JULY ARCHIVES

NOT EVERYONE IS IN FAVOR OF RAISING BUILDING HEIGHTS

City councilman Jeff Collis says he is against raising the building height limits in Hendersonville. He says there are lots of people in town that feel the same way, and he says more studies should be done about the issue. He says the proposal that Mayor Newman has brought forward does not address issues such as traffic and parking. He also says that downtown Hendersonville is a beautiful place, and he would like it to stay as it is.

save our city committee holds rally

The Save Our City Committee held a rally on June 27th to voice their opinions against raising building height limits. Robert Martin, a member of the committee says he is worried that if building heights are raised, it could hurt businesses downtown, and many of them would be gone. He urges people who are against raising building height limits to come to the meeting and let the City Council know how they feel. Mayor Greg Newman told WHKP that he fully supports the rights of the Save Our City Committee to express their opinion.

operation blood drive successful

Operation Blood Drive, which was held at Grace Lutheran Church on June 29th was a big success according to Mike Williams, director of the Henderson County chapter of the American Red Cross. He said they had hoped to receive 280 units of blood, and they ended up receiving 290 units. Williams says the blood supply is low, and there is a major need for blood this time of year because people are traveling.He thanks everyone that was involved in the blood drive, and says he is glad for such a great turnout.

good news for veterans

Congressman Charles Taylor recently supported a measure to raise

the cost of living adjustment for veterans. Taylor says it is important to do this for our veterans. He says that many veterans have health problems, and other needs, and they need to save as much money as possible, so raising the cost of living adjustment is extremely helpful.

Congressman Taylor also spoke with WHKP news about the new outpatient veterans clinic that will be located in Macon county. Taylor says this facility is important because it will serve those veterans who live in the far Western counties of North Carolina, and may not be able to get to the V.A. hospital in Asheville because of cost, or health problems.

pardee hospital chief nurse honored

Sally Davenport, the Chief Nurse Executive at Pardee Hospital was recently put on the list of one of the 100 great nurses in North Carolina. Tiffany Ervin of Pardee Hospital says Sally Davenport has been a great leader, and that she has helped in a lot of areas of nursing such as education and hiring practices. Evrin says Pardee is proud of Davenport, and her accomplishments.

HAVE FUN, BUT DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE

The North Carolina Highway Patrol began their Booze It and Lose It program on June 29th, and it will continue through July 10th. Pat Staggs who is with the North Carolina Highway Patrol says troopers will be especially vigilant during the 4th of July.  He says people tend to make bad decisions during the holidays. He urges people to make other arrangements for transportation if they are going to drink.  Pat Staggs also says that the Highway Patrol motorcycle and aviation units will be looking for people who are driving too fast on motorcycles. He says motorcycle fatalities have increased in the far western counties lately.

boating and alcohol are a deadly combination

Many people love to be on the water during this summer season boating, water skiing, and doing other fun activities. Chris Huebner, North Carolina Hunting and Boating Safety Coordinator says 80 percent of drownings that occur involve alcohol He says people do not pay attention when they are under the influence of alcohol, and he says they do not wear life jackets like they should.

candidate withdraws from school board race

Fielding Lucas, a candidate for the Henderson County school board withdrew from the race last week. Lucas told WHKP news that he withdrew because of the recurrence of a health problem. He says he hopes he can help the other three school board candidates. Lucas says he is concerned about decisions that this school board has made. He says a lot of decisions have been made unilaterally, such as decisions about facilities.

watermelons look great this year

Watermelons are going to be sweet and delicious this year according to Heather Beddingfield of Four Seasons Produce. She says watermelons, most of which are coming from Georgia, love the dry weather. She says the best way to spot a good watermelon is to find one that has a yellow belly.  This means that it was picked ripe, instead of being shipped while it was still green.

fletcher cleaners closing its doors

Fletcher Cleaners has been in business for 60 years, and they will be closing their doors later this month. Owner Clyde Hensley says his father started the business, and then he and his wife Christine took it over. He says he feels it is time for them to move on. Hensley says he has appreciated the business over the last 60 years.

full agenda for city council thursday evening

Hendersonville City Council will have a busy meeting this Thursday. Mayor Greg Newman told WHKP that the primary issue will be the building height ordinance. There will be a public hearing regarding the issue before the meeting on Thursday.  The hearing will begin at 5:45. Mayor Newman asks that people show up early and sign in if they wish to make comments. He says the comment time will be limited to three minutes.  In addition to the building height ordinance, the council will also honor Cierra Newman, who won the outstanding teen completion at the Miss North Carolina Pageant recently, and they will also recognize Les Fleischer, who is retiring as chairperson of the Committee for Persons with Disabilities. The council will also recognize Mike Williams, director of the Henderson County chapter of the American Red Cross for his hard work.

school board and county commissioners to hold joint meeting

The Board of Commissioners will hold a joint meeting with the Henderson County School Board on Thursday afternoon. County commission chairman Bill Moyer says the major issue will be the Mills River School situation. Chairman Moyer says that the School Board is looking for ways to complete the Mills River School project as effectively as possible. Moyer says the issue of school maintenance will also be discussed, including the issue of money that is designated for school maintenance.

general assembly session over soon

The North Carolina General Assembly session will be over soon. Senator Tom Apadoca says the conference committees have reached an agreement on the budget, and they will vote on the conference report today and tomorrow.  The senate will stay and vote on Friday.  The intention is for sessions to be over by this coming Friday. Apadoca says they will also discuss the issues of ethics reform, and finance reform. He says he also expects a vote on the minimum wage.    The bill has passed the house, and Apadoca says he expects it will pass the senate as well.

hickory nut gorge recovering from floods

The Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure areas are recovering well from the recent heavy rains. Lake Lure Emergency Management Coordinator Ron Morgan says Lake Lure did have some debris after the flood, but it was cleaned up quickly. He says it was opened for full recreational use last week, and all other businesses are also back up and running. Morgan says the tourist season should not be effected for that area.

bears in smoky mountain national park

Officials in the Smoky Mountain National Park recently captured 8 bears. They say that when they do capture bears, most of them are day active, which means they have lost their fear of humans, because they associate humans with food. They say the best thing to do is capture bears who are in the night active pattern. At this point, they take blood samples, pull teeth, and do a full biological analysis of the bear. This allows the bear to associate humans with a negative experience, and therefore institutes fear back into the bears.

first friday events in downtown hendersonville

This Friday July 7th, Downtown Hendersonville will hold its "First Friday" events. From 6:00 until 9:00 P.M. businesses downtown will be open for extended hours.  Also, Choy's Flowers will be having a special event. Downtown Hendersonville Incorporated Executive Director Lee Henderson Hill says she encourages everyone to come down and see what Downtown Hendersonville has to offer.

tips about fresh fruits and vegetables

As much as we may like fresh fruits and vegetables, they may not always be the best option according to Ingles Dietitian Leah McGrath. She says produce may not be as fresh as we think, depending on how long it took to ship them from the field to the store. She says freshness also depends on how long consumers wait before they use the produce they purchase.  McGrath says that people should look at the colors of their fruits and vegetables. The more vivid the color, the more cancer fighting agents the fruit will have. McGrath says Ingles stores try their very best to use as much locally grown produce as they can.

