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Department Of Social Services Board Votes DSS Director Out

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UPDATE July 2, 7:25 PM

The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.

Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.

“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.

“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.

But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”

The newly adopted county budget for 2025-26 includes $10,225,717 for administrative costs at DSS, according to County Manager C. Renee Perry. Perry told WIZS News Wednesday that Cassandra Hart is the interim director.

Perry referred other questions to the DSS Board Chair. WIZS reached out to Frieson Wednesday for comment. “Due to pending legal action I cannot comment at this time,” Frieson stated.

In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.

Then last week, a cybersecurity breach occurred at Vance County DSS that is currently under investigation.

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UPDATE July 1, 4:56 PM

The Vance County Department of Social Services Board of Directors has voted to dismiss DSS Director Sandy Weaver.

Weaver was appointed to the role on Oct. 1, 2024. County Attorney Jonathan Care confirmed the board’s decision took place on Wednesday, June 18 in an interview with WIZS News Tuesday.

“The county’s official statement is ‘This is a DSS personnel matter,’” Care said, adding that the DSS board is the hiring authority of the director.

“She was within her nine-month probationary period, and they voted before the expiration of that probationary period not to continue her employment,” Care said.

But DSS Board Chair Leonard Frieson said, “Because of pending matters, I can’t say anything. You need to contact the county attorney or the county manager – they will speak for me.”

In May 2025, the state notified the county that it would be taking over part of the DSS child welfare services, citing numerous safety violations and social work practices that didn’t align with law, rule or policy – despite having been under a correction action plan since June 2024.

A cybersecurity breach occurred last week at Vance County DSS that is under investigation by state and federal authorities.

NCDMV Now Serves Walk-Ins All Day, Tweaks Check-In Process In Effort To Improve Customer Service

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— information courtesy of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is rolling out operational changes at its driver license offices to help customers stay out of long lines and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the hot summer months. These changes aim to get the lines moving, streamline the check-in process, and enhance customer comfort while maintaining efficient service.

Under the new system and effective immediately, all driver license offices in the state now serve walk-in customers all day. Customers without an appointment no longer have to wait until 12 noon to be seen.

Additionally, examiners will prioritize checking in customers quickly and directing them to wait in their vehicles or at a nearby business until space is available in the office lobby. DMV staff will review customers’ documents to ensure they have everything needed for their desired service before checking in. Customers will receive a text notification when there is room in the lobby and another when it is their turn to be served.

“We’re committed to making the DMV experience as comfortable and efficient as possible, especially during these scorching summer months,” said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “By focusing on quick check-ins and allowing customers to wait in cooler, shaded areas, we’re reducing time spent standing in the sun while keeping our offices running smoothly.”

People may notice there are no lines outside some locations, and that’s intentional. Customers will be checked in and waiting elsewhere, ensuring a more comfortable experience. However, the NCDMV encourages customers to come prepared for the possibility of brief waits during check-in. Bringing water, snacks, necessary medications, and items like an umbrella or chair can help ensure comfort while waiting to be processed.

“We want our customers to be safe and prepared,” Tine added. “Due to the severe temperatures, we decided to implement these changes more quickly than planned. If you do not have to come into DMV in the next week as we make these changes, please don’t come in.  We should have a more comfortable and predictable experience that allows us to serve our customers better once the new system is fully in place.”

NCDMV also reminds customers to check the requirements for their specific service on the NCDMV.gov website before visiting an office to avoid delays.

The changes to the check-in process are being implemented at 82 of the 115 driver license offices around the state and reflect NCDMV’s ongoing efforts to improve customer service and adapt to seasonal challenges. The remaining 33 offices will be receiving updates that better fit their size and restrictions in the near future.

The 20 DMV offices that offer walk-in service on Saturday mornings will be closed on Saturday, July 5. Saturday service hours will resume at all locations on July 12 and will continue through Aug. 12.

All NCDMV offices will be also closed on July 4 for Independence Day.

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! July Fun at Perry Memorial Library

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Kids can beat the heat on Tuesday mornings in July by ducking into Perry Memorial Library and catching a movie. And parents, you can’t beat the price: it’s FREE!

The movie series kicked off today with the popular Dog Man on the big screen. The movies begin at 11 a.m., and Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said next up is Mufasa on July 8, followed by Sonic 3 on July 22.

Tuesday afternoons heat up with a string of “Color My World” activities, the Summer Reading Program theme.

On Tuesday, July 8 at 4 p.m., it’s “Color My World With Fossils” when Coleman Davis with the N.C. Fossil Club brings his collection to the library.

Peters said the club, founded through the N.C. Museum of History, sends representatives to places like Perry Library to do outreach activities.

“It’s quite something,” Peters said of Davis’s collection. “I learned so much last year.”

But Tuesdays don’t get all the fun stuff during the summer – Thursdays are filled with activities for all ages of young people all day long.

There’s Mother Goose Story Time at 11 on Thursdays, where children 0-5 (and their siblings, too) can gather to enjoy stories and songs with a summer theme.

Then, on Thursday afternoons, a shorter version of the story time kicks off at 3:30 p.m. “It’s designed for families on the go,” Peters said. A quick story followed by those ever-popular bubbles for children from PK through elementary school.

Kids can stay for LEGO Club or STEAM Club, which start at 4 p.m. for the younger crowd, or stick around for Teen Time in the Maker Space, which will be stocked with snacks and arts and crafts activities.

