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Lefty Driesell, a Hall of Fame coach best known for building Maryland into a national force, died Saturday at 92. Driesell also coached Davidson, James Madison and Georgia State, in addition to his legendary 17-year run with the Terrapins.

Driesell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 and ranks 17th on the sport's all-time wins list with a record of 786-394 in a career that spanned 41 seasons. He was the first college basketball coach to win 100-plus games at four different schools. He also won Coach of the Year at the conference level at each of those institutions.

Driesell was the first coach to guide four programs to the NCAA Tournament. His first was with Davidson in 1966; his last came at Georgia State in 2001. Driesell is regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches to never reach a Final Four, though he made four Elite Eight appearances.

After inheriting a Maryland program with a scant basketball history in 1969, he quickly laid a foundation that led to five consecutive top-15 finishes in the Associated Press poll and two Elite Eights between 1972 and 1976. One of his best teams at Maryland didn't make the NCAA Tournament when the No. 4 Terrapins lost in overtime to NC State 103-100 in the 1974 ACC Tournament championship in an era when only conference champions made the Big Dance.

He also proved to be a great promoter. Driesell, along with his assistant, George Raveling, contrived the concept of "Midnight Madness," by opening up preseason practices at the earliest possible minute: midnight of Oct. 15.

In 1971, Maryland held its Midnight Madness for the first time. Within a few years, schools across the country emulated the idea. It reached its peak in the 1990s, with multiple schools earning time on national television for glorified practices.

Though the "midnight" part of it isn't as commonplace in the modern era, the concept has grown magnificently.

Driesell was mostly solely credited with the concept for decades, but upon his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2018, he made sure to acknowledge that Raveling was, at worst, a co-creator. Driesell's hiring of Raveling also marked a key moment in the integration of college basketball's coaching ranks as Raveling was the first Black assistant in ACC history. Raveling went on to be the head coach at Washington State, Iowa and USC.

Maryland had reached four consecutive NCAA Tournaments when Driesell resigned shortly before the 1986-87 season and became an assistant athletic director. The move came amid fallout from the drug-related death of former star player Len Bias, which rocked the sports world and brought scrutiny on Driesell and the Maryland program.

Driesell didn't stay away from coaching long, landing the James Madison job in 1988 and leading the Dukes to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1994. He posted a 159-111 record in his nine seasons there before finishing his career at Georgia State.

Charles Grice Driesell was born on Christmas Day 1931, in Norfolk, Virginia, and played college basketball at Duke from 1951-54. Before breaking into the college coaching ranks, he spent several seasons as a high school coach in Newport News, Virginia.

He made the jump from high school coaching to become head coach at Davidson in 1960, thereby launching a four-plus decade career at the Division I level. The Wildcats had finished below .500 in 12 consecutive seasons when he arrived. But Driesell posted a 176-65 record highlighted by consecutive Eight Eight appearances before leaving for the Maryland job.

 

The Hendersonville Environmental Sustainability Board is pleased to announce its second annual Hendersonville Sustainability Hero Award. The Sustainability Hero Award celebrates outstanding achievement in the pursuit of the City’s commitment to lead by example in pursuing environmentally sustainable practices critical to preserving the community for future generations. The Sustainability Hero award will honor an individual, City employee, or team that is a champion for change and is responsible for development and implementation of sustainability practices in Hendersonville and the surrounding community.

 

Nominations for the Sustainability Hero Award may be submitted by any individual or organization including community members, City employees (co-workers) and non-governmental organizations and should be submitted to the Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Board, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Nominations will be open until March 1, 2024.

 

City of Hendersonville Stormwater Division Manager Michael Huffman was the first ever recipient of the Hendersonville Sustainability Award in 2023. During his time with the City, Huffman has been awarded over $4 million in grants to improve local stormwater infrastructure, implemented programs such as the ‘Trash Trout’ to reduce the amount of trash in our waterways, and also manages the City’s rain barrel program and initiatives like storm drain stamping.

 

Nominations for the Hendersonville Sustainability Hero Award should include a description of: 

 

· The individual’s or team’s success in improving the condition of any of the environmental elements of the City and the surrounding community during calendar year 2023, including: Energy Management; Transportation (including fleet operations, walkability, and bikability); Waste Management (including waste diversion and reduction of toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials); Drinking Water, Stormwater, and Wastewater Management; and, Land Management and Conservation.

