News

Senator Edwards Announces Pisgah View State Park Senate Bill 535, a $2M Appropriation, and Months of Negotiations Pave the Way for Historic Land to Become Western North Carolina State Park.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Senator Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) filed Senate Bill 535 in April that authorizes the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to add a new park unit, Pisgah View State Park, to the State Parks System. A new state park can only be created after authorization by the General Assembly. The 1,600 acres Pisgah View Ranch in Candler, N.C. has been family owned since 1790 and was opened to the public in 1941 by Ruby and Chester Cogburn. The Ranch will be restored and remain open to the public once it becomes the newest state park.

“I am enthusiastic about helping preserve this beautiful piece of history,” said Sen. Edwards. “I visited Pisgah View Ranch many times as a child, and I have enjoyed revisiting it during these contract negotiations. This park will present a remarkable economic opportunity for WNC. With its proximity to Asheville and I-40, as well as to the Pisgah and Great Smokey Mountain National Forests- this could be one of the most visited attractions in our state. We should all be thankful to Cogburn family for allowing the citizens of North Carolina to continue to enjoy this incredible property. We should also recognize the significant contribution made by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy while they have spearheaded the negotiations alongside the NC Dept. of Parks and Recreation, and they have already raised $1M from private donors.”

S535 names the park, and permits it to receive donations of appropriated land or purchase other needed lands for Pisgah View State Park with existing funds from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and other available sources of funding. Buncombe County currently contains no state park facilities. It is expected that land for the park would be purchased for approximately $18.2M over a span of five years with the first phase beginning after the contract closes at the end of 2019.

About the Pisgah View Ranch Natural lands in southeastern Buncombe County and nearby Haywood County have been identified as Natural Heritage Areas significant to North Carolina. These lands contain a wide variety of landscape types from exposed cliffs on dry ridges to medic coves and alluvial and wetlands areas.

Elevations span a wide range from 2600 to 4600 feet, with varied topography providing both habitat variety and beautiful scenic views. Existing and potential trails could host hiking, camping, and horseback riding. The area is easily accessible from Asheville and other population centers.

These lands provide essential habitat for species needing large, undeveloped land areas, and offer opportunities for healthy and enjoyable outdoor recreation.

A familar name in Henderson County, Jodi Grabowski, is excitedly taking on the role as the county's first behavioral health system coordinator with a combination of grit and gratitude.

Jodi has a passion for examining the needs the community faces surrounding substance use disorders and mental health services while breaking down barriers for access. 

 She states she is looking exceptionally forward to stepping into this role in a new position authorized by the county commissioners.

After receiving complaints from the public about possible drug activity, the Henderson County Drug Task Force, which is comprised of detectives from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and the Hendersonville Police Department, initiated an investigation which led to the execution of a search warrant in the early morning hours of June 21, 2019 at 819 6^th Avenue West. During the search of the residence, task force detectives aided by Henderson County SWAT and K-9 units, seized methamphetamine, suboxone, marijuana and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Detectives arrested the following individuals:

Michael Deshawn Gilchrist, age 33, of Hendersonville was charged with:

• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine
• Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
• Felony Maintaining a Dwelling
• Misdemeanor Possession of Suboxone
• Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana
• Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Lisa Marie Grooms, age 34, of Hendersonville was charged with:

• Felony Possession with Intent to Sell/Deliver Methamphetamine
• Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
• Felony Maintaining a Dwelling
• Misdemeanor Possession of Suboxone
• Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana
• Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Both Gilchrist and Grooms are in custody at Henderson County Jail under a $21,800 secure bond. Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin urges anyone with information regarding supected drug activity to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office at 828-694-2954.

Hendersonville Police Department Warns About Car Break-Ins

The Hendersonville Police Department would like to provide a community crime alert about an increase in vehicle break-ins being reported in the City of Hendersonville.

“Almost all the vehicles were left unlocked and many had items left in plain view for thieves to see,” said Hendersonville Police Chief Herbert Blake. “The police department has increased and intensified patrols, but citizens can help prevent these vehicle related thefts if they take their things out of their vehicles and lock their car doors every time they get out.”

During 2019, 42 vehicle break-ins have been reported in the Hendersonville city limits. 9 vehicle break-ins have been reported this month, with 7 occurring in the last 48 hours.

To help reduce the chance of falling victim to a car break-in, the public should always lock their doors and roll up windows when they park. Valuables and other items should never be left in view; they should be hidden or locked in the trunk prior to arrival at the driver’s destination.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Hendersonville Police Department at (828) 697-3025 to report suspicious activity.

