News

 AdventHealth has announced its new location for a hospital in Buncombe County.

The hospital system said in a press release on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, that they plan to build the new multispecialty hospital on a property in Weaverville, off US 25/70 west of I-26.

In the 2022 North Carolina State Medical Facilities Plan, state officials said there would be a need for 67 additional hospital beds in the Buncombe, Madison, Yancey and Graham County service areas by 2024. HCA Healthcare, Novant Health and AdventHealth all applied to build the beds and filed certificates of need with the Division of Health Service Regulation in June 2022. A spokesperson for AdventHealth Hendersonville said on Nov. 22, 2022, the hospital received notification from state health officials that its Certificate of Need application had been approved.

Original plans had the new AdventHealth hospital being built at the Enka Center off Smokey Park Highway, but in April 2023, a spokesperson for the hospital said that would not work: "After going through our due diligence, we discovered that the location we had named in the application would not work for a hospital for AdventHealth Asheville."

Mission Health filed an appeal to the state’s decision, and in a press release Tuesday, AdventHealth said this appeal led to a trial in the fall of 2023, adding that the judge in the case is "expected to make his decision in that trial in the next few weeks."

Advent said the new location of their hospital would be "strategically positioned to make it easier for people throughout the service area to get care in a convenient location."

“We are confident in the State’s decision to award AdventHealth Asheville the CON for the new hospital," President and Chief Executive Officer for AdventHealth Hendersonville Brandon Nudd said in Tuesday's release. "With the purchase of the property in Weaverville, we are ready to move forward building this hospital."

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSAdventHealth announces new location for Buncombe County hospital (wlos.com)

The City of Hendersonville has scheduled its seasonal mulch giveaway program to begin on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Mulch will be available for pick up on Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 12:00 noon. This schedule will continue until May 30^th 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 mulch, the City will be offering composted leaves as a separate material. These leaves were collected during the fall of 2022, ran through a grinder, and composted for a year. This compost should be an excellent addition to your vegetable and flower gardens.  

For the first time this year, the initial two weeks of the giveaway will be exclusively for City residents. Please have your ID ready for verification upon arrival. 

Commercial vehicles are not allowed, this includes dump trucks and any other marked commercial trucks or trailers.  

For questions about this program, please contact the Public Works Department at (828) 697-3084. 

 An investigation is underway in Hendersonville after authorities responded to a structure fire in late February.

A spokesperson for the city of Hendersonville said the incident happened on Feb. 20, 2024 around 4 a.m.

 A Hendersonville resident will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty in a double homicide investigation that began in 2022.

A release from the Buncombe County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that after a week-long trial, Godiet Corral, 33, of Hendersonville, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder by a Buncombe County jury.

Corral was sentenced by visiting Superior Court Judge Karen Eady-Williams to serve two consecutive terms of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Corral was charged in connection with the deaths of Sandy Torrey and Bryan Khopkar, who were found shot to death in a vehicle at the Shell gas station on Mills Gap Road in Fletcher on Dec. 19, 2022.

He was found close to the crime scene and taken into custody that afternoon.

Cody Dockins is also facing two counts of murder in connection with the deaths. He was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service, North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Rutherford County Sheriff's Office at a residence in Rutherford County two days later. Dockins' trial date has not been set.

"Because a related case is currently pending trial, the District Attorney’s Office will make no additional public comment at this time," the DA's release said on Tuesday.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHendersonville man found guilty following double murder trial for 2022 Fletcher killings (wlos.com)

 Starting this fall, North Carolina community college students could receive a state scholarship that fully covers education costs.

North Carolina students whose families make $80,000 a year or less should complete their FAFSA to apply for the Next NC Scholarship to fully cover their tuition and fees.

Eligible North Carolina students attending a community college will receive up to $3,000 per year, which will cover their educational expenses with funds that do not need to be repaid.

