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.

The Local Skinny! Municipal Elections, Ward 2 At Large

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Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 2 at-large seat. Lamont Noel, the incumbent, and challenger George Mayo responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.

Lamont Noel

1. What prompted you to run for local office?

My family’s encounter with insufficient ordinances or the lack thereof in my neighborhood inspired me to become involved in our city’s governance. Advocating for my sons under circumstances that felt discriminatory pushed me to ask our leadership questions about the fairness of law enforcement pulling over kids in my neighborhood.  With the help of our city’s chief of police, I successfully wrote an ordinance that could be enforced for all people driving a golf cart throughout our city’s neighborhoods. This experience made me think about all those people without an advocate, those who probably felt like they would not be heard. So, I decided to run for a local office for the people, not the position. 

2. What’s your platform? 

My platform is based on my principles about treating people with respect about their concerns and doing my very best to address them. I am an approachable listener, and I don’t make promises that I cannot keep. The citizens deserve leadership that will put our communities above any personal differences. I am only one of eight council members, but I stand in the gap for many who want affordable housing options, cleaner neighborhoods, better streets, and safer living environments.

3. State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.

The top three that have been consistently brought to our mayor and city council are 1) crime reduction, 2) cleaning up the city, and 3) affordable housing.

I will continue to work with the council members to secure resources that will address factors such as poverty and drug abuse, which feed our 68.79 crime rate.  While I voted to increase the average salary for our city police so we could hire and retain qualified officers, I recognize that law enforcement presence is not the solution.  It will require a concerted effort to bring more job opportunities to our city and make sure we prepare potential employees for those positions through our educational system. But it will also require us to hold each other accountable for our own neighborhood safety concerns. If you see something, say something.

Regarding cleaning up the city, I have proposed to the council something as affordable and commonsense as employing a small staff of people to drive around our neighborhoods and pick up trash in coordination with our city sanitation department. This “two-men-and-a-truck” concept would be a full-time anti-litter campaign effort until we get a handle on the current condition. It may seem impossible with the number of complaints we receive, but we must start somewhere. This brings me back to my comment about the importance of citizenship accountability.  All of us must take ownership and pride in our homes and neighborhoods, whether we live in the country club or a housing authority neighborhood. We must all work together to clean up and maintain our surroundings, and then hold others accountable for doing the same.

Lastly, affordable housing is possible as a part of a larger economic development plan. For example, I propose offering developers incentives, such as tax reliefs and reduced purchase prices, for some of our city’s vacant lots to build affordable housing in communities that need revitalization.

4. What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be? 

First, let me state that I believe in Henderson and its potential. We have a prime location, situated off the interstate and a major US highway, which should attract visitors and future residents. We can build upon our existing economic foundation by partnering with our adjoining cities and counties to encourage business growth—my ideas and plans to help our city focus on the importance of economic development, beginning with helping our small business owners and making Henderson more appealing to new and larger businesses.

5. Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council. 

As the owner of a small business, I bring my professional work ethic and commitment to running the city’s business affairs effectively. 

6. How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected, what are your short-term goals? Long-term goals? 

We must work together to end the chaos and confusion that plagues our city council meetings. We have a lot of work to do to restore confidence in our elected leaders, who are there to take care of our city and citizens. I will continue to make decisions based on the best interests of all citizens and encourage my fellow council members to join me without divisive arguments or personal attacks. Our citizens deserve better, and I will continue to strive to earn the privilege of serving them and not the position.

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George Mayo

My name is George Mayo, I’m 26 years old, and I am proud to be the youngest male candidate to ever run for City Council here in Henderson.

I am running for council because I believe it’s time for a major change in our city. I believe our community deserves someone with “NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND FOR CERTAIN—LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST.” It’s about time someone young, like myself, with fresh, new ideas steps up to serve both our city and our citizens.

Let me be clear:

“I AM ABOUT MY BUSINESS. I WILL FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. I AM A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.”

I promise you—I will always be here to serve our citizens and address some major issues in our city. These include:

• Proposing affordable property taxes for our residents

• Strengthening public safety, so that our police and first responders can serve and protect the City of Henderson the way it should be

• Expanding programs that support our citizens—especially our young people—by providing opportunities for them to grow, learn, and succeed

Our elders have paved the way for us, and now it’s time for our generation to step up and take life more seriously.

