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Articles by Nick Haseloff
Work completed on most-expensive athletic field in county
Work has wrapped up on the complete renovation and artificial-turf installation project at the Rosman High School football field just before the start of the 2025-26 season. With a final budget of $2.3 million, the new state-of-the-art synthetic-turf field is the most expensive outdoor athletic field in the county by a factor of more than two and eclipses the amount spent on similar projects at many other high schools in western North Carolina.
Council wants to add giant bear statue to Pisgah Forest roundabout
The Brevard City Council voted Monday to approve amendments to the landscape planning for the coming Pisgah Forest roundabout to include a large metal bear statue as the centerpiece of the traffic circle at the entrance to the national forest. The idea was presented to city council by local artist and gallery owner Ann Bass who has already raised $20,000 for the sculpture and found a local artist, Charles Calvin, to commission to make the piece. kAmq2DD :D E96 @H?6C @7 E96 #65 (@=7 v2==6CJ @? |2:?
City endorses new Brevard Sustainability Council
A new volunteer-led independent community group looking to raise awareness of sustainability efforts and provide plans for enacting environmental change was endorsed in a resolution passed 4-1 by the Brevard City Council during its Monday meeting. The Brevard Sustainability Council, comprised entirely by community volunteers, is a group which aims to promote sustainability through awareness, advocacy and action according to the resolution. kAmy@6==6?
Brevard residents complain about homelessness, propose solutions at city council meeting
Drew Deane, a local gallery owner, expressed worries about “street camping” of homeless people in downtown Brevard during the public comment portion of the Brevard City Council meeting Monday. “I’m here to express concern for the street camping that has most recently happened downtown, that also is a general concern in our community,” Deane said.
Fairhaven Meadows Apartments groundbreaking
Developers, city officials, financiers and government representatives gathered Tuesday morning to celebrate a groundbreaking ceremony for Fairhaven Meadows, an affordable apartment development being built in Pisgah Forest. The first phase of the project will include one building with 42 rental units all dedicated to providing housing for families with incomes within 30%-70% of the county’s median income.
Two officers sworn into police department
Two officers were sworn into the Brevard Police Department during a ceremony held at the Brevard City Council's meeting Monday. Hannah Langford Owen and Jesse Vincent Wallin will be the newest officers to join BPD's force which now stands at 18 officers. kAm~H6? 2?5 (2==:? H:== F?56C8@ @?\E96\;@3 7:6=5 EC2:?:?8 DFA6CG:D65 3J 2?@E96C @77:46C 7@C E96 ?6IE `e H66<D 367@C6 E96J 2C6 23=6 E@ D6CG6 :? 2? :?56A6?56?E 42A24:EJ[ 244@C5:?8 E@ !@=:46 r9:67 %@> y@C52?]k^Am kAmy@C52?
Long-serving city employee awarded highest gubernatorial award
Emory Owen was bestowed The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from Gov. Josh Stein's office Monday night for his 45 years of service to the city of Brevard. By receiving the award, Owen has been inducted into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, the highest honor a North Carolina governor can bestow for individuals who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities. kAm~H6? 92D H@C<65 >@C6 E92? 7@FC 564256D 7@C E96 4:EJ @7 qC6G2C5[ >@DE=J D6CG:?8 :?
Progress ramps up on Rosman teacher housing project
A nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable workforce housing in Transylvania County is making major progress on three houses under construction adjacent to Rosman High School. Alan Winchester, the project’s director and a board member of the nonprofit Transylvania Housing Trust, said the three homes will be an affordable place to live for new teachers in Transylvania County. kAm~?46 4@>A=6E65[ E96 >:4C@\56G6=@A>6?E H:== 36 42==65 !2EE@? !=246 :? 9@?@C @7 >2;@C 5@?@CD uC2?< 2?5 s@??2 !2EE@?
Progress ramps up on Rosman housing project
A nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable workforce housing in Transylvania County is making major progress on three houses under construction adjacent to Rosman High School. Alan Winchester, the project’s director and a board member of the nonprofit Transylvania Housing Trust, said the three homes will be an affordable place to live for new teachers in Transylvania County. kAm~?46 4@>A=6E65[ E96 >:4C@\56G6=@A>6?E H:== 36 42==65 !2EE@? !=246 :? 9@?@C @7 >2;@C 5@?@CD uC2?< 2?5 s@??2 !2EE@?
