City Council Chambers To Get Extra Screening Devices To Improve Security

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The city of Henderson is installing advanced screening devices at the entrance of the Council meeting chambers, adding one more layer of protection to all who attend Council meetings.

Public Information Officer Salonia Saxton did not indicate when the devices would be in place, but she said they are designed to improve security by detecting and preventing unauthorized weapons and potentially dangerous items from being brought into the building.

“These new measures demonstrate the city’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all attendees,” Saxton said, “allowing them to participate in council meetings with peace of mind.”

 

Council Approves Parental Leave Policy; Includes Paternal Leave For New Dads

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The Henderson City Council Monday unanimously approved a parental leave policy that will provide parents time with the newest additions to their families.

According to the resolution that Council members approved, parental leave policies are a standard offering for all
companies, municipalities, and private
firms in the country, and having a policy in place emphasizes that the city is committed to providing flexibility and incentives for new hires and existing employees.

The resolution adopted by Council at its February 10 meeting updates to policy to include paternal leave as a benefit to staff.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Sams Furniture And Mattress Center

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— Part of a paid ad by Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Representatives of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce stopped in this week at Sams Furniture and Mattress Center for a Member Spotlight presentation. Britt Sams and staff offered a warm welcome to Chamber staff and board members.

Sams Furniture and Mattress Center is a family-owned and operated business owned by Britt Sams and it celebrates 24 years in business this year. Established right here in downtown Henderson in 2001, Sams Furniture and Mattress Center was voted the #1 furniture store and the #1 mattress store in 2024 – an honor it has received many years out of the last 20.

They deliver all throughout Henderson, Vance County and the surrounding counties, up into Virginia and all the way to the beach. They offer three floors packed with living room, bedroom, dining room furniture, lift chairs, home entertainment, home accents and mattresses and have six employees.

Located at 515 S. Garnett St., Britt has a passion to attract people downtown to shop local and is glad to be a part of downtown Henderson. They offer a personal touch in servicing all products that they sell. Sandra Wilkerson, President of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, and Kevin Wade, HV Chamber Board member, thanked them for their continued support of the Chamber and for the service that they provide to Henderson and surrounding areas.

Call Sams Furniture and Mattress Center at 252.762.0500.

Consider paying them a visit today and check out their beautiful showrooms. We are fortunate to have Sams Furniture in downtown Henderson and we wish them many more years of continued success!

 

 

Maria Parham Feb. 27 Lunch And Learn Focuses On Heart Health

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Maria Parham Health Hosts is kicking off the 2025 Lunch and Learn series this month with a focus on heart health.

February is Heart Health month and on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 12 noon, two interventional cardiologists are scheduled to present information with a focus on prevention, early detection and cardiac care.

Dr. Araba Ofosu-Somuah, who will discuss heart and vascular disease with a specific focus on the unique needs of women’s cardiac care. Dr. Benjamin Dao, who will share essential insights on heart and vascular disease,  as well as emphasizing prevention and early detection.

This free event is open to all community residents, and a complimentary lunch will be provided.  Seating is limited, so online registration is required. Secure your spot by visiting MariaParham.com/event/62 today.

For more information or to register, please contact Donna Young, Marketing & Communication coordinator, at 252.436.1408.

 

Chamber Spotlight: Sunrock Industries, Inc.

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– This post sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Representatives of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce visited Chamber Member Sunrock Industries, Inc. last week to recognize the company with a well-deserved Member Spotlight honor.

The company, with headquarters in Raleigh, recently celebrated 75 years in business and have been located in North Carolina for 40 years. This family-owned business is a leading supplier of construction materials.

As a vertically integrated company, they produce aggregates, hot mix asphalt, ready mixed concrete materials and provide a variety of contracting services.

For more information about the services and products they provide, call Sunrock at 919.747.6400.

During the recent visit by Chamber representatives, owner Bryan Pfohl offered a history on the company over the years and shared details about the many processes and applications for their products.

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson, along with Board Chair Scott Burwell, board member Beth Townsend and Vanessa Jones, director of Programs, joined Pfohl and Sunrock President Mike Nolan, COO Zach Satterwhite and Hunter King, communications specialist for the special recognition.

S-Line Rail Corridor

TownTalk: Mobility Hub Funding

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The Henderson City Council made its selection Monday for where the Mobility Hub would be located, which in turn sets in motion the next steps for the overall plan to bring passenger rail service back to Henderson.

The Council chose the iconic downtown First National Bank building over the Garnett Street Station, even though – ironically – that building once served as a train depot.

City and NCDOT officials presented both sites to the Council during its Feb. 10 meeting, complete with artist renderings and a list of pros and cons for each potential site.

Ultimately, the Council voted for the bank building, which has been vacant for decades.

It is unclear just how much it will cost to renovate the building in preparation for use as a mobility hub, which is one component included in the $21 million train station project.

If the mobility hub needed to be completed right now, the city would need to foot the bill. According to information from City Public Information Officer Salonia Saxton, however, that mobility hub won’t be needed for several more years – which gives local and NCDOT staff a bit of time to identify funding sources to help defray the cost.

