TownTalk: Business Spotlight – Ballet Arts

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Since 1991, Ballet Arts has provided instruction to thousands of young people to learn about different genres of dance and experience the beauty of an art form that teaches life lessons in addition to dance moves.

In Wednesday’s Business Spotlight, Phil LaKernick said registration is now underway for the upcoming season of dance, which includes everything from traditional ballet and pointe to tap, hiphop, floor gymnastics and more.

Ballet Arts more or less follows the school year, offering in excess of 100 classes each week to children as young as 2 1/2, LaKernick said.

“Right now is crunch time,” LaKernick said, referring to registration in advance of a Sept. 2 start date.

Find details about class schedules, pricing and more at https://www.balletartsnc.com/.

LaKernick said that students learn so much more than just dance steps when they take classes – they also learn about dedication, precision, friendship and the responsibility of being part of a team.

Another component of Ballet Arts involves competitions – The Ballet Arts “All Stars” Company is a group of dancers between the ages of 7 and 18 who audition for a spot in the coveted group.

In more than 30 years of offering dance classes, LaKernick said Ballet Arts now has children and grandchildren of those original students back in the early 1990’s.

“It’s really good, because the people that have come to us have stuck with us,” he said.

“I wish more people would come out and do it,” he added. “It’s a learning experience…the dedication and camaraderie that is part of the whole package.”

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Home and Garden Show

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

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am to 1pm. Today they have tomatoes, snapbeans, beets, cabbages, yellow squash, zucchini squash, red irish potatoes, cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, peaches, and canned items.
  • There will be a Fall Vegetable Garden Class on September 2nd, 2025 starting at 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Check the garden for flooded rows. Open ends of rows to let excess water out.
  • Collect soil samples as soon as soil dries out.
  • Freeze or can your fruits and vegetables now enjoy them this winter.
  • Engrave all garden equipment with your name, address, phone number, also take pictures of equipment and serial numbers for insurance purposes.
  • Know what to plant in your garden and get a copy of the central piedmont planting guide.
  • After planning your fall garden, start finding sources of seed and transplants.
  • Pickup any fallen fruit from your fruit trees to lessen disease problems in the future.
  • If you plan to renovate your fescue lawn in September, purchase your seeds now.
  • Carolina lawns is the best publication for having a good lawn.
  • Start ordering your fall planting bulbs now.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Ellis Boyle Sworn In As U.S. Attorney For The Eastern District Of NC

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W. Ellis Boyle has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The oath was administered by his father, U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle at the Terry Sanford Courthouse in Raleigh. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Boyle as the interim U.S. attorney on Aug. 7, 2025.

According to a press release issued Monday, Aug. 11, Boyle becomes the lead federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which includes the 44 easternmost counties of North Carolina.

He oversees a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking and violent crime.  The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

Before becoming the U.S. attorney, Boyle practiced law at Ward and Smith, P.A., where he practiced litigation, representing businesses, government entities, and individuals in complex matters. He also served as general counsel and deputy secretary at the N.C. Department of Public Safety, which employs over 27,000 people. The department oversees the state’s prison and probation/parole systems, the State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, the National Guard and the juvenile justice system.

Prior to his role at DPS, Boyle was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina for two years. During his time in the Civil Division, he tried many cases in federal court. He gained extensive experience representing the United States in cases involving negligence and medical malpractice claims for personal injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as well as in bankruptcy cases.

Before serving as an AUSA, Boyle was an associate in the business litigation practice group of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, where he primarily represented companies in matters related to business disputes and dissolution.

Born and raised in Edenton, Boyle earned a degree in history from Davidson College. After graduating, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the U.S. Army where he served as an infantry officer for four years, eventually rising to the rank of captain. Following his time in the Army, Ellis earned a law degree from Wake Forest University Law School. After graduating, he spent a year as a law clerk for the Hon. Claude Hilton, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Chamber Members, Join The Aug. 19 “Cheer Line” To Welcome School Staffs To Convocation Kick-Off At McGregor Hall

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce invites Chamber members to turn out on Tuesday, Aug. 19 to help welcome back teachers and staff at the Vance County Schools Convocation Kick-Off at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.

Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson says to be in place by 8 a.m. with pompoms, company signs and your business mascot to “show loud hometown spirit” in support of educators as they embark on another school year.

Buses will begin dropping off teachers between 8:15 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. It’d be great to have them walk through a cheer line of local business leaders and other community-minded citizens as they enter McGregor Hall to begin the convocation!

SportsTalk: Major League Standings and Preseason AP Poll comes out

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

Scout Hughes and Steve Lewis give an updated look at the playoff picture in Major League Baseball. The guys also give a rundown of the new AP Top 25 Poll for College Football that was released on Monday.

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The Local Skinny! Henderson City Manager/City Attorney Hassan Kingsberry Resigns

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Henderson City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry tendered his resignation Monday.

Kingsberry has held the dual roles of city manager and city attorney for less than a year.

About 10 minutes into Monday’s regular monthly City Council meeting, Kingsberry distributed sheets of paper to members of the Council and to Mayor Melissa Elliott.

Kingsberry shared the contents of the letter to WIZS Monday night.

Following is the text Kingsberry sent:

August 11th, 2025

This letter is written to inform you of my resignation from the positions for City Manager and City Attorney.  One contract requires 30 days notice and the other requires a month.  For the sake of peace for myself and my family and for the City, this is the best decision.  I’ve shared with you my issues with the Mayor and you’ve seen them unfold publicly so I encourage you to protect staff and abide by the Charter.  I will remain available for any investigation on my actions for I have not done anything wrong.  Thank you for this opportunity.  God bless the City of Henderson.  

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: What’s Happening in the Sky

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

This week’s show is focused on observations of what’s happening in the sky above us. It ends with a reminder of the Great Southeast pollinator census on August 22nd and 23rd.

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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Warren County Soil And Water Conservation District Cost Share Programs Open

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The Warren Soil and Water Conservation District is taking applications for the N.C. Ag Cost Share Programs’ 2026 program year (Fall ‘25- Spring ‘26) to assist landowners and producers who have water quality and water quantity issues on agricultural lands.  This cost share assistance is available for the installation of approved best management practices. Agricultural landowners and producers should stop by the office located at 820 U.S. Highway 158 Business West, Suite 102, or call 252.257.4141, ext. 3 to discuss their water quality and water quantity concerns.  There is no charge for this service, and the staff will gladly answer your questions and assist you.