WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-06-25 Noon
Listen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Click Play!
TownTalk: Commissioners Receive Proposed 2025-26 Budget At Monday’s Meeting
UPDATE: Friday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry said late Friday that the budget work session of the Vance County Board of Commissioners originally scheduled for Monday, May 12 has been cancelled. The first budget work session will be Tuesday, May 20.
UPDATE: Tuesday, May 6 at 5 p.m.
Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry presented a proposed $64.3 million budget to county commissioners at their meeting Monday.
Perry hit the highlights of the 2025-26 budget in a summary to the Vance County Board of Commissioners, which includes additional funding for Vance County Schools, Vance-Granville Community College, the Granville-Vance Health Department and money for a new ambulance, among other items.
“This budget is more than balanced, it’s strategic,” Perry stated. “It reflects our goals of transparency, accountability and long-term progress. We are taking deliberate steps to correct financial practices of the past while making targeted investments in the people, infrastructure and services that shape Vance County’s future.”
Perry said the budget document should be posted on the county’s website by 12 noon on Tuesday.
Members of the public will have a chance to comment on the budget during the June 2 commissioners’ meeting. That also will be the first opportunity for commissioners to vote to approve the budget, which must be completed by June 30.
Commissioners agreed to hold budget work sessions beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 20.
No increases in property tax rates and fire tax rates are included in the budget, although Perry said solid waste fees would increase by $10 a month and there could be an increase in water rates for county residents.
The budget is a 5.74 percent increase over last year’s budget, largely fueled by overdue funding adjustments, implementation of a $1.1 million pay study and escalating operating costs.
Public safety, education and infrastructure are three main areas of focus, Perry noted.
“We confronted head-on the long-term impacts of prior underbudgeting, repeated audit findings” and inclusion on the Local Government Commission’s unit assistance list since June 2024, Perry told WIZS Tuesday because of late audits, embezzlement and audit findings.
“We are taking deliberate steps to correct financial practices of the past while making targeted investments in the people, infrastructure and services that shape Vance County’s future,” Perry told commissioners Monday evening.
Below are some of the numbers Perry highlighted to commissioners during her presentation:
- just over $122K in additional funding for Vance-Granville Community College
- $50,000 for Granville Vance Public Health to address rising costs and modernize their medical system
- $703,000 for a new ambulance, a remount, six new radios and funding for overtime pay
- $585,000 in additional operating funding for Vance County Schools
- $850,000 in capital funding for school-related projects like roof repairs
- $1.2 million increase in health insurance costs
- $60,000 to modernize the county website
- $75,000 for a new van for Cooperative Extension
Find the complete budget document here: https://www.vancecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MASTER-File-Website.pdf
Click Play!
UPDATE: Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:15 p.m.
The Vance County Board of Commissioners meets this evening for its regular monthly meeting. County Manager C. Renee Perry is scheduled to present the proposed 2025-26 budget.
The new budget must be approved by July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.
Information included in the agenda packet notes that Perry will present the proposed budget but will discuss in greater detail budget particulars during future work sessions.
It is expected that commissioners will schedule those budget work sessions in advance of the June 2 regular monthly meeting, which is when the public hearing on the budget will take place.
The 2024-25 budget came in at about $57.8 million.
At the time it was presented, the current budget was praised for being only about a 1 percent increase over the previous budget, but it didn’t have any money for jail renovations or a new EMS building, two big-ticket items that the county is considering.
Rising health insurance costs and cost-of-living increases are other items that may affect the budget that Perry will roll out to commissioners. County employees got a 4 percent COLA increase last year.
While it’s probably the most anticipated item on the commissioners’ agenda, the budget is not the only item. Here are a few other items the commissioners are likely to act on:
- A recent rezoning request for property on N.C. 39 South near Epsom. Perry is recommending that commissioners deny the request because it is not consistent with the county’s 1996 Land Use plan. Plans to put in a subdivision were met with some pushback by some county residents who spoke at the March commissioners’ meeting and commissioners requested then that the request be studied further.
