TownTalk: Low-ABV Spirits in NC

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Visitors to the Outer Banks can experience the convenience and novelty of any one of five Brew Thru locations in the area, delighting in the fact that they can drive their Jeeps, SUVs and other vehicles literally through the store to pick up cold drinks from sodas to beer and more.

As Philip Foreman, the company president and owner, prepares to celebrate 50 years of Brew Thru next year, he said he’d like to be able to add some spirits-based ready-to-drink beverages to his coolers for folks to pick up instead of having to make a special trip to the ABC store.

It seems that many people are looking for seltzer-based beverages that contain spirits like vodka, not malt-based.

These beverages often have fewer calories and a lower alcohol content, but it’s the wrong kind of alcohol – spirits can only be sold in the state’s ABC stores.

“These canned cocktails are not hard liquor,” he explained, and he wants to be able to add them to the products that he can legally sell.

Foreman said he’s excited about the 50-year anniversary coming up, and he thinks it’s only fair that these ready-to-drink products find themselves on Brew Thru shelves along with their other choices, which range from beverages to t-shirts and other merchandise.

“Everybody comes through for the first time and then they’re hooked,” he said in a recent interview. “It’s a fun way to shop,” he said. “We work really hard to make sure our employees are super friendly – it’s an experience going to a Brew Thru versus going to a store.”

Foreman is advocating for passage of a bill which would allow these RTDs to be sold in retail locations and not just at ABC stores.

N.C. District 32 Rep. Bryan Cohn told WIZS that House Bill 921 would allow retailers who are licensed to sell beer and wine to carry canned cocktails that could contain up to 9.9 percent ABV, but that bill has not cleared the full House. The Senate’s version – Senate Bill 198 – does not include retail RTD access, Cohn said, but both bills remain active.

According to Cohn, State Sen. Tim Moffitt (R-Dist. 48) has said publicly that if the House bill clears, the Senate will take it up. “Until that happens, nothing changes,” Cohn said.

Moffit told NC Newsline (see link here) and reporter/writer Brandon Kingdollar of the publication in a Tuesday story (link here), “The Senate’s approach to alcohol legislation this biennium was more of a technical corrections type of bill where we were working directly with the ABC Commission on some of the hurdles that a lot of our ABC permittees have to deal with.” Sen. Moffitt told NC Newsline, “If the House can get their bill over to the Senate, then the Senate will consider it.”

Senate Bill 198 and House Bill 921 haven’t been passed yet and seem to be somewhat stuck. There’s some wording that has to be refined, Foreman said, but he’s hopeful that the omnibus bills will pass.

He said he’s not trying to take any business away from the ABC stores; rather, he contends that the drinks should be more accessible and convenient to purchase.

North Carolina is one of 17 states that emerged from the Prohibition era with controls over the sale of spirits. Of those 17 states, 12 already have revised their laws to allow for a low-beverage spirit-based RTD to be sold in retail outlets. And Foreman wants to add North Carolina to that list.

“That’s not fair,” Foreman said. “I just want to be treated fairly. It’s not only me upset about this.”

“It’s not getting rid of the ABC system,” Foreman said. “I’m just against controlled states competing with taxpaying retailers on a low alcohol beverage cocktail.”

Nothing in the bills change the way the alcohol is regulated – that part remains the same, he explained. But it would allow for wholesalers to deliver RTDs to restaurants and retail outlets along with the wine and beer they currently put on their trucks and which often have a higher ABV than the canned cocktails.

(This is not a paid ad. The text above and audio below explore social, business and legislative issues in NC. This is not a promotion of any kind or for alcohol consumption. “TownTalk” is a public affairs presentation of WIZS News.)

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TownTalk: America 250 Events Calendar for Vance County

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Celebrating the country’s 250th birthday adds an extra layer of excitement to the annual July 4 festivities being planned in the area, and Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director Ferdinand Rouse is joining forces with other local community leaders to make sure the celebration is one for the books.

