News

 People in Henderson County can now recycle foam, thanks to a grant the county received to purchase a foam densifier.

It takes pieces of foam and compresses it from a 90-to-1 ratio.

This now makes hauling the foam away much easier.

“The transportation becomes very possible, very affordable. In fact, with the organizations we’re working with, we get revenue from it and that’s covering our transportation,” said Marcus Jones, county engineer for Henderson County.

On the second Tuesday of each month, the county will hold foam collection days for county residents through its Foam Polystyrene (PS) Collection Pilot Program.

Examples of foam items to be collected include:

• Meat trays
• Cups
• Take-out containers
• Egg cartons
• Transport packaging used to protect TVs, appliances, furniture and other valuables during shipping

Then, once a month, the collected foam will be taken and run through the densifier.

“It takes up air space in the landfill, so it’s a really good material to pull out of your waste stream and recycle separately,” added Jones.

For more information about recycling in Henderson County, click HERE.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHenderson County to hold monthly foam collections thanks to new foam densifier | WLOS

The Hendersonville Police Department is embarking on the process of international accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA). HPD voluntarily entered the self-assessment phase in February 2023. The department hopes to achieve compliance with over 160 standards by the end of 2024. 

“Obtaining CALEA accreditation is an ambitious and worthwhile process,” said Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand. “Through the accreditation process, our department will demonstrate how it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.”  

To receive accreditation, the department will endure a rigorous review and evaluation of the organization while implementing necessary policy and procedural changes. The Hendersonville Police Department is committed to modeling the highest standards in law enforcement.  

Benefits of CALEA accreditation include: 

• Controlled Liability Insurance Costs - Accredited status makes it easier for agencies to purchase liability insurance; allows agencies to increase the limit of their insurance coverage more easily; and, in many cases, results in lower premiums.  
• Stronger Defense Against Lawsuits and Citizen Complaints - Accredited agencies are better able to defend themselves against lawsuits and citizen complaints. Many agencies report a decline in legal actions against them once they become accredited.  
• Greater Accountability Within the Agency - Accreditation standards give the Chief Executive Officer a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation.  
• Staunch Support from Government Officials - Accreditation provides objective evidence of an agency’s commitment to excellence in leadership, resource management, and service delivery. This can provide government officials with increased confidence in the agency’s ability to operate efficiently and meet community needs.  
• Increases Community Advocacy - Accreditation embodies the precepts of community-oriented policing. It creates a forum in which police and citizens work together to prevent and control crime. This partnership helps citizens understand the challenges confronting law enforcement and gives law enforcement clear direction about community expectations.  
• Improved Employee Morale - Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence, and competence. It requires written directives and training to inform employees about policies and practices; facilities and equipment to ensure employee safety; and processes to safeguard employee rights. Employees take pride in their agency, knowing it represents the very best in public safety. 

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., (CALEA) was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement's major executive associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriffs' Association (NSA); and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). CALEA’s accreditation programs improve service delivery by maintaining a body of standards developed by public safety practitioners to recognize professional excellence. 

Specifically, CALEA’s goals are: Strengthen crime prevention and control capabilities; Formalize essential management procedures; Establish fair and nondiscriminatory personnel practices; Improve service delivery; Solidify interagency cooperation and coordination; and Increase community and staff confidence in the agency. The CALEA Accreditation Process is a proven modern management model. Once implemented, it gives the Chief of Police a blueprint to promote the efficient use of resources and improve service delivery. 

Additional information on the CALEA Accreditation Process is available at https://calea.org/

 Pactiv Evergreen plans to close its Canton paper mill. Employees found out Monday, and company officials confirmed the move to News 13 on Monday night.

The plant, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, employs about 1,100 people and is one of the largest employers in Haywood County, said Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers, who likened the closure to taking a piece of the town's soul.

Smathers said the news came out of nowhere, and there was no fair warning.

"The words are simply not enough," Smathers said. "When I was downtown and I saw grown men with tears in their eyes, there are not words, and no one was prepared on this dark Monday to deal with that.”

Earlier this evening, union leaders for Smokey Mountain Local 507 were called to meet with Evergreen packaging officials Monday and were told of the plan to close the mill.

The shutdown in Canton and reduction in Waynesville will happen this summer.

Smokey Mountain Local 507 President Troy Dills said when he asked about the future of the facility, company officials told him they did not intend to tear the pant down.

Smathers does not know if another mill will open there.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSCanton mayor: Paper mill closing is like taking a piece of town's soul | WLOS

- The City of Hendersonville’s spring bulk leaf collection for City residents has begun and will continue throughout the month of March.

This is a service automatically provided to city residents and they do not need to call to request leaf pick-up. Residents should not bag their leaves; simply rake leaves as close to the street, curb, or sidewalk as possible without placing the leaves in the roadway or on the sidewalk. Keeping leaf piles out of the roadways and sidewalks helps prevent them from being washed down to the storm drain which can cause flooding. This leaf collection process is separate from brush collection crews; therefore, residents will need to keep their brush and leaves in separate piles during the month of March until spring bulk leaf collection is complete. 

