HV Chamber Of Commerce Member Spotlight: Vance County Historical Society

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce recognized the Vance County Historical Society as its most recent Member Spotlight recipient.

Representing the group at the recent presentation was Vice President Tem Blackburn, a dedicated leader and local historian who is widely recognized for his commitment to documenting and interpreting Vance County’s past.

Blackburn continues to play a key role in historical preservation efforts, public history projects and community programs that highlight the people, places, and events that have shaped our county. The Vance County Historical Society continues to inspire appreciation for local history while fostering a stronger connection between the community and its heritage. Stop by the second floor of Perry Memorial Library located at 205 Breckenridge St. to experience its impressive collection of historical artifacts.

TownTalk: Byrne Running For NC Court of Appeals

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When it comes to local contests, voters may not need much time to decide who they’re going to support at election time. But statewide contests – like the N.C. Court of Appeals, for example – may cause voters to spend a few minutes longer at the polls before deciding who to vote for.

Michael Byrne is the Republican nominee whose name will appear on the November ballot. He faces incumbent John Arrowood, who was appointed to the court in 2017, for Seat 1 on the 15-judge court.

Byrne, 59, has been an administrative law judge for the past six years, and he said that experience, coupled with close to 20 years focused narrowly on representing state employees and police officers, gives him the skill set needed to be an effective court of appeals judge.

Appeals Court judges serve an eight-year term, Byrne explained on Monday’s TownTalk, and the N.C. Court of Appeals is the second highest court in the state behind the State Supreme Court.

Byrne said 85 percent of cases end at the N.C. Court of Appeals level.

As an attorney, Byrne said he’s argued more than 20 cases at both the state Supreme Court and appellate level – “I was fortunate,” he said. “I never lost a law enforcement case on appeal.”

The 15 appellate judges cover the entire state and usually hear and deal with more than 1,000 cases a year.

Compared to the state Supreme Court, that’s a lot. Appellate judges have to be able to do their jobs quickly and efficiently, he said.

Similarly, administrative court judges handle a lot of cases, too. Byrne said he’s issued more than 400 decisions; the 10 that went to the court of appeals were all unanimously affirmed, he added.

He announced his candidacy one year ago, and since then, he’s been putting lots of miles on his trusty Volvo station wagon as he travels the state meeting people and campaigning.

And although he’s been a registered Republican since he was 18, Byrne said political affiliation plays no role in his work as a judge.

“My number one concern is fairness and due process for everyone,” he said. “I’m never going to let political considerations affect a ruling that I make. The law’s the law for everyone.”

His philosophy is simple, he said, something he learned from his mentor Julian Mann: “Get it right.” My overall saying is ‘A fair judge. Period. For everyone. Period.’”

More than anything else, people want to know that the judge that’s hearing their case is fair, he said, that they don’t favor one side or the other.

Byrne said he hears cases involving agencies that have been headed by Democrats and others by Republicans.

“The difference in the way I treat them is nothing,” Byrne said. “Because the law’s the same for everybody.”

You can learn more about Byrne and his candidacy at www.mb4nc.com and about all contests in the upcoming November elections at https://ncvoterguide.org/ and https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/

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(This is not a paid ad. WIZS offers equal time to candidates.)

The Local Skinny! Local Safety Investments From New State Budget

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The long-awaited state budget that Gov. Josh Stein signed into law earlier this month includes $40 million to provide a one-time $1,750 bonus for sworn local law enforcement officers.

The $34 billion budget includes double-digit salary increases for officers in several different branches of state agencies – 16.2 percent for SBI and ALE officers, 15 percent for N.C. State Highway Patrol officers, and 13 percent for correctional officers, according to a press statement. Probation and parole officers will get a 6.5 percent pay raise.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News Monday that the topic of bonuses had been discussed at the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association conference, and said he surely hopes they come through.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News Monday that the department had gotten some guidance about the bonus program from the SBI, which will be administering the distribution of funds.