For current and incoming Blue Ridge Community College students, all you have to do is fill out your FAFSA to automatically be considered for the scholarship.

The priority filing date for incoming Blue Ridge Community College students is August 5, 2024.

Blue Ridge Community College's financial aid team is also available to help students complete the application.

Requirements to receive the Next NC Scholarship, students must be:

• A North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition
• A high school graduate (high school equivalency completers are eligible)
• From a household with an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less
• Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program for the 2024-2025 academic year
• Taking at least 6 credit hours per semester (part-time students will receive a partial award)
• Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the school you plan to attend
• A student who has completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA, with a resulting Student Aid index at or below 7,500 (once completed, the financial aid office at the college/ university you plan to attend will determine and confirm eligibility)

For full information on this scholarship, visit blueridge.edu.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSFull community college scholarships offered to eligible North Carolina students this fall (wlos.com)

Henderson County Public Schools Students Rally Against Substance Misuse in “Week of Hope” Campaign

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (March 12, 2024) – In partnership with Hope Coalition, students in Henderson County Public Schools’ four middle and six high schools are taking a public stand against substance misuse during the “Week of Hope” campaign March 11-15, 2024.

Since 2015, the schools’ student government organizations and leaders have organized the campaign in partnership with Hope Coalition, and support has grown for the initiative among community agencies. Since the first Hope Week, City and County leaders, along with many community businesses have increased their active participation and support of this annual campaign. The Henderson County Sheriff's office is providing a wrapped patrol car for the second year in a row that will visit school campuses for students to sign.

The campaign and the students leading the substance abuse awareness events in their schools are formally recognized by government and school leaders in the community. At their Feb. 21 meeting, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners read a proclamation recognizing “Week of Hope”, as did the Hendersonville City Council at their meeting on March 7.

Each year, the schools’ student governments plan awareness activities that stress the importance of remaining substance free, and high school leaders collaborate with their feeder middle schools’ student leaders to organize activities for the younger students. This year, motivational speaker, Joey Negron, will be speaking to students at school assemblies.

Throughout the campaign, students at each school will sign pledge banners bearing the school’s mascot and a pledge to be substance-free. Provided by Hope Coalition, “Week of Hope” T-shirts will be printed for student leaders planning the awareness activities at their schools.

Students will sign the banners this week, and “Week of Hope” will culminate at 12 p.m. Friday, March 15, when the middle and high school banners will be hung from the Henderson County Historic Courthouse pillars. Community leaders including Henderson County Manager John Mitchell, Henderson County Board of Commissioner Chairman Rebecca McCall, Chief Blair Myhand of the Hendersonville Police Department, and City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk will share remarks.

About Hope Coalition

Hope Coalition is a grassroots effort initiated by the Henderson County Partnership for Health in 2013 as a community collaborative to educate, evaluate, and implement evidence-based models on substance misuse and underage drinking in Henderson County. In addition to several support and recovery groups for youth, adults and families, the Hope Coalition is home to the Henderson County Youth

Statewide St. Patrick’s Day ‘Booze It & Lose It’ Campaign Underway
Increased patrols on rural roads March 11-17 to deter impaired drivers
RALEIGH – Luck won’t be on the side of those who choose to drink and drive as St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated over the coming week.
From today until March 17, statewide law enforcement officials will increase saturation patrols and driver checkpoints, with a focus on rural roads, to keep travelers safe.
“Alcohol and other impairing substances tend to be a part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, so we implore everyone to consume responsibly and avoid getting behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking,” said Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White.
Sheriff White’s office hosted the statewide kickoff event Friday in Louisburg for the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.
“Having a plan in place to get home safely is imperative to avoid seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else in a car crash,” White said.
A total of 229 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities occurred on North Carolina roads during last year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign period. These numbers are a sobering reminder that there are severe consequences for reckless behavior.
“Because St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, we anticipate that alcohol consumption will increase both on the 17th and the weekend leading up to the holiday,” said GHSP Program Director Mark Ezzell. “Don’t take a chance. Designating a sober driver or using ride-sharing services and public transportation is the only safe alternative.”
There were more than 12,000 alcohol-involved crashes in North Carolina in 2023, resulting in 367 deaths.
The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign complements the greater effort of NC Vision Zero – a traffic safety initiative focused on eliminating deaths and serious injuries on North Carolina roadways while improving access to safe, sustainable and equitable mobility for everyone.
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The Hendersonville Police Department announces its historic achievement as the first police department in North Carolina to successfully fulfill the requirements for the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Trust Building Campaign. This trust-building campaign shows commitment to enhancing trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and is an initiative spearheaded by the IACP, the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders. To join the Trust Building Campaign, law enforcement agencies must pledge to implement 25 key policies and leading practices within a 36-month period. 

