News

 A second deep freeze Tuesday night is expected to push temperatures into the lower 20s. Farmers in Henderson County fear the sudden cold could damage acres of fruit crops already in bloom.

At Pressley Farms in Edneyville, strawberry fields are mostly leaves with only a few early blooms, reducing the risk of damage.

"The middle of that bloom — that is the baby strawberry," said farmer Lindsay Pressley.

"We're not overly concerned with the strawberries or the blueberries," said Adam Pressley, her husband.

Blueberry buds are still closed, offering protection from the cold. The couple says they can also use tarps to cover the blueberry trees to protect them from cold, if needed, later in the season. Peach trees, however, are far more vulnerable.

"These are open, and they're very fragile," Adam Pressley said, showing flowering blooms. "When we see temperatures the next couple of nights going in the 20s, there's a good chance most of these open, we'll lose."

Pressley estimates the farm could lose several hundred bushels of peaches — a significant impact for their pick-your-own farm.

Other growers are also watching conditions closely. Apple farmer Mike Stepp said parts of his orchard dropped to about 22 degrees overnight.

"When you have temperatures that low right now, the stage these apples are in right now, there's room for concern," Stepp said.

He said some apples are in what growers call a "tight cluster" stage, offering limited protection, though not as much as earlier in the season. Apple trees without blooms are not currently at risk.

Henderson County agriculture extension agent Terry Kelley said there are few effective ways to protect crops from temperatures this low. It may take several days before growers across approximately 150 farms in the area know the full extent of any damage.

"It's a significant part of the value of our farm income here in Henderson County," Kelley said.

For the Pressley duo, the focus now is on waiting.

"We pray a lot," said Lindsay Pressley. "It's up to Mother Nature, and time will tell."

Farmers say the severity of the freeze depends not only on how low temperatures fall, but also on how long they remain there. Prolonged periods in the lower 20s can cause the most damage. Growers expect to have a clearer assessment in the coming days.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

Seasons Change
Dr. Glenn Mollette
There aren’t that many seasons of freedom in life. If you are in one, enjoy the season. When you are a child, you do as your parents say and go where they allow you to go. You are also tied to many, many years of school. You are free, free to go to school, study most of the time and do as your parents say. This season passes quicker than a person can imagine at the time. I remember being a freshman in high school and thinking that four years would take forever. I felt the same

When we graduate from high school or college we breathe a sigh of relief momentarily and think, “Thank God we are free.” Yes, we are free. Free to go to work. Free to marry. Free to have children. But wait, how much freedom is there when we are working and providing for a family and taking care of babies? We are free, but with many responsibilities

A man once asked a Rabbi, a Priest and a Baptist minister this question, “When does life begin?” The Rabbi, said he believed life began at conception, the Priest said he believed life began at birth. The Baptist minister said, “Life begins when the last child leaves home and the dog dies.”

Maybe you felt more freedom after your children were raised and were on their own. Unfortunately, some people never ever see their children totally raised as many stay dependent on the parent until the parent dies.

Let’s say that your adult children are doing well and taking care of their kids. This is hopeful as too many grandparents end up raising their grandchildren. Your retirement years are now staring you in the face. You may be 45 to 55 years old. Th word retirement is a bit scary because you are thinking, “How is this financially possible?” It’s taking a fortune to retire. Thus, between the ages of 45 and 65 you are working hard to try to invest in a 401k, pay into Social Security and any other savings plan that you can. Try to start doing this in your very early twenties and it will alleviate a lot of pressure in your late fifties. Back again to your freedom. How much freedom do you have in this stage of life? You may take a vacation or two. Play some golf on the weekend, fish or pursue other hobbies but your life is very regimented.

The day comes when you decide to retire. You retire. Now what?. A friend of mine said the great thing about retirement was that he could do whatever he wanted to do. The problem was that he couldn’t afford to do much. Another friend once said when he retired, “I have all the money I need for the rest of my life, unless I buy something.”

Retirement is not necessarily the golden window of freedom. Maybe for a while, but things happen. Your spouse may become sick and even debilitated. This changes the scenario. You may become a caregiver to your mother or father. They have no one else but you, so what are you going to do? Just dump them? An elderly parent may become like your child. You may be responsible for their total care. This could be the same for a spouse or even a child or other family members. In most cases this almost completely closes the window of doing much for yourself. Vacations and recreational outings of almost any kind become nearly impossible. Of course, any of us can become sick and debilitated at any moment.