- Granting the audit contract for 2024-25 is also under consideration. Included in tonight’s agenda is a recommendation that the county engage Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams, & Co.to conduct the annual audit. The fee is $61,500. The county still will send out requests for proposals, however.
- May 18-24 is National EMS Week, which Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones is requesting commissioners to officially recognize. There’s a proclamation for commissioners to approve that highlights the dedication of EMS professionals and promotes awareness of the critical role that EMS plays in public health.
- Increase the minimum salary for social worker positions in the county. The N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services “has expressed serious concern regarding the welfare of children in our county, which is being significantly impacted by ongoing staff vacancies across all levels of the Social Work team. Competitive compensation is critical to recruiting and retaining qualified professionals to ensure that essential services and protections for vulnerable children are not compromised,” according to an explanation in the agenda packet. Perry proposes a one-grade or two-grade increase in salaries for county social workers. Right now, the salary is $52,797; Perry proposes an increase to $55,172. She also proposes that the county consider building in more flexibility to the position, including allowing telework options that other nearby counties offer.
CLICK PLAY!
Cooperative Extension with Wykia Macon: MIMB & Incentives at the Market
On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wykia Macon:
We share one of our programs that we offer through an NCSU program called More in My Basket https://morefood.org/ and connect it to the Farmers Market incentives that we will offer in June.
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
Click Play!
The Local Skinny! Open Houses for Mobility Hub Coming Soon
The community is invited to attend upcoming information sessions to learn more about the Mobility Hub project that is set to transform the former First National Bank building in downtown Henderson into a spot that will become a place where numerous types of transportation will be available for the public to use, from bike/pedestrian paths to passenger rail service.
The Henderson City Council selected the former bank building as the site of the hub, which is part of the S-Line project that ultimately will complete the rail corridor from Florida to the Northeast.
As part of the public engagement phase of the project, staff from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation will be in town Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14 to hold information sessions.
The Tuesday session will be held in the Farm Bureau room at Perry Memorial Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Wednesday session will be held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the site of the future mobility hub, 213 S. Garnett Street.
The meetings will give the public a chance to ask questions, view a video about the project and provide feedback about design, construction and scale.
A mobility hub is a public facility with regional and local transportation options, offering users choices from walking and biking to bus, shuttle and rideshare options.
CLICK PLAY!
TownTalk: Fasting and Prayer Challenge
Brian J. Boyd is not alone in his belief in the power of prayer. He’s taking things a step further, however, to combine prayer with the act of fasting and wants to invite others to join him. It’s an effort that Boyd says can have a positive impact on the community and the city.
To that end, Boyd has created a Henderson Vance Prayer and Fasting group, and he challenges area churches to join him in his efforts with a focus on families, the community and the city.
Individuals can sign up for single day or multiple days to commit to fasting and praying for the community, Boyd said on Monday’s TownTalk.
“That fast is something I leave up to the individual – one meal, two meals, it can be a whole day,” he said. “Whatever you decide works for you.”
He did a little quick math and said of Vance County’s total population of 43,000 residents – about 21,000 – fall into the 18-64 age range.
Vance County also has more than 100 churches, he said, with 22,700 members altogether. Using that same age distribution, Boyd figures there are roughly 11,000 church members who are between the ages of 18 and 64.
Divide that 11,000 people by 365 (days in a year) and that’s about 31 people fasting and praying every single day of the year.
“Can you imagine the impact on our community?” Boyd mused.
“Fasting has multiple benefits,” he continued, adding that he is drawn closer to God through fasting and is more knowledgeable of the Word of God.
“Your strength increases and you’re able to pray powerful and fervent prayers,” he said.
He wants to put the power of prayer and fasting to work in the community, which he says is at a crossroads.
Too often Henderson is recognized for negative reasons, from teen pregnancy and drug addiction to violence and murders.
“I want to put that aside,” he said. “I want to bring that to a close.”
If you’d like to join Boyd in his effort, email him at hendersonvanceprayer@gmail.com.
