The Local Skinny! Kingsberry Takes Oaths Of Office For Dual City Manager, Attorney Roles

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Hassan T. Kingsberry took the oath of office – twice – during Monday evening’s Henderson City Council meeting as he officially assumed the dual role of city manager and city attorney.

The Hon. Henry Banks administered the oaths of office – that of city attorney first, and city manager second.

The room was filled with family, friends and others who had come to witness the ceremony. Kingsberry was selected in early December to be interim city attorney following the retirement of D. Rix Edwards. However, when Terrell Blackmon announced in mid-December that he, too, was leaving his job as city manager, the City Council voted in a split decision to have Kingsberry take on both jobs – full-time city manager and part-time city attorney.

In remarks before he administered the oath of office, Banks said he was “overwhelmed” to see so many people in the audience interested in local government, adding it gave him a “sense of joy and pride.”

Banks continued, he told Kingsberry that his “primary duty will be to provide leadership…but perhaps the most important thing (is) to present to this Council unassailable advice” as its members make decisions.

“Mr. Kingsberry has impeccable professional integrity,” Banks said. “He’s a man of faith and we can’t overlook that.”

In remarks following the ceremony, Kingsberry thanked members of his extended family for being present for the occasion. “I thank God for this moment,” he said. “The other thing I would say is, it is our time.”

He said he is a transparent and honest person and someone who will stand up to critics of Henderson. “…when people ask you about Henderson, and people always say ‘you’re from Henderson…you’re from Warren’…they say, it’s rough. I said, ‘Don’t talk too much, because I’m from there.’ You represent your town.”

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The Local Skinny! Bryan Cohn Sworn In NC House 32

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Bryan Cohn was sworn in last week to begin his term as District 32 representative in the N.C. House, which includes Vance and Granville counties.

Cohn edged out incumbent Frank Sossamon by a final total of 228 votes in one of several close races in the Nov. 5 general election.

Following appeals and challenges, the N.C. State Board of Elections certified the results on Jan. 6.

Although he officially took office Jan. 8 during a swearing-in event that was part of the legislature’s opening day activities, Cohn told WIZS News Monday that a ceremonial swearing-in will take place at McGregor Hall in Henderson Sunday, Jan. 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve the people of District 32 in the North Carolina House of Representatives,” Cohn said in a press statement. “This community has placed its trust in me, and I am committed to working tirelessly on behalf of all residents to ensure our district’s voice is heard and our needs are met.”

“The electoral process demonstrated the resilience of our democracy, and I am proud to represent a district that values fairness and integrity,” Cohn added. “Now it is time to focus on what matters most—working together to create a brighter future for all North Carolinians.”

As the new representative for District 32, Cohn’s legislative priorities include expanding access to affordable healthcare, investing in public education, supporting small businesses, and protecting the natural resources of the Kerr Lake region.

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TownTalk: H-V Chamber Vision, Partnerships, 2025 Commitment

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Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson is looking forward to the day when the trains will again rumble down the tracks near downtown Henderson. The city’s history is closely linked to rail service that has all but dried up over the past few decades, but with talk of the S-Line passenger rail that will run through Henderson, there’s a buzz around town about what it could mean for the city.

This year’s annual Chamber banquet theme, in fact, is “All Aboard the Chamber Express,” which Wilkerson said embraces the idea of this county’s ties to the railroad – past, present and future.

“We know that Vance County really started with the train coming through,” Wilkerson said on Monday’s TownTalk. “We’re looking forward to the train coming back.”

As 2025 gets underway, Wilkerson has announced this year’s leadership team on the board:

Chair of the board of directors is Scott Burwell with Kennametal, Inc. Joining Burwell as first vice chair is Dr. Abidan Shah of Clearview Church; second vice chair is Mike Jones of MGM Products, Inc; treasurer is Desiree Brooks, with the Kerr-Tar Council of Government; Duke Energy’s Elizabeth Townsend will serve as secretary. Margier White is immediate past chair.

There are five new members to the board:

  • Nichole Turner – Flex Desk 360
  • Sam Seifert – Maria Parham Health
  • Cara Gill – S.A.M. Advocacy Center
  • Kevin Wade – Farm Bureau Insurance
  • Richard Davis – A.R. Perry, Inc.

Wilkerson said the board members come from varied business backgrounds to form a cohesive group that works to make the community better. Each year, the board chair selects a theme to guide the Chamber’s efforts and help inform decisions. Wilkerson said Burwell has chosen “year of commitment” to reinforce the idea that working together is critical for a community’s growth and health.