The point of all this is not to make anyone feel bad. The point is, don’t take anything for granted. Enjoy everything. Enjoy your day trips, any outings and any vacations. Enjoy your day going to Walmart. Enjoy going to church. Enjoy it all, because seasons change. There is a time to weep and a time to dance. A time to mourn and a time to laugh. Enjoy it all, because seasons change.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist read in all fifty states. He is also the author of numerous books and can be hear each weekday morning on XM Radio 131

Seasons Change

Dr. Glenn Mollette

There aren’t that many seasons of freedom in life. If you are in one, enjoy the season. When you are a child, you do as your parents say and go where they allow you to go. You are also tied to many, many years of school. You are free, free to go to school, study most of the time and do as your parents say. This season passes quicker than a person can imagine at the time. I remember being a freshman in high school and thinking that four years would take forever. I felt the same way about college, but the years rolled by quickly.

When we graduate from high school or college we breathe a sigh of relief momentarily and think, “Thank God we are free.” Yes, we are free. Free to go to work. Free to marry. Free to have children. But wait, how much freedom is there when we are working and providing for a family and taking care of babies? We are free, but with many responsibilities

A man once asked a Rabbi, a Priest and a Baptist minister this question, “When does life begin?” The Rabbi, said he believed life began at conception, the Priest said he believed life began at birth. The Baptist minister said, “Life begins when the last child leaves home and the dog dies.”

Maybe you felt more freedom after your children were raised and were on their own. Unfortunately, some people never ever see their children totally raised as many stay dependent on the parent until the parent dies.

Let’s say that your adult children are doing well and taking care of their kids. This is hopeful as too many grandparents end up raising their grandchildren. Your retirement years are now staring you in the face. You may be 45 to 55 years old. Th word retirement is a bit scary because you are thinking, “How is this financially possible?” It’s taking a fortune to retire. Thus, between the ages of 45 and 65 you are working hard to try to invest in a 401k, pay into Social Security and any other savings plan that you can. Try to start doing this in your very early twenties and it will alleviate a lot of pressure in your late fifties. Back again to your freedom. How much freedom do you have in this stage of life? You may take a vacation or two. Play some golf on the weekend, fish or pursue other hobbies but your life is very regimented.

The day comes when you decide to retire. You retire. Now what?. A friend of mine said the great thing about retirement was that he could do whatever he wanted to do. The problem was that he couldn’t afford to do much. Another friend once said when he retired, “I have all the money I need for the rest of my life, unless I buy something.”

Retirement is not necessarily the golden window of freedom. Maybe for a while, but things happen. Your spouse may become sick and even debilitated. This changes the scenario. You may become a caregiver to your mother or father. They have no one else but you, so what are you going to do? Just dump them? An elderly parent may become like your child. You may be responsible for their total care. This could be the same for a spouse or even a child or other family members. In most cases this almost completely closes the window of doing much for yourself. Vacations and recreational outings of almost any kind become nearly impossible. Of course, any of us can become sick and debilitated at any moment.

The point of all this is not to make anyone feel bad. The point is, don’t take anything for granted. Enjoy everything. Enjoy your day trips, any outings and any vacations. Enjoy your day going to Walmart. Enjoy going to church. Enjoy it all, because seasons change. There is a time to weep and a time to dance. A time to mourn and a time to laugh. Enjoy it all, because seasons change.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist read in all fifty states. He is also the author of numerous books and can be hear each weekday morning on XM Radio 131

In April, the story of renowned American poet and Pulitzer Prize–winning writer Carl Sandburg will come to life on stage.

The historic American figure once lived in Flat Rock at what is now a National Historic Site.

The one-act play, which has already had several recent performances, features six actors who add narration, drama, and humor to readings of Sandburg's poetry and prose.

The big focus of this production is on Sandburg's life story, which was written by John Quinley, who is also the author of the book 'Discovering Carl Sandburg'.

