TownTalk: Vance County Child Well-Being Landscape Analysis February 2025

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The executive summary of a 47-page report released earlier this month paints a sobering picture for children in Vance County, and includes information about challenges, disparities and gaps in a range of services in the community to support children’s well-being.

A project team from Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina gathered information from 16 community partners who agreed to participate in the study. Through these structured interviews, the team learned about current programs and services available to children and families in the county, as well as identify the most pressing issues and challenges children here face and how those challenges affect children’s well-being.

“Children in Vance County face significantly greater challenges than those confronting the average child in North Carolina,” the executive report states. “This disparity can be significantly reduced by increasing collaboration among the agencies and organizations that serve the most vulnerable families and children in Vance County.”

PCANC provided a project team for the study and worked in partnership with Cara Gill, executive director of Strength and Mending Child Advocacy Center of Henderson. The study was commissioned by Triangle North Healthcare Foundation with support from the John William Pope Foundation.

In the North Carolina Public School Forum’s 2023 report called The Roadmap of Need: A Whole Child Needs Assessment for North Carolina Youth, Vance County ranked 93rd worst out of 100 counties for “indicators of wellness across five domains: economic development, physical health, mental health and safety, education inputs and education outcomes.”

The recently released TNHF report uses this information, as well as information from a 2022 vulnerability assessment for the Kerr-Tar COG which states that “Vance County residents, specifically near the county seat of Henderson, should be considered the most vulnerable group in the region.”

The TNHF report includes a list of programs, agencies and resources in the county that work to meet the needs of children and families, from social service agencies to food, housing and day care, to name a few.

The study participants identified mental health needs among the top needs that affect the children in the county. A shortage of programs and staff means more than half the county’s children and adults aren’t able to access the behavioral health care they need.

Click Here to View Full Document

 

 

2/26/24 – Click Play!

TownTalk: Duke RAM Clinic is Coming This Weekend

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The Duke RAM free mobile clinic is coming to Henderson this weekend, and organizers say they are planning to provide free medical, dental and vision care for hundreds in the community.

Anvi Charvu has been involved with the Remote Area Medical clinic for several years. And now, Charvu said this year’s clinic will include more staff for pediatric patients as well as more interpreters to better assist Spanish speakers.

The clinic has grown since it first came to Henderson a few years ago. That first year, the clinic saw 120 patients. The next year, 230, and last year, there were 330 patients that received care at the clinic, which will again be set up at Vance Charter School, 2090 Ross Mill Rd.

Those increasing numbers “means we’re getting the word out to people who need it,” Charvu said.

Lara Kendall and Charvu , both Duke University students, were guests on Tuesday’s TownTalk. Kendall said patients can arrive as early as midnight before the 6 a.m. Saturday start time.

Patients can choose medical care both days, but are asked to select either dental OR vision care for one day’s visit. Patients are free to return on Day 2, however, in order to get both dental and vision care.

The clinic doors open at 6 a.m. each day and providers will see patients through the afternoon on Saturday, with hopes to wrap up by mid-afternoon on Sunday.

Since the beginning, the RAM clinic has been well-received and well supported by the Henderson community. First Baptist Church is a new partner this year and Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has been a key partner for the RAM clinic each year, Charvu said.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” she noted.

Kendall said patients will be asked to wait in their cars before the clinic opens each morning, so be prepared with snacks, water, entertainment and blankets to stay warm until the clinic doors open.

There will be a variety of community resource partners on hand to provide information to clients, and there will be fresh produce available for distribution as well.

The clinic works on a first-come, first-served basis, so Kendall and Charvu said it’s important to come early.

The army of volunteers and health care providers give selflessly of their time during these RAM clinics. Charvu called the doctors, dentists, nurses and others  “extremely kindhearted” as they donate their time to provide much-needed health care to underserved populations.

This year, health care professionals from Duke University Hospital are helping with the vision and medical clinics; dentists from UNC-Chapel Hill are pitching in on the dental side.

“We love to collaborate with schools,” Charvu said. The RAM clinic will have plenty of volunteers to assist patients, and Charvu encourages folks to come take advantage of the free medical care. You will not be asked to show ID or proof of insurance at the clinic, she said.

Visit https://www.ramusa.org/ to learn more about the organization.

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: We Might Want to See Insects in Our Gardens

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report with Michael Ellington:

We explore a few reasons why we might want to see insects in our gardens.

