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North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, who also serves as the State Fire Marshal, announced today the Hendersonville Fire Department has earned an ISO Class 1 Fire Protection Rating from the North Carolina Department of Insurance. This designation places the fire department in the top 2% of fire departments in North Carolina and in the top 1% nationwide. 

“This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and professional service provided by the men and women of the Hendersonville Fire Department as well as the vision and support provided by our City Council,” said Hendersonville Fire Chief D. James Miller. “A Class 1 rating not only means the potential for improved insurance premiums for Hendersonville residents and businesses, but it means they can count on superior fire protection from our department.” 

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) provides advisory services to insurance companies for underwriting risk and establishing insurance rates in communities. Through the Public Protection Classification (PPC) program, the ISO rates municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States. The ratings range from 1 (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a fire department by the state) based on the fire suppression force, the water delivery system, and 911 communications. HFD was previously a Class 3 department and Commissioner Mike Causey’s announcement marks the first time in the department’s history of achieving the top rating.  

“Out of more than 1,200 fire departments across our 100 counties, the Hendersonville Fire Department is now one of only 28 fire departments in North Carolina that have achieved this,” said NC Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey. “I just can’t say enough good things about the Hendersonville Fire Department.” He remarked on the importance this designation has on the Hendersonville community and thanked the Office of the State Fire Marshal for what they do. 

A snapshot of some of the Hendersonville Fire Department accomplishments leading to the new rating include the hiring of twelve personnel through a SAFER grant; the design of a new 20,000 square foot fire station headquarters; the purchase of the new Engine 9-3; the addition of battalion chief, operational deputy chief, and life safety positions; recipient of the OSHA Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP); creation of a new five-year strategic plan, the addition of a training division and captain; replacement of existing engine and tower apparatus budgeted for 2023, the addition of an embedded mental health clinician, and participation in the OSFM smoke detector canvas each year. 

“Our department would not be able to have reached this milestone without the continued support of our City Council,” said Fire Chief Miller. “Their commitment to constructing a new Fire Station 1 and funding additional personnel and equipment has made our department a leader in the industry.” Chief Miller also highlighted the outstanding water system developed and maintained by Hendersonville Water & Sewer as a key piece of the Class 1 rating. He thanked HFD’s automatic aid departments for their partnership and the 911 communications provided by the Henderson County 911 Center which also contributes to the department’s ability to provide exceptional fire suppression service.  

The new ratings will become effective for insurance policies on July 1. 

Additional information on the Hendersonville Fire Department is available at www.hvlnc.gov/fire. 

 On March 3rd, Hendersonville began a new era of paid parking along Main Street and in the adjacent city parking structure.

The introduction of paid parking has been a sharp turn from the previous free parking that’s made it easy for shoppers and employees to pull right up and park without worrying about how long they’ll be there.

Though the city did have paid meter parking in the past, the meters were removed after many store owners voiced concerns that the charge for parking was bad for business.

Now, decades later, the latest high-tech version has been introduced to both the cheers and jeers of folks who either welcome or disapprove of the change.

The City of Hendersonville is calling the first month of paid parking a success. According to Assistant City Manager Brian Pahle, the city is likely meeting its revenue projections. “We were expecting revenues to come in at a certain amount,” he says, “and that’s what it’s looking like right now.” However, for some local store owners the concerns are more personal.

On the flip side, businesses that cater primarily to tourists and visitors say they have not seen a decline in business since paid parking was introduced. For them, the change has freed up parking on Main Street, as area employees no longer use those spots for their own parking. They also cite the benefits of the new parking deck, with it’s more than 250 parking spaces designed to alleviate some of the competition for parking spaces downtown. They also acknowledge that the additional parking came with a $9 million price tag, a cost that the city needs to be accountable for.

The challenge for many area residents is simply navigating the technology and stomaching the cost. Many begin the process of signing in at the area kiosks, only to forget their license plate numbers of find it difficult to pay. Others see the $2 hourly charge prohibitive, given the price of a cup of coffee and how much it’ll add to their morning Main Street ritual. Neil Calk is one of those local patrons who acknowledges the increased burden on terms of both money and time. “We’re all on fixed incomes,” he said. “We’re all retirees. When you pay for parking, along with coffee, it gets to be pricey. It’s not like it once was. Most of us get out of dodge as fast as we can.”

The city says they are taking the concerns of residents into consideration and are open to help make the new parking system more friendly to area residents. “We’re listening,” says Pahle. “Part of the goal is to make sure we hear what the public says.”

As for the challenges of technology, Pahle suggests there’ll be a learning curve. Ultimately, he says, it will become the new normal.

The city has made a video available to help users better understand how to use the kiosk and parking deck systems. The video is available on the Parking FAQ page of their website HERE.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSCheers & jeers, reaction to paid parking in Hendersonville after first 30 days | WLOS

 Hendersonville Police Department announced Wednesday, April 5 patrol officers will be conducting increased speed enforcement patrols around the city.

The heightened effort is part of the NCDOT's and Hendersonville Police Department's ongoing "Speed a Little, Lose a Lot" campaign, which will run through April 9.

HPD said a greater focus on speeding will be concentrated in the areas of Asheville Highway and Church Street.

The increased patrol comes in response to a high number of crashes that happened the month of March.