Stay informed about a variety of events and activities in the area by checking out a calendar of events at perrylibrary.org/americas-250/a250-community-calendar or vancecountyedc.com (then scroll to the bottom). Find out about what’s happening in the area through the summer.

Rouse said he’s grateful for community partners who are teaming up to make sure events like the July fireworks at Satterwhite Point, for example, go off without a hitch. The annual fireworks display takes place on Friday, July 3. Remember there’s a $10 a car fee to enter the state park area. Alcohol is not allowed. But there will be plenty of fun, food, music and more, Rouse said.

Planning activities as part of the America 250 celebration has truly been a partnership, Rouse explained.

“It’s always great to have people who have passion for the community…that know the history and can help spread that information out to the general public,” Rouse said.

This kind of collaboration also serves to bolster economic development, he said, adding that it’s a crucial part of the social fabric that shows community pride.

“It helps folks understand that if you come to Vance County, you’re coming in to a community that believes in being part of the history of America…it’s important,” Rouse said.

If you would like to learn more and hear about the America 250 Committee process and calendar, Click Play!

TownTalk: Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation $1k Scholarships/Mentors

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On Saturday, June 13, the Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation celebrated its scholarship recipients and honored its donors with an evening of outdoor dining.

Edmonds Tennis and Education Foundation (ETEF) goes beyond traditional youth programs by integrating tennis, education and nutrition to provide a more holistic approach to development here in rural North Carolina.

Not only is a scholarship recipient better off financially for their next step, by being in ETEF they have a permanent home base of mentors and are particularly paired up with a mentor for their first year after graduation.

Since forming as a non-profit in 2018, over 3,000 students have participated in ETEF tennis and education programs.

President Dr. Jerry Edmonds told WIZS, “This past Saturday, due to generous private donations, ETEF awarded academic scholarships of $1,000 each to six college bound area high school graduates.”

He said, “The biggest takeaway was the amazing accomplishments of the six students and their future aspirations to serve others through careers including Nursing, Law, STEM and Ministry.”

Keynote speaker Kelly Gaines, executive director of the NC Tennis Association (USTA North Carolina) delivered an inspiring speech, according to Edmonds, highlighting the importance of mentorship throughout one’s career. Kelly encouraged the students to begin forming their personal board of directors, consisting of experienced leaders who can help them navigate their careers.

This past Friday, June 12, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce presented its most recent Member Spotlight to ETEF and President and Founders Dr. Jerry Edmonds and spouse Dorcel Edmonds. The Chamber said, “Through tennis, students learn discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and confidence—skills that extend far beyond the court. By pairing athletic opportunities with educational support and character-building experiences, the Foundation helps youth unlock their full potential, pursue their goals, and become leaders in their communities.”

Edmonds Tennis offers tennis clinics for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced training.

For youth tennis camps or to learn more, visit www.edmondstennis.org or call (833) 751-5400.

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The Local Skinny! Dinosaurs Roam Over Perry Memorial Library

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The Summer Reading Program has kicked-off at Perry Memorial Library and Youth Services Librarian, Melody Peters has the community prepared and excited for what’s to come this summer.

To start off the program, children can head to the library to see Rupert! A Dinosaur that the library staff has been working diligently on since planning began for the program just over a month ago. Children can also pick up their summer reading log to fill out as the summer moves on.

Rupert ties into the summer reading theme “Unearthing A Story,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

In addition to the start of the summer reading program, Donuts with Dad will make its way to the Library as children, along with their Dad, Granddads, or Father Figures, take part in a morning filled with delicious donuts, a Dinomite storytime, and quality time with Dad on Saturday June 20th from 10:30am-11:30am.

Then on Sunday, which is also Father’s Day, join Perry Memorial Library for a musical celebration! When the library participates in Make Music Day at the library from 1:30pm-3pm. Hands-on activities including a make-and-take egg shaker will be included.

