Henry A. Dennis Building Turns Green For ‘Operation Green Light’ To Honor Veterans

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From Nicola Goslin-Ricks, Vance County Veterans Service

 

The Henry A. Dennis Building in downtown Henderson will be illuminated green through the month of November as part of Vance County’s participation in Operation Green Light, a national initiative to support military veterans.

With Veterans Day next week, local residents have a chance to participate in Operation Green Light, too, by swapping out clear light bulbs for green ones to show support. The Vance County Veterans Service office is located in the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St.

It’s all part of a new initiative spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and other national organizations.

NACo President Denise Winfrey said, “Operation Green Light is a simple way to express our collective appreciation for the public service of our veterans. We encourage everyone to join us in displaying a green light for our veterans and to also reflect on how we, as a nation and at the county level, assist our military service personal back into civilian life upon completion of their service to our country.”

In addition to lighting the Henry A. Dennis Building, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.

By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (November 4th – 11th ), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.

Visit naco.org/operationgreenlight for more information and links to resources available to veterans.

 

Henderson Police Make Arrest In Nov. 5 Stabbing Death Of 32-Year-Old

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– Press release from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, officers responded to a reported altercation at a residence located at 817 Dabney Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered that an incident had occurred between Andre Bridges, age 32, and Nicholas Harris, age 20. During the altercation, Harris allegedly stabbed Bridges once before fleeing to a nearby residence.
Bridges collapsed from his injuries and was transported to a medical facility, where he later succumbed to the wound.
Following a series of interviews, the execution of search warrants, and the processing of physical evidence, investigators quickly developed Harris as the primary suspect. By 7:30 p.m., Nicholas Harris voluntarily surrendered himself to investigators.
Harris, of 1427 Parker Lane, has been charged with the murder of Andre Bridges. He was transported to the Vance County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond, pending his first court appearance.

Now is the Time to Join the H-V Chamber of Commerce

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With all the ribbon-cuttings taking place recently, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has had to keep those giant scissors sharpened. This is a busy time for the Chamber, not just because of all those ceremonial welcomes – it’s also annual membership campaign season.

And Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s been a busy time at the chamber,” Wilkerson said on Tuesday’s TownTalk, “but it’s been a great time” as new businesses and new members come on board.

Of course, Wilkerson said, the Chamber welcomes new members any time during the year, but folks who join during the membership campaign won’t get another bill until January of 2027 – that’s like getting 15 months for 12. The current campaign runs through Dec. 19.

As Wilkerson sees it, a members’ annual dues are really an investment from members who reap the benefits of being a part of an organization that brings people from across the community together to network with each other, forming partnerships and friendships.

“You get out of it what you put into it,” she said, emphasizing that the regular get-togethers have a way of strengthening ties within the business community. “If you are one who never gets out of the office, you’ll lose some of that energy,” she said.

And the Chamber’s fundraisers also are celebrations, she said, as people come together for a common goal.

“It’s so much more for the people that come and participate,” she said.

When Wilkerson realized she needed to offer something for the members that are nonprofit organizations, the Chamber started quarterly nonprofit engagement gatherings. The most recent one had 80 people in attendance.

“It’s been very successful,” she said. They bring in speakers – some local, some from elsewhere – and learn about grant opportunities and more.

Last week’s “State Of” luncheon had more than 100 people, and Wilkerson said it’s been a popular series for the community to learn what’s up in the community and across the region.

Another Chamber-sponsored program is Leadership Vance, which brings a diverse group of people from a cross-section of the community together for a months-long program to learn about the county where they live and work.

“I’ve seen so many people in Leadership Vance,” she said, “so many that go on to become Chamber ambassadors, board members and elected officials…and a greater love for the community.”

A spinoff of that is a student version of Leadership Vance. It started a few years ago to get high school students involved in learning about and appreciating all the positives in the county. This year, 44 students applied for the program, and the Chamber loosened up the 16-participant cap to make room for 19.

“These kids can go out and spread that positivity to their peers and to their parents,” Wilkerson said.

The Chamber has its finger in a lot of pies throughout the community, but for Wilkerson, the best part about being the Chamber president is getting to spotlight local businesses. As a lifelong Vance County resident, she said it’s interesting to go into a business and sit down with people she may have known for a long time and learn all about their work and how they fit in – and give back to – the community they call home.

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(The audio and information above was originally air and posted on WIZS and WIZS.com on October 28, 2025)

Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Your Circle Matters

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Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We continue our role model and mentorship series, specifically building a circle of voices that you trust around your child.

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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TownTalk: Vance Commissioners Table Action On Updated Emergency Operations Plan, Vote To Terminate Fire Commission

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners were presented an updated version of the county’s approved Emergency Operations Plan but voted to table taking action to allow for more discussion.

Vance County Emergency Management Specialist Willie Kearney presented the draft document – the most recent update had been July 2019.

Kearney said the Vance County Rescue Squad has been removed from the EOP since it had been defunded by the county.

And since the 911 Communications and Emergency Management are no longer housed under Emergency Operations, Kearney stated that that Vivian Lassiter will oversee 911 and Kearney will oversee emergency management services in the plan.

