Vance County Historical Society Annual Meeting Monday, Nov. 17

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The public is invited to the annual meeting of the Vance County Historical Society on Monday, Nov. 17, beginning at 5 p.m.

The meeting will be held in the Farm Bureau meeting room at Perry Memorial Library.

A program about Vance County native Morris Link and the Harlem Hellfighters of World War I will be presented before the business portion of the meeting.

The Harlem Hellfighters were the first African American regiment to see combat in World War I and spent 191 consecutive days in front-line combat, more than any other American unit.

 

Henderson Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign 2025

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The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign got off to a good start in Vance County on Friday morning, with local dignitaries and members of the community on hand to get the holiday season officially underway.

Maj. Staci Gainey welcomed those gathered in front of Belk in Henderson to set the tone for the weeks ahead that lead up to Christmas. She, along with husband, Maj. Jonathan Gainey joined the local Salvation Army as Corps Officers in June.

“This moment marks the beginning of weeks filled with generosity, community spirit, and lives changed because people chose to give,” Staci Gainey said.

She thanked local businesses and community leaders for welcoming the volunteers who ring the bell by the iconic red kettles to accept donations from shoppers and others who pass by.

She also thanked those volunteers who ring the bell, calling them the “heartbeat” of the annual campaign. “Rain or shine, warm or cold, you show up with a smile, a cheerful greeting, and that familiar bell that reminds people what this Christmas season
is really about giving hope,” she said.

“May this be our best year yet,” Gainey added.

The Salvation Army provides food and other support throughout the year to those who need it, but it’s those red kettles and the tinkling bells in the hands of caring volunteers that stand out as a symbol of hope and of caring in the community.

 

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Community Invited To Attend Henderson Family YMCA Groundbreaking Ceremony Nov. 18 At 2 P.M.

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The community is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. as the Henderson Family YMCA begins a project that will transform and renovate the facilities inside and out.

The plans include a new wellness facility that will have a full-size basketball gym, an upper-level walking track and smaller studios for classes.

Outdoor improvements include a retractable-dome pool suitable for swim meets, as well as a new playground, multi-purposed sports field and an updated outdoor track.

Interim CEO David Caudle said the event will be held outside and will include remarks from YMCA leaders and from community partners before the ceremonial groundbreaking takes place.

The Henderson Family YMCA is located at 380 Ruin Creek Rd. The groundbreaking will take place behind the former Social Services building that is located beside the Y building.

Two Men Arrested, Drugs Seized

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– From the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit, The Henderson Police Department and the SBI executed a search warrant at 1242 N. Pine Street Henderson, NC 27537. Investigators located and seized Heroin, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, and SCH II narcotics along with drug manufacturing equipment. Clayton Batchelor and Kavius Tyler were arrested as a result of this investigation. Batchelor was charged with PWIMSD Cocaine and Felony Maintaining a Dwelling. Batchelor was released after posting a $50,000.00 secured bond and has court on 12/17/2025. Tyler was charged with PWIMSD Heroin (X2), Felony Possession of Cocaine, Felony Maintaining a dwelling, Possession of CS on Jail Property and Simple Possession of SCH II and was remanded to the Vance County Jail under no bond pending court on 12/17/2025

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Forms Local Emergency Planning Committee

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Vance County convened a local emergency planning committee on Wednesday, Nov. 12, with the task of crafting an emergency response plan that ultimately will become part of the county’s emergency operations plan.

With an early January 2026 reauthorization deadline, the committee was able to check off numerous items in its first meeting, including the election of Steve Reavis as chair and Adam Pegram as vice-chair.

Vance County Emergency Management Specialist Willie T. Kearney, III will serve as the group’s secretary.

By-laws will be voted on at the next meeting, set for December.

In North Carolina, most emergency planning districts operate at the county level.

 

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Vance County Food Drive Donations Accepted Nov. 13-20 For Nov. 21 Distribution

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Vance County is sponsoring a food drive beginning Thursday, Nov. 13 and continuing through Nov. 20. The food distribution will take place on Friday, Nov. 21.

It’s a chance to come together as a community to make a positive impact on the lives of those facing food insecurity.

Donations of canned goods and other shelf-stable food items can be brought to the Vance County Courthouse parking lot, 156 Church St.

The distribution will take place from 12 noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21, or as long as supplies last.

County Manager C. Renee Perry stated, “In light of the current issues surrounding SNAP benefits, we are coordinating a county-wide food drive. Your generosity helps support local families in need and reflects the spirit of service that defines Vance County Government.”

The point of contact is Willie Kearney, Emergency Management Specialist. To learn more or to volunteer to pack the food bags, contact Kearney by phone – 919.702.5520, email at wkearney@vancecounty.org or on social media @Willie Kearney.

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TownTalk: Gate City Seahawks Earn Way to East Wake Super Bowl

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The Seahawks are in the Super Bowl!

No, not those Seahawks. And not that Super Bowl.

It’s our own local Seahawks team – the 8U Gate City Seahawks with the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Dept. – who will travel to Benson on Saturday, Nov. 15 to face the Strong Center Cardinals of Fuquay-Varina in the East Wake Football League Super Bowl.

And for Michael Faulkner, the 8U head coach, Saturday’s game marks the culmination of months of practice and a great 9-1 season.

The championship game begins at 1 p.m. at West Johnston High School in Benson, but there’s a flag game at 10 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony, then a “fifth quarter” game at 12:30 p.m.

Faulkner – “Coach Mike” to his players – said this team is not only talented, but also hard-working.

“Saturday is only a display of what you do all week,” Faulkner said he reminds the players. They spend about an hour playing a game during the regular season,  but put in a couple of hours at practice.

He said he reminds them that if they train hard, they get great results.

And, “if you don’t like something, put in the work to change it.”

Coach Mike said he played rec ball when he was a kid, but all the games were local. This 8U team travels other counties for conference play – Johnston, Wake, Durham and Granville, just to name a few.

“Not only are they displaying that we’re disciplined and hard-working,” Faulkner said. The Seahawks are proving that they’re a team that can compete against other U8 teams in what he called a “very competitive” league.

The team’s only loss this season was to a Durham team, and Saturday’s opponent is 10-0.

He said he tells the team, “We celebrate wins and we learn from losses.”

For Coach Mike, it’s important that he teach the kids about handling adversity and maintaining their composure – on and off the football field.

“I’m working hands-on with the kids every day,” he said. “I see a lot of will, determination –  they’re hard working. I like to teach kids and set goals and achievements in life so you have something to work towards.”

Some of these 8-year-old Seahawks will be tomorrow’s players at the middle school, or even go on to play JV or varsity at the high school level.

“Henderson is a special place with a special group of kids, very talented,” Faulkner said. When they put their minds to what they want to do, there’s nothing they can’t achieve.

Good luck to the Gate City Seahawks on Saturday!

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Step Into the Gap

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Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We continue our role model and mentorship series. This time we talk about stepping into a mentorship role for a child who doesn’t always have that role model in their life.

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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