Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Dec. 21 Make-And-Take Program At Perry Library

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They’re making snow at Perry Memorial Library Saturday, Dec. 21!

Well, not snow, exactly. More like snowflakes.

Youth Services Director Melody Peters said there’s going to be plenty of fun in the process, too, during the make-and-take craft activities that people of all ages are sure to enjoy.

The library will have a variety of age-appropriate activities available during the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. snowflake-themed program.

You can make huge paper bag snowflakes – just glue several layers together and then cut to create that unique snowflake pattern.

Teens will enjoy a bead and pipe cleaner craft to create their own version of a snowflake, too, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Saturday also is the Winter Solstice, which marks the longest night of the year. After Saturday, the days will increasingly grow longer.

The library will take a little break for the Christmas holiday and will be closed Dec. 24-26, Peters said. The library will be open New Year’s Eve day, but will be closed New Year’s Day.

Peters said the library will open 2025 with a bang – literally – on Jan. 2 with Mother Goose Story Time at 11 a.m. for kiddos 0-5. The theme will be “make a little noise,” she said.

Then winter programming continues full-steam ahead, with First Fridays. This program for  area preschools kicks off Jan. 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. It gives preschoolers a chance to experience the library and enjoy STEM activities, Peters said. The January program features chemical reactions and baking soda volcanoes.

There’s a new club starting up this year for anime enthusiasts, she said.

The group will meet on the last Thursday of the month – beginning on Jan. 30 – from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“It’s a very popular section” of the library, Peters said. “We have a couple of staff members who are really into it themselves – they read it, they watch it, they wear it…they appreciate it.”

For the uninitiated, anime – pronounced A nih may – is a form of animation that originated in Japan. The club is for young people in middle school and high school. Space is limited, and registration is required, Peters said. Email her at

mpeters@perrylibrary.org to get signed up.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn about all the programs the library offers.

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TownTalk: Adopt From The Local Animal Shelter This Holiday Season

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The dogs and cats at the Vance County Animal Shelter are so stinkin’ cute, according to Director William Coker, that even he couldn’t resist the temptation.

Coker said he’d never been a cat owner – until he fell in love with a kitten at the shelter.

“I ended up adopting that kitten myself,” he told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s TownTalk. “When I get up in the morning, that kitten is at the coffee pot with me,” he said.

The shelter is full – literally – of dogs and cats waiting to be adopted. There are 44 kennels for grown dogs – all occupied at the moment – as well as a puppy room and two cat rooms, one for adoptable felines and one for cats in quarantine for one reason or another.

The puppy room has eight beautiful puppies right now, Coker said. “I would love to have them adopted before Christmas,” he said.

Coker didn’t begin his job as director until January 2024, so he doesn’t know how Christmas-time adoptions went last year. But he said he hopes to see some folks come in and “adopt, don’t shop” at the shelter.

The application process is pretty simple, he explained. There’s a short form to fill out and the adoption fees are reasonable – $155 for dogs and $105 for cats. The cost includes the spay and neuter fee, as well as first shots and a one-year rabies shot.

And while Coker said the shelter staff is always hopeful to get animals adopted to good homes, they’re shifting their focus to educating the community about the need to spay and neuter pets. “I want to push spay and neuter in the community, to keep the animals from coming into the shelter” in the first place, he said.

Anyone interested in seeing the adoptable dogs and cats can visit the shelter during business hours. The shelter is located at 1243 Brodie Rd. and is open on Mondays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays – Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., all day every other Friday and half days every other Saturday.

Coker hasn’t turned down many adoption applications. “If the dog seems to be a good fit for the family, I adopt him out,” he said.

It’s a win-win-win for the animal, the community and the adopter, he explained: You’re saving an animal, taking a stray out of the neighborhood, and gaining a member of the family.

“You just carry him home and start loving him,” Coker said.

To learn more, visit the shelter at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal-control/or call 252.492.3136.

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Terrell Blackmon

Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon Resigns

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Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon has resigned.

In a special called meeting on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. called by Mayor Melissa Elliott, the city council entered into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

The information available after the council returned to open session was scant, but in addition to the resignation, it included a decision by the council that the city would contact the League of Municipalities to ask for information about retired managers or others qualified to be interim manager.

Blackmon submitted his letter of resignation on Wednesday, Dec. 11 – two days after the regular monthly Council meeting. He didn’t elaborate on any reason for his decision to resign. Blackmon told WIZS that his last day as manager will be Jan. 10. He came to work as manager in 2020.

As part of the Sunday called meeting, the City Council voted 4-2 to contact the League of Municipalities. Council members Geraldine Champion, Garry Daeke, Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert voted in favor of contacting the N.C. League of Municipalities, a member-driven organization that provides support and guidance to cities and towns across the state.

Council members Ola Thorpe-Cooper and Michael Venable voted no; Council members Sara Coffey and Tami Walker were not present at the meeting.

