News

Pardee UNC Health Care has begun the process of notifying the community of a possible data breach that occurred as a result of a break-in in the basement of their building located at 2029 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville. The break-in was discovered, and a police report filed, on May 9, 2019. The lower level of the Asheville Hwy building was illegally accessed, and electronic equipment removed from the premises. The equipment taken did not have hard drives intact and as a result, no Protected Health Information (PHI) or other personal information was accessed via the stolen electronics. 

However, during the onsite investigation immediately following the discovery of the break-in, Pardee Security found a stack of 590 Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control forms dating from October 2003 to December 2004. These forms, which contained information related to routine drug screenings performed at Pardee Urgent Care, were in plain view and likely accessible to the person(s) who participated in the break-in. “Since the stack of papers was moved from another location and in view of the person(s) who entered the building and removed the electronics, we do have reason to believe that the information contained on the forms could have been viewed,” said Jennifer Melia, Compliance & Privacy Officer for Pardee UNC Health Care. 

Due to the age of the drug testing form, Pardee officials note that they lack accurate contact information to send letters to affected individuals. As a result, individuals who had a drug screening from October 2003 to December 2004 at the Pardee Urgent Care located at 212 Thompson Street or 205 Thompson Street in Hendersonville, NC, are encouraged to call toll free 866-668-4847 to confirm whether their data may have been viewed. 

Protected Health Information that could have been accessed includes names and phone numbers, birth dates, social security numbers, results of the drug screen, employer name, and drivers license numbers. “We are unaware of any specific data misuse as a result of this breach, but we do want to make our affected individuals aware and ask that they remain vigilant and take advantage of the services that we’re offering to protect them from potential identity theft,” said Melia. 

Melia also encourages affected individuals to take steps to review and monitor their credit by placing a fraud alert on their credit report by contacting any one of the three major consumer reporting agencies. Contact information for all three, as well as information on preventing identity theft provided by the Federal Trade Commission and North Carolina Attorney General’s Office can be found at pardeehospital.organd with this release. Additionally, Pardee UNC Health Care is offering free credit monitoring protection services for a period of one year to affected individuals. 

“Pardee UNC Health Care is committed to protecting the privacy of patients’ medical information and takes this obligation very seriously,” said Melia. “All paper records previously stored in the lower level of the Asheville Highway location where the break-in occurred have been removed, segregated, and are now securely stored at a new location.” Melia also notes that Pardee consolidated paper records previously stored at multiple off-site records storage facilities into one secure storage facility, and is reinforcing existing employee training on the importance of maintaining the privacy and security of health and other personal information . “We are reviewing existing employee training and record retention protocols and policies and will reinforce and revise as needed,” said Melia. 

Pardee UNC Health Care is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1953 and is managed by UNC Health Care. The hospital is licensed for 222 acute care beds. Pardee has several locations separate from the main campus, including a comprehensive physician practice network, a cancer center, three urgent care locations and five orthopedic clinics. For more information or to find a physician, visit www.pardeehospital.org.

Senator Edwards Announces Budget Items That Help Western North Carolina Final Budget Prioritizes Pay Increases for Teachers and State Employees, Invests an Additional $1.5B in Public Education, Further Reforms Taxes, and Other Initiatives That Will Have a Dramatic Impact on Western North Carolina


RALEIGH, N.C. – Senator Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson), announced Monday some of the budget highlights that could most affect the western portion of the state. Although the Governor recently vetoed the budget that recently passed both chambers, he is optimistic that these provisions will withstand the next phase of budget negotiations. Senator Edwards further applauds his partnership with Representative Chuck McGrady to ensure that Western North Carolina was well recognized.
“We continue to invest in our families, our economy, our environment, and our natural and cultural resources,” said Senator Edwards. “This budget would make a significant impact on the families of our state, and in particular Western North Carolina. As a first-year Appropriations Chairman, I was fortunate to have Rep. McGrady - a seasoned Appropriations Chair as a team member in the House. There is no doubt that the synergy created between the two of us allowed us to represent our districts in a way that may have otherwise not been possible.”


