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Detectives find meth, make arrests in Etowah

Henderson County News

Boomer helps rescue abandoned bear cub

Thanks to Boomer the rescue lab, an abandoned bear cub was itself rescued, is under the care of wildlife biologists and should be released in the wild in about a year.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

County finds 'remote site' for training center, kills BRCC option

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners has identified land in "an extremely remote location" for a new law enforcement training center, eliminating an expensive indoor shooting range, moving the facility far away from Blue Ridge Community College and snuffing out a potential political in the upcoming sheriff's primary election. Commissioners first authorized an indoor training center under an acre of roof at BRCC at a cost of $20 million. But controversy over the cost, the need and the location among high school and BRCC students led commissioners last spring to direct administrators to look at other options and cut the cost.  "Since that time, we basically surveyed the county," County Manager Steve Wyatt said of the hunt for property that he, County Engineer Marcus Jones and Sheriff Charlie McDonald undertook. "We have identified a site and we have secured the right to purchase that site. The potential is there for a tremendous cost reduction as well as a site relocation, free up the community college site for community college use." Wyatt projected construction cost at $3.66 million for an outdoor range and indoor training facility and a total cost of  $4.3 million to $5.9 million counting the land purchase. That would mean a savings overall of about $22 million compared to the cost of the facility at BRCC including interest on debt. The county plans to pay cash for the new center. Neighbors aren't likely to notice the training center, Wyatt said. "The real impact folks in this neighborhood would see are police officers," Wyatt said. "You may not even know it's there except you would see black and white (police) units going there." The scaled-back facility also fits the need for training on protecting schools from violence. "The indoor training center will be able to configure in such a way to mimic frankly buildings" that the sheriff's office protects, Wyatt said. It could mock up school classrooms and school entrances, for instance, "to give real time training" in school safety. The facility also could ultimately be used for a backup 911 center. Commissioner Grady Hawkins said the center fulfilled a commitment the board made several years ago to construct a training center, starting with the use of $3.4 million it got for the sale of the Bent Creek property to Buncombe County. Although the county ended up spending most of that money for artificial turf at three county high schools, the county has since accumulated enough money from a 1-cent tax increase to cover this new capital cost, Hawkins said. Commissioner Bill Lapsley, who strongly opposed the $20 million cost of the original indoor center, praised administrators and the sheriff for substantially cutting the cost. City police departments within Henderson County would be able to use the center at no cost, Wyatt said, while agencies outside the county would pay rental or facility fees. Lowell Griffin, a Republican running against McDonald in the May 8 primary, had called the training center a waste of money and pledged to shift that amount to school safety. After the board voted unanimously in favor of the cheaper option, Chairman Michael Edney asked McDonald whether he wanted to make any comments. The sheriff, who was seated in the back of the assembly room, declined.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Crowd protests Balfour Parkway

Around 135 people congregated on the plaza of the Historic Courthouse Monday to protest the Balfour Parkway, waving signs and urging passing cars to honk in support. Later speakers implored the Board of Commissioners to stop the project. Carrying signs that said "Save Our Homes" and "Stop the Balfour Parkway" and other messages, the homeowners urged passing cars to show support by honking horns. Some did, raising cheers and shouts from dozens of homeowners from Grimesdale, Stony Mountain Road, along N.C. 191 and along Howard Gap Road near a proposed new I-26 interchange. "We're hoping to put a stop to the Balfour Parkway," said Cheryl Smith, a retiree who lives in Kingswood Hills off Howard Gap Road, near the I-26 interchange that would be built as part of the first of three parkway segments. "I feel there's a better way to do this. I'm concerned about my neighborhood.  What I want to do is to save my home. We'd like them to stop it and go back to the drawing board." “Where do I begin,” John Dubis, a retired tool and die maker who has lived in Grimesdale for 17 years, said when asked what’s the problem with the Balfour Parkway. “When they do this, all the homes are going to be destroyed, all the taxes that those people pay are going to be gone. It’s upsetting people’s lives. What I’d like to ask the county commissioners is, If this was your home, how would you feel? It’s just very very upsetting. Never in my life did I think at age 77 that I would be standing out here with a sign because my home might be demolished.” Bill Burchill, a Carriage Park resident and retired engineer who has compiled a report challenging the need for the parkway, said the protest was intended to raise awareness “because many many people we talk to don’t know about this. I just came from the Y and talk to someone there. He said, ‘I didn’t even know this. I never heard of the Balfour.’ A lot of people don’t even know. So, we’ll be back. This won’t be the last time you see us.” Zane Chait, another Carriage Park resident, said if dozens of people lose their homes, negative consequences will spread through the local economy. “If people move out (of the county), their families won’t come here, guests won’t come, they’ll take their money out of the local bank, they won’t go out to eat, they won’t shop,” he said. “The tax base will go down.”     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Man sent to prison for sexual abuse of 13-year-old

