Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: The Pressure to Provide

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Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We begin a brand new series titled, “Money, Manhood, and Fatherhood”. We discuss in part 1 of this series on the pressure of providing for your family.

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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Donate At Upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives

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The American Red Cross is sponsoring several blood drives in the area over the next few weeks.

Please consider signing up to donate blood or platelets as Memorial Day and summertime activities heat up. The Red Cross relies on blood and platelet donations to help medical centers stay ready and be able to respond quickly to emergencies.

If you donate by May 31, you’ll receive an oversized Red Cross beach towel, while supplies last.

And anyone who comes to give June 1-28 will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice, plus automatic entry for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/June for details.

Book your time to give lifesaving blood or platelets now — To schedule, visit RedCrossBlood.org,  call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 20-June 7:

Vance

Henderson

5/26/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Road

5/28/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd

6/2/2026: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Clearview Church, 3485 US-158 BUS

6/6/2026: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Freedom Life Church of God, 1001 Martin Creek Rd.

 

Warren

Macon

6/4/2026: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Macon Baptist Church, 159 Church Street

 

Granville

Butner

5/22/2026: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., Central Regional Hospital, 300 Veasey Road

Maria Parham Health Selects Emilee Johnson For 2026 Mercy Award

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— Information courtesy of Maria Parham Health

Emilee Johnson is Maria Parham Health’s 2026 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded.

Johnson is vice president of Operations and has spent more than 23 years at Maria Parham Health, beginning as an occupational therapist and growing into a key executive leader across the health system, according to a press statement from Donna Young, MPH public information officer.

The Mercy Award was established in 2001 to honor the life and contributions of Scott Mercy, Lifepoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer. The award is considered the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive.

“At Maria Parham Health, our caring and compassionate team members are at the heart of advancing our mission of making communities healthier – and Emilee Johnson is a shining example of this day in and day out,” said Bert Beard, Market CEO of Maria Parham Health. “We are so proud to recognize the many contributions Emilee has made to caring for patients, supporting our hospital, and serving our community.  Emilee’s leadership, compassion, and servant’s heart set an example for all of us.”

Throughout her career, Johnson has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving both patient care and the employee experience.

Johnson has played a critical role in advancing safety and operational excellence, including leading the development of the organization’s Emergency Management Plan and serving as Chair of the Workplace Violence Committee. Her work has strengthened the safety of the care environment and contributed to initiatives such as the Emergency Department “Safe Spaces” design enhancements.

Beyond her work inside the hospital, Johnson has made a lasting impact in the community. She founded and continues to lead the Maria Parham Litter Sweep, promoting environmental stewardship for more than a decade. She also launched the “Stomp the Stigma” 5K and fun run, raising awareness and more than $5,000 to support local mental health and addiction resources.

Johnson is deeply engaged in community partnerships, serving on multiple local boards including the YMCA, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, and the Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Her work helps strengthen collaboration between the hospital and the community it serves.

Colleagues describe Johnson as a compassionate leader who builds meaningful relationships, inspires others, and consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty.  She is known for fostering an environment where team members feel valued, supported, and motivated to deliver the best for patients and one another.

“Emilee doesn’t just talk about our mission of making communities healthier – she lives it every single day.” said one coworker. “Her leadership, kindness, and dedication to our patients, staff, and community truly embody everything the Mercy Award represents.”

Johnson will join award winners from the other Lifepoint facilities to be considered for Lifepoint Health’s 2026 companywide Mercy Award. The companywide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

 

Veterans Monument Installation On Track For July 4 Dedication

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If all goes as planned, the new Veterans Memorial will be officially unveiled at a ceremony on July 4, a fitting day as the nation officially celebrates its 250th birthday.

Hartwell Wright, American Legion Post 60 commander, said the fundraising efforts are paying off, but there’s more to do.

The July 4 ceremony will be more of an “official” unveiling, Wright said, adding that it’ll be a little tough to keep a 9-foot tall, 6-sided granite monument in the middle of town under wraps.

“It’s kind of hard to hide something that large,” he quipped.

The Veterans Memorial, which will be situated outside the main entrance of the Henderson Police Department, will include all six branches of the U.S. military – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and the Space Force.

“We’ve been really, really busy trying to raise the funds for this thing,” Wright told WIZS recently. The price tag exceeds $150,000, and there’s still $50,000 or $60,000 left to go, he said.

“I feel real excited at this point,” Wright said. The foundation was to have been completed in the week leading up to Memorial Day, he noted.

“And hopefully, by the first of June, we’ll start digging a hole,” he said, in preparation of the monument installation.

If all goes according to schedule, Wright said the monument should be installed the last week of June.

“We just want our citizens to come out and take pride in Vance County and what God has allowed us to do in the United States of America to live the way we live and especially the way we are able to live right here,” Wright said.

He invites the community to come out to the ceremony – bring a lawn chair and enjoy the morning’s festivities.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in nearby McGregor Hall.

Visit www.vcvm.org to learn more. There’s a link on the page for donations.

“We will keep our campaign going even after the monument is completed,” Wright said. He said the plan is to replace the benches near the future site of the monument with granite benches to match the monument.

Send checks to:

VCVM

P.O. 1765

Henderson, NC, 27536.

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Maria Parham Health Publishes 2025 Community Benefit Report

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— submitted by Maria Parham Health

Report outlines hospital’s continued impact on health and economic vitality of Henderson/Vance County

Maria Parham Health today published its community benefit report for the 2025 calendar year. This annual report outlines the various ways the hospital is working to support the health and economic vitality of Henderson/Vance County as part of its mission of making communities healthier.