Police Chief Blair Myhand presented the IACP Trust Building Campaign Certificate at the March 7^th Hendersonville City Council meeting. 

“Having a solid framework in place to build on will benefit the Hendersonville Police Department for years to come,” said Chief Myhand. “Completing this pledge sets a powerful precedent. My vision is that our officers embrace and uphold the highest policing standards that ensure lasting positive change and trust within our community.”   

Chief Myhand decided to pledge the Trust Building Campaign because a culture that promotes transparency, accountability, and community involvement is critical for 21^st century policing. The department started the application process back in March of 2023. 

By completing the Trust Building Campaign Pledge, the Hendersonville Police Department established policies and trainings, conducted assessments, and developed strategies within six key focus areas (bias-free policing; use of force; leadership and culture; recruitment, hiring, and retention; victim services; and community relations). These efforts are designed to encourage positive community-police partnerships that promote safe and effective interactions, prevent and reduce crime, and improve the well-being and quality of life for all.  

The IACP is encouraged by the efforts of agencies as they incorporate the pledge’s concepts into their everyday operations. When trust building is prioritized, community members and the police benefit from relationships focused on unified visions, goals, and values. Building and strengthening trust in the community is critical and must remain a primary objective.  

For more information about the Trust Building Campaign, visit the IACP’s website at http://www.theiacp.org/iacp-trust-building-campaign  

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Photo: Officer Garcia, Sgt. Gyurina, Officer Tinoco, Lt. Smith, and Police Support Specialist Swain with the IACP Trust Building Campaign Pledge Certificate at the Hendersonville Police Department

Sponsored by EPA’s WaterSense® program, Fix a Leak Week is an annual event that promotes water conservation by supporting utility customers as they chase down and repair leaks in their homes.

“Small drips from faucets and often-overlooked toilet tank leaks can add up quickly. According to the EPA, leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the average U.S. household each year. We are encouraging our customers to proactively detect and repair leaks during Fix a Leak Week. Most common household leaks are easily detectable and correctable, which not only makes you a more environmentally conscious consumer but also reduces your monthly bill,” said Adam Steurer, Utilities Director for the City of Hendersonville. “As stewards of our community’s water resources, we work every day to reduce leaks and improve efficiencies throughout our water system by investing millions of dollars into our 680+ miles of pipes each year.”

To help save water for future generations, Hendersonville Water and Sewer is asking consumers to check, twist, and replace:

• Check for leaks.Look for dripping faucets, showerheads, sprinklers, and other fixtures. Also check for toilets with silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank, waiting 10 minutes, and seeing if color appears in the bowl before you flush. Toilet tank dye tablets can be picked up at City Hall or City Operations during regular business hours to help you ID leaks! Don’t forget to check irrigation systems and spigots, too.
• Twist and tighten hose and pipe connections.To save water without a noticeable difference in flow in your bathroom, twist on a WaterSense labeled faucet aerator.
• Replace the fixture if necessary.Look for WaterSense labeled models, which are independently certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well as or better than standard models.