A 57-year-old local man was sentenced to 65 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to six felony sexual assault crimes against a 13-year-old, District Attorney Greg Newman announced. Richard Kevin Chambers, formerly of Jackson Loop Road, appeared in Superior Court with his lawyer, Beth Stang, and entered guilty pleas to two counts of Statutory Sex Offense with a Child Under the Age of 15, 2 counts of Crime Against Nature, and two counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child. Assistant District Attorney Doug Mundy presented the facts supporting the charges to Superior Court Judge Julia Lynn Gullett of Iredell County. Last August a local single mother of three noticed that the defendant showed an unhealthy interest in her 13-year-old daughter.  The defendant had been allowed to stay with the family and had helped watch the children when the mother worked or ran errands. The mother took her daughter to the Children’s Advocacy Center where she disclosed numerous incidents of sexual contact by the defendant. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and began a criminal investigation into the matter. Allegations made by the juvenile included two incidents where the defendant made sexual penetration with her at the home when the mother was away.  The child did not make an immediate disclosure to her mother, or to anyone else because  Chambers threatened to hurt her family and her if anyone found out about what he was doing to her. The child only reluctantly talked when the mother noticed a change in her behavior and the heightened interest in the girl by the defendant. Chambers initially denied any wrongdoing in response to questions from deputy sheriffs in the Criminal Investigations Division.  Upon further questioning, however, the defendant confessed to the crimes and was arrested and charged at the conclusion of the interview.  He remained in the custody of the Henderson County Jail until his appearance in Superior Court. He has been transferred to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. Judge Gullett consolidated the six charges into the two most serious charges, statutory sex offense, and sentenced the defendant to two prison terms totaling 392 months, or 65 years.  He will be eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 46 years. “The result achieved in this case shows the value in the partnership between law enforcement and our local advocacy center for abused children,” Newman said.  “We are so fortunate that this mother felt comfortable enough to take her daughter to the advocacy center for an interview.  This led to law enforcement intervention, which resulted in a confession from the suspect.  "Services to support the child and her family moving forward from this appalling experience  are in place and will be important in helping this child feel further supported by our community.  This young lady showed tremendous courage to speak about these abominable crimes to strangers.  She also agreed to testify in court if required to do so.  We are naturally pleased with the outcome of the case and wish only the best for this young lady in the future.  I commend her mother and appreciate her full cooperation with our prosecution of the case."     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Sandburg site has new superintendent

A 30-year National Park Service veteran who has worked in 13 park service postings has been named superintendent of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, the  National Park Service announced. Pauline “Polly” Angelakis will take her new post on May 13. “Polly has a solid background in literary studies, interpretation and civic engagement that seems ideal for managing Carl Sandburg’s home,” Southeast Regional Director Stan Austin said. “She will be a great addition to the park and surrounding community.”Angelakis considers her new appointment a “dream job” for an English major. “Carl Sandburg’s writings demonstrate the power of the written word," she said. "He provided a voice for people who struggled to be heard. I’m excited to work with our staff, partners, and community members to promote this vital legacy.” Angelakis was inspired to become a park ranger after hiking through Hawaii's Haleakalā crater while in college. Since then, she has worked at eleven parks and two regional offices during her 30-year career with the National Park Service. She spent the first eight years as a seasonal employee and has worked as a frontline interpretive supervisor, volunteer coordinator, and education specialist. She later assumed positions of increasing responsibility, including serving as regional interpretive specialist and volunteer coordinator for the NPS National Capital Region, acting regional chief of interpretation for the Intermountain and National Capital Regions, and site manager for two sites administered by the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Angelakis has been chief of interpretation at Haleakalā National Park since 2012 and also completed temporary assignments there as acting superintendent.  Her NPS career has also included time working at Acadia National Park, Assateague Island National Seashore, Everglades National Park, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Olympic National Park, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Shenandoah National Park, and the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. A native of Massachusetts, Angelakis graduated cum laude from the University of Massachusetts in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She is a 2007 graduate of the NPS Mid-level Management Development Program and a lifetime Girl Scouts member. She is married to Alan Willis, an electrical engineering consultant. The couple enjoys hiking, water sports, theater, volunteer work, and traveling. Both are excited about exploring the Southeast, moving closer to family, and experiencing more adventures with their nieces and nephew  Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, was authorized in 1968 and celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. The site preserves the farm home of the Pulitzer prize-winning poet, historian, Lincoln biographer and social advocate, Carl Sandburg. Sandburg provided a popular voice for the American people of the twentieth century and still speaks to us through his words, songs and the beauty and serenity embodied in Connemara. The park is located three miles south of Hendersonville off U.S. 225 on Little River Road, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily. For further information, please telephone 828-693-4178, or visit www.nps.gov/carl.     Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Top DOT engineer seeks a path to save projects

