SportsTalk: KVA Prepares For Tournaments

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Schools around the area are approaching state playoffs and conference tournaments.  Kerr Vance Academy is no exception.  The school’s Volleyball team, currently ranked 7th in the state, will take on Faith Christian in the second round of their conference tournament in Rocky Mount after receiving a first round bye, according to Mike Joyner, KVA Athletic Director.  Once the conference tournament finishes up it’s likely KVA will have some more home games to start off state playoffs.  “Depending on how the conference finishes, it’s likely we will get more home games,” Joyner said.

Soccer and Tennis have also finished their regular season.  “We will likely have to travel in the first round,” Joyner said in regards to his soccer and tennis teams. “We are waiting for seeding,” Joyner added.

Basketball is also gearing up for JV girls and boys and varsity girls and boys.  Basketball season opens Oct. 30th.

And if that weren’t enough Joyner is also prepping the school’s swim team.  “We have six or seven swimmers and we are hoping to schedule meets closer to home this year,” Joyner commented. Joyner was a guest on Wednesday’s SportsTalk on WIZS.

 

Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Start preparing for season extension. Have your frost protection plan ready!
  • Should you apply lime to your lawn?
  • Clean up your garden. Take up and clean and store your vegetable trellis if vegetables are finished producing on the trellis
  • What should you do about moss? Stop fighting it?
  • Check fall vegetables for harlequin bugs. These insects are shaped like stink bugs. Black with red markings on back
  • Mowing tip: aim discharge chute away from flower and shrub beds to cut down on weeds.
  • October is a great time to collect your Soil Samples when we get some rain. 2 week analysis time.

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TownTalk: Mayoral Race Still Uncertain

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The text of this story has been updated since originally posted October 11th.

The outcome of Tuesday’s Henderson mayoral race remains uncertain, and the two top vote-getters are headed to a Nov. 7 runoff election.

Melissa Elliott earned 898 votes from the 1,856 individuals who voted in the nonpartisan municipal elections, which constitutes 48.57 percent – just short of the 50 percent, plus 1 vote state statute requires to be considered the winner.

Greg Etheridge garnered 746 votes, just more than 40 percent. Etheridge said in an email Wednesday that he had submitted his request for a runoff to the county board of elections.

Elliott said as of Wednesday that provisional ballots and mail-in ballots were yet to be included in the overall count, so she said it was premature as of Wednesday for her to comment on a possible runoff.

In a written statement sent Tuesday evening to WIZS News, Etheridge thanked his supporters and laid out plans for a Nov. 7 runoff.

In part, his statement read: “You are the reason I am going to continue the fight for safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, jobs with living wages, a vibrant downtown, and lower property taxes in our wonderful hometown.”

About 20 percent of the city’s residents voted during the early voting period and Tuesday’s election day – 1,856 of the city’s 9,285 registered voters.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Elliott said she chooses not to criticize those who did not vote, but she applauds those who did come out to vote.

“Right now, I’m the winner and I’m going to stay the winner,” she said.

Elections officials planned to open the provisional ballot box on Friday, Oct. 13 at 12 noon.

A simple math problem shows that of those 9,285 registered voters, 1,856 exercised their right to vote, leaving a whopping 7,429 who did not vote at all.

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TownTalk: Police Report Three People Found Dead In Keene Street Apartment

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Three people were found dead Tuesday night in an apartment on Keene Street in Henderson. One of the deceased individuals, 28-year-old Bakariek Leonard, had been reported missing by relatives earlier in the day. Relatives had not heard from him since Sunday, according to police.

Henderson police responded to a call of “unresponsive persons” at 108 Keene Street, Apartment C, just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to a press statement from Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

When they arrived, officers spoke with a family member who had not heard from the resident for two days. The family member had to remove a window air conditioning unit to gain entry to the home because all other entrances were locked.

The residents, Josephine Taylor, 76, and Laura Taylor, 38, along with Leonard,, were found dead inside the apartment. The area medical examiner was called to review the scene with Investigators. The preliminary review of the scene, and canvass of the area, did not indicate any physical assaults or acute injuries to any of the individuals.

The decedents were transported to a medical facility for further examination and toxicology to determine the cause of death.

