Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
We talk further on the Supporting Father Involvement Program.
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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— information courtesy of the office of N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson
A security breach of the company many public school districts have used as their data management system has affected about 4 million teachers, students and parents in North Carolina. N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson said he is demanding that the company, PowerSchool, disclose more information about exactly how the breach happened and how it affected as the investigation continues.
Students and staff affected by the data breach have until July 31, 2025, to enroll in free identity protection and credit monitoring (offered for adult students and educators) here. You can also find out more about setting up a free security freeze here.
Vance County Schools was part of the security breach. Visit https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/about/powerschool-data-breach for the most current information about the breach.
“Last year’s data breach compromised the personal information of teachers, public school employees and families across North Carolina,” Jackson stated in a press release. “I’m demanding more information from PowerSchool about how this breach happened and who it affected, and what we learn will drive our next steps.”
Jackson issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to PowerSchool that legally requires it to provide to him the following information:
· The exact number of North Carolinians impacted by the 2024 data breach.
· Details about PowerSchool’s cybersecurity measures that were in place to protect users’ personal information leading up to the breach.
· Which security flaws may have contributed to the breach.
· Information about PowerSchool’s response and actions in the immediate aftermath of the breach.
· Steps PowerSchool has taken to address the cybersecurity failures that contributed to the data breach and strengthen data protection methods.
· PowerSchool’s work to communicate with and assist consumers affected by the breach.
PowerSchool sells software products used by schools across the country, including public schools across North Carolina. In December 2024, a hacker gained access to that software, potentially exposing Social Security numbers, addresses, names of minors, and medical and disciplinary information. The breach impacted more than 62 million people across the country. PowerSchool later paid a ransom to the hacker to delete the information that was stolen, but a hacker then tried to extort North Carolina public school districts again.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice charged 19-year-old Massachusetts college student Matthew Lane with hacking PowerSchool’s system and facilitating the 2024 data breach. Lane entered a plea deal with the federal government in May. Lane pleaded guilty to cyber extortion conspiracy, cyber extortion, unauthorized access to protected computers, and aggravated identity theft.
Telessie McGhee is being honored by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of North Carolina & Jurisdiction, Inc.
A celebration of service and testimonial is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Durham Hilton, 3800 Hillsborough Rd., Durham.
Tickets for the event are $60.
Contact the hotel at 919.383.8033 to make a lodging reservation. Mention “PGWP McGhee Testimonial” to receive a special room rate.
The following web address (https://mwphglnc.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Telessie-McGhee-Testimonial-2025.pdf) has a QR code for tickets to the testimonial dinner.
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The Henderson Kiwanis Club celebrated its 100th anniversary a couple of years ago – that’s quite an accomplishment for any group, and this local civic club is staying active as it begins its second century of service to the community.
Kiwanis Club President Danny Wilkerson said the local group has had several different long-standing fundraisers over the years – peanut sales and azalea sales, for example – but the club’s biggest fundraiser is the annual golf tournament.
This year’s tournament at Kerr Lake Country Club brought in a little more than $10,000, Wilkerson said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.
“It’s the most money we’ve ever made from a tournament,” he said. “We were just so excited about it that day,” he added. The 17 teams on the course that day, as well as a variety of sponsors and enough volunteers to have everything run smoothly, added up to a record-breaking year.
But the club doesn’t hang on to the money for long. “We take it in and push it right back into the community,” Wilkerson said, “to help the needs of the kids.”
The Kiwanis motto is Serving the Children of the World, and that’s a motto that Kiwanians take to heart. “It’s all about the kids,” Wilkerson said.
The local club established two scholarships at Vance-Granville Community College in memory of Robert Turner and Bob Harrison, and Vance County Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett was a guest speaker at a recent club meeting.
The club provides gifts for needy children at Christmas and support youth organizations like the Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Club, the Salvation Army, local library and more.
What the club needs, however, is more members. It’s down to fewer than a dozen, but Wilkerson said anyone is welcome to attend their meetings, held at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at Henderson Country Club.
He knows young parents have a lot of responsibilities raising their own families, which has affected membership in many organizations besides his own.
“We’ll feed you and hope you stick around to become a member of the club,” Wilkerson said. “We really want to attract some younger people to carry the torch forward.”
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The Children’s Theatre Camp is in its second week of its two-week program at McGregor Hall, and Mark Hopper said that 54 campers are in rehearsal now for the production of Once Upon A Mattress that will be performed this weekend.
There are three shows for the public – Friday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees that begin at 3 p.m. The shows last about an hour, the perfect length for families with young children.
“It’s a great family-oriented show,” Hopper said, “and the duration makes it great for any age.” There’s singing and choreography – with plenty of comedic shenanigans and campy jokes, he said, that are sure to keep the audience entertained.
Jo Ellen Nowell is directing the youngsters as they prepare to put on the show about a very loud princess named Winnifred and a Queen’s attempts to find a suitable wife for her son, the Prince.
This is the fifth year for the Children’s Theatre Camp, Hopper said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
Charlotte Davis is cast as Winnifred and Hopper called her work “phenomenal.”
“We’ve got some unbelievably talented kids on that stage – 54 of them,” he said.
There will be a daytime performance on Friday, June 27 especially for campers at the Henderson Family YMCA and Recreation and Parks, Hopper said.
Hopefully, more young people will see others their age on stage and realize that it’s something that could be an option for them one day as well.
“We wanted to make a camp that was affordable,” Hopper said, while offering access to high-quality material, staff and equipment that McGregor Hall performances are known for.
For $100, rising 3rd graders through rising 11th graders could participate for eight hours a day and then, “at the end of two weeks, produce a quality show,” Hopper said.
Purchase tickets here: https://mcgregorhall.ludus.com/index.php
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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
This segment has a few key tips on how to keep your plants happy during a heat wave. Also shared are reminders for upcoming events.
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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— from Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame
On June 22, 2025 the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Carey Chapel Road and Vicksboro Road regarding a shooting. Upon the arrival of deputies, it was determined that a white in color Mercedes-Benz was involved. While searching the area, deputies located a white in color Mercedes-Benz matching the description of the suspected vehicle.
Vance County Deputies in the area initiated a felony traffic stop on the suspected vehicle at Brookhaven Court and Carey Chapel Road. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 19-year-old Shadaja Kemari Galloway. Galloway was detained pending further investigation. Under the North Carolina Controlled Substance Act, Galloway was subsequently charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, simple possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying a concealed weapon. She was processed and taken before a magistrate.
Galloway was not given a bond due to being out on pre-trial release conditions for a previous felony possession of a controlled substance. Galloway is currently being held at the Vance County Jail.
A 220 Fundraiser will take place on Monday, June 30 to support Vance County Magistrate Mike Massenburg and his family, who lost their home and its contents in a house fire.
Take-out plates will be available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 220 Seafood, 1812 N. Garnett St.
Plates are $10 and you can just drive up and purchase without having purchased a ticket in advance.
Tickets had been available for purchase for the past few weeks from the Vance County Clerk of Court’s office or magistrate’s office, 156 Church St., Suite 101. Anyone who purchased tickets in advance is asked to bring them Monday when you pick up your plates.