"We kindly remind everyone to obey posted speed limits and drive responsibly. Together, let's make our roads safer for everyone," a statement from Hendersonville Police Department said.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS'Speed a Little, Lose a Lot:' More speeding enforcement for Hendersonville, police say | WLOS

 People in Transylvania County may have felt an early wake-up call Wednesday morning.

A 2.1 magnitude earthquake hit at 4:27 a.m. a little more than 4 miles southeast of Brevard. The small quake was a little more than 3 miles deep.

There have been no reports of damage.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded a 1.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded just northeast of Cross Anchor in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

And on March 30, it reported a 2.1 magnitude quake just south of Greenback, Tennessee.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOShttps://wlos.com/news/local/21-magnitude-earthquake-reported-near-brevard#

 A deal between Pactiv Evergreen and the regional United Steelworkers union is a win of some degree for workers who choose to stay with the company through June 9, when job eliminations are set to begin.

“I hate to condition it as good news because I wish there was no news at all,” Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers said.

The Canton paper mill will shut down this summer.

Gov. Roy Cooper plans to visit the area Thursday, but no other details about his stop were available.

Smathers said many layers are involved in closing the Canton plant, including reaching a company-union agreement, because many of the jobs were union jobs.

“It does seem coming out of it there was a lot of compromises made, that there was money given back to the workers in the form of raises, back-dating it,” Smathers said.

Workers received WARN notices last month identifying June 9 as the date job eliminations will begin.

“These workers, both union and non-union, deserve every bit of respect and opportunity they can from Evergreen,” Smathers said.

The WARN letters indicate union workers are eligible for benefits in “accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the company and the union.”

Non-union employees will be offered “severance and outplacement benefits under Evergreen's severance pay plan.”

Eligibility requires working through designated separation dates.

“There are several different layers, depending on who you are, what your employment is. Obviously, there'll be a skeleton crew in Evergreen after that June date, obviously involving wastewater. In my mind, I’m treating that June date as the last day for the majority of workers. It may get a little bit more technical for each person. But I see that as a major date, sadly, marked on my calendar for closure,” Smathers said.

As for the company's Waynesville operation, Pactiv Evergreen Communications Director Beth Kelly said, "Pactiv Evergreen continues to explore strategic alternatives for the Waynesville extrusion facility."

The plant is not identified for closure, but Haywood County Economic Development Director David Francis said it is listed as being for sale.

Waynesville Mayor Gary Caldwell said about 50 employees will remain at the Waynesville facility.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSPactiv Evergreen, union make worker pay deal; governor to visit Canton on Thursday | WLOS

The UNC Health system, Pardee UNC Health Care has changed its name to UNC Health Pardee, effective today....basically removing PARDEE from the first position in the signage.

In a press release today, President and CEO of UNC Health Pardee says the name change is simply 'rebranding' in the way of a logo style and has nothing to do with the overall way in which Pardee is managed. It does not change the relationship between Pardee and UNC.  Kirby said that Pardee remains a locally owned healthcare facility with the governance and decision-making continuing through a Board of Directors and the Henderson County Board of Commissioners.

In effect, looking at the new logo, it's just a "turn around" of PARDEE and UNC, with UNC HEALTH now being the FIRST NAME, for whatever that means.

“While the rebrand does not change any local operations or the relationship between Pardee and UNC, it is simply the next step in UNC Health’s strategy to create a cohesive health system across the state, demonstrating how we work as one UNC Health to prepare for the future of healthcare,” Kirby said.

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NC Sheriff's offices will no longer have to process pistol purchase applications.  Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin gives a statement regarding this veto and can be heard on a WHKP BLOG by going to www.whkp.com

The NC Legislature's vote to override Gov. Cooper's  veto of Gun Bill means that the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office will no longer processi pistol purchase permit applications including pending applications..

On Wednesday morning, the Legislature voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill titled "Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections," meaning that any person who wants to purchase or transfer a handgun in North Carolina no longer has to apply to the sheriff for a pistol purchase permit.

However, any person who wants to purchase a handgun through a firearms dealer will still undergo the background check required under current law and either be sold the handgun or denied sale if the background check indicates the person is disqualified from possessing a firearm, the sheriff's office said.

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City of Hendersonville offices will be closed in observance of the Good Friday holiday on Friday, April 7, 2023. 

Garbage, recycling, and brush collection for City of Hendersonville customers will not be taking place on Friday, April 7, 2023, due to the City's holiday schedule. Collection for Friday customers will be delayed by one week with collection resuming on Friday, April 14, 2023. 

For water/sewer issues occurring on the City holiday, please use the afterhours number at (828) 891-7779.

Hendersonville High School will look a lot different after June 30th when current school principal - for the past 22 years - "hangs it up" at 65 years old. Wilkins will then, no longer be a fixture at the school as he has been....and totally involved in education for the past 44 years.

Wilkins was hired by former principal, Tom Wilson, immediately upon Wilkins graduation from UNC-A in Asheville. 

Wilkins hesitated briefly when offered a teaching position at HHS since his strong math skills was pullin him in a computer-science direction. 

Good for Wilkins and Hendersonville High that Wilkins accepted the teaching job which had him coaching boys and girls basketball and football, along with girls track during his time at HHS. 

His last 'official' duties will be at the move-up "Red and White" Assembly on June 9th....and he will 'go out the door' with haste on June 30th to pursue other interests, yet to be defined.