Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Maria Parham Cancer Center Welcomes Radiation Oncologist Dr. Ryan Fecteau

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   —  information courtesy of Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health announces the addition of Dr. Ryan Fecteau, MD, PhD, as the newest Radiation Oncologist at the Maria Parham Cancer Center. Fecteau brings extensive clinical training and a patient-centered philosophy to the Cancer Center,  where he will specialize in the treatment of genitourinary cancers, including prostate and bladder cancer.

Fecteau earned both his MD (2017) and PhD (2015) from Case Western Reserve University  School of Medicine in Ohio. He completed his residency training in Radiation Oncology at two of the nation’s most prestigious institutions: New York Presbyterian (2018–2021) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2021–2022) in New York City.

With a deep clinical interest in research and innovation, Fecteau has been actively involved  in national clinical trials to treat prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma.

Fecteau says his motivation for pursuing radiation oncology stems from the opportunity to  use cutting-edge technology to both cure cancer and improve patients’ quality of life.

“When I meet someone for a consult, I like to gain an understanding of who they are and where they are coming from so that we can come up with a management plan that aligns with their values,” he said. “I believe one of the most important aspects of my job is education — ensuring that every patient fully understands the treatment options available so they can feel confident about their decisions.”

Outside of his clinical practice, Fecteau enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, traveling, watching Clemson football and exploring the Durham food scene.

“Dr. Fecteau’s exceptional training, compassionate approach, and commitment to innovation  make him an outstanding addition to our team,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health.  “His arrival enhances our ability to provide advanced, patient-centered cancer care right here in Henderson, and we are excited to welcome him to our community.”

Patients can schedule consultations with Dr. Fecteau by contacting the Maria Parham Cancer Center directly at 252.436.1148.

One Arrested In Connection With Proposed Threat Posted On Social Media

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— information from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

 

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the Henderson Police Department received information regarding a proposed threat directed toward local governing bodies. The post on a social media platform, identified as belonging to Tracy S. Greenway, age 50, of Henderson, was perceived to be a threat directed at both the Vance County and City of Henderson governments.

The Henderson Police Department immediately initiated an investigation and coordinated with external partners. As a result of the investigation, Tracy S. Greenway has been arrested and charged with Solicitation to Commit Terrorism/Mass Shooting (NCGS 14-2.6, 14-10.1). Greenway was taken into custody and arraigned before a Vance County Judicial Official.

He is being held under a $90,000 secure bond and was remanded to an area detention facility.

This investigation remains ongoing. While no further details can be shared at this time, the Henderson Police Department is working closely with its partners to ensure the continued safety of our community.

 

TownTalk: DMV Commissioner Offers Insight, Updates To Increase Customer Satisfaction

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When Paul Tine stepped into his new role as the state’s DMV commissioner back in May, he knew his role was largely to steer the department through some upgrades and challenges that presented lots of roadblocks to customer service. Hours of waiting in line just to get in the door and impossible-to-get appointments were common complaints, and Tine said he and his team continue to work to make things better.

“Demand is certainly high,” Tine said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “based on population and the Real ID initiative.”

He acknowledges the need for greater efficiency with internal processes, including upgrading and replacing the record-keeping technology that DMV uses. Customers expect a strong platform, he said, and he hopes to deliver before too long. He said he hopes to award by year’s end a contract to modernize the DMV technology. Until then, Tine and the DMV staff are constantly looking for ways to improve customer satisfaction.

The COVID-19 era requirement that customers make appointments is over, and walk-ins are welcome any time. Tine said 87 percent of clients are walk-ins these days, with the other 13 percent making appointments to conduct their business at DMV.

Moving toward more online transactions is helping ease the crunch at brick-and-mortar DMV offices, and there’s a new queueing system in place that allows customers to wait in their vehicles or other locations nearby instead of braving adverse weather conditions while they wait to get inside the DMV office.

“You can wait wherever you like,” Tine said, and a quick text message from DMV will let customers know when it’s their turn for assistance.

