TownTalk: Communications Tower To Benefit Emergency Responders

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A new communications tower could be in place in another year or so to provide increased coverage – and reliability – for Henderson and Vance County law enforcement agencies and first responders.

It’s been communication of a slightly different sort that has gotten the project this far; city and county leaders had been looking for funding sources to offset the cost of the tower construction and Congressman Don Davis helped secure a $2.175 million grant to fund the project.

The matching grant requires a 25 percent match from the city and the county, but that’s a far cry from the total cost of the project.

This translates into good news for Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale and Police Chief Marcus Barrow, both of whom are optimistic that their officers and the community will benefit from the new tower. Barrow and Twisdale were guests on Wednesday’s TownTalk and talked about the many benefits the tower will provide.

“This should help our coverage within (certain) buildings…and enhance the overall safety for all of our responders,” Twisdale said.

Police officers often respond to fires and assist with traffic control, for example, and fire trucks turn up for things like vehicle accidents, so it’s important for both agencies to have reliable, effective tools to communicate.

The current signal “simply wouldn’t transmit” in certain places, including some buildings. “That made communication a bit of a challenge from the inside to the outside,” he explained. Firefighters have had to resort to “line of sight” communication, which is not ideal.

As Barrow explained, his department joined the State Highway Patrol’s VIPER system in the mid-2000’s, largely because there was a post 9-11 push for increased inter-agency communication.

But, he said, VIPER was designed for and by the Highway Patrol, who don’t usually find themselves inside buildings like firefighters and police officers.

Add to that challenge that Henderson falls into a no-man’s land of sorts – on the outer fringes of coverage from other towers – and communication equipment just doesn’t always perform like it should.

“Putting this in Henderson, or in the outskirts of Henderson, will be great for us,” Barrow said.

Right now, the site is near the North Henderson ballfields and the tower will provide roughly a 100-mile radius. Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill told WIZS News via email that the funding is not expected until the first quarter of 2025, at which time the design and construction would begin.  “The grant is funding 75 percent of the estimated cost,” Spruill said, adding that “the city is proposing to provide the tower site, with the County providing the remaining funds.”

“We want to be able to pick up our equipment, mash a button and it work,” Barrow said, adding that no first responder, law enforcement officer or member of the community deserves any less.

“We don’t have time for it not to work,” he said.

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Franklin County Names New Parks & Rec Director

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Information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James Hicks

Franklin County has selected KP Kilpatrick as its new Parks & Recreation director. Kilpatrick will begin work April 1.

“I can’t wait to get started here in Franklin County to be a part of the great things going on in the Parks & Recreation Department,” Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick has been Athletic Program Specialist for the town of Wake Forest since 2018. Prior to that, Kilpatrick served as Athletic Coordinator for the city of Lexington, Recreation Center director for the city of Thomasville, and an assistant coach at High Point Central High School.  Kilpatrick also served as a police officer for the City of Winston-Salem for five years.

“KP brings a wealth of experience that will benefit Franklin County’s Parks & Recreation department,” Assistant County Manager Will Doerfer said.

Kilpatrick graduated from N.C. A&T State University with a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration and a master’s degree in sport management from Middle Tennessee State University.

Maria Parham CEO Bert Beard Speaker For Chamber’s “State Of Health Care” April 23

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first “state of” session for 2024 on Tuesday, April 23 to discuss local health care.

Guest speaker for the lunchtime event is Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health.

The lunch and learn will begin at 12 noon at Southern Charm Event Center, 200 S. Garnett St.

Beard will share updates on a variety of health care topics and is scheduled to discuss what’s happening locally as well as at the state level with Medicaid expansion and access to health care, among other topics.

Tickets for the lunch and learn session are $30; purchase a table for 8 for $240.

Call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 to learn more or email Tanya Wilson at tanya@hendersonvance.org to reserve your seat by Thursday, April 18.

TownTalk: Kittrell Job Corps Hosting Opportunity Fair

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The Kittrell Job Corps is sponsoring an “Opportunity Fair” for its students and the wider community – it’s part information to learn more about the Job Corps, part sharing information about community partners and part job fair – a variety of business and industry reps will be on hand to talk with prospective employees.

Vernell Milon and Norman Turner were guests on Tuesday’s TownTalk segment and provided details about the event, which will take place Thursday, Mar. 28 on the Job Corps campus, located at 1096 U.S. 1, Kittrell.

Students currently enrolled in the Job Corps will get a chance to visit with the 28 vendors that are scheduled to be on site from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then the event will be opened up to the public from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Center Director Norman Turner has been with Job Corps for 17 years and said the Kittrell location is one of four located in North Carolina. There are 125 locations across the country, Turner noted.

The Job Corps provides education and training for young adults 16-24. Turner said most students complete the program in less than a year, but students can be enrolled up to two years.

“We want to help them recognize opportunities,” Turner said, for jobs, education and building a better life.

As outreach admissions/career transition services director, Milon is always looking for ways to connect students to the programs offered through the Job Corps. The Kittrell location can serve 350 students, but currently have 250 enrolled, “so we’re seeking 100,” she said.

“It’s an honor coming to work every day,” Milon said. “If I can save one person a day, I’ve done my job.”

Turner agreed. “Our jobs are very fulfilling,” he said. “All (students) need is an opportunity to show you what they’re capable of.”