Building construction and renovation, parcel acquisition, site development and a pedestrian railroad overpass are just a few of the facets of the project the city expects to fund, Saxton said.

She said the mobility hub is a supporting facility to the rail station and its platforms and is only a part of the $21 million estimate.

Next up for the site is completion of an environmental study by NCDOT.

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Deon Linshawn Bullock is Wanted in Connection to Donnie Ayscue’s Homicide

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UPDATE 2-13-25

(WIZS write up to follow here soon)

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For Immediate Release – From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame – Date: January 24, 2025

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) received a 911 call at approximately 1:54 a.m. about a gunshot victim at 1300 Walters Street in Henderson, North Carolina. Vance County EMS and VCSO Deputies responded and discovered Donnie Ayscue suffering from a single gunshot wound. Ayscue died as a result of his injuries at his residence.

After an intensive investigation, 19-year-old, Deon Linshawn Bullock was identified as a person of interest.

Deon Linshawn Bullock is wanted in connection to Ayscue’s homicide. Bullock was last seen wearing a grey hoodie with grey joggers on January 24, 2025. See photo below.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Vance County Sheriff’s Office in this active and ongoing homicide investigation.

Contact: Anyone with information on Deon Linshawn Bullock’s whereabouts should contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers (252) 492-1925, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (252) 738-2200, or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations (1-800-334-3000 or sbiwebcontact@ncsbi.gov).

(Original post made to WIZS.com on Jan. 24, 2025)

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VGCC Logo

VGCC, Western Carolina University Partnership Turns Vanguards Into Catamounts

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

More than 300 miles separate Vance-Granville Community College and Western Carolina University—but thanks to a new partnership, the two schools are now much closer than the physical distance that separates them.

On Thursday, Feb. 6, VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and colleagues from both institutions met by video call to sign a memorandum of understanding, guaranteeing admission to WCU for all Vance-Granville graduates who satisfy certain requirements. The agreement will offer a direct pathway for Vanguards to earn their four-year degree at WCU.

“We are pleased to be a participant in the Catamount Connections program offering a direct-entry admission opportunity to qualified VGCC graduates,” said Desmarais. “Western Carolina University offers unique programs of study, and we are excited to offer a pathway to these possibilities.”

Brown is excited Western Carolina can help make higher education more accessible to students in VGCC’s four-county service area.

“WCU continues to make the process of transferring to WCU as smooth as possible for the graduates of all our community college partners across the region and the state,” Brown noted. “This memorandum of understanding is an important tool in providing Vance-Granville Community College graduates with the resources and access to continue their higher education journey.”

Participating students must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Be a currently enrolled student at Vance-Granville Community College in a degree-seeking capacity
  • Submit WCU application for admission and records by WCU deadlines
  • Submit application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps
  • Be in good standing at VGCC and other institutions attended
  • Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct
  • Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at VGCC and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term
  • Earn an associates degree from VGCC in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists
  • Enroll at WCU within one academic year (within the next two regular terms [fall/spring semesters]) of completion of the associates degree

VGCC students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university may find more resources at www.vgcc.edu/transfer. For additional information, contact Robinette Fischer, Department Chair of Transition, Student Success, & College Transfer, at 252-738-3255 or fischerr@vgcc.edu.

TownTalk: Council Amends Mayor’s Office Project And Programming Budget

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The Henderson City Council approved a resolution Monday that amends the Projects and Programming Budget to include $5,000 to be used by Mayor Melissa Elliott to pay for training and other programs she attends in her role as mayor.

The vote was 4-1, with Council member Sam Seifert casting the no vote. Voting in favor were Council members Michael Venable, Geraldine Champion, Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Tami Walker. Council members Sara Coffey, Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were absent.

“We’re not asking for more money,” City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry explained during the meeting, “we’re asking for the purpose to be expanded.”

Champion and Thorpe-Cooper both expressed support and said in the meeting that Elliott shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for the various trainings she attends in her role as mayor.

“I see it as being unfair for her to have to come out of pocket…for training for the city,” Champion said.

Thorpe-Cooper agreed, adding that the trainings are beneficial. “We’re being taught – we’re being trained – so we can better serve. I am all in favor of it.”

Given the fact that the city has instituted a hiring freeze – an indication that revenues are not flowing in as predicted at this point – Seifert said he would prefer that the city consider using “fiscal constraint” at least while the hiring freeze is in effect.

He suggested that the city “keep the scope narrow as it was defined so that we show our part in keeping expenses down…while we’re under a freeze.”

According to the resolution presented to Council on Monday, the $5,000 is “subject to the fiscal controls and standard operating procedures currently in place and administered through the City’s Finance Department.”

The resolution further explains that Elliott has created several ad hoc committees created to help the city’s elected officials better understand the community with its diverse needs and desire for inclusivity, and that there needs to be a “nominal” budget to cover reasonable and justifiable expenses that arise with those committees and other special projects, continuing education, conferences, seminars and other programs.

Any expenditure would require approval by the city manager.

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