Thanks to more funding from the state legislature, Tine said more examiners have been hired – “the majority of those people in 30 days,” he said. The department is clearing a backlog of employee training by shifting to “in the field” training, which allows employees to serve while they are learning, he said.

Having third-party contractors step in to provide services is proving to be beneficial, too. There are self-serve kiosks in selected areas of the state, and a recent announcement that teen drivers can take their driving tests with a driver education group are just two examples of this partnership.

“We’re hoping to have that first certificate coming in the office any day,” Tine said.

The vast majority of North Carolinians will have to conduct business with the DMV at some time or another, and Tine said he’s sure about one thing:

“Our customers do not care about me…they care about that person they talk to in the office, on the phone, and how good our website is.”

Visit www.ncdmv.gov to learn more.

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VGCC Foundation’s ‘Fill The Pantry’ Craft Fair Set For Friday, Oct. 10 At Civic Center

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— Information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College Foundation

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation is planning its third annual Fill the Pantry Craft Fair on Friday, Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the College’s Civic Center in Henderson.   The event supports the VGCC food pantry, which provides essential resources to students in need.  This indoor craft fair is open to the public.

Cost of admission will be three (3) canned goods, nonperishable food items, or paper goods at the door.

Join in for a day of shopping, community, food, raffles and giving back. Local vendors will offer a variety of handmade goods—perfect for early holiday shopping—while helping to stock the pantry shelves.  In addition, grab a bite to eat from Bun on the Run or enjoy a coffee and/or treat from The Double Shot.

“With the holiday season quickly approaching, this show is a fantastic way to celebrate our local crafters while also supporting the community,” said Angela Douglas, VGCC Food Pantry Assistant. “We are excited to host this family-friendly event and help our students at the same time.”

Sheri Jones, VGCC Foundation associate director, said, “We are supported by donations from The Food Bank of North Central NC as well as one of the local Food Lion stores.  We also do a weekly donation pick-up from Strong Arm Baking Company in Oxford and have employees who make monetary donations and product donations.  Since we are able to do our event indoors, we have moved it to Friday afternoon and early evening this year so that it doesn’t compete with numerous other events – most outdoors – that take place on Saturdays in October.”

The VGCC Foundation is still accepting craft vendors to participate in this indoor community event, but spaces are limited. Craft vendors who would like to participate should complete the online Craft Show Interest Form. Vendor fees will be $25 for a 10 x 10 space plus a donated item to be used for raffles. For more information, please contact the Vance-Granville Community College Food Pantry at 252-738-3323 or douglasa@vgcc.edu.

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TownTalk: ‘Pink With A Passion’ Oct. 11 Event To Raise Awareness, Funds

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Pink With A Passion is hosting a fish plate fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 11 on the campus of Warren County Middle School as part of its mission to raise awareness and providing financial support for people who need help as they battle the disease.

“Hopefully, one day we won’t have to talk about breast cancer – or cancer of any kind,” said Elaine Tunstall-Smith, a member of Pink With A Passion, a nonprofit based in Warren County founded by breast cancer survivor Amena Wilson.

The fundraiser runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Plates are $12 and include fish, buttered parsley potatoes, green beans and hushpuppies. Dessert and beverage vendors will be on hand at the site, located at 118 Campus Dr., Warrenton.

In addition to the fish plate fundraiser, the “Pink Out for Hope: Cancer Awareness Benefit” will have Pink With A Passion T-Shirts for sale – $20 for short sleeve and $25 for long sleeve, as well as cancer awareness literature and a voter registration table.

The day is a chance to celebrate survivors, honor loved ones, and support awareness in the community. And, of course, a great opportunity to wear pink!

Pink With A Passion is thriving, Tunstall-Smith said, thanks to support from the community, and from family members and friends of individuals who honor and remember their loved ones who have battled – or battle – breast cancer.

“Any efforts we can do to help people be more aware of what’s available,” she said, is what the organization is all about. Early detection through screenings and education provide valuable information that work together to increase awareness of the disease.

The group hosts a walk in the spring and had a “Rainbow” luncheon in June for survivors of all types of cancers.

