WIZS Election Coverage

TownTalk: Who’s On Your Ballot?

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With the upcoming midterm elections now less than one month away, Vance County voters have a few options for casting their ballots – they can vote early beginning Thursday, Oct. 15, by mail, or in person on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Vance County ballots include a U.S. Senate race between former Gov. Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley to take retiring Thom Tillis’s place in Washington, a key N.C. House District 32 contest between incumbent Bryan Cohn and challenger Frank Sossamon, who Cohn beat in the 2024 election, as well as a handful of contested races at the local level.

Three state constitutional amendments also are on the ballot – two concerning tax rates and one about requiring voters to present photo ID when voting.

Four candidates are vying for the District 3 seat on the Vance County Board of Commissioners:

Incumbent Charisse Fain, a Democrat, faces Republican challenger Angie Ryan and two unaffiliated candidates, former commissioner Gordon Wilder and Charles “C.J.” Turrentine, Jr.

In the District 4 contest, Republican Kelley Wade Perdue faces Democratic candidate June Lewis III.

In District 7, Republican Joseph Falkner faces Democrat Joanne Evans.

The Vance County Board of Education has only one contested race, and that is the District 7 seat that has Democrat Angela Cooper Lyons and Republican Hailey Breeze Macklin vying for the seat.

WIZS News has mailed a list of questions to candidates in contested races for county commissioner and one school board seat and asked for written responses to present to listeners and readers before the early voting period begins.

In-person early voting for the November midterm elections begins on Thursday, Oct. 15. Vance County residents can vote early at 500 N. Beckford Dr., which is the former Eaton-Johnson Middle School campus.

Early voting ends on Saturday, Oct. 31. The early-voting site will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. each weekday Oct. 15 – 30. The polls will be open on Saturday, Oct. 31, which will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

See Vance County’s early-voting schedule at:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/One-Stop_Early_Voting/2026/Early_Voting_Site_List_November_2026.pdf

Eligible individuals have until 5 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 9 to register to vote in the upcoming Nov. 3 election, those who want to cast their ballot either by mail or on Election Day.

State elections officials remind voters that “same-day registration” is available during the early voting period; registrants must attest to their eligibility, provide proof of U.S. citizenship and show an accepted form of photo ID.

Find your sample ballot https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Fire Ants In the Landscape

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Fire ants can be controlled using fire ant bait. Place the bait around the mound only when fire ants are actively foraging. You can place a potato chip around the mound to see if fire ants are foraging that day. After about an hour, come back and check to see if the fire ants have found the potato chip. If they are on the potato chip, they are active foraging. You can put out your ant bait.

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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VGCC Announces Partnership With New York-Based Excelsior University

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College is partnering with a New York-based university to provide its students with access to a wide range of online undergraduate and post-graduate degree programs.

Through the collaboration with Excelsior University, VGCC graduates can continue their education and advance their careers, according to a recent press release from VGCC.

VGCC Vice President of Instruction & Student Services Kim Sepich said, “Our partnership with Excelsior University provides Vance-Granville Community College graduates with many options for continuing their education. The flexibility Excelsior offers allows students to pursue degree programs in ways that work for them, which is really important for people managing a variety of life responsibilities.”

In addition to offering a rolling admissions calendar, Excelsior offers other benefits, including a 10 percent tuition discount for undergraduate and graduate students, access to personalized support, more than 40 degree programs and professional development courses and skills training.

These educational partnership benefits are also available for eligible Vance-Granville Community College employees, as well as their spouses or domestic partners and children.

“As the needs of students and employers continue to evolve, it is increasingly important for institutions to create clear and affordable pathways for lifelong learning,” said Excelsior University President David Schejbal. “Through this partnership with Vance-Granville Community College, learners can move seamlessly between institutions, with new possibilities for personal and professional growth at every stage of the educational journey.”

Excelsior University provides online degrees to working adult students in six fields of study that directly align with Vance-Granville Community College’s educational offerings, including programs in Business, Liberal Arts, Health Sciences, Nursing, Public Service, and Technology.

For more information on this partnership, visit www.excelsior.edu/partner/vance-granville-community-college.

To learn about other transfer partnerships available to Vance-Granville Community College students, visit VGCC’s online Transfer Center or call 252.738.3255.

 

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Vance County Water District Customers Under Conservation Notice Following City’s Mandatory Conservation Announcement

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(WIZS News received the following information Thursday afternoon from the office of Vance County Manager Renee Perry) 

– From Vance County Manager Renee Perry

Vance County is requesting all Vance County Water District customers to immediately conserve water due to critically low water levels in Kerr Lake, our region’s primary water source.