Here’s the link to a simple Google doc to sign up to join the prayer and fasting challenge:
CLICK PLAY!
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 05-05-25 Noon
Listen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Click Play!
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Ticks
On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wayne Rowland:
Use insect repellants when in the outdoors to help protect you from ticks.
Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
Click Play!
Vance County Schools Celebrates Top Ten Percent In 2025 Graduating Class
Vance County Schools honored students in the Top 10 Percent of the Class of 2025 Thursday during its Evening of Academic Excellence at the Atrium on the campus of the Center for Innovation.
The Vance County High School Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Korwind Stokes, delivered a moving performance, setting the tone for an evening of celebration and accomplishment.
Thirty-two students were recognized for their achievement – 25 from Vance County High School, 5 from Early College and 1 each from AdVance Academy and Vance Virtual Village Academy.
The night spoke volumes about the determination of these students and their commitment to reaching their goals, even in the face of challenges. To celebrate their success, the senior scholars received a medallion to wear with their graduation attire, a symbol of their outstanding academic achievement.
View photos of the evening on the Vance County Schools Facebook page.
The following students were recognized for their hard work, dedication and outstanding academic performance:
Vance County High School
- Jessica Hernandez-Sanchez
- Lia Machado
- Lucie Lecomte
- Antoine Doyle
- Nadirah Martin-Watson
- Courtney Harp
- K’Naya Williams
- Dicenia Nuci
- Adreayna Vaughan
- Fernanda Minero Mancera
- Daniela Hernandez
- Jaylen Hargrove
- Ty’Liik Henderson
- Saydeline Barron Mejia
- Maurice Jackson
- Jontavious Nile
- Nahum Perez
- Kira Alston
- La’Nika Watkins
- Lee Kinney
- Ronasia Kearney
- Royer Orozco Orozco
- Aubryella Ramirez
- Xya’Riah Best
- Clarence Debnam
AdVance Academy
Danielle Wilson
Vance County Early College
- Ivy Huynh
- Jiya Davis
- Christina Dobbs
- Launtica Brown
- Edgar Duran Ortiz
Vance Virtual Village Academy
Fatima Ramirez Ramirez
Man Charged In Connection With April 18 Best Bet Break-In
From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On April 18, 2025 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Best Bet Gas Station located at 4765 NC Hwy 39 South, Henderson, North Carolina 27537 in reference to an alarm. Deputies arrived on scene to find the front glass door was shattered. Deputies entered the store, but the suspect had left prior to their arrival. The incident was turned over to the Vance County Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation.
Kenneth Gray was identified and charged for the incident. Gray was charged and later apprehended for Felony Breaking and/or Entering, Felony Larceny, Misdemeanor Breaking Coin/Currency Machine, and Misdemeanor Injury to Real Property. Gray was given a $75,000.00 secured bond and placed in the Vance County Detention Center.
Free Community Forum Monday, May 5 Features Panel Discussions About Educational And Legal Rights
Jayden Watkins, teen minister and founder of the local nonprofit Higher is Waiting is hosting a free community forum on Monday, May 5 to share information with young people and their families about their educational and legal rights.
The forum is called “EMPOWER Youself!” and will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Perry Memorial Library. Watkins said it is designed to educate and equip youth, parents and community members with the knowledge of their rights in educational and legal settings.
“I’d love to see the room packed with youth, parents and community members,” Watkins said.
Watkins will serve as moderator as the forum presents two interactive panel discussions – one with local law enforcement and court officials who will provide insight into how the justice system works and the rights of individuals when interacting with law enforcement, and the other with experienced educators who will speak on student rights in school, classroom discipline and parent advocacy.
The goal is to create a safe, informative space where attendees can ask questions, gain understanding and leave feeling more confident, empowered and prepared to navigate real-life situations, Watkins stated.
Refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome.
Scheduled panelists include: Sgt. Brandon Barnes, Capt. Lloyd Watkins, Sr., Deputy Kendrick Wilkins, Magistrate Bratanya Simmons, Rita Jones, Dean Smith, Kendrick Vann and Earlene Bullock.