Leaf piles are picked up from homes approximately every seven business days but, depending on the volume of leaves placed out for collection, the piles could be picked up sooner or later than that time.

The City’s bulk leaf collection service does not include pickup for yard waste generated by landscaping companies. If any residents, businesses, or nonprofits use a contractor or landscape contractor to trim or cut trees or any yard work, the contractor is responsible for removal of the debris they generate including grass clippings, bulk leaves, tree trimmings, etc.

Mulch GiveawayThe City of Hendersonville has scheduled its seasonal mulch giveaway program to begin on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Mulch will be available for pick up on Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. This schedule will continue until early May, or until the material is gone.

The mulch will be distributed at the old Wastewater Treatment Plant located at 80 Balfour Road in Hendersonville. The Public Works Department will have a staff member on-site to operate the backhoe and load the material.

In addition to the mulch, the City will be offering composted leaves as a separate material. These leaves were collected during previous leaf collection events, ran through a grinder, and composted for a year. This material makes an excellent addition to vegetable and flower gardens.

Free mulch and free leaf compost are intended for non-commercial, residential use. Dump trucks will not be filled, and contractors will not be provided with either type of material for reselling or commercial use.

More information on these programs is available at www.hendersonvillenc.gov or by contacting the Public Works Department at (828) 697-3084.

 A Hendersonville couple has reached an agreement with the City of Hendersonville to end litigation over a police dog attack in 2020.

The $1.7 million settlement marks the end of an ordeal that began more than 2.5 years ago.

On August 2, 2020, Kevin and Mary O'Neill were heading for their car in the driveway of their home when a Belgian Malinois police K-9 approached them. As the dog lunged at Mrs. O'Neill, her husband went to unlock the car doors so they could get to safety.

According to the complaint, that is when the K-9 attacked him.

The dog was assigned to the O'Neill's next-door neighbor, Hendersonville Police Sergeant Robert Cantwell. In the complaint, Cantwell is accused of allowing the K-9, and his other dogs, to roam the property "at-large."

According to the O'Neill's attorney, that never should have been allowed to happen.

"They (Cantwell) should be responsible," John McCabe, the attorney for the O'Neills, said. "They're required to be responsible. That's what their training is supposed to mandate that this doesn't ever, ever, ever happen."

Mr. O'Neill suffered injuries to his face, throat, chest, abdomen, and other parts of his body. According to McCabe, the O'Neills wanted the city to take responsibility.

"The acknowledgement that somebody had done something wrong," McCabe says the couple sought, "and willing to acknowledge that and accept accountability for it."

Now, the O'Neills and the City of Hendersonville hope the incident will prove to be a lesson that will keep similar attacks from occurring.

"We talked about it," said John Connect, Hendersonville City Manager. "We want it to be a learning lesson, not only for the City of Hendersonville, but for other police departments across the state, and share how important it is to be on top of the K-9 program."

Sergeant Robert Cantwell remains employed with the Hendersonville Police Department. After the incident, the K-9 was donated to a former police/military dog non-profit in Texas.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville couple gets $1.7 million settlement in K-9 attack | WLOS

 The Henderson County Public Schools system wrapped up a week of commitments educators and authorities hope will save lives.

It has been a week of inspiration and education as schools came together to raise awareness of substance abuse. The annual "We Are Hope" event culminated Friday at the county's historic courthouse.

Students from Henderson County middle and high schools signed a sheriff’s cruiser and hung signed banners, pledging to take a stand against drugs.

"Using drugs is not about addiction anymore. Now, it’s about death," Hendersonville Police Chief Blair Myhand said. "So, the fact that you’re willing to step up and say I’m not going to do this is remarkable. It shows great leadership."

The week has been a collaboration between the Hope Coalition and Henderson County Public Schools. Together, with the hundreds of students who made the commitment, they’re hoping more students will think twice before using drugs.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSWe Are Hope event winds down with student pledges against drug use | WLOS

 Hundreds of baby kittens are expected this year, and Blue Ridge Humane Society staff and volunteers are preparing for “kitten season” with their annual Kitten Shower to gather items needed to care for the most vulnerable. 

The Kitten Shower will be on March 25^th from 11 am until 2 pm at Guidon Brewing Company, 415 8^th Avenue E. in Hendersonville. The event will have social time meet our staff and current fosters and get to know more about our Foster Program. Games, snacks, and other goodies will be provided for attendees and donations of much-needed kitten items are encouraged. Items requested include vital supplies like kitten formula and food, kitten warmers, bottles, and supplements that give foster kittens the needed boost to grow into healthy adult cats.   

The full kitten supply list is available on the Blue Ridge Humane Society website at https://www.blueridgehumane.org/donate/wish-list/. There are also options available for items to be purchased online and shipped directly to Blue Ridge Humane.  