Included are reminders for upcoming series designed to educate about backyard chickens and becoming a more successful market vendor:

Backyard Chicken Workshop – This course covers the basics of starting your backyard flock. Saturday, March 8 · 4 – 5pm EST at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr. Henderson, NC 27536. Link below for more information.

https://go.ncsu.edu/chicken101

 

Anatomy of a Market Vendor Education – Need help turning your farm dreams into reality? Come join us for our upcoming Anatomy of a Market series and learn about forming business plans, marketing, customer engagement, and in-depth details about food safety! Happening Saturdays from 10am-11am at Salem United Methodist Church, 4151 Salem Rd, Oxford, NC 27565. Link below for more information.

https://go.ncsu.edu/anatomy

 

Community Garden Volunteer Form – The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is establishing a community garden in an effort to make gardening more accessible to everyone. To achieve our goals, we’re seeking volunteers to help plan, establish, and maintain the garden facilities. Volunteers with all levels of experience or ability are invited to join! Three workdays have been scheduled for initial planning and site preparation and we hope you’ll join us!

  • March 21st 1p.m. – 5p.m. – Establishing garden borders. Setting storage building, constructing building ramp.
  • March 29th 1p.m. – 5p.m. – Marking walkways, preparing for stone installation. Constructing first plant beds.
  • April 11th 2:30p.m. – 6:30p.m. – Installing soil, pathway stones, and creating punch list for remaining tasks before opening.

Link below for more information and the form to fill out!

https://go.ncsu.edu/vcrfmgarden

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! SBI Called In On Officer-Involved Shooting That Left One Citizen Dead

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UPDATED MONDAY, FEB. 24 AT 2:59 PM

 

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF VANCE COUNTY SHERIFF CURTIS BRAME

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office wishes to provide the following update regarding the 22 February 2025 Officer Involved Shooting. 

Shortly before noon on the date listed above a Vance County Deputy Sheriff conducted a traffic stop on US 1 in the Kittrell area. During the stop it was discovered that the driver, Johnny Mayfield, had numerous outstanding orders for his arrest. The Deputy, following his lawful duty, attempted to take Mayfield into custody at that time. Mayfield refused to comply with commands from the Deputy and a brief foot chase ensued. 

 

Mayfield, after running across numerous lanes of traffic on US 1, returned to his vehicle, entered into the driver’s seat and continued his flight from the Deputy, leaving the female occupant of his vehicle on the roadside. The Deputy continued his pursuit of Mayfield north into Henderson. The vehicle pursuit ended after Mayfield wrecked his vehicle on West Bell Street in the city limits of Henderson. Mayfield exited his vehicle and fled again. 

 

The Deputy exited his patrol car and began to pursue Mayfield on foot a second time. Mayfield continued his flight onto West Young Avenue. As the Deputy continued the pursuit onto West Young Avenue Mayfield walked into the roadway carrying a glass bottle and began to walk towards the Deputy stating “I’m going to kill you”. The Deputy drew his weapon and began to walk backwards away from Mayfield as he continued to walk towards the Deputy, again Mayfield stated “I’m going to kill you”. While attempting to distance himself from Mayfield the Deputy lost his footing and fell to the ground onto his back. As the Deputy fell to the ground Mayfield broke the bottle on the roadway and continued to walk towards to the Deputy, now with the remainder of the broken bottle in his right hand, stating again “I’m going to kill you”. 

 

The Deputy regained his footing and stood up facing Mayfield. Mayfield then lunged at the Deputy with the broken bottle in his hand. The Deputy discharged his weapon striking Mayfield. The Deputy reported over the radio that shots had been fired and requested emergency assistance. The Deputy, and other units, attempted life saving measures on Mayfield until such time as EMS units arrived on the scene. 

 

The Deputy involved has been placed on Administrative Leave, as is standard procedure, pending the results of the NCSBI Investigation. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with the NCSBI including the preservation of all video recordings.

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UPDATED MONDAY, FEB. 24 AT 12:45 PM

The investigation continues into an officer-related shooting that resulted in the death of a person on Saturday morning in Henderson.

In a press statement issued Saturday, Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame confirmed that the person died from injuries received in the incident.