When they got their first look earlier this month at plans for the widening of N.C. 191, many homeowners reacted with anger, bewilderment and a blood vow to do everything in their power to stop the project.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Transportation planners open survey on road projects

The French Broad River MPO has opened a survey on transportation projects that are currently being considered for funding through the State of North Carolina’s Prioritization Process.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Mud Creek ‘firmly in support’
 of treatment center, pastor says

Mud Creek Baptist Church “starts in Jerusalem” when it comes to mission work, says Greg Mathis, the church’s senior minister. He means that church members start close to home, as Jesus instructed, then branch out as time and resources allow. On Mud Creek’s grounds are a Christian school, Hope Academy for special needs adults and Clearwater Counseling. The faith-based services have existed in harmony with the surrounding residential neighborhoods. But when Mud Creek announced a partnership with First Contact Addiction Ministries to build a treatment center on Erkwood Drive, neighbors sprang into action to block it. Even before First Contact filed a rezoning application, residents of Dunroy, Estate Drive and other neighborhoods are studying the county land-use code and drafting talking points to use if there is a zoning hearing. Earlier this month, 70 people gathered at the public library to hear Don Huneycutt, a resident of Dunroy, and Hilton Swing, who lives on Chanteloup Drive, sketch out the argument against the proposed treatment center.“It’s my opinion that a 15,000-square-foot facility of any kind is not in keeping with the residential character of all the neighborhoods that are around this area,” said Swing, a real estate broker. “What we’re talking about is zoning integrity and zoning compatibility and those are the things that affect our property values.”The comments stung Mathis and other church leaders, who say a residential treatment is a desperately needed service in response to a crisis that claims lives and devastates families.“This is a such a crisis,” said Mathis, who has led Mud Creek for 38 years. “This is an epidemic, this is an emergency and it’s not a time to fuss over should we do it here. Somebody needs to start and set the example that would be done in multiple places.”Seven years ago, Craig Halford came to Mathis with the idea of partnering on a ministry that would counsel and treat drug addicts. Mathis had seen the scourge of prescription pill addiction in his congregation. He said he’s preached plenty of funerals of parishioners or their family members who died of overdoses.“I do it all the time, and it breaks my heart,” he said. “We try to help them but we have found unless they can go somewhere for six or seven months, 30 days is not going to do it.”“When Craig came to me many years ago with the idea of this, I helped him start this ministry right here in this office,” Mathis said. “Then this whole crisis blew up. It’s just unbelievable at the people that are crying for help. I am unapologetic in trying to do something to help in what has become a crisis of desperation that’s affecting every family, every community, every neighborhood, including right here in this neighborhood.”Mathis and other church leaders who spoke to the Hendersonville Lightning last week put the First Contact ministry in the context of the church’s many other missions that try to help people close to home with faith-based solutions.“That’s who we are. I don’t apologize for Mud Creek doing ministry because we’ll have to give an account to God if we don’t do ministry,” he said. “But we want to move forward in the right spirit and we are 100 percent in support of First Contact Ministries.” ‘If not us, who? If not now, when?’ After forming First Contact, Mathis, Halford and others visited the Life Enhancement Center in Leesburg, Florida, a church-affiliated residential treatment center that claims a success rate of 52 percent, well above the national average.“God impressed on my heart to lead this congregation to consider this,” Mathis said. “My question is this. I said to the congregation and I’ll even say to the people in Henderson County: If not us, then who? If not here, then where? And if not now, then when? At some point, we have to quit, as someone said, cursing the darkness of the opioid crisis and begin to show a light.”Church leaders objected to the characterization of Mud Creek’s ministries as commercialization of the Erkwood-Rutledge intersection.“We’re not trying to commercialize anything here. The idea that we’re trying to build some kind of a commercial empire is inaccurate. The Bible never uses a Christian ministry as building an empire. What the Bible does say is that Christians follow the Lord Jesus helping to build his kingdom. That’s what we are about here.”Mathis’s son, Jared, the church’s connections pastor, said the ministries are Bible-based.“To view it as commercial empire is misleading and false because commercial by definition would mean an act of commerce, would mean for profit, and that’s not what’s happening here at all,” he said. “We unapologetically want to advance the kingdom of God and the reason we do what we do is out of the love for our neighbors as ourselves.”Greg Mathis recalled that earlier that day, his son said after reading opponents’ criticism that, “At least Mud Creek is having the courage to step forward and try to present a solution.”“I agree with what they said in the article that this won’t hardly put a dent in it,” the elder Mathis said. “But somebody’s gotta start. Somebody has to try. It’ll at least make a difference if it’s 42 beds for that many people, where we have no beds right now that I’m aware of.” Community focuses on opioid crisis   The debate over a potential rezoning case for a treatment center comes as community leaders are training the spotlight on the opioid crisis in big way. When Henderson County administrators organized a leadership forum on the topic for Wednesday, so many people signed up that the event was moved from the Historic Courthouse to BRCC. Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic, speaks Thursday night at a sold-out event at BRCC. And middle and high school students plan a We Are hope vigil Friday against substance abuse.According to IRS filings, First Contact had $29,271 cash on hand at the end of 2016. Halford, president and executive director of First Contact, received no salary from the nonprofit, according to the tax form. On Friday night, 250 people packed the lower floor of the Hendersonville Country Club for First Contact’s Take the Mask Off Addiction Masquerade Ball, the agency’s first big fundraiser. The event had 60 sponsors and raised $109,000, Halford said.While First Contact might look at another site off the church campus, the nonprofit would then lose the proximity to the church sanctuary, a counseling center and a corps of volunteers from Mud Creek, Halford said.“It’s like we said in the meeting. We would consider it,” Halford said when asked about a property offer. “Doesn’t mean we would accept it. The value of this church to that ministry is invaluable. What they’re going to give us is not just the support but teaching and facilities.”Halford said First Contact leaders are close to making a decision on whether to file a zoning application for the Erkwood Drive property. If they do, Mud Creek will steadfastly support them, Mathis said.“We stand firmly in support of taking this to the county commissioners and seeking their approval,” he said. “I’m praying for them. God can open the door or God can close the door. It’s a political process that I respect. … I hope we can enter into a healthy dialogue and present our side and a solution.” -30-       Read Story »