Affordable housing next to BHS to be researched by school system
To help create more affordable housing for county educators and other essential workers, school officials will research lease options for school system-owned land adjacent to Brevard High. Transylvania County Schools owns more than 25 acres of land spread across two parcels directly across North Country Club Road from the high school.
Search for new police chief to start
The city of Brevard has began the process of recruiting a new police chief to replace Tom Jordan who is retiring. The city has budgetted $24,500 to hire a recruitment agency, according to Brevard City Manager Wilson Hooper. kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ w@@A6C[ H96? y@C52? H2D 9:C65 2D 56AFEJ 49:67 :? 62C=J a_a` E96 4:EJ DA6?E S`g[gfd :? C64CF:E>6?E] k^Am kAm(96? y@C52? 364@>6D A@=:46 49:67 :? ~4E@36C a_a`[ 9:D D2=2CJ H2D Shd[___] y@C52?VD 4FCC6?E D2=2CJ F?E:= 9:D C6E:C6>6?E :? ~4E@36C :D S``h[fee]k^Am kAmy@C52?
TCS implements cell phone use ban at all schools
Transylvania County Schools is implementing a new practice for the 2025-26 school year which will prohibit the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during the school day for all elementary, middle and high school students in the county.
Clarification: Federal education fund freeze impacts Transylvania
In a story titled “Federal education fund freeze impacts Transylvania” published in the July 17 edition of The T. Times, estimates for the impact of federal fund freezes at county public schools centered around a figure of $267,496 which encompassed all of the Federal Title programs impacted by the freeze. That figure was estimated from last year’s Federal Title funding for those programs in county schools.
School system closes pre-K at Brevard Elementary
Transylvania County Schools will close the Brevard Elementary pre-K classroom for the 2025-26 school year because a suitable teacher to lead the program could not be hired, according to a short statement by Superintendent Lisa Fletcher at the end of the board of education's meeting Monday.
Henderson County opens first section of Ecusta Trail
At a major celebration Friday, officials from Henderson County and the City of Brevard held a ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of the first section of the Ecusta Trail in downtown Hendersonville. Hundreds of residents and visitors flocked to the newly paved trail to ride bikes, walk, shop with vendors and enjoy a new avenue for recreation in western North Carolina. kAm%96 t4FDE2 %C2:= :D 2 7@C>6C :?5FDEC:2= C2:=H2J =:?6 H9:49 FD65 E@ D6CG6 E96 t4FDE2 A2A6C >:== 3FE 92D ?@H 366?
Federal education fund freeze impacts Transylvania
A freeze in federal funding enacted by the Trump administration late last month puts an estimated $616,247 of Federal Title funds for education programs in Transylvania County on hold a day before they were to be alloted.
Medicaid and SNAP benefits under fire after bill's passage
More than 7,800 Transylvania County residents will be impacted by major changes to Medicaid and SNAP benefits after President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act removed more than $1 trillion from the programs when it was passed earlier this month.
New chicken restaurant to open in previous Sonic location
A new restaurant serving high-quality chicken sandwiches will take flight later this summer in Brevard, occupying the space of the former Sonic location in College Station off of North Caldwell Street. Mountain Bird Chicken will serve up a small menu of chicken sandwiches, biscuits and tenders made with crunchy batter using chicken thighs, according to Owner Arlan Parry. kAm%96 C6DE2FC2?E H:== 36 CF? 3J pC=2?
Brevard Dollar General fined by state over pricing errors
Brevard's Dollar General location at 6751 Greenville Highway has been fined more than $7,200 so far this year after failing four price-scanning inspections by the N.C. Department of Agriculture's Consumers Service Standards Division, according to a press release from the department. The inspections examined the prices of goods as they were rung up compared to the price listed on the shelf.