Tuesday, June 23rd will be filled with activities for everyone as the Big Bang Boom! Group from Greensboro will head to the library for some educational children’s music that is sure to be a good time!

Later that day at 4pm and 6pm, Donna Washington, a well-known, multiple award winning storyteller artist and author, will inspire and entertain her audience with performances made possible by a grant from the Vance County Arts Council.

“We are so grateful for our partners,” Peters said. “We have so many people to thank.”

Visit the library’s website at www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Japanese Beetles

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

This segment gives tips on how to control Japanese Beetles before reminding listeners that the Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays.

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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Midnight Shooting; 15-Year-Old Dead

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Update June 15, 2026 at 9:59 p.m. from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

Update on June 13th Homicide Investigation:

As a result of the ongoing investigation into the shooting that occurred near the intersection of Rose Street and South William Street, Michael Edwards Mitchell Jr., 25, has been arrested and charged with the following offenses:

First-Degree Murder

Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell, or Deliver Marijuana

Maintaining a Vehicle, Dwelling, or Place for Controlled Substances

Felony Negligent Child Abuse

Mitchell was brought before a magistrate and ordered held without bond pending future court proceedings.

This case remains under active investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925.

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Original information from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow June 14, 2026 at 9:12 a.m.

The Henderson Police Department is investigating a shooting near the intersection of Rose Street and South William Street that left one person deceased and injured two others.

A few minutes before midnight, on June 13th, Officers responded to the area following reports of a gunshot victim and located 15-year-old Manny Escobedo suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts by emergency personnel, Escobedo later succumbed to his injuries at an area medical facility.

Investigators later learned that Michael Edwards Mitchell, 25, and a small child had arrived at a local emergency department with non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the same incident.

Through the investigation, detectives have determined that Mitchell traveled to the area to meet with Escobedo. During that encounter, an exchange of gunfire occurred, resulting in the injuries sustained and causing damage to Mitchell’s vehicle.

This investigation remains active and ongoing as investigators continue to process evidence and conduct witness interviews. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925

Henderson-Oxford Airport Funding

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At the regular June meeting of The Henderson City Council, the local airport manager and board chair, Amanda Welsh and David Thomas respectively, presented economic impact information, answered questions and updated the council in advance of the final FY27 City Budget.

A loss of funding or lower funding would have its biggest impact on the airport’s ability to go after grants and larger funding sources because of required matching funds like percentage matches, according to Steve Welsh, who also spoke. He’s an instructor and father-in-law to Amanda Welsh.

As presently written, Henderson will provide just over $33,000 in the FY27 budget, and the airport receives appropriations from Oxford as well as Vance County and Granville County.

Thomas asked the council to consider the airport’s proposal and to continue to support it. His appearance follows a recent council budget work session discussion about savings to the budget by cutting funding to the Henderson-Oxford airport.

Amanda Welsh said, “Supporting the Henderson-Oxford Airport, supports this town of Henderson and those in it. End of story. Period.”

Thomas said, “One of the greatest values lies not in the planes based here today but in the business jobs, in the investments, it can attract over the next 5 to 10 to 20 years.”

He said in response to a question from Councilperson Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, “Henderson is the first name on the airport. And if the funding is not appropriated for the airport, then I lose my position as representative for the City of Henderson. By losing that, we lose the name of Henderson on the airport.”

Thomas said it could be viewed negatively by those looking to invest here, and “they look at that and say, well, ‘what happened to the name Henderson Oxford Airport? Henderson would not support the airport.’ So the industry, in my opinion, is going to look at it and say, ‘well, we don’t need to come to Henderson if they can’t support their own airport.’ … We’ve got one of the better airports around.”

Following a question from Mayor Pro Tem Tami Walker, Amanda Welsh said, “…if you just remember the return on investment, I know that it is tempting and necessary sometimes to look at budgets and say cut, cut, cut. You cutting could just be unfortunate for the City overall.”