The following provisions are some of the highlights from this biennium's budget that will provide funding for programs and initiatives that Senator Edwards believes a majority of Western North Carolina citizens will have an interest.

For Education
 The Henderson, Transylvania, Buncombe, and City of Asheville schools systems would receive $42 million towards school construction and capital projects.  Blue Ridge Community College would receive $2.9 million for capital improvement projects for new construction or rehabilitation of existing facilities and repairs and renovations.  Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (AB Tech) would receive $8.27 million for capital improvement projects for new construction or rehabilitation of existing facilities and repairs and renovations.  UNCA would receive reimbursement of $780 thousand for losses they incurred during delays in the construction of Woods Hall.  The North Carolina School of Science will soon have a campus much farther west of Durham, enabling easier participation from western counties. It will receive $6.2 million for operational startup costs at the Morganton campus that is now under construction.  Montreat College would receive a $20 million grant for an innovative Cybersecurity Regional Training Center that is expected to bring an advanced technology focus to the western region.
 Muddy Sneakers, a program that takes fifth graders outdoors to study science and ecology, would receive $500 thousand that would now become an annual recurrence instead of being funded year-to-year.  Outdoor Experiential Science Education would receive $1 million to provide funds for multi-day workshops for teachers to increase their use of the outdoors in teaching required curricula and bring students on experiential fields trips to a State park.  Transylvania County would receive an additional $25 thousand grant for the Early Childhood Education Initiative.  Henderson County Public Schools would receive $100 thousand towards expanding their “Leader in Me” Education Initiative.  Buncombe County Public Schools would receive $100 thousand towards expanding their “Leader in Me” Education Initiative.

For the Environment
 The state Clean Water (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) would receive $7 million to help finance costs to help ensure safe drinking water supply.  $500 thousand for Hemlock Restoration would become a recurring expenditure instead of having to fund it year-to-year. An additional $100 thousand would be injected into the program, and a comprehensive study will be required by N.C. Department of Agriculture to measurably determine the results of the program and set the tone to determine future needs.  The Dupont State Forest would receive $100 thousand towards the development of a master plan that will look at how to grow the outdoor attraction in a way that incorporates numerous outdoor activities and interests.  The French Broad River Paddle Trail would receive $100 thousand to expand fishing and camping tourism with improvements in Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, and Madison counties.  $150 thousand would go towards the Green River Game Lands to improve public access to a popular recreation area in Henderson and Polk counties.  N.C. Department of Agriculture and N.C. Department of Wildlife are directed to conduct a study in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service to develop a plan to address the documented population decline of wildlife on state and federal managed lands.  $1 million would be dedicated for Prescribed Burning Grants to rejuvenate matured forest lands and to help address invasive plant species.  Mountain True would receive a $100 thousand directed grant for recreational water quality testing  A $200 thousand fund would be established to address hazardous spills from unknown sources. This program fills a void that would have helped address recently oil found leaking into a popular WNC river.  The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), a fund to which WNC has become a frequent beneficiary, would receive $43.8 million.  N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), another popular fund to which WNC has become a regular beneficiary, would receive $40 million.

For Agriculture
 Farmers from Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, Haywood, Polk, and Rutherford, counties could receive desperately needed financial assistance after experiencing significant crop losses in 2018 that resulted from severe flooding. Reimbursements could reach as high as $10 million.  $18 million will be used to create the Viable Utility Reserve to provide grants to distressed water infrastructure entities and wastewater systems.  The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund will receive $3.5 million.  The Future Farmers of America would receive a directed grant of $500 thousand to the NC Future Farmers.

Investigators with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office need assistance in identifying the female subject in the attached photograph.  The pictured individual was caught on bank surveillance video @ United Community Bank in Gaffney, South Carolina attempting to cash a check that was taken from vehicle break-ins which occurred in the parking area of Rugby Middle School (3345 Haywood Rd, Hendersonville. NC) on  June 19, 2019.  This unknown female was operating a white Nissan SUV when captured on the bank surveillance video.