1 person dead after shooting involving 2 sheriff's deputies
The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is investigating a shooting incident which occurred early Sunday morning at the Pisgah Forest Pizza Hut and involved two Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office deputies who shot and killed one suspect. Raul Alberto Rivera, a 30-year-old Candler man, was killed by deputies after he allegedly opened fire with a handgun on their vehicle as they entered the parking lot.
Tourism economy bounces back in wake of Helene dip
Local businesses are seeing a return to normal tourism numbers despite last year’s fall dip and continuing shortcomings in public land visitation, according to Clark Lovelace, executive director of the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority. Lovelace said the economic and tourism metrics for the first six months of the year in Transylvania have been about on par with the same months from 2024. kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ E96 %sp[ E96 E9C66 >@?E9D 7@==@H:?8 E96 DE@C> H96?
Rosman passes budget with no increases to residents
Rosman's Board of Aldermen voted in a $5.8 million budget ordinance June 30 which presented no tax or fee increases for the town's more than 730 residents despite an increase in property values from this year's property tax revaluation. The board approved the new tax rate of 32 cents per $100 valued which is a decrease from last fiscal year’s 46 cents and produces a property tax revenue of $144,500 — the exact same property tax revenue amount as last year.
'Come ride with us:' Pisgah Forest Stables gets back on trail despite difficulties
Just days after flooding from Hurricane Helene tore through Pisgah National Forest and caused major damage to Pisgah Forest Stables, its owner Jerry Dean said his family business’ chances of survival were slim to none. Nine months later, the stables are back up and running. Dean and his workers started giving rides through Pisgah National Forest to visitors again June 14. But the small business’ troubles are not over.
Local, state governments target licit drug retailers
Editor’s note: The following story is the fourth part of a multi-part series looking at hemp stores, smoke shops, vape retailers and convenience stores in Transylvania County which sell new “licit drugs.” For the purpose of this series we are using the term licit drugs to describe easily attainable legal substances that have mind-altering effects and are used recreationally.
Work to restart on BHS 'old gym' now NCDPI review is complete
Work on the 'old gym' at Brevard High School which was previously halted in April could resume this month according to School Bond Project Manager Beecher Allison. Allison gave an update to the Joint Bond Project Subcommittee Tuesday in which he said the NCDPI review is completed and permits for the project should be in hand by the end of the week. kAm%96 ?6H AC@;64E >2?286C D2:5 :? 2 AC6G:@FD D49@@= 3@2C5 >66E:?8 96 H2D Q7CFDEC2E65Q H:E9 E96 }rs!x C6G:6H AC@46DD]k^Am kAm%96 C6G:6H E@@< `` H66<D :?
Conservatives celebrate 'positivity' at "TRUMP-A-PALOOZA"
More than 50 conservatives gathered in front of the Transylvania County Courthouse Saturday to combat recent “negative” protests which have occured in Brevard and to bring forward “patriotism” and “love” at the Transylvania County GOP’s “TRUMP-A-PALOOZA 2025.” Participants at the president-praising event donned American-flag apparel and MAGA merchandise and celebrated President Donald Trump with a look-alike contest; Trump trivia; a card signing; and a dance party to the Village People’s...
Rosman was unaware of need for public input on budget process
The town of Rosman's Board of Aldermen has rescheduled its fiscal year 2025 budget approval vote and created a time for a public budget hearing on June 30 after town officials learned Tuesday the town's existing budget process did not satisfy basic requirements dictated by state statutes. Rosman's board had planned to pass its $11.5 million revenue-neutral budget during a June 17 meeting, the agenda of which was announced on June 16 and included no time for public input.
BOE thanks retiring educators
The Transylvania County Board of Education recognized a group of 11 retiring educators during their meeting Monday. "The 11 people being recognized at this meeting ... represent a combined total of 310.5 years of public education," Superintendent Lisa Fletcher said before reading the names of the retirees.
Dispensaries turn away teens, welcome regulation
Editor’s note: The following story is the third part of a multi-part series looking at hemp stores, smoke shops, vape retailers and convenience stores in Transylvania County which sell new “licit drugs.” For the purpose of this series we are using the term licit drugs to describe easily attainable legal substances that have mind-altering effects and are used recreationally.