100 pounds of marijuana seized yesterday

The Hendersonville Police Department with assistance from the Henderson County Sheriff's Department seized 100 pounds of Marijuana during a vehicle stop on Wednesday. Two arrests were made during the vehicle stop. Lorenzo Robleto of 307 Substation Street was arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana, and conspiracy to traffic marijuana. He was held in the Henderson County Jail under $25,000 secured bond. Brenda Gillam, also of 307 Substation street, was arrested and charged with one count of trafficking marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to traffic marijuana. She was also held in the Henderson County Jail under $25,000 secured bond. The police department says the street value of the marijuana is around a quarter of a million dollars.

some traffic congestion during holiday 

There were some traffic backups during the 4th of July holiday according to Sergeant Pat Staggs of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Staggs says the backups are not a surprise because I-26 and I-40 come together, and that always causes congestion. He says the widening of I-40 should help that situation. He says there were impaired drivers on the highway. He says the Booze It and Lose It program will continue.

several traffic violations during the holiday

The Hendersonville Police Department ran two checkpoints during the 4th of July holiday period. Captain John Nicholson says most of the citations were given because of seatbelt violations. One person was arrested for having a revoked license, and also having an outstanding warrant, and another person was arrested for careless and reckless driving. Nicholson says people were also given citations for driving without a license. He says a total of 23 citations were given out at the two checkpoints.

jackson park not as crowded this year

The rain kept a lot of people away from Jackson Park on the 4th of July, according to Henderson County Parks and Recreation Director Rick Harris. He says hard showers kept coming, and this caused the fireworks show to be shorter than usual. He says the crowds were as slim as he has seen them since he has been the director. He did say, though, that overall, the celebration went well.

congressman taylor supports alternative fuel

Congressman Charles Taylor says we need to look into alternative fuel sources in order to lower costs. He says many people in our country and abroad are using sources such as corn and sugars to produce fuel, and this cuts down on the demand for oil. He also says that congress is working with G. E. and discussing ways of producing diesel fuel using coal. He says oil is going to continue to be expensive if we import it. He says we need to start drilling in Alaska, and we also need to engage in off-shore drilling.  Congressman Taylor says all of these factors working together will lower the price of fuel.

people saw high gas prices during holiday travels

Triple AAA Carolinas says they do not know the exact number of people that were on the highways in North Carolina during the 4th of July holiday period. Sarah Davis of Triple AAA Carolinas says the expectation was around 1.7 million people. She says motorists saw high gas prices. She says prices in the Asheville area were around $2.88, while the state average is $2.85. Davis says gas prices will continue to go up and down during the summer depending on how active hurricane season is, and also how things are going in Korea and Iran. She says the situation in Mexico may also be a factor since they recently had a presidential election.

a challenge for asheville airport

The Asheville Regional Airport has had a new challenge in dealing with summer campers this year. Patty Michael, who is with Asheville Regional Airport says things have been different because of the merger of U.S. Airways and America West. She says U.S. Airways has adopted the America West policy which prohibits minors from making airline connections without a parent.  She says that U.S. Airways does plan to continue with this policy.

summer campers having more fun this year

Camp Falling Creek is having a great summer according to director Chuck McGrady. He says campers are having more fun this year because last year there was so much rain that they did not get to be outside as much. He says most summer camps have already completed their first session, and that they will close around the second weekend in August.

great goodies coming in at the curb market

The Historic Henderson County Curb Market had a successful event this past Saturday and on the 4th of July when they had free ice cream for their customers. Marilyn Horne, who is with the Curb Market says around 800 people came and got some ice cream to cool off during the two days. She says the Curb Market was glad to have the event in order to show appreciation to their customers. She says there are lots of vegetables coming into the curb market now including squash, beans, corn, and cucumbers. Flowers are also coming in. Horne says they have everything from live plants like Hosta to cut and fresh flowers.

whkp streaming continues to be popular

Since March of this year, WHKP has been streaming. This means people could listen from anywhere in the world by going to the WHKP web site. Streaming continues to be very popular. WHKP President Art Cooley says streaming continues to be very popular.  He says that 707 steams of listening combined for a total of 867 hours listening in June. A stream is identified as one person. 52 streams were, for a total of 26 hours was recorded on June 26th. WHKP invites you to listen anywhere in the world..In town, or out of town, and be sure to tell your friends in other areas to tune in on their computer.

city council votes to raise building heights

Hendersonville City council voted 3 to 2 to raise building heights to 80 feet. Mayor Greg Newman told WHKP news that people need to look at this issue as a positive step for Henderson county. He says he wants people to do well economically, and that will happen if the city is allowed to grow. He says raising the building heights will allow for greater tax money. He says that he feels allowing greater use of property is what is best for the city of Hendersonville. If the issue passes a second vote in August, it would pave the way for the new Carolina Grand condominium complex.

developer wants people to support growth

The Developer of the Carolina Grand condominium complex says people need to look at the whole picture when it comes to building heights. He says this would pave the way for more businesses to open downtown. He says he has noticed that several shops have closed downtown, and he thinks it needs to be revitalized. Hernando says if there were no drop off on his building sight, the height would be 64 feet, so height is not a huge issue. Overall, he says the issue does not just effect him, but he thinks that it is important for the growth of Hendersonville, specifically downtown.

still looking for suspects in drug case

Lorenzo Robleto and Brenda Gillam made their first court appearance on Wednesday after they were arrested on Tuesday when Marijuana was found in their vehicle. Detective David Adams of the Hendersonville Police Department says the arrests came as a result of a joint investigation with the Henderson County Sheriff's Department. Robletto and Gillam were both charged with trafficking marijuana and conspiracy to traffic marijuana. Detective Adams  says the police department is looking for other suspects in the case. He says the amount of jail time that Robletto and Gillam will face depends on their prior criminal records.

our area is a crossroads for radio active waste

Henderson County Emergency Management Coordinator Rocky Hyder says a lot of radioactive material passes through our area on its way from Tennessee to South Carolina. Hyder says the radiation is at such a low level that it is hard to detect. He says that materials that have a higher level of radioactivity are sealed so that they are not a major threat. He says that weapon grade material is escorted front and back when it passes through the area. Hyder says that if there is ever an accident involving radioactive material, North Carolina has an excellent response team, and they are prepared to deal with an emergency situation.

state senate approves major changes in dwi laws

The North Carolina State Senate approved several major changes in state DWI laws. Senator Tom Apodaca says there is now stricter regulations on transporting kegs. He says people that sell them have to keep records of the sale for 30 days should there be an incident involving a keg. He also said the law allows for people to be charged with felony serious injury by a vehicle, felony aggravated death by a vehicle, or aggravated felony serious injury by a vehicle if they are stopped for DWI. He also said that the law closed the gap which allowed people convicted of DWI to appeal and get a lesser sentence.

blood drives successful, but still major shortage

Mike Williams, the director of the Henderson County Chapter of the American Red Cross says recent blood drives have been successful. He says 293 units of blood were collected at the Operation Blood Drive at Grace Lutheran Church last week. As good as that is, Williams says the need for blood is is still great. He says that the need for O-Positive, O-Negative, B-Positive and B-Negative blood are at the critical stages. In fact, he says that recently O-negative blood was only sent out if it was a critical situation. He says the shortage is occurring because people are on vacation, and there are fewer people coming to give blood. He says people can find out when drives are scheduled by calling the red cross at 693-5605, or go to their web site at hcredcross.org. Schedules are also posted in the newspaper.

hendersonville camera club to hold show and sale

The Hendersonville Camera Club will hold a show at the center court of the Blue Ridge Mall today through Sunday from 10:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. each day. Dave Cooley of the Camera Club steering Committee says in addition to the show, photographs will be on sale. He says the club is trying to raise money to buy a digital projector. The prints are priced very reasonably. Cooley says there are beautiful mountain and waterfall scenes, and also scenes of Henderson County sights such as the Carl Sandburg Home, and the Flat Rock Playhouse.

