Hendersonville Times-News
An investigation is still in the works to examine the Jan. 13 incident that killed one man and injured four others in a retaining wall collapse at the Hajoca parking lot in Hendersonville.
This type of investigation can last anywhere from a few weeks to six months, according to Jennifer Haigwood, director of Communications and Policy Development for the N.C. Department of Labor.
On the day of the incident, Henderson County Attorney Russ Burrell confirmed that the county did not receive an application, or issue a permit, for the project.
As a general rule, both new construction and repair of retaining walls over 4 feet in height require an engineered design, and a permit granted by the County Inspections Department based on the design. The wall that collapsed was estimated to be 10 to 12 feet tall.
Hendersonville Times-News
Recent diversion efforts by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services have caused shortages for some vaccine providers across the state.
Pardee UNC Health Care announced Wednesday that the vaccine allocation for the upcoming week that was originally anticipated will not be received. As a result, first dose vaccine appointments scheduled for the week of Feb. 1 will be rescheduled, according to a news release from Pardee. All second dose appointments will be kept.
NCDHHS has recently shifted a large portion of doses toward large-scale vaccination events, including events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Bank of America Stadium.
Health department launches vaccine waitlist for adults 65 and older, healthcare workers
Hendersonville Times-News
The Henderson County Department of Public Health has launched a COVID-19 vaccine waitlist for adults 65 and older and all health care workers.
Individuals can sign up for the waitlist at www.hendersoncountync.gov/health. This waitlist will be the new method used to make appointments for the health department’s vaccination clinics, according to an announcement on Wednesday.
The health department will no longer require that individuals contact the call center directly to make an appointment.
Henderson County is committed to providing vaccinations as quickly as possible based on supply while following the priority groups set by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, according to the health department.
AdventHealth announces inaugural winner of the Sunshine Award
Hendersonville Times-News
AdventHealth Hendersonville announced Tuesday the first recipient of its new Sunshine Award, Melissa Metcalf, CMA. She is part of the AdventHealth Medical Group Psychiatry team.
Metcalf earned the honor for her dedication to taking patient care beyond the doors of AdventHealth clinics, according to a news release from the local hospital.
She has been a vital part of the AdventHealth Food Prescription program for patients across the AdventHealth system who are food insecure.
Her nomination came from AdventHealth Hendersonville Population Health Manager Cindy Conner. Conner shared that Metcalf has come in on her days off and after hours to deliver countless bags of groceries to patients who have referrals for the food prescription program.
Community mourns Flowers by Larry resident pig Lafawnduh
Hendersonville Times-News
A sweet pig that for years captured hearts at Flowers by Larry is now being mourned by many in the community.
Lafawnduh was the pet pig of Larry Crume, owner of the flower shop in Hendersonville. She passed away last week, according to a social media post from Flowers by Larry.
“From the moment she was handed to me wrapped in a bath towel March 16, 2016 until Friday, January 22, 2021 at 12:20 p.m., this girl has had my heart … this heart is shattered,”
Lafawnduh had battled a “progressive infection since November.”
“Lafawnduh has touched so many lives in such positive ways. I have lost count of the stories. To all who have had the opportunity to meet our wonderful girl and continued to follow or visit her, please know she left me with a heart filled with love, the post reads.