CARE Coalition warns about licit drug access among adolescents
Editor’s note: The following story is the second part of a multi-part series looking at hemp stores, smoke shops, vape retailers and convenience stores in Transylvania County which sell new “licit drugs.” For the purpose of this series we are using the term licit drugs to describe easily attainable legal substances that have mind-altering effects and are used recreationally. This second part looks at CARE Coalition’s recent study of licit-drug retailers.
Rosman's proposed budget would keep tax bills neutral
The town of Rosman Tuesday released its plan for the fiscal year 2025 budget which would keep property taxes at a revenue-neutral amount by lowering the tax rate to account for higher property valuations. All other fees the town collects for water, sewer and trash will remain unchanged from last year.
Licit drugs series: Part 1: Hemp retailer taps new market
Editor's note: The following story is the first part of a multi-part series looking at hemp stores, smoke shops, vape retailers and convenience stores in Transylvania County which sell new "licit drugs." For the purpose of this series we are using the term licit drugs to describe easily attainable legal substances that have mind-altering effects and are used recreationally.
Hemp retailer paves the way
Editor’s note: The following story is the first part of a multi-part series looking at hemp stores, smoke shops, vape retailers and convenience stores in Transylvania County which sell new “licit drugs.” For the purpose of this series we are using the term licit drugs to describe easily attainable legal substances that have mind-altering effects and are used recreationally.
Brevard High School graduates class of 2025
Surviving through both a global pandemic and a once-in-a-lifetime natural disaster, the Brevard High School class of 2025 has run through its fair share of challenges. Despite the obstacles, 187 seniors celebrated 13 years of academic achievement as they walked across the stage at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at Brevard Music Center to become the most recent Blue Devil graduates.
GALLERY: Brevard High School Graduation 2025
Brevard High School graduated 187 seniors from the class of 2025 Friday afternoon at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at Brevard Music Center. Brevard High School graduated 187 seniors from the class of 2025 Friday afternoon at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at Brevard Music Center. Brevard High School graduated 187 seniors from the class of 2025 Friday afternoon at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at Brevard Music Center.
Ecusta Trail still on track; Henderson County to open first portion in July
According to Brevard City Manager Wilson Hooper, city personnel, project contractors and community stakeholders are continuing on as normal with planning work on the Transylvania County portion of the Ecusta Trail despite its funding still being held in review from the federal government. The 21-mile rail-trail project will connect downtown Hendersonville to Brevard on one contiguous paved path when it is completed. kAmpD @7 =2E6 |2J qC6G2C5 925 ?@E 3C@<6? 8C@F?5 @? E96 %C2?DJ=G2?:2 r@F?EJ A@CE:@?
GALLERY: Fourth NC Guitar Celebration hosted by Bryan Sutton
The fourth N.C. Guitar Celebration, hosted by Bryan Sutton, filled the cool mountain air around the Brevard Music Center with the sounds of bluegrass, country, jazz and other acoustic guitar music Saturday night. Headliners Sutton, Ricky Skaggs, Dan Tyminski and Julian Lage played a variety of songs with local legends and the next generation of players.
Trump grant cancellation cuts $750K from local tech nonprofit, hurricane recovery
When digital equity advocate and nonprofit director Yvette Brooks learned earlier this year her Brevard-based nonprofit Through the Trees would be one of 14 organizations sharing in a $7.7 million federal grant that would help in restoring digital connectivity in post-Helene western North Carolina, she was over the moon and ready to take on a broader and more ambitious mission of helping people in Transylvania County and the outlying area stay digitally connected by expanding her operations...
Community group looks to turn conversations into action
Many nonprofits, organizations, churches and community groups are already doing hard work in Transylvania County, but an ad-hoc assembly of local leaders believes these individual missions can be more effective if there is a cohesive vision for the county’s future and that working together will achieve common goals.
BOE extols virtues of new district plan
Superintendent Lisa Fletcher and members of the Transylvania County Board of Education expressed their admiration and excitement for a new five-year district strategic plan which was presented and approved during Monday's school board meeting. "I'm very proud of the plan," Fletcher said after the presentation. "I'm proud of our staff. I'm proud of community members, the parents, the teachers who took part. Because it does it reflects everyone's voice and that was something that we wanted.