"It's been amazing how the play has taken off. I would've been happy with one performance. It looks like we'll do nineteen with this troupe, and we have other troupes in three other states. People are really resonating with it," Quinley said.

The next confirmed performance will be Wednesday, April 15, with dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. and the play starting at 6 p.m.

The play will be held at Flat Rock United Methodist Church.

STPRY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

Farmers and crews are bracing for a drastic weather change as a cold front moves into the region.

"It’s been a good spring so far, holding the fruit back, but this is a pretty drastic drop, and none of us know what’s going to happen. There’s nothing we can do to protect the flower that’s coming. They’re still tight, so they should be ok," said Jason Edney, the Owner of Edney Farms and Piney Mountain Orchards.

Edney says the impact the freezing temperatures will have on the fruit depends on how long it stays cold and how cold it gets.

He says the worst thing that could happen is the freezing temperatures could kill the flowers on the apple and peach trees, which would prevent those blossoms from producing fruit.

Even if the temperatures don’t kill the flower, it could still affect the quality and shape of the fruit.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS

At approximately 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Hendersonville Police Department responded to a 911 call from Hebron Terrace Apartments at 609 Hebron Road in Hendersonville regarding a man with a knife. 

Officers arrived on scene and were approached by the suspect with a knife. In response to the threat, an officer shot the suspect. The suspect was transported to Mission Hospital. The NCSBI is investigating the incident according to standard officer involved shooting policy.

There is a heavy law enforcement presence near Hebron Terrace Apartments, and the public is asked to avoid the area.

Surrounded by love, Charles Flaughn Lamb, 88, of Hendersonville peacefully passed away on March 6th 2026.

Flaughn was born on July 12, 1937, in Henderson County to the late Ray and Laberta Lamb.

He was the proud owner of Orchard Trace Golf Club, where he poured his heart into his work every day. With an unmatched work ethic and unwavering dedication, he built more than just a golf course… he built a place where friends gathered and memories were made. Those who knew him often said he was one of the hardest working men they had ever met, a man who gave his all to the things and people he loved. He will always be remembered for his bright blue eyes, generous spirit, his warm sense of humor and his genuine love for both people and animals.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his three brothers, Ronald, Leon and Lynn Lamb.

He is survived by his wife Debbie of 46 years, his children, Blair, Todd, Chris, Greg and Kristey; his sister, Shirley Nicholson; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and special friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date. Those wishing to honor his memory may do so with a donation to the Blue Ridge Humane Society. Be kind to others and in his words, "KEEP MOVING!"

The family is especially thankful to Dr. Jim Caserio who was his physician for more than 40 years and a cherished family friend. We are forever grateful for his kindness, compassion and support.

 Nearly a year and a half after Helene caused major damage across western North Carolina, the Town of Lake Lure is continuing its recovery efforts.

Town leaders say rebuilding the marina and refilling the lake are key steps toward helping the community recover and bringing visitors back to the area.

Helene washed away buildings, docks and one of the town’s most recognizable features — the lake itself.

Mayor Carol Pritchett said the town is working toward reopening both the lake and the Washburn Marina.

“This is a huge boom to the community, of course,” Pritchett said.

She said the marina project includes rebuilding the boardwalk and boat docks to reconnect key areas of the waterfront.

“That's critical for people to be able to go back and forth to the beach,” Pritchett said.

The rebuilt marina will include 208 rental boat slips along with six hourly boat rental slips.

The town says new docks are being built for boat tours in the same location as they were previously. A new fueling station will be incorporated the left side of the marina when facing the water from the parking lot.

These docks and the fueling station are targeted for completion by May 2026.

Local leaders said much of the town’s revenue comes from renting boat slips and permits, which haven't been possible since the storm.

“Our revenues have been down about 50%, which is so to that point the increased revenue to the town is really important,” Pritchett said.

Pritchett said the reopening of the lake and the marina go hand in hand.

“We are coming up now and I believe we're about at 982.5 and so we just have to be at 990.5, so that's very reasonable to think that we could accomplish that,” she said.
With the reopening of the lake, the town is looking forward to welcoming families, boats and fishers.

8 HELENE-IMPACTED CHIMNEY ROCK BUSINESSES AIM TO REBUILD AND REOPEN BY SUMMER, MAYOR SAYS

"We'll also be restocking the lake and North Carolina will be restocking the trout in the Broad River," Pritchett said.

