’s pedestrian planning process to identify the community’s vision, strategies, goals, and recommended actions for creating safe places to walk. The project began in the spring of 2022 and is expected to be completed in the late summer or early fall of 2023.

Public Input Opportunities

In-Person

• City Operations Center Assembly Room - 305 Williams Street in Hendersonville
• Tuesday, May 2, 2023
• Drop-in anytime 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Virtual

• Online Survey
• Beginning May 2, 2023
• Visit https://www.hvlnc.gov/walkhendo to learn more.

The community’s input will be used to further develop the Walk Hendo Pedestrian Plan. Once the plan is adopted, the City and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) can use it to direct how we build projects, make policy choices, design programs and events, and apply for new types of funding.

Walk Hendo is made possible with a grant from NCDOT. It is led by Asheville-based transportation consulting firm Traffic Planning & Design. Contact Rachael Bronson at Traffic Planning & Design for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.575.0133.

Additional project details are available at www.hvlnc.gov/walkhendo.

The City of Hendersonville is improving the water storage capacity of the North Fork Mills River Reservoir. The watershed and reservoir are located on completely forested, public lands within the Pisgah National Forest and have provided water to Hendersonville and surrounding areas for approximately 100 years. Over time, sediment has naturally accumulated within the reservoir which has begun to infringe on the water intake structure's ability to receive water. 

“We recognize the importance of protecting our natural resources and are committed to ensuring that the North Fork Reservoir continues to provide clean water for our community," said Lee Smith, Water and Sewer Utilities Director for the City of Hendersonville. “Protecting natural water resources and working with partners like the U.S. Forest Service allows our community to enjoy life-sustaining natural water sources while protecting and sustaining our forests for future generations.” Utilities Director Smith explained the project is a proactive step to preserve the water source.  

To ensure this pristine water source can continue to serve the community, the reservoir's water level will be temporarily lowered and accumulated sediment removed. The sediment will be temporarily stockpiled and then transported outside of the national forest for proper disposal. This process is known as "dredging," and will increase water volume along with improving water quality. Construction work will begin the week of April 24, 2023, and is expected to last several months until August 2023. 

The construction area within Pisgah National Forest will be surrounded by safety fencing, and signage will be posted in the area. Forest users are advised to avoid entering construction zones for their safety and should exercise caution on the national forest roads due to increased construction traffic. Motor vehicle access to Wash Creek Road (FS 5000) from the North Mills River Campground to the Wash Creek Group Camp and Hendersonville Reservoir Road to the Trace Ridge Parking Area will be restricted during certain construction work activities that present safety hazards on weekdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  

“The U.S. Forest Service has partnered with the City of Hendersonville for many years to achieve sustainable, multiple-use land and resource management to meet the diverse needs of the community,” said District Ranger Dave Casey, Pisgah National Forest. “Dating back to 1911, the legislation that authorized the federal government to purchase lands in the east, such as Pisgah National Forest, was focused on protecting the headwaters of our rivers and streams that had been decimated at the time. After 100 years of water supply to Hendersonville, we’re proud to continue that access to this remarkable resource for our local communities.”

The City of Hendersonville has provided clean, high-quality drinking water for over one hundred years. Currently, approximately 75,000 people across Hendersonville and Henderson County utilize the water system for affordable, trusted drinking water. The City currently sources water from three locations - the North Fork Mills River Reservoir and Bradley Creek located in Pisgah National Forest, and the main stem of the Mills River. A similar dredging project was completed in 2019 to remove accumulated sediment from Bradley Creek. Water travels from these sources to Hendersonville's water treatment facility where treatment occurs before traveling through pipes to homes and businesses across the community.   

Additional information on the North Fork Reservoir Dredging Project is available at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/projects/north-fork-reservoir-dredging  

 On April 19th, 2023, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Special Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, arrested Adrian Oneal Branch and Taylor Nicole Crawford for various controlled substance related crimes. Detectives had obtained federal indictments for Branch based on his involvement in a previous investigation. Branch was taken into custody without incident and found to be in possession of suspected Fentanyl. A subsequent search warrant was served at Crawford's residence where Detectives located additional suspected Fentanyl. Both Branch and Crawford were taken into custody and charged with various crimes related to the suspected Fentanyl that was located.

In total, Detectives located and seized Fentanyl, marijuana, methadone, Percocet, cocaine, $2,721.00 of United States currency, and one firearm. Branch was indicted for six counts of Possession with Intent to Sell and Deliver Fentanyl and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Additional arrest warrants for the items located during Branch's arrest and search of Crawford's home were issued, but have not been served on Branch at this time. Branch is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center under no bond.

Crawford was charged with Felony Trafficking in Opium or Heroin Lvl 3, Felony Conspiracy to Traffic Opium/Heroin, Felony Trafficking in Opium or Heroin Lvl 2, Felony PWISD Marijuana, Felony Maintain a Vehicle/Dwelling for Purpose of Sell/Deliver a Controlled Substance x2, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, Simple Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance, Simple Possession of Schedule IV Substance, and Misdemeanor Child Abuse. Crawford is currently being held at the Henderson County Detention Center under a $1,800,000.00 secured bond.

