News

A program designed to help preserve affordable homeownership is in need of homeowners with projects.

Henderson County Habitat for Humanity is encouraging homeowners in Henderson County to reach out to its home repair program. The program has funding and is in search of qualified homeowners who have a need and may be living on low income and are in of home repairs.

“What we do is we go out and do an evaluation of the project that they need, and we do generally small to medium-sized projects for people where they also contribute a little sweat equity. But all materials are generally paid for by us,” Henderson County Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Linda Saturno said.

Repairs typically include porch or deck fixes, work on ramps or grab bars, plumbing or electrical components, and siding or roof fixes. But other projects may be considered.

Here's a breakdown of some of the eligibility requirements:

Property eligibility:

• Must be located in Henderson County
• Must be owner-occupied and the primary residence of all owners for at least 12 months
• Must have need for essential repairs (cosmetic repairs will not be considered)

Homeowner requirements:

• Must be current on property taxes
• Must be current on mortgage
• Income must be between 30% and 80% of the HUD Median
• Must have current homeowner’s insurance

You can find information on how to apply at the Henderson County Habitat for Humanity by calling 828-694-0340 and asking for Ruth. You can also find the application to apply for assistance HERE.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHenderson County Habitat for Humanity offers to help qualified homeowners with repairs | WLOS

The 'tearing down' industry and the 'business re-building'' industry is getting quite busy these days around Hendersonville. 

One of our pictures shows the former BLOCKBUSTER building on Four-Seasons Boulevard next to Denny's Restaurant has been totally removed.  Word is that the owners of the building and property on which it was located has 'struck a deal' with the North Carolina Highway Department to re-align Linda Vista Drive (next to Binion's Steak House) and a  a move of the traffic signals whereby motorists will be able to go straight across the boulevard into the strip mall area and come out of that area by making a left-turn back toward town, when finished.

Our other picture shows the former Clifton's Cafeteria (also known and serving as the Chariot) - corner of 7th Avenue and Church Street being torn down to make way for brand new high-dollar condominiums and a remodel of the Cedars guest home and meeting center, continuing as a 'community meeting center'.

Just two blocks south of this project, a new City owned parking garage is being completed and plans for opening in the spring of next year. 

Busy times around Hendersonville these days ...tearing down the OLD and putting up the NEWS !

Business owners and organizations are encouraged to apply for tourism grants in Henderson County.

The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority (HCTDA) says applications are being accepted online through Jan. 22, 2023 for tourism-related event and projects.

The HCTDA says in a press release "$500,000 in grant funding will be awarded to as many Henderson County tourism projects as possible."

There are three grant types: Destination Marketing Grants, Destination Event Grants and Destination Enhancement Grants.

“We are grateful we can support our tourism industry,” said Michelle Owens, executive director of the HCTDA in a release. “The more money we are able to bring to the area through overnight visitors, the better we can help all of Henderson County, including its citizens.”

Per the HCTDA’s mission, all funding generated through the occupancy tax collection must be used to promote Henderson County as a destination, as well as funding tourism-related projects. Occupancy tax collection comes from taxes paid by the visitors when they stay overnight at a lodging property.

Grant requirements can be found HERE, and applications HERE. All questions regarding the application process can be emailed to Amy Boswell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Grant award decisions will be made in Spring 2023 by the HCTDA Board.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHenderson County Tourism Grant Program accepting applications through Jan. 22 | WLOS

 Henderson County commissioners are moving forward with plans for the county's costliest capital project ever.

County commissioners recently voted to go with a five-story building design over a three-story structure for a judicial center on North Grove Street. The center would be an annex to the 1995 Courthouse.

Henderson County Business and Community Development Director Christopher Todd said both designs came to around 94,000 square feet.

The project also includes an expansion of the county's detention center, for which commissioners already picked a design. Todd said most of the jail expansion is aimed at increasing male housing.

Featured photo: Blue Ridge Community College Adult High School and High School Equivalency programs graduates are honored at a ceremony on December 14. Pictured left to right – (front row) Joan Barham, Jennifer Pereira Marin, Lesly Matute, Dessie MiCayla Faith McCarson, Laura Diaz, Timothy Vlaming, Veronica Sanabria, Dr. Laura Leatherwood, Alexander Hume, (back row) Grace Sollé, Erin Dula, Zoe McGraw, Ramie D. Butler, Oscar Alonso Trejo Ramirez, Max Woolf, Olivia Louis, Robin Paulison. (Photo by Rich Keen, Marketing & Communications Dept.)

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. - Blue Ridge Community College hosted a graduation ceremony for graduates of the Adult High School and High School Equivalency programs on December 14 in the Thomas Auditorium.

