Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Summer Reading Program Highlights And New Fall Programs At Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library Youth Services librarian Melody Peters likens reading to physical exercise: Reading exercises your brain just like physical activity exercises your body.

And as Peters reflects on the success of the recently completed summer reading program,

participants got a lot of brain exercise!

She told WIZS’s Scout Hughes that more than 600 youngsters and adults participated in the summer reading program sponsored by the library. The goal was to read a minimum of 30 minutes a day over a seven-week period, complete a reading log and turn it in for prizes each week.

Peters and staff knew that participation was bigger than last year’s, but when she looked at the numbers, she said it was double last year’s program. And those 600+ participants recorded 688,000 minutes of reading time.

“It was amazing,” she said. “It is mind-blowing…very exciting to see the growth.” She said there were lots of return participants, but so many new people and new families also joined the fun.

All the prizes, incentives and coupons were donated from area businesses, Peters said. “We were so grateful that they were all donated…and we gave them right back into the community.”

As the dust settles at the library after such a successful summer program, Peters said she’s happy to report a couple of new programs will launch this fall to take their place among the library’s existing regular programs.

One is a new Life Skills program on the second Thursday of the month. A team from Coastal Credit Union will help teens learn about financial money matters over the course of a few months. And then the Life Skills time slot will focus on other types of basic skills, from sewing on a button to basic carpentry.

And then on Fridays in the fall, there’s Baby Rave at 10:30 a.m. and Parachute Play at 11:30 a.m. Baby Rave is for children 0-2 years and Parachute Play is for children ages 3-5. The dates are Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.

Not one to rest on her laurels, you’ll find Peters at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market tomorrow – Wednesday, Aug. 6 – at 10 a.m. for a special Story Time at the market to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn about all the programs and services at your public library.

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NC State Board of Elections

Register To Vote By Sept. 12 In Upcoming Municipal Elections

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Voter registration deadlines are approaching for eligible North Carolinians who wish to vote on Election Day in October and November municipal elections.

Municipal elections in Vance County take place Tuesday, Oct. 7. The deadline to register to vote in this election is 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.

The N.C. State Board of Elections has issued a press release with details and requirements about voter registration.

“To vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality. Working within city, town, or village limits does not make a voter eligible to vote in municipal elections. Similarly, while a voter’s postal address may indicate a municipality, that does not always mean their residence is within the incorporated boundaries of the municipality,” the press release stated.

Check the state board’s Voter Search tool, to determine if you live in an area that conducts municipal elections by finding a municipality under “Your Jurisdictions.”

Eligible individuals who miss the regular registration deadlines may register and vote at the same time during the in-person early voting period at any early voting site in their county, if early voting is available in their municipality. County-by-county early voting sites and schedules can be found at the State Board of Elections’ Early Voting Site Search, once they are available for each election. Learn more at Vote Early in Person.

 

Eligible individuals have many options to register to vote, including the following:

If an application is received after the deadline, it will be timely if it is postmarked on or before the deadline date. If the postmark is missing or unclear, the application will be processed if it is received in the mail no later than 20 days before the election. Otherwise, the application will not be processed until after the election. If submitted by fax or e-mail, the application must be received by 5 p.m. on the deadline date, and a hard copy of the document must be delivered to the county board office by 20 days before the election.

North Carolina residents may not register to vote on Election Day, unless they become eligible after the registration deadline due to becoming a U.S. citizen or having their rights restored following a felony conviction.

Requirements for Registering

To register to vote, a person must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen;
  • Live in the county of their registration, and will have lived there for at least 30 days before Election Day;
  • Be at least 18 years old by the date of the general election (16- and 17-year-olds may preregister to vote); and
  • Not be serving a felony sentence, including any period of probation, post-release supervision, or parole.

Updating a Voter’s Registration

Voters who need to update their existing voter registration may use the NCDMV website or a regular voter registration application.

Those with a North Carolina driver’s license or other NCDMV identification may update their residential or mailing address and party affiliation through the NCDMV online service but may not change their name through that service.

If using the paper application to update a registration, it must be signed and mailed to the voter’s county board of elections by the registration deadline. Updates to name, address (if within the county), and party affiliation must be signed, but can be provided by fax or email to your county board of elections. If a voter is using the paper form to update their residential address to a new county, they must return the paper form by mail or in person.

TownTalk: Commissioners Terminate Funding and Contract Relationship with “Rescue Squad”

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In a 4-2 vote, the Vance County Board of Commissioners Monday terminated funding for the Vance County Rescue Squad, effective Sept. 30, 2025.

The county did not renew the contract with the rescue squad, which expired on June 30, but commissioners agreed to a 90-day extension. That extension ends Sept. 30.

During a joint meeting last week of the county’s public safety committee and the fire commission, the discussion ramped up to include the possibility of merging the Vance County Fire Department and the Vance County Rescue Squad, a 501(c)3 organization established in 1953.