At that luncheon, speakers shared stories of encouragement and support to those gathered as a way to give hope to those survivors.

“It’s important to celebrate so that hope stays alive for those who are currently fighting a battle,” she said.

Donations from the fundraiser are used to host the events and workshops, support groups to encourage strength and hope to connect with people who are in the struggle.

“Every dollar that we make we try to use to help save lives and support survivors,” Tunstall-Smith said. The group has helped fund transportation, medications and prosthetics.

It’s a way to “just hand somebody a dollar and a smile to remind them that they’re not in the battle alone.”

To learn more, contact founder and president Amena Wilson at 252.213.5735 or Elaine White at 443.983.4742 or visit www.pinkwithapassion.org

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Maria Parham Health Radiation Oncology Suite Reopens With State-Of-The-Art Technology

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– information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young

The community is invited to come out and take a look at the newly renovated and updated Radiation Oncology Suite at Maria Parham Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 9.

The re-opening celebration will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the MPH Cancer Center, according to information from MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young.

Attendees should enter through the hospital’s Cancer Center entrance.

After several months of renovation and equipment upgrades, the department is now home to a new, state-of-the-art linear accelerator – LINAC for short – an advanced piece of medical technology that delivers external beam radiation therapy with precision and care. This powerful machine uses high-frequency electromagnetic fields to create a high-energy beam of electrons, or X-rays, to target and treat cancerous tumors, all while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. LINAC is able to rotate around the patient and utilize advanced imaging, which provides the highest standard in modern radiation treatment.

With this new addition, Maria Parham will also have the new capability to do stereotactic body radiation therapy, known as SBRT in the medical field. SBRT is a type of external beam radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation to a tumor in fewer sessions (typically 1-5), compared to conventional radiation therapy which may require weeks of treatment. It uses advanced imaging and targeting technologies to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

In addition to showcasing the upgraded facility and technology, the event will also serve as an opportunity for guests to meet Dr. Ryan Fecteau, MD, PhD, Maria Parham Health’s new Radiation Oncologist.

“We are incredibly proud to offer this advanced technology to our patients and to continue raising the bar for cancer care in our region,” said Kimberly Smith, director of The Cancer Center at Maria Parham Health. “This event is not only a celebration of innovation but of our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality care close to home.”

Sign Up By Oct. 17 For Free Mammogram; Nov. 1 Event At Aycock Rec Center

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Invision Diagnostics is bringing its Mammogram Bus to Aycock Rec Center on Saturday, Nov. 1 and now is the time to schedule a free mammogram. Phone 877.318.1349 to schedule an appointment. Sisters Speak Life founder Freddie Harris said six women had signed up as of Friday, Sept. 26. Sign up before Oct. 17 – they need a minimum of 15 scheduled appointments, or the bus will have to be cancelled, Harris said.

Sisters Speak Life is creating a video to help promote that Nov. 1 event. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, please send a headshot photo, along with the year you were diagnosed and a one-word description of yourself to be included in the video. In addition to the mammogram bus, there will be health-related resources for participants to learn about available services in the area.

When Harris was diagnosed with cancer, she said she found inspiration from people – family, friends and even strangers – who surrounded her with love and support.

She encourages people to come together, reach out and help each other. “It made a difference for me and I think it can make a difference for someone else.”

Join Sisters Speak Life at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 1 as participants tie pink ribbons on trees along Breckenridge Street to kick off the Pink Out campaign. Return at 5:30 p.m. for another community gathering at McGregor Hall as part of the Pink Out effort. Ribbons and t-shirts are available, too.

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/sistersspeaklife or https://sistersspeaklife.org/

Vance County Schools’ Student Spotlight Honorees

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– information courtesy of Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools kicks off its 2025-26 Student Spotlight program with three students who have been recognized for their hard work, leadership and the positive impact they have in their school communities.

Destiny Timberlake from Vance County Early College, Joseph Vida from E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy and Kimberly Isidro from Vance County High School are the first honorees for this year’s program, because they embody qualities such as kindness, dedication and a strong commitment to personal growth and service to others.

