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Articles by Jonathan Rich
Elevated PVR: When Pulmonary Hypertension Becomes Disease, Not Just Pressure?
Keywords Pulmonary Hypertension pulmonary vascular resistance left heart failure right heart failure outcomes Get full text access Log in, subscribe or purchase for full access. References 1. Ilonze, O.J. ... Considerations in the Diagnosis and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Left Heart Disease JACC Heart Fail. 2024; 12:1328-1342 2. Fukusht, K. ... Revised Definition of Pulmonary Hypertension Subtypes Enhances Prognostic Stratification in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients JHLT.
Transylvanian of the Week: Emrie Jackson
Emrie Jackson may not be a Transylvania County native, but the editor-in-chief of Territory magazine certainly has strong affinity for Brevard and its surrounding communities. She began working on the annual business publication in 2020 with the first issue published in 2022.
Army Corps of Engineers OKs debris removal in county
The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners Monday learned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the area for debris pickup within the public right of way, but this free service will not begin until sometime later this month. “We had hoped to see that begin as early as Dec.
City seeks options on affordable housing project
Brevard City Council received an update on soil conditions at a possible affordable housing project Monday night and while the results were not favorable most members are hopeful a collaboration on property owned by Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church is still viable. In June the city of Brevard signed a lease-agreement with Brevard-Davidson River Presbyterian Church to pursue the creation of an affordable housing development on a 4.7-acre lot behind the church.
City seeking input on property use
For the past two years Brevard City Council has identified the creation of affordable and workforce housing as one of its top priorities and in 2023 officials partnered with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative to explore potential local affordable housing development opportunities.
Pardee expanding medical care to former College Plaza location
After months of speculation, representatives for UNC Pardee Health have confirmed plans to redevelop the two-acre College Plaza shopping center in downtown Brevard as a comprehensive medical office space which will open to patients in early 2026. In April sixteen commercial tenants of the 35,00-square-foot building across from the Brevard College campus were informed a non-profit organization was in the process of purchasing the property.
City touts progress on housing Helene-displaced families
Roughly 52 homes within the city of Brevard limits were substantially damaged by Hurricane Helene and officials have been involved in finding temporary housing for at least 15 families. Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof Monday updated City Council on local efforts to assist with housing for those impacted by Helene. “None of those homes could continue to be occupied and so we suddenly had 52 families looking for somewhere to stay,” Copelof said. “Brevard Music Center really stepped up.
County commissioners critical of FEMA response in western NC Original
Transylvania County officials continue to assist people impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina after an estimated $28 million in direct damage to homes and businesses, but members of the Board of Commissioners find the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency lacking in certain areas. Tuesday Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter updated commissioners on the emergency response to the storms.
Commissioners critical of FEMA response
Transylvania County officials continue to assist people impacted by Hurricane Helene after an estimated $28 million in direct damage to homes and businesses, but members of the Board of Commissioners find the response by the Federal Emergency Management Agency lacking in certain areas. Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter Tuesday updated commissioners on the emergency response to the storms.
More outdoor areas reopening after Hurricane's impact
Six weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged sections of western North Carolina, more and more outdoor areas that were closed by the storm have reopened to the public. On Wednesday, Nov.
County incumbents retain commissioners’ seats
Unofficial election results for the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners have all four Republican incumbents with enough votes to remain in office. Teresa McCall received the highest total of votes in the race for three seats on the board. The initial tally indicates she received 10,780 votes (18.91%) to start her second term with the commissioners. “I want to thank the voters of Transylvania County for the faith and trust they have shown me.
Brevard passes revised sidewalk amendment
After months of review, Brevard City Council unanimously passed revisions to its sidewalk policy Monday night to meet insurance requirements, create greater safety for pedestrians and reduce the burden on businesses by making the permitting process a one-time application.
Board optimistic about damage to Ecusta trail
Members of the Ecusta Trail Advisory Board remain optimistic regarding the amount of damage sustained on the Transylvania County side of the proposed pedestrian trail to Hendersonville in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. “I could be totally wrong, but I would estimate that there will be very little impact to the schedule,” said NC DOT District Engineer Lonnie Watkins at Wednesday’s meeting of local officials planning Transylvania County’s 8.3-mile section of the overall 19.6-mile greenway.