Wiener advocates for school consolidation, Dalton says: 'Not the time'
Transylvania County Schools Board of Education Member Chris Wiener publicly advocated for consolidation of the county's two high schools Monday during the board's review of the new district strategic plan which it approved. "We have an opportunity through this strategic plan, this facilities plan, to undertake what is probably the necessary steps that need to be done to address educational needs of our county," Wiener said during the board's meeting.
Rosman thanks Friends of Rosman for contributions
Rosman’s Mayor Pro Tem Missy Hendricks Tuesday gave a heartfelt thank you to the Friends of Rosman group for its contributions of time, money and effort to multiple events and gestures throughout Rosman in the last months. The planning committee is currently seeking nonprofit status which will make any donations given to them tax deductible.
Local business owners address tariff impacts
While the full weight and bearing of the Trump administration's retaliatory tariffs aimed at numerous countries and industries across the world have yet to be set in stone, the fear and uncertainty they have already caused amongst importers and retailers in the U.S. has trickled down to some local businesses in Transylvania County. "It's affecting the (toy) industry as a whole," said John Taylor, owner of O.P. Taylor's toy store on Main Street in Brevard.
Drug investigation at Mutiny leads to local restaurant owner's arrest
Gernie "Trey" Leroy Foster III, owner of the restaurant Vescovo at 175 King St., was arrested May 2 on felony drug possession charges by North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Officers following an investigation into the bar Mutiny Social Club, according to NCALE Special Agent Antwan Happoldt. Happoldt said NCALE was investigating Mutiny Social Club, located at 326 S. Broad St., after they heard alleged complaints "regarding the possession and distribution of controlled substances" at the bar.
Speaker advocates for more time spent in nature, away from devices
As little as five minutes of disconnecting from devices and being present in nature can have a marked impact on someone’s mental health, said Sebastian Slovin, co-founder of Nature Unplugged, at a seminar at the Trust Center in Brevard Thursday afternoon.
Out on top: Lady Devils secure conference championship
With a 3-0 shutout against Polk County Tuesday, the Brevard Lady Devils soccer team secured the top conference spot at the end of the regular season to win the Mountain Foothills 7 1A/2A Conference Championship. Sophomore Kennedy Reeves started off the scoring with a goal in the first half followed by a penalty kick from junior Nora Felty later in the half to bring the score to 2-0.
Brevard man pleads guilty to assault, drug charges
Editor’s note: This article contains content about assaults on females which may impact some readers. Monday morning, just before his cases were scheduled for trial, Antonio Lujuan Lucas, 29, of Brevard pleaded guilty via Alford plea in Transylvania County Superior Court to two felony charges and was sentenced by Judge Robert Ervin to 73-148 months (roughly 6-12 years) of confinement in prison.
County explains 'old gym' remodelling delays
County Manager Jaime Laughter said despite a six-to-eight-week delay imposed on the refurbishment of the ‘old gym’ at Brevard High School by a North Carolina Department of Public Instruction review process, county staff and the architect assigned to the project are working hard to have the project move as quickly as possible. The delay means the structure will not be reopened before the 2025-26 school year as had previously been projected by Laughter.
TCS celebrates standout educators
Transylvania County Schools hosted a "Legacy Banquet" Tuesday evening to celebrate educators in the county who have retired and teachers, assistants and principals of the year who have gone above and beyond to support their school communities. Kim Moore, a second grade teacher at Pisgah Forest Elementary, was chosen by her colleagues as the district teacher of the year. kAm|@@C6 92D 366? E6249:?8 7@C >@C6 E92? ag J62CD 2?5 D2:5 D96 G2=F6D E96 D6?D6 @7 4@>>F?:EJ D96 86ED 7C@> E6249:?8 :?
Lower responses lead to drug survey questions
New opt-in procedures at county schools have made it more difficult to effectively survey students about drug use and mental health, said CARE Coalition Director Kristen Gentry at last week’s Transylvania County Board of Education meeting. Previously students were opted in automatically at the start of the school year to receive anonymous surveys on their perceptions about drug use and mental health from the community-guided organization unless their parents decided otherwise.
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