As the weather warms up, the birds, bees, and cats get busy. Soon, kittens start to appear in local animal shelters, “rescued” by well-meaning animal lovers. "We are coming on that time of year when animal lovers begin finding kittens outside,” says Angela Prodrick, Blue Ridge Humane’s Executive Director. “It is important to remember that the amount of community or feral cats in our county far outnumbers the number of people living in our community. If all the kittens were brought to a local shelter, the shelter would quickly become overwhelmed.” 

If you find a kitten, here are a few simple things you can do to help save lives: 

Instead of immediately springing into action once kittens are found, wait and watch. If the kittens aren’t visibly sick or injured, move away from the nest and wait to see if the mother returns. If the mother returns, you can help her by providing food and shelter while she raises the kittens.  

If you discover that mom isn’t returning, or if it appears that she is not coming back, then you should remove the kittens. This is crucial to the kittens’ survival. The best place for kittens to grow is with a dedicated foster. Blue Ridge Humane provides kitten kits to help kitten rescuers turn into kitten fosters.  

Once kittens are about 6-8 weeks old, a finder can look to get them spayed or neutered and adopted into new homes. If you find kittens that need care and you need supplies or advice, contact the BRHS Foster and Community Outreach Team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (828) 393-5832. Animal lovers can also view additional resources about what to do when kittens are found at https://www.blueridgehumane.org/resources/lost-found/kittens/.  

Blue Ridge Humane offers kitten care support for volunteers, as well as comprehensive training and support for fosters in the BRHS foster program. To learn more about fostering, visit https://www.blueridgehumane.org/get-involved/foster/ or contact Michaela Okuda, Foster Program Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

The Blue Ridge Humane Society, Inc., is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization started in 1950 and dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of life for animals in Henderson County and our neighboring communities. BRHS cares for pets awaiting adoption at the Adoption Center; offers low-cost vaccine clinics, animal education programs, pet training classes, and youth education and projects; coordinates community pet food assistance, emergency vet assistance, and the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), which is a collaboration with Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville, and the Henderson County Animal Services Center.  

If you believe in our cause, consider donating or learning how to volunteer by visiting the Blue Ridge Humane Society’s website at www.blueridgehumane.org or call (828) 692-2639.  

 The new parking deck in downtown Hendersonville is officially open. Hendersonville officials cut the ribbon on the facility Wednesday afternoon.

The deck is half a block from Main Street, making it easily accessible. Leaders said they are excited to give residents and visitors more convenient parking to enjoy the downtown area.

"We've had, over the years, so many questions and complaints that there's no place to park downtown. So, this is our answer. We're half a block off Main Street, just a straight shot. You can get up to Main Street without having to climb any hills and just wander up and down and enjoy this wonderful town," Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk said.

The city is delaying the start of on-street parking fees until Friday to give city council members the chance to approve parking ordinance changes and a new parking map at their meeting Thursday.

Metered on-street parking and paid hourly parking in surface lots and the parking deck are set to begin at 4 a.m. Friday, March 3.

Click here to learn more about Hendersonville parking options.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville leaders cut ribbon on parking deck | WLOS

 At Hendersonville High School, English teacher Adam Johnson was nominated by a fellow teacher who has a kid in one of his classes. She says Johnson goes above and beyond to make learning fun, and to show up for kids outside of the classroom.

Melissa Nitsche gives her co-worker a hug, thanking him for a job well done. Today's lesson is about commas, and, Adam Johnson manages to keep it entertaining by using fun, real-life examples.

Nitsche's son is one of Johnson's students. She's seen a difference.

"For my son to come home and be like ‘I want to talk about this project’ That’s huge. That’s huge because he’s very quiet and subdued," says Nitsche.

Junior Matt Ammann also enjoys English class.

"I look forward to fifth period every day. It’s right before lunch. It’s a good class. He always has good energy. He’s never in a bad mood or anything," says Ammann

This is Johnson's sixth year teaching at Hendersonville High. After a previous career in retail management, he followed his heart and made a change.

"Teaching has always been what I thought was my passion, what I was drawn to do," explains Johnson. "The role models of my youth were teachers."

Nitsche, who is also the soccer coach at Hendersonville High says Johnson also supports his students outside the classroom by showing up at some of the games.

"One of the most recent ones, it was pouring rain, and I look up, and there he is with his umbrella, just sitting there, and just the support he shows these kids," recalls the coach.

"If I can show up at the field or at the court to show them that I’m rooting for them in that way, I think that means a lot to kids. If the weather’s bad, the weather’s bad. If they can play in it, I can be there and support them," says Johnson.

Support, Coach Nitsche says that leads to respect and a desire to work harder in his classroom.

"I think he’s creating some young adults that are going to do great things in the world," states Coach Nitsche.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSThanks to Teachers: Adam Johnson | WLOS