The town hopes to have the lake reopened for the upcoming season, which local businesses say could bring more customers through their doors.

“We're here all year, but it definitely affects us here in the summertime because it is a seasonal job with the lake being open. It draws more people towards us business-wise,” Annabelle Ruff, an employee at Lured Market & Grill, said.

Town officials say they are aiming to reopen the lake and parts of the marina in time to welcome visitors for Memorial Day weekend. The marina is expected to be fully completed by July 15.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

 A Hendersonville woman received a rare invitation to the White House this week after her story was shared with President Donald Trump by Congressman Chuck Edwards.

Heather Kell, a single mother who works as a server in Hendersonville, was highlighted by Edwards for how Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” impacted her family during this year’s tax season. According to Trump, Kell received what Trump described as a “big, beautiful tax refund,” which he said helped support Kell and her son.

Kell appeared at the White House this week, where Trump introduced her and invited her to the podium to speak about her experience.

In a Facebook post, Edwards praised Kell as “an incredible single mom” and said he shared her story with the president after learning how the legislation had affected her family’s tax return.

The tax refund Kell referenced comes as part of changes included in Trump’s sweeping tax and spending legislation commonly known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The law, signed in July 2025, extends many of the tax cuts first enacted in 2017 and introduces several new deductions and credits aimed at increasing take-home pay for some taxpayers.

Supporters say the changes are intended to reduce tax burdens and increase refunds for many Americans, while critics argue the legislation also reduces funding for some federal programs and could add to the national deficit over time.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS

 The Blue Ridge Humane Society has purchased property at 823 Banner Farm Road in Mills River to help secure the future of animal welfare in Henderson County.

According to a news release, the purchase of the property will allow the Blue Ridge Humane Society to expand community programs. The property will also become the future home of the organization's Adoption Center.

The adoption center will be designed to support modern animal welfare practices and improve animal care, and create a more welcoming experience for adopters, volunteers, and visitors.

The property includes an existing 33,000-square-foot warehouse with surrounding land in Mills River and is located across from Mills River Brewing Co.

According to the release, purchasing an existing facility allows the organization to expand thoughtfully while being responsible stewards of community resources.

Blue Ridge Humane Society says that the purchase of the property represents an important long-term investment in the future of the humane society, allowing the organization to continue expanding and better serve the community.

“Our current facility has served the community well for many years, but the needs of our community and the animals in our care have continued to grow,” said Executive Director Angela Prodrick, in a news release. “The new location at Banner Farm gives us the space to expand important programs today while creating a path toward a purpose-built Adoption Center. Building this next chapter will take all of us, our supporters, volunteers, donors, and community partners, working together to make it possible. We cannot wait to build it together with you.”

According to the release, Blue Ridge Humane Society community support services include the following:

Pet food assistance
Low-cost vaccine clinics
Veterinary assistance
Behavior support
Rehoming services

The programs help families access resources before challenges become crises, keeping pets with the people who love them and reducing the number of animals entering shelters.

Beginning in the spring, the Banner Farm location will open to the public during designated hours.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOS.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer posted to social media, saying she sent a letter to Costco asking them to return to the table on the proposed Costco in West Asheville.

In the Thursday, March 5, Facebook post, Manheimer says that on Monday, March 3, she pulled together a meeting with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the planning department staff for the City of Asheville, and the sellers of the property Costco wanted to build on.

Manheimer says in the meeting, they worked through the issues that Costco raised when pulling their application. The NCDOT, planning department and sellers then put together information in response to the list of items and sent letters to Costco.

As previously reported, a project manager for Costco cited the anticipated timeline and increased costs as reasons for withdrawing.

"I personally sent a letter and I'm posting it here on my social media. We're hopeful that as a result, Costco will come back to the table," Manheimer said.

Manheimer says that the issues involving the city are resolvable by the city council and that if the application were to make it to the city council, the council would have the ability to waive certain requirements under what's called "conditional zoning."

"I think what we've seen is the council is very supportive of this project and they're likely to do that," Manheimer said.