Although I do not currently own a home, and I’ve lived in Ward 2 for just under 10 years, I have personally witnessed many of our citizens struggle—and in some cases, lose their homes—simply because they couldn’t afford the rising cost of property taxes. That should never happen.

Let me be very clear:

No one—Black, White, Purple, Pink, Brown, or Blue—deserves to live in fear of losing their home due to unaffordable property taxes.

The solutions I plan to propose include:

• Mentorship programs

• Skill-building workshops

• Community engagement initiatives

• And most importantly—being a positive role model for our youth, showing them that they can be anything they put their minds to

Gun violence, drugs, and the streets are not the only path. You don’t have to fall back on those things to “look like somebody.”

To strengthen our public safety, I propose:

• Community Violence Intervention – by treating violence like a public health issue

• Invest in our citizens – engage more with the people, and build relationships

• Show our community that law enforcement can be a safe space, not just a force that pulls people over or makes arrests

I hope I have said something today that will earn your vote—whether it’s during early voting or on Election Day.

Early Voting is from September 18 – October 4, and Election Day is October 7th.

Thank you, and may we move forward with NEW VISIONS, NEW DIRECTIONS, AND LEADERSHIP THAT YOU CAN TRUST!

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Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Football Week 5 Recap

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Scout Hughes and Doc Ayscue recap Vance County’s football game against Northeastern last Friday. The guys also talk about other games that happened in high school, college and the NFL.

High School Scores for Week 5:

  • Northeastern 40 Vance County 8
  • Franklinton 35 Riverside Durham 7
  • Hillside Durham 20 Wake Forest 7
  • Holly Springs 23 Heritage 7
  • Knightdale 38 South Granville 35
  • Cary 38 East Wake 20
  • Warren County 28 Nash Central 8
  • Louisburg 23 Beddingfield 18
  • Wake Prep 48 North Edgecombe 0
  • Greensville County (VA) 14 Mecklenburg County (VA) 13

College Scores for Week 4:

  • Central Florida 34 North Carolina 9
  • Duke 45 NC State 33
  • Virginia 48 Stanford 20
  • Virginia Tech 38 Wofford 6
  • BYU 34 East Carolina 13
  • Rice 28 Charlotte 17
  • NC Central 62 NC A&T 20
  • Louisburg College 27 Sussex County CC 9

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Operation Resilience – A Coordinated Enforcement Operation in Henderson

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Press Conference Audio

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Update 9-20-25 at 10 a.m.

With the Henderson Police Station as a backdrop, representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies announced Friday the arrests of five individuals on federal charges ranging from drugs violations to possession of firearms.

Operation Resilience cast a wide net over the course of the past couple of days, and District Attorney Mike Waters commended all those gathered for the press conference on Friday afternoon.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Ellis Boyle echoed the sentiments, highlighting the work of the ATF. “You made the evidence, you gave us the cases and we are committed to prosecuting them in federal court,” Boyle said during remarks at the press conference.

According to information provided by the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, the following individuals were charged as a result of Operation Resilience:

  • Qwmaine Raekwon Knott of Henderson, 29, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.
  • Andre Khan of Henderson, 30, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.
  • Terrance Hargrove of Henderson, 47, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.
  • Keith Bagley of Oxford, 46, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
  • Shamar Evans of Oxford, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years and up to 35 years in prison.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said, “This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration among law enforcement agencies with diverse areas of expertise. Extensive preparation was devoted to its planning and execution, and the success achieved reflects the strength of federal, state, and local agencies working in unison. As the Chief of Henderson, I am proud of our relationship with each of these agencies and look forward to more proactive projects in the near future.”

Barrow provided a comprehensive list of arrests and charges to WIZS News following the press conference. Not included in the information below, however is information from the N.C. State Highway Patrol or the Alcohol Law Enforcement agency. Barrow said he expects to have that information soon.

Arrests and Charges

– Felony Arrests: 8 individuals arrested on 26 charges
– Misdemeanor Arrests: 9 individuals arrested on 14 charges
– Charges from Citations: 24

Federal Indictments

– Subjects Taken into Custody: 5 detainees on 10 charges

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction

Probation/Parole Enforcement

– Felony Absconders: 3 arrests
– Misdemeanor Absconders: 2 arrests
– Felony Probation Violations: 5 arrests
– Misdemeanor Probation Violations: 1 arrest

Seizures and Evidence

– Search Warrants Obtained and Served: 4
– Firearms Seized: 4 with 1 being stolen
– Controlled Substances Seized:
– Cocaine: 159.45 grams
– Heroin: 100 dosage units
– Marijuana: 62 grams
– MDMA: 3 grams
– Methamphetamine: 2 grams

Henderson Police Capt. Ferguson said the operation – a month or more in the making – was the result of the police department and Adult Corrections putting together a list of absconders from parole and repeat offenders.