Several people spoke Monday night to commissioners in support of the rescue squad during the public comment portion of the meeting, among them, Brandon Link, president of the Vance County Firefighters Association.

County Manager C. Renee Perry told commissioners that the county has the authority to reduce or terminate funding for the rescue squad, but not to dissolve the rescue squad, which is a volunteer organization.

Commissioner Tommy Hester’s motion to terminate funding, effective Sept. 30, was seconded by Commissioner Leo Kelly.

Commissioners Dan Brummitt and Valencia Perry cast the “no” votes and Commissioners Hester, Kelly, Chair Carolyn Faines and Charisse Fain cast votes in favor of the termination. Commissioner Feimster was absent.

“I want to save taxpayers money,” Hester said. “I want to move forward. I think we’ve got the fire chief to do it,” he said.

Commissioner Perry said, “We need to slow it down,” with regard to making a decision whether to continue funding the rescue squad, which got applause from the audience.

Commissioner Kelly said it’s a matter of looking at consolidation, not trying to put anyone out of business.

“Their service is valuable,” Kelly said, referring to the Vance County Rescue Squad.

During a joint meeting last week of the Vance County Firefighter’s Association and the Vance County Commissioner Public Safety Committee, Vance County Fire Department Chief Marvin Harrison said, “Let us move forward, grounded in truth and committed to collaboration, for the good of the public we are sworn to protect.”

At that joint meeting, Manager Perry said, “I have so much confidence in the Vance County Fire Department.  If the commissioners choose to end the contract on sept. 30, I have no doubt in my mind that the Vance County citizens will be ok.“

The outcome is contrary to what the fire association said it wanted in a letter written after its mid-July meeting.  The fire association wanted the Rescue Squad funded the same as other volunteer departments in Vance County, with a contract for 2025-2028 in place.

Click Play for TownTalk Audio on 8-5-25 AFTER the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

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Click Play for TownTalk Audio on 8-4-25 BEFORE the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

UPDATE 8-4-25 BEFORE the Vance County Commissioners Meeting

Members of the Vance County Firefighter’s Association and Vance County Commissioners Public Safety Committee held a joint meeting last week to continue discussions about the future – and fate – of the Vance County Rescue Squad.

The Vance County Board of Commissioners did not renew a contract with the rescue squad, which ended on June 30. The commissioners did, however, agree to a 90-day extension. That period ends Sept. 30, 2025.

During the joint meeting, County Manager C. Renee Perry said the item would be on tonight’s agenda for the commissioners’ regular monthly meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.

Commissioner Dan Brummitt, a member of the Public Safety Committee, shared contents of a letter signed by seven members of the Vance County Firefighters Association which offered support for the rescue squad.

“The association sees the benefit of the Vance County Rescue Squad and supports that organization and their mission to protect the citizens of Vance County,” the letter states.

“The certifications, equipment, and experience of the rescue squad, serving continuously since 1953, are an asset to all fire departments and citizens in Vance County,” it continued. The letter called for the county to reinstate the three-year contract with the rescue squad for 2025-28 and that the rescue squad be fully funded in 2025-26 just like all the other departments.

Brummitt said, “These are the guys that are out in the field. These are the guys that know what they’re doing and these are the ones that put their lives on the line every day and they’re asking for the support of the rescue squad. So I can’t see how we can do anything any different.”

Back in 2023, a fire study completed by AP Triton recommended that the county consider merging or at least increasing collaboration between the Vance County Fire Department and the Vance County Rescue Squad, County Manager C. Renee Perry reminded.

If the two entities merge, Perry said the rescue squad members would have to apply for positions with the Vance County Fire Dept and be part-time personnel. She said she didn’t know how a merger would affect the rescue squad assets (equipment). The rescue squad has been in operation since 1953 and is a nonprofit organization. Its members are volunteers.

Brummitt said he would get behind creating a combination department to allow to have paid staff and volunteers, just like the county’s other fire departments.

“It would save money and would allow us to spend money in other areas of the county to offer equal protection to all of our citizens in the county,” Brummitt said.

Brummitt continued, “It would not do away with the department, it would do away with the structure of the department.”

To which Perry said, “The study did not recommend that.” It recommended that the Vance County Fire Department (Golden Belt) remain a career fire department.

Brummitt took issue with other findings in the 2023 fire study, including response times. He said some redistricting could improve call times.

Vance County Schools Names Jeremy Hetrick As School Nutrition Services Director

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Vance County Schools has named Jeremy Hetrick as the district’s new director of School Nutrition Services.

Hetrick brings more than two decades of leadership experience in food service administration, school nutrition and operations management to his new role. He has a proven track record of improving nutrition programs, overseeing large-scale budgets and ensuring compliance with USDA and state regulations, according to information from Grace Herndon with VCS Communication & Innovative Support.

Prior to joining Vance County Schools, Hetrick held leadership roles in healthcare and educational food services and has managed nutrition programs across multiple campuses, coordinated federal meal programs and led cost-saving initiatives that generated significant budget surpluses. Additionally, he has 20 years of service in the U.S. Army, where he specialized in program management and team development.

