Maria Parham Feb. 27 Lunch And Learn Focuses On Heart Health

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Maria Parham Health Hosts is kicking off the 2025 Lunch and Learn series this month with a focus on heart health.

February is Heart Health month and on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 12 noon, two interventional cardiologists are scheduled to present information with a focus on prevention, early detection and cardiac care.

Dr. Araba Ofosu-Somuah, who will discuss heart and vascular disease with a specific focus on the unique needs of women’s cardiac care. Dr. Benjamin Dao, who will share essential insights on heart and vascular disease,  as well as emphasizing prevention and early detection.

This free event is open to all community residents, and a complimentary lunch will be provided.  Seating is limited, so online registration is required. Secure your spot by visiting MariaParham.com/event/62 today.

For more information or to register, please contact Donna Young, Marketing & Communication coordinator, at 252.436.1408.

 

NC State Board of Elections

North Carolina’s Karen Brinson Bell Elected To Lead Nation’s Elections Directors In 2026

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North Carolina’s executive director of the State Board of Elections is set to be the 2026 president of the national association of state elections board directors.

Karen Brinson Bell recently was elected incoming president of the National Association of State Election Directors and was sworn in during the NASED conference in Washington, D.C. Bell was the organization’s vice president in 2024.

“Through this role on the NASED board, I interact routinely with election officials from across the United States as we learn from each other and improve elections,” Brinson Bell said. “I am proud of the work NASED does to help all election administrators succeed in making voting accessible, secure, and fair across the country.”

Kansas State Elections Director Bryan Caskey is serving as NASED president for 2025.

Other NASED officers for 2025-26 are: Mark Goins of Tennessee, vice president; Jonathan Brater of Michigan, treasurer; Monica Evans, District of Columbia, secretary; Mandy Vigil of New Mexico, immediate past president.

Brinson Bell has served as executive director of the State Board of Elections since June 2019. She has worked in elections administration since 2006 in county, state, and national roles. As North Carolina’s chief elections official, Brinson Bell leads about 65 employees at the state agency. The State Board administers elections and oversees campaign finance compliance. It also provides guidance on election laws and procedures to the 100 county boards of elections in North Carolina.

NASED is a nonpartisan professional organization made up of state election directors. It promotes accessible, accurate, and transparent elections in the 50 states and U.S. territories. NASED members meet twice a year to discuss the latest developments in election administration and learn from other states and experts about best practices in elections.

Chamber Spotlight: Sunrock Industries, Inc.

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– This post sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Representatives of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce visited Chamber Member Sunrock Industries, Inc. last week to recognize the company with a well-deserved Member Spotlight honor.

The company, with headquarters in Raleigh, recently celebrated 75 years in business and have been located in North Carolina for 40 years. This family-owned business is a leading supplier of construction materials.

As a vertically integrated company, they produce aggregates, hot mix asphalt, ready mixed concrete materials and provide a variety of contracting services.

For more information about the services and products they provide, call Sunrock at 919.747.6400.

During the recent visit by Chamber representatives, owner Bryan Pfohl offered a history on the company over the years and shared details about the many processes and applications for their products.

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson, along with Board Chair Scott Burwell, board member Beth Townsend and Vanessa Jones, director of Programs, joined Pfohl and Sunrock President Mike Nolan, COO Zach Satterwhite and Hunter King, communications specialist for the special recognition.

S-Line Rail Corridor

TownTalk: Mobility Hub Funding

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The Henderson City Council made its selection Monday for where the Mobility Hub would be located, which in turn sets in motion the next steps for the overall plan to bring passenger rail service back to Henderson.

The Council chose the iconic downtown First National Bank building over the Garnett Street Station, even though – ironically – that building once served as a train depot.

City and NCDOT officials presented both sites to the Council during its Feb. 10 meeting, complete with artist renderings and a list of pros and cons for each potential site.

Ultimately, the Council voted for the bank building, which has been vacant for decades.

It is unclear just how much it will cost to renovate the building in preparation for use as a mobility hub, which is one component included in the $21 million train station project.

If the mobility hub needed to be completed right now, the city would need to foot the bill. According to information from City Public Information Officer Salonia Saxton, however, that mobility hub won’t be needed for several more years – which gives local and NCDOT staff a bit of time to identify funding sources to help defray the cost.

Building construction and renovation, parcel acquisition, site development and a pedestrian railroad overpass are just a few of the facets of the project the city expects to fund, Saxton said.

She said the mobility hub is a supporting facility to the rail station and its platforms and is only a part of the $21 million estimate.

Next up for the site is completion of an environmental study by NCDOT.

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Deon Linshawn Bullock is Wanted in Connection to Donnie Ayscue’s Homicide

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UPDATE 2-13-25

(WIZS write up to follow here soon)

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For Immediate Release – From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame – Date: January 24, 2025

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) received a 911 call at approximately 1:54 a.m. about a gunshot victim at 1300 Walters Street in Henderson, North Carolina. Vance County EMS and VCSO Deputies responded and discovered Donnie Ayscue suffering from a single gunshot wound. Ayscue died as a result of his injuries at his residence.

After an intensive investigation, 19-year-old, Deon Linshawn Bullock was identified as a person of interest.

Deon Linshawn Bullock is wanted in connection to Ayscue’s homicide. Bullock was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with grey joggers on January 24, 2025. See photo below.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in this active and ongoing homicide investigation.