Helene damage estimates reach $28 million in Transylvania County
Nearly 250 addresses in Transylvania County, N.C., located southeast of hard-hit Asheville were damaged due to flooding, landslides or storm debris with $28 million in estimated damages to homes and businesses, according to County Manager Jaime Laughter. State Rep. Mike Clampitt told the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners about recent disaster response bills passed in the state legislature. “This by no means is the end of relief packages,” Clampitt said Monday.
Helene's damage impact estimated at $28 million
Some 247 addresses in Transylvania County were damaged due to flooding, landslides or storm debris equating to at least $28 million in estimated damages to homes and businesses, according to County Manager Jaime Laughter. Topics related to Hurricane Helene's aftermath dominated the discussion Monday during the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners' meeting State Rep. Mike Clampitt told the board about recent disaster response bills passed in the state legislature.
Ecusta board discusses mile markers
The Ecusta Trail Advisory Board has approved the general design for mile markers on the 21-mile pedestrian path planned between Hendersonville and Brevard and had preliminary discussions about where amenities such as restroom facilities and parking lots could be located.
Benefit concert scheduled to culminate Halloweenfest
Downtown Brevard is typically the center of the spooky season at this time of the year and that will be the case Saturday during the 41st annual Halloweenfest. In addition to the traditional festivities, a free evening benefit concert will feature the Travis Book Band and Steep Canyon Rangers to benefit local businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. “Heart of Brevard is thrilled to host Halloweenfest and the community benefit concert in support of Transylvania Tomorrow.
City officials recall Helene response
Three and a half weeks after Hurricane Helene ravaged most of western North Carolina, Brevard City Manager Wilson Hooper Monday offered his assessment of the city’s response to the storm and shared stories of city employees’ efforts to help. “I’m glad to say that comparatively we fared okay during the storm,” Hooper told City Council Monday night. “I’m not trying to diminish the suffering others experienced, but compared to some other places we did okay.
Flood insurance requirements complicate rebuilding efforts
Brevard City Council Monday found itself caught between efforts to help residents of a mobile home park on Duck’s Drive rebuild their homes following flooding on Sept. 27 and requirements related to the city’s involvement in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. As a general rule, building within floodplains and flood hazard areas has been discouraged by local governments since 1974.
Edwards Red Cross workers
Congressman Chuck Edwards (center) poses with Red Cross workers at the emergency shelter that opened to serve victims of Hurricane Helene. At its peak, the shelter served 80 people. Saturday morning officials said 19 people were still spending the night on cots inside the facility in the Transylvania County Parks and Recreation Department off Ecusta Road.
Walter Teresa and Edwards Red Cross visit
Congressman Chuck Edwards (right) listens to Walter and Teresa, a Henderson County couple displaced by Hurricane Helene and staying at the Red Cross emergency shelter on Ecusta Road. The couple initially sought refuge at Little River Baptist Church before being directed to the shelter and said they had been approved for temporary housing in Hendersonville by FEMA, but found it difficult to confirm what locations were available.
Edwards Ward McCrae
Congressman Chuck Edwards (left) listens to Russell Ward and Samantha McCrae share their experiences after Hurricane Helene at the Red Cross shelter off Ecusta Road Saturday. The Transylvania County couple said they have been approved for transitional housing by FEMA, but finding a new place to live has been difficult. A total of 19 people were still staying overnight at the Red Cross shelter this weekend.
Pisgah Ranger District reopens to public
To the delight of local outdoor enthusiasts, the Pisgah Ranger District in Pisgah Forest reopened Friday, Oct.18. Crews continue to work throughout the 165-acre district inside Pisgah National Forest clearing debris and repairing roadways and trails damaged from the severe storms of Hurricane Helene that wrecked most of western North Carolina three weeks ago and the U.S. Forest Service urges the public to use extra caution when visiting the area.
FEMA Disaster Recover Center interior
FEMA opened a disaster recovery center Friday inside the County Community Services Building (106 E. Morgan St.) and by noon had assisted more than 30 people impacted by the storms of Hurricane Helene. Daily hours through next week will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for anyone needing help with the application process or seeking housing assistance through the federal cash grant program.