The Vance County Water District purchases its water from the City of Henderson through the Kerr Lake Regional Water System. As a result of the current conditions and the City of Henderson’s implementation of mandatory water conservation measures, Vance County Water District customers are also being asked to immediately reduce water usage and avoid all unnecessary consumption.

Until further notice, customers should refrain from non-essential water uses, including:

  • Watering lawns and gardens;
  • Washing vehicles;
  • Filling swimming pools;
  • Excessive outdoor water use; and
  • Other activities that are not necessary for health, safety, or essential household needs.

Customers are also encouraged to conserve water inside their homes and businesses by taking shorter showers, promptly repairing leaks, turning off water when it is not actively being used, and only operating dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.

These conservation measures will remain in effect until water levels and regional water supply conditions improve sufficiently to allow the restrictions to be lifted.

Every gallon saved helps protect the available water supply for our entire community. Vance County  appreciates the cooperation of our Water District customers as we work alongside the City of Henderson and our regional partners during these critically low-water conditions.

800+ Cyclists Expected Overnight In Henderson On Oct. 6 For 2026 “Mountains To Coast” Ride

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Vance County Tourism is again assisting Cycle NC with the “Mountains to Coast” bicycle ride. About 800 cyclists are expected to take part in the event, which kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in Mt. Airy. The group will spend the night at Aycock Rec Center that night has they make their way east, according to information from Vance County Tourism’s Norman Dickerson.

The area was an overnight stop back in October 2023, Dickerson said. That year, they camped at the Henderson Family YMCA, but since the Y is in the middle of a major construction project, Dickerson said Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks is opening the rec center for those cyclists who plan to camp in tents on the grounds. Non-campers will stay in the four local host motels near Maria Parham Hospital.

“Bicyclists will begin arriving in Henderson around 1:30 pm on October 6, possibly earlier, from their previous overnight stop in Hillsborough, NC,” Dickerson said. Shuttle buses will provide transportation into downtown Henderson where the cyclists can have dinner and explore the area before returning to the camp for some rest and relaxation, he added.

This year’s route is a new one for the annual “Mountains to Coast” cycling tour, which is celebrating its 27th anniversary.

This year’s event is scheduled for a Mt. Airy to Hatteras Island trek from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10, with Oct. 3 serving as the check-in day.  With beautiful tourist stops along scenic back roads, the “Mountains to Coast” ride is the highlight of the year for many cyclists from across the nation.

Participants from 38 states are signed up to make the 450-mile ride, and there are international cyclists, too, according to information from Cycle North Carolina, the event host.

Organizers said the riders will travel an average of 67 miles each day as they wend their way from Mt. Airy’s Veteran’s Park to the finish line at Hatteras Island.

In addition to the overnight stopover in Henderson, cyclists will travel through Stovall, Oxford and Warrenton in the four-county area.

The Cycle North Carolina “Mountains to Coast” Tour is the state’s only fully-supported ride. Luggage is transported in vehicles from one overnight host community to the next; rider support vehicles are available to aid cyclists who experience physical or mechanical trouble; outdoor camping areas with amenities are set-up in overnight host communities; and rest stops will be available every 15-20 miles along the route, with beverages and snacks for all participants. Riders can register for the entire distance, Western & Eastern options, or first-day & last-day only options. Online registration is still open at www.ncsports.org!

Hosted by North Carolina Amateur Sports, Cycle North Carolina was developed to promote North Carolina’s scenic beauty, heritage tourism, visitor attractions, historic sites, state parks, fitness, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of bicycling to individuals and our state. During the past 26 years, Cycle North Carolina has stopped overnight in more than 100 North Carolina towns and visited over 800 North Carolina communities.

The Local Skinny! Dyed Diesel Fuel on Highways

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Amid rising fuel costs, Gov. Josh Stein today directed N.C. Department of Revenue Secretary McKinley Wooten to provide penalty relief from prohibition on the highway use of red dye diesel fuel through the end of 2026. Stein also wrote to the Internal Revenue Service requesting federal penalty relief for the use of the same fuel. Because many of North Carolina’s agricultural producers have stores of non-taxed dyed diesel fuel on hand for off-road use, suspending enforcement of this penalty will lessen financial pressure on farmers by allowing on-road use during this year’s harvest, which is the most fuel-intensive period of agricultural production.

In a press release issued Thursday, Stein said “North Carolina farmers have been feeling the squeeze of tariffs, drought conditions, crop loss, and skyrocketing diesel prices. And our families are struggling with the cost of groceries. Today I am working to ease the burden on farmers during their most fuel-intensive time of year and reduce the upward pressure on the cost of food. I urge the federal government to join me in providing the same relief to North Carolina farmers and families.”