Contact: Anyone with information on Deon Linshawn Bullock’s whereabouts should contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers (252) 492-1925, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (252) 738-2200, or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (1-800-334-3000 or sbiwebcontact@ncsbi.gov).

(Original post made to WIZS.com on Jan. 24, 2025)

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VGCC Logo

VGCC, Western Carolina University Partnership Turns Vanguards Into Catamounts

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

More than 300 miles separate Vance-Granville Community College and Western Carolina University—but thanks to a new partnership, the two schools are now much closer than the physical distance that separates them.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and colleagues from both institutions met by video call to sign a memorandum of understanding, guaranteeing admission to WCU for all Vance-Granville graduates who satisfy certain requirements. The agreement will offer a direct pathway for Vanguards to earn their four-year degree at WCU.

“We are pleased to be a participant in the Catamount Connections program offering a direct-entry admission opportunity to qualified VGCC graduates,” said Desmarais. “Western Carolina University offers unique programs of study, and we are excited to offer a pathway to these possibilities.”

Brown is excited Western Carolina can help make higher education more accessible to students in VGCC’s four-county service area.

“WCU continues to make the process of transferring to WCU as smooth as possible for the graduates of all our community college partners across the region and the state,” Brown noted. “This memorandum of understanding is an important tool in providing Vance-Granville Community College graduates with the resources and access to continue their higher education journey.”

Participating students must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Be a currently enrolled student at Vance-Granville Community College in a degree-seeking capacity
  • Submit WCU application for admission and records by WCU deadlines
  • Submit application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps
  • Be in good standing at VGCC and other institutions attended
  • Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct
  • Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at VGCC and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term
  • Earn an associates degree from VGCC in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists
  • Enroll at WCU within one academic year (within the next two regular terms [fall/spring semesters]) of completion of the associates degree

VGCC students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university may find more resources at www.vgcc.edu/transfer. For additional information, contact Robinette Fischer, Department Chair of Transition, Student Success, & College Transfer, at 252-738-3255 or fischerr@vgcc.edu.

Franklin County Gets $1M Investment With Addition Of Building Materials Manufacturer In Youngsville

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— information courtesy of Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III

 

An Arizona-based manufacturer is expanding its East Coast presence with a new facility in Youngsville, resulting in a $1 million investment for the county and the creation of between five and 10 jobs.

Quail Run Building Materials, Inc. — a leading manufacturer of cold-formed steel building components — will expand its operations with the establishment of a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing plant at 265 Northbrook Drive in Youngsville, according to information from Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks III.

“We are excited to welcome Quail Run Building Materials to Franklin County,” said Barbara Fiedor, Franklin County Economic Development director. “Their investment and job creation will not only strengthen our local economy but also enhance our reputation as a prime location for companies in the manufacturing sector and demonstrate Franklin County’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment for new development and investment.”

Quail Run was established in 1986 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. The company is known for its high-quality products and commitment to innovation in construction solutions.

“We are thrilled Quail Run Building Materials has chosen Franklin County for their East Coast expansion,” said Ryan Preble, Franklin County interim county manager. “Their presence will bolster our local manufacturing sector and provide valuable opportunities for our community.”

This new facility marks the company’s strategic move to North Carolina to better serve the East Coast market and strengthen its industry presence.

“Quail Run Building Materials is excited to expand operations with our new facility in North Carolina.  Both the Town of Youngsville and Franklin County have been great partners in the development of this project, and we are excited to work with neighboring businesses as well as the local community to create additional growth and economic opportunity,” said Craig Gautschi, Senior Vice President, East Coast Division.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening event are planned for late April 2025. For additional information about the grand opening or to learn more about employment opportunities, email CraigGautschi@qrbm.com or by visit the company website at www.qrbm.com.

TownTalk: Council Amends Mayor’s Office Project And Programming Budget

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The Henderson City Council approved a resolution Monday that amends the Projects and Programming Budget to include $5,000 to be used by Mayor Melissa Elliott to pay for training and other programs she attends in her role as mayor.

The vote was 4-1, with Council member Sam Seifert casting the no vote. Voting in favor were Council members Michael Venable, Geraldine Champion, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Tami Walker. Council members Sara Coffey, Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were absent.

“We’re not asking for more money,” City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry explained during the meeting, “we’re asking for the purpose to be expanded.”

Champion and Thorpe-Cooper both expressed support and said in the meeting that Elliott shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for the various trainings she attends in her role as mayor.

“I see it as being unfair for her to have to come out of pocket…for training for the city,” Champion said.

Thorpe-Cooper agreed, adding that the trainings are beneficial. “We’re being taught – we’re being trained – so we can better serve. I am all in favor of it.”

Given the fact that the city has instituted a hiring freeze – an indication that revenues are not flowing in as predicted at this point – Seifert said he would prefer that the city consider using “fiscal constraint” at least while the hiring freeze is in effect.

He suggested that the city “keep the scope narrow as it was defined so that we show our part in keeping expenses down…while we’re under a freeze.”

According to the resolution presented to Council on Monday, the $5,000 is “subject to the fiscal controls and standard operating procedures currently in place and administered through the City’s Finance Department.”

The resolution further explains that Elliott has created several ad hoc committees created to help the city’s elected officials better understand the community with its diverse needs and desire for inclusivity, and that there needs to be a “nominal” budget to cover reasonable and justifiable expenses that arise with those committees and other special projects, continuing education, conferences, seminars and other programs.

Any expenditure would require approval by the city manager.

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