Two people were in attendance at the Sunday meeting – a local newspaper reporter and one other person. That other person contacted WIZS Monday morning and said that shouting could be heard toward the end of the closed session, but none of the exact words could be understood.

Several key staff positions report to and work at the pleasure of the City Council – including the city attorney and the city manager – and Raleigh attorney Hassan Kingsberry was recently sworn in as interim city attorney, filling the position left vacant when D. Rix Edwards resigned. That job posting is currently on the city’s website; interested applicants have until Dec. 30 to apply.

The city has hired Salonia Saxton as its new public information officer. Saxton introduced herself at the December meeting.

Blackmon said he expected a press statement about the resignation to be issued by the city.

Other news gathering indicates the City Manager job will be posted on the City’s webpage as well.

Click Play for TownTalk broadcast.

The Local Skinny! Friday Car Chase

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Friday, Dec. 13 proved unlucky for one teenaged motorist who led law enforcement officers on a 30-plus mile chase through Vance and Franklin counties, ending in a crash in Henderson near Chavasse Avenue and Raleigh Road.

The driver, 19-year-old Eli-Javron Williams of Roberts Avenue in Vance County, faces a slew of charges, including two felony charges for fleeing to elude and hit-and-run, according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

Barrow said officers from the Henderson Police Department observed a silver 2013 Honda Accord driving erratically on Harriett Street about 3:15 p.m.

In a statement to WIZS, Barrow said, “When the officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver accelerated and refused to pull over.
The vehicle fled the area, prompting the officers to initiate a pursuit. The chase covered nearly 35 miles, extending to the city limits of
Franklinton, NC, before returning to Henderson.”
During the pursuit, the fleeing vehicle collided with a 2005 Toyota Scion while trying to turn onto Chavasse Avenue from Raleigh Road. The
occupants of the Toyota Scion were assessed by EMS at the scene. After the collision, the occupants of the pursued vehicle exited their disabled car and attempted to escape on foot. Officers quickly apprehended the driver and a 17-year-old passenger after a brief foot chase. A third individual, who remains unidentified, was not
apprehended, and no information about that person is available at this time.
The unnamed passenger who was apprehended was charged with resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer. He was released to his mother at the police
department.

In addition to the two felony charges, Williams faces charged of careless and reckless driving, injury to personal property and multiple traffic violations.  He was given a $40,000 secured bond.

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Charles Forsythe Receives Order Of The Long Leaf Pine

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— information courtesy of the office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon

Former Watkins Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charles Forsythe is one of the newest recipients of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, given for more than four decades of service to his community.

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon presented the award to Forsythe on Dec. 5.

“Charles Forsythe’s lifelong commitment to the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department and his profound impact on the community exemplify the spirit of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine,” Sossamon said. “His legacy of service, leadership, and compassion is an inspiration to us all.”

In 1980, Forsythe began as a firefighter with the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department. From the outset, his unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property set him apart. Over the years, Forsythe’s tireless efforts and exemplary leadership earned him promotions to Lieutenant, Captain, and eventually Fire Chief, a role in which he served with distinction.

Even after stepping down as Fire Chief, Forsythe remained a vital part of the department as Chaplain and Senior Man. In these capacities, he has provided spiritual guidance and emotional support to his fellow firefighters, ensuring their well-being both on and off duty. His mentorship has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of firefighters, instilling values of courage, integrity, and service.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of North Carolina’s highest civilian honors, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to the state and their communities. Forsythe’s exemplary career and enduring contributions make him a truly deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

“Shop with a Cop and Friends” in full force as Holidays Approach

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The holiday season is here in The Gateway City. It’s also a time of giving with the “Shop with a Cop and Friends” program here in Henderson. Law Enforcement partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and the Vance County Department of Social Services for “Shop with a Cop and Friends.”

$16,000 was raised for the “Shop with a Cop and Friends” fundraiser. Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson presented the police department with the check. The money is aimed at helping out children and families in need this holiday season.

This year’s “Shop with a Cop and Friends” event, will take place at Walmart on December 20, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Officers from the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office will be there during the event.

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott conveyed her appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce, the Henderson Police Department, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, and everyone who helped in this year’s “Shop with a Cop and Friends” program for families in need.

Read The Latest Updates On N.C. House District 32 Contest

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Update 12-13-24 at 2:30 p.m.

The new N.C. General Assembly members will be sworn in for their bicameral legislative session of the state government of North Carolina on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 12 noon in Raleigh.

The question is will Bryan Cohn be sworn in at that time to officially claim the District 32 House seat?

It is apparent to WIZS News that Cohn will be sworn in, having garnered more votes than incumbent GOP legislator Frank Sossamon.

In recent correspondence, WIZS News has learned from the N.C. State Board of Elections that the state board has certified the post-recount totals in the contest.