“Always striving to advance our mission is how we succeed as a community leader in Henderson/Vance County, and as a leader in our community, we are dedicated to supporting those who entrust us with their care, investing in our region’s overall well-being and making a positive impact on our region,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “This year’s report highlights our continued commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care close to home.”

Maria Parham Health’s 2025 community benefit report highlights its continued efforts to meet the growing healthcare needs of its community through welcoming new providers, adding and expanding service lines and continually investing in its facilities and healthcare technology. For example, in 2025, Maria Parham Health added new providers in internal medicine, general surgery, gastroenterology, wound care, emergency and family medicine, psychiatry, cardiology and oncology; and made nearly $15.1 million in capital improvements, including an upgraded linear accelerator, the addition of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) services, new surgical technologies in orthopedics and urology, and the renovation of emergency departments in Henderson and Louisburg.

Additionally, Maria Parham Health provided more than $62.4 million in health services to those in need, demonstrating its continuous commitment to ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.

Maria Parham Health is also devoted to creating environments where providers want to practice and employees want to work. In 2025, the hospital distributed nearly $72.1 million in salaries, wages and benefits for its approximately 730 employees, while contributing more than $117,000 in professional development and tuition assistance so all its employees can have the opportunity to learn, grow and improve the care they provide their patients.

Last year, the organization paid $17,872,115 in local and state taxes, while also continuing its support of local activities and organizations committed to serving the region, including ACTS of Vance County, Henderson Family YMCA, McGregor Hall, and The Salvation Army.

“We are proud to call Henderson/Vance County our home and feel truly privileged to contribute to its well-being. We are also thankful for the hard work and dedication of our providers, employees and volunteers who make it all possible, “said Beard. “As we look ahead to the future, we are so excited to continue improving the way we serve our neighbors and communities.”

Maria Parham Health’s 2025 community benefit report is available here – mariaparham.com/community-benefit-report

(This is not a paid ad.)

— by Donna Young

Market Coordinator, Marketing & Communications, Market Public Information Officer, Maria Parham Health & Person Memorial Hospital

Durham Man Found Inside Room at Former 121 Motel Arrested on Three Felony Charges

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— from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow

On May 19, 2026, at approximately 7:40 a.m., officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to 197 Parham Road, the location of the former 121 Motel, in reference to a breaking and entering in progress.

Shortly after arrival, officers located 44-year-old Kevin Thomas Clayton, of Durham, inside one of the rooms purportedly attempting to steal materials from the structure. During the investigation, officers also conducted a search at the Budget Host Inn, located at 1727 N. Garnett Street, where Clayton was reportedly residing. Tools, commonly used to burglarize and steal were located in his possession.

Clayton was charged with:

Felony Breaking and Entering
Felony Injury to Property to Obtain Non-Ferrous Metal
Felony Possession of Burglary Tools

Clayton received a $50,000 secured bond and was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center.

He is scheduled to appear in Vance County District Court on June 16, 2026.

TownTalk: Henderson City Budget Public Hearing Set For 6 P.M. Thursday, May 21

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Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott has scheduled a special called meeting of the City Council for Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m. in order to hold a public hearing on the proposed FY 2027 budget.

The meeting will be held in City Council Chambers at 134 Rose Ave.

This is the time for the public to ask questions about the proposed budget, and there is no need to sign up ahead of time.

The meeting also will be livestreamed live on the city’s YouTube channel for viewing only. If you want to speak during the hearing, you’ll have to attend in person.

City Finance Director Joey Fuqua presented the proposed $51.7 million budget to Council at its May meeting; since then, the City Council has had a couple of budget workshops as it works through the approval process. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

Find the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@CityofHenderson-NC.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Encouraging Fathers to Read at Perry Memorial Library

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Mother Goose Story Time, make way for what Youth Services Director Melody Peters hopes will become another mainstay offering at Perry Memorial Library: It’s Papa Bear Story Time, and it’s making its debut on Monday evenings beginning June 1.

Mother Goose Story Time has been around for decades, Peters said. The 11 a.m. time slot on Thursdays is popular with the 0-5 crowd and their caregivers and isn’t going anywhere.

“I am really excited to offer another program that I hope will become a staple,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “I don’t want to leave dads out. Dads are really important.”

Like Mother Goose, Papa Bear is a 30-minute program geared to children 0-5, but it’s also a time when dads, stepdads, granddads, uncles and anyone who is a father figure, really, to find community with others.

Peters said she would love to have some of those father figures be guest story readers, too.
“It’s really important for kids to hear different tones, different voices,” she said. Research shows that hearing those diverse voices supports emergent literacy in children 0-3.

Peters invites father figures and the children in their lives to “Donuts with Dad” on Saturday, June 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“I know Saturdays are busy,” she said, but she hopes dads will stop by between sports, errands and other activities to hang out at the library and refuel with a tasty donut.

The library is celebrating student achievement with an “Honor Roll” wall, which Peters hopes to fill up with examples of students’ accomplishments this school year.

Children are invited to bring their report cards in to the library, get a little prize and have their names added to the wall.

Peters said she got the idea from a student who’s a “regular” at the library.

“He was so proud to show me his report card,” she said. It’s important to show children that there are plenty of folks beyond family who care that you do your best and stay in school.

The Honor Roll Wall will get updated quarterly, she said.

“School needs to matter to everybody,” Peters said, adding that young people need to know that their community supports them and celebrates their accomplishments.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to see a complete listing of programs and activities at Perry Memorial Library, located at 205 Breckenridge St., Henderson.

 

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