The Adult High School (AHS) program prepares students for higher education and the workforce by helping them complete their high school diploma. The program is offered on a web-based platform with instructor guidance and support. The High School Equivalency (HSE) program prepares students to earn a North Carolina Community College High School Equivalency Diploma by passing the ETS HiSET or Pearson VUE GED tests. Subjects covered include reading, writing, math, social studies, and science.

Timothy Vlaming, a Multiple Pathways graduate, gave the Keynote Address before Dean Robin Palison performed the presentation of graduates. Diplomas were then conferred by Blue Ridge President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood. Vice President for Adult Instruction Kathy C. Allen provided closing remarks and released the graduates for a reception with families and friends.

The full list of graduates included:

Adult High School Graduates
Jamie Coatney
Olivia Louis

High School Equivalency Graduates
Ramie D. Butler
Laura Diaz
Alexander Hume
Lesly Matute
Dessie MiCayla Faith McCarson
Arianna Michalski
Jennifer Pereira Marin
Veronica Sanabria
Oscar Alonso Trejo Ramirez
Timothy Vlaming
Lilianna Woolf

About Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College is a two-year, post-secondary institution that elevates the educational experience to prepare students for 21st-century success in the workplace or at four-year colleges and universities. Providing real-life, affordable, and accessible education, the College offers more than 200 degrees, diplomas, and certificates; convenient online courses; and fast-tracked job training.

Our Mission: Blue Ridge Community College empowers individuals with knowledge and skills to enrich our communities and build a competitive workforce.

To learn more about Blue Ridge Community College, visit blueridge.edu.

Blue Ridge Community College | blueridge.edu

#EducationElevated #BlueRidgeElevates

Serving Henderson and Transylvania Counties in Western North Carolina

 Applications for the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority (HCTDA) grant program are being accepted now through January 22, 2023 using the HCTDA’s online application, available at www.GrantsForTourism.com. $500,000 in grant funding will be awarded to as many Henderson County tourism projects as possible.

There are three grant types: Destination Marketing Grants, Destination Event Grants and Destination Enhancement Grants. Henderson County businesses and organizations are invited to apply for grant funding for tourism-related event and projects.

“We are grateful we can support our tourism industry,” said Michelle Owens, Executive Director of the HCTDA. “The more money we are able to bring to the area through overnight visitors, the better we can help all of Henderson County, including its citizens.”

Per the HCTDA’s mission, all funding generated through the occupancy tax collection must be used to promote Henderson County as a destination, as well as funding tourism-related projects.

Occupancy tax collection comes from taxes paid by the visitors when they stay overnight at a lodging property.

Grant requirements can be found on the GrantsForTourism.com website. All questions regarding the application process can be emailed to Amy Boswell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Grant award decisions will be made in Spring 2023 by the HCTDA Board.

The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority’s organizational goal is to use revenue generated through tourism to market Hendersonville and Henderson County as a destination, growing the economy, jobs and tax revenue, to benefit those who live and visit the area. For more information, go to www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org.

Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin is excited to announce that the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has once again formed a special task force with the magical agency located at the North Pole for the 2022 Christmas Season‼️


The purpose of this special task force is to make sure children living in Henderson County can easily send Santa Claus 🎅🏼a letter✉️in time for Christmas🎄. The Jolly Old Elf himself🎅🏼 has agreed to reply to each child who sends him a letter✉️.


Making your wishes known to Santa🎅🏼 is as easy as stopping by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office (100 North Grove Street), finding the sleigh red mailbox 📭located at the front entrance, and dropping in your letter✉️. Express shipping to the North Pole is included free of charge!!

Sheriff Lowell Griffin wrote to Santa asking him to travel safe as he visits Henderson County, as Henderson County Deputies will be watching for any erratic driving and criminal activity throughout the holiday season to include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

In his letter, Sheriff Griffin only had two wishes:

1- That all of the law enforcement officers and first responders in Henderson County remain healthy and complete their assignments safely over the holidays.

2- That everyone have a blessed holiday season and a very Merry Christmas.

Sheriff Griffin has also instructed his officers to be on the lookout for the Grinch who has recently made threats to return to Henderson County again this year. If officers locate the Grinch in Henderson County he will once again be taken into custody and dealt with accordingly.

**Letters must include a valid return address, child's name, age and gender. Be sure to drop them off at the Sheriff's Office (100 North Grove Street.) no later than Dec. 15th in order to give Santa enough time to reply. No letters will be mailed to anyone outside of Henderson County.

The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County wants to make Christmas special for its kids this year.

Right now, the staff is collecting new, unwrapped toys. Those can be brought to the club located off Ashe Street in Hendersonville until December 14.

Once all the gifts are collected, they will be given to the children.

“Each year, we have a Santa’s workshop experience for them where they get to go through and choose something for themselves to take home for the holidays,” said Julia Hockenberry, the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County.