N.C. Secretary for the Department of Adult Correction Leslie Dismukes said 29 probation officers participated in the operation, which netted the arrest of five absconders and eight others for a total of 19 felony charges, six misdemeanor charges and confiscation of two firearms.

“Safe communities is the number one priority of Adult Corrections,” Dismukes said during the press conference. Dismukes also thanked Vance County District Attorney’s Office for the partnership of the department’s ongoing efforts to reduce crime and ensure compliance among those it supervises.

The primary objective of the operation was to perform warrantless searches of supervised offenders and their residences while apprehending individuals with active arrest warrants related to probation or post-release supervision violations.

The searches were conducted Thursday, Sept. 18 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Participating in the operation were probation officers from the N.C. Dept. of Adult Correction, officers from Henderson Police Department, deputies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office,  federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), state agents from N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and troopers from the N.C. State Highway Patrol. Prosecutions are being handled by the Vance County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

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Click Play for 9-22-25 TownTalk Update!

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Update 9-19-25 at 3:51 p.m. courtesy of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of NC Ellis Boyle
Five Defendants Charged Federally, More Than 30 State Warrants Executed in Henderson Crime Suppression Effort

 

Today, U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle, along with federal and local law enforcement, announced that five individuals have been charged in separate federal cases as part of a coordinated enforcement operation. In addition to the federal charges, more than 30 state warrants were executed in the Henderson area. The operation targeted violent offenders, drug traffickers, and absconders, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to protecting communities destabilized by violent crime and drug activity.

“These charges and arrests show that law enforcement will not stand idly by while violent offenders and absconders fuel instability in Henderson,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This surge reflects the strength of our local, state, and federal partnerships, and we remain committed to supporting Henderson and Vance County in this united fight against crime. If you commit a federal crime, you can expect to spend a lot of prison time.”

“The FBI is committing resources to support our law enforcement partners across North Carolina every day. The FBI Raleigh Durham Safe Streets Task Force is honored to have assisted the Henderson Police Department in this important fugitive roundup. When we work together to address and mitigate violent crime, the American people win and the Justice system can take the next step to hold offenders convicted in court, accountable,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.

“Enforcement operations like this demonstrate the importance of collaboration,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Through partnerships and a commitment to public safety, we’re finding and apprehending those individuals that pose the greatest threats to our communities.”

“Violent offenders threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods, and this operation shows the strength of coordinated law enforcement at every level,” said U.S. Marshal Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., of the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The U.S. Marshals Service remains committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to ensure fugitives are apprehended and communities across Henderson and Vance County are safer as a result of these efforts.”

“This operation is a result of planning, intelligence sharing, and collaboration. It sends a clear message that criminal activity has no place in our neighborhoods, and we will use every resource available to uphold the safety and integrity of our communities,” said Commander of the State Highway Patrol, Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr. “But our work does not stop with arrests, it continues with prevention, community outreach, and making sure that our enforcement efforts are matched by support for the families and neighborhoods most affected by crime.”

“On behalf of the SBI and our hard-working agents, we are extremely proud to join forces with our local, state, and federal partners to arrest probationers and absconders in Vance County to reduce crime and keep citizens safe. We are committed to assisting our sheriffs, chiefs, and U.S. Attorneys with the ongoing effort to get drugs off the street and put violent offenders in jail. Without the strong partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, the success of this type of operation would not be possible,” said the North Carolina SBI Director Chip Hawley.

“Successful collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners is essential to strengthening our communities and making North Carolina safer for everyone,” said ALE Director Bryan House. “I’m grateful for the strong relationships we’ve built that make operations like this possible.”

“This operation is an excellent example of how effective law enforcement collaboration can be in improving safety in our communities,” said Leslie Cooley Dismukes, Secretary for the Department of Adult Correction. “I’d like to thank all our law enforcement and prosecution partners for their ongoing assistance to reduce crime and ensure compliance among those we supervise.”