The Student Spotlight program is sponsored by Vance County Schools in partnership with the Vance County Public Schools Foundation.

Destiny Timberlake, 11th Grader, Vance County Early College 

Destiny Timberlake is the 2025-2026 Student Spotlight at Vance County Early College. Destiny stands out for her ability to balance high school and college-level coursework, while also excelling as a student-athlete, and dedicated employee outside of school. She is admired for her leadership, maturity, and the way she uplifts those around her with encouragement and kindness.

Destiny is active in the National Honor Society, BETA Club, and she leads on the court as point guard and captain of the basketball team. She also is involved in music with her church. Her favorite subject is English, which she values for its real-world applications, especially in business. Her future goals include playing Division I basketball at the University of South Carolina, competing in the WNBA, and later pursuing a career as a luxury real estate agent.

Outside of academics and athletics, Destiny enjoys basketball, working, and spending time with her family, especially gathering around meals. She names her mother, Renita, as her greatest role model for her strength and sacrifices, and she hopes to repay that love and support. Inspired by Michelle Obama’s Becoming, Destiny believes in building success through perseverance. She sums up her outlook with the advice: “Walk by faith and not by sight… no matter what it looks like right now, it will always be better in the future.”

Her favorite part of being at VCEC is the opportunity to lead and set an example for her peers. She credits the school with teaching her how to balance responsibilities and manage time—skills that will help her succeed in every step of her journey.

Joseph Vida, 5th Grader, E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy 

Joseph Vida, a 5th grader at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, was selected for his diligence, curiosity, and commitment to excellence. Teachers describe him as respectful, responsible, and well-mannered, serving as a positive role model for his classmates. He is an active member of the Robotics Club, Men in Action, the Junior BETA Club, as well as an AIG student, consistently demonstrating the values and expectations of his school community.

Joseph’s favorite subjects are math and English Language Arts, which he enjoys because they allow him to keep learning new skills. Outside of school, he likes playing with his siblings, spending time outdoors, and reading chapter books—especially science fiction, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban being a favorite.

When asked about who inspires him most, Joseph immediately points to his parents, who always support and encourage him. Recently, he has enjoyed learning about Indigenous peoples in social studies and strengthening his math skills with multiplication and division. If he could have any superpower, Joseph would choose flying so he could get to places quickly.

His advice to other students is: “Always try your best and never give up.” Joseph’s favorite part of being a student at E.M. Rollins is learning new and exciting things while being part of a supportive school community. He says what keeps him motivated to come to school every day is the chance to “learn more things and get better at them.” If given one wish, Joseph would travel back to the Philippines to visit family and friends. Joseph’s determination, curiosity, and resilience make him a shining example of what it means to be a Student Spotlight at E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy.

Kimberly Isidro, 9th Grader, Vance County High School 

Kimberly Isidro, a 9th grader, is the Vance County High School Student Spotlight honoree. Nominated by VCHS Assistant Principal Mcshell Edmonds, Kimberly has already begun to make her mark at VCHS. Edmonds shared, “Although Kimberly is new to VCHS, she has already established herself as a leader. She demonstrates responsibility by staying on top of her assignments, shows a willingness to assist her peers, and brings a positive presence that brightens every room she enters.”

Kimberly has also been invited to join the 9th-grade Student Council, reflecting her leadership skills. Her favorite subject is math, where she enjoys learning new skills like solving inequalities. Kimberly plans to join the girls’ soccer team in the spring and also enjoys expressing her creativity through art, including submitting pieces for Arts Alive. Outside of school, she loves playing soccer, drawing, spending time with family, and watching horror movies. Kimberly admires her mom as her greatest role model, inspired by her strength and independence. Kimberly dreams of becoming a dentist, with nursing as a second option, because she is passionate about helping others. She also tutored a friend in math, helping them prepare for the end-of-course test and achieve a passing score.

Her favorite thing about VCHS is participating in fun activities and being part of a supportive community. If given a superpower, she would control time to relive childhood moments, and she dreams of traveling to Hawaii to explore new experiences. Her advice to others: “Don’t skip classes, always turn in your work early, don’t get in trouble, and respect your teachers.” 