 

· The project(s) or effort(s) carried out by the individual or team, including any strategies and technologies that were deployed, who was involved and an approximate project timeline. 

 

· Results and achievements accomplished during 2023, focusing not only on outputs but also on intermediate and long-term outcomes, and/or anticipated future outcomes. 

 

· The nominee’s leadership in efficiency improvements and financial savings, innovation, education, and outreach.

 

· The nominee’s success in working across organizational boundaries, as well as working with other localities, organizations, or individuals to support and promote environmental sustainability goals in Hendersonville and the surrounding community. 

  

Nominations for the Hendersonville Sustainability Hero Award may include a letter of support from a local or regional community partner. 

 

2024 Hendersonville Sustainability Hero Award review process: 

 

Nominations submission period January 18, 2024 – March 1, 2024. 

 

Nominations will be reviewed by the Hendersonville Environmental Sustainability Board. The winning nomination will be recognized by the Mayor and Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Board during a public event. 

 

For more information about the Sustainability Hero Award, please visit www.hvlnc.gov/SustainabilityHeroAward. 

 U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) will be hosting his first Military Service Academy Day for students, parents and instructors in North Carolina’s 11th District on Saturday, March 2. Representatives from our nation’s five military service academies will be at the event to answer questions about the experience, admission process and life at the service academies.

WHO:

  • Congressman Edwards
  • Representatives from:
    • U.S. Air Force Academy
    • U.S. Naval Academy
    • U.S. Military Academy at West Point
    • U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
    • U.S. Coast Guard Academy

WHAT: Military Service Academy Day for WNC constituents to learn more about service academy life and admissions process

WHEN: Saturday, March 2 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Henderson County Historic Courthouse, 1 Historic Courthouse Sq., Suite 1, Hendersonville, NC.

The event will be open to members of the public and media.

 Hendersonville was named a 2023 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management.

The community also received a Tree City USA Growth Award for demonstrating environmental improvement and an outstanding level of tree care.

Hendersonville achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

"Tree City USA communities see the positive effects of an urban forest firsthand," said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The trees being planted and cared for by Hendersonville are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, participation in this program brings residents together and creates a sense of civic pride, whether it's through volunteer engagement or public education."

If ever there was a time for trees, now is that time. Communities worldwide are facing issues with air quality, water resources, personal health and well-being, energy use, and extreme heat and flooding. Hendersonville is doing its part to address these challenges for residents both now and in the future.

More information on the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

 

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.

As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

 Brian Pahle, Assistant City Manager of the City of Hendersonville, has recently been awarded the Credentialed Manager designation by ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. This recognition places Mr. Pahle among the distinguished cohort of over 1,300 local government management professionals who have earned this credential through the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program.

Hendersonville City Manager John Connet commended Mr. Pahle's achievement, stating, "Brian Pahle is dedicated to fostering exceptional leadership within our organization and throughout the state. His commitment to excellence is evident in his pursuit of this rigorous certification, reflecting his dedication to delivering the highest level of service to our residents and overseeing the personnel and projects under his management."  

            ICMA’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics and by increasing the proficiency of appointed chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, and other employees who serve local governments and regional entities around the world. The organization’s 13,000 members in 27 countries also include educators, students, and other local government employees. 

To receive the prestigious ICMA credential, a member must have significant experience as a senior management executive in local government; have earned a degree, preferably in public administration or a related field; and demonstrated a commitment to high standards of integrity and to lifelong learning and professional development.

            Brian Pahle has seven years of executive experience in local government and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University. Throughout the past decade he has served the residents of the City of Hendersonville in various capacities, including Budget & Management Analyst, Budget & Evaluation Director, and his current role as Assistant City Manager. He has also served as the President of the North Carolina Local Government Budget Association President and is a graduate of the North Carolina School of Government’s LGFCU Fellows Program and Municipal County Administration Program. 

            For more information regarding the ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program, contact Jenese Jackson at ICMA, 777 North Capitol Street, N.E., #500, Washington, D.C. 20002-4201; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 202-962-3556.

             

About ICMA

 

ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, advances professional local government worldwide. The organization’s mission is to advance professional local government through leadership, management, innovation, and ethics.

  

ICMA identifies leading practices to address the needs of local governments and professionals serving communities globally. We provide services, research, publications, data and information, peer and results-oriented assistance, and training and professional development to thousands of city, town, and county leaders and other individuals and organizations throughout the world. The management decisions made by ICMA's members affect millions of people living in thousands of communities, ranging in size from small towns to large metropolitan areas.