Hetrick holds a Master of Science in Management from Sullivan University and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science from Purdue University Global. He is a ServSafe Food Manager Certified and has completed the NC School Nutrition Administrators and Supervisors Course. Hetrick will be stepping into the role ahead of the upcoming retirement of Phyllis Newcomb, who is concluding her career after 47 years of service to the state, including 42 years with Vance County Schools.

Shaping the Future in Henderson & Vance County

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It’s called “Shaping the Future: A Community Empowerment Extravaganza” and Higher is Waiting Executive Director Jayden Watkins said it’s part back-to-school, part community gathering combined with a whole lot of fun.

“The purpose of the event is to bring the community together,” Watkins told WIZS’s Scout Hughes Monday.

Watkins, 17 and a rising senior at Henderson Collegiate, invites families from across the community to the event, which is taking place on Saturday, Aug. 9 in downtown Henderson in the area near the police department and Perry Memorial Library.

There will be backpacks loaded with school supplies that will be distributed and free health screenings, along with a street fair atmosphere filled with vendors and food trucks for everyone to enjoy, Watkins said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Watkins said he and Varonica “VV” Mitchell are going to co-host a talent show that is set to kick off at 12 noon.

“I welcome all ages,” Watkins said of talent show participants, whether they’re young or just young at heart – all are welcome.

Visit https://forms.gle/iWmCXjJZxEw9LXtP7 to sign up for the talent show.

Watkins said there’s still time to sign up to be a sponsor for the event.

Visit Higher is Waiting’s webpage at https://jaydenwatkins.com/higher-is-waiting and click on the sponsorship link.

“I still need more support,” he said. “That’s how we take it to the next level.”

Volunteers also are needed to help pack the backpacks on Friday, Aug. 8 and to help set up early Saturday morning. Contact Watkins at 252.425.0354 if you’d like to help make a donation of money, school supplies or if you’d like to volunteer.

Watkins has been nailing down details for this community event in between other activities he’s been busy with this summer, including preaching five times in the past week, participating in the Governor’s Page Program and another program at N.C. State University. He’s packing his bags for a 10-day residential experience for prospective journalism students at Princeton University. That’s on top of his “I Declare War” tour and cooking meals at the local shelter with his girlfriend.

“This is a vision God gave me,” he said. “Everything I do is to be obedient to God…at the end of the day, I simply want God to be pleased and proud.”

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(This information and embedded audio was orginally posted July 21, 2025.)

Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: National Farmers Market Week

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We talk about the upcoming events at the farmers market in the month of August, including the National Farmers Market Week celebration on August 9th!

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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The Local Skinny! Trent Ayscue Retires From Henderson Fire Department

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The Henderson Fire Department was the place to be Friday as colleagues, family and friends paid tribute to Trent Ayscue, who retired after more than three decades of service.

Ayscue, who retired as a battalion chief, said he’d entertain the idea of coming back to work part-time after the required month of separation after retirement, and if he does, he was clear as to what he’d like to do:

“If I come back to work, it’s going to be as a firefighter,” Ayscue said, “to give back where I started. One hundred percent suppressing fire,” he said.

Former Fire Chief Danny Wilkerson called Ayscue a firefighter from the “old school,” and Ayscue agreed. He said that he and the late Steve Cordell started as volunteers at the Watkins Fire Department when they were 15 years old.

Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said he learned a lot from Ayscue, who already was in a leadership role when Twisdale joined the ranks in 2000.

In remarks to those gathered for a retirement celebration, Twisdale said Ayscue had “consistently and solidly put in service for the citizens of Henderson.” He also thanked Ayscue’s family for sharing him with the fire department.

“Thank you for your time, your love and your commitment to make us a better place,” Twisdale said. “We truly appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts.”

Being a firefighter requires passion, Ayscue said. “It’s a calling. You’re not going to get rich doing it. You have to have dedication…you have to be on your ‘A’ game every day.”

Twisdale said he and Ayscue have had the opportunity to team up as instructors at Vance-Granville Community College and to participate in live burn exercises, allowing them to take off the administrative hat for a bit.

“He and I still love to put that gear on and fight the fire ourselves, too,” Twisdale said.

He said Ayscue has been a good motivator for young firefighters, encouraging them to grow, learn and pick up on skills.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Wildlife Habitats

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Wildlife habitat can increase your enjoyment of your landscape and increase your property value.

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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One Arrested On Drug Charges

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From the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On Thursday, July 24, 2025 members of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office VICE/Narcotics Unit and the Henderson Police Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at 3764 Warrenton Rd., as part of an investigation into heroin trafficking at the residence. Investigators located and seized Heroin, Cocaine, US Currency and other items of drug manufacturing equipment from the residence. David Lee Hendrick was arrested and charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for selling controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hendrick was given a $65,000 bond.

He was placed in the Vance County Jail.