Kimberly’s leadership, determination, and kind spirit make her a shining example of the values and excellence at Vance County High School.

These students are exemplary representatives of Vance County Schools and the Student Spotlight program. They embody the values of kindness, dedication, and a commitment to learning, serving as an inspiration to their peers and a source of pride for their school communities and the district as a whole.

TownTalk: Commissioners Approve Revised Emergency Pay Policy For Jail Staffing

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During a special called meeting Monday, the Vance County Commissioners approved a revised emergency pay policy that has been in effect since April to staff the county detention center.

Since the policy was put in place – which allows for employees of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office to fill in at the jail because of staffing shortages – the county has paid more than $483,000 to keep adequate staff at the jail. The funds have come from lapsed salaries.

County Manager C. Renee Perry recommended some changes to the policy to commissioners, which includes removing exempt staff from substituting at the jail, using individual employees’ overtime pay rate and allowing no more than 60 hours overtime per pay period.

The revised policy states that exempt employees and non-exempt staff at a pay grade of 72 or above be excluded from the emergency pay policy.

Sheriff Curtis Brame responded to commissioners’ concerns and said he opposed some of what the manager included in the revised policy. He requested that a cap not be placed on the number of hours an individual can work, and he balked at having on-duty patrol deputies be responsible for transporting detainees.

Brame said that he is down 12 staff at the sheriff’s office, and having patrol deputies transporting detainees would mean they’re not patrolling the county.

“We’re talking about safety, we’re definitely talking about safety,” Brame said. As of Monday, the county has 171 detainees, 63 of which are housed at the county jail. That means that the other 108 are in other detention facilities spread across the state of North Carolina from the coast to the Tennessee border.

In response to questions earlier Tuesday from WIZS, Perry said the sheriff “must reach out for approval in advance, just to ensure that the funds are available, not necessarily if the employees can work – just that funds are available,” she reiterated.

With regard to transport of detainees, Perry said that historically, deputies were able to transport. “My preference is to have his deputies do the actual transport without additional pay on their regular shift,” she said, but added that if that causes an undue hardship she would entertain conversations with the sheriff about that. “He just needs to let me know,” she said.

The policy that Perry proposes states that when the lapses salary well goes dry, the emergency pay policy will end.

Brame said county money needs to be made available to keep the staffing at the jail. He called the fund balance a rainy-day fund, used when emergencies arise. “It’s raining like hell in Vance County,” Brame said, “and I’m getting wet.”

After close to a half hour discussion, Commissioner Tommy Hester made a motion to approve the policy Perry recommended. The motion was seconded and was approved, with a lone “no “vote cast by Commissioner Valencia Perry.

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Sossamon Announces Bid For District 32 House Seat In 2026

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Frank Sossamon has announced that he will run again in 2026 for the District 32 seat in the N.C. House of Representatives.

In a press release dated Aug. 27, Sossamon said, “I have been serving in this community as a pastor, job creator, grief counselor and volunteer for over four decades. My life is about direct service to our community and I look forward to returning to Raleigh and representing the true voice of District 32.”

Sossamon said he is running to reclaim House District 32 to bring a true voice of Vance and Granville counties back to Raleigh. Initially elected in 2022, Sossamon served one term and was beaten in the 2024 election by Granville County’s Bryan Cohn. He has listed several priorities in the upcoming campaign, which include protecting Medicaid for the most vulnerable, fully funding classrooms, safeguarding agriculture and more access to mental health services.

During his first term, the press release stated that he brought a record $45 million to Vance and Granville counties in appropriations for economic development, infrastructure and property beautification. He also voted to increase Medicaid which has improved healthcare access to rural communities.

Sossamon served on the Appropriations on Education K-12 Committee, as well as the Appropriations, Commerce, and Transportation committees. After leaving the House, Sossamon continued his service to District 32 leading the “Faith in Mental Health” initiative, a groundbreaking pilot program for Vance and Granville counties, and sits on Vance County’s Juvenile Crime Prevention Council where he has served for 40 years.