This incident remains an active investigation, Barrow said.  Anyone with information should call the Henderson Police Department at 252.438.4141.

 

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Henderson Nonpartisan Election Results

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Voters in Henderson elected four new members to the City Council Tuesday, but the mayoral race remains uncertain, as no candidate got 50 percent of the vote.

With 898 votes, Melissa Elliott received just more than 48 percent of the vote, followed by Greg Etheridge who, with 746, garnered just over 40 percent. In a written statement sent to WIZS News Tuesday night, Etheridge indicated that he would request a runoff. If a runoff is called for, the election day would be Nov. 7.

Political newcomers shared the spotlight as the election results were tabulated.

Michael Venable defeated two challengers to win the Ward 3 at-large seat and Tami Walker defeated her two challengers handily to win the Ward 4 at-large seat.

By 8:14 p.m., WIZS News called the race for Ward 2 for Sam Seifert, who defeated incumbent Mike Rainey and challenger Janice Ward with 435 votes, a decisive 60 percent win.

The Ward 1 race was claimed by Geraldine Champion, who got 208 votes for a total of 57.14 percent. She easily defeated the other three candidates.

The evening didn’t go off without a hitch, however; Vance County Board of Elections Chairman James Baines issued a written statement Tuesday evening to report that some voters may have gotten incorrect ballots.

Here’s the statement:

“The Vance County Board of Elections is aware of a geocoding issue that may have caused some voters in the city of Henderson elections to receive a ballot in Tuesday’s election that did not have the correct alderman ward contest. The County Board immediately notified the State Board of Elections, which is working with the county to determine how many voters’ ballots were affected. Election night results are always unofficial, and the post-election canvass process will ensure that the votes are counted correctly for each contest. Election officials will provide additional information about this situation as it becomes available.”

 

In an interview Tuesday evening at the Board of Elections office, Elliott said she was excited and thankful for the citizens who chose to vote for her.

“I don’t see a runoff at all,” she told WIZS News.

Challenger Etheridge can call for a runoff; WIZS spoke with Etheridge in person after the on-air election coverage had concluded. We anticipate a statement from his campaign that will include his intentions to call for a runoff.

Champion told WIZS Tuesday evening that during her campaign, she talked to – and listened to – many in the community about issues the city faces, including the crime rate. “I’m grateful that (they) thought enough of me and believed in me to want to see a change, a difference in the city of Henderson,” she said.

About 20 percent – 1,856 out of 9,285 registered voters – cast their ballots either during the early voting period or Tuesday; polls closed at 7:30 p.m. and it didn’t take long for elections officials to receive and process the results from the city’s nine precincts.

Seifert said he was proud to be able to serve Henderson. “It’s a good feeling to come back home to Henderson…I’m proud to be able to take this next step in my journey to serve Henderson on the City Council,” he told WIZS News Tuesday by phone.

He said he looks forward to building relationships in the community and on the Council, using “good, solid decision-making so that we give Henderson our best, so Henderson can be its best.”

Ward 4 winner Walker had similar observations, stating that she had met a variety of people during her campaigning and hopes to be able to harness their support to get things done for Henderson. ”It has made me realize that you don’t have to concentrate on one thing,” she told WIZS News. “You’ll meet people along the way that have the same vision.”

Ward 3 at-large winner Venable said he is grateful to his supporters for their vote. “It feels wonderful,” he said Tuesday. “I’m ready to work and serve.” He said he wants to target economic development and address mental health issues, both of which he said are issues the community faces.

 

The totals from the Vance County Board of Elections are:

 

Mayor

Melissa Elliott 898

Greg Etheridge 746

Sara Coffey 151

Jason Spriggs 51

 

Ward 3 at-large

Michael Venable 922

Michelle Horner Wood 597

Corey Franklin 232

 

Ward 4  at-large

Tami Walker 959

George Daye 533

Lora Durham 141

 

Ward 1

Geraldine Champion 208

Symia Crews 95

Clementine Hunter 14

Corey Pearson 47

 

Ward 2

Sam Seifert 435

Mike Rainey 116

Janice Ward 173

 

 

 

TownTalk: Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Taking Place This Saturday

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Infinite Possibilities is sponsoring its third annual walk to raise money to support the groups’s work with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the community is invited to come out and walk the track at Aycock Rec Center on Saturday, Oct. 14 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Vanessa Henderson is an advocate who works with the nonprofit organization, and she said walkers can register ahead of time or on Saturday morning.