 The contract between UNC Health and UnitedHealthcare is in jeopardy of coming to an end.

Ginger Talbert, a Hendersonville resident, reached out to News 13 on Monday to express her concerns about a letter she received stating Pardee Hospital will no longer accept UnitedHealthcare coverage as of April 1 if an agreement is not reached between the two. Talbert said that she also received a letter from UnitedHealthcare on Feb. 2 that informed her that their current contract with UNC Health is in jeopardy of ending.

She said she’s very concerned for her and her husband because of their age and having to try and find care outside of where they live.

“We’re old, my husband just had a hip replacement and a pacemaker," Talbert told News 13. "We don’t like driving all the way to Asheville to get our health care, my husband has several doctors, we don’t want to change our insurance."

She said it’s affecting a lot of “old folk" in the area.

“We will not have any of our doctors that are currently in network," Talbert expressed her concerns. "I have two and my husband has seven that are in the Pardee network. We will have to find replacements for those doctors which is difficult. We will have to get all of our records transferred, we will have to basically start all over."

UNC Health released the following statement to News 13 regarding the ongoing negotiations:

UNC Health continues to negotiate with UnitedHealthcare, seeking a new and fair agreement that allows us to continue providing the region’s highest level of care. Unfortunately, UnitedHealthcare is not engaging in good-faith negotiations.
For now, nothing changes. Patients should continue to visit UNC Health hospitals, facilities, and physicians as normal. Cost of the visits continues to be covered under the existing contract according to the same benefits. They should continue to schedule appointments and receive care at all UNC Health facilities and with all associated UNC Health healthcare providers.
However, to continue to fulfill our mission, we need fair and equitable reimbursement from UnitedHealthcare as well as a fair partnership with them on administrative processes. Without these, we cannot maintain the level of care, scope of access, and quality of service that we provide for patients throughout our communities.
UnitedHealthcare must put patients first, just as we do, by reaching an agreement with us that protects access to all UNC Health services. Otherwise, we cannot continue our relationship with UnitedHealthcare.
As a result, we have informed UnitedHealthcare that without a new and fair agreement, patients at many UNC Health practices as well as most UNC Health hospitals who are covered by United Medicare Advantage, Individual and commercial plans through their employer will be considered out of network beginning April 1, 2024. Notably, UNC Health Appalachian, UNC Health Blue Ridge, and UNC Health Southeastern are excluded from the negotiation.

UNC Health encouraged all patients to visit a section of their website to find answers to their questions.UNC has also set up a patient assistance line at 1-833-917-1224, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

UnitedHealthcare shared the following statements with News 13 on Monday afternoon:

Our top priority is to renew our relationship with UNC Health and to ensure continued, uninterrupted access to the health system. We are committed to utilizing the time remaining on our contract to reach an agreement that is affordable for North Carolinians and employers. We provided a proposal to UNC Health on Jan. 8 that included significant movement along with meaningful rate increases that ensure the health system is reimbursed at market-competitive rates. UNC Health responded last week with a counterproposal that would increase health care costs by approximately $400 million. We are in the process of responding to UNC Health’s proposal and have committed to continued meetings with the health system with the goal of reaching an agreement that is affordable and sustainable for consumers and employers.

A UnitedHealthcare spokesperson shared the following:

  • Negotiations with providers occur every day in our business and in our industry. Typically, these negotiations go largely unnoticed because they’re a routine part of insurers and providers working together. We negotiate thousands of contracts nationally each year, and almost all of them are resolved professionally behind closed doors with no external noise.
  • Our track record of renewing contracts with providers is strong, as evidenced by the fact that we maintain relationships with more than 7,000 hospitals and 1.7 million physicians throughout the country, including more than 160 hospitals and 64,000 health care professionals who participate in our network in North Carolina. Consistent with this history, we remain optimistic we will reach agreement with UNC Health on terms that are fair and reasonable for both organizations, just as we have successfully done in our past four negotiations with UNC Health.
  • The significant rate increases UNC Health is demanding would take effect in the first 24 months of our contract and are not affordable or sustainable for North Carolinians and employers.
  • Our top priority is to renew our relationship without any disruption while helping ensure health care is affordable for North Carolinians and employers.
  • If we are unable to reach an agreement, the majority of UNC Health’s hospitals, facilities and its physicians will be out of network for employer-sponsored, individual and Medicare Advantage plans, effective April 1, 2024.
  • We have a separate contract with UNC Health for Medicaid, which is not impacted by this negotiation and continues to remain in-network, regardless of the outcome of this negotiation.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSPotential end of UnitedHealthcare contract worries some elderly Hendersonville residents | WLOS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 A local veteran received a special honor Friday, Feb. 9, through the We Honor Veterans program and the Military Officers Association of America.