MIXED REACTION TO BUILDING HEIGHT DECISION

Hendersonville City Council voted 3 to 2 this past Thursday evening to allow buildings outside of Main Street in the central business district to be as high as 80 feet according to Mayor Greg Newman. Mayor Newman said that about 20 people spoke against changing the height ordinance, and about 17 people were in favor of the change. Newman said the issue would be voted on a second time in August since there were only 3 votes the first time.  The vote is required to have a second reading. City Councilman Bill O'caine said he was very much in favor of changing the ordinance because it would encourage more development, and dwelling units downtown. He also said that raising building heights would encourage more businesses, and possibly more places for entertainment. City Councilman Jeff Collis was not pleased with the building heights decision. He said there was not enough planning, and that people should continue to rally against the decision.

Robert Martin of the Save Our City Committee also says that committee will continue to fight the decision. He says the Save Our City Committee is not against development downtown, but that more planning needed to be done. He feels that the Mayor did not act according to the will of the people.

Busy Agenda At City Council Meeting

Besides the building heights issue, the Hendersonville City Council discussed several other items at their meeting this past Thursday. Mayor Greg Newman said they allowed a special use permit for renovation of some businesses on the south side of town, including the Peddler Steakhouse. Mayor Newman also said the council discussed what he considered minor annexations on Spartanburg Highway to allow access to water and sewer systems. The issue of computerized mapping of downtown also came up. Mayor Newman said this mapping would be more effective, and easier to navigate rather than maps being done by hand. A committee was formed to look into a wireless access program downtown. Mayor Newman says he feels it is important that the program is one that can be expanded. Mayor Newman also said he hoped to have results of the parking garage survey within the next several weeks. There will be a special meeting on August 24th to discuss traffic implementation on the south side of town.

joint meeting between schools and commissioners

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners and the Henderson County Board of Education had a joint meeting this past Thursday evening. One of the major items on the agenda was discussing the Mills River School project. County Commission Chairman Bill Moyer said he felt that building a new school would not be practical, because part of the Mills River building is still usable. Chairman Moyer said the board of commissioners asked the School Board to come back with a recommendation as to what they think needs to be done. Moyer says he is hopeful the two boards can come to an agreement by the end of July. Moyer said the two boards also discussed school maintenance, and that the School Board would now be bringing the commissioners quarterly reports about the maintenance that was being done. He said the restrictions on maintenance projects had been lifted, and that the School Board did have control over maintenance as long as quarterly reports were sent in so that everyone would know what was being done.

Henderson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Page said he was very pleased with the way the meeting went.

several construction projects in henderson county

Quite a few construction projects are in the works in Henderson County. Jamie Wilson who is the Division Construction Engineer for the Department of Transportation says the project to widen U.S. 64 from U.S. 25 to Blythe street should go to contract in July of 2008. He says property owners will be contacted by August 4th to settle right of way purchases. Wilson says that the DOT is reconsidering how things will be done near Oakdale Cemetery.  He says they are considering making that area a two lane section so as not to disturb graves. He says the contract date of July 2008 is different from the date they originally had in mind. In fact the date has been changed twice. He says the date to contact property owners about right of ways will remain the same, but the contract date may change again.  In addition to the project to widen Highway 64, Jamie Wilson also spoke about computerizing 51 traffic signals around town. Some of these signals include those located on Four Seasons Boulevard, U.S. 25, and U.S. 64, among others. He says the signals will all be changed to a closed loop system. The new project will cost around 4 million dollars, and is scheduled for May of 2007.  Wilson also said that the Upward Road project is moving along. Design and right of way should begin in October of this year.

peddler steakhouse moving to white street

The Peddler Steakhouse is moving to the old Farmer's Market building on White Street. Owner Scott Surratt says he hopes to move in after the first of next year. He says renovations have to be complete including changing the floor elevation. Surratt says the main reason for the move is so that he can buy his real estate, and be a property owner rather than a tenant. He says the new location will serve his customers better because it has more space and more parking available.

state senate almost finished with current session

The state senate will be winding things up soon, according to senator Tom Apadoca. He says the issues they still need to look at include issues regarding campaign and election reform specifically dealing with lobbyists and campaign reporting. He says they will also look at ethics reform. Apadoca says he hopes the session will be finished by this Friday.

plans moving forward for park in hickory nut gorge

Senator Tom Apadoca says that as far as he knows plans are moving forward for a state park in the Hickory Nut Gorge Area. He says that property has been purchased for the park, and that if the money has been appropriated, the next step will be to close on the property and begin construction. He says if things go as planned he hopes to see the park open to the public as early as next year.

sam's club looking for employees

The new Sam's Club will be opening October 19th. The Sam's Club office is located behind the North Carolina Tag Office behind the Four Seasons Mall. Anyone interested in applying for a job should go by the office.

mills river gets its own post office

The Postal Service announced last week that Mills River will be getting a post office and a new 28759 zip code. Mills River Mayor Pro Tem Lois Pryor says residents are excited, and she says they are in the process of looking for locations for the new post office. She says this will help Mills River establish its own identity since as of right now, it has three mailing addresses which are Horse Shoe, Fletcher, and Arden.

new hHS Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees

On September 29th in conjunction with homecoming events, three more Hendersonville High school alumni will have the honor of being inducted into the Hendersonville High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame. The first inductee, Patricia Orr Maybin, is a member of the class of 1951. She was a long time favorite at the Flat Rock Playhouse then worked for many years at Memorial Mission Hospital. She married Bill Maybin of the Asheville Citizen Times. The second person to be inducted is Alex Houston, who has made a name for himself as a ventriloquist. He is a member of the class of 1950. He is still active, and performs at Branson Missouri and other places. The third inductee is Dave Cooley who is a member of the class of 1948. Cooley worked as a journalist, and also worked in Chamber of Commerce management. He has been the director of the Chambers of Commerce in Greenville, South Carolina, Greer South Carolina, Henderosnville, North Carolina, Memphis Tennessee, Jacksonville, Florida, and Dallas Texas. He retired in 1995, and is still active as a guest speaker and consultant.

planning board turns down rezoning proposal

The city planning board turned down a proposal Monday evening to rezone property near the Hymond Heights neighborhood on Asheville Highway where a Walgreens might be located. Planning board chairwoman Erica Allison said the board turned down the rezoning request because it was there impression that people in that neighborhood and people on city council wanted that area to stay residential. She says the next step for the developer who wants to put a Walgreens in that location is to go before the city council. Local businessman Cliff Freeman says he is disappointed in the decision. He says rezoning that property would not impede on the historical section of downtown. He also says he hopes the city council will be open minded when the issue comes before them.

local apple crop still doing well

Local apple grower Kenny Barnwell says that weather has only caused mild damage to the apple crop. He says right now there are some early varieties of cooking apples coming in. Barnwell says that in a few weeks people can expect to see Galas and Ginger Golds begin to come in.

local vegetables holding up well

Local vegetables are still doing well even after the heavy rain. Henderson County farmer Theron Maybin says beans, yellow squash, zucchini and cucumbers are coming in right now. He says anything that was planted early should be doing well because of good root systems established during dry weather. He says sweet corn should be coming in soon. The one thing that Maybin did point out was that the hay crop may not be as healthy as it should be because of the weather.

good year for chimney rock park

The season has gone very well so far for Chimney Rock Park according to Public Relations Director Valerie Hoffman. She says people are coming from places like Florida and Charlotte. She talked about activities such as rock climbing, and camp Grady, which is a camp focused on forest exploration and nature. She also talked about the photo contest that will be taking place in August.

north carolina education lottery doing well

The North Carolina Education Lottery is doing very well according to Pamela Walker of the Lottery Commission. She says 50 million dollars was put into the lottery reserve fund in June as required by statute. She says there have been several big winners. There has been one 10 million dollar winner, ten one hundred thousand dollar winners, two people have one two hundred thousand dollars, and one person has one six hundred thousand. She says there has been talk of changes in how lottery money is distributed, but she does not know if they have been put into law or not.

whkp streaming continues to be popular

Since March of this year, WHKP has been streaming. This means people could listen from anywhere in the world by going to the WHKP web site. Streaming continues to be very popular. WHKP President Art Cooley says streaming continues to be very popular.  He says that 707 streams of listening combined for a total of 867 hours of listening in June. A stream is identified as one person. 52 streams, for a total of 26 hours was recorded on June 26th. WHKP invites you to listen anywhere in the world..In town, or out of town, and be sure to tell your friends in other areas to tune in on their computer.

BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT DISCUSSES CONTREVERSEY

David Sink, President of Blue Ridge Community College spoke with WHKP news this week about the controversy surrounding the BRCC baseball program. Dr. Sink said the conflict began when the college had their regular state audit in January.  While the auditors were there, Dr. Sink said he asked them to look over the books for their baseball program. Some rent had not been paid for some of the baseball players.  The owner of the property being the chairman of the BRCC board of trustees. The state auditors came back with recommendations. The college said at the time that they did not feel there was a conflict of interest, because their Chairman of the Board of trustees was not directly involved, instead they were dealing with his son. Sink said the college put in procedures to prevent future financial mistakes. These procedures include having more than one person look over things such as work study money, athletic expenses, and the daily ledgers .Dr. Sink says he wants to make sure people understand that there is no money missing, or mismanagement of money.He says there were clerical errors that were made, and these new procedures will help prevent those mistakes in the future. Sink said the auditor's report was sent to the state board, and they were not satisfied with the findings. They wanted the college board of trustees to do an independent study excluding the president, and the chairman of the board. The findings of the investigation were the same as the findings of the state auditors. Dr. Sink says the State Board of Community Colleges was still not satisfied, and wanted to do their own investigation. Sink says he feels the board is acting beyond their authority. He says that contrary to allegations, the college has not interfered with the investigation, and no person associated with Blue Ridge Community College has been involved in any wrong doing. He says he feels that the media has been biased in this situation, and that they have been influenced by the State Board of Community Colleges in Raleigh. He says that he hopes the issue will be resolved soon, but that the whole thing has brought the people of Blue Ridge Community College closer together.

senator richard burr speaks about immigration issue

Senator Richard Burr spoke with WHKP news this week about the issue of immigration reform. Senator Burr says he is confident that the House and the Senate can agree on a bill that is comprehensive and that will not be triggered until funding and manpower is in place for the controlling the southern border. He says that he thinks state and local governments need to be in partnership with the federal government when it comes to making decisions on the immigration issue, and that the federal government needs to outline the role of local governments.

still questions about mills river school project

The Henderson County Board of Education met earlier this week to discuss the Mills River School project. Superintendent Dr. Steve Page says the architect brought back some interesting proposals, but that the board still had some questions about how things were going to be done. He says that he hopes to narrow down the project at the next meeting which will be July 31st. He says that if all goes well he hopes that the project will go to bid around the first of next year, and that it will be complete by 2008. Page says the main goal is to have the best possible facility for children at a good price.

hendersonville shrine club to hold auction

The Hendersonville Shrine Club will hold its annual auction this Saturday July 15th at the armory. Ed Craig who is with the Hendersonville Shrine Club says there are cars, and other items at auction. Craig says people can come as early as 8:00 and the auction begins at 9:00. There will be breakfast and lunch items available if people are interested.

local man shot late thursday

The Hendersonville Police Department responded to a call yesterday on Dermid Drive where Micah Wright, who lives at that residence had been shot in the chest. Police said that Wright's Friend Vernon Uriah Brown of Kay Thomas Drive had accidentally shot Wright through the apartment door. Uriah was charged with discharging a weapon in the  city limits, and resist, obstruct, delay. He was arrested and taken to the Henderson county jail. He was later released on a promise to appear. No update is available yet on the condition of the victim who was taken to mission hospital.

routine traffic stop leads to arrest

Two men were arrested on Wednesday afternoon after a routine traffic stop. Lieutenant David Adams of the Hendersonville Police Department attempted to stop Lamar Lammonds on 7th avenue at around 2:30 on Wednesday. Lammonds refused to stop, and a low speed car chase began. Lammonds finally ran off the road at Harris street where a foot chase began. He was caught on Jonas Street and charged with felony speed to allude arrest, resist, obstruct, delay, and having an open container of alcohol. The passenger in the vehicle, Charles Featherstone was also charged with having an open container of alcohol.

small plane causes airport closure

The Asheville Regional Airport received notification at around 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday afternoon that a small plane had a collapsed landing gear. The plane landed on Runway 16. The airport rescue crews were dispatched along with the Skyland Fire Department and other rescuers. Patti Michael of the Asheville Regional Airport says the pilot exited the aircraft before the rescue crews got there. She said the airport was closed for about 46 minutes.

HENDERSONVILLE CITIZENS COULD VOTE ON BUILDING HEIGHT ISSUE

Hendersonville Citizens could get an opportunity to vote on the building heights issue. Senator Tom Apadoca said a bill was amended on Wednesday to get a referendum which would allow a vote. He said the bill passed unanimously out of committee on Wednesday, and was being heard on the house floor on Thursday.   He says the senate will probably hear the bill next week, and he hopes that whatever happens, the citizens of Hendersonville will be able to move on since this has been such a controversial issue.

Mayor Newman says he will follow the Law

Mayor Greg Newman told WHKP news that if the legislature decided to allow Hendersonville citizens to vote, he would have to abide by the law, and he would accept the outcome. He says that if people were given the opportunity to vote, perhaps it would clear up some of the misinformation that he feels have been given out about the issue. He says his only concern is that he is not sure how effective it is to send local issues to Raleigh. He says if this issue is not watched carefully, taxes could be raised because Henderosnville is continuing to grow, and the services that people need cost money. Also, more personnel will need to be hired, and current personnel may need raises. Newman says this is likely to happen in order for Henderosnville to remain competitive. He says he does not know if the issue would survive a vote by the people, but he says that ultimately the city council only wants what is best for Hendersonville. Meanwhile developer Ed Hernando says things are going well with the condominium project. He says the height change will help all of downtown, and that people should see this as a way for Hendersonville to prosper.

blue ridge community college has positive meeting

Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees met Wednesday afternoon. Leeanna Haney of Blue Ridge Community College says the fund raising is going very well at the college right now. She also said that President David Sink presented a recovery plan for the college athletic program which was approved by the board. Haney said the audit came up in closed session, and that information was not available to the public at this point. She said the board of trustees is still committed to making the athletic program a success.

fletcher town council approves new condominiums

The Fletcher Town council recently approved at 368 unit condominium project in the Brickton community near Smiley's Flea Market. Mayor Bill Moore says there will be two phases of the project. 200 units will be built in the first phase, and 168 in the second phase. He says the homes will range in price from 90 thousand dollars to 129 thousand dollars. He says most people see this as a positive step for the community, although some people did have concerns. He says this will be a good way to provide affordable housing.

additional charges filed against shooting suspect

The Hendersonville Police Department says an additional charge has been filed against Vernon Uriah Brown who was involved in a shooting on Dermit Circle on July 13th. Police have obtained warrants for possession of a firearm by a felon. He was held in the Henderson County Jail under $10,000 secured bond.