“The SBI is currently implementing the program through a phased registration and certification process, and the Henderson Police Department is awaiting additional guidance regarding the next steps for participation,” Barrow stated.

Based on the information provided by the SBI, local law enforcement officers generally qualify for the one-time $1,750 bonus if they:

  • Were sworn local law enforcement officers as of June 30, 2026;
  • Are employed by an eligible North Carolina county or municipal law enforcement agency;
  • Meet the statutory eligibility requirements established in Section 41.3 of Senate Bill 257; and
  • Are certified as eligible by their employing agency through the SBI registration and certification process.

While the possibility of this bonus – which will be considered taxable income – had been discussed for some time, it was not something many local agencies truly expected to become a reality, Barrow noted.

“The Henderson Police Department believes this action reflects the State of North Carolina’s recognition of the significant recruitment and retention challenges facing local law enforcement agencies and serves as a meaningful expression of appreciation for the dedicated men and women who have remained committed to serving their communities despite increasing workloads, staffing shortages, and the growing demands placed upon the profession,” Barrow stated.

The governor joined law enforcement officials and specialized units including the Selective Enforcement Unit and K-9 teams at Raleigh Police Department’s Special Operations Division recently to highlight the state budget’s investments in public safety, including the largest pay raises to law enforcement in recent state history.

“Law enforcement careers are demanding and sometimes dangerous, but they are so important and rewarding,” Stein said. “We must do everything in our power to support those who keep North Carolinians safe. With this state budget, we are sending a clear message that we value our law enforcement officers and are investing in the next generation of North Carolinians who choose a career to keep people safe.”

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Glyphosate Alternatives

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Glyphosate is still considered safe when the directions are followed on the label. Alternatives to Glyphosate are hand weeding, and the use of preemergence herbicides to control weeds.

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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County’s Initial Community Town Hall Session Set For July 29

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The first in a series of Community Town Hall sessions will be held on Wednesday, July 29 at Bearpond Fire Department.

The event, hosted by District 4 Commissioner Dan Brummitt, will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Bearpond Fire Department is located at 285 Bearpond Road.

Residents from across the county are welcome; it’s not just for District 4 residents.

Among topics to be discussed include public safety, economic development, infrastructure and water projects, county services and community priorities.

Similar programs are being planned in the county’s other districts.

(Note: The following information was added to this post on 7-28-26)

PUBLIC NOTICE
To: Press and Members of the Public
From: Dywanda Pettaway, Clerk to the Board, DP
Date: July 27, 2026
Re: Notice of Potential Quorum

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Members of the Vance County Board of Commissioners will attend Town Hall #1 on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bear Pond Volunteer Fire Department, located at 325 Bearpond Road, Henderson, NC 27537.

This event is open to the public. A quorum of the Vance County Board of Commissioners may be present; however, no official business will be conducted, and no action will be taken by the Board of County Commissioners.

This notice is provided in accordance with North Carolina’s Open Meetings Law.

For additional information, please contact the Vance County Clerk to the Board’s Office at (252) 738-2003, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Local Skinny! Back to School Events For All

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There are a lot of events geared toward school that will start back up soon for students in our area. The audio embedded below, as well as info at wizs.com/psas, includes Vance County Public Schools and numerous other local organizations.

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Henderson Police Investigating Shooting Incident That Injured 2 On July 22

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– From Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to the 700 block of Marshall Street following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, officers located 37-year-old Shiquan Clark suffering from a non-life-threatening wound to the head. Clark was provided medical assistance at the scene and transported to a regional medical center for treatment.
A short time later, 26-year-old Zavid Person arrived at a local emergency department with a gunshot wound believed to have been sustained during the same incident.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Detectives are actively working to determine the events leading up to the incident and the involvement of those connected to it.
The Henderson Police Department is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252. 438.4141 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925. Information may be provided anonymously.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: One Stage at a Time

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Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We continue our new series called the Theory of 7’s. This is a fatherhood framework for raising children, one stage at a time. We talk about a very important age group, ages zero to age seven.

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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