Anyone with information as to whom this individual is should contact Detective Daniel Gamez at 828.694.2800 or via email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Mark Meadows (R-NC-11) led the introduction of bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would help the Department of Defense (DoD) stop the use of its internet network to possess, procure, or produce child pornography – the END Network Abuse Act.

In the course of a national investigation—titled Project Flicker, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement identified over 5,000 individuals who subscribed to child pornography websites, including several DoD-affiliated individuals. This discovery prompted an inquiry by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, which in turn identified hundreds of DoD-affiliated individuals as suspects in these child pornography cases. While only 20 percent of these individuals were investigated, of the cases investigated, several of the individuals were found to be using their government devices to download or share said pornographic material.

The bipartisan End National Defense (END) Network Abuse Act would crack down on this activity by upgrading the training and technical capacity of military criminal investigative organizations to confront the misuse of DoD computers, facilities, and equipment to access and trade child pornography. It would also require DoD to enter into collaborative agreements with law enforcement, child protection organizations, trauma-informed healthcare providers, and targeted social services.

Rep. Meadows released the following statement:

“Peer-to-peer trading of child pornography is an unacceptable practice, and federal agencies cannot allow their networks to become a platform for it,” said Meadows. “Using the ICACCOPS program is a common sense solution that will confront the problem, closing the security gaps in the Department of Defense network to help identify perpetrators and ultimately hold them responsible.”

Rep. Spanberger also released the following:

“Sexual abuse and the sexual exploitation of children are horrific crimes, and we should pursue all avenues to combat these crimes, eliminate images of exploitation from the internet, and prosecute those who traffic in these images. The notion that the Department of Defense’s network and Pentagon-issued computers may be used to view, create, or circulate such horrifying images is a shameful disgrace, and one we must fight head on,” said Spanberger. “As a former federal agent who worked child exploitation and child pornography cases, I recognize the need to improve the training available to those responsible for bringing perpetrators to justice. This bipartisan bill would give investigators the tools they need to protect children, eliminate existing images, and prevent the future misuse of DoD networks. Keeping our children safe from exploitation should be a priority for every Member of Congress, and I’d like to thank my colleague Congressman Meadows for joining me as we lead the introduction of this critical legislation.”

In 2018, the National Criminal Justice Training program found that DoD’s network ranked 19th out of 2,891 networks nationwide when it came to peer-to-peer file trading of child pornography. As shown by the limited number of cases investigated during Project Flicker, these troubling statistics are coupled with a lack of training and resources within the DoD to take on child sexual exploitation.

“Child pornography is a shocking crime, and it's all the more shocking to learn that our military's computer networks are used by abusers to share and even produce images that harm victims for years to come,” added  Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of National Children’s Alliance. “The END Network Abuse Act empowers military investigators to ensure networks created to protect our country are not used to exploit its children. More importantly, this bipartisan bill strengthens the relationship between DoD and our nation's children's advocacy centers to help heal kids victimized by child pornography. Sincere thanks to Rep. Spanberger and Rep. Meadows for their critical leadership on this issue.”

U.S. Representatives TJ Cox (D-CA-21) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18) have also joined the bipartisan legislation as original cosponsors.

The END Network Abuse Act is supported by the National Children’s Alliance, American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training, National Children’s Advocacy Center, National Children’s Alliance, National Criminal Justice Training Center, Safe States, Alliance, Thorn, American Prosecutor’s Association, and National District Attorney’s Association.

The End Network Abuse Act is companion legislation to a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Brian Schatz (D-HI).

At 5:30 p.m. on three Mondays in July – July 15, 22, and 29 -- guided history walks along Hendersonville’s meandering Main Street will enlighten dedicated history enthusiasts and others. Or choose the Sunday at 2 p.m. walk on July 7.  The walks will be about 90 minutes and will be held rain or shine.  Visitors will find that as mountain towns in the southern Appalachians go, yes, Hendersonville has quite a history … and interesting architecture as well.