likely that city residents will vote on building heights issue

It looks like Hendersonville residents will be able to vote on the building heights issue. State Representative Carolyn Justus says she and Senator Tom Apadoca had received a number of calls about the issue, and that senator apadoca found a bill which dealt with a similar issue, and it contained a referendum. Justus says she thinks this is a good way for the issue to be resolved, because citizens can have their voices heard. She says the bill has passed the house, and the Senate will probably hear it later this week. Board of Elections director Beverly Cunningham says if the referendum is approved, the issue will be on the ballot in November, and worded as a for or against question.  People will be ask if they are for or against a 64 foot height limit. Cunningham says she thinks that only city residents will be able to vote on the issue.

heat stroke is a risk during hot weather

With the hot weather that we have been having in our area lately, heat stroke is a risk people need to consider. Barbara Stanley of the Henderson County Health Department says infants and young children are at highest risk for heat stroke along with those who have mental illnesses. She says that symptoms of heat stroke include having a body temperature greater than 104 degrees, personality change, disorientation, hit dry skin, and rapid heartbeat. She says people should drink plenty of fluids during extremely hot weather, and stay inside if possible. She said if people start having symptoms of heat stroke, and do not recover in a short time after getting out of the heat, they should seek medical attention.

congressman has plans for illegal aliens

North Carolina Congressman Charles Taylor announced a plan recently to streamline the deportation of illegal immigrants. He says that as of right now, when illegal immigrants come into communities and commit crimes, the deportation process takes months. He has a plan to have police officers trained to take on individual files, and then have the people in question transported to a facility in Charlotte, rather than Atlanta which is where they are sent now. Congressman Taylor says this will make the deportation process go faster.

carl sandburg trail getting cleaned up

The Lake Front Trail at the Carl Sandburg home is getting cleaned up thanks to Project Challenge. This group is helping to clear debris from the trail. Steve Harrison who is with the Carl Sandburg Home says this cleanup will make the trail easier to walk on, and more pleasant to look at. He says that the trail will not be closed, but that people should avoid it until the cleanup is complete.

SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING LAST NIGHT

Hendersonville City Council held a special called meeting Monday afternoon to sign a letter to be sent to the  State Legislature. Mayor Greg Newman said the letter is meant to let them know that the council does not think it is proper that they are getting involved in local business. Newman says if the law passes it could effect issues in the future. He says that he does not think it is right that the legislature is involved because many of the legislators do not know the background of the issue at hand. Mayor Newman also says that there is one line in the proposed bill that concerns him, and that says that no variance would be allowed in building heights. He said this could effect the Old Mill Cultural Center Project. Mayor Newman did say that if the law is passed that would allow a vote on the building heights issue, the council would comply with that decision. Senator Tom Apadoca told WHKP news that the bill passed the house Thursday afternoon, and should be heard in the senate sometime this week. Apadoca said one correction will be made, because the election date was wrong. He says this correction will be made in committee.

brcc president no longer allowed to spend school money

Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. David Sink is no longer allowed to spend school money according to a letter from State Controller Robert Powell.The letter said that there were concerns about the baseball program at the college, and how money was being spent. This decision led Powell to give control of school money to the school finance officer.

county commissioners will meet on Wednesday

Henderosn County Commissioners will discuss a number of items at their meeting this Wednesday. One item on the agenda will be the issue of WHKP being on channel 11. County Commission Chairman Bill Moyer says the board will review the contract and try to resolve any policy issues.

Moyer also says that the Commissioners' strategic plan will be discussed. This plan is meant to help shape the priorities of the board. Moyer says there will be two public input sessions to discuss the plan on August 1st and August 3rd. Moyer said the board will also discuss the Land Development Code. In addition, Moyer says the board will look at putting together an alternative revenue task force to keep from raising taxes in order to build schools and recreational facilities.

gas prices will continue to rise in north carolina

Gas prices are continuing to rise across the country. Sarah Davis of Triple AAA Carolinas says North Carolina has not seen prices as high as other places. She says right now the state average is $2.89, and she thinks the price will reach $3.00 in the coming weeks. The reason that gas prices are so high, according to Davis, is that things are uncertain in the Middle East which worries investors, and drives gas prices up. Doug Howey of the North Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association also says that the Middle East Conflict is a factor in the high gas prices.  Another contributing factor according to Howey, is the fact that more people are on the road, which creates more demand. He says gas prices will continue to be high as long as people keep taking summer vacations. He also points out that we have not had to deal with a major hurricane yet, and that can also drive prices up. Howey believes that gas prices will come back down after the Labor Day holiday.

local rabbi speaks about situation in israel

Rabbi Phillip Bentley of the Agudas Israel Congregation spoke with WHKP news recently about the conflict in Israel. Bentley says the situation is severe. He says the Palestinians and Israelis were close to finding common ground only a few weeks ago, but when Hamas was involved in the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers, the atmosphere changed. He says he feels that the reaction of Israel was very strong, and that he feels the retaliation should have been focused on other things. He says the big issue is that Syria and Iran want to establish an alliance of power in the Middle East. He says those two countries have always helped in the financing of Hamas and Hesbala. He says that countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are very nervous about the situation as it stands right now.

hendersonville police still searching for missing person

The Hendersonville Police Department is looking for information on the whereabouts of Ashley Lynn Eisenhower. She was last seen on Saturday June 17th at Hendersonville High School. Police think she may be out of state in the company of her family members, or her boyfriend. Police have interviewed her friends and family, but have no leads on her location. They are asking anyone who has information on this case to please call crime stoppers at 697-STOP, or the Hendersonville Police Department at 697-3025.

arrest  made at home depot on saturday

Mark Taylor was arrested at Home Depot this past Saturday for child molestation and carrying a concealed weapon. Captain John Nicholson of the Hendersonville Police Department says that when police arrived, the parents of a young man in the store said that he had told them there was a man looking under the restroom stall with a mirror. Nicholson says that when Taylor was arrested he had a knife and a pair of handcuffs, and he also had various pornographic material in his possession. He made his first court appearance earlier this week.

pardee hospital has permanent CEO

The Pardee Hospital Board of Trustees approved a contract this week making John Shurmeier the permanent CEO. Board Chairman Marcia Caserio says they are very pleased that John agreed to stay on. He has been with Pardee since last summer when he took on the CEO position as an interim. Caserio says that since he has been there the hospital has been doing much better financially, and the employee Moral is up. Tiffany Ervin who is also with Pardee Hospital says that she is glad to have John on board because of his great leadership skills. She says the community perception of the hospital has improved since he has been there.

pardee hospital opens new detoxification unit

Pardee Hospital opened the doors of its new Medical Detoxification Unit on Monday. Tiffany Ervin of Pardee Hospital says this facility is meant to be a starting point for those who want to make a full recovery from alcohol or drug addiction. The facility will provide daily group therapy, support groups, and other things that help in recovery. Bridgett Barron, Nursing Services Director at Pardee says the mission of the new unit is to help people who have addictions start on a full recovery. She says after this program people should be ready to enter a long term program of recovery. Barron says patients do need a referral from their doctor before the unit will accept them.

duke energy urges customers to conserve energy

The hot weather over the last few days has caused many people to run their air conditioners for a longer period of time. Tom Williams, a spokesman for Duke Energy says there is always a chance of a blackout occurring, but that the Duke Energy system is designed for high levels of energy use. He says that even though the systems are ready for this, people should try their best to conserve energy to keep their bills low. He says people can do a lot of things to conserve energy such as closing drapes and curtains, cutting down on appliance use, and also keeping the air conditioner at a higher temperature. He reminds people that the more energy they use, the more they will pay.

