TownTalk: Economic Impact Of Vance County Tourism

/by

The duo that IS Vance County Tourism – Pam Hester and Norman Dickerson – are still riding high after another successful car show in downtown Henderson, but they’re not spending too much time looking in the rear-view mirror. They’ve got some other fish to fry, figuratively speaking.

That’d be the gigantic catfish, that 8-foot, 11-inch 750-pound behemoth that became the newest addition to last year’s New Year’s Eve activities at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake.

He’s also set to make a pre-NYE appearance at the upcoming Christmas parade on Dec. 6, said Hester.  Look for him on a Fred’s Towing vehicle.

“Fred’s is a huge community supporter,” Hester said on Wednesday’s TownTalk segment. The Foggs and the late Charles Bowman were among the small army of folks who adorned the giant fish with lights just days before it made its debut to usher in 2025.

Those volunteers, Dickerson said, are invaluable to the events that are planned and carried out each year in Vance County. Take putting the light on that catfish, for example. Stringing lights on that giant fish was no small task, but volunteers never let Hester and Dickerson down – they’re always ready to help.

The community showed up for the inaugural Catfish Drop, and this year, Hester said, she hopes it’ll be even bigger and better.

The fish drops a few hours earlier than midnight – at 7 p.m. – which gives families a chance to enjoy an afternoon filled with activities, vendors, music and food.

The Mike Davis Experience will perform, bringing his one-man show to Satterwhite Point.

“It’s just going to be an afternoon, early evening event of fun for everybody,” Hester said.

Kerr Lake is just one of the “jewels” in Vance County that Hester and Dickerson promote.

Another “jewel” is McGregor Hall, which brings folks from all over to attend plays, performances and competitions throughout the year.

According to state statistics from 2023, tourism spending in Vance County totaled about $70 million.

Whether it’s attending a car show, participating in a fishing tournament or dance competition, people are coming into Vance County and spending money. “Just think of what we could do if we had the capability of housing more events,” Hester said.

Hotels and motels generate occupancy tax revenues – to the tune of more than $500,000.

“Just think of what we could do if we had more hotels,” Hester mused. “We’ve got everything it takes to blow this county out of the water.”

A single fisherman who comes into town for a fishing tournament spends an average of $189, Hester said. Now imagine what a McGregor Hall dance competition involves: one young dancer translates into a family and friends who attend the competition will spend money on food, lodging, gas and the practically obligatory trip to Walmart.

CLICK PLAY!

Vance County Arts Council Presents ‘Tidings Of Comfort And Joy’ At McGregor Hall Nov. 29

/by

Get into the Christmas spirit on Saturday, Nov. 29 at “Tidings of Comfort and Joy,” a free event for the community sponsored by the Vance County Arts Council.

Join family and friends at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, 200 Breckenridge St., sit back and enjoy performances by more than a half dozen soloists and groups of musicians and dancers.

The doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the show begins at 4 p.m.

Performers include:

  • Arianna Long
  • Clearview Church Praise Team
  • Davida Lewis
  • Evelyn C. Couch
  • St. Mary’s Praise Dancers
  • Sequoia Epps
  • The Royal Holiday Pageant
  • The Brotherhood
  • Jimmy and the Sound Barriers
  • Tia “Catillia” Cheek
  • Eugene Taylor & Jimmy Williamson

Visit https://vanceartscouncil.com/ to learn how to become a sponsor for this event.

Warren County Senior Center Sponsoring Shopping Trips

/by

The Warren County Senior Center is hosting a couple of shopping trip to Hamrick’s – one on Monday, Dec. 8 and a second on Thursday, Dec. 11.

This outing offers the local senior community a great opportunity to shop, socialize and enjoy a relaxed morning of community connections – without having to drive themselves!

The group will leave the Warren County Senior Center at 9 a.m. and return by 1 p.m. Transportation will be provided by the center, and staff will be available to assist participants as needed throughout the trip.

Early sign-up is encouraged to guarantee a seat as seating is limited to only 12 participants on each trip. To register or learn more about upcoming events, please contact Aquayla Lynch, Senior Center Activity at 252.257.3111.

TownTalk: Fall in Full Swing with Granville County Tourism

/by

Granville County is squeezing a lot into an already-busy time of year, but Granville Tourism Authority Director Angela Allen encourages the community to jump in and embrace the seasons – you can walk, trot, run, eat, shop, march and drive your way through the various programs and events that will take place in the next few weeks as the holidays approach.

Downtown Oxford retailers are preparing for Christmas with a Holiday Open House Saturday, Nov. 15. You’ll see festive storefronts dotting the downtown district, who want to entice folks to shop local this season.

“Here in Granville County, we’re welcoming the season,” Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

Get all the tastes of Thanksgiving a week early at Thorndale Oaks on Nov. 18. Make reservations by calling 919.603.3701. The cost is $32.95 for adults and $19.95 for children.

The City of Oxford has refurbished its auditorium and rebranded it the OX Theater. Located within the municipal building at 300 Williamsboro St., the theater will host Shana Tucker on Thursday, Nov. 20 for “An Evening of Sade,” The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tucker is a cellist and a vocalist and, along with a band and backup singers, will entertain the audience with the smooth, sultry sounds of the singer popular in the mid-1980’s and 1990’s.

Burn some calories in advance of that Thanksgiving meal with the 20th annual Turkey Trot to benefit Area Congregations in Ministry, the local food bank. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. event, which sends walkers and runners along a 2-mile path from Oxford United Methodist Church down College Street to the Masonic Home for Children and back.