Sponsors and donors are donating $1 for each lap walked, so the more walkers on the track on Saturday, the better, Henderson said.

The money goes toward providing the array of services needed to support victims of domestic violence, whether it’s getting help understanding court processes such as protection orders or restraining orders to personal advocacy that may include creating a safety plan to keep individuals and their families safe, Henderson said.

In addition to assisting clients, Henderson said she also goes out into the community to raise awareness about domestic violence and resources available in the community.

The main office is located at 314 Garnett St., and there also is a location in the Vance County Courthouse. Contact 252.425.8805 to reach the courthouse office. There are two locations in Warren County – one near the magistrate’s office and the other in the courthouse. Call 252.257.1044 to reach someone in Warren County.

Henderson said she has been with the organization for about a year, and said she believes the work is paying off. “Other agencies are referring people to us,” she said. After being in the community for more than 10 years, she said, the organization is becoming better known for the services it can provide.

“It’s good to let the community know that this service is here for them,” she said. “I think the word is getting out pretty good,” she said.

 

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TownTalk: Military History Show Taking Place On October 28

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The 8th annual Military History Show will take place at the Henderson-Oxford Airport later this month, and organizer Harry Coombs said he’s looking forward to another successful event during which attendees can see military hardware up close and better understand what men and women of the military may have endured during their time in combat.

Coombs said he expects a bevy of re-enactors to be on hand for the event, which takes place on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There have been re-enactors, in full military gear, from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World Wars I and II, among others, he said on Tuesday’s Town Talk.

“It’s the same every year,” he said, “but it’s different every year,” he added, since he doesn’t always know well ahead of time exactly who is going to show up. Proceeds benefit the Granville County Veterans Affairs Committee. The airport is located at 6514 Airport Rd., just over the Granville/Vance line.

One thing that will return, he said, is the popular silent auction. Items are available for viewing during the event, and high bidders can claim a variety of items and services.

And Total Flight Solutions is back once more to provide helicopter rides – just be prepared to pay the ticket price and wait in line, Coombs said. “It’s always very popular.”

There’s no charge for admission to the event, but there is a donation bucket for anyone inclined to “throw some money into the bucket.”

And any student who may be interested in getting some community service hours is welcome to contact Coombs – there seems always to be a need for parking attendants.

Once parked, individuals can see displays of how camps may have been set up, depending on the era in which the war took place. Tents will be set up, and there will be some equipment on display. Re-enactors are available to answer questions as well.

The yellow Navy bi-plane may be on display again this year, Coombs said. A weapons demonstration will be held – firing blanks – and there could be a couple of heavy artillery pieces as well.

So whether you’re a military history buff or want to learn more about military history, mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 28. It promises to be an entertaining, educational event for the whole family.

To learn more, contact 919.691.7697.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Events At Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library patrons can check out books, sure, but the library offers a wide range of programs and services, not all of which directly involve reading.

Youth Services Director Melody Peters said, for example, that young people can come on each month on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. to learn how to crochet. Yep. Once someone expressed an interest, Peters and staff got busy figuring out how to make the request a reality.

“Someone who’s been doing this for a very long time is sharing” the skill with others, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

There’s a program request bin located just inside the library doors, and Peters said people are filling it with ideas. Want to make a suggestion for a workshop or other idea for programs at the library? Drop a note in the bin, she said.

As Halloween approaches, Peters said she sees an uptick in young people choosing books that have scary or spooky themes. She admits to being more of a Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew mystery gal herself, but she said she’s ordered some new titles that qualify for the horror genre for those adventurous readers.

Recently, a group of youngsters came in near closing time – already in their pj’s – to check out books (maybe for that evening’s bedtime reading). Peters said one of the children requested a particular title that was not available, but all was not lost. Peters said she helped her find another chapter book that was part of a series, so now maybe this young patron has another set of books to enjoy from the library.v

There’s always something to discover at the library. Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn about available programs and services for youth and adults.

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