The sheriff notified the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, and the SBI issued the following statement:

“At the request of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the 11th Prosecutorial District Attorney, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Saturday morning in Henderson, NC.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a series of incidents occurred between a Vance County Deputy and a citizen. As a result, an altercation ensued, and a deputy drew his service weapon and fired, striking and killing the citizen.

No law enforcement officers were injured in this incident. SBI agents on the scene collected evidence and are conducting interviews. The findings of the SBI investigation will be shared with the Vance County District Attorney for his review and consideration.”

Additional details will be provided as they become available.

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TownTalk: All Systems Go for the 3rd Annual Torch Awards

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Carolina United for Change will present Torch awards to three local individuals for demonstrating support throughout the community.

Tracy Madigan, Dr. Alice Sallins and D’Asia Stutson will be honored at an awards banquet Mar. 16 at Southern Charmn Events Center, 200 S. Garnett St. The evening includes dinner and live music by Best Friends.

“We’re trying to acknowledge people who have been in the community and have worked to make (their) communities a better place to be and live,” said Joseph Brodie, one of the founders of Carolina United for Change.

Tickets for the event are $30 each and are available for purchase now, Brodie said. No tickets will be sold at the door, he said.

A mission of the organization is to help support the poor and needy and to help protect the rights of all people.

This is the third year the group has given the awards, and Brodie said on Monday’s TownTalk that the 2024 recipients join previous recipients that include 2022 winners Margaret Ellis, Kendrick Vann and Angela Thornton, as well as 2023 winners Brenda Gant, Hilda Delbridge, Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott and EJameel Williams, president of the Vance County NAACP.

This year’s honorees were selected from among nominations, Brodie said, for their contributions to the community – Madigan has been instrumental in several events hosted by Carolina United for Change, and is very knowledgeable about resources available for nonprofits. Sallins is a driver of the Vance County Arts Council and has taken on responsibilities within the community like organizing the annual Henderson Christmas Parade.

Stutson’s work with Gang Free, Inc. also has proven beneficial to many in the community, Brodie said.

Visit https://carolinaunitedforchange.com/ to learn more.

 

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Vance County Sheriff: Investigation Ongoing Into Death Of Walmart Distribution Center Employee, Work-Related Accident

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— Press Release from the office of Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame

On February 19, 2025, at approximately 12 noon, Vance County Sheriff’s Office units responded to the Walmart Distribution Center located at 680 Vanco Mill Rd. Henderson, regarding a reported Industrial Accident.

Upon arrival, deputies were escorted inside the facility and directed to the south end of the building where an employee had been found injured moments earlier.

The victim, identified as Josue David Virella Rivera of Henderson, was operating a mechanical tow motor in an effort to move product when the accident occurred.

EMS and Fire First Responders arrived on the scene and attempted life saving measures, however Rivera had succumbed to his injuries prior to their arrival.

The Vance County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident in conjunction with other outside agencies.  No witnesses to the accident have been identified as of the date and time of this release.  Further updates will be provided as they become available.

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VGCC Gets ‘Leader College’ Designation From National Organization

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— information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College has been designated a Leader College by Achieving the Dream, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility in their communities.

The announcement was made Thursday, Feb. 20 at ATD’s DREAM 2025 conference in Philadelphia. VGCC President Dr. Rachel Demarais was on hand to receive the award.

“VGCC is honored to be recognized as a Leader College for the ATD Network as we work to achieve student excellence and success,” Desmarais said. “Continuous improvement is the fuel to advance the people and communities we serve.”

Leader Colleges are recognized for their role in accelerating the adoption of effective practices within the ATD Network and across higher education. They have demonstrated quality work in whole-college reform, resulting in increased completion rates for all students. Leader Colleges develop innovative ways to work with other colleges to share knowledge and facilitate an exchange of ideas about evidence-based reform strategies.

In 2018, VGCC joined the ATD Network, a coalition of more than 300 colleges across the nation which support student success at their institutions and promote economic vitality in their communities. The school’s Leader College designation continues for three years, at which time VGCC will have the opportunity to be recertified.

“We are proud to recognize our 2025 Leader Colleges and Leader Colleges of Distinction for their extraordinary commitment to student success,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “These colleges exemplify excellence within the ATD Network, achieving measurable gains in student outcomes and fostering impactful change within their institutions and communities. Their dedication to using data-informed approaches to create meaningful opportunities for students and their communities serves as a powerful example for all institutions of higher education and especially for those in the ATD Network.”