full agenda for cemetery advisory committee

The Cemetery Advisory Committee discussed a number of things at their meeting this past Monday. Committee Chairman Jay Jackson said the brochures that contain information on the adopt a cemetery program are ready to be distributed. However, he says the brochures cannot be given out until the legal forms are finalized. The committee also discussed the placing of signs around different cemeteries, and they discussed things that will go on the web site. They also discussed digitalizing the cemetery book. Jackson says he hopes that the legal forms will be ready by the next meeting so that the brochures can be given out, and people can have information on how they can adopt a cemetery.

shrine club auction last saturday was successful

The Shrine Club of Hendersonville held its annual auction this past Saturday. Mark White, who is with the Shrine Club said they sold automobiles and time shares, along with other things. White said the auction went very well and the club raised over fifty two thousand dollars. He said the money will go directly to help children in Shriner's hospitals in the area.

three accidents on four seasons boulevard wednesday

Three separate car accidents occurred Wednesday afternoon on Four Seasons Boulevard. One accident, which involved three vehicles happened at the intersection of Sugarloaf Road and Four Seasons Boulevard. The second accident also involved three vehicles. It happened in front of the Blue Ridge Mall. The third accident happened in front of Denny's and involved two vehicles. Hendersonville Police Chief Donnie Parks says nobody was injured in any of these accidents, although they did cause a traffic backup because all three of them happened at around the same time. Chief Parks also said that officers had to respond to a stranded 18-wheeler. Parks says the trailer had disconnected from the truck.

major road repair on 5th avenue begins monday

A major resurfacing and repair project on 5th Avenue West between Blythe and Valley Streets. Tom Wooten with Henderson County Department of Public Works said the first part of the project will take around 30 days. He said the roads will be closed to traffic from 7:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. Wooten says the roads will reopen for traffic at night and on the weekends. He also says there will be some inconvenience to sidewalks and driveways during the project, but residents will have access to their homes.  Wooten says during the project traffic will be rerouted. People that are leaving Laurel Park and going towards Hendersonville can go down Blythe and continue down Fourth Avenue, or they can cut back to Valley and continue down 5th Avenue. If people are leaving town, they can come down Valley Street, to Fourth Avenue, and back up Blythe Street.

several items discussed at commissioners' meeting

Henderson County Commissioners had a full agenda at their meeting Wednesday. One item that they discussed, according to Commission Chairman Bill Moyer was cost effective construction. Moyer said he wanted to find ways to spend tax payers money in the most effective way possible. He said everyone involved in that discussion did have some good ideas. They also discussed the need for a second elevator in the new Human Services building, and the board decided that it was not needed at this time, but they would keep it in mind for future expansion. The financial situation at Blue Ridge Community College also came up. Moyer said the board was satisfied with the findings of the audit, and that county money was being spent properly. A policy was adopted for broadcasts on channel 11, and WHKP. Moyer said the contract was reviewed, and that there now must be a disclaimer saying that the views expressed on WHKP are not those supported by the county. Another item that came up was the Alternative Revenue Task Force. Chairman Moyer says anyone who is interested in serving on a committee which would help to find better revenue sources for school and recreational construction should contact the County Commissioners. The 12-year Capital Plan was also discussed along with an update on the Land Development Code. Moyer says it looks like the Land Development Code is on schedule.

danger of heat stroke during hot weather

On these hot days that our area has been experiencing lately there is an increased danger of heat stroke. Dr. Gary Whitaker of the Pardee Urgent Care Center says that heat injury comes in different stages. People may start out feeling weak and lightheaded, and sweating heavily. Whitaker says these symptoms may indicate heat exhaustion. Heat stroke, however, involves loss of consciousness and low blood pressure. It can also cause organ damage. Dr. Whitaker recommends that people stay well hydrated during extremely hot weather.

still raising funds for veterans' trip

Jeff Miller, and all those associated with the HonorAir trip to take World War II veterans to the memorial in Washington, D.C. say they are still around twenty thousand dollars short of their goal of one hundred thousand dollars. Jeff Miller says there are around 200 veterans confirmed for the trip, and they have reached their limit on the number of guardians. Miller says they have chartered a 737 to make the trip on September 23rd and then again on September 24th. He says they are flying into National instead of into Dulles Airport.  He says National is only about ten minutes away from the memorial.  Miller says if people wish to make a donation they can call Miller's Laundry at 693-7426, or they can mail a check to American Legion HonorAir Fund 216 4th Avenue West Hendersonville, N.C. 28739.

henderson county curb market busy this summer

The Historic Henderson County Curb Market has done very well this summer. Elaine Staton who is with the Curb Market says the summer got off to a slow start, but that things are going very well right now. She says produce is the most popular product. The Curb Market has Silver Queen and yellow corn along with eggplant, and other vegetables. Elaine says they also have fruits like blackberries, cherries, and peaches. She says apples will be coming in soon as well. There is also a big selection of plants like Daylilies and Hosta, and also cut flowers. Staton says the next big event at the Curb Market will be Old Timey Day on September 30th.

CHIMNEY ROCK PARK FOR SALE

The Morse Family, owners of Chimney Rock Park say that selling the park will be very hard. Todd Morse told the Asheville Citizen Times that part of the reason for the sale is due to the rising estate tax. He also says that visits to the park have been declining over the last two years. He says part of this is due to bad weather. Morse said if a developer did purchase the property he would have limited opportunities, because there are only certain areas of the park that are zoned for commercial development. Morse also told the Asheville Citizen Times that the family explored several options before they made the decision to sell such as development. He says he is glad that money has been appropriated for a state park in the Hickory Nut Gorge area. Morse says the decision to sell is still sinking in, and it has been a very difficult process, but the family feels it is the right thing to do.

chimney rock chamber of commerce not worried about sale

Judy Beason, Director of the Chimney Rock Chamber of Commerce told WHKP news that she is not sure how the sale will effect tourism in the area, but she does not see it as a negative. She says Lake Lure is a big attraction, and that there are shops and other forms of entertainment that will draw people to the area. She says that she knows the Morse family thought long and hard about this decision, and she is confident that things will work out no matter what happens with the park.  Kieran Roe of the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy says that organization needs to talk with the state about what will be next concerning the proposed state park at Hickory Nut Gorge. He says that he was hoping Chimney Rock Park would be part of the state park, but now that it is being sold, he does not know if that will be possible. He says that he hopes someone will by the park and keep conservation in mind even if the public is no longer allowed to visit.

air quality reaches dangerous levels

The air quality in our area has reached a color code orange at times this week. Keith Bamberger with the North Carolina Division of Air Quality in Asheville says when the air quality is at this level it is dangerous for people who have respiratory problems such as asthma and lung disease to be outdoors. He also says it can be dangerous for people who are active during the afternoon hours because it can cause breathing problems for them as well. Bamberger says there is a burning ban in effect for Henderson, Haywood, Madison, Burke, Caldwell, Transylvania, Polk and Rutherford counties.  He says rain and wind would help remove the pollution.

burning ban for higher elevations

There is a burning ban for portions of Henderson county due to the high levels of ozone. Henderson County Emergency Management Coordinator Rocky Hyder says the burning ban applies to areas in Henderson county and other places that are above 4,000 feet. He says the burning ban may be extended into the valleys if there is a prolonged dry period.

WIDENING OF 5TH AVENUE BEGINS TODAY

The widening and repair project on 5th avenue between Blythe and Valley Streets began today. The roads will be closed between 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Monday through Friday and opened back up on weekends according to Public Works director Tom Wooten. He says residents will still have access to their homes during the project. Traffic will be rerouted during the project.

mosquitoes more of a problem now

Mosquitoes were not a huge problem in the early part of the summer because of the dry weather according to Seth Swift, Environmental Health Supervisor. He says that now that we have had more rain the mosquitoes are showing up.  He says people are calling and asking for Environmental Health officials to come out and spray, and tell them what to do to protect against mosquitoes.