Henderson County News

Community leaders gather to address opioid crisis

By Nancy WaclawekAssociate Editor For the 90 community leaders gathered at Blue Ridge Community College on Wednesday afternoon, Henderson County’s opioid crisis wasn’t news. In their positions in law enforcement, emergency management, government, medicine and nonprofit agencies, they live daily with the challenge of helping individuals and their families with substance abuse problems. What was new was having all of them in one room brainstorming for four hours about how they can strategically get together to deal with the crisis and pledging to do so. At least two concrete efforts had been put in place by the time the gathering broke up. Henderson County Manager Steve Wyatt said that, at the next county commission meeting, he plans to ask commissioners how they will address the issue that cost the sheriff’s department $2.5 million between January 2015 and August 2017. Megan Powell, who works in Wyatt’s office and coordinated the forum, said she would be updating the county’s website Thursday morning with resources offering help with substance abuse. That information, Powell said, would be available at www.hendersoncountync.org under “Opioid Crisis.” It would include all the agencies in the HopeRx Resource Guide, she said. “This crisis has affected everyone in this room in one way or another,” Wyatt said in his opening remarks. “Lives have been lost.” Nationally, the opioid epidemic kills 60,000 to 70,000 people per year, said Dr. Craig Martin, chief medical officer of Vaya Health. “Broken hearts, lost lives, people incarcerated, families divided, children in foster care, the stigma, lack of funding for treatment and not enough treatment programs and clinicians,” Martin said. “They are all part of the tragic story of addiction to narcotic pain medicines that were over-prescribed by physicians since the 1990s,” he said. At that time, hospitals were instructed to measure patients’ pain and alleviate it, he said. Pain was measured with smiley faces from 1 (little) to 10 (intense). Dr. David Ellis, chief medical officer of Pardee Hospital, said that was the problem – trying to eliminate pain rather than control it. “The vast majority of narcotics (prescriptions) are written by primary care physicians … They were written for people with chronic pain. We need a system where we can take all these people and they can be treated for their chronic pain in other ways… We should not be getting people pain free. We should have been treating pain to (allow) function. It’s nobody’s job to make people pain free.” Kevin Marino, social work program administrator for Henderson County’s Department of Social Services, said the issue goes to “the problem of the heart. We need something to deal with the problems of the family. Families struggle with keeping their jobs, with keeping their insurance, with keeping their children, with trying to get to services … and still get their kids to school and day care. With all these life competing issues, we’ve got to deal with the family system.” Mike Barnett, EMS manager for the county, said mental health issues are essential to address. “The frequent fliers, the frequent users, those who call on us 20 or 30 times a year … a lot is relating back to mental health. The recovery piece (from overdoses) is important but having better access to mental health would also help.” The conversation about the opioid epidemic in Henderson County continues Thursday with listening and learning events with Sam Quinones, author of “Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic.” Quinones speaks at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Blue Ridge Community College. On Friday night a Hope Candlelight Vigil takes place at 7 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Hendersonville. On Saturday, April 7, Nik’s Hope Run, a 5K race to raise awareness about addiction, starts at 9 a.m. in Patton Park.     Read Story »

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