Bill Troutman became the 1,000th veteran to be pinned in Henderson County through the Four Seasons Hospice when he received three pins with his wife, Elaine, looking on.

The ceremony was held at the American Legion post in Hendersonville.

"It's special to us to be able to honor those who have served our country, whether it be for three years or 30 years. Saying thank you and giving back to them for the service they provided is very important for our organization," Four Season Hospice's Sybil Arnold said.

Troutman, a Vietnam veteran, worked on the Honest John missile program in Germany.

"Feels good in here, feel honored," Troutman said Friday.

Troutman was also presented with a flag that flew over the capitol that came from Congressman Chuck Edwards' office.

 

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSVeteran Bill Troutman receives special honor as 1,000th pin recipient in Henderson County | WLOS

 

Fill the hole with a load of rocks

Dr. Glenn Mollette

Sixty minutes reported, on Sunday evening February third, about a gap in our border wall. The gap is reported to be about sixty miles east of San Diego and is a global destination for migrants from around the world. The news source reported that during a four day watch they personally witnessed about 600 illegal entries come through the small gap.

According to the report people from China are the fastest growing number of illegal immigrants coming into our country. Over 37,000 just last year which is a growing number. Stories were told about people who had sold their houses and gave up everything to make the trip. The trip had cost one person $14,000 and another reported the trip took ten days traveling through multiple countries.

TikTok has a video that provides all the details on where to find the gap and how to obtain the help needed in Mexico to get to the destination.

Who are these people? Are they simply well intended people who are coming here to make our country better? Is this a move to fill our country with Chinese soldiers who may be positioning themselves to attack America from inside? Hopefully, it’s just a large group of people trying to escape from a bad country where life is not good.

The dumbest part of this “60 Minutes” story is the four-foot gap so many are coming through. Reportedly, there isn’t any federal money allocated to fix the gap. We’ve sent billions to Ukraine and Israel but we don’t have any money to plug up a hole used by people who are essentially invading our country. We don’t call them invaders, but they come illegally and in massive numbers. It may not feel like an invasion in Iowa but it does to people who live on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Why doesn’t someone take a dump truck or two of rocks and close up that gap? If President Biden wanted to improve his dismal ranking in the polls, then he should coordinate such an effort. He and VP Kamala Harris could each drive a big truck of rocks and dump into the gap. I bet he would have an impressive convoy of people who would join him in the effort. I can’t see how it would be that much of a strain on the federal budget. Of couse he won’t do that nor will any other politician. There is probably some kind a rule or law that forbids such an action.

One elderly man who owns property close to the gap fired a gun in the air because migrants were burning trees on his farm. He was arrested for trying to protect his property.

Fixing that hole in the wall seems like a simple common-sense thing to do. When you bring Washington into the process there is no common sense.

Find books by Glenn Mollette at Amazon.com Learn more about his books, columns and music at GlennMollette.Com
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The League of Women Voters of Henderson County will host a panel discussion “Navigating
Immigration Pathways to Legal Status“ on February 22, 2024, from 11:30am – 1:00 pm in the
Trinity Room, St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Attendees are welcome to bring lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided.
Pisgah Legal Services Immigration Attorneys, Angie Peña and Leonel Gonzalez will discuss
their role in finding options for immigrants with specific or special needs. These programs
include legal aid to survivors of domestic abuse, child abuse or neglect, and human trafficking.
The program will also include ways that volunteers can help.
LWVHC celebrates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by welcoming all members of our
community. For more information please go to the website www.lwvhcnc.org

Former Hendersonville High School Football quarterback Robert Livingston has been hired as defensive coordinator for the University of Colorado Buffaloes, whose head coach is former football standout Deion Sanders.

Livingston is a 2004 graduate of Hendersonville and is heading to Boulder, Colorado after spending the last nine seasons as safety coach with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Most of Livingston's coaching experience has been with the Bengals with college coaching limited to Furman in 2010 and Vanderbillt in 2011.  He played college football at William and Mary.