Although Cohn held a slim lead in the Nov. 5 general election, Sossamon called for a recount and lodged protests to the state board, along with several other candidates in races too close to call.

The state board told WIZS that the heftiest of protests that Sossamon filed have been dismissed, leaving no protest that would change the outcome of the election.

The decision could still be appealed in Wake County Superior Court.

Stay tuned to WIZS and read updates at www.wizs.com.

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Update 12-4-24 at 4:15 p.m.

The Vance County Board of Elections completed Wednesday its hand-to-eye recount of the precinct randomly selected last week by the State Board of Elections in ongoing efforts to determine the winner in the contest for the N.C. District 32 House seat, currently held by Frank Sossamon.

Director Haley Rawles said each candidate received one less vote as a result of the process.

Sossamon got 205 votes and Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn got 293 votes in the recount, according to Rawles.

The recount was conducted on ballots from the Middleburg precinct, she told WIZS News Wednesday afternoon.

Efforts to get information from Granville County, the other county in N.C. District 32, have not been successful. WIZS will update the story when information is available.

Update 12-2-24 at 4:50 p.m.

From the N.C. State Board of Elections

After the initial machine recount, Republican candidate Frank Sossamon trails Democratic candidate Bryan Cohn by 228 votes, 21,215 to 20,987. State law permits a candidate to request a sample hand-to-eye recount within 24 hours after the initial recount. Sossamon requested the recount.

The State Board conducted a random drawing at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 to determine the Election Day precincts or early voting sites that will be recounted by hand in Granville and Vance counties.

The Vance County Board of Elections will conduct its hand recount starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St.

The Granville County Board of Elections will conduct its hand recount in the sample of precincts starting at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Granville County Board of Elections, 208 Wall St., Oxford.

Update 11-26-24 at 1:10 p.m.

Bryan Cohn maintains a 233-vote lead over incumbent Frank Sossamon. The Vance County canvass is complete, but it is unclear whether Granville County’s canvass is ongoing.

Granville County’s Board of Elections has failed to respond to any WIZS request for information about the recount or the protests filed in Granville County, but Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood posted on the county website earlier Tuesday that the Granville County Board of Elections would reconvene at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 to finalize the recount results for three contests, including the N.C. House District 32 race.

Cohn said Friday he received a packet from Frank Sossamon’s lawyer and that, of the 250 or so names listed as potential ineligible voters in Vance County – which is information Vance County’s Board of Elections swiftly sent to WIZS upon request – that the Granville County list has about as many names on it.

According to information on the Granville County website, Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette issued Monday, Nov. 25 a statement announcing that a hearing on Sossamon’s protest will take place Monday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. at Granville County Superior Court, 101 Main St., Oxford.

WIZS does not know if the Granville recount is complete. If so, the state will actually canvass and certify the election Wednesday, Nov. 27.  From there, the protests leave open the door for the state to step in should it be apparent the outcome of the election could change as a result.

Legal briefs from the Sossamon camp are due to the state tomorrow – Wednesday –  and Cohn’s lawyers have to have rebuttal briefs to the state next week.

Update 11-25-24 at 4:37 p.m.

Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles said earlier Monday that the recount of ballots cast in the contest for N.C. House District 32 has been completed by her team, and that each candidate – Republican incumbent Frank Sossamon and Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn – each gained one vote as a result of the process.

WIZS News has not heard back from Granville County Board of Elections Director Tonya Burnette about the status of its recount process.

Follow WIZS.com for all the latest updates in the contest for N.C. House District 32.

Update 11-21-24 at 6 p.m. —

Follow WIZS.com for all the latest updates in the contest for N.C. House District 32.

The boards of elections in Vance and Granville counties are in the middle of an official recount, but chances are the outcome of the race will not be known for a couple of weeks since Frank Sossamon, currently trailing challenger Bryan Cohn by 233 votes, filed several protests with the local boards of elections.

The Republican incumbent Sossamon trailed Cohn by 185 votes after the Nov. 5 election; that gap increased to 233 votes after the county canvasses were completed on Nov. 15.

Since then, however, Sossamon invoked his right to call for a recount – which he did less than an hour before the 12 noon deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

However, he also filed three protests Wednesday, Nov. 20 with the Vance County Board of Elections, citing several voting irregularities that call into question ballots being counted for ineligible voters, including voters who cast early ballots but died before Election Day and voters who didn’t have the proper registration information.

Vance County Board of Elections Haley Rawles received from Sossamon’s attorney a list containing more than 250 names of possible ineligible voters based on the aforementioned irregularities.

Repeated attempts to get the same information from Granville County’s Board of Elections director have gone unanswered.

Vance County began its recount at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 20; information on the Granville County Board of Elections website indicated that its recount was suspended on Wednesday at 9 p.m. and was set to resume Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m.

As of this publication at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, WIZS has received no additional information than what is listed above in this update.