Other proposed changes include an updated mutual aid agreement with the state of North Carolina. That agreement was signed on Sept. 23, 2025 by Assistant County Manager Jeremy Jones.

The local Department of Social Services responsibilities were amended in the EOP since DSS is no longer responsible for contacting medical/health care facilities to encourage development of emergency guidelines.

The existing EOP refers to a N.C. General Statute that was repealed and replaced with an updated G.S. concerning emergency declarations, and that also was updated in the draft document.

In other action taken by the board, County Manager C. Renee Perry said, at the direction of Chair Carolyn Faines, she is in the process of reviewing various county committees to determine whether they should be decommissioned.

First up was the Fire Commission, which Perry said she would suggest that the board decommission, since it was created for the specific purpose of resolving issues around the most recent fire study.

Since the commissioners have regularly scheduled work sessions, Perry said the work of individual committees could take place at work sessions instead. Commissioner Tommy Hester made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Leo Kelly, Jr. to decommission the Fire Commission. The lone dissenter was Commissioner Dan Brummitt.

Before the vote was taken, Brummitt said, “I still believe that committees are an essential part of the board. I don’t agree with getting rid of committees…I think we need to continue with our committees.”

Perry said commissioners earlier had decided to move the work of committees to regularly scheduled work sessions, allowing all board members to receive the same information at the same time.

“It’s always good for me not to be surprised with what questions are going to be asked at the meeting, so we can be prepared to answer those questions,” Perry said.

Speaking of work sessions, commissioners voted to cancel the upcoming Nov. 17 work session. Perry made the request, stating that the board would be together twice in December, once for the regular December meeting and the second for the annual retreat.

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TownTalk: Gill Wins Ward 4, Henderson City Council Seats Come December

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As a result of Tuesday’s runoff election for the Ward 4 seat on the Henderson City Council, Catherine “Kitty” Gill will join fellow newcomer Kenia Gomez-Jimenez and two incumbents to be sworn in at the City Council’s December meeting.

Gill beat incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper to take the seat.

Gomez-Jimenez beat incumbent Ward 1 at-large Council member Sara Coffey in the Oct. 7 election. Incumbents Garry Daeke (Ward 3) and Lamont Noel (Ward 2 at-large) also won their contests in the Oct. 7 election.

Gill led Thorpe-Cooper by 12 votes in the Oct. 7 election, prompting a runoff on Nov. 4. The unofficial tally was 132 to 84 in Gill’s favor. County elections officials will convene on Nov. 14 to certify the results of the Nov. 4 elections, which also included contests for mayors and council members in Kittrell and Middleburg.

Following the December installation, the Henderson City Council makeup is as follows:

  • Ward 1 – Geraldine Champion
  • Ward 1 at-large – Kenia Gomez-Jimenez

 

  • Ward 2 – Sam Seifert
  • Ward 2 at-large – Lamont Noel

 

  • Ward 3 – Garry Daeke
  • Ward 3 at-large – Michael Venable

 

  • Ward 4 – Catherine “Kitty” Gill
  • Ward 4 at-large – Tami Walker

 

The council members serve four-year staggered terms and the mayor serves a four-year term.

In the 2027 municipal elections, Henderson voters will vote for mayor, as well as Wards 1 and 2 aldermen, and Wards 3 and 4 at-large aldermen.

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Challenger Gill Overtakes Incumbent Thorpe-Cooper In Runoff To Win Ward 4 Seat On Henderson City Council

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It took two tries, but it appears that Catherine “Kitty” Gill  has defeated incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper to win the Ward 4 seat on the Henderson City Council.

Thorpe-Cooper trailed the challenger Gill after the Oct. 7 election, and a runoff was declared.

Gill got 132 votes – accounting for 61.11 percent – to 84 – 38.89 percent for Thorpe-Cooper.

The final tally was released by the Vance County Board of Elections just about one hour after the polls closed at 7:30 p.m.

A total of 262 Ward 4 voters cast ballots in the runoff, accounting for just under 12 percent of the 2,237 eligible voters. Unofficial counts by precinct showed that Central Henderson had the most voters turn out – 105 for Gill and 75 for Thorpe-Cooper. The Sandy Creek precinct had 7 votes for Gill and 4 for Thorpe-Cooper; South Henderson voters cast 20 votes for Gill and 5 for Thorpe-Cooper. Not a single voter in the Northern Vance precinct cast a vote.

In other municipal elections in the county, Kittrell Mayor Gene Pulley ran unopposed and earned another term. Pulley received 23 votes of 26 total votes cast; there were three write-in votes.

Kittrell Town Commissioners – all incumbents – were re-elected as well. Mary Jo Floyd got 22 votes, Susan Pulley got 23 votes and Robert B. Tunstall got 20 votes.

In Middleburg, incumbent Mayor Ray Bullock, running unopposed, got 18 votes out of 18 total votes cast. Incumbent Council members Hazel A. Baskett got 13 votes, Shirley H. Bullock got 18 and Mamie Turner got 14 votes.

The returns are unofficial until the Nov. 14 canvass, when the results will be finalized beginning at 11 a.m.