News

 A new trail and reconstructed creek in East Flat Rock are providing residents of the Dodd Meadows Community access to nature in their own backyard.

On Friday, March 22, volunteers planted native trees by the creek to officially complete the restoration.

Henderson County Habitat for Humanity partnered with Conserving Carolina, which secured a grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for the project.

It’s a continuation of another project completed last spring to revitalize the community garden in the Habitat for Humanity neighborhood.

Linda Saturno, president and CEO of Henderson County Habitat for Humanity, said the nonprofits are striving to provide a safe and sustainable environment for all to thrive.

“This actually gives these children access to nature and to help them appreciate nature and studies have shown that nature actually improves mental health outcomes later in life,” she said.

Contractors removed invasive plants from the entire four-acre area and restructured the creek to return it to the original location.

The section of Bat Fork Creek eventually flows into the French Broad River.

Kieran Roe, Conserving Carolina executive director, said the project will be beneficial for the environment in the long run.

“In some ways, what we are trying to do is recreate what was here prior to these human impacts that, really, turns out were not beneficial for the health of the stream," he said.

And the nonprofit assistance is still not done with the area.

Henderson County Beekeepers Association plans to put close to 30 beehives at the far end of the trail this summer.

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSNew trail, restored creek provides East Flat Rock community backyard access to nature (wlos.com)

The Henderson County League of Women Voters will present a forum on the First Amendment and
Access to Public Records at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Avenue West.

The program will feature Hendersonville Lightning Editor Bill Moss; N.C. Press Association Legislative Counsel and First Amendment specialist John Bussian and Henderson County Attorney Russell Burrell. The panel will discuss citizen and media access to information, freedom of information and how access is determined. The program is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.lwvhcnc.org.

Detectives with the Special Investigations Unit of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office on Friday charged a 43-year old Pisgah Forest man with sex offense crimes after investigating a relationship between Smith and a minor, the sheriff's ofrice said.

Christopher Raymond Smith was taken into custody by detectives and charged with two counts of statutory rape and one count of crime against nature. He was jailed under a $250,000 bond.

The sheriff's office requested that anyone additional informationcontact Lt. Brad Woodson at 828-694-2985 or Detective Donnie Ross at 828-694-5714.

UNC Health Pardee announces the opening of Pardee Rx. 

According to sources, it's a community pharmacy for Pardee patients, teammates and the general community.

The facility will feature a wide variety of generic and brand-name drugs as well as a complete selection of over-the-counter medications, vitamins, health and wellness needs, pediatric care items, and common medical supplies. The pharmacy is now open adjacent to the Pardee BlueMD primary care office at 1027 Fleming St.

Named as pharmacists are Bryce Caldwell and Kenesha Smith. 

Through Pardee’s affiliation with Pardee BlueMD and its federally qualified health center (FQHC) status, the pharmacy can offer services to all patients, regardless of ability to pay. The pharmacy is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or questions call 828-435-8142.

Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) proudly announces Alison Garrett, the dynamic Marketing teacher at West Henderson High School, as the district’s North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching’s (NCCAT) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year. 

Garrett's unparalleled dedication and innovative approach to education have distinguished her as a true "force of nature" within the educational community. Since joining West Henderson High School's faculty two years ago, Garrett has propelled the Falcon marketing program to new heights, demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment to student success.

"Ms. Garrett exemplifies the spirit of excellence we strive for within our CTE programs," said Scott Moore, HCPS Director of CTE. "Her passion for teaching, coupled with her innovative initiatives, has had a transformative impact on both her students and colleagues."

Expressing her gratitude, Garrett stated, "I am truly humbled by this award. I work with the most outstanding educators, and to be recognized among them is an honor. Together, we strive to provide the best possible opportunities for our students, and I am grateful to be a part of such a supportive and inspiring team."

Garrett's contributions to the marketing program at West Henderson High School have been nothing short of impressive. Through her efforts, she has expanded the program's offerings and provided numerous opportunities for students to develop essential skills for their future careers. As the DECA advisor, students have excelled in events, gaining valuable experience and leadership skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. This year, 35 students competed at the state competition, 27 of them are new to DECA. Five students will be traveling to Anaheim, CA in April to compete at DECA's International Career Development Conference with over 23,000 students from across the globe. 

In addition to her work with DECA, Garrett is credited with initiating the highly successful service learning event, the Mr. WHHS pageant, which has become a beloved tradition at the school. This event not only showcases the talents of West Henderson students but also fosters a sense of community and philanthropy within the school. At the November 2023 pageant, DECA raised over $21,000 to support HCPS families facing adversity. 

Furthermore, Garrett's commitment to mentorship extends beyond her classroom. She actively mentors a younger CTE teacher, sharing her expertise and fostering professional growth within the department.

