News

With the Measles outbreak in some 22 states in the country, it is definitely being brought to attention locally here close to home in Henderson County. WHKP's Tippy Creswell spoke with Dr. Dianne Curran, she is Medical Director with the Henderson County Dept of Public Health.

Dr. Curran did shed some light, on the recent Measles outbreak, and how it can prevented through the usual vaccination. So far there have been no reported cases of Measles in the Henderson County area. 

Heavy travel season is coming up as we approach the Summer months, and it is always good to stay informed, and be cautious of Measles, and the exact areas of the US where the outbreak has occured. Dr. Dianne Curran does state, and make mention, that it is imperative to keep a watchful eye, on the outbreaks. Vaccination prevention is key to staying healthy.

Many people were vaccinated as children, and it should still be effective as an adult. The vast majority are ok, and will remain protected. Blood testing is usually completed for those most vulnerable, especially healthcare workers, and close contact, where exposure could be a possibility. Please note, when Measles is treated, it usually dies out, and the vaccine is 100% effective. 

Pardee Hospital Foundation will host its sixth annual Cornhole Tournament Saturday, April 27 from 12-5 p.m. to benefit the Pardee Sports Medicine Concussion initiative. This year’s tournament will take place at the Hendersonville Country Club tennis courts, complete with generously donated cookout favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, Oskar Blues beer, Bold Rock cider and Pepsi products.

The event’s proceeds will go towards purchasing Riddell concussion helmets for our local Henderson County high schools. High school football is shown to be the sport with the greatest proportion of concussions, and these helmets help to alert the athletic trainers when a player has sustained a concussion-like hit.  The future goal of supplying the high schools with these helmets is to use the tracking device in conjunction with on-field evaluations, taking a proactive approach to concussion treatment.

Every year, the Pardee Hospital Foundation chooses an initiative for the Cornhole Tournament proceeds to benefit. The danger of concussion damage is prevalent in sports, and Pardee is dedicated to protecting our community athletes, especially in our high schools. If you would like to participate in the tournament, or make a donation towards the Concussion Helmet Initiative, visit pardeehospitalfoundation.org.

He's coming to join ROYS BOYS.  

Cole Anthony is the #3 overall basketball prospect in the nation for the Class of 2019. 

After creating some 'anxiety' about which school he would choose - Notre Dame, Oregon, Georgetown or North Carolina.

He chose the TAR HEELS and is expected to start next year as the top point guard in the ACC. 

Stay tuned as Ole Roy has more to say about this prospect, turned recruiit, and about the other members of his forthcoming season team.

The local "Community of Code" project supported by state grants will host a "Hackathon" this Friday, April 26, for North Henderson and East Henderson high school students. An extension of the schools' coding programs, the Hackathon is a collaborative day of fun in learning where students learn valuable technical skills in a fast-tracked lesson on the software development process. Students will design and build a web site to provide resources benefitting the Community of Code program for years to come.

The Hackathon will take place Friday, April 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at North Henderson High.  Please see attached flyer from Corvo Consulting Group for additional sponsor information.

WHKP's Tippy Creswell spoke with Kirby Johnson, of Johnson Family Farm on the recent severe weather, and heavy rain that has reaked havoc on many area farmers. Kirby stated that there has been 90 acres of plastic put down, due to protection of the crops. There is also plastic down for the upcoming May 7th planting, which will be in full swing very soon. Kirby is beginning to plant sweet corn, half runner beans, radishes, peppers & onions.

The Johnson Family Farm is now open Tuesday through Saturday of each week for your shopping convenience.

The Annual WHKP Invitational Relays were held at North Henderson High on Wednesday afternoon and evening. 

Polk County repeated as the boys champions and Enka took first place in the girls portion of the event.

Enka placed second in the boys event, just ahead of Asheville.

The WHKP RELAYS EVENT is one of the few team point events held in North Carolina with the winning team scores determining the outcome. 

 Teams competed for boys and girls championship trophies.

A 'big thanks' goes out again from everyone at WHKP to the North High staff for co-ordinating this event, still one of the most-popular in western North Carolina. 

The 2019 Henderson County WALK OF FAME HONOREES include the late W.A. Smith, developer of Laurel Park; George Wilkins, Henderson County Educator and Principal of Bruce Drysdale School; Col. Vance Pickens, a Confederate officer, Democratic Party Official, Lawyer and businessman in Hendersonville; Hugh Randall, Henderson County Educator and Superintendant of Hendersonville High School; Harley Blackwell, Agricultural Specialiast for the State of North Carolina's Experimental station in Mills River and Dan Gibson, who brought First Union Bank to Hendersonville. 

A public celebration will be held on May 5th, at 2:30 PM on King Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues. 

A dinner celebration will be held at 5:30 PM on the same date.  For tickets to this dinner, visit Hendersonville Travel & Tourism at the corner of Main and Allen Streets. 

Bill Moore Community Park is closed due to the flooding, and will not be open until staff can clear debris & access the flooding damage in the Park. This may take a few days.

Trespasser will be arrested if they are caught in the Park this weekend. Please advise the public to staff away until we re-open the Park.

The office of District Attorney Greg Newman announces the following case dispositions from the recent Superior Court term in Henderson County, March 25th through April 12th, 2019:

Kenneth D. Whitehead, of 113 Grazing Meadows Drive, Bristol, TN, was convicted by a jury of two counts of Statutory Rape of a Child under 15. Whitehead was sentenced to 699 months in prison.

Georgie A. Mendoza, of 2012 Somerset Drive, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Sell/Deliver Schedule I Controlled Substance, Sell/Deliver Heroin, three counts of Trafficking Opium or Heroin, Possession Methamphetamine, and Felony Possession Schedule II Controlled Substance. Mendoza was sentenced to 238 months in prison and $100,000 fine.

John Ferry Jr., of 108 Joyce Road, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury. Ferry Jr. was sentenced to 36 months in prison.

Richard A. Springston, of 70 Trailmaster Drive, Etowah, was convicted by a jury of Felony Assault Inflicting Serious Bodily Injury. Springston was sentenced to 29 months in prison.

Paul R. Lacroix, of 540 Montgrove Place NW, Concord, NC, pled guilty to Solicit Child by Computer. Lacroix must register as a sex offender and was sentenced to 25 months suspended sentence after serving six months plus 36 months supervised probation.

Willie B. Pulley Jr., of 31 Stokley Lane, Fletcher, pled guilty to Driving While Impaired and Flee/Elude Arrest with Motor Vehicle. Pulley Jr. was sentenced to ten months suspended sentence after serving 72 hours and 24 months supervised probation.

Eddie F. Holloway, of 110 Willowbrook Road, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Financial Card Fraud and Attempted Financial Card Theft. Holloway was sentenced to 120 days confinement.

The Honorable Judges Alan Thornburg and Bill Coward presided.

The 4th Annual Yard Sale to benefit camp GLOW, Inc. (A free christian summer camp that focuses on serving others and staying addiction free) is this Friday April, 26th 8am-noon, Saturday April 27th 8am-1pm at Mountain View Baptist Church Fellowship Ha;;, 650 Duncan Hill Road.