 Cost is $10 per person 10 years and older.  Children under 10 are free with a paid adult.  Reservations are suggested. Meet in the lobby of Hendersonville City Hall at the entrance to the Police Dept. to begin the walk.  City Hall is at the corner of Fifth Avenue East and King Street.  Free parking is available at the Police Dept. entrance. 

Tour guide Mary Jo Padgett will answer questions and tell stories of the past, such as -- who donated the land where the new town would be built, what is the age of the oldest block of buildings, what was on the third floor (and in the basement) of the old City Hall, who named the county – with extra news blurbs on the bordellos, shoot-outs, and old trolley lines included. Find out about the Historic Courthouse, Skyland Hotel, City Hall, and other historic shops and structures along Main Street. 

Private tours are available anytime for groups of eight or more for Guided Walks on Main Street as well as tours in Historic Oakdale Cemetery and along 7^th Avenue Historic District.  Phone Mary Jo at 828-545-3179 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to make arrangements.

 “Locals and visitors may join me to celebrate and share the interesting location, history and architecture of downtown Hendersonville,” Padgett said.  “I believe that knowing our history enriches our lives.”

Padgett served on Hendersonville City Council for eight years, is a journalist and public relations consultant, co-founder and former executive director of ECO, was associate editor at The Mother Earth News magazine, and conducts programs and guided tours in Paris, France, on the American Revolution.  Her parents spent their honeymoon in the Skyland Hotel on Main Street.  She grew up on a farm in Rutherford County, and has lived in a 100-year-old house in downtown Hendersonville for 37 years.

To make reservations or for more information, phone Padgett at 828-545-3179 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Visit www.maryjopadgett.com and click on Guided Walks for the complete 2019 schedule.  

The office of District Attorney Greg Newman announces the following case dispositions from the recent Superior Court administrative term in Henderson County, June 24^th – June 25^th, 2019:

Michael R. Middleton, of 175 Ledbetter Drive, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Breaking and/or Entering, Larceny after Break/Enter, and eight counts of Uttering Forged Instrument.  Middleton was sentenced to 21 months in prison and $200 in restitution.

Dennis L. Parris, of 108 Mintz Road, East Flat Rock, pled guilty to Felony Larceny and Possession of Stolen Goods.  Parris was sentenced to 107 days confinement, a suspended sentence of 46 months in prison, 24 months supervised probation, $1,055 in restitution, and $200 fine.

Collins L. Gibbs, of 714 Goldfinch Drive, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Assault by Strangulation, Assault on a Female, Communicating Threats, and Crimes against Nature.  Gibbs was sentenced to 100 days confinement, a suspended sentence of 21 months in prison, 24 months supervised probation, and $100 fine.

            Kevin L. Morris, of 28 McKinney Meadows Court, Etowah, pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana.  Morris was sentenced to 45 days confinement.

            The Honorable Judge Peter Knight presided.

The Hendersonville Fire Department has provided an announcement about Fire Captain Josh Poore.

On Thursday, June 13, 2019, Captain Josh Poore of the Hendersonville Fire Department was off-duty and mountain biking on Bent Creek Trail in the North Mills River area. He was in a serious accident involving an incomplete spinal cord injury and was unable to move his arms or legs. Skyland Fire & Rescue responded to the scene and Josh was transported to Mission Hospital. Josh underwent a surgery that fused his spine at C3 and C4 and was in the ICU for ten days before being moved to a step down trauma unit. Josh has regained movement in his legs but is still currently unable to move his arms. On June 28, he was transported to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, a facility specializing in rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord and brain injuries.

Captain Josh Poore was honored as the 2018 Officer of the Year for the Hendersonville Fire Department. He has served as a Hendersonville firefighter since 2007 and was selected for the honor based on his support of the department’s mission and his ability to create an environment for those he supervisors that promotes training, fitness, ownership and personal growth. Three weeks ago, he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Fire Administration.