Fentanyl is a widely available and highly addictive man-made opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, small enough to fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially deadly dose. Using this calculation, the amount of fentanyl seized from Branch and Crawford could have potentially been responsible for up to 66,000 deaths.

Sheriff Lowell Griffin stated, "I am proud of the hard work and dedication of our Detectives and Special Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration. These arrests and seizures will have a significant impact on the distribution of controlled substances in Henderson County and beyond. We remain committed to keeping our community safe by removing dangerous drugs and individuals from our streets."

 A man from Hendersonville will spend at least six years behind bars after pleading guilty to operating a continuing criminal enterprise in the area.

A press release from District Attorney Andrew Murray says during Henderson County’s two-week trial term that began on April 3, 2023, Dax Edward Suarez, 42, of Hendersonville, pled guilty to operating a continuing criminal enterprise.

"To be guilty of Operating a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, the State must prove the defendant violated a series of continuing felony drug laws and that the defendant acted as a manager in concert with five or more other violators," District Attorney Murray explained. "In addition, the State must prove the defendant gained a substantial income or resources from his/her drug enterprise."

Through a multiple-month extensive investigation, the Henderson County Drug Task Force was able to establish the defendant, Suarez, along with many others, was involved in the distribution of large quantities of Methamphetamine in the county and the surrounding area.

Investigators were able to establish probable cause on December 20, 2019, for a blue light stop of a vehicle operated by Suarez. An inspection of the vehicle turned up multiple ounces of meth. The defendant was arrested without incident.

Suarez pled guilty and was sentenced to 83 months minimum and 113 months maximum in prison by the Honorable Peter Knight as part of a plea arrangement.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville man pleads guilty to operating a continuing criminal enterprise | WLOS

 The iconic Coca-Cola mural on North Main Street in Hendersonville has been refreshed and renewed.

The mural at Tripps Renovations had become discolored through the years. When visitors kept commenting about the mural's state of disrepair, Tripps office manager Tammy Navarro began the process of getting it restored.

Restoration of the mural began on April 13 and the final sealant was applied on April 17.

"I got a lot of feedback. I posted it on the Hendersonville Facebook page and received a lot of feedback on it. People are real ecstatic and happy," Navarro said.

The sign has been restored and is back to looking like it did in 2015 when it was first painted.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOShttps://wlos.com/news/local/iconic-coca-cola-mural-in-downtown-hendersonville-gets-facelift-tripps-renovation-main-street#

 High school students gathered together on Tuesday to help clean up a popular park in Hendersonville.

Future Farmers of America classes from three Henderson County high schools partnered with Henderson County Parks & Recreation to beautify Jackson Park.

It’s a partnership spanning years between the school system and county.

On Tuesday, their main goal was to plant, sweep and pick up around the park to keep it nice for the community and learn about firsthand agriculture maintenance.

“Just trying to teach them how to plant shrubs, how to plant garden stuff around," Parks & Rec Director Bruce Gilliam said. "They’re going to own homes one day, so we’re excited to be a part of it with them."

They plan to eventually hit all the parks in the county and work on beautifying them as well.

STORY COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHigh school students partner with Parks & Rec to help beautify Jackson Park | WLOS

Henderson County Sheriff's Office Seeks Suspect Information in Shooting of Horse.
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Henderson County, North Carolina - The Henderson County Sheriff's Office is appealing to the public for any information regarding an appalling incident that occurred on Saturday, April 16th, in the Hyder Allen Rd area of Henderson County.

The incident resulted in the death of an early 20's quarter horse, which suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The horse was last seen alive in the early afternoon hours of Friday, April 15th.

The Sheriff's Office is requesting the community's assistance in identifying the suspect responsible for this heinous act.

The investigation is being led by Animal Enforcement Cpl. Brad Reece, who is urging anyone with information to come forward and help with the investigation. "We take incidents like this very seriously, and we are committed to finding the person responsible for this senseless act of violence against an innocent animal," said Cpl. Reece.

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to bringing the perpetrator of this crime to justice and ensuring the safety and protection of all animals within the county.

 The Sheriff's Office assures the public that all tips received will be kept confidential. If you have any information about the incident, please contact Cpl. Brad Reece at 828.697.4596 x 4601 or use the "Submit A Tip" feature on the Sheriff's Office's mobile app.

On Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 4:00 PM, members of City Council, City Staff and Blue Ridge Honor Flight and HonorAir representatives will gather to unveil an HonorAir Park sign on the southern end of Main Street. Hendersonville’s Southside Gateway Park was renamed to honor all Veterans of Western North Carolina and to recognize the Blue Ridge Honor Flight and HonorAir programs that fly Veterans to visit their respective war memorials in Washington D.C.

Local media is invited to attend the sign unveiling.

What: HonorAir Park Sign Unveiling

When: Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 4:00 PM

Where: Southern intersection of South Main Street and South Church Street. The sign will be unveiled on the Main Street side of the park.