That will soon happen again in just a few weeks.

The club serves about 1,200 kids a year, and about 91 percent of them qualify for free and reduced lunch.

Hockenberry said having an opportunity like that at Christmas is exciting and special for the kids, even more so this year.

“It has been a tough couple of years for all families but especially for our families who are already experiencing significant financial pressure, and so I think many parents and households are in a position where they’re having to make some choices about what they can do this Christmas, and the Boys and Girls Club feels really fortunate and privileged to be able to step in,” she added.

Kids in kindergarten through fifth grade who are registered Boys and Girls Club members and come during a designated week in December are eligible to go through the workshop.

To donate a new, unwrapped toy or make a monetary donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, please call 828-693-9444 or bring your gift to 1304 Ashe Street in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

The deadline for toy donations is Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOShttps://wlos.com/news/local/toy-collection-boys-girls-club-henderson-county-christmas-donation-give-santas-workshop#

With the holidays just around the corner, experience the season at a local historic treasure. Historic Johnson Farm will be hosting a number of Christmas tours throughout December.

Candlelight Christmas tours will be held December 2 and 3. Five tours will be offered each evening, at 5:00, 5:45, 6:30, 7:15 and 8:00 PM. Visitors will take part in a guided tour of the decorated 1880 farm house, visit with the Heritage Weavers and Fiber Artists, listen to live music by local students, and partake in hot cocoa and cookies.

Reservations and advance payment are required for the Candlelight Christmas evenings as space is limited. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors (65 and over), and free for those under 5.

Additionally, during the weeks of December 5-9 and 12-16, the farm will host daytime Christmas tours. Guided tours are at 10:30 AM each day. While drop-ins are allowed, those with reservations take priority, so please consider making a reservation. Guided daytime tours are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (65 and over), and free for those under 5. Each day, the farm house will be open for self-guided tours from 1-3 PM. Reservations are not needed for self-guided tours, and tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors (65 and over), and free for those under 5. 

Time traveler baskets are also available for purchase during the holiday season. These baskets make great holiday gifts and are full of activities for children that they can do from anywhere. Junior baskets are suitable for those ages 4-7 while youth baskets are geared towards ages 8-11. Baskets are $30 each.

New this year, the farm will sell gift baskets geared to adults for a great holiday present. Baskets include a Johnson Farm mug, ornament, bottle of honey from the farm’s beehives, and a gift certificate for 2 farm guided tours for $50. If you need a gift for someone out of town, you can purchase the mug, honey, and ornament without the gift certificate for $30. Looking for a stocking stuffer? Purchase a mug, ornament, magnet, or stickers with the farm’s animals!

The farmhouse was built by hand from 1876-1880. It is believed to be the oldest standing brick home in Henderson County. The Christmas season was a special time for Johnson family members, who were known for their generosity.  Their home was among the first in our county to get electricity.  For many Christmas seasons, they placed their tree decorated with colorful lights on the front porch. Travelers enjoyed the glow of the display to and from town in the evenings. Throughout the year and especially at holidays, Sallie Johnson was known for her delicious cakes.  The farm grounds were plush with greenery that was gathered to decorate their home. The celebration of Christmas was much simpler then.  

The Christmas tours are important for the non-profit foundation that operates a heritage education center as part of Henderson County Public Schools. Events like this provide a significant portion of the farm’s operating expenses and educational experiences. 

The farm was a gift to the schoolchildren and the community by the late Vernon and Leander Johnson.  It is owned by Henderson County Public Schools, and is managed by an Executive Director and the Historic Johnson Farm Foundation, Inc.  It was designated a NC Cultural Treasure. The farm is located at 3346 Haywood Road in Hendersonville, NC.  28739 

For more information, call the farm foundation office at 828-891-6585.  Or visit www.historicjohnsonfarm.org or www.facebook.com/HistoricJohnsonFarm or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Planning for the Ecusta Trail in Henderson County hit a big milestone in the month of October.

The project is now at the 30% design phase, which is an important benchmark for federal and state funding sources.

This includes determinations of the trail width, road and bridge crossings, as well as water elements along the trail.

Future design phases will include parking, bathrooms and other features.

“The last probably 24 months, 30 months have just been a consecutive series of these kinds of milestones, but this gets us that much closer to contracting for the actual work to begin and putting trail on the ground," Chris Burns, with Friends of the Ecusta Trail board member, said Thursday, Oct. 27.

According to Friends of the Ecusta Trail, construction is expected to start in spring 2023.

Henderson County has created an interactive map of the trail that includes these design elements.

Click HERE to see that map and to read about the update and progress of the trail project.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOShttps://wlos.com/news/local/ecusta-trail-henderson-county-hits-benchmark-completes-30-percent-design-phase-state-federal-funding#