County officials hear Hurricane Helene numbers
Monday afternoon Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter gave the Board of Commissioners and the public a detailed report on the local response before, during and after Hurricane Helene and briefly became overcome with emotion upon reflecting on the damage she saw firsthand from the storms that wrecked western North Carolina. “We have seen complete towns wiped out.
No major changes to early voting or Election Day process
Having weathered the intense storms of Hurricane Helene, Transylvania County Elections Director Jeff Storey told County Commissioners there will be no major changes to the voting processes during early voting and Election Day for the upcoming general election. “In Transylvania, we were fortunate, the two sites we had planned for early voting are fine,” Storey told the Board of Commissioners Monday.
Halloweenfest to benefit Transylvania Tomorrow efforts
Transylvania County is known for its annual downtown Halloween celebration and the Oct. 26 event will be held this year, but with a focus on helping those impacted by the savage storms of Hurricane Helene in September.
“Transylvania Tomorrow” to assist local business in hurricane’s aftermath
In response to the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Helene, the Transylvania Business Support Task Force has relaunched the Transylvania Tomorrow small business emergency relief fund to assist any local small businesses in times of emergency.
Gov. Cooper visits hurricane damaged Pisgah Forest
Friday morning Gov. Roy Cooper made his first trip to Transylvania County to visit people and businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene and shared the message that his administration and federal disaster officials are here to help. “This is a unique and devastating disaster that has occurred here,” Cooper said. “I know there are thousands of assessments that have already been made. Assessments of damages leads to quicker recovery and that work is ongoing.
Recovery efforts continue as congressman visits Transylvania
Congressman Chuck Edwards toured areas of Transylvania County Monday with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Transylvania County commissioners and offered words of comfort to his constituents through a subsequent update. “The closer we get to two weeks post-disaster, the more anxious I’m sure many of you are going to feel to want to return to how mountain life was pre-disaster,” Edwards said in a news release Tuesday. “I want to assure you that we will get there.
City council explores federal funding for affordable housing efforts
Having weathered the severe storms of Hurricane Helene along with the rest of the county, the Brevard City Council returned to its elected tasks Tuesday to explore federal funding of local affordable housing initiatives.
FEMA damage assessment expected this week
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrived in Transylvania County Saturday and are coordinating with local officials to asses the overall damage throughout the area with the first official estimates expected to be released next week. “Our area has been declared a federal major disaster area,” said Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter at a press briefing at the Transylvania County Public Safety Center Saturday.
FEMA officials arrive in Transylvania County
More than 5,000 customers in Transylvania County remained without power Saturday morning with officials hoping full electrical service to the area will be restored by Tuesday, Oct. 8. Water service was fully restored to the town of Roman Friday afternoon and the boil-water advisory for those residents has expired.
Transylvania County Landfill open for storm debris
With more and more local residents beginning to clean up in the aftermath of last week’s devastating storms, many in Transylvania County are wondering where all the refuse needs to go. At Friday’s county services update at the Transylvania County Public Safety Center, County Manager Jaime Laughter reiterated that the county landfill on Howell Road is open and can accept natural vegetation form debris.
Transylvania County continues to rebuild after Hurricane Helene
Thursday emergency officials said they were able to reach 200 residents of the Turkey Pen Gap community in the northwestern region of Transylvania County who had been isolated by the unforgiving storms of Hurricane Helene since this time last week.
More services available after Hurricane Helene
A week after the first rain from Hurricane Helene fell in Transylvania County, local emergency management officials expressed optimism that things are slowly improving in terms of power, water and communication services. “We are starting to rebuild and provide county services at this time,” said Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter during a noon media briefing at the Transylvania County Public Safety Center Wednesday. “We have come out of rescue mode.
Wednesday local update: More services available after Hurricane Helene
A week after the first rain from Hurricane Helene fell in Transylvania County, local emergency management officials expressed optimism that things are slowly improving in terms of power, water and communication services. “We are starting to rebuild and provide county services at this time,” said Transylvania County Manager Jaime Laughter during a noon media briefing at the Transylvania County Public Safety Center Wednesday. “We have come out of rescue mode.