COSTCO WITHDRAWS APPLICATION FOR ASHEVILLE LOCATION DUE TO INCREASED COSTS

The NCDOT issues the group worked through involved talking with state legislators, looking for additional resources to continue making improvements to Exit 44, specifically the off-ramp, which has been planned but not funded.

"There are some possibilities there to make the improvements to that exit that will support not just the Costco project but the other development we're seeing in that area of Smokey Park Highway, including an Aldi, possibly a Harris Teeter, a medical park and apartments," Manheimer said.
Manheimer says a lot of development in the area is triggering the need for road improvements so traffic can move along the corridor.

The seller has some things that will need to be discussed with Costco, including site challenges that would require filling dirt and retaining walls. The site challenges would be expenses that Costco would have to shoulder, which Manheimer says might be negotiable with the seller.

"So we're hopeful we'll be able to find a resolution there. Anyway, more to come, and everyone, keep your fingers crossed, and we'll keep working our hardest to see if we can make this project work. It's really important for Asheville. It's really important for the residents of Asheville. It creates jobs and affordable food, most importantly, for the people that live here. So we're going to work really hard to try to make this project work," Manheimer said.

In the letter sent to Costco, Manheimer says that the City of Asheville will be applying for a grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to extend sewer infrastructure in the area.

PLANS FOR ASHEVILLE COSTCO SUBMITTED TO TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Manheimer also mentioned that she did not know the project needed additional political coordination or executive-level engagement; had that been made clear, she says she would have welcomed the opportunity to become more involved in the project sooner.

"I respectfully ask that Costco reconsider its withdrawal and allow us the opportunity to re-engage directly. I stand ready to again meet with your team at your earliest convenience to review next steps and confirm a coordinated path forward," Manheimer said.

View full letter below:

Dear Costco Development Team,
I was disappointed to learn of your decision to withdraw the application for the proposed Costco development in Asheville. I am writing to personally invite Costco to re-engage with the City of Asheville so that we may work together to move this important project forward.

Monday, I convened a meeting with the property sellers, Enka Samet, LLC and Fletcher Partners, Inc., along with representatives from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and City of Asheville planning staff. That discussion was productive and solution-oriented, and it made clear that there is a viable path forward to address outstanding transportation and site considerations.
Because this proposal is a conditional zoning application, Asheville City Council ultimately has the final decision-making authority regarding those elements within the City’s control. We would welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with Costco to bring this project across the finish line in a way that meets the company’s operational needs while supporting the community’s long-term growth objectives.
Costco is an important potential community partner for Asheville. The project represents a significant investment that would bring quality jobs to our region while also providing access to affordable groceries and household goods for our residents. Expanding access to affordably priced food options remains an important priority for families in Asheville, and Costco’s presence would serve residents throughout Western North Carolina.
In parallel, I am working closely with local elected officials, state legislators and the NCDOT to identify funding opportunities that would enable additional improvements to the Smoky Park Highway corridor at the I-40 interchange. These infrastructure investments are not solely tied to the Costco proposal but are essential to supporting broader development already underway along Smoky Park Highway, including an Aldi grocery store, the potential for a Harris Teeter, new medical facilities, and planned multifamily housing.

Ensuring that transportation infrastructure keeps pace with this growth is a shared priority among city, regional, and state leadership. Additionally, the City of Asheville will be applying for a grant from the NC Department of Commerce to extend much-needed sewer infrastructure in the area. Continued collaboration is essential to reinforce the regional importance of coordinated infrastructure planning and to advance solutions that support responsible economic development.
I want to acknowledge candidly that I understood the project to be progressing constructively at the staff level, both within the City and with NCDOT, and I was not aware that additional political coordination or executive-level engagement was needed. Had that been made clear earlier, I would have welcomed the opportunity to become involved sooner to help remove obstacles and align partners.
Costco represents the kind of high-quality investment and long-term partnership that Asheville values. We remain committed to working proactively with you to resolve remaining challenges and to support a successful outcome.

I respectfully ask that Costco reconsider its withdrawal and allow us the opportunity to re-engage directly. I stand ready to again meet with your team at your earliest convenience to review next steps and confirm a coordinated path forward.
Thank you for your consideration, and I hope we can continue this partnership.
Sincerely,
Esther Manheimer