Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

The Local Skinny! Fall is Here at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market

/by

Summer gardens may be giving us the last produce of the long-growing season, but there are still plenty of choices at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

Market Manager Pat Ayscue said, “The summer season is winding down but thankfully since we are a regional market, there are still late summer veggies filling the farmer’s table.” Customers can still find butterbeans, field ripe tomatoes and those most sought-after purple hull peas, she said.

“Also, hats off to our farmers many who planted late crops when the rains came again after the long dry spell,” which created some extra bounty to share with customers on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fall crops are coming in, too – tender collards, turnip greens, fall apples and grapes of many varieties, Ayscue said.

But there’s more than just fresh produce at the market. Local raw honey is available every Saturday, Ayscue said, and “Hidden Acres will be joining us with their pasture raised beef, chicken, lamb, pork and farm fresh eggs. Stop by and say hi and let them tell you all about their products,” she said.

And although we’re just a few days into fall, people are surely thinking about and preparing for Thanksgiving.

Sweet Inspirations is at the market every Saturday, and Ayscue said customers can begin placing holiday orders now.

EBT is welcome and stop by and ask the market manager about Double Bucks’.  Follow us on Facebook! Each market day the farmers and vendors that are at the market that shopping day will be posted.

Click Play!

The Local Skinny! Chicken Plate Fundraiser At Rebuilding Hope

/by

Volunteers and supporters of Rebuilding Hope, Inc. are gearing up for the annual fall chicken plate fundraiser, which will be held Friday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 414 Raleigh Road location.

Co-director Tom Wille said the plates include half a chicken, potatoes, green beans and dessert, all for $10 each.

Call 252.438.5132 to pre-order or to get a minimum of six plates delivered to you.

“We’ll get those to you at lunch time, or break time,” Wille said. For pre-orders, “we’ll save them and you can pick them up,” he added.

But don’t wait until the last minute – they’ll be selling until 7 p.m. or until they run out.

This chicken plate fundraiser does more than just feed hungry people, Wille pointed out.

“We’re supporting the local community by doing this,” he said.

By building ramps for people with mobility issues, Wille said, they’re also helping first responders by reducing calls for help getting people in and out of their homes.

“It changes everybody’s life for the better,” he said.

“Everything we do is in the name of Christ. Because Jesus loved us first, we can go out and love those in our community.”

CLICK PLAY!

Police Search for Driver After Damage at McGregor Hall

/by

From Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow —

At approximately midnight (Sat. 9-21/Sun. 9-22), a vehicle veered off the road and collided with a bench outside McGregor Hall on Breckenridge Street, resulting in damage to a large window.

The driver abandoned the scene in an unregistered red Chevrolet Impala. Preliminary information suggests the suspect is a Hispanic male who may have departed from a gathering at the nearby Church of the Holy Innocents.

We are seeking additional information regarding this incident and encourage anyone with knowledge to contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or with the P3 app, or reach out by phone at 252-438-4141 or on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.

VCS Students Complete Tiny House; First Open House Sept. 20

/by

For the next two Fridays, the Vance County High School parking lot will be the location of an Open House.

Wait. In the parking lot?

Yep. That’s where the Tiny House is located, and high school CTE students built it.

And it’s for sale.

The open house events will be held Friday, Sept. 20 and Friday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to information from Vance County Schools.

CTE stands for Career and Technical Education and includes the trades that are responsible for home construction. Students on the Construction Path performed the work.

There is a minimum bid of $25,000. Sealed bids must be received by VCS Chief Finance Officer John Suther, 1724 Graham Ave., Henderson, NC 27537 no later than noon, Oct. 1, 2024.

This tiny home is 30-foot by 12-foot vinyl-sided building that has a total of 360 square feet. There’s a tankless water heater and laminate flooring throughout. The full bath includes toilet, vanity and shower.

Learn more about the tiny house at the following link: https://bit.ly/vcstinyhouse

Vance Hires Jeremy T. Jones As Assistant County Manager

/by

Vance County will have a new assistant county manager on Oct. 1, 2024. Jeremy T. Jones will join County Manager C. Renee Perry and other county staff, bringing more than 10 years of experience in public service and law enforcement to the job.

“I am honored to step into this new role and continue my commitment to public service,” said Jones. “I look forward  to working with the talented team here at Vance County to enhance the quality of life for all our residents and foster a safe, thriving community.”

As assistant county manager, Jones will provide strategic guidance for the county’s public safety departments, maintenance, solid waste and animal services while also streamlining operations, improving service  delivery and ensuring the county continues to meet the needs of its growing population. Additionally, he will serve as the county’s public information officer

“We are thrilled to have Jeremy join our team,” Perry said in a press statement.

“His extensive background in law enforcement and management will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our county’s services and ensure the safety and well-being of our residents.”

Jones’s background in public safety will be a wealth of added knowledge with the many public safety projects that are forthcoming. Jones also has a great deal of experience as a public information officer and has a reputable reputation for interacting with the media.

Jones has been employed with the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office since June 2017 as the Administrative  Sergeant but started his career in December 2013 with the Elizabeth City Police Department. Jones holds a Bachelor  of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Elizabeth City State University, a Master of Science degree in  Administration from Central Michigan University and has completed the Administrative Officer’s Management  Program through N.C. State University.

The Local Skinny! Vote For Chestnut Street Park Project To Win $100,000

/by

 

Charles Turrentine Jr. got word about 24 hours ago that the Chestnut Street Park renovation project is among five finalists from across the country vying for $100,000 from Bobcat Company.

The project to make improvements to the basketball courts that operate under the city’s recreation and parks department is going to be a “game-changer,” Turrentine said. And getting a $100,000 infusion of cash would be a big deal indeed.

“We need everyone to share and support and vote for the Chestnut Street Park revitalization,” Turrentine said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The project that gets the most votes wins, and Turrentine wants to spread the word so this local project comes out on top. Voters have to provide just a couple of bits of information to register and can cast one vote daily until the contest closes on Oct. 3.

Click on https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/campaigns/park-rec-makeover-2024 to cast your daily vote.

When the project was first talked about earlier this year, Turrentine said, the costs were somewhere around $100,000 to resurface the courts, add breakaway goals and lighting. That number swelled to more like $1 million to include a playground, shelter, water and bathroom facilities and a shed roof.

Turrentine reeled off some of the rough estimates: $20,000 to resurface the courts, $30,000 for new fencing, breakaway goals at $4,000 each and lights for extra security another $60,000. And that’s just for starters.

He said Kendrick Vann and the Henderson Rec and Parks Department is a partner, and the city of Henderson has committed to put in water that will allow for restrooms.

When it’s completed, it’ll change the whole landscape, Turrentine said. “We can see what redevelopment looks like.”

Turrentine and other park supporters want the city park to be a place for the whole community to enjoy; he wants the park to be known as a nice, modernized park where everyone has fun.

But it’s going to take everyone working – and voting – collectively, he said, to make the dream a reality.

“We can change the narrative of Henderson…we can get on that one path to change the narrative.”

When the construction gets underway in January 2025 – the fencing comes down, the asphalt removed and the rebuilding begins, “everybody in the city of Henderson will be well-pleased.”

If all goes to plan, the courts will be ready for action by May 2025.

And it hopefully won’t be much longer to wait to enjoy the additional amenities that will be part of the new and improved Chestnut Street Park.

Vote at https://www.bobcat.com/na/en/campaigns/park-rec-makeover-2024

 

CLICK PLAY!