Residents coping in aftermath of Helene
Five days after Hurricane Helene hammered western North Carolina on Sept. 26, residents of Transylvania County did their best to adjust to life in the aftermath. Transylvania County Schools Superintendent Lisa Fletcher said public schools are closed for the rest of the week and a decision about operations for next week will be announced Friday. Brevard College classes are cancelled through at least Oct. 4.
The Family Place distributing food
Distribution of hot lunches, canned goods and fresh produce is available at The Family Place on Old Hendersonville Highway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the rest of the week. “We do a food distribution here once a month, but we realized there are going to be a lot of families who need a connection place and this is something that is available to them,” said Barbara Grimm, executive director of the Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County Tuesday.
HELENE: Historic storm hammers Transylvania County
Davidson River floods through the river basin along Pisgah Forest Highway Friday morning. A devastating one-two punch of major storms Thursday and Friday tore through Transylvania County causing historical destruction, chaos and fear that could take months or years to recover from, but Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof believes it togetherness and a true sense of community that will lift residents above the high waters of the disaster.
Helene: Historic storm hammers Transylvania County
A devastating one-two punch of major storms Thursday and Friday tore through Transylvania County causing historical destruction, chaos and fear that could take months or years to recover from, but Brevard Mayor Maureen Copelof believes it togetherness and a true sense of community that will lift residents above the high waters of the disaster.
County offers support for city sewer projects
The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners Monday offered its support for the city of Brevard’s efforts to extend sewer service to the Azalea and Rhododendron neighborhoods between Osborne Road and Old Hendersonville Highway as well as an adjacent Habitat for Humanity project near the Chestnut Square shopping center.
Commissioners vote to issue school bonds
The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners Monday unanimously voted to issue the sale of $51 million in general obligation bonds with the hope it will pay for most of the much-needed capital improvements at all nine public schools within the next three years. The bond order was approved by the voters during a November 2018 referendum with 59.7% of the vote (9,313 votes yes and 6,297 votes no) and is currently effective until Nov. 6, 2025.
Transylvanian of the Week: Meredith Baldridge
Georgia native Meredith Baldridge moved to Brevard in 2002 and shortly thereafter opened Baldridge State Farm Insurance. In the almost 22 years since then, she has also been active in nonprofit organizations including Younglife, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club, St. Baldrick’s Childhood Cancer Research Charity and Transylvania County Little League.
Businesses, individuals honored during gala
Barbara Grimm, executive director of The Hunger Coalition, was named business person of the year Friday during the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce annual gala and awards ceremony. Among the other awards given out during the gals at the Brevard Music Center were: –Business of the Year: Territory; –Esther Wesley award: Angela Owen; –Non-Profit of the Year: Mary C.
City to apply for Great Trails grant
Monday night Brevard City Council unanimously approved the Planning Department’s request to apply for a N.C. Parks and Recreation Great Trails State Program grant that could be used to fund design of the remaining sections of the city’s paved Estatoe Trail multi-use path.
Police association takes concerns to Brevard City Council
The public comment portion of Monday night’s Brevard City Council meeting was dominated with discussion from members of the N..C. Benevolent Association that the Brevard Police Department is being mismanaged. On Sept.
Transylvanian of the Week: Kathy King
Photographer Kathy King moved to Brevard from Dallas, Texas in 2013 and was named executive director of the Transylvania Community Arts Council in 2021. For all she has done to promote the arts in Transylvania County, she was nominated as Transylvanian of the Week. Why do you think art is important for a community? For a number of reasons.
Estatoe Trail will connect to larger Ecusta Trail plans
Thursday afternoon members of the Ecusta Trail Advisory Board unanimously decided the 7.5 mile Estatoe Trail greenway running through Brevard will connect to the greater 8-mile Ecusta Trail pedestrian path planned between Transylvania and Henderson counties.
Commissioners approve additional funding for BHS beam repairs
The Transylvania County Board of Commissioners Monday approved spending an additional $10,571 to repair rotted support beams at Brevard High School after the original estimate did not foresee complete costs to remove and repair support beams at the gym and cafeteria.
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