First case of la crosse encephalitis

The first case of La Crosse Encephalitis has been reported in Buncombe County. Communicable Disease Nurse Linda Weldon says Henderson County is keeping close watch now that this case has been reported. She says it is a disease that comes from mosquitoes, and causes swelling and infection in the brain. She says symptoms can start out vague, and can include fever and a headache, but the disease can lead to neurological problems.

more gang graffiti in henderson county

More gang graffiti has been spotted in Henderson county. Two of these places are on Upward road. Doug Hill with the Henderson County Sheriff's Department says the latest round of graffiti has gang symbols. He says that he is following up on a lead that was called in on where the people doing this may reside. He says if anyone else has information they should call the Sheriff's Department at 697-4911.

LOTTERY MONEY WILL NOT INCREASE FOR OUR AREA

Some State Legislators have been working hard to try to get more lottery money for Western North Carolina to go toward education. Max Cogburn, a member of the North Carolina Lottery Commission says the decision is up to the legislature. He says amount of money is either determined by the tax rate, or it is determined on a per capita basis. State representative Carolyn Justus, who is a cosponsor of the bill which would bring more money to Western North Carolina has made it to the rules committee, but has not moved. She says she would be very surprised if anything happened with the bill this session. She says in order for the bill to pass the supporters will have to be united. Senator Tom Apadoca says the people who are in higher populated areas have adjusted the formula so they receive more money. He says the Eastern and Western delegations need to get together to try and outnumber the piedmont so that our area can get more money. Senator Apadoca did say that money will be coming in from the lottery for school construction, but  it is to early to say what the exact amount will be.

second vote will be held on building heights issue

Hendersonville City Council will hold a second reading on the building heights issue according to Mayor Greg Newman. He says if the vote passes at the second reading, the projects that were scheduled to come in will be put on hold until residents have a chance to vote in November. Newman says the council has other issues to deal with until the election. WHKP news also spoke with Mayor Newman about the refusal of the Planning Board to rezone part of Asheville Highway where Walgreen's would possibly be located. He says the city council will listen to the planning board recommendation, and then make a decision. Newman says the relationship between the City Council and the Planning Board remains strong.

blue ridge community college reaches agreement

Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees has reached an agreement with the Sate Board of Community Colleges. Leeanna Haney, Public Relations Director at Blue Ridge Community College says they will not comment until a report is completed. Haney says this is necessary in order for things to be done as effectively as possible.

seminar on identity theft at chamber of commerce

The Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce will hold a seminar on identity theft and the FACTA Law. According to Jenny Tweed, a spokesperson for the seminar, it will be held at the Chamber of Commerce on Thursday July 27th from 8:30 until 10:00 A.M.

hendersonville police still investigating robbery

Hendersonville Police are still investigating the robbery that took place in Hyman Heights this past Saturday morning. Hendersonville Police chief Donnie Parks says a man was working in his shop at his home when four male suspect approached him. One suspect pointed a gun, a demanded money. Chief Parks says the victim was then struck with a piece of wood and the suspects fled the scene. Parks says three of the suspects have been taken into custody, but they are still looking for the fourth one. This suspect is described as being an African American male in his 20's.

5th avenue resurfacing project delayed

The resurfacing and widening project has been delayed for about a week according to Hendersonvile Public Works Director Tom Wooten. He says that the recent rains caused the delay. Wooten says that people can detour around the project using Blythe Street, Valley Street, and 4th Avenue. Wooten also says the area of Blythe Street between 6th Avenue and 191 has been resurfaced.

area water supply still holding up

The water supply for our area is still doing well even with the rain deficit according to Hendersonville Utilities Director Lee Smith. He says Mills River is running pretty well. He says rain would help the overall water supply, but he says we are not in danger right now because our water comes from a surface water supply system instead of ground water.

work about to begin on historic courthouse

The same contractors that worked on Hendersonville City Hall are about to start work on the Historic Henderson County Courthouse. Dr. George Jones, who is a member of the Historic Courthouse Corporation says one thing they will do is to remove one of the annexes. He says the history center, which will be called The People's House will highlight the history and education of Henderson County. He says various productions  such as dramas and other programs will be presented in the courtroom. Jones says the Courthouse Corporation is still trying to raise money. He says he hopes different community groups will help in this process, and that the   Historic Courthouse Corporation will increase its public funding campaign. He says he hopes the whole project will be finished by early next year.

healthcare philanthropists of the year

The Pardee Hospital Foundation recently presented Bob and Doris Ecklund with the Healthcare Philanthropist of the Year award recently. Cathy Haise with the Pardee Hospital Foundation says the Ecklunds were chosen by a committee which included Marica Caserio, who won the award last year. Haise said they were chosen because of the their community leadership and their philanthropic contributions.

new executive director for united way

The Henderson County United Way has chosen Steve Kirkland as its new Executive Director. Kirkland is currently the Corporate and Major Gifts officer for the Pardee Hospital Foundation. He has also worked at Mission Hospital. Albert Gooch, Chairman of United Way Board of Directors says they chose Kirkland because he knows the people and the community. Gooch says that Kirkland will probably begin the position around August 21st just in time to start the new United Way campaign.

numbers down at asheville regional airport

The numbers are down at Asheville Regional Airport compared to this time last year. Patty Michael, Public Relations and Marketing Director for the airport says the biggest reason for the decrease is Delta has a reduction of capacity in the market. She says numbers always fluctuate, but right now the airport is still doing well. Michael says currently the airport is not running any specials, but if people shop wisely, and purchase their tickets 21 days in advance, they may find good deals.

great goodies still coming to curb market

The Historic Henderson County Curb Market is still going strong. Elaine Staton who is with the Curb Market says Saturdays are the busiest days, although Tuesdays and Thursdays also have a good crowd. She says right now corn, green beans, squash, tomatoes, apples, and cantaloupe are coming in along with a lot of other fruits and vegetables. She says once the season gets underway, the vendors come to the curb market very quickly.

young man killed on upward road wednesday

18-year-old Kenneth James Chastain was killed on Upward Road south of Deep Gap Road on Wednesday when his truck went off the side of the road and struck a utility pole. Trooper Tony Osteen says Chastain was wearing his seatbelt and alcohol was not involved.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS BRCC CONTREVERSY

County Commission Chairman Bill Moyer says the Blue Ridge Community College controversy is important to the county because the college plays a key role in our area. Moyer says he feels that the college may have been treated harshly in some respects, but he says that may have some basis. Moyer says he wants the college to do their best to resolve the issue. He says he sees what is going on right now as a power play between Blue Ridge Community College and the state.  Moyer says the personality conflicts need to be put aside, and people need to focus on the best interest of the college and everyone involved. Moyer also told WHKP news that the County Commissioners have no plans to stop funding for the new technology program at Blue Ridge Community college. He says this new program will be a good thing for the community.