Peters said the summer reading program is off to a good start, and she is pleased to see that entire families are participating.

“I love the response we’re getting,” she said. “We’ve got families reading together,” she said, filling out very simple reading logs and then coming in and choosing their prizes.

It’s a great way for parents to get involved with their kids’ activities, she said.

Check out www.perrylibrary.org to view the complete schedule of events and activities.

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Raising Goats

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

This segment provides 5 things listeners should consider if they want to raise goats. Also included are two upcoming events at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

 

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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Vance County DSS Affected By Cybersecurity Incident; Investigation Ongoing

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Vance County officials are actively responding to a recent cybersecurity incident that was isolated solely to the Vance County Department of Social Services. County leadership is working closely with state and federal partners, as well as cybersecurity professionals, to fully investigate the situation, contain any threats, and ensure that DSS operations are restored safely and securely.

In a press release Monday, County Manager C. Renee Perry emphasized the county’s commitment to protecting sensitive information. “This incident was limited to the Department of Social Services, and we are taking every step necessary to secure our systems and protect our clients’ data,” Perry stated.

While DSS services may be temporarily modified or delayed, all other Vance County departments and services are operating normally. Essential services, including emergency response and public safety, remain fully functional and unaffected.

As part of its response, Vance County IT has notified law enforcement and is following all required protocols to investigate the source and impact of this incident. Residents with active DSS cases may experience temporary delays and are encouraged to monitor the county website and social media channels for updates and specific guidance. Because the investigation has just started, DSS does not know whether any personal information stored by DSS was affected. If sensitive personal information was impacted during the event, Vance County will notify individuals directly as required by law. Additional updates will be shared as we are able.

Perry said, “We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we work to resolve this incident swiftly and securely. Our priority is the well-being of those we serve and the continued trust our residents place in us.”

FLVF Executive Director Guest Speaker At July 8 Community Info Series

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The executive director of Families Living Violence Free will be the guest speaker at the upcoming Community Information Series event at Baskerville Funeral Home.

Amy Langston is scheduled to speak on the topic “Giving Voice and Support to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims” on Tuesday, July 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

This is a free event and open to the public. Langston will share insights and resources to support survivors and strengthen community awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault.

Baskerville Funeral Home is located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.

For more information, call 252.430.6824.

ACTS Of Henderson Seeking Food Items, Volunteers

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Area Christians Together in Service – ACTS –  of Henderson always welcomes donated food items and financial donations to help them continue the work of feeding hungry people, but the food pantry and community kitchen also need people to volunteer their time to get the work done.

Maybe you don’t have a lot of money or resources. Maybe you just have time. Giving your time makes a difference, too.

Call ACTS at 252.492.8231 to learn how to volunteer, donate food or make a monetary gift or visit https://www.rise4me.com/resources/area-christians-together-in-service-acts/.

The food pantry, located at 201 S. William St., could really use the following canned food and shelf-stable food items:

  • pork and beans
  • baked beans
  • navy beans
  • great northern beans
  • pintos
  • light red kidney beans
  • collards
  • mixed greens
  • mixed veggies
  • canned tuna
  • canned chicken
  • grits
  • oatmeal
  • cereal
  • pasta

Maria Parham Health Launches Community Health Needs Assessment

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— Information from Donna Young, Maria Parham Health Market Coordinator, Marketing & Communications 

 

Maria Parham Health, in collaboration with local health professionals and community stakeholders, has launched a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment to identify public health priorities, goals and objectives in Vance County.  This initiative is part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to improving and promoting the health of every community member.

The assessment is a structured approach to gathering, analyzing and disseminating information about the community’s overall health. It is designed to identify the factors negatively affecting public health and to determine the availability of resources to address those identified issues.

Maria Parham Health conducted its previous community health needs assessment three years ago, according to information from Donna Young, MPH market coordinator for Marketing & Communications. The new assessment will evaluate the progress made since then and outline what still needs to be done. The current assessment is expected to be completed by the end of October, with results to be shared publicly in a comprehensive report.

“Guided by the results of this important community assessment and the progress we’ve made since the last CHNA, we will soon have a more comprehensive understanding of the health needs of our community,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “This will help us focus our resources as we work towards making communities healthier.”

The CHNA will draw from both existing and newly collected data to evaluate local health needs and recommend potential solutions. Some of the data sources include previous assessments conducted by local, state and federal public health organizations.

A key element of the assessment is community engagement. A focus group will be conducted and community members, physicians and hospital staff will be surveyed to gather perspectives on local health concerns and needed changes. This qualitative insight will be combined with quantitative data to shape health improvement priorities.

“The survey will be looking at concerns as seen through the eyes of the residents of Vance County,” Beard said.

Data for the CHNA is being collected and analyzed by Strata, Maria Parham Health’s research partner. Strata will interpret the findings and present them to the hospital’s board of directors and to administrative leadership, helping to guide the refinement of programs and services to better meet community health needs.

Following the completion of data collection, a Community Health Summit will be held to present the findings and further engage the public in health improvement planning. Maria Parham Health will also align its findings with the Granville Vance Public Health CHNA to ensure a coordinated and effective response.

“As we demonstrated with our last CHNA, our community assessment is not just about producing a report—it’s about creating a sustained action plan that truly improves the lives of the people in our community,” said Beard.

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