"Ms. Garrett's impact on our school community cannot be overstated," said West Henderson Principal Luke Manuel. "Her dedication to our students, her creative teaching strategies, and her leadership within the CTE department make her truly deserving of this honor."

NCCAT’s CTE Teacher of the Year program offers district-level nominees the opportunity to engage in professional development through NCCAT in Cullowhee, where Garrett will be competing alongside teachers from other districts for the honor of NCCAT CTE Teacher of the Year.

By a vote of 4-2 the Hendersonville Planning Board rejected a 60-unit affordable apartment project for seniors at the corner of the Greenville Hiway and Chadwick Avenue on a 2.25 acre tract of land.

Neighbors concerns over parking, traffic, stormwater issues doomed the project, but developer Stephen Drake said they were not stopping in spite of the turndown of an affordable housing project he named "Lofts at Chadwick".

Mills River is losing their Town Manager of five years, Daniel Cobb, to Granite Falls, just six miles from Hickory.

It's a promotion for him, pay-wise where he will make $140,000 annually, compared to $111,000 in Mills River and gives him an opportunity go grow professionally.

Granite Falls is a full service community with police and fire departments along with streets, sidewalks and utilities.

The town council has hired Shannon Baldwin, a former Henderson County commissioner who retired as Lake Lure’s manager, to lead the municipality while council members search for Cobb’s replacement.

The City of Hendersonville 'squashed' a deal for OPPORTUNITY HOUSE that would have become a homeless clearing house.

Instead judge Knight approved the sale of the entire property by Brian Turner of NAI Beverly-Hanks.

The City agreed last fall to buy the property and 19,000 Square Foot Building for $505,000 and keep a 30% ownership interest.  The property has a $2,117,900 tax value.

Neighboring businesses and homeowners objected to the plans for a Connection Center which would have housed up to a dozen non-profits, which led to the City backing down from their investment in the property.

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Don’t be Trashy: Volunteer for the Spring Litter Sweep

RALEIGH – As spring starts, the N.C. Department of Transportation is gearing up for its annual Spring Litter Sweep from April 13-27.

The Spring Litter Sweep, one of NCDOT’s roadside litter removal initiatives, harnesses the power of community engagement to tackle the issue of roadside litter. During the two-week period, residents are encouraged to participate in local efforts to help clean up North Carolina’s roads.

"We're grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers who step up each year to participate in the litter sweeps," said David Harris, NCDOT’s Roadside Environmental engineer. "Their commitment to helping us keep our roadsides clean is truly commendable. Their hard work and passion contribute to a cleaner, greener North Carolina for generations to come."

In addition to volunteers, NCDOT maintenance crews devote one week of their time picking up litter and collecting trash bags that are filled by volunteers. People interested in volunteering during the Spring Litter Sweep can request gloves, safety vests and bags from their local county maintenance offices.

For those eager to lend a hand, simply reach out to your local litter management coordinator to get started.

Check out the Litter Sweep webpage for all the details.

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The 2045 comprehensive plan for Henderson County has been adopted by the board of commissioners.

Residents are still concerned about the potential of some items, including turning the county’s rural areas into development. Since initial discussions about the plan in 2021, people have expressed pushback.

Those same concerns were voiced at Wednesday’s commission meeting during the public comment period.

“Local citizens want to protect our lands and forests. They have little interest in workforce development," one person said.

“It is unfortunate that this current version doesn’t reflect your constituents' top priority of protecting our forest, farmland and natural beauty," another said.

The plan touches on ideas in areas like housing, infrastructure, land usage and transportation among others.

Other residents want to see more proof in the proposal about turning ideas into reality.

“They don’t tell you much. They’re going to study, consider and all these words that don’t say much of anything,” former Henderson County Commissioner Chuck McGrady said. “It’s all fun and good, for example with land protection, to say you’ll do various things. If you’re going to put in place an effort to acquire easements, that takes money. There’s no commitment. There’s no commitment to fund the things they say they’re going to study.”

However, commissioners thought they could pass the plan partially because right now there are not many items in place regarding land use.

“It doesn't have zoning ordinances in it,” Henderson County Commission Chair Rebecca McCall said. “It doesn’t have a land use plan. It’s just a plan as far as how we want to grow. I think [the Henderson County Planning Department] is prepared to move forward. I think they’re anxious to move forward with the next steps.”

Some things that are in place because of the comprehensive plan are broadband and farm preservation task forces. A counterpoint commissioner said the plan, though approved, can be changed throughout the next 20 years.

“There’s going to be things that come up that will affect the plan,” McCall said. “It can be revised. It’s encouraged to be revised every five years and reviewed every five years. It’s not the perfect plan. It probably will never be the perfect plan. As I look back at the 2020 plan, it’s not perfect either.”

STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHenderson County's 2045 comp plan receives pushback over concerns of rural development (wlos.com)