Leadership Vance is one program the Chamber offers to those who live and work in Vance County. The deadline to submit an application for the 2025 Leadership Vance class is Jan. 24, and Wilkerson said there is space for 18 participants. Contact the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 to learn more about Leadership Vance or about the benefits of joining the Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

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Driver License Office in Henderson Closed; Scheduled to Reopen at 1 p.m. January 15, 2025

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— courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Transportation

The Driver License office in Henderson will be closed Tuesday and half a day on Wednesday for scheduled optimization.

The closure is for scheduled office upgrades such as the installation of new workstations for examiners, new wiring for computers, computer upgrades, and new furniture in the customer waiting area.

Customers who had appointments have already been rescheduled.

The office is scheduled to reopen at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Sheriff Brame: Henderson Man’s Death Being Investigated As Homicide

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UPDATED JAN. 14, 2:10 PM

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News Tuesday that the death of Donnie Allen Ayscue is being investigated as a homicide. If anyone has information about this case, you are asked to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office or call 911.

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From Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame –

In the early morning hours of January 11, 2025, deputies from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1300 block of Walters St. Henderson, NC, regarding a shooting.

Upon arrival, deputies located one male victim with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Donnie Allen Ayscue of Henderson, NC  succumbed to his injuries while at the scene.

Detectives from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations are investigating the case. If you or anyone you know has information that will assist in the investigation, you are asked to contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office or call 911.

The investigation continues.

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County Commissioners Moving Forward To Find Replacement For Vacant District 3 Seat

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The process to appoint a replacement for the District 3 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners continues, with the application now posted on the county’s webpage for interested individuals to complete and return.

The application can be found here. Submit completed applications to Kelly Grissom, clerk to the board, to the address listed on the application. The commissioners have 60 days from Jan. 1 to choose a replacement.

Completed applications may be submitted to Kelly Grissom, Clerk to the Board on or before Jan. 24, 2025 to the address provided on the application.  Eligibility will be verified with the Vance County Board of Elections.

Interested individuals should keep in mind several criteria – applicants must be of legal voting age, reside in District 3 and be a member of the Democratic party.

The board needs to appoint a person to fill out the remainder of the District 3 term following the resignation of Sean Alston, who took a job as a magistrate in Warren County on Jan. 1.

Visit www.vancecounty.org to learn more.

 

District 7 Rep. Matthew Winslow Begins Third Term In N.C. House

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N.C. Rep. Matthew Winslow was sworn in Wednesday to begin the 2025-26 legislative session as District 7 representative in the N.C. House. District 7 includes parts of Vance County and all of Franklin County.

Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony marks the beginning of Winslow’s third term in the House. “It is always an honor to serve my state, and I am very thankful for the opportunity once again to do just that. My family and I truly appreciate all the support from family, friends, and colleagues and I look forward to a productive legislative session,” he said in a written statement released Friday.

The oath of office was administered by the newly installed Speaker of the House, Destin Hall.

N.C. Safety Awards Recognize Businesses For Workplace Safety

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The N.C. Department of Labor is taking applications now for 2024 Safety Awards which highlights businesses, local governments and other agencies for excellence in safety in the workplace.

Businesses and other organizations are encouraged to submit applications to be recognized for meeting safety requirements for employees.

The annual awards banquet, jointly sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, will take place in Granville County this year, according to H-V Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson.

In a written statement, N.C. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley said the department presented 2,058 safety awards last year – 1,737 gold and 321 silver. Gold award recipients achieved a rate of days away from work, job transfer or restriction that is at least 50 percent below the industry rate. The silver award criteria include lost workday cases but not restricted work activity and the applicant must attain a rate of cases with days away from work that is at least 50 percent below the industry rate.

Applications are due by Saturday, Feb. 15. The application can be found at

2024 Safety Award applications as well as  instructions for completing the application, according to NCDOL Safety Awards Coordinator Kiley Willard.

 

In addition to the gold and silver safety awards, Million-Hour Safety Awards are presented to companies that accumulate one million employee hours with no cases of injury or illness that involve days away from work. Million-Hour Awards are also presented during the local annual safety awards ceremony. Access the online application at million-hour safety awards.

 

For help completing the applications or to find out more, call 919.707.7855 or email safety.awards@labor.nc.gov.