County Commissioner Larry Young feels that the county has an important role in this issue, because the county does supply funding for Blue Ridge Community College. Young says, however, that he does not feel that officials from the State Board of Community Colleges have supplied enough information for the commissioners to make a judgment on what should happen.

senator apadoca to meet with state officials

Senator Tom Apadoca says he does not currently have a position on the Blue Ridge Community College issue. He says he does plan to have a meeting with college officials in Raleigh. He says that he hopes to have a better feel for the situation by the end of the week when the investigation is expected to be over.

brcc officials still cannot comment

In an interview several weeks ago with WHKP news Blue Ridge Community College President David Sink maintained that nobody associated with Blue Ridge Community College has been engaged in any wrong doing. LeeAnna Haney, a spokesperson for Blue Ridge Community College told WHKP news yesterday that the college cannot comment on the current situation until the investigation is complete.

walk your way across north Carolina

The Sammy Williams Senior Center will be kicking off its Walk Your Way Across North Carolina program this Saturday. It is a program in which people can walk 2 miles a day five days a week. Henry Seismore who is with the Sammy Williams Center says people will receive a walking log on Saturday, and they can walk anywhere they want to. The Sammy Williams center has designated walking areas. Seismore says there are different levels of the program. He says the program will go on for an entire year. After the first 90 days there will be an awards ceremony, and at the end of the year there will be a banquet.

more traffic on the roads this summer

The North Carolina Highway Patrol has noticed an increase in traffic this summer. Pat Staggs with the North Carolina Highway Patrol says this increase is to be expected during the summer months especially on major Western North Carolina Highway, and on major arteries. Staggs says the biggest problem seems to be traffic backups where highways come together. He urges people to be prepared to stop or slow down on the interstate. He says being prepared will help reduce the risk or rear collisions. Sergeant Staggs says the click-it or ticket program is still being enforced along with a project to reduce speed. August 7th through the 13th the Highway Patrol will start Operation Summer Heat which is a DWI enforcement program.

hendersonville christian school still for sale

The Hendersonville Christian School Property on Spartanburg Road is still for sale. School Principal Kenny Young says a lot of people have looked at the property, but there have been no serious offers. Young says right now the building is being painted and repairs are being made in preparation for the new school year. Young says people are welcome to come and take a tour of the school, and fill out an application. He says students also have to take entrance tests. If people are interested in coming by, Young says they should call 692-0556. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The school year begins on August 22nd.

registration at immaculata school

Registration is going on now at Immaculata School. Principal Linda Kenzik says registration will continue through August 22nd. She says the school is doing a lot of new things with their reading, writing, and accelerated reader program. There will be an open house at the school on Monday August 21st from 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.

new art and technology at brcc

Blue Ridge Community College is working on a new technology center. David Hutto, Dean of Technology at Blue Ridge Community College says the building will have the most up to date computer software that will allow students to have easy access to files, and enable them to work with digital media. Hutto also says the building will be wired to where teachers can control individual desktops. Hutto also says that the new art program that started last year is going very well. He spoke about the new sculpture program. He says the art program provides foundation courses for the first two years so that students can transfer to a four year college.

two doctors named as best in north carolina

Dr. Mark McCullough, a Radiation Oncologist at Pardee Hospital and Dr. James Radford, a medical Oncologist at Pardee were recently named as two of the best doctors in North Carolina. according to Lindsey Howell who is with Pardee Hospital. Business North Carolina Magazine conducted a survey in which physicians graded their colleagues in their specialty areas. The top five percent of those surveyed made the list. Howell says Pardee is proud of the doctors and their accomplishments. Both McCullough and Radford work in the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Pardee.

police investigating weekend homicide

Hendersonville Police are investigating a homicide that occurred on Saturday at approximately 7:44 P.M. at 128-1A Krystalia Drive. Upon Arriving at the scene Hendersonville Police found Frank Monroe Kairnes. He had been shot several times and appeared to be deceased when the officers arrived. The suspect has been identified as Timothy Franklin Ballard. He has been arrested and charged with murder. He is being held without bond.

police investigating sexual assault at local motel

Police are currently investigating a sexual assault which occurred on Saturday at the Days Inn on Mitchell Drive. Officers responded to a call of underage drinking and narcotics activity. Upon arriving at the scene they found two males and one female. The suspects have been identified as Jason Parrent and Andrew Hartman, both of Pace Street in Saluda North Carolina. They have been charged with second degree sexual offense, possession of a schedule six narcotic, possession of drug paraphenalia, and providing alcohol to an individual under 21. Hartman faces additional charges of second degree forcible rape. He is being held at the Henderson County Detention Center under $6,300.00 secured bond. Parrent is being held under $7,300.00 secured bond. Police ask anyone with further information on the investigation to call the Hendersonville Police Department at 697-3025, or Crime Stoppers at 697-STOP.

5th avenue project scheduled to begin tuesday

The widening and resurfacing project is scheduled to begin this Thursday according to Hendersonville Public Works Director Tom Wooten. The work zone will be closed from 7:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening. Wooten says that residents who live in the work zone will still have access to their homes, and the area will be opened on the weekends. He says people can detour using Valley Street, Blythe Street, and 4th Avenue.

several issues to discuss at commissioners' meeting

Henderson County Commissioners have several issues to discuss at their August meeting this Wednesday. Commission Chairman Bill Moyer says one issue will be the Revenue Task Force. He says they are still waiting for applicants to be a part of that program. Another issue up for discussion will be storm water runoff. Moyer also says they will get an update from the planning director and the planning board about the land development code. He said the grand opening of the new Human Services Building will be discussed. He says the board needs to look at when the grand opening will be held, and what will be involved in marking the occasion. He says that will be a good day for Henderson County.

public input sessions to discuss county needs

The county will hold four public input sessions during the month of August to find out from residents what issues the county commissioners need to focus on this year. The first two sessions will be held on August 1st. One will be at 9:00 A.M. and the other will be at 3:00 P.M. There will be two more sessions on August 3rd. One session will be at noon, and the other will be at 6:00 P.M. All sessions will be held at the County Commissioners Meeting Room. Assistant County Manager Selena Coffey says she hopes to have a big turnout so that they can get a good feel for what issues are concerning residents. She says each person that speaks will be asked what issues and challenges they feel are important to the county, how the issues should be addressed, and how their solution would be financed. Coffey says that the information gathered at these input sessions will be taken to the County Commissioners in September. She says that anyone who cannot attend the input sessions can go to www.hendersoncountync.org, and complete the online survey which will be treated the same as comments made at the input sessions.

good summer for local peaches

Local farmer Kenny Barnwell says this has been a great summer for peaches. He says all of the peaches this year have been beautiful to look at, and that the weather has helped the taste of the peaches. He says peaches will be available for another month. Barnwell says local peaches are available at roadside stands, and at the Farmer's Market.

local photographer holds showcase

Local Photographer Chuck Hill will hold a showcase of his scenic photography on Saturday August 5th from 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. at Blue Ribbon Custom Frame Shop On Main Street. Hill says most of the photographs featured at this show were taken in Henderson County. He says this area is beautiful and that scenic photography is really where his heart is. Hill says that FATZ Cafe will be at the showcase to provide refreshments.

local summer camps will close in mid august

Camp Falling Creek has just begun its second summer session according to director Chuck McGrady. He says the session will last until the middle of August, and then the camp will close. He says that is the time that most summer camps will be closing. McGrady says Camp Falling Creek has had a great summer, and that enrollment is finally back up. He says they have lost business since 9/11. He says that this year they added a new blacksmithing program, and they hope to look at more new programs for next year.

fans available for senior citizens

There are fans available both at the Salvation Army and at Western Carolina Community Action for senior citizens and low income families who may need them. Rhonda Maybin who is with Western Carolina Community Action says they are providing fans to people over 60 who have no air conditioner. She says people can come to Western Carolina Community Action at 220 King Creek Boulevard and request a fan. Maybin says they have around 20 fans left. The Salvation Army also has fans available. Colonel David Holz of the Salvation Army says anyone interested in getting a fan must have identification and a proven need.

alligator in the french broad river

Believe it or not, there is an alligator in the French Broad River. Debbie Whitmire who owns Head Water Outfitters in Rosman says several customers had come in claiming to have seen the alligator. Finally one of their staff members went out with a professor from Brevard College and got photographs of the alligator. Whitmire says it is about 3 feet long. She says wildlife officials have been contacted so that the alligator can be removed from the river.