Four cans of food or a monetary donation to ACIM gets you in – make plans to join in the fun to support the food bank mission of feeding hungry people in Granville County.

Once Thanksgiving is in the rear-view mirror, it’s full-steam ahead to all things Christmas, and Allen reeled off an impressive list of events that begin before all the leftovers are gone.

“I’m excited for the holiday season,” Allen said, “because that’s when I feel our community really sines and comes together – we’re creating community and memories.”

Find out all the details at https://visitgranvillenc.com/, but here’s a partial list of what’s happening in Granville County:

  • Granville Christmas Farm – opens Friday, Nov. 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get tickets at https://www.granvillechristmasfarm.com/. The farm will open daily the week before Christmas through New Year’s Eve.
  • Corn Hill Farm – a local tree farm that will have a special Christmas Connection on Friday, Nov. 28, complete with arts and crafts for the kids, vendors, food and Santa from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit https://cornhillfarms.com/
  • Back to the OX Theater for Celtic Angels on Dec. 1. The show starts at 7 p.m. Then it’s Nashville Noel on Dec. 14. Visit https://www.oxfordnc.org/ to purchase tickets.
  • The Lighting of the Greens and Parade in Oxford is Friday, Dec. 5 beginning at 4 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m. The City of Oxford also will have its tree lighting on Dec. 5.
  • Parade season continues with parades in Creedmoor and Butner on Saturday, Dec. 6 – Creedmoor in the morning and Butner in the afternoon.
  • Christmas Buffet Dinner at Thorndale Oaks on Saturday, Dec. 6. It’s a full buffet, $58.95 Children 12 and under: $24.95 Children 5 and under are free. Call 919.603.3701 or 919.725.5201 to reserve your table.

CLICK PLAY!

Henderson City Council Will Get $5K Refund From Law Firm That Conducted Investigation Following Working Conditions Survey

/by

The law firm that conducted an investigation of results from a working conditions survey of city employees and Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott has apologized for tardiness in producing the report and said it will refund the city’s payment of $5,208.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Henderson City Council on Monday, Council Member Tami Walker read the short statement from the Brough Law Firm, LLC, which follows in its entirety:

“We sincerely apologize for the delay in producing the report and have discussed the matter with the attorney. We agree that the report should have been provided to you already as work on the investigation has been completed. The attorney’s final report will be given to you by 11-6-25.

The city will not be charged for the investigation and the report. Also, we will provide the city a full refund of the fees charged to date for the investigation and report. The attached client ledger shows that the city has been billed a total of $5,828. The city has paid us $5,208 all of which will be refunded to you. The remaining $620 will be written off.”

Walker’s remarks came after Elliott read a letter aloud that she addressed to the Council:

It read:

“Dear members of the Council:

I want to formally acknowledge receipt of the investigative report conducted by the attorney Brough Law Firm, which was commissioned to review allegations made by various individuals concerning my role as mayor of Henderson.

I have fully cooperated with the investigation and supported a transparent process from the outset, as I believe deeply in accountability and ethical governance. After a careful review of the findings, it is clear that there is no criminal conduct, no ethical violations, and no substantiated wrongdoing found.

The report instead reflects on a collection of unverified statements, opinions and hearsay, primarily originated from individuals with different political or personal perspectives. Such narratives, while concerning, do not constitute credible evidence.

It is important to underscore that no legal or policy breach was identified. I have always upheld the highest standard of public service and work diligently to improve our city’s operations, community programs and partnerships.

I will continue to do so with transparency, fairness and the best interests of our residents at heart. I recognize that leadership can invite scrutiny, lots of scrutiny in my case, and I welcome any process that strengthens trust between our government and the citizens we serve.

However, it is equally vital that future actions and reports be guided by facts rather than conjecture.

Henderson’s residents deserve governance based on integrity and truth, not unfounded allegations.

In my closing, I remain steadfast in my commitment to serve all citizens of Henderson, with honesty, humility and dedication.

I look forward to continuing work collaboratively with the council to advance our shared mission of building a stronger, safer and more unified community.”

Click Play!

Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Asian Lady Beetles

/by

Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Today we examine Asian Lady beetles and how to prevent them from coming inside.

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

Click Play!

Salvation Army Kettle Bell

Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Kicks Off Friday, Nov. 14

/by

The Henderson Salvation Army 2025 Kettle Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, November 14th at 10 a.m., taking place at Belk again this year.

Henderson Salvation Army Majors Jonathan and Staci Gainey will be participating in their first Red Kettle Drive here locally since taking over back in June.

Alongside the iconic Salvation Army symbol of giving, the bell ringers invite shoppers to donate during the holiday season to help provide food and gifts to seniors and children across Vance County and the surrounding counties it serves.

 This event is also a ribbon cutting event for the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.  At last year’s event, then chair of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce board, Margier White said the kettles ignite a spirit of generosity in our community. She said, “Each bell that rings this season (is) not just signalling a donation,” it’s a connection that we make with people who are in need.

Henderson Police Make Arrest In Church Break-In

/by

Press release from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

On November 9, 2025, at approximately 8:20 p.m., officers of the Henderson Police Department responded to West End Baptist Church, located at 619 Dabney Dr., in reference to an alarm activation.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a broken window and observed a suspect inside the building. The individual, identified as Derrick Ricks, age 34, was taken into custody without incident. Ricks sustained minor injuries during his forced entry and was transported to a local medical facility for treatment.

Following his release from medical care, Ricks was taken before a magistrate where he was charged accordingly. He received a $30,000 secured bond and was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center.