Steve Welsh said a $1 million project really only costs the four contributors $100,000. He said, “So to the extent that you cut it back, the airport would obviously still exist, but the ability to go after some of those grants where it’s a 90-10 (percent split) or a 5-95 (percentage split) or an 80-20 or something like that, where somebody brings the 80 and we have to come up with a 20, we would not be able to make the updates as quick.”

(The story continues below this audio. Click Play for more information and the TownTalk broadcast.)

The Henderson City Council seemed to indicate it would like regular updates from the Henderson-Oxford Airport in addition to the airport’s annual report to the council and notification of any airport board meetings the council’s representative may attend.

Councilperson Sam Seifert said, “…it’s good for our community. It’s good for business. And it’s good for economic development. We may not see it right now, but it will pay dividends down the road. … What Henderson provides is really a nominal amount, but it demonstrates support of a resource here in town that you just can’t measure the impact it has now and what it could have in the future.”

Thomas said, “From 2022 to today’s date, we have done $12,326,000 worth of updates, repairs, and replacements in the airport.”

Also about the big money and upgrades, recall back to March when WIZS reported as follows:

The Henderson-Oxford Airport has gotten a $9.4 million infusion of local, state and federal funds to make some major upgrades and renovations to its facility, located just inside Granville County.
At its March 16 meeting, the Granville County Board of Commissioners OK’d $300,000 for a water infrastructure project that will bring municipal water to the airport.
Tack on $232,500 in state funds for a taxiway project and an earlier half a million dollars from the state for the water project and it all adds up to significant improvements to the airport, located 10 miles northwest of the City of Henderson and about five miles from Oxford.
Back in December 2025, the NCDOT Division of Aviation notified HNZ Chairman David Thomas, Henderson’s board appointee, that the airport had been approved for $8.8 million for the airport’s taxiway relocation project. Then in February, another $600,000 from the Golden LEAF Foundation came through for the water main extension project.
“We are very appreciative that the Division of Aviation has recognized HNZ’s contribution to the state aviation system and seen fit to partner with us on the funding the taxiway relocation,” Thomas stated. “The financial support from the federal, state, and Granville County government, as well as the Golden LEAF Foundation, will get a great deal of work done in improving our airport.”
Granville County Commissioner Rob Williford represents the district in which the airport is located. “We believe in the airport’s potential, and we believe in our county and in our region,” Williford said. “This investment in getting water to the airport isn’t just a water project; it’s an investment in the economic development of Granville County and the Kerr-Tar region.”
“Both of these projects are building blocks for us,” commented Jon Carver, the Authority’s vice-chair and the Granville County appointee to the Authority’s board. “This funding helps kick start a capital improvement program that includes a new FBO and a lot more hangar space for more diverse and larger aircraft.”
“The expansion potential at HNZ is exciting. We just needed this 12” line and now we have it. We’re ready to grow our business presence at HNZ,” said Carver.
Officially titled “the Aeronautics Authority of the City of Henderson, City of Oxford, County of Granville, and County of Vance”, the HNZ Authority was enabled by state legislation introduced in 1945. The Authority is a partnership between the City of Oxford, Granville County, the City of Henderson, and Vance County; each entity appoints a member to the HNZ authority board.
Construction began at the airport in 1966, and it became fully operational in 1971. By 1982, the original 3500′ runway had been extended to 5,002′ and lighting was added to the runway and taxiway. In 2014, the runway and taxiway were extended to 5501’x100′. In 2020, T-Hangar “A” was constructed.
HNZ handles more than 25,000 annual operations. HNZ and the woman- and family-owned fixed base operator offer aircraft hangar and tie-down rentals, fuel services, aircraft maintenance and safety support, corporate and business aviation operations, community engagement activities and youth aviation exposure. The private business, Empire Aviation Flight School, located at HNZ in 2009 and offers private pilot training (including ground school), discovery flights, and leisure flights.
For more information about HNZ, visit www.flyHNZ.com.