“This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration among law enforcement agencies with diverse areas of expertise. Extensive preparation was devoted to its planning and execution, and the success achieved reflects the strength of federal, state, and local agencies working in unison. As the Chief of Henderson, I am proud of our relationship with each of these agencies and look forward to more proactive projects in the near future,” said Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

Participating agencies included the FBI, the ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina SBI, the North Carolina ALE, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, District Attorney Mike Waters, the Henderson Police Department, the Oxford Police Department, and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement divided the effort into three arrest teams and three search teams, conducting approximately 30 absconder warrant services and 40 warrantless searches. Together, the teams executed coordinated arrests and searches aimed at reducing violent crime and holding fugitives accountable. According to court documents, the following five individuals, all from the Henderson area, were arrested on federal charges as part of the recent enforcement effort:

• Qwmaine Raekwon Knott of Henderson, 29, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.

• Andre Khan of Henderson, 30, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.

• Terrance Hargrove of Henderson, 47, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.

• Keith Bagley of Oxford, 46, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.

• Shamar Evans of Oxford, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years and up to 35 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Loeser, Jaren Kelly, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Becker are prosecuting the cases.

These federal cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

A copy of this press release is located on our website.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Harvesting & Preserving Herbs

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Herbs can easily be preserved by freezing.

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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SportsTalk: Vipers face off against Northeastern for Friday Matchup

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Northeastern 40

Vance County 8

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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The Vance County Vipers are on the road Friday to face the Northeastern High School Eagles in Elizabeth City.

Vipers Head Coach Aaron Elliott said he and Northeastern Head Coach Antonio Moore have known each other for awhile, and he expects a good matchup.

The 1-3 Vipers, however, are right where Elliott wants them to be as they get ready for conference play.

In preparing for the Eagles, Elliott said this week’s practice has been good. “We’ve had another good week. I really feel like the kids have bought in,” he said. Using data and statistics from the first four games, Elliott and the coaching staff have shown the players how they’ve improved week over week.

“They want to get better, so that’s a positive,” Elliott said.

In last week’s game against Rocky Mount, Elliott said he saw definite improvement. The Vipers had their biggest game on offense so far – a “plus” in the coach’s view, thanks in part to an improved passing game.

“We knew that we had a passing game, we just were waiting for the right time for it to click, Elliott said.

The Vipers’ coaching staff is keen to keep everybody healthy come conference time, and Friday’s game with Northeastern is the last non-conference matchup before the conference games kick in.

If the Vipers can get a couple of stops and get its offense rolling, Elliott said he thinks things will go well Friday.

The Eagles’ quarterback is a real weapon for the Eagles to be aware of. “After Week 4, he’s still the number one quarterback in the state as far as passing,” Elliott said. “They throw the ball real well, so we’ve worked on being able to cover and work on our defensive coverage.” They’ll run when they have to, but ultimately “they like to throw the football and take advantage of what you give them.”

With four games under their belts, the Vipers need to play four quarters of football to put some games in the W column. Elliott said they played a good first half against Rocky Mount but couldn’t keep the momentum going after halftime.

But Elliott isn’t fazed by his team’s record. “We set up this schedule to be tested,” Elliott said. “Getting tested before conference play is important to us. I’ve been telling my guys, we won’t face another team as good as Jordan. We’ve seen the best of the best.”

 

Vance County travels to Northeastern High School for Week 5 of the 2025 season on Friday, September 19th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

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Granville County Crime Stoppers Establishes Scholarship For VGCC Criminal Justice Students

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–       Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation (VGCCF) is proud to announce the establishment of a new academic achievement scholarship for Criminal Justice students, made possible by a generous $10,000 donation from Granville County Crime Stoppers.

The newly created Granville County Crime Stoppers Criminal Justice Academic Achievement Scholarship will support and encourage students pursuing careers in criminal justice. This contribution reflects Crime Stoppers’ ongoing commitment to crime prevention and community development through education.

“We are deeply grateful to Granville County Crime Stoppers for investing in the future of our students and our community,” said VGCC Foundation Executive Director Tanya Weary. “This scholarship will help remove financial barriers and empower students who are passionate about making a positive impact through criminal justice.”

The scholarship is available to qualified students currently enrolled in VGCC’s Criminal Justice Technology program who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to public service. Interested students may apply now at vgcc.academicworks.com.

 

Granville County Crime Stoppers continues to be a vital partner in making our community a safer place to live and work. This scholarship further strengthens their mission by supporting the next generation of criminal justice professionals.

 

For more information about The VGCC Foundation, contact 252.738.3264 or foundation@vgcc.edu.

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