Students can live on campus, but there’s an option to come and go daily while still living at home. Transportation is provided for those who choose this option.

“We are in the best location we can be in,” Turner said. Being along U.S. 1 allows students, staff, community partners and others to get to the location easily. “We’re in a great location.”

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Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Celebrate Small Farms Week Mar. 24-30

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Small farmers from across the state are in the spotlight as N.C. A&T State University celebrates the 38th annual Small Farms Week. This year’s theme is “New Paths to Profits,” and small farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs will be able to take part in a variety of workshops and educational programs, panel discussions and tours at the N.C. A&T University Farm Pavilion in Greensboro as part of the weeklong week paying tribute to small farmers.

On Tuesday, Mar. 26, Small Farms Week will focus on education for small farmers that cover topics ranging from small-scale animal production, plant production, natural resource management and to adapting to climate changes that could bring more droughts, severe storms and intense summer heat.

A goal of Small Farms week is to showcase and support limited-resource, small-scale, part-time, and alternative-enterprise farmers who provide their communities with fresh produce and locally sourced products.

“The agriculture landscape is changing,” stated Fletcher Barber, Ed. D., this year’s chair of Small Farms Week. Barber also is the Extension Service’s small farms recruiter and said in a press statement that consumers are interested in exploring multicultural food traditions and new niche products. “That interest offers opportunities for our farmers,” Barber said.

A highlight of the weeklong activities occurs Wednesday when the 2024 Small Farmer of the Year will be named.

Activities kicked off Monday in Wayne County, home to 2023 Small Farmers of the Year J & J Produce.

Since 2019, sisters Jeannette Martin Horn and Joyce Martin Bowden have grown a wide variety of produce – including green beans, mustard and turnip greens, squash, onions, tomatoes, pecans and their signature field peas – on 100 acres of their Century Farm. The sisters’ ancestor, a soldier in the 135th U.S. Colored Infantry, bought the land after the regiment was “mustered out” in 1865, making their land a Century Farm.

“The Martin sisters are a perfect example of the heart and soul of farming in North Carolina,” said M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D., Extension administrator and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. “Their land has been in the family for more than 150 years, and they not only grow, they give back to their community by hosting groups and encouraging them to learn about agriculture and farming.

“Our 2024 Small Farmer of the Year, whoever that may be, will exemplify these same characteristics that make family farms so important to our agricultural economy,” he added.

Thursday, Mar. 28 and Friday, Mar. 29 will offer more educational sessions and demonstrations, emanating from the university or other organizations within North Carolina that highlight farming best practices, research results or student-led agricultural and environmental activities benefitting small farmers.

“Our goal is to help small farmers make the most of new markets and crops while adopting sustainable practices that protect their land and their ability to adapt as our climate becomes more variable.”

Check here during the week for updates: www.itzy.io/sfw2024

Sheriff Brame: One Person Faces Drug Charges After Mar. 22 Traffic Stop

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— Press release from the office of Vance Sheriff Curtis Brame

On or about the 22nd day of March 2024 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit performed a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of 2868 NC Hwy 39 South, Henderson. The vehicle had multiple traffic violations which violated North Carolina General Statutes.

While conducting the traffic stop, detectives had probable cause to search the vehicle. While the deputies were speaking with two of the three occupants in the vehicle, one individual fled on foot from the deputies. The individual was quickly apprehended and identified as Winfred Victor Brown.

During his apprehension, deputies seized illegal narcotics and also located a weapon believed to have been discarded by Winfred as he fled.

Brown was taken to the Sheriff’s Office to be processed and then taken to the Magistrate’s Office and charged with:

Possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana

Possession with intent to sell and deliver a Schedule II Controlled Substance

Felony possession of marijuana

Carrying a concealed weapon

Resisting a public officer

Brown was also served with several outstanding orders for arrest and with no bond allowed on his pre-trial release.

Sheriff Brame: One Man Arrested In Connection With Mar. 21 Shooting Incident

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— Press release from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On March 21, 2024, Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1300 Walters Street for a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, patrol deputies discovered Napoleon Nicholson with multiple gunshot wounds to his legs. Nicholson was transported to Duke University Hospital for treatment.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division also responded to the scene. James Colby Davis, 40, of Henderson, was located a short time later, taken into custody and charged with assault inflicting serious bodily injury.

Davis was transported to the Vance County Magistrate’s Office and was held without bond for the charge. Davis was scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Mar. 22.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office at 252.738.2200, or Henderson-Vance Crime-Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or through the P3 App.

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TownTalk: Citizens Receive Property Tax Evaluation Notices

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Now that notices have been sent out to Vance County property owners about the revaluation, there are a few things to keep in mind if you don’t agree with the updated figures. Just keep in mind that property owners who appeal the newly revised appraisals can expect one of three determinations from the appeals process: the figure could go down, remain the same, or it could go UP, depending on the evidence that is presented during the appeals process.

Informal appeals will take place first, during which county officials predict that many of the appeals will be settled. A formal appeals process will follow and if an agreement can’t be reached, property owners can appeal to a state review board.

There also are programs that are available to qualified homeowners that could result in a lower tax bill. One program is for the elderly or disabled homeowner and one is for disabled veterans.

Visit www.vancecounty.org, click on the Departments tab at the top and select Tax Administration Office. Details about the appeals process is located here, as well as information about the property tax relief programs.

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