Revenue Secretary Wooten said, “The North Carolina Department of Revenue is committed to implementing the Governor’s directive and will continue to be responsive to the critical needs of North Carolina taxpayers.”

North Carolina Farm Bureau President Shawn Harding said Stein’s action is greatly appreciated, saying it provides farmers “timely and meaningful relief as they face record-high diesel prices at harvest time.”

Harding said farmer report diesel expenses as their main concern during what has already proven to be a challenging year. Stein’s action, he said, comes less than a day after Farm Bureau and the state’s agricultural community sent a letter to the governor to ask for help.
“…we are truly grateful for these effective and practical measures toward protecting and preserving North Carolina’s farm businesses,” Harding said.

Throughout September, diesel prices have reached record highs, with the price per gallon reaching $6.25 in North Carolina. Domestic inventories of diesel reached the lowest point in recorded history this month, with 107.9 million barrels on hand, according to the US Energy Information Administration. These high prices present significant hardship for North Carolina farmers as they begin conducting the harvesting operations that are critical to ensuring North Carolina’s farm goods reach markets abroad and our own tables here at home. Agriculture is North Carolina’s biggest industry, employing one out of every five North Carolinians and generating $117 billion in annual economic activity.

Click here to read letter to Governor Stein’s letter to North Carolina Department of Revenue Secretary Wooten.

Click here to read Governor Stein’s letter to the Internal Revenue Service.

Click to read the letter from the NC Farm Bureau and the coalition of agricultural and timber producers.

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City of Henderson Calls For Immediate Water Conservation Due To Critically Low Lake Levels

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— From the City of Henderson
The City of Henderson is requesting all water customers to immediately conserve water due to critically low water levels in Kerr Lake, the City and County’s primary water source.
Effective immediately, all residents, customers, and businesses are required to limit water use and avoid unnecessary consumption.
Individuals and organizations are asked to refrain from activities such as watering lawns and gardens, washing vehicles, filling swimming pools, and all other non-essential uses of water.
All residents, customers, and businesses are encouraged to take additional steps to reduce water usage, including taking shorter showers, repairing leaks promptly, and only running dishwashers and washing machines when full.
This mandatory conservation measure will remain in effect until water levels in Kerr Lake improve and conditions allow the system to lift the restrictions.
The City of Henderson appreciates the cooperation of all residents and businesses as we work together to protect our community’s water supply.
A copy of the City of Henderson’s Water Shortage Response Ordinance is available on the Kerr Lake Regional Water System and Customer Services webpage for those who wish to review the policy in detail.
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TownTalk: Central Fire Station Hosts Oct. 8 Open House During Fire Safety Week Oct. 4-10

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The City of Henderson Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to support Fire Prevention Week Oct 4-10. This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” focuses on the simple steps people can take to recharge safely. Safe charging means making smart choices every time you plug in.

Phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes and scooters just a few of so many household items that run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. These batteries store a lot of energy in a small space and if they are damaged or charged the wrong way, they can overheat, start a fire or even explode.

“The way you charge your lithium-ion battery devices can make a difference in helping prevent home fires,” said Lee Edmonds, battalion chief at City of Henderson Fire Department. “It comes down to using simple habits each time you plug in.”

Stop by Central Fire Station 1 on Dabney Drive between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 for an open house and learn more about practicing fire safety.

Following are a few suggestions to keep in mind when recharging lithium-ion batteries:

  • Use the cord and charger that came with your device or one approved by the manufacturer. Using the wrong charger can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.
  • Charge devices on a table, desk, or other hard, flat surface. Do not charge them on beds, couches, or under pillows. Devices and chargers produce heat during normal charging. Soft surfaces can trap heat and block airflow, which can cause the battery to overheat.
  • Stop using your device if it feels very hot, starts to swell, is smoking, or has a strange smell. These are warning signs that the battery may be damaged or failing.
  • Unplug your device when it is fully charged. Do not leave it plugged in longer than needed. Leaving a device plugged in too long can increase heat and stress on the battery.
  • Charge larger items like e-bikes, scooters, and power tools outside and away from exits.  These batteries are larger and store more energy. If they fail, fires can grow quickly and spread.
  • When on a plane, keep your device where you can see it while charging. Do not charge devices in overhead compartments. Do not charge e-cigarettes or vapes on a plane. If a battery overheats or fails, it is important for the flight crew to respond quickly.

For more information about FPW programs in the City of Henderson, contact Battalion Chief Edmonds 252.438.7315.

To learn more about lithium-ion battery safety, visit www.fpw.org.

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