Josh served in the Army Reserves for eight years which included a 15-month tour in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He left the service as an E-6 Staff Sergeant with his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as a Construction Engineering Supervisor.

Josh married his high school sweetheart, Ashley, and they have been married for eighteen years. They have three sons: River, age 10; Logan, age 8; and Brody age 5. Josh is a former CrossFit coach and passionate about weightlifting. He enjoys spending time with his kids playing soccer, basketball, riding dirt bikes and anything outdoors.

Josh’s family is thankful for the miracles God has provided, but know Josh has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Donation options and fundraisers are being organized to assist with Josh’s medical costs and to cover travel and housing costs for Josh’s family as they travel back and forth to Atlanta while he is rehabilitating at the Shepherd Center.

Josh is a military veteran who served his country and returned home to serve his community as a firefighter. Now, it is our time to give back to him in a small way.

General Assembly appoints Apodaca to WCU board, reappoints Haskett

CULLOWHEE – The General Assembly has appointed former N.C. Sen. Thomas Apodaca of Henderson County and reappointed Timothy Haskett of Cleveland County to four-year terms on the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees.

Both terms are effective July 1 and will expire June 30, 2023.

The appointment of Apodaca came at the recommendation of N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and reappointment of Haskett came at the recommendation of N.C. Speaker of the House Tim Moore. The legislation approving trustee appointments at WCU and other University of North Carolina System institutions now goes to N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper for his signature before becoming law.

Apodaca, a resident of Hendersonville, graduated from WCU in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He previously served on the WCU Board of Trustees from 1997 until 2002, when he was elected to the N.C. Senate representing District 48. After graduating from WCU, Apodaca went on to a career as an entrepreneur involved in bond insurance, real estate investment and a travel agency. He is founder and managing partner of Vista Strategies, a firm that specializes in lobbying, corporate consulting, strategy and economic development.

Haskett, a native of Sylva and resident of Kings Mountain, earned both his bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in business administration at WCU. He has held a variety of finance-related positions during his 32-year career with Duke Energy and is chairman of WCU’s Baxter Wood Family Scholarship Fund, in addition to being a member of the university’s Catamount Club.

Apodaca will be joining new WCU board members Kathryn Crisp Greeley, owner of a full-service interior design firm in Waynesville, and Kenneth Hughes of Asheville, retired chairman and chief executive officer of the Dixon Hughes Goodman accounting firm, who were appointed to four-year terms earlier this year by the UNC Board of Governors.

In addition to Haskett, returning to the WCU Board of Trustees are Denver resident and current vice chair J. Bryant Kinney, principal of Kinney Public Strategies in Charlotte and senior counselor for the Hawthorn Group international public affairs firm, and Rebecca Schlosser of Greensboro, a former high school teacher and currently a community volunteer who recently served on the university’s “Lead the Way” fundraising campaign steering committee. Kinney and Schlosser were reappointed to four-year terms by the Board of Governors.

The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees is composed of 13 members. Eight are elected by the UNC Board of Governors, four are appointed by the General Assembly, and the president of the Student Government Association serves in an ex-officio capacity.

David Rhode, from Hendersonville, elected SGA president by the WCU student body during the spring semester, took the oath of office as part of the board meeting June 7.

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Despite some objections from various educators, a bill requiring NC schools to add what will be known as a personal finance class cleared the final hurdle in the state's General Assembly.

The approval which came from the house on Thursday sends the measure to Gov. Roy Cooper for his signature. Identical mandates for a personal finance course are also included in the state's budget bill, which will provide  a $500 stipend for each teacher that completes what is being called a professional development course to teach personal finance.

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision that challenges to electoral maps are political questions and not reviewable in federal court:

“When Americans have more control over their own lives, that’s a good thing—and the best way to achieve that goal is to put power in the hands of their local, more accountable governments. Today’s SCOTUS decision isn’t a victory for Republicans or Democrats – it is a victory for Americans who believe states, localities, and main street voters should have control over their political systems—not unelected judges and bureaucrats.”