This year Hendersonville Water & Sewer is encouraging residents to participate in "Fix a Leak Week" (FALW) in a variety of ways:

• Attend theFALW Webinar on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM. Learn simple ways to fix leaks at home, see a demo on how to sign up for AquaHawk alerts, and learn about our high-efficiency toilet giveaway!
• FALW High-Efficiency Toilet Giveaway - To enter, you must take a photo of fixing a leak, watch the webinar, or sign up for/update AquaHawk alerts. To learn more visithttps://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfHendersonville4/FixALeakWeekToiletGiveaway
• FALW Art Contest! - To learn how to enter, please visithttps://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfHendersonville4/FixALeakWeekArtContest
• Fix a Leak Week learning resources and activity sheets will be available at the City Operations Building (305 William St.) and City Hall (160 6th Ave. E.).
• Leak Detective certification cards are available at City Operations (305 Williams St.) and City Hall (160 6thAve. E.).
• Prizes throughout the week for participation!

We also encourage our customers to take advantage of AquaHawk Alerting, a free service that allows you to monitor your water usage and receive alerts when your usage indicates a leak. These notifications can help you save money on your water bill and can help prevent property damage. Note: It is important that you keep your contact information up-to-date to receive these notifications. Contact the Customer Service Department at (828) 697-3052 to verify. Register for AquaHawk at https://hendernc.aquahawk.us/login.

In many cases, fixture replacement parts pay for themselves quickly and can be installed by handy “do-it-yourselfers" or local plumbing professionals. Irrigation professionals certified through a WaterSense labeled program can also check your systems for leaks. Visit www.epa.gov/watersense to find WaterSense labeled products or an auditor in your area.

For more information on Fix a Leak Week, visit https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/FALW.

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation's water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. Since the program's inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save trillions of gallons of water and billions in water and energy bills. For more information, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

 Kindergarten readiness rallies at Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) elementary schools kick off this month for families with rising kindergartners.

Each of the HCPS’ 13 elementary schools will host its own rally where incoming kindergarteners and their families can get to know their new school community, learn about kindergarten readiness skills they can practice at home this summer, meet teachers and administrators, and ask questions about the important first year of school.

It’s also where each registered kindergartner will be able to pick up a special READY! Kit prepared by HCPS, the Smart Start Partnership for Children, and community sponsors. Packed with items like books, crayons, clay, safety scissors, Unifix cubes and bilingual activity sheets for using the materials, the READY! Kits are designed to help prepare children for their first day of school. These activities incorporate practicing fine motor skills such as using safety scissors to cut paper, stringing items, and connecting cubes; logical thinking; color recognition; counting and number sense; alphabet recognition and introduction to Letterland characters used in the district-wide phonics program; and more.

“Kindergarten readiness” is an important annual initiative that HCPS, Smart Start Partnership for Children, and other community partners collaborate on each spring to help children and their families prepare for their very first year of school. 

Dates for each school-specific readiness rally are listed on HCPS’ “Get Ready for Kindergarten” webpage. Families are encouraged to check out HCPSNC.org/elementary-education/GetReady4K for kindergarten readiness resources that support early childhood development and literacy, like the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s “Let’s Get Ready” Guide and digital home library. Also linked on the resource page is the “Kindergarteners Can!” video, which families can watch with their children to help familiarize them with an elementary setting and school-day activities.

Still Need to Register for Kindergarten?

The online enrollment form at Kreg.HCPSNC.org is live and accepting registrations for the 2024-2025 school year. HCPS is enrolling children who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2024, and students should be registered in their home school district, even if a parent or guardian plans to make a request for transfer or reassignment to another elementary school. Families can call the HCPS Transportation Department at 828-697-4739 for assistance determining their home school district. By registering now, parents and guardians of new kindergarteners can receive school-specific orientation activities and messages this spring, including invitations to their kindergarten readiness rally!

Families who need help completing or have questions about the online registration form should contact their child’s school for assistance.