WHKP RADIO has learned that former three-term Henderson County Commissioner, William 'Bill' Moyer died Saturday in the Duke Medical Center at age 80.

He and wife Dot, moved to Henderson County in 1990.  He was a native of Pennsylvania. 

Moyer served as chairman of the Commission in 2001-02 and from 2005 to 2010.  He ran for a fourth term and was defeated by Michael Edney who continues service on the current county commission.

According to Moyer's friends, one of his proudest accomplishments as a county commissioner was leading the effort to restore the Main Street Courthouse. 

Services are currently being planned and will be announced later. 

Former North Henderson stand-out football and baseball player, Dalton Whitaker, who was seriously injured while working for a local tree service on Wednesday while working with a chain saw in the top of a tree in Asheville when he clipped a power line, has been released from the  Augusta, Georgia Burn Center.  He was flown there in the Mission Hospital MAMMA helicopter after being seen at Mission.

Doctors are descrbing his recovery as a 'medical miracle' as it relates to individuals who have been involved in accidents surrounding high-volstage power lines.  Whitaker will return to the medical center next week for follow-up observation and possible treatment.

The Hendersonville Fire Department has announced the promotion of Chris Hearn from Firefighter/EMT to Engineer. The promotion took effect on June 15, 2019. “Engineer Hearn has shown a tenacity for knowledge and growth during his time with our organization,” said Hendersonville Fire Chief Joseph Vindigni. “The position of Engineer is critical to our daily operations, and we feel he will do an outstanding job in his new role.” Chris Hearn began full time employment with the Hendersonville Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT in August of 2017. He came to the fire service following time working as a Team Leader in the computer department of an electronics retailer. Hearn attended the Henderson County Fire Academy through Blue Ridge Community College and previously worked part time with the Hendersonville Fire Department and as a volunteer for Dana Fire Department. He holds an Associate Degree in General Studies from Valencia College in Central Florida. Engineer Hearn has a love of teaching and passing on knowledge. In order to serve as an Engineer at the Hendersonville Fire Department, personnel must hold the following certifications in addition to various Hazardous Materials, Driving, and Incident Management Training: NC certification as a Firefighter Level II, Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Vehicle Driver Certification, Driver Operator Pumps, Driver Operator Aerials, and Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician.

WHKP has added an Opinion Piece - STRAIGHT TALK - by Lloyd Eckberg - to its web site NEWS at www.whkp.com according to WHKP President and General Manager, Art Cooley.

This opinion piece will appear - pretty much weekly - on this site, and is a reproduction of Lloyd's continued work in retirement, there in Thomasville, Georgia.  Hey, pretty good for an 89-year-old man, huh ?

Eckberg is a native West Virginian who is a Korean veteran.  He has been married to Marie for 33 years. 

Now retired, he earned his living as a Certified Chamber of Commerce Executive for forty-two years, serving the Warner Robins, Georgia and the Thomasville-Thomas County Georgia Chambers of Commrece.

Eckberg established the sixty-one county South Georgia Chamber of Commerce and served that organization for thirteen years.

In retirement, Eckberg has stayed active in both broadcast and print media, as a guest columnist for the Times-Enterprise News in Thomasville, Georgia and conducting a 30-minute WE THE PEOPLE talk show with co-host, Dr. Homer Pankey, weekly on WPAX RADIO in Thomasville, Georgia.  He also produces a weekly commentary, entitled STRAIGHT TALK on WPAX.

Eckberg established and published the South Georgia Business Journal for thirteen years.

He is a 32nd Degree Shriner and member of First United Methodist Church in Thomasville.

Last, but not least, Lloyd is a lifelong Republican and served on two state commissions under Democrat governors. 

Lloyd Eckberg was introduced to WHKP by Dave Cooley, brother to Art Cooley, who met and knew Lloyd from his Chamber of Commerce work in various locations throughout the United States. Dave, being a 'yellow dog Democrat' and Lloyd, being on the 'other side of the aisle' have been good friends for many years, showing how it can be with good friends of 'opposite persuasion'.  One wonders WHY politics have recently been recently blamed for 'breaking up' great friendships.  We need to get back to 'civil political discussions'...then go out for a drink and a good meal !

Anyway, we're glad to have Lloyd 'aboard' for some OPINIONS and invite you to check him out here on the WHKP WEB SITE.  www.whkp.com 

Tell us what you think. 

And - as always - WHKP offers YOU the viewer of his articles the opportunity to COMMENT ON HIS COMMENTS.  Just send your comments along to  Art Cooley - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your permission to print and we'll put YOUR COMMENTS UP just as soon as we get them.